"What is best for the child is not always what is most convenient for the parent." -Bonnie Bedford

With everything going on with Emily and the twins, David has barely had a chance to breath. It's a good thing that his sons don't cause many problems. I mean Derek has tutoring and therapy after school on Thursdays, but Spencer is just his perfect little genius boy.

Two days after Emily told David about being pregnant, he had to appear in court. There's a hearing in front of a judge to determine if Sandy's parental rights will be terminated. Or if the twins will be reunited with her. The social worker had told him based on Sandy's cooperation, or rather lack of cooperation to met CPS requirements, it's very likely that her parental rights will be terminated.

As David sat in the court and listened to the character witnesses that were testifying on what a great person and mother that Sandy is. David just couldn't help but scoff as he shook his head.

"Is that all the witnesses?" The judge asked Sandy's attorney

"Yes, Your Honor."

David's lawyer stood up, "Your Honor, we have a statement from Jennifer and Penelope Garcia."

"You may read it."

"Jennifer and Penelope wrote it. I'm just here as their voice." David said as he stood up, "My mom never really took care of us. My sister Roslyn did and when she died, we were alone. I, Jennifer had to protect my younger twin from mom, who would get drunk all the time after Roz was killed in our foster home. I would often find mom on the kitchen floor in a pool of her own vomit. Penelope and I would very much like to stay with Dave and not go back to live with mom ever. Signed, Penelope Grace and Jennifer Joy."

The judge gave a nod, "Okay. Well court is adjourned while I reside to my chambers to make my decision."

Once the judge was out of his chair, David was the first one out of the courtroom. Sandy was rushing after him, calling his name.

"How dare you read that in court?!" Sandy exclaimed as she faced David and then slapped him across the face. "JJ and PG are only nine years old. They don't know what they want."

"Ma'am, Jennifer asked me to read this to the judge. All I'm doing is giving her a voice. I have no agenda against you. She gave me this note this morning as I was leaving. I didn't even know about it until then." David explained calmly

Sandy just huffed as she turned away.

By the time, the judge reached a verdict and David got home to his kids, it was 7:30 pm. There was dinner in the kitchen, the kids had eaten, and Spencer was already in bed.

"What did the judge say?" Jennifer asked eagerly

David smiled, "It's good news. All we have to do now is set an adoption date."

"Really?" Penelope inquired

"Does that mean we can call you Papá?" Jennifer wondered

"You and your sister can call me whatever you'd like."

Jennifer and Penelope hugged David, "We love you, Papá."

"I love you too girls." David replied as he hugged them back.

Derek came out of his bedroom where he had been studying for his history test.

"Hey bud, where's your sister?" David questioned still not seeing Emily, but knowing that she was the one who cooked dinner.

"Library." Derek answered, "She left after cooking dinner and then putting Spencer to bed."

Little did David know, Emily wasn't anywhere near the library. That was just what she told Derek. She didn't want anyone to know where she went.

It wasn't until all the kids were asleep at half past eleven that Emily finally arrived home with tears in her eyes, running into David's arms, who had waited up for her.

"Oh bellissimo, what happened?" David wondered

Through her tears, Emily couldn't say anything. She didn't even know why she had gone there in the first place. Why did she need to know?

David wrapped his arms around Emily as he rubbed her back, "Come on, sweetheart. Talk to me. What happened?"

"I...I...they were in town." Emily stuttered, "I went to see my mom and dad."

"Oh Em."

Emily sniffled, "They didn't want me still."

"I want you. And I love you." David assured

"I know, Papá. I love you too." Emily added

"Family is not defined by our genes, it is built and maintained through love." -Amelia G.

Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.

What would you like to see happen next?