Chapter 50: In Every Way
Friday morning, Amy woke up to a not often, yet familiar ache, signaling that it was her time of the month. However, she did her best to hide how she was feeling, as it was a most special day, and there was much to do. Lyndy got off to school okay with them reminding her that they'd pick her up right after her lunch.
Mitch noticed but didn't really think too much about it when Amy asked if he could take care of the barn chores while she cleaned up the morning dishes, straying from their usual routine. After finishing, she went to pick out clothes. She wasn't sure what to wear to court, but since it was a special occasion, she opted for choosing a dress. She also thought that dressing up some might help her to feel a bit better. She showered, put on some make-up and had just finished slipping into her dress when Mitch came in from the barn. When he saw her, he let out a whistle, and said, "Darling, you look beautiful!" It was all he could do to keep from swooping her up in his arms, but he knew he needed to clean up.
"I guess I should at least wear some nice jeans and a dress shirt, huh?"
Amy replied, "I'd like that. I love seeing you all spiffy!" she said, forcing a smile.
Mitch went to shower, and Amy took advantage of the time by laying back down for a bit. When Mitch came back in the bedroom, he noticed her on the bed and knew it was unusual.
"Sweetheart, is anything wrong?"
Amy hated to worry him, but finally confessed what was causing her discomfort. This was a bit new to Mitch, and he wasn't quite sure what to do, but he asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Well, sometimes pressure and heat help when I'm feeling like this. Could you just lay down by me and perhaps hold my tummy for a few minutes?" she asked.
He tried to lighten the mood just a bit by teasing, "Oh, I don't know. That would be such a sacrifice," he said with his crooked smile, a chuckle, and a mischievous wink.
That brought a genuine smile to Amy's pained face, and he gently laid beside her and drew her close, placing his large hand firmly on her abdomen. After a few minutes, she sleepily said, "That is just what I needed. It really helps. Thank you."
"You are so welcome, my love," and in just a little while, Mitch sensed her relaxing and breathing evenly indicating she had fallen asleep. He carefully disengaged himself and gently laid a light blanket over her, then he went to finish getting ready. He would let her sleep just as long as possible. He took time to work on what he wanted to say during the celebration ceremony on Sunday, drawing much of it from the statement he'd written in the adoption paperwork, though he personalized it more.
Around 10:30, Mitch returned and placed a gentle kiss on Amy's cheek to lovingly wake her, knowing she might need a little time before they grabbed some lunch and went to pick up Lyndy. While Amy freshened up, Mitch fixed Cobb salads for them. As she came into the kitchen, he asked, "Feeling any better, Sweetheart?"
"A bit. How long did I sleep?" and she walked over to be welcomed into Mitch's waiting arms.
"About an hour and a half. I didn't have the heart to wake you."
"I think I needed the sleep. Thank you, Love," and Mitch leaned down to gently answer her with a kiss and a whispered, "You're welcome, my angel."
They ate lunch and then were on their way to pick up Lyndy. Mitch went in to get her while Amy waited in the truck. When he walked in the classroom door and she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she hurried to gather her things, then went to hug her daddy throwing her arms around his waist. Amy had sent him with one of Lyndy's dresses for her to change into, so he took her to the restroom and waited outside the door for her. When they returned to the truck, Amy told her how pretty she looked and brushed her hair for her. She pulled the sides up into a hair clip leaving her golden, curly locks flowing softly down her back.
They didn't have to wait long when they got to the court. When they walked inside the room, Lyndy, having never been in a courtroom, suddenly became a little shy and clung to Amy. The three of them and their attorney were sworn in, a new experience for them all. The three held hands with Lyndy between them as they stood before the judge. He had the paperwork in front of him, and looking over the top of his spectacles at Lyndy, he asked, "So your name is Lyndy?"
Lyndy shyly answered, "Yes, sir."
"Well, you look awfully nice today, Lyndy. So you think you want this guy here next to you to be your daddy, huh?" he asked a bit teasingly hoping to put her more at ease.
"Yes sir. Very much! My da-da died, and Mitch…Daddy has started taking care of me since he and Mama got married," Lyndy volunteered.
The judge smiled behind his more formal countenance. Then he looked at Mitch, "Mr. Cutty, I've read over your statement, and I find it to be commendable and most sincere."
"Thank you, Judge. I meant every word of it. Lyndy and her mother mean everything to me, and I am thrilled to be able to commit to raising her as my own daughter," Mitch proclaimed.
"And Ms. Cutty, I think I know the answer to this, but I need to ask, are you agreeable to this arrangement?"
"Most definitely, Sir!" Amy confidently answered with a big smile on her face as she turned to look into Mitch's shining eyes; a look that didn't go unnoticed by the experienced and observant judge.
The judge turned to their attorney and said, "It seems that you have everything in order with the paperwork. Excellent job!"
"Thank you, Judge."
The judge then stood up and stepped down from the bench. He came around to the table for all of them to sign the document, including Lyndy since she was old enough to write. They all gladly signed their names, though it understandably took Lyndy a little longer than the rest.
When all signatures were completed, the judge looked up at the family of three stating, "So there appears to be nothing left for me to do except pronounce you, little lady, from this day forward, to be known as Lyndy Marion Borden Cutty, daughter of Mitchell Nathan and Amy Borden Cutty. Mr. Cutty, congratulations on becoming a father! Congratulations to all three of you! I can see the joy this day has brought to you, and it's one of the favorite parts of my job."
Lyndy looked up at Mitch, slipping her small hand into his protective clasp and asked, "So you are now my daddy in every way?"
Amy reached for his other hand, and with both of them holding tears back, Mitch answered Lyndy with a catch in his voice, "In every way, Sweetheart, for always," and he bent down to draw her into a most gratifying hug, continuing to hold Amy's hand as their blue eyes glistened at each other.
The judge and attorney felt the emotion of the occasion as well. He allowed them the moment and then offered, "Please feel free, if you'd like, to let the clerk take a photo of your family with your attorney and me."
Mitch said, "Thank you, Judge. We'd appreciate that!"
They all gathered round to take a picture that included Lyndy holding her adoption certificate to document the joyous day!
After the photo was snapped, the judge squatted down beside Lyndy and pointed a finger toward her ring. "So Lyndy, I noticed your Claddagh ring there. That is special to me, too," and he held up his left hand to reveal his Claddagh wedding ring.
Lyndy smiled big and looked the judge straight in the eye as she said, "My Daddy gave it to me when he and Mama got married…because we are in each other's hearts."
The judge melted. He could see this was one very special little girl and a most special family. His joy for the day doubled.
As they started to leave, the judge grasped Mitch's arm and said, "Mitch…may I call you that?"
Mitch replied, "Certainly, Judge."
"You have a mighty special family here! You are a very blessed man indeed."
"Don't I know it, Sir, a gift I strive to be grateful for every day and don't know how I can ever repay the giver!" he replied, and they shook hands.
The judge had been most impressed with this young father and thought to himself, 'We need so many more dads like Mitch! Father, please bless them with more children to grace our world.'
As they left, Mitch suggested, "So shall we go get some ice cream to celebrate?" And realizing that Amy still wasn't feeling too well, he added, "And how about if we pick up a pizza to take home for dinner?"
"Yes, yes, Daddy!" Lyndy exclaimed clapping her hands.
Amy caught Mitch's eye and mouthed, "Thank you."
When they got home, Mitch encouraged Amy, "Darling, you go put your feet up. I'll get the pizza ready to serve, and Lyndy and I will join you for us to eat together in the living room. Lyndy, how about you go get your PJs on while I get our pizza ready?"
"Ok, Daddy," and she took off up the stairs.
"Sweetheart, since you're not so chipper tonight, what would you think of seeing if Lyndy might be ok with having our Family Night tomorrow when Mom and Dad are here? I think you need to get a good night's rest. We can pray down here together, and I can just read her a story and get her to bed while you get ready yourself."
"Mitch, you are so good to me. Thank you, that sounds perfect," Amy replied, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead as she rested her head against the back of the couch. Then he went to the kitchen to make sure the pizza was still hot and serve it up for the three of them.
Lyndy came back down in her PJs, and Mitch suggested the change in schedule. She was actually excited about waiting til Papa Doc and Gram-Ginny would be there to have family time together. They ate together and talked about their day, and when they finished, he and Lyndy took their dishes to the kitchen. Mitch let her know they'd pray together, and then he would read her a bedtime story and tuck her in, explaining to her that Mama was a little tired tonight. They went back to join Amy, and as they held hands, Mitch led them in a heartfelt prayer:
Our dear Father in heaven, hallowed is your name. You are the Creator of all that is good in our lives. And Father, what a gift you have given us today! Our hearts are overflowing! Thank you, God, that we are now a family in every way. Thank you for bringing Amy and Lyndy into my life and blessing us with the deep love that we now share. Our life together is beyond anything we would have ever even thought of imagining! You've brought it about in Your time, and we are amazed! Thank you for this day that we will always remember and treasure. Thank you for our attorney's help and the kind judge that you granted us today. We know our rest will be the sweetest it's ever been tonight. Thank you, Father. We love you!
In Jesus' name. Amen
When he finished, Lyndy asked, "Daddy, what does hallowed mean?"
"I guess that was a big word to use. It means honored or revered, giving great respect."
"Oh, that makes a lot of sense when talking to God," she responded quite satisfied with the answer.
She kissed her mama goodnight, hugging her neck with both saying 'I love you,' and Mitch and Lyndy headed upstairs while Amy made her way to get ready for bed herself. When Mitch came down after reading Lyndy another fable and tucking her in for the first night as his legal daughter, his joy was uncontainable! He cleaned up the dishes they'd left in the sink, whistling as he worked and reflecting on his time with Lyndy. "Daddy, thank you for loving me. It's been sad without my da-da, but God didn't want me and Mama to stay sad. He gave us you!" and she had hugged his neck the tightest she ever had. A hug he would treasure in his heart forever. He made Amy some hot tea, texted Zeke to confirm all chores had been handled, and locked up. When he walked into their room carrying the tea, Amy was propped up in bed waiting for them to read together.
"Sweetheart, I brought you some hot tea. Are you sure you're up to reading tonight?" Mitch asked.
"Yes, the first day can be the hardest, but I'm starting to feel better. The tea should help, too. Thank you for being so thoughtful. I should be back to normal by tomorrow. I have to be. We need to go get a puppy!" she said excitedly, "And I need to prep the guest room for your parents. I'm sure I can last through one chapter."
After they read and talked for a few minutes, the lights were turned out. Mitch laid the warmth of his hand flat against Amy's belly gently drawing her back to nestle perfectly into the curve of his body, cradling her and brushing a soft, sweet kiss against her neck. She sighed with pleasure and said, "It's been a most wonderful day! Sweet dreams, my darling. Thank you for all the care you showed me today and thank you for your beautiful prayer tonight. I love you so much!" And Mitch hugged her all the closer to him