Epilogue

It had been four years since Jon had met Shawn, three years since Shawn had moved into the apartment the first time, two years since Jon had called CPS, and one year since Shawn had agreed to be adopted.

A year and eight months since Shawn's accident. Three months since he'd graduated from high school. Five months since he'd received an acceptance letter from a university—an acceptance he turned down to focus on his photography job, which Jon supported.

Eight months since Ashley had said yes. Two months since they'd said I do. One month since the move into a bigger home—a house this time—and as for all the unpacking . . . well, most of that was still in their future.

Fourteen months since Chet Hunter told the judge to let Shawn stay with Jon.

Six months since the courts gave up on finding Shawn's biological mother.

Four months since Jon and Ashley's license to adopt had cleared.

Two months since Marisa had sent them a court date.

Two months until Shawn turned eighteen, though Jon didn't expect he'd be moving out any time soon. His job didn't pay well enough to cover rent, not yet, and besides, he still had a lot to figure out. He would need his parents for that. Jon's honeymoon would have to wait, but that was fine by him.

Today . . . today was special.

They sat in the bare hallway on a hard bench, dressed for the photos, waiting for their case to be called. Shawn gripped Ashley's hand tightly, and Jon kept a hand on Shawn's back, feeling the radiating tension.

"You don't have to do this," Jon said quietly.

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"That's not what I mean."

Shawn looked down at his hand, at the sparkling ring on Ashley's. "I wanna do this."

Jon squeezed the back of Shawn's neck, kneading at the tight muscles, and the door to the court room opened. Marisa smiled at them. "They're ready for you."

Jon readied himself to stand, but he let Shawn be first.

They took their seats in the courtroom, and the judge smiled at Shawn. They'd debated about how many people to bring. Jon and Ashley had met with a few other adoptive families over the course of the past year, and they'd learned that some people opted to bring extended family and lots of friends to the adoption hearing. Jon thought about giving Shawn the option, at least to invite the Matthews, but ultimately, their situation wasn't quite the same. Shawn wasn't a young child who had known no other family, and Jon didn't know whether to expect it to be a day of celebration or mourning. He knew it would be deeply personal, either way, so in the end, Jon hadn't even brought up the option to Shawn. The three of them had simply driven down to the court house together.

Jon thought he might have recognized a few of the faces in the room from the last time they'd been here, but there were definitely fewer people than there had been. Jon figured they didn't need lawyers for Shawn's parents anymore.

The judge exchanged a few quiet words with the recorder, then he looked to Jon and Ashley. "Mr. and Mrs. Turner. According to my records, Shawn turns eighteen in two months. Is this correct?"

"Yes, your honor," Jon said.

"You understand that adoption is a lifelong commitment, nevertheless. Shawn will be your son, for life, regardless of any other children you two may or may not have."

"Absolutely," Jon said.

"Yes," Ashley said.

"You are accepting him into your family, and you promise to love him and care for him."

"We do," Jon said.

The judge turned to Shawn. "Mr. Hunter, is this what you want?"

"Y-yes, your honor," Shawn managed to say.

Then his face crumpled, and he buried his face in his hands. His shoulders shook.

Jon wrapped an arm around him from one side, and Ashley from the other. Shawn's head turned to rest on Jon's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm really sorry, Jon."

"It's okay," Jon whispered, and he rubbed Shawn's back. He knew this wasn't going to be easy.

"Off the record," the judge said quietly to the reporter, then to Shawn, "Son."

Shawn wiped his eyes, sniffed, and looked up at the judge.

"This has been a long journey for you."

Shawn nodded, choking out another sob, and he swiped his hand across his cheek.

"Jon takes good care of you?"

Shawn nodded emphatically.

"You love him?"

"Yeah. And Ashley," Shawn said.

"They love you very much, too."

Shawn sniffed again, and he straightened up. "I'm really sorry, your honor. I know I should just . . . be grateful . . ."

"No one's saying that, son. You've had a hard life."

Shawn took a deep breath. "I . . . am grateful."

The judge smiled.

"I don't know why I'm crying."

"I do."

Shawn hung his head, and for a long moment, his shoulders shook.

"This is our last hearing today, so if you need a minute . . "

"I don't." Shawn took Ashley's hand again, sitting up. "I want to be their son."

The judge inclined his head to the reporter, who brought Shawn a box of tissues before returning to her seat. Then the judge said, "On the record. I affirm this adoption."

Shawn immediately turned to wrap his arms around Jon, squeezing tightly, and Jon felt Ashley's arms wrap around both of them. Jon held Shawn, gently but firmly, letting himself drink in the moment—the trembling in Shawn's limbs, the smell of stress sweat, the wetness of his tears and the wildness of his hair. Jon kissed his forehead. "I love you, Shawn."

"Love you," Shawn said, then he let go and turned to hug Ashley. "It actually happened."

Ashley looked up at Jon over Shawn's shoulder, eyes glistening. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to.

The judge called them up for a photo, and he signed the documents, which Jon was given in a folder to take home—medical cards, birth certificate, adoption certificate, and a few other papers. When all of the loose ends were tied, Jon shook hands with the judge, and he left the court room for the last time, his arm around his son's shoulders and his wife's hand in his.

End

A/N: Thank you so much for being along for the journey! It's been a crazy ride :)