Chapter 24: Julie's POV (Thursday, October 13th)

I am so excited! Today is the day that I officially become a "Manoso" again. Today, Ranger will legally be named my father, and to make it even more special, Stephanie will become my mother. I spent the last few years dreaming of this day, hoping and praying that Papi would get his act together and ask Stephanie out. I hoped they would become engaged and one day married, and to know that day was coming soon, well, I'm thrilled. However, I wish it didn't happen because my family was murdered.

Papi and I didn't really have a relationship before Scrog abducted me. He sent me money for holidays and my birthday. Papi was a man I would see occasionally. Mom never spoke much about him but told me he owned a business and traveled for his job. We would spend time together as I got a little older, but it wasn't much. An afternoon at the ice cream shop, sometimes we would hang with Abuela, sometimes at the mall or the beach. It was always awkward.

I didn't understand why Scrog took me. I know he was crazy and wanted to be Papi, but I didn't get it. I still don't. And that's okay. I've come to terms with the fact that I will never understand Scrog's motivation. But I digress. I was surprised to see Stephanie. I had no idea that Papi was friends with any women, and I thought she might be his girlfriend or wife. I was shocked when I learned they were "just" friends. But she arrived, and for the first time, I had hope that my Papi would come and rescue me. When he walked into Stephanie's apartment without a bulletproof vest, I learned how brave Papi was for the first time.

Papi would do anything for me. Yes, he would die for me, but that day, he didn't go into that apartment for me; he went in there for Stephanie. She was the one who he needed to save more than me. I'm his daughter and blood, but Stephanie was, and still is, his life. He didn't know it then, nor did she, but they are on the same page now.

I was different when I arrived back in Miami with Mom and Dad. I wanted to get to know that man who would risk his life for me and have a friend willing to do the same for someone she never met. Mom hated that I wanted to spend more time with Papi. But I needed to learn who he was. At first, it was weird. Papi didn't know what to say, nor did I. But, after a few months, it became less awkward and more natural. I realized I was a lot like Papi. I had his interests and enjoyed many of the same foods. I always felt like an outsider at home because I was different from everyone else, but once I started to get to know Papi, I understood that I was a Manoso.

About a year ago, I decided that when I turned 18, I would change my name. I spoke to Mom about it, and she was understandably upset. But Ron wasn't acting like my dad anymore. Papi had become more important, and I wanted to honor him. That was when my relationship with Mom and Dad became what it was. That was when they no longer saw me as their daughter but as his.

So, today, I will become Julie Manoso. I will regain my Papi and gain a new mom in Stephanie. Of course, I'm excited, but I know Tommy is sad. Tommy wants to have a family again. Yes, he is living with us and is now my brother. We are all aware that it is temporary. At any moment, a social worker or judge could order Tommy to live with someone else. I hope for his sake that Papi and Stephanie can clear up everything quickly so that Tommy can become an official Manoso as well.

I put on a fuschia knee-length skirt with a deep purple cap sleeve top with a scoop neck. I wear my sneakers with it. I look in the mirror and braid my hair. Satisfied that I looked presentable for court, I walked into the kitchen.

When I arrived, I saw Stephane wearing light blue dress pants with a darker blue blouse. Her hair was half-up, with a pair of kitten heels on. Dad was in one of his high-end custom-made suits, and Tommy was wearing dockers and a polo. He looked so adorable.

"Julie, you look pretty. We're going to go out for breakfast after we finish. If you're hungry, you can have a breakfast bar," said Stephanie.

"I'm good, thanks."

"Our appointment is in forty minutes, so we better leave now," Papi says.

Stephanie calls Champ in from outside, and he immediately lays down on his dog bed. I'm amazed at how much more well-behaved he has been since he arrived. When Champ first joined us in Miami, we couldn't leave him alone for long. It helped that Papi and Stephanie mainly were working out of the house. Then, when the FBI left, a few of the guys from Trenton were still here, and they would entertain Champ during the day. We can leave him alone all day, and he's good. Champ runs with Papi and Lester in the morning, and Tommy typically plays fetch after school.

We entered the garage and climbed into the Cayenne. Once we were buckled, Papi started to drive to the courthouse. Stephanie and I discussed the holiday plans and what Tommy and I wanted for Christmas. Soon enough, we were at the courthouse.

Papi parked right up front. We exited and walked to the doors. Before we could get beyond the entrance, we all had to go through the metal detectors. Tommy and I went through it, but the process for Stephanie and Papi was more complicated since they both had to declare their guns. Fortunately, they both had their paperwork in order.

We walked down the hall to the assigned courtroom and met Tio Victor.

Papi reaches out his hand, "Victor, everything is all set? This is a formality, right?"

"Yes, Carlos, everything is set. The judge will ask you and Stephanie questions, and then Julie. I've spoken to the Judge about Tommy, and he wasn't willing to move forward with his case today, but he will expedite if there are favorable reports from the social worker, psychologist, and school. The police have not been able to locate Tommy's mother, even though they put his DNA through the system. If his mother is still alive, she has never given a DNA sample, nor has any close relatives. In another month, if there are no hits, Tommy will officially be available for adoption."

"Can we settle this by the end of January?"

"It's possible. But I'm not making any promises."

Papi nods, and I get excited at the prospect of us being a proper family. Stephanie took Tommy away from Papi and Victor to avoid getting his hopes up if it didn't work out.

Finally, it was our turn to head into the courthouse. We all sit in front of the judge after we are sworn in. He talks to me, Papi, and Stephanie in the courtroom and then asks me to accompany him into his chambers. He asks me many questions about my motivation to change my name. After he was satisfied with my answers, we proceeded into the courtroom.

"Mr. Manoso, I hereby grant your parental rights back to your daughter, Julie Martine. Per her request, I also approved changing her last name to Manoso and will provide you with an updated birth certificate. Ms. Plum, I am aware that you and Mr. Manoso are engaged. According to your statement, your wedding is set for next summer. Allowing a person who is not married to adopt a child is typically not in that child's best interest. This situation is unique. So, against my better judgment, I will allow you to adopt Julie and become her legal mother. However, if you and Mr. Manoso are not married by September 1 of next year, you will forfeit your parental rights to Ms. Julie Manoso. Do you understand?"

I glance at Stephanie and notice that she is a little flustered. None of us expected the judge to give Papi or Stephanie a hard time. Stephanie seems to find her voice and responds.

"Yes, your honor, I understand. Thank you for making an exception for me. I promise I won't let you down."

The judge nods. "Mr. Lopez, I understand that you have submitted paperwork to expedite the adoption of Thomas Goodwin to Mr. Manoso and Ms. Plum. Unfortunately, I cannot grant that request. Julie's adoption was an unusual case. For Julie, I was giving her biological father his daughter back, one that he allowed another man to adopt because he thought it would be better for his daughter. Mr. Manoso gave child support to Mr. and Mrs. Martine for Julie, even though he had no legal obligation to do so. He paid for her schooling and many other things. He and Julie had developed a good relationship and rapport, and Julie first wanted to change her name even before this summer.

"However, with Mr. Goodwin, too many questions must be answered before I can decide on his permanent residence. For now, though, I will grant Mr. Manoso and Ms. Plum formal guardianship of Thomas Goodwin. The earliest I would consider allowing an adoption would be January. I will require statements from Thomas's teacher, his therapist if he sees one, the social worker assigned to this case, and his physician. I will speak with Thomas directly to determine what he wants. If all those reports are favorable, I do not see a problem with allowing Mr. Manoso and Ms. Plum to adopt him."

"Yes, your Honor, I understand. Thank you," Uncle Victor replies.

"Now, go celebrate. Mr. Lopez, the paperwork will be at your office by the end of next week."

"Thank you, Sir."

With that, we were allowed to leave the courthouse.