Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 74

December 16th, 2019

"Why? Is something wrong?" I asked nervously.

Xander looked pale. He facepalmed his forehead, groaning. "Ughhh, I should've realised sooner," he grumbled.

"What? What's wrong?" My stomach was churning with worry.

Xander picked his head up, regaining control. "I knew her," he said faintly. "We were best friends once,"

My mouth fell partially. "You knew my sister?"

"Yeah," Xander nodded. "She's Ben's kid. He and Dad worked together, remember? Ella and I used to hang out in his office when we were younger, even though she was a year older than me. One day, she just stopped coming in, and I never saw her again. Shortly after that, our parents died," His voice was taut. "I always thought Ella had gone with her mom after their divorce, but I guess not,"

I felt bad for him, but I had no idea how to tell him that. Or what I should say next. I finally settled on "I'm sorry,"

"It's okay. It's definitely not your fault," Xander replied with a shrug. He turned onto a side street, parking in one of the rows. "The courthouse is just over there," He gestured to a large white building across the street. It looked busy.

There were people milling around everywhere— which was normal for Manhattan anyway.

We climbed out of the car, stepping out onto the snowy sidewalks.

I immediately regretted my decision to not wear pants, freezing cold despite my winter coat.

Xander locked the car and quickly came to join me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close in an attempt to help warm me up.

"Thanks," I mumbled as we walked over to the crosswalk, waiting for the light to turn. I realised my mascara had smudged a little so I hurried to wipe it away, along with any evidence that I'd been crying. My stomach began to churn anxiously in anticipation.

Xander turned to me, a delicate smile on his face. "You okay?"

"Just some last-minute butterflies," I answered shyly.

He gripped my shoulders in his hands, gazing at me with his warm brown eyes. "Everything's gonna be fine, I promise. You're going to walk into that courtroom and kick some serious ass," He grinned, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't think that's what's going to happen," I informed him.

"I'm serious though. Remember what I said?"

I nodded. "Adding players to the team," I recited brightly.

Xander squeezed my shoulder. "Yeah, exactly. Everything's going to be just fine,"

I let out a shaky sigh. "What if Javi gets sent away?" I whispered, voicing my one true fear. "Cato and his lawyer both said-"

"Well fuck them," Xander blurted, surprising me. "There's no way anyone would be dumb enough to separate the two of you," He pulled me into a gentle hug. "We've got this,"

I took a deep breath and smiled bravely. "Thanks, Xander,"

The streetlights turned red and we hurried across the crosswalk to where the rest of our brothers were waiting.

"You ready?" Cato asked, glancing at me.

I nodded without answering. I was too occupied in trying to decipher the frown Alan had on his face. He wouldn't look at me either, but it quickly disappeared as we headed towards the courthouse.

Javi took my hand, though he looked nervous, and he was acting shier than usual.

"Cato," Mr Weller - the lawyer - greeted, extending an arm.

Cato shook his hand. "Jeremy, glad to see you," he responded. "Are we ready?"

"We're good to proceed," he replied with a curt not.

We followed him into the judge's office, seeing another woman already inside with him, who faced us with a wide smile.

"Javi, Amelia, this is Julia Gray. She's one of our emergency social workers," Jeremy explained to us as he shook her hand.

Javi pressed himself closer to me, visibly nervous.

"If you two would stand with me," Julia instructed, still smiling.

I glanced back at Cato, who gave me a reassuring nod before we moved to stand on the opposite side of the room.

"Welcome everyone," the judge started. "Mr Weller, please submit Mr Adams' paperwork," He looked very intimidating.

Jeremy placed his files on the judge's desk.

He filtered through them, nodding to himself as he read each of them. "Looks like both the DNA test and her birth certificate are indeed legitimate," he announced. "I see no reason not to reunite Amelia with her brothers,"

A cry of joy echoed throughout the room from the boys, who were all grinning and celebrating.

"Assuming that's alright with Amelia?"

I nodded quickly, my cheeks flushing from being put on the spot. But I was happy nonetheless. "And my brother?" I asked nervously.

"I understand his birth mother is dead, correct?" The judge was looking at me for an answer.

But Jeremy answered for me. "Yes, your Honour,"

Javi hugged my waist tightly, staring up at me with his big blue eyes.

I couldn't help but smile down at him gently, brushing a stray stand of dark curly hair off his forehead.

"Well, you're clearly his only means of family, and I don't wish to separate you two since I don't have to. So since he has his visa, I declare that the adoption of Amelia and Javi Albright is hereby granted,"

Alan, Eli, and the triplets all sprinted over and crushed us in a hug, whooping in excitement.

"You're really back!" Colton cried, his hand squeezing mine.

"Yeah, I am," I responded brightly, unable to contain my own smile.

Only when Cato gave us a warning glance - though he did look pretty amused himself - did we finally settle back down, though the hug didn't disband.

Jeremy, Cato, and the judge were all talking, but none of us was really listening, far too happy to notice.

"Let's get the paperwork started, shall we?"