home | lierra

sixteen

Sixteen

"How is that?" Sierra asked as she and Kemper looked at their reflection in the mirror.

"I like it," Kemper giggled, which made Sierra smile. Today was the day, in a couple of hours Kemper would officially be hers and Luke's daughter. She would have the daughter she dreamed of always having, and Kemper embodied every aspect of that. She was the perfect child. It didn't matter that she woke the couple up in the middle of the night or that she refused to eat vegetables on her plate and cried about it, she was still perfect. Their family had only grown closer every day, and though they had setbacks it never got the better of them. Luke and Sierra had never given up on Kemper, only pushed to be there for her however they could.

Kemper had realized that she would have an official family. For years she was alone facing all the trauma she endured, and now she had that support system she dreamed about. She had the best parents in the world, and the best aunts and uncles in the world. At the start, the seven year old had no one, and already she has an amazing family. Luke and Sierra were determined to help Kemper anyway they could and make her feel loved every single day.

"Can you get your shoes on while I finish up?" Sierra asked and Kemper nodded. She exited the bathroom, grabbed her black flats, then went downstairs where Luke was.

"Hi baby," Luke smiled when he saw Kemper coming down. She went over and held out her arms, so Luke picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Are you excited?"

"Yes," Kemper nodded with a small smile.

"We were going to have everyone over after, would that be ok with you?" Luke asked.

"Will they play games with me?"

"They will," Luke said and Kemper nodded. Luke stood in the kitchen holding Kemper as she kept her head on his shoulder. It was moments like this that he enjoyed, just being with Kemper and her wanting his attention. He didn't even notice Sierra coming down and taking a quick picture of the two, then speaking up.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked and Luke spun around.

"Yeah, let's get going," Luke smiled. He put Kemper down so she could get on her shoes, then they went to their car. Luke drove off with not a lot of conversation going on, The family was excited, but also nervous. Today was the day they have all been waiting for, and to think it was coming true felt like a dream.

Once they arrived at the courthouse, they went through security and waited outside the courtroom. It wouldn't take long, but waiting felt like forever. Kemper was sitting in Luke's lap, playing with the bracelet on his wrist. As they waited, all their friends entered, making Kemper smile as they came in.

"Ready for the big day?" Kaykay asked Kemper, who nodded happily.

"This is huge," Michael patted Luke's shoulder with a smile. Finally they were called into the courtroom. They stood before the judge, Sierra holding Kemper as they stood. Their friends sat behind them as they were sworn in. Kemper noticed a lot of people here. ALl her aunts and uncles, her social worker (who she despised), and Luke and SIerra's attorney who she met a couple of times.

"How are you three doing?" the judge asked.

"We're great, how are you?" Luke politely asked back.

"I'm alright, could you two introduce yourselves and why you're here?" the attorney asked.

"I'm Dr. Luke Hemmings, here for the finalization of adopted Kemper,"

"I'm Dr. Sierra Deaton, here for the finalization of adopting Kemper,"

"You two understand this adoption will be permanent, not a foster care situation anymore. You will be the legal guardians of Kemper and will need to provide a healthy, comforting, nutruting, safe environment, if the marriage were to end, you both will still have custody of Kemper and will need to provide two separate, safe environments for her,," the attorney spoke.

"Yes, we do," Luke confirmed. More simple questions were asked, then the attorney looked at Kemper.

"Kemper, would you like to be adopted by Luke and Sierra?" he asked.

"Yes," Kemper quietly confirmed with a smile. More questions were asked, then Ashton was asked to come up and speak.

"I'm Kemper's therapist, I met her when she came in from her past home. I had never seen a child so terrified and hopeless. She never expected a family, and I wanted nothing more than to give her that family. Luke and Sierra have provided that. Every session we have she never stops talking about them, and they have provided nothing but a loving family for her. She already has so many people who love and care about her, and that will never stop," he spoke off the top of his mind. He didn;t want to prepare anything, he wanted every word to come from the heart.

With that, Ashton was allowed to sit back down. Sierra and Luke signed the final papers, and it was done, "Kemper, would you like to come up and bang the gavel?" the judge asked and Kemper nodded, walking behind with the judge and slamming the gavel down. It was official, Kemper was officially adopted by Luke and Sierra, she was legally their daughter.