Princess of the universe // Hardzzellee

Chapter 24

Joe knew Rami had planned something with Addison for fathers day. Both Rami and Addison were very secretive about it. Which Joe hated because it only made him more curious. Addison came into their bedroom that morning with three wrapped presents. Gwil was the only one awake yet. He smiled before waving her over. Addison put the presents on the floor before walking over to the bed. She crawled onto Gwil's lap. Gwil grabbed the book he and Addison have been reading. He flipped it open to the page they stopped the day before. 

"Can you read to me?" Gwil asked. Addison nodded excitedly. It was by far one of her favourite things to do. Addison started reading slowly. Since Gwil had started practising with her, she had gotten so much better. If they could manage it they would practice at least once every day. She was already way above the level she needed to be but she wanted to read so bad that Gwil looked for books that were a little more advanced every time they finished one.

Gwil read along while she was reading the story out loud. He helped her when she had trouble with a word and corrected the words she mispronounced. When he checked to see if Joe and Ben had woken up by their quiet interaction, he found both Ben and Joe staring at them. Ben was laying on his back and had his head turned to watch them. Joe had his head on Ben's shoulder and was staring fondly at them.
"Sweetheart, I think we woke up those sleepyheads," Gwil said before pressing a kiss to her forehead. She turned around to meet Ben's and Joe's eyes. Gwil gently took the book from her before putting it back in the drawer of his nightstand.

"Good morning," Addison said. She crawled over to give them a hug.
"Morning, sweetheart," Ben mumbled. He rubbed his hand through his eyes. Joe pretended to have fallen back asleep.
"Dad," Addison giggled while pushing Joe's shoulder. Joe's eyes fluttered open.
"Did you just call me dad?" He asked. Addison nodded. Joe's hand moved in front of his mouth. He desperately tried to keep his tears in. Addison looked at him with a smile on her face. Joe sat up before opening his arms. Addison giggled softly while giving Joe a hug.
"You don't know how happy you have just made me," Joe said.
"I have wanted to say it for a long time," Addison admitted. Joe held her even closer.
"I love you so much," Joe whispered.

After eating breakfast, Addison walked over to the bedroom to grab her abandoned gifts. She grabbed all of them and looked at the tag to see which one is for who. She handed the three of them their presents. They all unwrapped theirs immediately. Gwil was the first to pull out a red mug. #1 Dad, stood on the front of the mug. His eyes widened while smiling widely.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Gwil said while pressing a kiss on her forehead. Joe and Ben had the same mug but in a different colour. 

After Ben and Joe had given Addison a hug as well, she ran over to her bedroom to grab something else. She came back with three drawings. She placed them in front of the three men. Ben had a drawing of when he took Addison to set a few weeks back. In Joe's drawing, they were at Addison's dance show. Gwil received a drawing of them reading at night.

"They are beautiful, honey. Thank you so much," Joe said.
"Benny? Turn yours around," Addison said. Ben did as told and saw two words written on the back. Will you...
"Joey? Turn yours around," Addison repeated. Joe did as told and gasped loudly. The word adopt... was written on his. Gwil quickly turned his drawing around. Me?

Joe had both of his hands in front of his face. A few tears escaped from his eyes. Gwil swallowed hard while looking at Addison. A tear rolled down his cheek. Ben seemed to be stunned and kept staring at the three papers in front of him. Gwil was the first one to really react. He got on his knees in front of Addison. He took both of Addison's hands in his own.
"Sweetheart, are you sure about this?" Gwil asked. Addison nodded but she immediately saw that Gwil needs more assurance than that.
"Yes, I am sure dad," She said. Gwil lip started trembling. Addison stepped forward to hug him.
"I love you. I love you so much," Gwil said. He swayed them lightly from side to side.

Gwil could have continued hugging her for a long time, but he knew Joe and Ben probably wanted to give her a hug as well. Mere seconds after Gwil had let go of Addison, Joe was on his knees in front of her.
"Precious, this is the best fathers day gift you could have ever given us. We love you so much," Joe said while brushing some hairs out of her face. He didn't waste time wrapping his arms around her.
"You're welcome," She said. Joe chuckled. He broke the hug to place a kiss on her forehead.

They turned their heads towards Ben, the latter was still staring at the papers.
"Earth to Ben," Joe joked. That seemed to break Ben out of his trance. Addison walked over to him.
"Dad?" She carefully tested. Ben picked her up to have her sit on his lap.
"You just made my day, my year, my life," Ben whispered. Addison wrapped her arms around his neck. Gwil could see that Ben's lip was quivering.  

"Lucy bought me a new dress for today. Can I show you?" Addison said after a few seconds. She hopped off Ben's lap. When Gwil agreed she rushed to her bedroom. That is when Ben broke. Tears were rolling down his cheek before he could even try to stop them. That triggered Gwil and Joe to let go of a few tears as well. Joe dried his tears off with the back of his hand.
"We're pathetic," He said before grabbing Ben in a big hug. Gwil joined the hug within seconds.
"We are going to be official dads," Gwil whispered.
"I know. It feels amazing," Joe mumbled.

When they heard Addison approaching they pulled away. Ben quickly dried off his tears with the sleeve of his sweater. Addison walked in, dressed in a beautiful dress with a flower print.
"You look so beautiful," Joe said.
"Thank you," She said proudly.
"Rami told me to give you this," She said while handing Gwil the binder. Gwil immediately opened it. The first page was a letter from Rami.

Hey guys!

So, if you are reading this, it means you said yes to adopting Addison. Congratulations!

Addison came to me a few weeks back to ask how it would work with adopting. And if she could ask you to adopt her. So, we came up with this plan. I helped with the idea of the drawings. Everything else was entirely her.

Inside this binder are all the legal papers and things you need to do before you can legally adopt her. I thought I would do the work for you. Well, what I was able to do at least.

Again, congratulations!

X Rami (and Lucy)

Gwil read out loud. Joe grabbed his phone from his pocket.
"Maybe we should call them. I bet they are dying to know what is happening here," Joe suggested.
"Maybe we can prank them," Gwil said. So, they got to work to plan out the perfect prank.

Addison grabbed the phone from Joe once it started ringing. 
"Rami?" She asked as soon as Rami picked up. She hiccuped while she looked at the phone.
"Addy? What's up?" Rami's voice filled the room.
"I'm so scared," Addison said. 
"What happened? Did you ask them?" Rami asked, concern coating his voice. Joe could only imagine how he was looking right now.
"Yes, they yelled so hard and now they are fighting," Rami called out for Lucy.
"Luc, can you come with me to Addison's house?" Rami asks. Lucy immediately agreed. She left to get Scarlett ready.
"Sweetheart, can you stand by the window? Come outside when you see my car, okay?" Rami said. Addison nodded. Rami ended the call.

"You did such a good job. I'm proud of you," Joe said while giving Addison a high five.
"When Rami's pull up just go outside okay? Keep up the story okay? Can you do that?" Ben asked. Addison immediately nodded.
"You can tell Lucy once you are in the car," Ben said.
"We will start a 'fight' in here," Gwil said. Addison moved to stand by the window.
"We will be in our room. Good luck, precious," Joe said while giving her a hug in encouragement.

***************

Hey guys,

There is only one more 'nice' chapter coming before the drama will start. Just a friendly heads-up lmao. 

I hope you have an amazing week!

Take good care of yourself and others. Stay safe, stay healthy.

Goodbye, 

Xx Itsametaphorjoe