ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

6. Officially

P.O.V. CARINA DELUCA

The day began with the usual rush, but there was a palpable difference in the air. There was a mixture of anxiety and excitement that seemed to pulse in every corner of our home. It was an important day, a day of change, and the responsibility to make sure everything went as planned weighed on our shoulders.

I woke up early, feeling the softness of the sheets under my body as the sun began to rise on the horizon, tinging the room with a golden light. Next to me, Maya was still asleep, breathing calmly and regularly.

Looking at her, so serene and oblivious to the world, always brought me a sense of peace, but today, there was also a bit of nervousness. Gently stroked her face, feeling the texture of her skin under my fingers, and smiled as she moved slightly, opening her eyes with a drowsy look.

- Good morning, amore mio - I murmured, leaning over to give a soft kiss on her lips.

- Good morning - she replied, her voice still hoarse from sleep but with a smile that lit up her face - Today is the big day.

I felt the weight of these words. Today, we were going to the registry office to formalize our last name change and, most importantly, complete the adoption process for Liam. Finally, after months of waiting and uncertainty, he would be officially our son.

We get up from bed with a purpose. The clock on the wall showed that we had little time to get ready, prepare Liam and be at the registry office in time. I went to the bathroom first, letting the hot shower wash away some of the anxiety that was growing in me. Closed my eyes, letting the water run down my body, trying to find a moment of calm before the whirlwind that was coming.

When I left the bathroom, my wife was already standing, starting to get ready. She looked at me and without needing words, we understood.

It was as if we were in sync, each knowing exactly what the other needed. That's what made us such a good team, both in work and life.

- I'll get the piccolo - I said, while wearing the first piece of clothing that I found.

- I'll make the coffee - Maya replied, already with the shirt half buttoned, but with total focus on our morning.

I walked down the hall to Liam's room, where he was starting to move in bed. When I entered, he opened his eyes, and his little face lit up with a smile that made my heart warm.

— Buongiorno, piccolino - I whispered, taking him in my arms. He babbled something that only he understood, but the sound of his voice was like music to my ears - Today is a very special day for us.

I took Liam to the changing room and started dressing him in a outfit that Maya and I had chosen the night before. A light blue jumpsuit, with small embroidered stars, something simple but that highlighted her bright eyes. He was increasingly smart, more aware of the world around him, and seeing how he grew every day filled me with pride.

The blonde appeared at the door of the room with two mugs of coffee, handing me one while watching Liam with a look of pure adoration.

- He's getting so big, isn't he? - she commented, her voice full of tenderness.

- Yes, and today he will officially become our baby - I replied, feeling the tears begin to form in my eyes. It was hard to hold on to the emotion.

After we get everything ready, we head to the registry office. The path was marked by a contemplative silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. What was about to happen was the culmination of months of preparation, an emotional journey that transformed us and brought us together even more.

When we arrived, the social worker, Aaliyah Clanton, was already waiting for us in the lobby. She greeted us with a warm smile, but there was also a seriousness in her look that reflected the importance of what we were about to do.

- Good morning, Dr. Clanton - I said hello, holding Liam firmly in the lap while Maya extended her hand to him.

— Good morning, ladies. Today is a great day - she replied, shaking our hands firmly - Harley is already inside, ready to solve everything. He wants to make sure the process is done quickly and smoothly.

We entered the building, where the walls seemed to echo with the solemnity of the moment. Each step we took brought us closer to the room where everything would be formalized. Harley Colling, Liam's biological father, was sitting at the table, looking at his hands entwined on his lap. He seemed a little nervous, but when he saw us, he smiled kindly.

- Thank you for doing this - he said, his voice full of sincerity - I know it's best for him. I... I can't give him what he needs, but I know you can.

I felt a squeeze in my chest, recognizing the pain and courage he should have to make this decision. Maya, beside me, was also visibly emotional, but tried to keep her composure.

- We promise that we will take care of him with all our love - she replied, holding my hand and squeezing it lightly - and he will always know who you are and how much you cared for him.

Colling nodded, his eyes shining with tears he tried to hold. Aaliyah began to explain the process, the documents we needed to sign and the final steps that would seal our fate as an official family.

When it came time to sign the papers, my heart sped up. I put Liam on Maya's lap, due to my 6 month pregnant belly, feeling my hands tremble slightly when I take the pen. With every trace I made on paper, I felt a mixture of relief and happiness. It was as if each signature was a declaration of love, a commitment we were ready to honor for the rest of our lives.

My wife signed shortly after, and as soon as the last document was finished, Clanton looked at us with a smile.

- Congratulations, ladies. You are officially the mothers of Liam Andrew DeLuca-Bishop.

These words echoed in my ears, and I felt a knot in my throat. I looked at Maya, who had him in her arms, and saw the tears fall down her face. I couldn't help my own tears as I bent over to kiss Liam's cheek, feeling all the love I had for him and Maya overflow inside me.

Harley stood up and came to us, looking at his son with a sad smile but full of affection.

- Take good care of him - he whispered, passing his hand through the boy's bald head.

- Always - I replied, the voice seized by emotion.

He gave us a last wave before leaving the room, leaving us alone to absorb the moment. Maya and I stood there, in silence, holding Liam between us, feeling the depth of what we had just achieved.

This was the beginning of a new phase, a new chapter in our lives. A chapter that promised to be full of love, challenges and discoveries. But, above all, it was a chapter that we would write together, as a family.