Lost & Found

Chapter Twenty-Six

Present Day
22-Years-Old

Three days later, Yoongi and Aera got the calls they'd been waiting for. Both left work early again, and quickly headed to the courthouse. They met up outside the courtroom, and before she could say anything, Yoongi pulled Aera into his arms.

"No matter what happens, we're going to be okay. Life will go on, and we'll be okay."

Aera shook her head, but Yoongi looked deep into her eyes. "Yes, A. Do you trust me?"

Tears filled Aera's eyes, but she nodded.

"I promise, A. I'll take care of you, and we're gonna make it."

Aera nodded again, but still said nothing. Yoongi then took her hand and led her toward the courtroom. They both took a deep breath before Yoongi opened the door.

They looked around as they entered, and their eyes immediately fell upon the Kims. Tears once again filled Aera's eyes, and she forced herself to look away.

She and Yoongi then chose seats, and they didn't even realize they'd sat as far away from the Kims as possible. Yoongi bounced his leg as Aera squeezed his hand. Both were very nervous as they waited for the judge to enter.

And when he did, Aera squeezed Yoongi's hand even tighter. To the point of pain, but Yoongi didn't mind. He simply squeezed hers back. Neither could take their eyes off of the judge as he sat down and began the proceeding.

"As I did last time, I'm just going to get straight to the point. I know no one is wanting this to be dragged out."

Yoongi and Aera both held their breaths.

"After further review of both parties, it is the opinion of this court that Park Jungkook should stay with his foster mother, Seong Aera. The amount of progress he has made with her is insurmountable. And as the boy has been away from her these past few days, his progress has halted and he's even regressed. Therefore, it is the committee's opinion that it is in his best interest to stay with Ms. Seong and her fiance, whom he already refers to as mommy and daddy."

Aera gasped, then burst into silent tears. Yoongi turned to her and flashed her the biggest grin he could manage.

"What?!" Mr. Kim then roared as he stood. "Excuse me, but this is bullshit, your honor! We were chosen, and – "

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kim. All things need to be taken into consideration, and we did not have all the information the first time around that we have now."

"But – "

"I'm sorry, but this decision is final. Ms. Seong, Mr. Min, please follow the bailiff."

Aera and Yoongi stood and nervously walked toward the bailiff who quickly ushered them out of the courtroom. They could hear Mr. Kim yelling and Mrs. Kim crying. They looked at each other and Yoongi shrugged.

"Not our problem anymore," he said quietly, so only she could hear.

The bailiff led them to a room where Mrs. Kang stood with Jungkook at her side.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Both Yoongi and Aera dropped to their knees beside each other and Jungkook took off toward both of them, throwing one arm around Aera and the other around Yoongi. They all three reveled in their group hug for a few long moments until Mrs. Kang cleared her throat. Yoongi and Aera looked up and Mrs. Kang was smiling at them.

"Here's this," she said as she handed Jungkook's bag to Aera. "There's a very informative note in there, but I don't think it'll be much use for you."

Tears began to run down Aera's cheeks. "Thank you," she said.

"We'll wait here for now," Mrs. Kang said. "After the Kims have been seen out, we'll go back into the courtroom so the judge can begin the official adoption proceeding."

Aera's eyes widened. "I-It's happening right now?"

Mrs. Kang nodded. "If you're ready."

"Yes!" Aera blurted as Yoongi nodded furiously.

Eventually, the bailiff returned and escorted all four of them back into the courtroom. The judge smiled as he saw Jungkook between Yoongi and Aera, holding hands with both.

"Hello," he greeted them with a smile. "Are you ready to officially have a son?"

Tears filled Aera's eyes. "Very much so," she said.

"Well, let's get to it! I need you both to sign this form, and then I will as well. And it will be official!"

"That's it?" Yoongi asked.

The judge nodded. "It's a pretty simple process once you get to the end. You do need to fill out these other forms with your information and turn them in to the registry department. These will allow you to change the boy's surname, as well as obtain his birth certificate with your names listed as his parents. You can do that after we're done here."

"Great, we'll do that," Yoongi replied.

The judge then handed over the form to sign, and Yoongi and Aera looked at each other for a few long moments until both smiled. Yoongi slid the paper toward Aera.

"You sign first. He's always been yours, first and foremost."

Tears sprang to Aera's eyes, but the smile never left her face. "Thanks," she said softly. She looked over at Jungkook, whom Mrs. Kang was keeping occupied with a coloring book.

"Jungkookie," Aera called out to him. "Come over here."

He immediately jumped up and ran to Aera's side. "Yes, mommy?"

Aera grinned. "Hold my hand for just a moment," she said. Jungkook obliged.

Yoongi understood what she was doing, so he held the paper in place as Aera signed it, holding onto Jungkook's little hand while she did.

When she was done, she walked him over to a seat and knelt in front of him.

"Do you want to go home and live with me forever?"

Jungkook's wide eyes sparkled. "Yes, pease!"

"You'll never have to come back here," Yoongi said as he joined them after having signed the paper himself. "You'll never have to be without mommy and daddy ever again."

Jungkook threw himself into Aera's arms. "Yay!"

They didn't even notice that the judge was watching them fondly. He cleared his throat after he had also signed the paper. All three of them looked up.

"It's official," he told them, holding up the form he had also just signed. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you so much," Yoongi said.

"Take care of that little boy."

"We will."

Aera then held a squirming Jungkook on her lap as she filled out the forms for the registry department. She signed her name as the mother, and handed them to Yoongi to sign as the father. Yoongi looked over everything Aera had filled out.

"Min Jungkook... You want him to have my surname?"

Aera smiled as she nodded. "And I think, when we get married, I'd like to have it, too. If this is all okay with you."

Now it was Yoongi's turn to have tears in his eyes. "Of course," he whispered. "I'd love nothing more."

"Is daddy sad?" Jungkook asked as a tear ran down Yoongi's cheek.

"Not at all, Jungkook-ah."

"Then why you cryin'?"

"Because I'm so very, very happy."