Three Words to Remember

This is Happiness

"Jack I'm so nervous," Alex squealed, gripping my arm tightly.

"Me too baby," I agreed, shifting uncomfortably in the plastic chairs at the adoption agency.

Today was a big day for Alex and I. All the paperwork has been filled out, all the interviews done and references checked out. There are a couple of legal documents that have to processed, but that's why we're here today. If everything goes according to plan, we'll leave here as a family of three instead of a married couple.

Regardless of the paperwork going through today, we get to at least meet her. I've had nightmares about meeting her since I discovered she existed. What if she hates me? What if I'm not a good dad? I feel like I'm going to puke just thinking about it...

"Mr. and Mr. Barakat?" the receptionist called.

I looked over at Alex and smiled. We've been home from Vegas for a few weeks. All of the stuff for the marriage was validated a couple of days after we got back. Everything still feels really new though. The only people that know are our parents-I thought our moms were going to kill us-and obviously Rian and Zack.

We followed the receptionist back to an area we've never been to in previous interviews and such.

"There are a few papers you both still need to sign to finalize everything," she said as we walked, "And then you can meet your daughter."

As we followed her into the office I felt Alex squeeze my hand. I could tell he was really nervous, but hey, I was too. We're barely married and about to have a kid. In a perfect world we would've waited a few years before even thinking about it, but at this point I don't regret anything. It's just, a new chapter for us. And even though I'm really nervous, I'm also really excited.

"Okay," the receptionist said, handing us pens, "We have the new birth certificate with the name change, guardian agreement-for that one of you can just sign on the 'mother' line-and the adoption contract."

I looked at the birth certificate and noted that her birthday was June 23rd; not that far off from mine. I looked at the names listed:

Michelle Abigail Barakat

Father- Alexander William Barakat

Father- Jack Bassam Barakat

My little family. This definitely isn't how I envisioned it to be when I was younger. I never wanted kids, or even to get married. But right now, I know I couldn't live without Alex, my husband, and I have a daughter. I guess I'm starting to grow up at least a little bit.

I signed my name on all of the papers before handing them over to Alex to do the same thing. As I drew my hand back, my ring gleaned in the light coming from the window. I smiled at the piece of silver resting on my finger. A symbol of eternity; one I'm completely ok with.

"Alright," the receptionist said, smiling at us, "Now if you'll follow me, Anne's waiting with Michelle. You'll have to stay here for a few hours while these process though."

"Thank you," I said, following behind Alex.

This is it, isn't it? The moment of truth. We walked into another room where I saw Anne waiting for us. Holding her hand was a little girl-our little girl. She had a look of fear in her eyes, like she was afraid of us. Her eyes were big and dark brown, the same as both her mother's and mine. Some of her facial features mirrored mine, but others I didn't recognize. I assumed they came from before Holly had plastic surgery.

"Mitchy," Anne said to the girl, "Meet Mr. and Mr. Barakat, they're going to be your new daddy's. Isn't that exciting?"

Mitchy shrunk back and hid behind Anne's leg, "I already have a daddy. I don't need more."