Caballeros

Gotcha Day! (Edited)

   

Jules

I am in shock at what Judge Turner just told us; I couldn't be more thrilled. He has us go into a huge room that is adjacent to the courtroom. Joaquin pushes Trinity's wheelchair into the large room; both Joaquin and I stop in our tracks once we see what is in there. The room is decorated with a ton of multicolored balloons and streamers. There is a sign that says 'Happy Gotcha Day Trinity.'

"What does gotcha day mean?" Joaquin laughs.

"It's a term used when a child is adopted." Judge Turner says with a smile.

"That is so sweet! Did ya'll know that this was going to happen?" I ask.

"Yeah, at the hospital I found out but my dad made me swear I wouldn't tell ya'll." Changs smiles. "But I told the Gooch so she could help me get all the decorations set up."

"Hey, you didn't tell me or Narizon; what's up with that?" Guerro says.

"Ya'll are worse than old woman gossiping with each other." He laughs.

"Asshole!" Narizon laughs. "But it's kind of true."

I love these guys, I could never put into words just how much. They have stood by our side when they didn't have to; they could have easily taken a flight home. I have an idea and look at Joaquin and grip his hand; he looks down at and raises his eyebrows. I tug him a bit and he gets the hint that I want to talk to him. We walk out of the room into the hallway as everyone stares at us. They are so nosey, I tell ya.

"What is it Darlin?" He asks concerned.

"Babe does Trinity have god parents?" I ask. He eyes open wide and he shakes his head. He understands immediately what I am getting at.

"That is an amazing idea; she now has 3 god fathers and two god mothers"

"Really? What if they say no?" I ask

"Do you really think they will say no?" he asks with a chuckle.

"You're right they wouldn't dare say no." I laugh.

We head back in and all eyes are on us; we smile at them. Joaquin takes Trinity out of her wheelchair and holds her in his arms. Judge Turner stands in front of us now wearing his black judges robes.

"Please stand and hold up your right hands," he says and we do. "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth so help you God?"

"We do," we both say at the same time.

"Please tell me your full names and dates of birth please," he says. Joaquin looks at me and indicates for me to go first.

"Juliana Maria Munoz-Ortega my birthday is October 14th 1996"

"Joaquin Antonio Ortega my Birthday is June 13th 1994"

"Thank you; please be seated. We are here for the formal adoption of Trinity O'Connor-Ortega by Juliana Munoz-Ortega. Usually this process can take months if not years but seeing the bond between the two of them and the mishap that occurred, it needed to be done faster."

"Thank you your honor," Joaquin says getting choked up.

"Well Mrs. Ortega shall we?" He says with a smile.

"Yes sir," I say through tears.

"First of all, who is in attendance with ya'll today?" he asks.

"Trinity's papa, my father in Law, and the rest of the crazies are her god parents," Joaquin says with a smile.

"Wait? What? Are you really serious?" Changs says full of surprise.

"Yes we are. Ya'll want to be her Ninos and Ninas?" I ask through tears.

"Yes!" They all shout at once. It makes me laugh.

"Juliana, will you promise to take care of Trinity as your own all your days? If you bear a biological child will you promise to treat her just the same?" Judge Turner asks.

"I promise with all my heart and soul, this little girl was mine the first day I laid eyes on her and I was hers." I say bawling my eyes out. Trinity sees me crying and rubs her tiny hand on my back.

"Shh mama, it otay," She says . I laugh when she does this; she is an amazing little one.

"I know baby, I love you," I say kissing her chubby hand.

"I am so pleased that you have found each other, remember these words that I am about to tell you Juliana; parenthood requires love not DNA. You are going to be an amazing mama to this little angel."

"Thank you so much," I say.

"Going forward from this day this child shall be known as Trinity Juliana Munoz Ortega. Congratulations ya'll."

"Thank you!" we both say.

"Enjoy your celebration," he says.

"Celebration?" Joaquin asks.

"Yes, it looks like her godparent's arranged a private party at the Houston Zoo. Enjoy ya'll!"

"Wait, what did you guys do?" I ask

"My dad arranged the zoo to be closed to the public for Trinity," Changs says.

"How the hell did he manage that?" Joaquin asks.

"Let's just say my dad knows hella people in high places and low ones too."

"Do I even want to know?" Joaquin asks with a chuckle.

"That is a story for another day brotha," he laughs. "You ready to see the monkey now Trin?"

"I monkey!" she screeches.

Damn my daughter can burst your ears drums for sure. I love that sound of that my daughter. Mi Hija.

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Thank you for reading!

Shot out to @chrissr9 aka my Hubby...thanks for all the support that you have shown me during the process of writing this book. It means the world to me that you are reading it too! I LOVE YOU!!!

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