Page 96 of State of Retribution

“I think so,” Alden said.

“You know how people get married at weddings?”

They nodded.

“That’s a formality.They already love each other and want to be a family, but when they go through the ceremony to get married, that makes it official.”

“Will we have a wedding if we get adopted?”Aubrey asked.

Sam smiled.“No, but we’ll have one heck of a party.”

“Iloveparties,” she said.

“I know you do.Nick and I want you to know that having you as part of our family has been one of the best things to ever happen to us, even if we know it happened because of the worst thing to ever happen to you.We can never take the place of your mommy and daddy, but we’ll always love you and take care of you and be there for you.”

“We know,” Aubrey said.“It’s very nice of you to take care of us.”

“We love you so much.”

“We love you, too.”

“Eli will get adopted, too?”Alden asked.

“That’s the plan.”

Aubrey made a thoughtful face.“Isn’t he a grownup, though?”

“He is, but he’s choosing to be adopted so the three of you will be in the same family.”

“Will we have to change our names?”Alden asked.

“Only if you want to.Eli suggested going by Armstrong-Cappuano, so you’d have both names.What do you think of that?”

“Would I have to write that on all my papers?”Alden frowned.“That’s alotof letters.”

Sam laughed.“Maybe you could abbreviate.”

“What does that mean?”

“You could do Alden A dash C for your papers.”

“That would be better,” he said, sounding relieved.

“I think it’d be cool for us to have the same last name,” Aubrey said.

“We do, too, and I’m glad you think so.”Sam glanced at the clock on the microwave.“Time to go brush your teeth and wash your faces and hands.It’s almost time to go.”

After they ran off, Sam took their plates to the sink to rinse them and put them in the dishwasher.Then she took the BlackBerry from her pocket and composed a text to Nick and Eli, letting them know about the conversation with the twins.

Damn,Eli wrote back,they don’t miss a thing.I was going to talk to them about it the next time I’m there, but I’m glad they know and that they approve.

Their biggest concern was having to write Armstrong-Cappuano on all their papers.Alden said that’s a LOT of letters.

LMAO,Eli said.Too funny—and too cute.

They were also concerned about whether you’re being adopted, too, and I told them you’ve chosen to be so the three of you can be part of the same family.They liked that.

I like that, too!Andy says we’re close.He’s requesting a court date this week.He thinks they’ll expedite it bc of who you guys are.

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