Page 105 of The Thief
“She’s so excited.” Jess sighed, taking a moment to enjoy the warmth of our bed and each other before we got up. “I know this is a special day for us, but for her, it’s everything.”
“I know,” I replied, placing a delicate kiss on her shoulder. “It’s everything for me too. And I’m gonna make sure both my girls have a day to remember, forever.” Then I smacked her ass. “So go on, let’s get up and do this. Let’s make it official.”
I stood by the car as they came out of the house. They took my breath away, standing on the porch, holding hands and smiling down at me. Ava was wearing a pink princess dress with a full tulle skirt, her hair was pinned up with pretty pink crystal butterfly clips, and Jess was in the same colour, wearing an adult, sleeker silk version. A dress that clung to every one of her delicious curves. She looked stunning.
I took a deep breath, not quite believing that this was my life. They were my life... my family.
As they walked towards me, I opened the car door and bowed, making Ava giggle.
“Ladies.” I smirked.
“You look very handsome in your suit,” Ava told me.
I brushed the lapels of my dark grey jacket, feeling proud as I replied, “Why thank you. I didn’t want to let the side down today.”
Ava and Jess climbed into the back of the car, and I closed the door, climbing into the driver’s seat, taking on my role as their chauffeur for the day. I guess most people would think the way we were doing things today was a little unconventional, but we didn’t care. This was an important day for us.
I drove us into town and parked outside the courthouse, with its sandstone pillars, sweeping steps and decorative bollards, if that’s what you called them. I wasn’t really an expert on architecture, but it looked impressive.
“This looks posh,” Ava said, peering up at the building in awe.
“Youlook posh,” I retorted, giving her a wink in the rear-view mirror.
“Come on,” Jess said. “Let’s get in there.” And Ava made an ‘eek’ sound as she wriggled excitedly on the seat.
I got out of the car first, opened their door and then hooked my arm for Jess to take a hold of. Then, when Ava climbed out, she took my other hand. My girls were either side of me, and I felt the proudest I’d ever been as I walked them up the steps and into the building.
The corridors inside were as grand as the building itself. Tall ceilings and paintings hanging, it was more like a stately home.
Ava did a little skip-walk as she went down the corridor, her eyes everywhere, as she let out little sounds as if she was testing the acoustics.
Jess shushed her, but it was fine. I didn’t care if she made a bit of noise. I didn’t care about anything, because today was the best day, and nothing was going to get me down.
“Is everyone gonna be at the party later?” Ava asked.
“All the people that matter,” Jess replied.
“I hope the cake has pink icing,” Ava mused. “Pink is my favourite.”
“I’d never have guessed.” I smirked, peering down at my pink princess as she beamed right back at me.
“Here it is. This is the room.” Jess stopped in front of a wooden door and then squeezed my hand as she said, “If I forget to tell you later, just know you’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been today. Thank you.”
I leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“No need to thank me. I’m the lucky one.”
Jess smiled to herself, knocked, and then pushed the door open, and the three of us walked in. Inside, the court official sat waiting for us behind a large wooden desk, with all the papers spread out in front of her.
When she saw us, she stood and put her arm out to shake our hands.
“Good morning, Mr and Mrs Evans,” she said, and then glancing down to where Ava stood, looking a little awestruck, she shook her hand too, adding, “And the new Miss Evans. What an exciting day for you all. I’m Janice. I’m going to witness the signing today.”
I’d had the happiest day of my life a few months ago, when Jess and I had said ‘I do’ in front of all our friends at the local church, with Ava as our flower girl, and Leah May’s dad conducting the service. But today was just as happy, because today was the day I was officially adopting Ava.
She’d always been my little girl, from the moment she hypnotised me with her blue eyes and blonde curls, bumping into me in the queue at the bank. She was imbedded in my heart, a part of my soul, but now, she would have my name too. I was going to be her daddy.
It’d taken a while to track her biological father down, but we’d found him eventually, holed up in an apartment in Barcelona. At first, he wouldn’t play ball. He was being an awkward fucker for the sake of it. He wanted to torment Jess. But I put a stop to that, and after some subtle persuasion, I managed to bend his arm and get him to sign the papers, waiving his parental rights. He didn’t deserve Ava, he'd never deserved Jess, but to me, they were my treasure. I’d never take that for granted.
