“Yeah, sure,” Elizabeth says hesitantly. Her mind must be working overtime right now. I’m sure she thinks whatever the problem is, it’s her fault. She’s terrified of not being enough. I try every day to prove her wrong, but old habits are hard to break.

I give her a quick kiss on the temple and a light smack to her backside before I follow Jackson down the hall. I can hear her muttering “Loosey-goosey” to herself as I walk away and it makes me smile.

“What’s up? Having second thoughts about becoming a Jacobs?” I tease Jackson. The intensity in his eyes makes me realize he just might be. My stomach twists into knots. That would break Elizabeth’s heart. Fuck, it would break mine too.

I try not to get ahead of myself. “What’s wrong?”

“I just can’t shake this feeling. Like, I shouldn’t be here. Like, someone’s going to come running into the courtroom at the last minute and say it was all a mistake.”

“It’s not. We love you.” I mean that with every ounce of my soul.

“Why?” he asks with a wry chuckle. “I’m such an undeserving shitbag. Why are you and Elizabeth wasting your time with me? You guys should adopt some perfect, unfucked-up baby. Seriously, I’m not worth it.” Staring at Jackson is like peering into my past. I was that broken, before Elizabeth.

“First of all, watch your mouth. If Elizabeth hears you swearing, she’ll have both our asses.” I take a deep breath and pause for a minute, thinking about what I want to say.

I’ve never been so glad Elizabeth talked me into pursuing social work instead of an MBA. I’ve literally got a master’s degree in this shit, and I’m struggling with the words. How do I convince this kid it’s not about being good enough? Blood or not, he’ll always be my son.

“Listen, Jackson, the weird thing about love is you don’t get to decide if you’re worthy of it. The other person does. And let me tell you, from one undeserving shitbag to another, when Elizabeth decides to love someone there’s nothing you can do to stop her. Believe me, I’ve tried. Look at me.”

He brings his eyes up to meet mine, tears building at their edges.

“We’re all a little broken. But that doesn’t matter when someone loves you. I don’t care what you do, or what this court says. You’re my son and I love you.” I pull him into my arms and hold him, hoping it’s enough.

“I love you too, Dad.”

Now I’m crying. I let him pull away first, and we both wipe away the tears in our eyes.