I make several manly grunting noises to shake the emotion out of my voice. “We should get back to Elizabeth before she has a panic attack.”

I can hear Elizabeth’s terse voice around the corner before I can see her. She’s obviously upset and my body tenses. I glance over at Jackson and realize with a smile that he’s ready to take on whatever’s upset Elizabeth right beside me. He really is my kid.

“Stop. Just stop. I’m not going to listen to any more excuses. Let me be perfectly clear, Father,” Elizabeth says it like it’s a curse word, leaving a bad taste in her mouth. “He is becoming your grandson today. If he mattered to you—if I mattered to you—you’d be here. I love you, but if you want to be part of this family, you have to make an effort. The choice is yours. I’ve got to go.” I doubt Dick had a chance to answer before Elizabeth hung up on him. Their relationship has its ups and downs. It’s hard to change after a lifetime of being a selfish prick. He tries, but not hard enough.

She turns around to see me and Jackson standing there, just staring at her. I step into Elizabeth’s personal space, rubbing her tense shoulders. “You okay?”

“Yes. I won’t let him not being here ruin this day,” Elizabeth answers with a bittersweet smile. She never ceases to amaze me.

I lean down to make sure Jackson can’t hear. “For the record, you’re sexy as fuck when you go full-on momma bear.” I kiss the sweet spot on her neck, knowing for a few seconds at least, I’m all she’ll be thinking about.

“Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs? We’re ready for you,” a clerk with a clipboard calls out, making Elizabeth jump.

“Doctor.” The clerk, Elizabeth, and I all turn to Jackson. “Mr. and Dr. Jacobs,” he corrects with a smirk, looking quite proud of Elizabeth and pleased with himself. Elizabeth blushes.

“He’s not wrong. Shall we, Dr. Jacobs?” I open the door for Elizabeth and Jackson before following behind them into family court.

We’re only in front of the judge for about fifteen minutes then it’s done. Jackson is legally our son. Elizabeth jumps for joy with a loud squeal. Jackson crushes her in a hug. I can’t stop smiling. No, seriously, it’s a problem. My face actually hurts.

I was terrified when Elizabeth said she wanted to adopt. What the hell do I know about being a dad? But, seeing the two of them, my family, I can’t imagine my life without them. I wrap my arms around my wife and son, squeezing tightly just to make sure they’re real. They are. And whether I deserve them or not, they’re mine.

So, love is weird.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.