CHAPTER XXV

Nate and Cael got used to the kids' routine. The twins were less resistant now, but would still act out sometimes. Every time they saw Antoine and Cyrus, they would throw a tantrum when coming back home. But, overall, things were going alright. Cael was enjoying getting to know his kids.

However, some things were not so good. In the second week the kids stayed there, Cael's father showed up at the kindergarten. He tried to convince the director to let him see the children and that he had a right as the grandfather. The director called Antoine, who immediately called Cael to get the kids, sending four bodyguards to accompany them. When Cael came to get them, his father was waiting in the exit. The teachers allowed them to leave through the employee's door, but they couldn't do that everyday. Nisa lodged a petition asking the Delaney couple to stay away from the kids, their kindergarten and their home until the end of the dispute, as their actions constitute harassment. The judge was so exhausted from Delaney's antics that he accepted the petition. Still, Thierry kept the bodyguards who stayed 24h with the twins.

"Dad", Collin called while Cael prepared dinner.

"What?", He answered, looking from Collin, who was sitting on the sofa, to the stove.

"I want fried chicken!"

"I'm doing something else. We can't always eat fried chicken".

Nate entered the room with Killian who was carrying the dino plushie that Cael gave him.

"Uncle Nate". Collin called. "I want fried chicken".

"What did your dad say?" Nate asked, carrying Killian to the sofa.

"He said yes". Collin lied.

"I said no. I'm making something else", Cael said.

"You didn't say no". Collin answered, pouting.

"If your dad said no, then it's no", Nate said.

"But I want fried chicken!"

Cael was getting used to Collin's temper. Killian was initially difficult, but it was more about his introverted nature and how he was resistant to every new person. But Collin was stubborn and had his own opinions and desires he wanted to prevail. He also needed to be doing something all the time. It was exhausting. Killian was more timid and would normally accept the situations and wasn't really resistant. But he was more picky about food, hated loud noises or bright lights, and was skittish when meeting new people. Cael was enjoying learning everything about the kids. As he was thinking about it, distracted with the food, Nate's phone rang. He answered it and, after he turned it off, he called Cael with urgency. Cael turned off the fire and went to Nate.

"What is it?", He asked.

"They publicized the custody battle". Nate whispered, so the kids wouldn't listen.

"What?"

"Yeah. They went on public television to say how Antoine is a horrible father who abuses his own children, and how the judge ignored every proof they gathered and now they can't even see the kids. And the decision has been postponed again because of them".

"How can they do it? Postponing the decision every time, just because they know the ruling will be against them".

"I don't know. But it affected the public opinion, and many still remember the video and are against Antoine. It is also affecting the company".

"I can only imagine how Antoine is feeling".

"He is staying at his home until he can solve it. Cyrus said he is not doing well. I thought of calling social services and ask them to let him see the kids today. He needs it".

"I will call".

The social worker agreed to anticipate the weekly visit to the next morning. When they told the kids that they would be able to see Antoine and Cyrus earlier, they got really excited and wouldn't stop talking about it.

The next morning came, and they went to meet. When the kids met Antoine and Cyrus, Nate and Cael left to let them have some time alone - the social worker included in the alone. As they were leaving the room, they saw Nisa, the lawyer, who was accompanying them.

"Good morning", Cael greeted her.

"Good morning".

"I heard that they got the judge to postpone the decision once more". He tried to make some small talk.

"Yes. They will keep doing that until they can".

"Probably. But at least things will be better when the judgment is over". When he said that, she made a face that showed she didn't agree. "You don't think it will be over?"

"Honestly, no. They will still use the media in their favor to try and find a way to interfere, and will definitely harass you in any way possible. I'm sorry, but I'm not really optimistic. As long as they can use the fact that they are your parents, they will do whatever they can to convince Antoine to negotiate with them".

"As long as they are my parents?" An idea surged in his mind.

"Yes" She agreed, looking at the change in his face. "What are you thinking?"

"That a great deal of this would stop if they were no longer my parents".

"I think I see where you are going. If you can do it, it will end their custody rights. If you call me as soon as you get it, I can get the petition ready and submit it in two hours".

"The provisory custody is in my name and Nate's, right?"

"Luckily, yes". It was more because they had to tell the judge who the kids were staying with, but it was a plausible interpretation.

"I have to go".

"Okay", She smiled.

He ran to Nate who had gone to get some coffee. He explained his idea quickly to him and said:

"I need to get the plane tickets now. I'm going to Illaney on the next plane. I'll try to get back as soon as possible".

"Okay. I'll hold the fort until then". Nate kissed him and let him go, as he went home to pack.

Three hours later, he was embarking on the plane to Illaney. And another four hours later he was arriving in Cavanaugh's international airport. Just then he remembered to call his uncle to tell him he was in the country.

"What? Why?", Finnian questioned when Cael told him.

"That's something I have to say in person. Are you both at home?"

"Abe is home, but I'm at work".

"When are you going home? This is important".

"I think I can wrap this up in an hour". He said. "But what the hell did you do this time?"

"Nothing yet", Cael answered cryptically.

"God, I don't even want to imagine what you are planning", Finnian was still traumatized that Cael had twin kids with a billionaire and took months to tell him.

"It's nothing bad, I promise".

"It better not be. See you at home".

Cael arrived home thirty minutes later. He didn't live there in the last four years, but for him it was still home. He used his key to open the door. Abe came from the kitchen to greet him.

"You're really here. What are you doing in Illaney?", Abe questioned.

"I'll tell you when uncle Finnian arrives home".

Abe looked at him intrigued but thought it was better to ignore.

"Well, let's talk over some coffee and cake. I made it with Lydia. She is getting really good at baking".

"When I left, she was still burning everything".

"It's really good now. Clara has been giving her baking lessons". Clara was Abe's older sister.

"It has been so long since I saw aunt Clara. I terribly miss her cooking".

"She moved a few blocks away and has been coming almost daily".

"How is she?"

"Great. But I'm more curious about you. How is everything going with the process and the kids? I saw your father on TV. That fucking hypocrate".

"Terrible. They found a way for the decision to keep being postponed. And Antoine is getting sick because of it. It is terrible that he has to be away from the kids. The kids are also stressed from being away from their mom. They are acting out a lot, although it got better with time, but they still feel the pain of separation".

"I can imagine. But how is it like being a father for the first time?"

"Honestly", he gave a half-laugh. "It is incredibly hard. I didn't imagine it would be so hard taking care of kids. However, I'm also loving it. I love every moment I spend with them, even the stressful ones. Finding everything about them, what they like and dislike, how they do things. It's fantastic".

"It's good to be near our kids. I always miss you kiddos, and you are right in front of me and Lydia is just taking a nap in her bedroom. Sometimes I wished I could put them all back in my belly, to keep them safe from the world and so that I know every time where they are. Just mother stuff". He laughed. Cael felt good as he always included him as one of his kids, saying that he missed him and that he loved him.

As they were talking and eating, Lydia came down half asleep and hugged her mother, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Cael just came to visit and you're not going to say anything". Abe complained to her.

"Hi", she said in a low voice.

"Hi Lydia. Your cake was really good".

"Thanks". She said, hiding her face. She let go of Abe and got close to Cael. He went to pet her head, but she sat on his lap and hugged him, sleeping on his arms. He got used to doing this with the twins, but this was different. Lydia would normally bicker with him or ignore him. And since they had a big age gap, they didn't have much in common.

"She missed her brother", Abe said.

"I guess", Cael smiled.

"You can take her to the sofa, if you want. She is quite heavy already".

"Nah... I'm good for a while. If it becomes too difficult I take her there".

He stayed twenty minutes with her like that, his arm tired from holding her, when he finally decided he couldn't hold her back anymore and took her to the sofa. He still brought a blanket to cover her. Just a little after that, Finnian arrived. They all went to the kitchen to avoid waking the sleeping girl.

"Now, you have to unravel the big mystery, why did you come to Illaney?" Finnian asked.

"I told you about the process, right? About how my parents are fighting for the custody rights of the twins?"

"Yes. I watched their speech". Finnian made a frown remembering it.

"I talked with the lawyer, and she believes that even if Antoine wins, it won't end there, because they're still my parents. So I thought, what if they are not my parents".

"Wait..." Abe said, thinking about where he was going. "You're thinking about an adoption?"

It was great that Abe understood the situation without much explanation, but Cael wanted to put it into better words, make it more about affection and less of just a practical decision.

"I read about adult adoptions once. It wasn't like it was never on my mind, and it is an easy process that doesn't depend on my parents. For me you were my real parents, even if you didn't generate me. This paper will just make it legal. It's okay if you don't agree, I know it's a big decision...".

"Cael, we never talked about it because we didn't know you wanted it. Even with all that Geralt and Patricia did, we couldn't just throw it away and say we're your parents now. Not without your will. We always saw you as a son, even if we have no relation. For me, you're as much my son as Nicolas, Lydia or Rebecca. I saw you growing up to become this amazing man. For me, that makes me your mother". Abe said, holding Cael's hands.

"I make his words mine. You're more than a nephew to me. You're my child, the one I raised and the one I cherish. I would do anything for you. If they need a paper to say I'm your dad, then we'll have that paper. But you've been my son for a long time already".

Tears dropped from Cael's eyes. He has already been casually calling them dad and mom, although he felt that was strange sometimes. But those words felt so right, so comforting. To know that he was loved and that was people that really saw him for who he was, and that will really be there for him.

"Thanks. I came here just thinking, maybe that's a good idea. But now I see how much I need it, I don't want to be their son anymore, or for anyone to think that I am. I want to be your son". He smiled and they all hugged. Lydia, who came out of nowhere, hugged him too. "Ly, what are you doing here?"

"You're my brother now, I have to hug you".

"Lydia, you shouldn't be listening to the adult's conversation", Finnian scolded her.

"But I have a new brother now. I want to hug him".

Abe just laughed. All that the kid took from it was that, so all was good.

"Alright", Finnian scoffed. "Now, what do we have to do to make it official?"

"I will tell you. We can do it tomorrow". He explained all the details and how it worked.

It was a relatively quick process, and they only had to communicate to his biological parents, who couldn't protest it. The next morning, they went to the registry office to register the adoption. It took only a few hours, and by early afternoon, they were legally parents and son. He had to redo all his documents, and change the data about his parents, but when it was done, Cael almost cried. There was his new birth certificate, with the names Finnian Elias Delaney and Abraham Tobias Scott as his father and mother, respectively. As he held to it, tears rolled down his face, and Abraham and Finnian hugged him warmly.

"Let's go home", Abraham said, smiling. "The kids are waiting to celebrate".

In the car, Cael texted Nisa with the new documents so she could protocol the petition as soon as possible. She answered back with an OK.

When they got home, they were welcomed with a confetti cannon from Rebecca and Nico, while Lydia held a chocolate cake that was as big as her head.

"Now I can officially call you brother", Nico laughed as he hugged his new brother. "Not that I didn't already do that".

"Yeah, especially when you want something". Cael answered.

"Well, when doesn't he want something from you, older bro?", Rebecca asked, teasingly.

"True", Cael laughed. It was such a warm feeling to be with the people he loved and who loved him.

"Brother, is it true that we have nephews now? Lydia heard dad talking about it", Rebecca asked. Lydia was like a little rat hiding in the corners and listening to the conversations without anyone seeing it.

"Yeah, it is true", Cael answered with a smile.

"How are they?"

"They are three, so they are still pretty young. Collin is a bit headstrong, but he loves to play and always has a smile on his face. Killian is a bit introverted, but he loves to learn and knows the name of every dinosaur", his face shined as he talked about it, and his heart smiled.

"You really love them, don't you?" Rebecca asked.

"Yeah... A lot. Them and Nate are the light of my life now. And you of course". He smiled.

"Why do I feel like we were just an afterthought?" Nico teased.

"You weren't", he laughed. "I don't know where I would be now if it wasn't for mom and dad. And you. All I'm now is because of all of you. Even in the times you just annoyed me. And those were a lot of times".

"Well, you're annoying too". Rebecca answered back, pouting.

Lydia came out of nowhere bringing a chair and sat beside him. She hugged his arm and put her head on his shoulder.

"I missed you", she whispered.

"I missed you too, Dia". He hugged her. "Dia, mom told me that you're really interested in cooking right now".

"Yeah, I love cooking. It's so much fun". She smiled.

"My boyfriend's brother is a chef".

"Nate's?"

"Yeah". Classical Lydia, she knew about anything before you tell her.

"I could ask him to talk to you about cooking, what do you think? It could be fun talking to a professional cook".

"Yes!" She said excitedly. "I'd love to talk to a professional cook".

"I'll talk to Nate. See if he can talk to his brother. I'll tell you how it goes". He smiled.

"Okay". She smiled back.

He spent a good time with his family. Showed them lots of pictures he took of the twins - there was one especially cute of them playing with the cats. They all really wanted to meet them in person. The night was peaceful and Cael slept in his old bedroom.

He left to Bjuldr the next morning. As he waited for the flight, he got a text from Nisa. The petition was approved and the judge ended the process, as the couple was no longer qualified for custody. Thi was going to get the kids in the afternoon, as soon as he arrived. He was sad to see the kids go, but he knew it was for the best. When he arrived in Bgork, Nate got him from the airport with Collin and Killian. The twins were happy to see him after one and a half days.

"Dad, I missed you!", Collin exclaimed.

"I missed you too, Olli". Cael hugged him.

"I missed you too", Killian opened his arms for a hug.

"Yeah, me too, Lian". He hugged Lian and got him up on his arms. "Now, let's go to the car. Nate grabbed Collin, and went carrying him to the car.

"I know you're exhausted, honey, but Antoine called us urgently, and said he has something important to say. Should we go now or do you want to go home first?"

"I'm okay, we can go there directly". He wanted to know what it was this time.

When they arrived, the twins went running to hug Antoine and Cyrus. They were really happy to see them. When they said that this time they were not leaving, that they could stay this time, the kids got euphoric, so happy they were. After they spent some time together, Antoine called Kristin, the babysitter, to take care of them. And called Cael and Nate to his office.

The office had a big table with a computer, and a mini living room with two two-seater sofas and a small center table. Cyrus brought them some tea and invited them to sit down. The couples sat across from each other. Cyrus held Antoine's hand tight. They looked at each other and Cyrus kissed Antoine's hand and mouthed "Go on. Everything will be ok". Antoine mouthed back "Thank you".

"We decided that we need to trust you, you've done more than enough to earn our trust. So it's time to tell you everything".