"Okay so in the letter said to go to this agency" I told Patrick as we left the apartment hand in hand. It had already been over a couple weeks since Sam had shown up literally at our front door. Things had been going smoothly. One round of the playoffs down, only a few more to go. Sam was to his disliking stuck with a tutor for the rest of the year, although kindergarten is an easy year and he only was taking it to make sure his record added up. It had been roughly three weeks without contact whatsoever from Kendra. Was, until yesterday when an unmarked envelope found its way into our mailbox. That bringing us to today, as Pat and I made our way to the marked agency that was written within the letter:
Patrick,

I know you probably hate me right now. Honestly I would too, but I'm sorry I wouldn't change what I did if I had the chance. You accomplished so much with your life, and I see now that it was the right choice to boot hold you back. You and I may have been kids, but you would have done the right thing and married me after you found out I was in fact pregnant with your child. I couldn't do that to you, I hope you understand. We would have grown into it, but it wouldn't have been for the right reasons. I had no right to keep you from finding the love of your life. It was a hard decision. It meant I had to do it alone, and keep you from knowing your son. I wish you could have achieved everything, but we all know life doesn't work like that. At first I hated myself for making such a stupid mistake, hated you even, but then he was born and I was in love. Leaving him will be the hardest thing I will ever have to do, but I have no choice. Rachel, you are a loving person. I've seen it, one day in and I knew Sam would be just fine. It gave me great reassurance to know that he will have a mom and dad that will love him like he deserves. He's a great kid. I'm sure you've figured that out. All I ask is for you to not ask questions, and just embrace him as your own. He needs you, both of you, and you can offer more than I can. I thank you for loving your son, and for not resenting him for being a past mistake on Patrick and I's part. Listed below is the name and address of the agency taking care of our case. Just ask for Alex, thats all I need from you. I love Sam, and someday you will understand why I'm doing what I did. Thank you for making him smile.

Kendra
I looked over the paper in front of me again. We were in the right place, I thought to myself as we were currently seated in the lobby awaiting Alex.
"Hi there." A young man said coming up to us. "I'm Alex." He said offering his hand, which we both shook. "If you guys would come with me, and we can get this process started."
"Okay."
"Sure." I said nodding as we followed him into his office.
"Alright, so I'm sure this process is all very new to you both, but we will be sure to accommodate and help you through this. Feel free to ask any questions whenever you have them." He said sitting down at his desk, motioning us to the two chairs in front of us.
"Okay." We said nodding. Pat grabbing my hand and squeezing it under the desk.
"It's okay." I whispered, putting my hand on his bouncing knee calming it down. He covered my hand and nodded.
"Alright…" Alex started. "We have quite a few forms that need signing, but before that we need to know that you two are certain that you are willing to take in Sam as your responsibility?"
Pat and I shared a look before nodding. "Yes." I said.
"Ok then we can proceed." He said pulling out some papers an sliding them our way. "Okay so this is the standard form to switch parental authority over to you Patrick, and then consequently to you Rachel. So we need you both to sign onto the agreement. It is easy to read and understand, nothing out of the ordinary, just the paper portion to legalize the switch."
"So all we need to do is sign the paper and he's my kid? That easy?" Patrick asked.
"Yes. You have already been approved for a quick switch. Kendra was sure of your capabilities and ensured that you would be a great father to your child, both of you."
"Oh, Okay," Pat said nodding.
"Well, I say we sign the papers then." I said looking between the two of them.
"Okay. I will explain each section to you and then if you understand you both may sign them." He said opening to the first page and starting to explain them.
(…)
"And here you are, last one." Alex said pointing to the last signature. "This is it, once you've signed you have claimed Sam as yours. The pen is yours."
Pat looked my way, questioning eyes. The type that conveyed so many emotions, the scared, excited, the worry… I nodded. "Go ahead." I whispered.
"I love you." He said back.
"Make that kid ours." I said giving him a reassuring smile.
"Well that just about does it." Alex said taking back the papers, and smiling. "Congratulations." He said offering his hand, to which we both shook.
"Thank you." Pat said standing up slowly from his chair, helping me up along the way.
"Thank you two, for so willingly taking Sam into your family."
"Well… He is my kid after all." Pat said chuckling lightly.
"Our kid now." I whispered into his ear.
"Thank you." He said giving me a hug.
"Yo-you're welcome." I said laughing. "You can let me go now."
"Oops, sorry." He said letting go.
"So that's it, we're good to go Alex?" I asked.
"Yes, you are free to go." He said chuckling. "Take care of Sam, and don't hesitate to call if you ever have questions." He said following us out of his office.
"Alright, thanks Alex." Pat said shaking his hand once again before leading me back out to our car.
(…)
"Patrick, no. The kids and your mom are here." I scolded, as he kissed my neck holding me against him.
"Nuh uh." He mumbled into my skin.
"Well then where are they?" I asked shivering with the touch of his hand running up my sides.
"Gone." He said chuckling.
"Oh yeah? Where to?"
"Playdate, and out for a fun day with Grandma."
"And who might I ask organized this?" I asked following his movements.
"Oh no it was not me." He said throwing his hand up in the air, maintaing the kiss.
""Let me guess your mom thought we needed some time to ourselves?"
"Mhmm."
"Hey Pat."
"Yeah?"
"I think I love you." I said falling back onto the bed.
"Well that's good Rachel, because I think I might love you too." He said chuckling and following me onto the bed.
(..)
"Thank you Momma Kane." I said falling back on the bed after a relaxing shower.
"No kids. Its so nice." Patrick said emerging from the bathroom shaking the last remains of the water out of his hair before flopping face down on the bed.
"Is someone tired." I asked chuckling, kissing the back of his head.
"Thanks to you."
"Love you too." I said wrapping my arms around him.
"I do love you." He said turning and pulling me in close kissing my forehead.
"I know." I giggled burying my head into his chest, inhaling the sweet, musky scent of his body wash.
"Mmmm, go to sleep babe." He mumbled into the top of my head.
"I plan on it."
"I love you. Have a great rest." He said softly.
"You too." I said smiling into his chest before dulling my mind into a sense of sleep.
(…)
"Daddy! Momma! Look what we got!" I heard as I was awoken from my much needed sleep.
"What's up Sam?" I asked chuckling.
"Well we went all over the city! We even went to the AQUARIUM!" He exclaimed.
"So you had fun with Grandma then?" I said looking at the stuffed animal shoved into my face.
"Mhmm. SO much fun!"
"Come with me, we'll let Daddy sleep no?"
"Okay." He said hopping off the bed.
"Hey Grandma." I said winking at Donna.
"Ahah only one of you?" She asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Haha yeah, he's a bit tired." I said chuckling. "Thanks for the past few weeks, it's mean't so much to both Pat and I and I know the kids just love you."
"It's my pleasure sweetie. You've given us so much and you are like a daughter to me, why not come down here and spend some time with my family?"
"Momma."
"Yeah?"
"Can I watch some cartoons before bed?"
"Sure. You know how to get it on right?"
"Yup, Thank you!" He said running back into the living room.
"So how did the day go?" Donna asked.
"It was a good day." I said smiling.
"So should I be expecting anymore grandchildren?" She asked
"Haha only Sam for now." I chuckled awkwardly. Yup she definitely knew what went on earlier I thought to myself.
"Well. I guess that will do for now…" She said laughing.
"Three is quite a few to handle, but atleat its almost the off season. That should help out quite a bit." I said chuckling.
"Can we be expecting you in Buffalo this year?"
"For sure." I said laughing. "From what I've gathered Patrick wants to get some use of the lakeside house. But yeah I'd probably enjoy a bit of time with my parents as well."
"Well that sounds like you guys have a fun summer planned, but if you two decide to do something just the two of you I will be around."
"Haha we might just have to take you up on that. My parents offered the same thing as well so maybe a couple vacations might be in order." I said laughing.
"You kids deserve it. Enjoy your young years. A couple trips here wand there doesn't mean you are bad parents." brain
"It's funny my brain sometimes gets stuck back in the time when I was 21. I mean I've got all the stories everyone has told me about the years that happened afterwards, but somedays I just wish I had more than stories to make it a reality."
"It's been quite a while huh?"
"Yeah. But its okay. I've got a good life, and even without the old memories I can and have made some pretty good new ones."
"Well thats good. I'm glad my son has been understanding of your predicament."
I smiled thinking back to the past few months, all the changes, and how much Patrick had helped me get through it. "He's been amazing. You raised a good kid."
"He wasn't always like this you know. He was a wild kid up until he met you. He had started to settle down before bt when he met you that was his true turning point, so I thank you for that."
"I guess we both have things to be thankful for." I said chuckling, looking into the living room at Sam laughing at the TV.
"Yeah we do." She said smiling.
"Two of my favourite women." Pat mumbles giving his mom a hug and me a quick kiss.
"Hey." I said laughing at his tired demeanour. "What would ya like?"
"Food." He said chuckling.
"Of course." I said laughing. "Would you like anything Donna?"
"I Think I'll just call it a night.: She said chuckling. "Don't abuse her cooking too much son." She said patting his shoulder and headed to bed.
"Mmmm am I abusing your skills?" Pat asked wrapping his arms around my waist and whispering into the crook of my neck.
"Haha no." I said turning to give him a quick kiss.
"Mmmm I think I am." He said chuckling.
"Nahh, but where did you ship our kids off to?"
"Jonny's." He said chuckling.
"The poor guy." I said laughing.
"Oh, please. He needs the practice. And our kids are angels." Pat said laughing.
"Oh thats what you think huh?" I scoffed.
"No, but they are pretty tame now." He said resting his head on my shoulder.
"They have their days." I said laughing. "Sorry. Pasta's what it is tonight." I said straining out the pasta, and stirring the sauce in the pot.
"Quick, and smells delicious. Perfect." He said kissing the top of my head and stealing the bowl to the table, before taking a sleeping Sam into his arms and carrying him off to bed.
"I think three's enough for now." Pat said sitting back down in front of his pasta.
"I agree. I'm not opposed to more, but lets let these ones grow up a bit no?"
"I'm sorry about Sam."
"I've already told you its fine. He's a good kid."
"I know but I feel as if its my fault you aren't having another kid. I mean if I didn't have Same would we have had another kid together soon?"
"I honestly don't know." I said. "But either way, I still will consider him my son. He's here so we don't have to worry about the could of beens."
"Thank you." He said putting the dishes into the dishwasher and picking me up into a hug.
"Mmm, I love you." I said chuckling letting him carry me off to bed.

"I love you too." He said kissing my forehead as my eyes fluttered shut and my mind fell asleep.

Notes