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I couldn't stop the bouncing of my leg as we sat on the benches in the courthouse. We were about to be called in, yet James still wasn't here. He has to show up or this won't happen. There will be no signed papers and Hazelee will still be under his authority. Everyone was here and ready except for him.

I could see the concern starting to form on everyone's faces, including Claudia's which made me even more anxious. Claudia has been the most positive throughout all of this and she's had full faith that this will all work out perfectly.

We were soon ushered into the courtroom. I had Hazelee in my arms, everyone with us, including Maggie and Patrick and of course our lawyer. This lawyer is supposed to be really helpful and has been working with both Billie and Finneas for years.

As we all sat down waiting for the judge to enter, a man with a briefcase came up to us with a sad expression; my heart practically faltered. "James is here," he started and immediately an inch of hope entered my heart. "He isn't sober though and he has someone with him."

"Someone as in Bronte?" I questioned.

"Yes," he nodded his head.

"What does this mean?" Patrick asked.

"James has no way of winning this case if he walks into this courtroom intoxicated," our lawyer answered the question that I'm sure was on all of our minds.

"I'm aware that he is my client but from the few meetings I have had with James, I can tell he isn't cut out to be a father. As a lawyer I now have to make the decision to either keep him out of this courtroom and book a new date claiming there were family emergencies, or bringing him in here and having you win this case," he explained.

I stared at him, silently begging and pleading him to expose James and Bronte. He simply nodded his head before walking out of the courtroom with his head hung low. I turned in my chair, Billie immediately latching our hands together.

"All rise for the judge."

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"Congrats, Hazelee Grace O'Connell," the judge announces, all of us hugging and most of us in tears.

I can't begin to explain this feeling. I'm surrounded by people who I love and feel love from. Hazelee finally has a safe permanent family; and god forbid anything ever happens to Billie and me, I still know that Hazelee will be safe and loved. I don't have to be a mom for the rest of my teens and twenties though I will still be able to see her whenever I want or whenever she wants.

We all ate at Finneas and Claudia's before moving all of Hazelee's things into her new room. I kept her bed as they had bought a new one and I know I'll want her to come over for sleepovers eventually but she loves her new home.

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"HAILEY!" I shouted over the music, dragging Billie past the pool.

"Oh my god, this is wild!" Hailey exclaimed, hugging both Billie and me.

"Thank you so much for coming," Billie smiled at her. Hailey has been going to therapy and seems to be getting much better. She talks to Billie and me a lot about the everyday stresses of life and it feels great to be able to help her out.

"What the fuck? Thank you for inviting me," Hailey shook her head in disbelief. I think she still freaks out internally every time she sees Billie, but hey, so do I.

"Billie, five more minutes," Patrick came to announce.

"Okay, Hailey come with me! We gotta go find Dion and Rory," I linked arms with her, giving Billie a quick peck before she ran off, disappearing into the crowd.

Once we finally found Dion and Rory we made our way over to the crowd of people beginning to gather in front of the steps. We met up with Claudia and Finneas who were trying to stop Hazelee from whining about how she couldn't go into the pool.

"Hazelee, you would freeze. It would not be fun," I attempted to help but failed; although as soon as Billie said an adorable 'Hello, hi guys. Thanks for coming,' through the microphone Hazelee's eyes, as well as all of ours, travelled to the blonde standing atop the stairs.

"It's been such an amazing night so far, um my album comes out in two minutes," she stopped and we all erupted in loud cheers, Finneas holding Hazelee's ears shut. Once we all calmed down she continued. "This album is my favourite thing I've ever created and I don't know, it was such a cathartic and satisfying and freeing process. I can't wait to be back on the road and I just....love you all and thank you. I'm so excited and so proud and so happy and I hope you guys all feel the same," she beamed, her eyes sparkling as she leaned on the railing. The group of people shouting once again.

"Of course I have to thank my mom and my dad, Finneas of course but I want to give an extremely big thank you to Carter who has changed my life. She wasn't necessarily involved in the music-making per se but she was behind the scenes and she definitely helped my brain think of a few lyrics that she's not even aware of. Anyway, I love you so much Carter," she looked into my eyes and I blew her a kiss. "I love you all, have a great night!" And again, everyone shouted as the countdown began.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1," Everyone screamed and a song off her album began playing. Billie ran down the stairs, doing an adorable little happy dance and at that moment, I knew that any tiny doubt I had ever had was stitched up and thrown deep into the ocean by her smile.

Soon everyone began to disperse again except for our group as we stood with Billie. "Billie I'm so proud of you and I love you so much but I have a very tired girl on my hands," Finneas pouted, holding a sleepy Hazelee.

"Of course, go be parents," she chuckled, hugging all three of them before they disappeared.

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After an hour of dancing with Hailey, Dion, and Rory while Billie ran around, speaking to all of her friends I spotted her across the pool just as she saw me. She winked at me and gave me a look to which I was very interested in. I watched her closely, seeing what her next move would be as Zoe stood beside her. Oxytocin began playing and within a blink of an eye, she jumped into the pool, coming up with a smile on her face. I quickly snapped a picture and posted it to my story along with one from earlier tonight.

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Word Count: 1198