“Yes,” I said.

The judge picked up a heavy black fountain pen.

“The court approves the petition for full adoption by Rachel Morgan,” he said.

He signed the top three pages of the decree.

“Congratulations to you both,” he said.

We walked out through the swinging gate into the wide marble hallway.

We stopped by the brass elevator bank at the far end of the corridor.

Rachel held the certified copies of the adoption decree against her chest.