Page 115 of Redeeming Melodies

The hour crawled by like years. But finally, finally they called us back in.

The judge's face gave nothing away as she settled into her chair. The room went silent enough to hear heartbeats.

"After careful consideration of all testimony, including that of Tommy Blue, I've reached my decision."

Felt Jake's hand find mine under the table. Anchor in the storm.

"Full custody is hereby granted to Elliot Blue."

The words didn't register at first. Too big, too important to be real.

"Dad!" Tommy's voice broke through everything. He slammed into me full force, and suddenly it was real. So fucking real.

Lifted him up, held him close like I'd wanted to do for months. Years. Forever.

"We won?" His whisper carried wonder. "For real?"

"For real, buddy." Voice cracked but didn't care. "You're coming home."

"With you and Sheriff Jake?"

"With all of us." Because Jake's arms had wrapped around us both, holding our little family together.

"Mr. Blue." The judge's voice carried warmth now. "I expect you to maintain Tommy's current school enrollment through the end of this term. After that, you're free to relocate to Oakwood Grove."

Oakwood Grove. Home. With my son and my sheriff and everything worth fighting for.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Managed those words past the tightness in my throat. "For listening. For seeing."

Her smile went knowing. "Sometimes truth speaks louder than performance, Mr. Blue. Take care of your family."

My family.

Mine to protect now.

Mine to love.

Mine to give the childhood he deserved.

"Ready to go home, champ?"

Tommy's grin could have powered the whole courthouse. "Can we get pancakes first?"

Jake's laugh rumbled through all of us. "Think we can manage that."

Walked out of that courtroom different than I'd walked in. Stronger. Whole.

Ready to build something real.

Together.

The way family should be.

EPILOGUE

ELLIOT

The sunset painted our backyard gold, catching the edges of Tommy's new treehouse like it belonged in some dream. A week ago this place had been all potential and promises. Now it hummed with life - kid laughter and adult chatter mixing with the smell of Cassidy's famous barbecue.

---