Page 52 of State of Alert

“Can you adopt a legal adult?”

“I don’t see why not. Would you be down for that?”

“We’d keep the Armstrong last name?”

“Whatever you want.”

“That’d be important to me.”

“Totally understood.”

“What does Andy think?” Eli asked.

“I haven’t asked him yet. I wanted to talk to you about it first.”

“I’d be for it, if it would put an end to these people trying to take the twins from us.”

“It would certainly do that, and not for nothing, it would make us a legal family. I like the idea of that.”

“I do, too, since we’re already a family.”

“We love you all, Eli, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to keep our family together. Try not to worry too much. Yourparents’ wishes will be heavily weighted, like they were before.”

“Since they’ve barely checked on the kids in months, this makes me wonder if Cleo’s family is having financial trouble and they want to get their hands on the kids’ money.” Jameson Armstrong had been worth billions, which his three children had inherited.

“I’ll mention that possibility to Andy. He’ll put someone on it. I’ll be back to you as soon as I hear anything. In the meantime, try not to worry too much.”

“Not sure how I’ll think about anything else.”

“I know. Hang in there. More to come.”

After he ended that call, Nick asked Julie to get Andy on the line for him.

“Hey,” he said to his longtime friend and lawyer. “I spoke to Sam and Eli, and we have an idea. What if Sam and I were to adopt all three of them?”

“You could certainly take those steps. I’m not sure if it would shut down this latest volley by the mother’s family, though. You might still have to go through the motions of a hearing and whatnot.”

“How can they do this when Elijah is their legal guardian?”

“They’re claiming extraordinary circumstances, and the presidency certainly qualifies as extraordinary.”

“Worst thing I ever did was become the VP.”

“Don’t look at it that way.”

“How should I look at a decision that upended my life and the lives of my family and put a level of scrutiny on us that gives these people a case for custody?”

“It’s a long-shot case. Remember that.”

“All we need is one judge with an ax to grind against the president or his wife, and we’ve lost our kids.”

“A lot of other things would have to happen for that to occur, so don’t go there yet. Let me look into the adoption angle and see what we can do.”

“Hurry, Andy. We need to get this locked and loaded before they can take those kids from us. It would ruin us.”

“I understand. I’m on it.”

“While you’re at it, have someone look into the family’s financial situation. Eli suspects they’re more interested in the kids’ money than they are in them.”

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