"Given the emergency circumstances, the court grants Carter temporary custody, effective immediately, subject to continued supervision, a successful home inspection, and completion of the remaining licensing requirements."
He looked directly at me.
"I will personally oversee this case until permanent placement is finalized."
For a heartbeat, the room was completely silent.
Then, I heard a small gasp.
Lila broke free from the court aide's hand and ran straight toward me.
I dropped to one knee just as she threw her arms around my neck.
"We're going home?" she whispered.
My throat tightened.
"Yeah, sweetheart," I managed to say. "We're going home."
The twins wrapped themselves around my shoulders a second later, and even Eli, who had tried so hard to be brave, finally let the tears come.
"I told them you'd keep trying," he said, wiping at his face. "I told them."
"You helped me keep that promise," I whispered.
When I looked up, Beverly was standing beside us.
She handed me the temporary custody paperwork.
"Take good care of them," she said softly.
"I will."
"I know."
As we walked out of the courtroom, Diane rested a hand on my shoulder.
"You did all the hard work," she said. "I just helped the court hear it."
Outside, the afternoon sun felt warmer than I remembered.
One by one, I buckled each child into a car seat.
This time, nobody asked where they were going.
Everybody already knew.
The drive home was almost silent.
Lila fell asleep before we reached the first stoplight, her stuffed rabbit tucked beneath her chin.
