The courtroom was silent, filled with the weight of anticipation. The judge sat at the front, her gaze moving from the papers in front of her to the three of them—Evan, Cam, and Roxy. Evan sat beside Roxy, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, his presence steadying her. Cam was on the other side, his usual calm demeanor in contrast to the tension that hung in the air. Roxy sat quietly between them, her hands folded in her lap, her gaze fixed on the floor. She hadn’t spoken since they’d arrived, her mind consumed by everything happening around her.
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The judge cleared her throat and glanced at the documents in front of her. “I see no objections to this adoption,” she said, her voice firm. “Everything is in order. Roxy Lily Stars, from this moment forward, you will officially be adopted by Evan.” She paused, then turned to Evan and Cam. “Do you, Evan, take full responsibility for Roxy, providing her with love, care, and support?”
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Evan nodded, his voice steady, though the emotion was evident in his eyes. “I do, Your Honor.”
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The judge looked at Roxy. “And Roxy, do you consent to this adoption?”
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Roxy remained silent, her fingers nervously twitching in her lap. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted this, that she wanted to stay with Evan and Cam, but the weight of everything still felt heavy in her chest. She took a deep breath, and then, almost in a whisper, she nodded.
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The judge smiled softly, nodding as well. “Then it is settled. Roxy Lily Stars, you are officially adopted by Evan. Congratulations.”
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Roxy felt a mixture of relief and uncertainty wash over her. She hadn’t said anything, hadn’t voiced her feelings, but she knew, deep down, that this was the start of something new. Something safe. Evan gave her a small, reassuring smile, his hand still on her shoulder, and that was enough. It was enough. Evan instantly noticed the change in Roxy’s expression. Her face had gone pale, and her breathing had quickened, almost as if she were struggling to stay grounded. His heart raced, instinctively worried.
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"Roxy?" Evan's voice was calm but filled with concern as she grabbed onto him, her hands trembling. "Are you okay?"
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Roxy’s head spun, the world around her feeling too overwhelming, too much. The room seemed to tilt, her stomach lurching with the sudden intensity of it all. She could feel the heat building up in her chest, her skin flushed and prickling. She needed to cool down, fast.
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"Shit," Evan muttered, noticing her unsteady grip on him. He gently pulled her toward him, his hand steady on her back. "You’re overheating. Let's get you some air, alright?"
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Roxy’s eyes fluttered, her head dizzy with the rush of emotions and the physical response of her body. She couldn’t form words—everything was too much—but she kept her hand gripped on Evan’s sleeve as she tried to steady herself.
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Cam, who had been quietly watching, stood up and immediately moved toward them, his face tight with concern. "Evan, we need to get her outside. She's about to pass out."
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"Yeah," Evan said, his voice low but determined. "Let’s go, Roxy. I’ve got you." He kept one arm around her, steadying her as they made their way toward the door, the courtroom’s murmur fading behind them. Roxy’s heart pounded in her chest, the need for air overwhelming her, but Evan’s presence was the only thing keeping her grounded.
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Once they stepped outside, Evan guided Roxy to a bench, her head tucked into his shoulder as he sat beside her. "Breathe, Roxy," he urged softly, his voice calm. "You’re okay. Just breathe with me."
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Cam stood a little away, his hand rubbing his neck, his own nerves showing.
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Roxy’s head rested against Evan as she fought to slow her breathing, his cool presence a lifeline to the panic creeping up her throat.
Evan felt Roxy's grip tighten suddenly, her nails digging into his skin. He winced slightly, but his worry outweighed the discomfort. "Roxy?" his voice shaking with concern as he gently tried to keep her steady.
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But before he could say anything else, Roxy’s body went limp in his arms. Her breathing had stilled, and the tension left her frame. Evan’s heart stopped for a moment. "No, no, NO," he muttered, his grip tightening around her as he instinctively checked her pulse, his hands shaking.
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Cam rushed forward, panic flashing in his eyes as he knelt beside them. "Evan—what the hell happened?"
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"She passed out," Evan said urgently, his voice strained, his eyes darting over Roxy’s face. "Her body’s just... overwhelmed. I need to get her inside. She can’t stay like this."
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Evan carefully lifted Roxy into his arms, his body tight with anxiety. Her head lulled against his shoulder as he stood, trying to keep his movements steady. He glanced over at Cam, his jaw clenched. "Get the car. Now."
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Cam nodded quickly, not wasting a second. He shot a look at Evan, then bolted for the car, leaving Evan with Roxy.
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As Evan gently cradled Roxy in his arms, he whispered softly, "Come on, Roxy, wake up. You’re okay. I’m right here." But his words felt small compared to the fear pulsing through him.
Evan’s voice was the first thing Roxy heard as she slowly started to regain consciousness. It was soft, but there was an undeniable edge of panic in it. "Roxy? Hey, it’s okay. You’re alright. Just breathe, okay?"
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Roxy blinked a few times, the stars in her vision slowly clearing, but everything still felt distant, like she was floating in a fog. The warmth of Evan's arms around her grounded her, and the feel of his steady breathing against her ear helped her focus.
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"You passed out," Evan continued, his tone gentle but filled with concern. "You were overheating, and... I don’t know what happened exactly, but you’re safe now. Just focus on me, alright? You with me?"
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As Roxy tried to piece things together, memories felt like they were floating just beyond her reach. Her heart was still racing, as her chest felt tight, but Evan's calm presence seemed to slowly help her center herself.
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His hand was on your back now, rubbing soothing circles. "I’ve got you, Roxy. You’re okay."
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He leaned down slightly, his voice quieter, just for you, "I’m right here. Don’t try to push it. Just rest."
Evan gently carried her inside, his arms securely holding you as he maneuvered through the door. The weight of the day had clearly taken its toll on both of you, but he remained steady, his calm presence grounding her as she leaned against him.
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"You're safe now," Evan murmured softly, his voice low but reassuring. He carefully set her down on the couch, making sure you were comfortable before pulling a blanket over you. "Take it easy, Roxy. Just relax. Do you need anything?"
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His eyes lingered on Roxy for a moment, checking for any signs of distress. It wasn’t lost on him how much she had been through today, and he felt an overwhelming desire to protect you. He sat beside Roxy, staying close but not crowding you, giving her space to breathe and recover.
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The quiet of the room was a stark contrast to the chaos of the day, and the comfort of being home with Evan felt like a soft, safe cocoon. Roxy didn’t have to say anything—Evan could read her silence, knowing how much was happening in your mind, how overwhelmed you were. His hand rested near yours, his thumb rubbing small circles on the fabric of the blanket.
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"You don't have to talk if you don't want to," Evan said softly, his eyes never leaving yours. "Just breathe."
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