Ryker knelt down on the carpet, catching the small boy in his arms and holding him tight.

Lily followed a moment later, her small hand clutching a toy bear as she pressed her face against Ryker’s shoulder.

“Did you finish your work?” Lily asked, looking at me with her mother’s green eyes.

“We did, sweetheart,” I said, kneeling down beside them. “We finished all of it.”

“Are we staying here now?” Owen asked, looking up at Ryker.

“Yes, Owen,” Ryker said, his voice thick with emotion. “This is your home now.”

“Forever?” Lily whispered.

“Forever,” Ryker promised, kissing the top of her dark head.

The following morning, the courtroom was nearly empty, save for the judge, the court reporter, and ourselves.

Judge Vance, an older woman with sharp grey eyes, reviewed the thick stack of documents I had submitted.

The room smelled of old paper, leather, and wood wax.

“Mr. Steel,” Judge Vance said, looking over her spectacles. “The evidence of your sister’s wishes is clear.”

“The actions of Mr. Voss and his associates were a grave injustice to these children.”