Morty was very surprised with how easily Sam woke up the next morning, thankful he hadn't needed a solid hour to wake the man. He had gotten up almost on his own and quickly pulled on a nice pair of pants and a collared t-shirt, surprising Morty further by brushing his red curls and appearing like a father in his entirety. 
        "That's new," Morty announced with a laugh, finding his friend pulling on a nice pair of shoes and laughing at the eye-roll he received. "Yea, whatever," Sam huffed. "Just buy me breakfast and we'll call it good." Morty sighed, stepping into his shoes and ensuring he had everything he needed. "Fine, but only if we leave now. We gotta be on time for this. No excuses." Sam shrugged, shoving his phone and wallet into his pockets while Morty adjusted his necklace and white t-shirt. He'd woken to several congratulatory texts, assuming Gary had given his number out for that sole purpose, and smiled as he made his way through the morning. Now, his smile was anxious as he realized anything going wrong in this moment could completely destroy everything he'd stood for, everything he'd fought to have. 
       The car trip was quick, paused momentarily when Morty pulled into the classic McDonald's drive-thru and grabbed a fairly large breakfast for Sam, settling on a hashbrown for himself. "So," Sam had mumbled around his food, "you never told me we were gonna have a kid running around the house." Morty had only laughed, fearing for his car as his messy friend ate beside him, nodding as he continued to the courthouse.

       Morty had made it with six minutes to spare, rushing his friend around until they were directed to a room and were quickly standing before an official judge, something Morty had never thought he'd experience before. 
       "Mr. Smith, you stand before me today to finalize the adoption of one Avery Jones Kendleman, correct?" Morty nodded, "Yes, sir." 
       "And I believe this is the roommate you were requested to bring, correct?" Morty nodded once again. "Yes, this is Sam." The judge nodded, going over files and forms. "Your home has been cleared three times in a row, and marked as extraordinarily well prepared for a child, even when you were unprepared for the first visit. That's remarkable for somebody so young, and I see no reason as to why the home would be deemed unfit now. Now, for the roommate. I was informed that he worked with you in the same workplace, on later hours, correct?" Sam nodded this time, answering with a firm, "That's correct, your honor. I go in earlier, and leave at the same time." The judge nodded, going over the files. "Er, what is it that the two of you do?"
       There it was. The question that Morty feared. Would he change his mind about it all if Morty told him? Surely he couldn't be the only one that did his job and adopted a child. "Uh," Morty shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling trapped beneath the judge's stare, "I'm a bartender and a d-dancer at a club, and he-he's a bouncer."
       The judge nodded after a moment, going over the file. "I suppose those are somewhat respectable in nature. You do what you want for a living. If the child is happy and there are no issues with a healthy boy and work, then I see no reason why that would affect today's decision."
       Morty sighed lightly in relief, smiling softly after a moment. "Mr. Smith, are you a religious man?" Morty furrowed his brow softly, glancing downwards at his cross. "I try to keep my faith, though it's often tested heavily," he explained, toying with the pendant for a moment before dropping it again. "That's very nice. That boy is a gift from God, you know. He's had a tough life. He hasn't really known kindness outside of the short time in the home. However," Morty watched the judge smile fondly and heard a door open, "I do believe the Lord has placed Avery in your care because you are more fit to be his father than anything."
        Morty stared curiously, waiting for further elaboration as the judge stacked his papers. "There's one final thing to be done. Are we changing that young man's last name today?" Morty turned as the judge pointed behind him, finding Ms. Kilsn standing behind him, cradling Avery in her arms. Morty instantly lit up, a proud grin overtaking his features as he stared at the shy brunet waving hello. This was only the fourth time they'd met, and Morty couldn't be happier. "Here," Ms. Kilsn carefully held the toddler out, each individual waiting to see how he would react. Avery smiled shyly, making his way towards Morty. The brunet couldn't be happier, hugging Avery to himself. "Oh my God," he whispered, holding the child closely. "Yes," he managed to get out, hearing his voice break as he began to cry. "We're gonna change his last name." He turned to face the judge, shifting Avery to wipe at his face and clear the tears away. He saw the wide grin on the judge's face and saw him sign a few papers.
        "Avery Jones Smith, I do believe we've found your forever home." Morty watched as Sam approached the man, taking the papers handed down in Morty's place as he held the toddler and swayed slowly. "I have every bit of faith in you, gentlemen. That boy is in the best care I've ever seen. You were meant to watch after this child." 
       Morty grinned widely, wiping at his eyes again and sniffling heavily. "Enjoy your lives together," the judge bid, waving as the trio exited the doors. Ms. Kilsn stood outside of the building, holding a carseat up. "This is the one I've been using for him. I'll set it up in your car for you folks." Morty nodded gratefully, leading the woman to his vehicle and feeling Avery shift to become better seated in his arms. His heart melted as the small child hugged his neck and sighed, it being too early in the morning for him apparently as he nearly fell asleep in Morty's arms. 
       Ms. Kilsn hurried through setting the carseat up, smiling as Morty gently placed the toddler in the seat as he was already asleep. "Best of luck to you, gentlemen. Morty, I know you already know as much about him as his own father would, so I have every bit of faith in you. Sam, I believe you'll do just as wonderfully. Thank you gentlemen for allowing this child into your lives." Morty nodded, wiping his eyes one last time before he accepted a hug from the woman.
       As the brunet climbed into his front seat, he grinned wildly. His biggest dream had just come true. Now he had to get the child home and introduced to the area.

       The second they were home, Morty had Sam carry the papers inside while he gathered the small child. Avery barely stirred in his arms, obviously too tired. When Morty walked into the house, he found that Sam had already laid out on the couch, every bit as tired as the toddler. Truth be told, as he approached their rooms, Morty was exhausted as well.
       Very carefully, without stirring the child too much, Morty walked into Avery's bedroom, shutting the door as he had grown accustomed to before he approached the small bed. Carefully, he curled himself up on the Spongebob comforter, keeping Avery against him as the child continued to sleep. Morty was fairly certain that, even after falling asleep, his smile never faltered.