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I lucked out that the hearing was scheduled for a Tuesday—my day off during a week when we have a home game.

The minute Harper told me she wanted to change her last name, I got started on the paperwork. I haven’t told her, but I’m not sending her to school today.

Instead, it’s a couple weeks before Christmas and she’s coming with me to court.

Again.

But this time, it’s so she can tell the judge that she wants to change her last name.

I’m not nervous to walk into the courtroom this time. This is good news. This is a happy occasion, and while Harper will always be a Randall, she’s also a Woods, and I’m beyond thrilled that she wants to do this.

And so, with that in mind, I petitioned to legally change her middle name to Randall.

Harper Randall Woods.

It has the sort of beautiful ring to it that I could listen to forever.

“I’m gonna be late!”

I hear her voice from down the hall as she scrambles to get ready, and I can’t help my laugh as I force myself out of bed where I’m holding my beautiful wife in my arms after the rather…raunchy night we had last night.

My neck is a little stiff this morning, and my breath might still smell like pussy, so I run to the bathroom for some mouthwash and throw on some clothes before I head down to Harper’s room.

“It’s Tuesday! Why isn’t Victoria getting up? Why am I the only one worried about getting me to school on time?” she screeches at me when she sees me in her doorway, and I can’t help my laugh. She’s wearing pajama bottoms and a dress on top—backwards—and her hair is flying around her in all different directions.

“Why don’t you just take the day off?” I suggest.

“Take the day off? Take the day off ? Who are you and what have you done with my dad?” she demands.

“I have a surprise for you,” I say calmly as I lean on her doorframe, though I have to admit I’m impressed that she associates me with dedication and work ethic.

“Well save it for the car ride to school because we need to get out the door.” She walks toward me thinking I’ll move, and instead she plows into my midsection. “Oof.”

I laugh, and I kneel down. I put my hands on her shoulders. “It’s maybe a couple weeks early for a Christmas gift, but we’re doing something special today, and then we’re going out afterward to celebrate.”

She looks confused and flustered for a beat, but then she draws in a deep breath and narrows her eyes at me. “What is it?”

“We’re going to court today for a hearing to officially change your last name to Woods,” I say gently.

Her eyes widen in surprise mixed with a little bit of uncertainty.

“If it’s still what you want,” I add.

She freezes for a beat, and my heart races as I wait for her reaction.

And then she tosses her arms around my neck. When she pulls back, she says, “I’m sure. You’re my dad, and you and me and Victoria, we’re a family now.”

“And because your mom and dad will always be a part of your life, I asked if we could change your middle name to Randall. Is that okay?”

Her little eyes fill with tears, and she hugs me again. “I think it’s perfect. Harper Randall Woods,” she says, repeating the words in my head in her own little girlish voice.

My heart squeezes hearing it drop from her mouth.

“Today we’ll meet with the judge and he or she will decide if we can move forward with legally changing your name,” I say.

“What if they say no?”

“It’s okay, ladybug. If they say no, it doesn’t change our family. It doesn’t change how much I love you. But I don’t think they will.”

She swallows thickly. “I love you, Dad,” she says softly.

“I love you, ladybug. And I have an even better question than what if they say no.”

Her little brows pinch together. “What is it?”

“What if they say yes?”

Her lips lift in a smile. “Then we’ll officially be a family.”

“We already are, but this will make it legal, and nothing will ever change that.”

A tear splashes onto her cheek. I know this won’t change the past, and it won’t take away the pain she’s feeling, but giving her a family in the worst time of her life will be something I’m forever grateful that I got to do.

“Okay, then,” she says with a resolute nod. “Let’s go to court.”

“You may want to change out of those pajama pants first.”

She giggles as she looks down at herself, and then she nods. “A dress?”

“Whatever you want.”

Victoria helps her brush her hair while I head downstairs to get breakfast rolling, and then it’s time to go. On the drive there, I sit in back with my daughter while Victoria drives. “I’m proud of you, Harper,” I say softly. “And no matter what happens today, you’ll always be my brave, strong, smart little ladybug.”

Harper squeezes my hand in hers, and I hope she knows how fiercely I love her.

The closer we get to the courthouse, the quieter the car becomes as we all feel anxiety starting to creep in. When we arrive, I have a knot in my stomach. The last time I was here, I was punished for getting Victoria’s ball back, and it set off a chain of events I’d rather not relive.

But today we’re here for happier times, and as we step inside the building, I draw in a deep breath.

Harper does, too, and so does Victoria.

“You ready?” I ask my girls, and together we head into the courtroom.

My parents are there, and my chest squeezes that they’re showing up for us in these important moments.

I watch the judge as Allen presents our case for changing her name. I force confidence as I take the stand and answer the judge’s questions.

My hands shake as I wait for the verdict.

“After reviewing this case carefully and talking with you today, I see no reason not to approve this request,” the judge tells us, and Harper lets out a little squeal as I jump up and grab her into my arms.

We did it.

We’re now legally and officially the Woods family, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us.