Chapter 30: Advanced Family Law, Part Two

Summary: A love story

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A/N: We've made it to the end of part four, dear readers. A big appreciation to those of you who have taken the time to provide kudos, feedback, and general encouragement/enthusiasm. This story would never have gotten this far if I had been writing into the void.

This has been a great opportunity to practice writing in a supportive atmosphere. I highly encourage anyone who thinks they can't write to try out writing the story they've had stuck in their heads. Please consider sharing with us, and it'll get a lot easier the more you do it. I cringe when I re-read my earlier chapters, but heck, that's part of growth.

*** Please know that while I originally planned to end this tale here, there will be a part five.

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On Monday, they geared themselves up for court, Jeff making sure to don his best light grey suit, even if he wasn't technically functioning as a lawyer, as Mark would be handling everything. He busied himself with adjusting and readjusting his tie as Annie went through her own hurried wardrobe changes before she settled on a sensible black skirt and purple floral sweater with flats.

When they heard the knock on the bedroom door, Annie glanced at Jeff with a soft smile before she walked over and opened it to reveal Dorie standing there, holding Sophie's hand. Ruffles gingerly jumped off her spot on their bed, where she had been dozing, and came over to lick Sophie's arm.

Annie took in the sight of a giggling Sophie in her dark purple romper with pink tights and bright purple sneakers. She grinned and knelt down, giving her a kiss and then pulling back to take in the full picture. Ruffles hunched down in the play position and began wagging her tail, watching the interplay between mother and daughter.

"You look so nice, sweetie. Did Grandma help you get ready?" She carefully adjusted Sophie's glasses, which were slightly askew, and then let her hand caress a ringlet.

Sophie glanced up at Dorie and smiled and then turned her attentions back to her mother and replied, "Ya, I put on my pwetty dwess." Seeming to suddenly notice Annie's outfit as well, she gushed, "Mama, you so pwetty! We both wear puwple! We da same! Und I adopt Daddy today!"

Annie wiped a tear from her eye as she considered the significance of the day. Her daughter would officially have a father who adored her and would always be there for her. She knew Jeff had slept fitfully last night, anticipating what was to come, and although she had wished he had gotten more sleep, she knew he was all angsty out of love.

She gave Sophie a big hug as she said, "Yes, you and Daddy are going to adopt each other. It's a very special day."

Sophie tilted her head and threw her hands open wide as she exclaimed, "We mawwied und we adopt!"

She let out a squeal when she spotted Jeff over her mother's shoulder, and she then pushed Annie back and giddily ran over to him so that he could pull her into his arms and hoist her up.

Annie merely laughed and stood to give Dorie a hug. With a sigh as they stepped back, she said, "Thank you for staying over last night on the couch. I'm sorry it's not that comfortable."

Shaking her head, Dorie, who Annie now noticed with bemusement was clad in a smart grey skirt suit which was oddly similar to the color of her son's outfit, offered, "It was fine, dear. I didn't have any trouble sleeping." She then winked over at Jeff and Sophie and added, "And if it meant getting to be here first thing to be a part of this special day, then it was worth it."

She walked over to Jeff and Sophie and instinctively reached up to offer a slight adjustment to Jeff's tie. He awkwardly shifted as he continued to hold Sophie, but his grin was almost infectious, and he regarded his mother with what could only be described as a sense of joy.

Annie watched the interplay and almost burst into tears, she was so overcome with love, contentment, and gratitude for her life with Jeff.

Dorie returned Jeff's expression and said with a tone of assuredness, "Jeffrey and Sophie, this is such an important day. I'm delighted to be here."

Jeff blushed and placed a kiss on Sophie's cheek. As she leaned down onto this chest and began to suck her thumb, he motioned with his free hand for Annie to come over and then pulled them all into an embrace.

Ruffles did her best to join them near their feet.

X

X

"Adoption complete."

The judge's words echoed through the courtroom, and Jeff felt a rush of relief. Although he knew this would be a simple matter today, part of him had somehow feared something would go wrong. Adam hadn't even needed to appear and was merely represented by his own council, so they hadn't needed to deal with him, but it had still been an intense experience as the judge had listed out all of the requirements for the rescinding of parental rights, which while in service of a very good thing, made Jeff's heart ache.

It was only when the judge moved on to list the responsibilities of adoption and the assumption of parental rights did Jeff begin to feel an energy he had never experienced before, even during his most successful trial wins. The adrenaline had been flowing and he could see the end in sight. Sophie would be his daughter for all the world to recognize. No more internal hedging about their relationship, no more freak outs about Adam coming to take her away, and no more awkward explanations at day care.

Annie had been helpful and giving him lots of hand squeezes, and he could tell she was more excited than nervous, which he supposed helped. They had decided to spare Sophie from the courtroom itself because they thought it would be boring and confusing for her, so she had waited with Dorie in the hallway, along with a bag full of her favorite toys, coloring supplies, and snacks.

This was it.

Adoption complete.

The judge continued, "Jeffrey Tobias Winger, you are now the legal father of Sophie Ariel Edison."

Jeff nodded in almost a daze, and he then looked down to see Annie grinning at him. He returned her smile.

Annie nudged Mark, and he patted her on the shoulder in an effort at reassurance. He then said, "Your honor, we also have a request to change the child's name from Sophie Ariel Edison to Sophie Ariel Edison Winger. The paperwork should be attached."

The judge, now smiling broadly herself, flipped to the next page in her stack and took a moment to read through it before she signed and then looked back up.

"Sophie Ariel Edison Winger it is."

To everyone's surprise except for Jeff's, Annie immediately squealed and proceeded to jump into his arms. He held her tightly and found himself mumbling into her neck, "I love you so much. I love Sophie so much."

He felt her kisses on his collarbone, and for a brief moment it seemed as if they were the only ones in the room. They were a family, and he was officially a father, something he suspected he had always wanted but something he never really thought would happen. He really had meant it when he told Britta a few years ago that he thought it would be an honor to raise a child. It was a privilege, something he never understood someone could simply throw away.

He certainly never thought he'd become a father in this way.

Did he become a father on the Greendale Library steps, meeting a Disney-eyed munchkin who had been wearing a little pink bow on her head? While he hadn't known it exactly in that moment, he had felt something shift. He knew she would be important to him, that her mother would be important to him. But that probably wasn't it.

It hadn't been until later on of course that he had felt the parental feelings. Did he become a father when he held her that first time, when Annie had been so exhausted and needed a break? He had been pretty terrified at the idea of dropping her, a fear he had projected completely onto poor Britta. Yet he hadn't really minded holding her, even if she screwed up his phone game score. She had been pretty snuggly and cute before she had started screaming. But that probably wasn't it.

Did he become a father when began to look forward to any reason for Annie to 'toss her over' to him? When they first played peek-a-boo? When he had given her a kiss under her little ear and she had laughed? He and Annie hadn't been together, there was no real understanding that they would be together, yet he suspected he was pretty much hoping they would be together at some point, but he had been too freaked out to admit it. He probably had wanted to be her father then.

Did he become a father when he held a sleeping Sophie in his arms while eavesdropping on Annie's call with Adam, understanding in concrete terms that Adam had no interest in being there for Sophie's first birthday? He had felt a lot of empathy for her in that moment, and something had pulled at his heartstrings.

Was it when she had said her second word, when she had said 'Hi' to him? That was pretty adorable, and he had felt a bond.

Was it when she had called him a string of D words and he had felt almost paralyzed before ranting about car seats? That had certainly been a moment when he had made a choice, a choice to be honest about pursuing something real with Annie.

No, wait. Was it when she had thrown the bear at his face the morning after his and Annie's first 'date?' Hadn't he mentioned something about them getting her into softball? That was a pretty committed thing to say.

Wait. Was it when he had given her the bear? No. That would have been way too early on. And yet…

"Guys, hey, um, maybe we should leave."

Hearing Mark's words, Jeff and Annie startled back to the awareness that they were actually not alone. Jeff gently let Annie drop to her feet and they both chuckled awkwardly, blushing with embarrassment and probably adrenaline. They turned toward the judge and saw her shaking her head with a wry smile.

X

X

Annie couldn't stop squeezing his hand after that. To be honest, she had the strong desire to climb him like a tree and have her way with him right there after the judge had said he was Sophie's father. She probably would have succeeded in that if they hadn't been in public, and while she was a little self-conscious about their display, she didn't regret it. She never wanted to be out of physical contact with him, not ever.

She gave his hand another squeeze.

As they listened to Mark detail when to expect the official certificate in a few weeks, she felt her mind swirling with thoughts about how the three of them had come to be a family.

How was she to know that the dashing and slick man she met that day in the study room would be the love of her life and would be her baby's daddy?

She recalled the comment she had made to Jeff once he agreed to be Sophie's daddy, even before there was any talk of him actually adopting her. She had said, 'I had a baby before I met her daddy.'

Those words were startling but so very true. And his reaction to them, when he had pulled her in closer and held her tightly, told her all she needed to know. He was in this for keeps.

But she supposed the one who mattered the most was Sophie. She wondered when her little girl had chosen Jeff as her daddy. If she really thought back on it, she wondered if Sophie always kind of thought of Jeff that way, after all he had always been there, and she saw him every day and he'd help pick her up from daycare a lot, and sometimes he'd spend the night….

And then they had tried 'casual,' and he had ended up spending almost every night with them. And he had helped her learn to walk, had been there for her first word, had helped her even before then when she had been sick….

They had been a family for a long time, and today they were merely making sure the whole world knew it too.

She felt the warmth radiate throughout her core and leaned into Jeff's side, now fully becoming present as she thanked Mark for his help.

X

X

They stepped into the hallway, hand in hand.

Mark bid his goodbyes, sharing he was off to handle another case, and then shuffled off toward courtroom number eleven. They watched him go and then turned their attentions back to each other.

Annie exclaimed, her heart full of love and relief, "You're Sophie's daddy!"

Jeff's eyes popped wide for a moment before he merely bit his lip and let out a long sigh. It had been a surprisingly exhausting morning so far, and all they had needed to do was dress nicely and show up. It was surreal, how he could feel so lightheaded yet grounded at the same time.

He managed, "Yeah. Wow. She's my daughter."

Annie nodded emphatically and wiped a tear that had started rolling down her left cheek. With a slight waver in her voice, she said, "I can't wait to tell her. Let's go find her and your mom." She lightly yanked on his hand to motion him to follow her down the corridor.

He hesitated, still somehow not being able to move from his spot. He knew this moment was significant, and while he did ache to see Sophie, it seemed like he and Annie needed a minute.

"Just a sec."

He leaned down and kissed her, starting soft and slow before quickly deepening. They took their time, relatively speaking given they were in a public courthouse hallway, but they silently agreed to having another little bubble of alone time, taking the opportunity to savor this moment.

As they finally moved out of the kiss, Jeff smirked and said, "Let's go see our daughter."

X

X

Sophie's face lit up when she spied them making their way toward her. She was sitting next to Dorie on a bench, scribbling away in a coloring book while Dorie had been offering her encouragements. She jumped down, Dorie deftly grabbing the book and crayon before they hit the floor, and ran toward them.

Jeff expertly knelt down and pulled her to him, holding her tightly for a few moments so that he could say, "It's official. I adopted you."

"Yay!"

He stood and hoisted her to his shoulder, feeling the weight of Annie's arm now interlaced with one of his. As his mom came over to them, he said to Sophie in his most serious lawyer tone, "You've always been my munchkin, but now you are my legal daughter." He then squinted at her and awaited her reaction.

She seemed to consider this a moment, her brow furrowing. He wondered what was going through her little mind. They had been trying to prepare her for this, using language that she might understand, but it was always a little unclear how to go about it exactly. He mostly found himself making it up as he went along.

"Leeegal?"

He supposed he hadn't needed to use that word, but oh well. He decided to emphasize the most important part.

"Yes, you're adopted."

She nodded and said, "Like Wuffles."

She was too little to understand things really, not that he had an urgent need for her to grasp what it all meant. That would be another day, hopefully far off enough that he would be ready for it when it happened.

He said, "Right. So you're Sophie Ariel Edison Winger now. And Mama's changing her name too, so she'll be Annie Edison-Winger."

"We all Win-ar."

Jeff didn't miss that she glanced over at her bear in Dorie's arms. He briefly wondered if she was going to ask if Mr. Bear could be Bear Winger.

He supposed that would be okay.

Annie, seemingly full of euphoria, piped in, "Yes, sweetie. We're all Wingers!"

"Cause we're mawwied und adopt-ted."

"Yup, munchkin." Jeff placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I wanna go to Mc Donald's now. It's my special place."

"You betcha, munchkin. Anything you want."

X

X

The McDonald's lunch went smoothly, although Annie noticed Jeff did his best to avoid eating the fries. She didn't make a comment when he went for the chicken nuggets, which was reminiscent of their chicken finger days.

She inwardly sighed as she recalled how comforting he had been when Abed had been so terrible back then, the way he had held her in his arms. She had felt safe, and she somehow knew he'd always take care of her and Sophie. Plus he was pretty sexy about everything. She had felt more than a little guilty about sniffing his cologne and noticing the way her body had responded to his touch. She had been with Vaughn back then, and she didn't really think she and Jeff would work romantically. So, her growing crush was just something she stuffed down and hoped would fizzle out.

But it had certainly turned out to be more than a crush.

She couldn't help but think about the way that, despite their denials that they were really a couple, he had made love to her the first night they were at his place. Of course they had been having types of sex before that, and she didn't really want to attach any special significance to the time they actually had intercourse, but there was something that shifted for them that night.

Up until then it had been playful and thrilling, but that night he had looked into her eyes and positioned himself so that he could maintain that intimacy, and the second time they had gone slower. It had been the way she had always wanted it to be with someone and the way it never had, not with her first boyfriend, not with Adam, and not with Vaughn. They had actually made love.

She hadn't wanted to get hurt, and although she had known Jeff well enough by then to trust he wouldn't ever intentionally harm her, she couldn't believe that it would actually work, something real between them. It still marveled her how it had been Jeff who had pressed the issue, in his own Jeff freakout way, and she was so grateful that he had. She had been a coward about the whole thing, tactfully avoiding labeling them as anything, anxiously going about their routines without wanting to address the effect it was having on them both, and of course without acknowledging the full impact of Jeff in Sophie's life.

Sophie had pressed the issue, too. Once Jeff had responded, it had still taken Annie awhile to fully let herself go there. She druggedly told him she loved him, and then the next day he had taken the initiative in moving their feelings out from the shadows into the daylight, even if it had been under a blanket fort. After that, it had been a lot easier. Not fully comfortable with the idea of committing, but well on their way.

She snapped her awareness back to the present moment, catching Jeff's eye and then smiling at him. She watched as he wiped ketchup off Sophie's chin, and she almost lost her breath at the thought that Sophie had such an attentive father. She was pretty glad about her decision to allow him into their lives, and she was confident about her decision to have another child with him. Although there was no news on that front, she was hopeful.

"I love you both so much."

Jeff, in the middle of talking to Sophie about her sticky hands, looked up and smiled.

Dorie watched everything from her spot at the end of the table, munching on her fries while contemplating how proud she was of her son. She was also darn happy that she now had such a terrific daughter-in-law and a pretty special grandchild.

X

X

The study group came over a little while later. Annie and Jeff had wanted to have a small celebration, but the group had insisted on them all being there, so they compromised and had the lunch with Dorie and then invited everyone else over for playground time and a small party with cake afterward back on campus in the study room, as it was the middle of January and much too cold to stay outdoors for the entire afternoon.

Hickey, invited by Annie, showed up a little bit later, and he sat down next to Dorie on a bench. Jeff didn't flinch when he gave her a peck on the cheek. His mom looked so happy, and he was happy. It was a special day, and there was love all around them. It was better than any wedding reception could have been, and it was better than any graduation.

He startled when he felt the camera touch shoulder, and then turned with a loud groan to see Abed's lens.

"Can you please put that down?"

"Not really, Jeff. I just need some final footage, and my film will be complete."

"Do I get to see this film?"

"Of course. But I really need you to give a good Winger speech to finish it off."

Jeff bit his lip and was thinking of a reply, when Annie, holding Sophie in her arms, walked up to them and tilted her head.

She said with a very sweet tone, "Abed, Sophie and I would like to see your film. Pavel just told us that you've edited most of it."

Jeff squinted. "Pavel's here? For Christ sake…."

-"Jeff." Annie turned back to Abed and said, "Please?"

"Yah. I wanna see you movie."

Abed moved the camera to his side and looked at all three of them, seeming to consider the request. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then turned toward Sophie and stared at her for a moment, his brown eyes becoming slightly larger as hers also widened and she fluttered her lashes.

Jeff, watching the display, remarked dryly, "It's the Disney eyes. You can't say no." He then smirked over at Sophie, puffing out his chest as he regarded her powers of persuasion. She many not have been his biologically, but he liked to think he had an influence.

Of course in this moment, she was clearly channeling her mother.

"Pweease, Bed?"

Abed took in a sharp breath and said directly to Sophie, "It's not finished. I still need the final Winger speech, and I don't have time to cut it together…"

-"Maybe we could just see what you've done so far? It's Sophie's special day."

Sophie nodded and continued to regard Abed with an intensity of hope that Jeff surmised no mortal could resist.

Damn, he was proud.

Abed turned cautiously toward Jeff and said, "I suppose I could show you what I have, but I need you to make a Winger speech I can add later."

Jeff shrugged. "Of course. I'll go make one now, I…"

Abed held up his hand and interjected, "No! I need a word with you alone first about something, and then the speech."

Jeff exchanged bemused looks with Annie and said with a sigh, "Fine."

He followed Abed over to a tree at the edge of the park and asked, "What?"

Abed glanced around, seemingly in an attempt to make sure no one was listening. He than appeared to take a deep breath before asking in a hushed tone, "What did you do with Evil!Sadie?"

The question took him more than a little off guard. Out of context, he wasn't even sure what he was talking about initially, but after giving it a minute, to his frustration, he realized where this was headed.

Of course, the Darkest Timeline.

He stared up at the sky and thought about how best to answer. He knew it would be fruitless to probe too much and he just wanted Abed to shut up about it already.

He made eye contact and replied, "I brought her and Evil!Munchkin back with me."

Abed's eyes widened, and he let out an almost imperceptible squeak.

Jeff added, "Don't get all weird. Everything's fyne."

Abed placed his camera carefully on the ground and then glanced over at Sophie, whom Annie was swinging playfully in her arms as Pavel chanted, "Mad swingy!" He then turned back to Jeff and asked, his voice barely above a whisper, "Did Evil!Sophie and Sophie merge?"

Jeff bit his lip firmly and crossed his arms, contemplating how best to respond. He didn't want to rile Abed up, but he could tell his friend was genuinely concerned.

"They did. She's whole now. Evil!Munchkin just wanted to be loved."

"Of course she did. She didn't want anyone to forget her."

A tear fell down Abed's cheek, and Jeff couldn't help himself. He pulled his buddy into a hug, noticing that the initial awkwardness was eased once Abed seemed to accept it, his thin arms clasping Jeff's back. He mumbled, "I won't ever forget her. I'll take good care of her."

"I know."

"And we'll always be friends, buddy. Heck, you're family."

He felt Abed's grip tighten, and he almost starting sobbing himself. As he considered once again the sheer wonderful strangeness of Greendale and its misfits searching for unconditional love, he knew he had expanded his family even beyond Annie and Sophie.

He mumbled, "I think I know what I'm going to say in my speech."

Abed suddenly stiffened and pushed Jeff back so that they could make eye contact. He said in a low and even tone, which was unnerving, "But where did Sadie go?"

Jeff let out a long sigh. Although he loved Abed, sometimes the flights into fantasy got a bit tedious. He had been hoping they could just enjoy this day, but he knew he had to say something to squelch this.

After considering it for a minute, he managed, "I really think she's also part of Sophie?" Even he had to admit to himself that sounded more than lame.

Abed seemed to agree and said, "That doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Frankly, this is a huge plothole."

Jeff shrugged, but then was startled by Abed's sudden cocking of his head and pointed finger.

"Unless…" Abed appeared to do some mental calculations, accompanied by some air poking and glancing over at Annie before his eyes settled back on Jeff. He continued, "Ah….you're trying to have a baby, so maybe…yes…that would fit nicely."

Having surmised what Abed meant, Jeff couldn't help but try to maintain a neutral expression. He didn't want to get caught up in all of the ridiculousness, but suddenly part of him felt a kind of hope. Maybe Abed was right, maybe Evil!Sadie would become Good!Sadie.

Maybe Sadie was already here? He glanced over at Annie and wondered. They had been working pretty diligently on that front ever since New Year's, with the exception of last night. Having his mother sleeping on the other side of the wall had kinda killed the mood.

Abed suddenly shook his head. "No I don't think so. I'd know if that were the case." He looked back over at Annie and explained, "Sadie's not there, so I don't think your idea holds up." He shrugged and let out a low whistle before adding, "Plothole."

Jeff stared at him with almost a sense of fury. He stammered, "What the hell?! You don't know that, you don't know…"

-"I know, Jeff. I sense these things."

"You suck."

With that, Jeff stormed off toward the snow-covered swing set.

Abed's eyes widened as he suddenly spotted a small creature with a black goatee scurry behind a tree. He wasn't prepared for this and didn't know what it meant, so he decided to find Troy. There had to be some way to ensure Evil!Sadie wouldn't wreak havoc on this timeline.

This timeline was full of good things, and his friends must be protected.

X

X

Jeff pushed off a clump of snow and plopped down on a swing, feeling intensely irritated. He had a serious case of emotional whiplash from talking to Abed, and the day had been crazy enough.

To add to the crazy, Pierce decided to join him, sitting awkwardly on the swing next to him.

"Jeffrey, everything will be okay."

"Everything is okay."

"Is it? I overheard you and A-bed." Pierce tapped his right ear, out of which protruded a plastic device. He had been insisting all semester it was a super sonic Buddhist conch shell, superior to his ear-nocular from first year. No one had the heart to tell him it was a bona fide hearing aid. Which of course meant it worked.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Pierce sighed and made a tssking sound. He mused, "You know, Jeffrey, you have a smart and beautiful wife and an adorable and precocious child. You're lucky. No matter what happens. You don't need anything else."

"Right." Jeff regarded his boot as he kicked the snow. He didn't really need Pierce's platitudes. He felt his anxiety rising, and rapidly.

Seeming to sense this, Pierce uncharacteristically began channeling his first year mentor role and said, "You know, my problem wasn't that I couldn't biologically father children."

Jeff startled at those words. He had always wondered how much Pierce actually believed his delusion about super sperm. He supposed it made sense that Pierce had insight. They made cracks about his supposed senility but when it came down to it, Pierce tended to know perfectly well what was going on.

Pierce continued, "It was my selfishness. I lost my family because no one was willing to put up with me. So, you see, keeping Annie and Sophie in your life, and in fact keeping us all in your life, is really something you have a choice about. It's something completely within your control. And I have confidence that you'll do it better than me."

Jeff found himself relaxing for the first time that day. He stared off at Sophie, who was squealing with delight as she threw a snowball toward Annie, who pretended to be knocked over even though the snowball fell several feet short of where she was kneeling. Annie laughed and lay on her back, Sophie running over and throwing herself on top of her. Jeff smiled slightly, his eyes crinkling with genuine affection and love.

He mused, "You know what Pierce, you're right."

"Of course I am. So don't fuck things up."

"I won't. I promise."

X

X

Shortly thereafter, they went back to campus and the study room, where the Dean awaited them. It barely fazed anyone that he had brought the Greendale Human Being with him to witness the occasion of celebrating Sophie's adoption. He had picked up the cake from the bakery Shirley had recommended, and in the corner was a little picture of the Greendale flag. Annie rolled her eyes and put her thumb over that part, ignoring the Dean's protests.

Ian peaked his head in and let Ruffles off her leash, the dog tearing her way across the room. Jeff reached down and picked her up, taking a few moments to pet and nuzzle her before reuniting her with Sophie, who was sitting on Annie's lap. He then sat down on a folding chair next to Annie and took her free hand.

He turned toward the room and asked, "Abed, are you and Pavel ready?" He mouthed silently to Ian that he could stay, and Ian then puffed out his chest and strolled in, taking a seat next to Britta and Shirley.

Pavel gave an okay sign from behind the projector, and Abed sighed as he pulled down the large white screen in front of the chalkboard.

He said in a bored tone, "This is unconventional, watching the film before the Winger speech is made. I can't believe you talked me into this."

Jeff caught the glint of something in Abed's eye, and he was aware they both knew why this was necessary.

Annie leaned in toward Jeff and said, "I'm so excited!"

"Yah! Bed make movie. I like movies."

Annie kissed Sophie and Jeff did the same. He winked at Sophie, and she smiled.

"Let's roll, Abed."

"All right, I guess."

x

x

Abed's film, although not completely polished and obviously not finished, turned out to be more emotionally moving than anyone thought it would be.

No one knew how, but Abed, Pavel, and Troy had managed to capture quite a few significant moments from the last three and a half years, including some intriguing eye contacts between Annie and Jeff even back in first year and of course the debate kiss. There was even shaky footage from behind the glass wall to the study room of Jeff playing peek-a-boo with baby Sophie, seemingly oblivious to being watched. Annie squeezed Jeff's hand during that part as Sophie loudly asked from the audience who was the baby.

"That's you, sweetie."

"Dat ME?"

"Yes, munchkin." Jeff glanced over at Abed, his formerly warm feelings beginning to return. Abed gave him a thumbs up.

The film continued, portraying moments throughout their second year, Abed's voiceover throughout, narrating in an almost clinical way how Annie and Jeff's relationship transpired and wondering about the effects on Sophie.

"One might have thought she had said Daddy Jeff, but no one really wanted to admit it then. But Jeff knew. Annie knew. Sophie certainly knew."

Annie smiled over at Jeff, and he gripped her hand tighter.

There had been a smattering of interviews with members of the study group.

Britta, sitting on a bench in the quad and looking slightly annoyed as she quickly extinguished what appeared to be a joint, had said, "Yeah, Annie and Jeff. That kind of took me by surprise, but when I think about it, it makes sense. Annie's clearly not interested in dating boys, and Jeff's immature, so maybe they like meet in the middle or something. Hey Pavel, do you have any more weed? Oh, and you're not filming this part, right?"

There had been a moment when Pierce's hand had swatted at the camera and there was a scuffle before Pierce once again appeared, this time seated on a study room couch with his glasses slightly askew. He had said, "Annie and Sophie are my favorite. Jeffrey better treat them right or I'll…" He had made a fist and then Shirley had appeared to his left and taken over.

"Jef-frey and An-nie are made for each other! It fills my heart to see them together. Why, they are such very good parents to little So-phie and I hope to live to see the day when they make their union holy with the lord." She had hesitated and then looked into the camera sternly as she said, her voice dropping several registers, "You better get on it, Jeffrey."

Jeff, in the audience, nodded and turned toward Shirley, who was staring at him looking embarrassed. He silently mouthed, "Really?!"

She shrugged and then smiled widely. He turned back to Annie and Sophie and gave Annie a kiss on the cheek.

The next part consisted of Troy holding a football and standing in the outside field. He had mused, "Man, little Annie Adderall and Jeffrey Winger, the son of a bitch. Me, the big high school jock who let that blossoming flower of a nerd get away. It was my own self-sorption but," he sighed grandly before continuing, "I had to let Annie go. She and Sophie…" He suddenly widened his eyes and then bit his knuckle as he began to cry, "Abed, I can't play this part. I love them so much." He looked back up at the camera and threw his football to the side as he said, "Guys, you're a perfect family, and you've always made me feel welcome. Thanks. Let's stay family."

Annie and Jeff both looked back at Troy, who was seated next to Abed with tears flowing freely down his cheeks. Sophie pushed her hands against Annie's chest and turned herself around, standing up awkwardly on Annie's lap and shouting, "Toy, you cwy! You fam-lee! You fam-lee!"

Troy gave her a thumbs up, as Abed placed his arm around Troy's shoulder and instructed everyone to continue watching the film. Annie and Jeff were able to reassure Sophie and get her to sit back down.

The Dean had appeared on screen, seemingly busy with shuffling around papers on his desk, and then looking up and feigning surprise. As he was asked by Abed what he thought about the Edison-Wingers, he said, "Those two are some of my best students. Why, I must say I was a good Dean in helping Annie and Sophie attend Greendale."

The movie went on, eventually reaching Christmastime during third year, when Abed had been at Dorie's. There were some smattering of brief interviews with Dorie, Holly, and Dorie's elderly neighbor Maybelle, all speculating about Annie, Jeff, and Sophie.

Maybelle, sitting in a rocking chair in her own living room, had cooed, "I've known Jeffrey since he was a child and I always knew he'd come home and make his mother proud. That lovely Annie and precious little Sophie. Such a cute family. So much love."

And then -

"Yeah, my cousin Jeff's always been a weirdo, but now he's much less weird. I like Annie. She's probably the one who's made him much less weird. Oh and Sophie if you're watching this, thank you for being such a good friend to Sam. He's really happy you're his cousin."

"Sam!"

"Shhhhh, sweetie, there's more. Let's watch."

And then -

"My son is my life, and I'm so happy he let me back in. I couldn't be prouder, and I love Annie and Sophie so much. I'm very pleased. Now, dear, would you like a plate of cookies?"

"Yeah, Mrs. Winger! Don't mind if I do!" Troy's voice hung in the background as the camera moved on, panning over to Britta who had her tongue down Ian's throat at the kitchen table.

Jeff cringed and Annie chuckled, both deciding not to turn around to see Britta's bright red face as Ian laughed uproariously in the audience.

"What they doing? Kissy Kissy?"

The film continued, capturing Jeff's confession to his entire family in the dining room, Annie squeezing Jeff's hand during it, and the two of them hugging in the hallway, seemingly alone afterward. More included Jeff having a testy chat with Matt in the garage, Annie and Jeff lying on the floor as Sophie, Sam and baby Braden climbed over them, Jeff hugging his mom, and finally Jeff and Annie making out on Dorie's back porch, apparently filmed through the kitchen window in between the blind slats.

Annie's eyes widened and she turned toward Abed, who was merely staring ahead at the projection. She turned back and decided to resume watching.

"That you und you Mama und Daddy! Kissy kissy!"

Abed's voiceover continued, "The emotional growth demonstrated by Christmastime was significant. Jeff no longer worried about wrinkling his clothes by scuffling on the floor, and Annie no longer held back from fully embracing her life with Jeff. They were a couple and they were a family, and everyone knew it."

There was the marriage proposal day, Jeff and Annie captured in a quiet moment near the fountain with the purple lilacs and finally the staged proposal on the library steps.

Finally, the wedding itself.

Which seemed a little bit anticlimactic, something Abed acknowledged as he motioned for Pavel to turn off the projector. He addressed the group, "Guys, it's unfinished. I have more, including interviews with Sophie but I need to have a contract," he used finger quotes and rolled his eyes on that word, "in order to use it, so Jeff, Annie, please don't be lame." He then added, "And I need a Winger speech."

As Jeff began to stand, Abed motioned for him to sit down and continued, "But I also wanted to add a little something, a part I hadn't yet recorded." He picked up his note cards and continued, "I made a documentary of how Annie, Sophie, and Jeff formed their family. Mine feel apart, and you guys made yours."

Annie awwwed, but Abed shushed her and continued,

"Admittedly, I struggled at first with deciding the direction and scope. But it comes down to this. What kind of story do you want to tell? Of hope? How you view human nature? Possibilities for growth and change? Or do people remain static or turn cynical and become cartoonish versions of themselves? No, that last one won't do."

He gulped and then with more than a hint of emotion, said, "I decided to tell a love story."

Jeff felt his tears brimming and heard Annie's sniffling next to him. He looked down and noticed Sophie was transfixed, staring at Abed. For the first time since they had arrived in the study room, he noticed she was holding her bear. He cast his eyes down to the floor and spotted Ruffles regarding Sophie, tail wiggling.

So much love. So much love it hurt.

He was conscious of Abed's voice adding, "It's not a traditional love story. It's love of many forms, love between two conventionally attractive people, yes, but also between parents and children, children and parents, cousins and cousins, friends and friends. It's all love. It's all family."

Abed suddenly stared intently at Jeff.

Annie whispered, "I think it's time for your Winger speech."

Jeff nodded and finally stood. This time, Abed moved to the side, allowing Jeff to take the spot at the center of the film screen.

He looked over the group and said, "Three and a half years ago, when I came to Greendale, I met seven very important people…" He noticed the Dean's injured reaction and added, "Sorry, eight. And meeting these people changed my life. Yeah. I'm sorry. I – I don't know what to say."

The group all chuckled.

He looked over at his mom and Hickey and continued, "And my mom is the best. She's always had my back, but three and a half years ago I had shut her out."

Dorie smiled understandingly at him, and Hickey gave a slight nod, which he assumed was a form of encouragement.

He turned and addressed Annie and Sophie, "I'm so used to being the guy who can talk his way out of anything, but… what do you say when you don't want a way out? When you want so much to be a part of something bigger and better than yourself? I love you, Sophie. I love you, Annie."

"I lub you, Daddy."

"I love you, Jeff."

He smiled and continued, now addressing the entire room, "What you all have done for me is indescribable. It's unbelievable. And my love for you is immeasurable, even when you split it a gazillion ways."

The red light flickered on the camera as Pavel continued to film.

X

X

"That was sweet."

Annie tilted her head upward so she could see Jeff's face. They had been doing some serious cuddling in their bed as they decompressed from the big day.

He regarded her with an expression she could only describe as bemusedly-fulfilled. It was one of her favorite Jeff expressions, for he only used it when he was completely at ease. She so wanted him to be more relaxed, even if she didn't want him to ever lose his lawyer-shark-ambition. She always admired a go-getter attitude.

He remarked in a low and sexy voice, "Yes, it was. But I'm very happy to be alone with you."

She lifted her head a little so they could kiss, pleased that he readily moved his lips toward hers. As their lips began to touch, Sophie placed her hands in between them and giggled, "No kissy!"

Jeff closed his eyes and nodded with acceptance, his mouth in a half smile. Annie couldn't believe how much she loved him. He was such a good sport. She turned to regard Sophie, who was now standing on the bed and looking very pleased with herself. Up until a moment ago, she had been snuggling in between them and had been petting Ruffles.

Annie said with some mild sternness, "Sweetie."

She decided couldn't be mad at her, and she quickly grabbed her and pulled her into her chest, Sophie squealing in delight. Jeff then threw himself across her lap and grabbed Ruffles, the dog happily licking his arms as he moved her in closer.

They were in a family cuddle, she supposed. It seemed like the perfect ending to the perfect day, a day more significant than their wedding day. She never thought she'd have a thought like that, but it made so much sense.

Now petting her husband's crunchy hair and inhaling her daughter's baby sweetness, Annie decided, as stressful as things had sometimes been, she wouldn't change a thing in her life, for everything had led to this moment.

The Edison-Wingers were officially a family.

It was definitely a love story.