"Dad, I think we're lost," Ahmet says, looking out of his window at the desert landscape.

"We're not lost, just... Unsure of our current location," Fili replies, checking the truck's GPS, "we should be close to the Canyon soon..."

"You said that an hour ago!" he groans, "it's going to be dark by the time we find it!"

The Irish man chuckled, "and Adalet will be upset that she didn't get to stargaze with us! But look, what does that sign say, Ahmet?"

The boy squints to see, "Rhine Canyon National Park! That's it, that's the park!"

"See! I told you we weren't lost!"

Fili turned off of the highway and continued driving down the short road leading to the park. There was no one else visiting the park, so he parked close to the start of the pathway. Father and son got out of the truck, letting Dean out of the backseat, and began walking along the park's trail.

"Hey, Dad... Can I ask you a question?" Ahmet spoke up after they had been walking for a little while.

Fili adjusted his grip on Dean's leash, "course! What is it?"

"How..." he paused to collect his thoughts, "how did you know that you wanted to be with mom? Like, how did you know that you wanted her in your life?"

"Oh... Ah..." he stammered, not expecting that type of question, "well, the first time I saw Adalet was when she danced as the sugar plum fairy for the Nutcracker back in Grimsborough. I'd have to be cheesy an' say it was luv at first sight! So, I started writing her letters an' sending her flowers, it wasn't until I got caught up in one o' her cases that I talked to her!"

Ahmet stopped walking, "wait, did you get involved because of a knife?"

"No, not originally," Fili answered, stopping as well, "it was because her vic was sending someone flowers using my services, but later a knife of mine brought her back for more questions, why?"

"That case mom was involved in the day you came back, it was her knife that made them talk to her again," he explained, "she said I can't have a knife because of some curse..."

He chuckled, "yeah, my brother was a suspect in lots of her cases, his knives kept making 'im suspicious! But where was I..."

"You just talked to her for the first time."

"Right! Her partner at the time helped me ask her out an' we started dating... After a while, I realized that I couldn't imagine a life without her and that I wanted her beside me. When I went on that mission, she was what kept me going, knowing that I had someone like Adalet waiting for me to come home always put a smile on my face... Even when I was in the hospital, I knew I had someone waiting for me, even if she did think I was dead..."

"Wow..." Ahmet breathed as they continued walking.

"Why the sudden interest?" Fili questions.

"It's just... I heard someone at school talking about their aunt and uncle adopting a kid and said they were only doing it out of pity or something..." he trailed off into a mumble.

"Ahmet..." he signs, stopping to kneel to the boy's height, "Adalet and I aren't adopting you because we feel sorry for you, we're doing it because we want to help you."

"Isn't that the same thing?" he argued, not meeting the older man's eyes.

"No," he denied, "Adalet can't stand by and watch someone get hurt, it's not her nature. So when she saw that you were going to be sent away, she couldn't just watch and do nothing. She wants you to have a good, happy life, the same as I do, an' you getting sent back to a country you barely remember wouldn't accomplish that, Ahmet. An' you know something?"

"What?" he mumbled.

"Adalet an' I have never once regretted deciding to adopt you," he assured, "in fact, you remember how I said one day I realized I couldn't imagine a life without your mom in it?"

"Yeah."

"Well, both she and I have each had that moment with you. For her, it was when she first heard you call her mom, she said it just felt so right to hear you say that like it was meant to be. An' if you ever left, she'd never hear that again, she'd never have someone to read to, to cook and bake with, to go on adventures with..."

"What about you?" Ahmet argues, "you guys could do all sorts of grown-up stuff without me..."

"That may be so," Fili agrees, "but that doesn't mean we would be happy, especially not after doing so many of those things with you. Sure, I could teach Adalet how to garden or she could teach me 'bout the stars, but we both already have a basic understanding of those things. With you, we're teaching you something you've never done before, an' it makes us happy an' proud to pass on our knowledge to our son, to you Ahmet."

"Really?" he asked quietly.

"Really," he promised with a smile.

"What about you?" the boy inquires.

He cocked his head, "what about me?"

"When did you know that you wanted me to be in your life?" he clarifies.

Fili thought for a moment, "hum... I think it was the day you were over at Yann's babysitting his kids. I remember calling to you that dinner was ready because I forgot you weren't there, an' Adalet needed to remind me. I stood there for a few seconds, confused, an' that's when I realized, that was the first time you weren't home for dinner, and it didn't feel right like something was missing because it was. Later when you got home, I thought to myself, "I never want my son to leave again", because I grew to care about you, to love you, just as Adalet has. And we will never let you go, Ahmet."

Ahmet went quiet from Fili's speech and for a moment, the man feared he had said the wrong thing. Those thoughts were quickly silenced as the young boy threw himself at his father and wrapped his arms around his neck. Fili shook himself out of the shock and hugged his son tightly to his chest, running his fingers through the thick black hair.

"Thank you," Ahmet whispered.

Fili smiles, "no, thank you, Ahmet, for making us so happy..."

After hugging for a little longer, the two separated as Dean began tugging on his leash. The dog seemed to have spotted something near some boulders and was trying to make his way over to it.

"What is it, Dean?" Fili asks, allowing the dog to lead them to the boulders, "do you see something?"

Dean led them to the boulders and started sniffing around for something. Towards the back of the rocks, underneath an overhang, he stopped and barked. Fili and Ahmet crouched down to see what had caught the dog's attention.

"Is that a... Fox?" Ahmet questioned.

"Looks like a fennec fox," Fili confirmed, "see the big ears?"

The Turk nods, "I think it's hurt, its leg looks funny."

"I think you're right," he agreed, "Dean! Gentle!"

The dog understood the command and slowly wiggled his way under the overhanging rock. The fox opened its eyes and gave a weak whine as the dog got closer, but made no move to run away. Once Dean was close enough, he grabbed the fox by the scruff of its neck before making his way back.

"Oh, poor thing..." Fili says, seeing the rough shape the fox was in.

Its normally light fur was so dirty it was almost black and it was matted in some spots and completely missing in others. It looked severely malnourished to the point that its bone could be seen in some places. The fox was also littered with cuts, some looking like they could be infected and a chunk of flesh had been bitten off of its left ear.

"Does it have a collar?" Ahmet questioned, seeing a narrow strip of blue fabric around the fox's neck.

"Ay, but there's no tag, and if this fox does belong to someone, there's no way they're getting it back," Fili declared, "it needs a vet... Ahmet, can I have your sweater?"

The boy removed the item from around his waist, "here you go, Dad."

"Thanks," he took the sweater and with Dean's help, swaddled the fox in it. The small animal made no protest to the treatment, further confusing Fili, "I thought foxes were skittish, but this one seems so... Not."

"Maybe they're scared?" Ahmet suggested.

"Maybe..." Fili stood up and carried the fox in his arms, "let's go find a vet clinic."

Returning to the truck, Ahmet climbed into his seat and buckled in before taking the fox from his father's arms and gently held him close. Fili put Dean in the back seat before getting behind the wheel. After finding a veterinarian clinic close to where they were, Fili drove off in the right direction.

"This little guy is lucky that you found him," Dr. Warren said as she checked the fox over, "if he had been outside for any longer, I don't think he'd have made it through the night."

"But he'll be alright?" Ahmet worriedly asked.

"Well, he's not out of the woods just yet, we'll need to monitor him closely for the next little while, especially his infected cuts, but I think he'll be alright," she explained, "though his behaviour worries me..."

"What do you mean?" Fili questions.

"Well, foxes, especially fennec foxes, don't trust easily, but this one let you pick him up and hold him for the entire drive from the national park," she pulls off her examination gloves and threw them away, "it can take months before a fennec fox lets someone do that. But again, that may be because of the abuse he suffered, but it's still strange..."

"Was there a name or anything on his collar?" he inquired.

Dr. Warren shook her head, "not tags, just plain blue fabric. He may have had a chip in his ear, but I think he ripped it out."

"How can you tell?" Fili asks, watching his son move closer to sit by the fox.

"Well, there are some scratch marks on the back of his ear, so I suspect he clawed at it until it was gone. Whether this was intentional or not I can't know for sure but as it stands now, this little guy belongs to no one."

Fili nods in understanding, "but he'll be alright staying here?"

"Of course," Dr. Warren assured, "we specialize in treating wild animals and those that have been abused. He will be safe and cared for here."

"Can I visit him?" Ahmet spoke up.

She smiles, "I don't see why not, in fact, I think he's taken a liking to you, he wouldn't let me move that sweater during the entire exam!"

"He can keep it," he replies, "I have others."

Fili chuckled, "well, I think it's time we let the little guys rest, Ahmet. We need to get home before Adalet wonders where we are."

"Ok," he said, standing up, "bye foxy."

"Would you like to name him?" Dr. Warren offered, "I'm sure he'd like a name to go by..."

"Oh," Ahmet seemed caught off guard, "well... Ah..."

"It's alright if you don't have one right now, I know it's a tough decision, I had to name all of my pets," she giggled, "how about you think about it, and you can tell me next time you visit?"

"Ok!" he smiled, "thank you!"

Fili grins, "thanks doc, you'll keep us updated?"

"Of course," Dr. Warren promised, "now, let's get this little guy to bed..."

"...and the doctor says I get to name him!" Ahmet concludes his story, "can you believe that, Mom?!"

Adalet chuckled at her son's enthusiasm, "well, you better pick the perfect name then for foxy, he clearly deserves it."

"I will!" he vows, "I just need to find it..."

"Well, if you need any help, just ask me or your father," she replies, pulling dinner out of the oven, "Fili! Dinner's ready!"

"Comin'!" Fili yells back as footsteps could be heard from the second floor.

"How will I know what's the perfect name?" Ahmet questions as he grabs the places.

Adalet carried the food over to the table, "well, it will just seem right. It might take a few tries, but once you call him it, I think you'll both agree when it's the right one."

"Ok," he said, taking his seat, "oh, and Mom?"

"Yes?" she inquired.

"You're happy that I'm here, right?"

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?"

"No reason, just checking..."

Adalet smiled before placing a kiss on her son's forehead, "I don't regret deciding to adopt you in for a second. You're our son, and we are never letting you go."

"Dad said the same thing," Ahmet commented.

"Then you know it's true," she smirked, hugging the boy.

"Aw!" a whine from behind them signalled Fili's arrival, "am I missing hug time?"

"Yes," Adalet deadpanned, "now get over here and hug your wife and son, you overgrown teddy bear!"

"Yes ma'am!" he salutes before rushing over and lifting the two into a tight hold.

Ahmet smiled from his place squished between his parents, realizing that he never wanted the moment to end. That must have been what his dad meant by having a moment of realization. The young boy realized that he never wanted to lose his parents, not for a second.