Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
DEREK
“ T hanks for being here today,” I tell Sutton.
“Stop thanking me.” Sutton wraps her arms around me. “I was going to be here whether you wanted me to be or not.”
“It’s a good thing my lawyer was coming. If I didn’t want you here, I could have him take you away.”
She laughs. “Pretty sure that’s the job of the police, but okay.”
“Or file the restraining order.”
“Are you sure you want me here?” She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her get far.
“Yes. I need you here.”
My parents took Troy for the afternoon so I could meet with John at my house this afternoon. This was something I didn’t want him to be here for.
A knock sounds at the door. Giving her a quick kiss, I head to the front door. But before I can open it, Sutton stops me.
“Whatever happens today, just know I’m here for you.”
“I know.” I smile at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too. ”
“John. How are you?” Swinging open the door, I sweep an arm out for my lawyer to come in.
“Derek. I’m sorry we’re not meeting under better circumstances.”
John is older, with short gray hair and dark brown eyes. Wrinkles line his face. I can’t imagine being in his position is an easy one.
A family attorney? That has to be a hard line of work.
“Honestly? I’m glad we’re finally getting this over with.”
“I don’t think I need to beat around the bush here,” John starts, setting his briefcase down on the dining room table. “Tomorrow is going to be a hard day. It always is when children are involved.”
“Have you heard from Missy’s lawyer?” I ask. I drop into the seat across from him and wipe my hands on my jeans. I’m glad I opted for a T-shirt today, because it’s starting to get hot in here. Or maybe that’s my nerves taking over.
As much as I’ve tried to keep an even head about this, I’m a live wire, and the smallest thing could make me snap.
Everything has been harder than it needs to be for three long weeks since that day in the hospital. Troy doesn’t seem to have any lingering trauma from that day, thank God.
“I haven’t heard from him, no. But not for lack of trying.”
“Is that a good thing?” I hate the hopeful note in my voice.
“I’m not going to lie to you, but I don’t know. And the judge that is trying your case tomorrow is sympathetic to mothers.”
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. This is not what I wanted to hear.
“What does that mean for us then? What do we need to do to make sure we’re ready for tomorrow?” Sutton grabs my hand under the table.
“You’re going to present your case. Tell them what Missy has done in the past. Tell the court about that day. It’s not a jury trial. It’ll all come down to the judge. ”
“And he could give my kid to the woman that left him locked in a car?” I snap, jumping out of my seat. “How could anyone give that woman custody? I wouldn’t trust her with a goldfish.”
“I pulled the police report. Child endangerment charges were filed, but until she goes to court and is convicted, there’s not a lot I can do. I can argue this in court as a reason to postpone the custody agreement, but that’s about the best we can hope for.”
“And that’s it?”
John throws up his hands. “I know, Derek. But this is what we have to do. I need you to stay levelheaded. We’ll argue your case and hope that the judge sees reason.”
“What happens if the worst does happen?” I swallow around the lump in my throat. I don’t even want to entertain the idea, but I have to.
“Then we appeal,” Sutton tells me. “We are not going to go down without a fight.”
“Exactly,” John agrees. I’m not looking at him. I’m looking at the woman who has been by my side through the worst of it.
I really don’t know how I got so lucky.
“Do you think the judge will make a decision tomorrow?” I don’t know if I could wait weeks on end for a decision to be made.
“I believe he will. You can take comfort in that.”
“Good.”
“Derek.” John straightens in his seat. “I’m on your side. I will do everything in my power to argue your case. You’re a good father to Troy. Anyone can see that. I’ve submitted your character reference letters to the court and those will help. I know it’s hard to hear, but get a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you at eight tomorrow morning.”
John stands and I follow suit. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. ”
“It’s what I’m here for.” John extends his hand and I shake it.
“I’ll walk you out.” Sutton shows him out, but not before I hear whispers exchanged.
I was hoping this meeting with John would help ease my fears, but all it’s done is ratchet them up. I’m back to playing out worst-case scenarios. What if I lose Troy altogether? What if something happens and I have to give Missy partial custody of my son every other weekend and on all the holidays?
Shouldn’t a police report that she left him in a hot car be enough to put this case to bed? John told me we had to let everything play out. That Missy still had rights as a parent.
Easy for him to say. It’s not his kid’s future hanging in the balance.
Waiting fucking sucks.
“Hey.” Sutton’s fingers rub over the back of my neck. “I’m not even going to ask if you're okay because I know you’ll just lie to me.”
I give her a fake smile. “Well, that’s good because I don’t even have the energy to lie to you.”
“You do know I can tell if you’re lying to me anyway, right?”
“You’re a mom. It’s your superpower to be able to tell.”
“Tell me how you’re feeling.”
Sutton isn’t a good liar either. I can see she’s just as worried as I am. Because she loves my son.
“Worried. Sick. Panicked. Scared. You name it, I’m feeling it. Because what if Missy actually gets partial custody of Troy?”
“It’s not going to happen.”
“But what if it does?”
“Then we’ll deal with it as it comes. What is it your dad keeps telling us? Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow?”
I can’t help but roll my eyes at her. “Yeah, yeah. ”
“Hey.” Sutton pokes me in the side before giving me a hug. “It’s good advice.”
“Fine.” I blow out a breath. “I’ll try to stop worrying.”
“All we can do is have a good night with the kids and then get through tomorrow morning.”
“Then how about some Thai for dinner? There is no way I’m cooking tonight.”
“Do you want me to see if my mom can bring Lydia over?”
I hate that my first thought is what if this is one of the last times we all have dinner like this together? All I know is, there is no way I’m going down without a fight.
“That’d be great.”
Sutton and I enjoy an hour of uninterrupted alone time before the sounds of happy kids burst our bubble.
“Daddy. Look how cool Lydia’s helmet is.”
Troy points out the helmet in Lydia’s hands.
“It’s good luck,” she tells me. “Unicorns are lucky.”
The white helmet has pink unicorn stickers stuck all over it. It’s the same helmet I got her when the kids started playing, just with a little more creativity taken.
“I love it,” I say. “Now, why don’t you both wash your hands before dinner.”
Dinner is a quiet affair. Lydia and Troy tell us about their respective days, but both Sutton and I are distracted. I know she’s just as worried as I am.
After dishes are cleared, Lydia sighs. “Do we have to go home tonight?”
“Do you want to go home?” Sutton asks.
Lydia shakes her head, her blonde hair falling out of her ponytail. “I want to stay here.”
“Well,” I start, “it’s a good thing we have sleeping bags for a sleepover.”
“A sleepover?” Troy asks. “Can we watch a movie before bed? ”
“Absolutely. We’ll set up the sleeping bags if you two go and brush your teeth.”
“Okay!”
They hop out of their chairs and run toward the bathroom. Sutton and I had the foresight to pack a bag for Lydia because I knew I would want them close tonight.
Sutton is in the kitchen, rinsing off the last of the dishes. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her back to my front.
“I know you’ve told me I don’t have to say thank you, but thank you.”
“You never have to thank me for loving you.”
“Well, forgive me if I want to show you as much as I can.” Sweeping her hair off her neck, I press quick kisses against her shoulder.
“Mmm, I wish we had more time.” The sound of feet has me pulling back.
“Later, Sutton.”
Later she mouths as she backs into the living room to greet the kids, complete with sleeping bags and pillows.
With the four of us settled in, watching a movie about a dog that plays basketball, for the first time all day, I’m at peace.
Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m ready.
Because there is no way in hell I’m going to lose this without a fight.