CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ava stood next to Aussie’s truck. Her heart was heavy as she watched Aussie’s mom hug Christian tightly. His shy smile widened when she kissed the top of his head and whispered something in his ear that made him giggle.
The past six days had been a whirlwind of warmth and laughter, filled with stories shared over hearty meals, games played in the backyard, and late-night conversations that felt like peeling back layers of a life she never knew she could have. She felt a pang of sadness as she thought about leaving this newfound family.
“You better bring him back soon,” Aussie’s mom said, turning to Ava and pulling her into a firm embrace. “And you too, sweetheart. You’re family now.”
Ava swallowed the lump in her throat and managed a smile. “Thank you for everything. I had so much fun.”
“It was our pleasure,” Aussie’s dad added, his gruff voice softening as he clapped Aussie on the shoulder. “You’ve got a good one here, son. Don’t mess it up.”
Aussie chuckled, wrapping an arm around Ava’s waist. “Don’t worry, Dad. I know.”
As they piled into Aussie’s truck, Ava glanced back one last time, waving at the couple standing on the porch. Christian’s hand shot up enthusiastically, his face glowing with the happiness he’d found here. She felt a bittersweet ache. She couldn’t wait to come back.
The truck rumbled to life, and moments later, they pulled out onto the road. The familiar hum of the tires on the pavement and the faint strains of a country song on the radio filled the cab as they settled in for the twelve-hour drive back to Virginia Beach. Christian’s excitement had finally worn him out, and Ava glanced back to see him slumped in his seat, sound asleep.
Just as they merged onto the highway, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw a text from Judge Holten.
“Can you be at the courthouse tomorrow at 3:00 pm?”
Ava’s brows furrowed as she quickly typed back, “We should make it as long as we don’t hit any delays. What’s going on?”
The response came almost immediately.
“Christian’s case. There’s been a development that needs to be addressed ASAP.”
Her stomach twisted. The last time she’d spoken to Judge Holten before their trip, the judge had mentioned taking the rest of the year off. Why the sudden urgency now? She typed back quickly, “What kind of development?”
But this time, the reply was frustratingly vague.
“Just be there at 3. I’ll explain everything then.”
Ava’s chest tightened, and her mind raced with possibilities. She stared out the window, her thoughts spiraling. Had something happened with his foster parents? Was the placement falling through? The unknowns gnawed at her, making it hard to breathe.
“Everything okay?” Aussie asked, glancing at her briefly before returning his focus to the road.
She hesitated, glancing back at Christian. He was still sound asleep, his face peaceful. Not wanting to wake him, she lowered her voice. “Judge Holten just texted. She needs me at the courthouse tomorrow at three. She said it’s about Christian’s case and that there’s a development, but she won’t tell me anything else.”
Aussie’s jaw tightened, but his tone was steady as he said, “Well, that doesn’t mean it’s bad news. Maybe it’s just procedural or something minor.”
Ava shook her head. “She wouldn’t call me in like this unless it was important. I don’t know what to think. I’m scared.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Hey, whatever it is, we’ll deal with it. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you and for Christian.”
His words were a balm to her fraying nerves, but the knot in her stomach remained. She nodded, taking a deep breath and trying to steady herself.
“Thanks.”
“No matter what happens tomorrow,” he added, his voice firm but warm, “I’m not going anywhere. You and Christian have me for the long haul. Got it?”
Ava looked at him, her eyes glistening with gratitude. “Got it.”
As the miles stretched ahead of them, Ava leaned back in her seat, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Tomorrow felt like an ominous shadow, but for now, she focused on the positive of having Christian with her now. Whatever awaited them at the courthouse tomorrow, she knew she wasn’t facing it alone.