Chapter Six #3
“Of course. I’m going to head home and retrieve my phone.
I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear from Judge Hampton’s clerk.
” She pushed back from the table and stood up.
“Congratulations. Please don’t let any of this overshadow the joy of welcoming your baby girl into the world.
I know it’s hard to have faith, but everything is going to be okay. ”
She couldn’t know that for certain, but Sawyer needed to believe it, even if he was setting himself up for future heartache.
But she was right about one thing. All the fretting and worrying would only rob them of precious time with their little girl, and he didn’t want to miss a single cute sigh or adorable expression Darla made.
Their family suite became a flurry of activity between the grandparents rotating in and out and the specialists’ visits during the next two feeding cycles.
Both the speech pathologist and the lactation consultant agreed with Dr. Edwards’ assessment, and Darla’s procedure was scheduled for seven thirty in the morning.
Sawyer wanted to think they’d manage a little rest over the next twelve hours, but he wasn’t betting on it.
He would give it his best effort if he could kindly evict his mother and father from the suite without causing hurt feelings.
Both sets of parents had fed them well, loved them up, and boosted their morale with encouragement.
The support was absolutely wonderful, but Sawyer was ready for some quiet time with his husband and daughter.
Eddie and Jo had taken the hint during their last rotation when Royce let out a jaw-cracking yawn, but Evangeline was too focused on her Darla to notice when he tried it with her.
Sawyer’s youngest nephew was ten, so it had been a very long time since one of her children had presented her with a newborn.
She’d been willing to test the limits of the hospital visiting hours.
“Isn’t she the most beautiful miracle you’ve ever seen?” Evangeline asked wistfully.
It wasn’t the first time she’d asked, and it wouldn’t be the last. Sawyer’s answer would always be the same.
“Yes.” His phone vibrated with a text from Kelsey, asking if it would be okay to visit Darla.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Evangeline wouldn’t refuse Kelsey time to visit with the miracle she’d helped to create.
He typed out a quick reply to Kels and set his phone down.
“Mom, Kelsey wants to spend time with Darla.”
Evangeline didn’t look away from the bassinet. “Barron doesn’t mind going to the waiting room.”
“Andrew is coming too,” Sawyer said. “And then these new dads need to attempt some sleep.”
His mother sighed deeply. “I know. I’m being awfully selfish.” She placed a gentle hand on Darla’s belly. “But I love her so much.”
“Tomorrow morning is going to be really eventful with her procedure, recovery, and working with the specialists to get our girl on track. I think it would be best if we waited until midafternoon for visits. I’ll keep you posted on everything that happens.”
Evangeline turned to face him. “And you’ll send pictures.”
“Of course,” Royce said.
She crossed the room and threw her arms around Sawyer’s neck and then Royce’s. “I love you both so much.”
“And we love you,” Sawyer told her. “Thank you for everything today. It’s been an emotional roller coaster, and your support means everything to us.”
“We’re glad we could help,” Barron said after hugging each of them. “Let us know if we can bring you anything when we come tomorrow afternoon.”
Sawyer and Royce exhaled sighs of relief once they were alone.
They reached for each other, stepping into a warm embrace that lingered until there was a soft knock on the door.
Sawyer opened it, expecting to see Kelsey in a wheelchair, but she stood in the hallway, though slightly hunched.
“Come in and sit down. I don’t think gravity is your friend right now. ”
“I’ve been sitting or lying down all day. I needed to move my legs, and we’re just two doors down.” Kelsey shuffled inside with Andrew close behind her, ready to catch her if things went sideways.
“She’s a stubborn woman,” Andrew said with a smirk.
“They make the world go round,” Sawyer told him.
Kelsey moved to the bassinet and smiled down at Darla. “How’s she doing?”
They told Kels about Darla’s upcoming procedure, and she made cooing noises as she stroked her cheek.
“Kids are resilient,” Kelsey said. “She won’t remember the discomfort or hold a grudge against you, especially once the milk starts flowing.” She looked over at them and smiled. “Is fatherhood everything you dreamed it would be?”
Sawyer and Royce exchanged a loaded glance, both of them wondering what to say about the situation with their law firm. If Miguel had informed Kelsey, she would’ve brought it up already.
“What’s that look about?” Kelsey said. “You guys just held an entire conversation in five seconds.”
“It’s been quite an eventful day with some unsettling developments,” Sawyer said.
“Oh, this doesn’t sound good.” Kelsey shuffled to the glider and eased down into it. “Okay. I’m ready.”
“Wait,” Andrew said. He strode across the room and sat down on the sofa. “I’m ready too.”
Sawyer and Royce relayed everything they knew up to that point, and as he suspected, Kelsey hadn’t heard about Ned Owens’ death. Her beautiful face betrayed the shock, sorrow, and anger she felt.
“I texted Miguel to let him know I had the baby, and he acknowledged my message without mentioning the situation with Ned.”
“He might not have known then,” Andrew said. “Even if he did, Miguel likely isn’t privy to whatever Ivy knows. Their potential legal issues might not affect him.”
“Doubtful,” Kelsey replied. “If there’s even a hint of unethical practices in a single adoption, all firms involved will be under scrutiny to see what they knew and when they knew it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a judge reviews all their cases within a certain time frame.
” She shook her head in dismay. “I listened to a podcast about this recently. A judge in Michigan reviewed every single case a law firm handled for an adoption agency. Those adoptive families were terrified of having their babies taken away.”
Sawyer died a thousand deaths before his next heartbeat. This was how it would end for him after years of trying to ensure a healthy cardiovascular system. His hand went to his chest automatically as he focused on breathing.
Andrew must’ve read his panic because he settled a hand on Kelsey’s back. “My love, that kind of conjecture isn’t helping anyone.”
Kelsey looked over at Sawyer, and her eyes widened in alarm.
“Oh, honey,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that this situation is the same.
” She tried to push up out of the glider, but Sawyer went to her instead and sat on the stool.
Kelsey took his hands. “The judge in Michigan upheld every single adoption. No one is coming to rip your baby girl out of your life. I won’t let that happen. ”
“No one will,” Andrew said.
“And your friend Charlie from the sheriff’s department hasn’t responded to your message yet?” Kelsey asked.
“He sent a text a few hours ago letting me know he’d return my call as soon as he could. In all the excitement, I forgot that Mendoza and Abe are out of town. That means Charlie is acting sheriff, and he’s likely got his hands full with this investigation.”
“Let me know what you find out.”
“Of course,” Sawyer said.
Kelsey reached for his hand. “Everything is going to be okay.”
Darla let out a soft little whimper in her bassinet, and he launched to his feet.
“See, little miss agrees with me,” Kelsey said. “Now, help me up so I can see her.”
“I’ll bring her to you,” Sawyer replied.
Kelsey settled back in the glider and propped her feet up on the vacated stool. “If you insist.”
Darla blinked her eyes when he approached, and he swore she locked her gaze on him, even if only for a few seconds.
“There’s my girl,” he whispered as he lifted her from the bassinet. “Someone special wants to snuggle with you for a bit.”
Kelsey held her arms straight out in front of her and wiggled her fingers in a give-me gesture.
Sawyer transferred Darla over and smiled as Kelsey studied the miracle she created and carried for them.
“My heart is so full,” she told the baby.
“What a blessing to be part of your life and watch you grow. I get to suffuse you with my love and then go home and sleep peacefully through the night.”
The guys all chuckled, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Kelsey peeled the hat back a little to see her hair. “Ella had beautiful black hair like this. Curls for days.” She looked up and smiled. “I’m surprised Evangeline hasn’t adorned her locks yet.”
“She didn’t want her head to get cold, but she’s already picked out a headband for her birth announcement photos,” Sawyer said.
Darla yawned big and triggered a domino effect around the room.
“That’s our cue to leave,” Kelsey told Andrew. “Everyone needs their rest.”
Sawyer took Darla from Kelsey, and Andrew helped her stand.
“Don’t even think about offering to get a wheelchair,” Kelsey told her husband.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Andrew replied with a wink at Sawyer.
They promised to stop by again before Kelsey got discharged and shuffled out the door.
Sawyer checked the feeding schedule and saw they were only thirty minutes from their next attempt.
He decided to snuggle Darla until then, so he eased down to the sofa so Royce could join him.
It was funny how still his husband could be when it came time to admire the littlest Locke.
Sawyer’s phone vibrated on the table with an incoming call, and his pulse kicked up a notch when he saw the caller ID. “It’s Charlie. Can you grab that?”
Royce stretched forward and answered the call, switching to speakerphone. “Thanks for getting back to us,” he said.
“Sorry it took me so long, guys. This one is…complicated.”
“No chance it was an accidental hit-and-run?” Sawyer asked.
“Oh, hell no,” Charlie replied. “Do you remember the famous case from years ago where the wife ran over her husband in a hotel parking lot after she caught him cheating, and then circled the building to hit him again and again?”
Nausea rose swiftly, and Sawyer thought he was going to be sick.
“Christ,” Royce said. “It was that bad?”
“Let’s just say Ned Owens’ killer made sure he was dead.
” Charlie’s exhaustion was evident in the heavy sigh that followed.
“You know how complicated homicide cases are when the victim is an attorney and the suspect is likely one of their clients. There’s all that privileged information shit to contend with. ”
Sawyer sat taller. “So you have a suspect in mind already?”
“Yeah. The partners and associates at Owens’ firm are cooperating as much as they can without committing ethics violations, but our primary suspect has a solid alibi.”
“They’ve enlisted help,” Sawyer said. “Someone close that they can rely on.”
“And we’re leaving no stone unturned. I promise. Congratulations, by the way,” Charlie said. “I can’t believe I didn’t lead with that. I’m such an asshole.”
Sawyer chuckled. “No, you’ve got a lot on your plate right now.
I hate to press you, but is there any information you can share with us?
Our attorney has informed us that our adoption process will probably get delayed because of Ned Owens’ death and the dire allegations that might go public.
I just want to know what we’re dealing with. ”
“For anyone else, the answer would be hell no. This is going to be a high-profile case, and my professional reputation is at stake, but I know you’d have my back if the situation were reversed.”
“Hell yes, I would,” Sawyer said. “This stays between the three of us. Well, four if you count Darla, but she’s sound asleep, and her communication skills are limited.”
Charlie chuckled. “Fair enough. Here’s what I know so far. A young lady recently reached out to Ned Owens and alleged that she hadn’t wanted to give up her baby for adoption. She claimed she was coerced.”
“How is that possible?” Sawyer asked. “Didn’t she hire his agency to assist her?”
“Not exactly,” Charlie said. “There’s a local agency that connects prospective families with pregnant mothers who’ve chosen to place their babies for adoption.
The mother gets to meet the parents and choose who gets to adopt their baby.
The adoptive parents pay a steep sum to cover all the legal fees plus the mother’s healthcare expenses during pregnancy and recovery.
They pay for housing, clothing, and food, depending on the expectant mother’s circumstances and needs, so the amounts are never the same.
The agency is supposed to retain a fee for its services. ”
“And this agency hired our law firm to oversee the adoptions?” Royce asked.
“Affirmative.”
“A fucking baby broker?” Sawyer snarled. “I can’t believe it.”
“Baby brokers are illegal in Georgia,” Charlie replied in a slow, feminine drawl. “This woman runs a bona fide adoption agency.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re quoting her?” Sawyer asked.
Charlie snorted. “Because you know me very well, partner. The whistleblower also claimed that Miss Bona Fide kept most of the money owed to her, and she claims there are others who are willing to testify to the same coercion and neglect.”
Royce and Sawyer looked at one another and mouthed, “Fuck.”
“It’s a mess,” Charlie agreed. “Ned has been in touch with Miss Bona Fide, who allegedly threatened him. I can’t verify the claim until I get a judge to approve warrants for records, but that’s always hard sorting through what’s privileged and fair game.
Like I said, I’ll keep you posted as I learn things.
I hope this doesn’t make things harder for you guys. ”
“Same,” Royce said. “Thanks, Charlie.”
“No problem. You guys get rest when you can. Parenthood is a marathon, not a sprint.”
They exchanged goodbyes and disconnected. Royce returned the phone to the table, and they sat in stunned silence as they watched their baby girl sleep. Sawyer couldn’t resist pulling her closer and placing a gentle kiss against her knitted cap.
“Your daddies love you so much, Pumpkin,” he told her. “We will make this right.”