Chapter 33
Sophie
Life had finally gotten back to normal—our new normal, that is.
Living with Linc, without the constant attacks from Max and his family, was still a novel experience.
Each day was better than the last. Any concerns I had melted away as Linc showed up each day, for all of us.
Lou was thriving with Linc’s attention and our increased social circle due to his family.
She was soaking up the support and positive reinforcement.
They all were spoiling her rotten, each one trying to up the other to earn a top spot on Lou’s favorites list. The pony I heard Linc talking to my Dad about might be pushing it, but that was a conversation for another day.
Max hadn’t tried to reach out to Lou or me at all. Not an apology, not an inquiry into my health or our daughter’s. My lawyer had finally sent him the paperwork to sign his parental rights away.
“If he does this, he no longer owes you any alimony payments. With the financial bind he’s in now, that might be enough to persuade him.
Is that something you’re comfortable with, though?
I want to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into if he signs this,” Brian told me, always cautious and determined to make sure I could make an informed decision.
“I understand. I don’t want or need his money. I just want my little girl safe. What about Helen and Nat?” I asked, my stomach rolling at the idea of either woman coming within 100 yards of my baby.
“We have protection orders against all of them. If they get within fifty feet of you, their bail is revoked, and they’re back behind bars until their court dates,” he told me, patting my hand confidently as he eased my fear.
“Alright, then, let’s get this started.” I signed the papers and put them back in the folder, passing them to Brian.
“Thank you for everything, Brian. You’ve been a lifesaver these last few years.
More than a lawyer, more than a friend. Heck, more than a therapist, even.
I hope you know how much you mean to me, and how important it is that you had my back from the beginning.
So thank you.” I gave him a hug, and he returned it warmly.
“We definitely are friends, Sophie girl. I’m just as happy as you are that you’re almost free of the Townsends, but that doesn’t mean you’re done with me.
I expect you and the family over for dinner sooner rather than later.
The missus is already lamenting how fast Lou is growing, so let’s get something on the calendar.
” I smiled at him, nodding in agreement.
We still had a few final threads to untangle, the dregs of our pasts doing their best to try to keep us down. They wouldn’t succeed, and soon all ties would be cut in a very permanent way.
My shift was uneventful, but still felt like it dragged on.
Knowing I was going home to Linc and Lou, a meal they cooked together, that we would eat as they shared the details of their day with me.
It was small, simple, but it was also everything we never had and always wanted. Stability, support, and genuine care.
“Sophie!” Myra’s voice echoed through the crowded hallway, and I almost jumped at the volume. She ran over to me, looking flustered and upset.
“What’s going on? Are you alright?” I was worried. Myra’s house was in the same neighborhood as Linc’s. We got to see each other more often now, our kids frequently playing on the weekend. My life was filling up, each addition valuable and treasured in its own way.
“Yes. Yes, I didn’t mean to scare you. Dan got held up at work, and he has the car. Do you think you could give me a ride home? I do not have the strength to take the bus tonight, girl. My feet are done,” she said dramatically. I laughed.
“Of course! Whenever you need one,” I told her, meaning it.
For far too long, I was determined to face everything alone.
Protect Lou and throw myself at the wolves.
I forgot what it was like to just exist, to have fun and laugh with people.
To let your guard down, be silly, to be real.
It was never too late to start to feel comfortable in your own skin. I was finally starting to believe that.
Together, we collected our belongings. Myra was glued to her phone, but I assumed she was fighting with Dan about the car.
We made idle chitchat as we left the building, discussing the different sporting events coming up.
As soon as we stepped outside the hospital door, the view of the parking lot was blocked by the giant, shiny red fire truck parked right out front of the entrance.
I couldn’t see who was driving, but pretty soon, a familiar face in an oversized turnout jacket and helmet popped out the back of the truck.
“Hi, Mommy!” Lou waved, the sleeves on the jacket flapping in the air.
“Hi, baby! What’s all this?” I said as Lou ran up to me.
“I got to ride in the truck! For your surprise! You have to turn around and close your eyes.” Before I could hesitate, she was pulling my arm, urging me to do as she said.
“Are your eyes closed?” she asked, and I nodded, smiling at her bossy tone.
“Yes. No peeking. I promise,” I told her.
Then, all I heard was the sound of her sneakers squeaking as she hopped around doing who knows what.
I heard some more shuffling, some gasps and laughs, so I assumed we had developed a bit of a crowd.
Nerves rushed through me, suddenly anxious.
I never really liked having all that attention on me.
“Okay!” Lou’s voice rang out, and her hand slipped into mine. “Keep your eyes closed but turn around,” she said, already moving me before she finished the instructions. Still holding my hand, I felt as Lou started jumping up and down next to me, small giggles escaping her excited form.
“You can open your eyes now!” she yelled.
I jerked in surprise, my eyes flying open.
It took a minute to process everything. The lights of the truck were flashing over the group of people standing in front of it: Pops, Garrett and Abigail, Mason, Quinn.
Then, at the end, my mom and dad stood in a line, all of them had giant smiles on their faces.
They were all holding balloons in varying colors, and some of them were even sporting party hats.
“Mommy, look down!” Lou whispered, and I did as she said, my eyes crashing with Linc’s.
There he was, kneeling down on one knee before me, our family surrounding us like a wall of support and anticipation.
My eyes stung, and my breathing sped up, overwhelmed as I processed everything and everyone that was there.
“Sophie, my sunshine. Since the first moment we met, you’ve brightened my life; you’ve shone your light over me. I knew I didn’t want to spend a single moment without you.” Pausing, Linc reached an arm out, and Lou instantly ran over, snuggling into his embrace.
“You and Lou are everything to me.” The emotion in his voice pulled at me, forcing the tears I was holding at bay to fall freely.
“Every day, I want to show you how much you mean to me. I want the messy, chaotic mornings, when nothing seems to go right, and we’re juggling backpacks, braiding hair, and eating breakfast all at once.
During the holidays, I’ll be there to spoil you both with presents, to keep my mouth shut when you’ve eaten one too many cookies, and to carry you to bed after you’ve fallen asleep on the couch watching Elf.
” Lou giggled as I tried to brush away the tears streaming down my face.
“But most importantly. I love you. And I love our daughter. Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Of making our family official?” he asked. I nodded, words not possible with the lump in my throat.
“SHE SAID YES!” Lou screeched, running to celebrate with the group.
My eyes never strayed from Linc. His eyes were glassy as he smiled at me, slipping a beautiful ring onto my finger.
The band was an intricate filigree, delicately holding the large oval diamond in the center.
It fit like a glove, and I was in awe of the detail.
Dropping to my knees, Linc caught me and made sure I didn’t hurt myself.
My hands were on his cheeks, my lips on his before he could say anything.
Whistles and cheers rang out, but all I could do was smile into the kiss.
Pulling back, I stared into Linc’s warm eyes and couldn’t believe that he was mine.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“Love you, Sunshine. More than the moon and the earth. I wouldn’t exist without you,” he told me, reigniting the tears I had just managed to choke back.
“Good thing you won’t have to,” I told him. He nodded sagely.
“Promise?” he asked.
“Promise. You’re my forever,” I told him, before we were separated by the sea of loved ones congratulating and celebrating us.