Chapter 44
Cooper
Something akin to fear and disbelief makes my heart thud painfully in my chest. It feels like a hand is squeezing it to mush. I didn’t think she would come. Based on our last conversation a couple of weeks ago, I figured she made her decision.
I was wrong.
Shit.
I pull on Ralph’s jacket and he frowns at me. “Ask the judge if I can talk to her directly.”
“That’s not how this works, Cooper.”
“I didn’t think she’d be here. I need to talk to her,” I grit out.
Rebekah sits alone at the table to my right. She looks good, healthy.
“I really don’t think that’s wise. We uh … I gathered a lot of evidence proving she’s a negligent mother. I was hoping she wouldn’t show up and it wouldn’t get nasty. I’m sorry, Cooper, but this is the surest path to getting custody of Naomi,” Ralph says under his breath.
“Please ask, Ralph. Please,” I beg him.
“Well, Ralph, what is it? Have things changed?” Judge Caffrey asks.
Ralph sighs. “You’re sure, Cooper? I’ve seen families torn apart for a lot less.”
“I have to, Ralph.”
His jaw twitches, and he faces Judge Caffrey. “Your Honor, my client is wondering if he could speak to Ms. Hayes directly.”
Judge Caffrey leans back and steeples his fingers. “This is not a Jerry Springer show on daytime television. I have ten other cases after yours. And I have to admit this is highly unusual. If I agree to this, will you both keep it civil?” he asks us.
I stand and clear my throat. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Caffrey looks at Rebekah, waiting for her answer. “Yes, your honor,” she says.
“Well then, approach,” Judge Caffrey says, waving us towards the bench.
Mae squeezes my hand and drops it.
I round the table and my feet feel especially heavy. This conversation could make or break us.
Judge Caffrey leans forward and waits for us.
“Rebekah, I … please let me do this. Maybe we can work something out. She’s happy, and she’s got friends. She’s doing well in school. She’s so smart. I know you know that, you saw it with your own eyes, but I just want to take care of her. I’m begging you to let me do that for her. For you.”
Rebekah blinks at me, and I can’t tell if it’s anger or resignation.
“But she’s my daughter, Cooper,” Rebekah rasps.
My stomach flops, and my throat feels like it’s closing up.
“Yes, she is, and as unorthodox as it is, she’s my daughter too.
I might be her uncle by blood, but you left her in my arms. I was twenty-four, Bekah, and you know I didn’t know a thing about kids.
Only by the grace of God has she turned out this way.
But I love her. I’d do anything for her. Anything.”
“I know you would.” She brushes a few tears away.
“Tell me what you want. Name it.”
“Coop, I don’t want anything else from you. I’m not here to gain anything, not even my rights as her mother. I’m here to sign the papers. I’m not going to fight you.”
My eyes burn, and I blink quickly. “Really?”
“Yes. I … I’m a lot better now. I’ve been sober for six months. But I can’t be what my little girl needs, and it’s better for her to stay with you.”
“I’ll take care of her,” I rasp. “I love her, and I love you, Rebekah, please know that.”
She nods and sniffs.
“I know you will, Coop. That’s why I know this is what’s best for her,” Rebekah says.
“But you’re still her mother. She needs a mother,” I tell her, my voice cracking in half.
She glances over my shoulder, where Mae sits.
“I think you already found her one,” Rebekah whispers.
“She’s an amazing woman. I wouldn’t have let her near Naomi if she wasn’t.”
Rebekah smiles sadly and meets my eyes. “I know. I trust you, brother. I want Naomi to have everything I couldn’t give her, so if you say she can be a good mother for my baby, then that’s what I want for her. Please promise me one thing…” she rasps, and takes a deep breath.
“What is it?” I ask her.
“I want to come see her every couple of months. I want to have some kind of relationship with her, even if it can’t be what I wish I was. Will you let me have that?”
I nod and wiggle my nose to stop the tears. “Of course. You don’t even have to ask.”
“Maybe you should talk to your woman first,” Rebekah says.
I dip my chin. “I can do that. But I can already tell you the answer is yes.”
“Good,” she says, and turns to the judge.
“Judge? I’ll sign the papers.”
He leans back with a shocked look. “Never in my forty years as a judge have I ever seen anything like that,” Judge Caffrey says in utter disbelief. “Full guardianship custody has been granted. Get the paperwork signed,” he says, and slams his gavel.
Rebekah meets Ralph at his table, and he points to all the places she has to sign.
My daughter, Naomi Hayes, is legally mine.
Law or not, she’s always been my little girl.
I meet Rebekah at the table, and Mae is staring at me with wide eyes and a smile on her face.
I finish signing the paperwork and Ralph get’s Rebekah’s address to send her copies.
Rebekah turns and pulls me into a hug. I hold her closely, realizing we might have a plan for her to interact with Naomi and have a relationship with her. But if I know my sister she might disappear for a little while.
“Call me, or text me, write a letter, something, okay?” I tell her.
She nods. “I will.”
“I’m Mae.” She holds her hand out to Rebekah and takes it.
“Thank you,” she whispers with tears in her eyes.
I don’t know that I’ll ever understand it, but something passes between them, and before I can ask what it is, Rebekah gives us a small wave and leaves the courtroom.
A rock drops in my stomach as I stare at the doors.
I’m relieved, yet my heart weighs heavy in my chest. I can only hope for the best for her.
“What did she say?” Mae asks, threading her fingers through mine.
“She wants to visit Naomi, but she knows she’s better off with us.”
Mae squeezes my hand. “Of course. Naomi should know her.”
“She’s a lucky girl, you know?” I say, looking down at the love of my life.
“Why is that?” she asks.
I kiss her knuckles. “She’s lucky enough to have two mothers who love her.”
“Well, she’s a special girl,” Mae rasps.
“That she is, and I don’t know how I got so lucky to be her father.”