34. Jace
Jace
How many blows can one person absorb? Her mother’s lack of interest in her own daughter is mind-boggling, but to give her phone number to the man who hurt her so badly, I can’t fathom it.
I want to yell, rage, go to her parents’ house and tell them off.
Never in my nearly thirty years on this planet have I been so angry.
Harper has retreated back into herself. We blocked Curtis’s number, but now that he has hers, it's only a matter of time until he contacts her again with a different phone.
The way her mom opened the door for further harassment is unforgivable.
It’s after midnight, and I want to hold her all night, but with the PI possibly watching us, I’m not sure if Harper will want that.
I hate that Curtis ruined such a perfect day.
The plans we were making, the future we were building, he’s trying to destroy them.
“Let’s go to bed.” Harper's hand on my face stirs me from my brooding thoughts. Brooding, that’s the mature and sexy way to say pouting or stewing, right?
“Do you want me to stay or go? I can leave Tink if that makes you more comfortable.” Holding my breath, I give her space to decide.
Smiling, she shakes her head. “You were right, we can’t let Curtis win. We have plans, and unless him showing up changes things for you, I still want you here, all the time.” Fuck, she looks unsure. Can she really not get it? Not understand that nothing could stop me from wanting her.
“There is nowhere I would rather be. Is tomorrow too soon to move my stuff over?” I lift a brow at her in challenge. The first real smile in hours crosses her face, and it takes my breath away. I’m so fucking gone for her.
“Should we go christen our bed?” she asks coyly, stepping out of my arms and walking backward toward the bedroom, fingers pulling on the ribbon at her side.
I watch transfixed as the bow comes undone, and her sweater falls to the floor.
I don’t give her time to think, dragging her over my shoulder and carrying her to our room.
Both desperate for a break, a chance to escape the crippling pain and anxiety from the day and relish in us.
When all else is unsteady and fucked up, I’m grateful we can find even a few moments of respite from the dark cloud currently looming over our heads.
I pack up my must-haves the next day and move into Harper’s house as promised.
Both of us are relieved to have something to keep our minds and bodies busy until four this afternoon, when we can meet with Justin and get a plan together.
Because there is no fucking way we will let Curtis get Lizzie, not even for a second.
We pull up to Shaina’s house right at four.
She and Daniel have offered to keep Lizzie entertained while we talk things through with Justin.
I filled my folks in on all the developments of the last twenty-four hours, the good and the bad.
They now know where to reach me and have offered to assist with any legal costs or anything else we might need.
The truck idles in the driveway, Harper not making any move to get out.
“This is stupid, I know.” She laughs as she rolls her eyes at herself, wringing her hands.
“I don’t know why I’m hesitating to go inside.
They aren’t the ones trying to hurt us; they’re the ones trying to help.
” Her knees jiggle while she bites her nail.
That’s new. I don’t think I’ve seen her nail biting yet, but at least she isn’t struggling to breathe or having a full-blown panic attack. Damn, she’s so strong.
“Take all the time you need. It’s not stupid.
We’re here to talk about big, heavy stuff; it’s natural to be nervous.
Even if they are the good guys.” I want to fix it.
I want to say the right things to erase the worry, but I can’t.
What I can do is be here for her, not leaving her side, and allowing her the space and freedom to feel whatever she needs to feel while processing the situation.
Blowing out a breath, she opens her door and steps out, squaring her shoulders like Athena marching into battle. I glance back at Lizzie and tell her, “Look at Mommy, she’s so strong.” Lizzie flexes her arms like muscles, smiling.
“Harper, dear!” Shaina calls as soon as we walk through the door. “I’m so sorry for what you are going through. Justin will take care of it.” She gives him a pointed look.
“Thanks, Mom.” He laughs, stepping up to shake mine and Harper's hands. Lizzie sticks hers out, lightening the mood. Justin shakes it, smiling at her just like he did with us.
“Do you all want some coffee or cookies?” Shaina bustles into the kitchen without waiting for a response.
“Coffee and cookies it is.” Justin laughs again at his mother.
“While we wait, can I look over the request? I know you sent it to me in an email, but I always like to get eyes on the actual documents, just in case.” Harper hands it over, and the room goes silent while Justin reviews it.
Lizzie’s helping Shaina in the kitchen, and Daniel pats Harper on the back in a fatherly way before settling into his recliner.
I learned the first time I came here with Harper that the recliner is Daniel’s spot; she described it like Sheldon’s spot on The Big Bang Theory.
She also informed me that he falls asleep in said chair within ten minutes of sitting down, every time.
His eyes close, hands folded over his belly that has gotten rounder since retirement, according to Shaina.
Daniel appears to be well on his way to his afternoon nap.
“Here we are,” Shaina singsongs as she steps back into the room. She’s carrying drinks while Lizzie carries a tin of cookies. “Justin, have you figured out how to take care of this yet?”
“It’s been five minutes, Mom. Can I finish reading it first?” Their banter reminds me of my mom and Maddy.
“Whatever it is, he will figure it out. Ooooh, I’m just so mad at Curtis. Who does he think he is, anyway? I’ll tell you what I think. I think his behavior is a classic example of overcompensation. Likely due to having a little centimeter peter.” She wiggles her pinky at us.
“Mom!” Justin squawks, while Harper dissolves into a fit of giggles.
“What, you know I’m right. Right, dear?” Shaina directs the question to Daniel.
“Of course, dear, tiny wieners mess with their minds,” he responds without ever opening his eyes, but reaching up to tap the side of his head.
“See. No excuse for being an asshole.”
“Ms. Shaina!” It’s Harper’s turn to shout, still laughing uncontrollably. “I don’t think I have ever heard you cuss!”
“Sometimes, it’s called for.”
“Lord, help us. Cussing and talking about small genitalia. You’re getting feisty in your old age, Mom.” Justin looks like he can’t decide whether to laugh or hide his face in horror at his mom’s newly liberated vocabulary. “On a more professional note, I’m ready to talk logistics and your case.”
“Lizzie, honey,” Shaina pipes up, “Daniel is going to take you to see the new baby goat outback.” Daniel's eyes finally open.
“I am?”
“Daniel,” she scolds exasperated, “this is no conversation for a child.” The unspoken comment being that Shaina is not about to miss out on the conversation and any part she can play in the resolution. Daniel grunts as he hauls himself from the chair.
“Come on, Lizzie, we have a list of possible names going, maybe you can help me choose one.” She gets bundled back up and follows him outside.
I’m so grateful to this couple that have taken my girls under their wing and brought them into their family.
Everyone deserves to be loved and cherished, even if Harper’s blood family doesn’t get that, these people do.
Justin sits forward, all business, finger steepled.
“First, since I know this situation is incredibly hard, I want to tell you that after reviewing the paperwork, it’s my professional opinion that he does not have a case.
Moreover, I checked court files last night and this morning, and there is nowhere that shows this request has gone through proper channels. ”
“What does that mean?” Harper gasps, clutching my hand tightly, while we both wait for his response.
“It means that this request has not been approved by a judge and has no legal standing. Looks like Curtis and his lawyer buddy were trying to scare or manipulate Harper into giving him custody of Lizzie.”
“That ass fucker!” Harper hisses beside me. “He just did it to torture me?” Justin shrugs.
My mind is whirling from the new information.
I don’t for a second believe he’s doing it just to mess with her.
I hope Blake's contact has been able to find out more. Blake’s old friend, Bennett, works for a private protection firm, and has connections which we hope can dig up information on Curtis and his motives.
Harper doesn’t know, and I want to keep it that way.
I don’t want her to get her hopes up if nothing comes of it.
“What’s next? How do we make him go away? How do we ensure Harper’s parental rights are ironclad?” I ask, hating that he can jerk her around at all.
“As far as the law goes, Harper is Lizzie’s only parent.
Aside from doing something that would cause the courts to remove Lizzie and terminate her rights, there is no recourse against her.
He can still file the motion at any point, but it likely won’t even make it to court.
I can’t imagine any judge approving the request for a hearing. ”
“But Curtis’s family has a lot of money and clout.
Can they use that to bully their way into Lizzie’s life?
Curtis brought up the fact that I don’t possess the same financial stability as him.
Could that factor into anything? His family has a history of throwing money at problems, and in my experience, they always get their way.
” Harper’s voice quivers, but that is the only outward sign of the turmoil she’s going through.
“I have a very good friend from college, and he’s one of the best family attorneys in the tri-state. He has agreed to review the file as well, and if it comes to it, he would be willing to represent you and Lizzie, I’m sure.”
“Fuck,” Harper drops her head into her hands, “legal battles are expensive, and ugly, and the thought of putting Lizzie through that guts me. He couldn’t call for her to be questioned, right?
She wouldn’t be put on a stand, right? She can’t.
That would fucking traumatize her…” Harper’s breathing has gotten ragged.
I rub her back and Shaina comes over, resting her hand on Harper’s shoulder.
“That is where his money and familial influence could make things more difficult. He could draw things out with appeals and other nonsense, but Harper, I really don’t think he has a case here.” Justin’s voice is firm, and his conviction is evident.
“Don’t worry about the costs, babe. We will figure it out. Your only concern is Lizzie,” I say.
“Jace is right, we are all here for you, and we will make sure you have every resource at your disposal.”
Harper takes a shuddering breath and finally lifts her face from her hands. “Okay, Mr. Fancy Law Degree, how do we make him go away?” she quips to Justin, and I breathe a sigh of relief, seeing some of her fire come back.
“My assistant is doing a final sweep of court records. Once we confirm with a second review that no motion was filed, I would suggest a cease-and-desist letter. I also suggest you change your number, Harper, limiting the means of contacting you. “
“I had already considered that, and it appears I won’t be able to have any contact with my family after this.” Harper’s voice fades with each word; the weight of that comment hits me hard. I really hate this for her.
Justin continues, “Any contact made by him needs to be saved, preferably in at least two places, so it’s protected in case we need it.
We quietly work to build a case against him, so if he makes a move or tries bully tactics, we are a step ahead and not playing catch-up with his legal team.
Once all those steps are taken, if he keeps bothering you, you will have grounds for a restraining order. ”
Harper’s breath comes out in a woosh like she had been holding it in. I suspect it has felt like that since the moment she saw Curtis. I only wish we had some guarantees.