Chapter 52 Tigerlily
Chapter Fifty-Two: Tigerlily
The courtroom is smaller than I expected.
I thought it would be like on TV. Big and imposing. Rows of seats. High ceilings.
Instead, it’s just a room. Beige walls. Fluorescent lights. A judge’s bench that’s maybe three feet higher than where we’re sitting.
I’m at a table with Marcus. Jax is next to me. His hand is on my knee under the table.
Zinnia’s sitting in the front row behind us. She’s wearing the dress we bought yesterday. Navy blue. Too formal for a ten-year-old, but we thought it was appropriate for court.
She looks scared.
I turn around and smile at her. I try to look confident like I’m not terrified. I hope I’m selling it to her.
She smiles back weakly.
The door opens, and the judge walks in. Everyone stands.
“Please be seated,” she says. Her voice is kind. Thank God.
We sit.
“We’re here today for the matter of Zinnia Maria Lopez. Petitioner Tigerlily Lopez is seeking permanent guardianship.” The judge looks at Marcus. “Counsel, you may proceed.”
Marcus stands. “Thank you, Your Honor. My client, Miss Tigerlily Lopez, is the biological sister of the minor, Zinnia Lopez. She has been caring for Zinnia since obtaining emergency placement two weeks ago. The home study has been completed and approved. Miss Lopez has stable housing, employment, and a strong support system.”
The judge looks at me. “Miss Lopez, can you tell me about your living situation?”
I stand, and my legs feel shaky. “I live in a house with my boyfriend, Jax Kingsway, and his roommate, Zephyr Wickerham. It’s a three-bedroom house. Zinnia has her own room.”
“And your employment?”
“I started working part-time at a café while I handle my college situation at UCLA, but starting next week, I am on the schedule to work full-time.”
“Income?”
Marcus hands her a folder. “Financial statements are included, Your Honor. Miss Lopez’s income combined with Mr. Kingsway’s contribution covers all household expenses and Zinnia’s needs.”
The judge reviews the papers. “Mr. Kingsway, you’re present today?”
Jax stands. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“And you’re willing to help support Zinnia financially?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Why?”
The question hangs there, but Jax doesn’t miss a beat.
“Because Zinnia deserves stability. And Tiger—Miss Lopez—deserves support. I care about both of them.”
The judge nods and makes a note. “You may sit.”
She turns back to me. “Miss Lopez, I see here that your mother is currently incarcerated. Correct?”
My throat tightens. “Yes.”
“What is her status?”
Marcus stands. “Your Honor, Miss Lopez’s mother is currently appealing her conviction. We believe she was wrongfully imprisoned. The appeal is being processed now.”
“And when she’s released? What’s your plan?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My mind goes blank because I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. I’ve been too busy trying to survive the now.
Marcus steps in smoothly. “Miss Lopez’s mother will have her own housing upon release. She fully supports Miss Lopez having guardianship of Zinnia. They maintain regular contact and have a strong relationship.”
“Does the mother want custody back?”
“No, Your Honor. She believes Zinnia is better served remaining with her sister.”
The judge looks at me. “Is that accurate?”
I glance at Marcus, terrified of saying the wrong thing. I find my voice. “Yes. My mom wants Zinnia to stay with me. She thinks it’s what’s best for her.”
“And do you have contact with any other relatives? Grandparents? Aunts? Uncles?”
“No, Your Honor. It’s just us.”
She makes more notes. “What about the father? Damien Lopez?”
My stomach drops. “He’s in jail. Awaiting trial for attempted murder and other charges.”
“Is he contesting the guardianship?”
“No,” Marcus says. “He’s had no contact with either girl since his arrest.”
The judge looks at Zinnia. “Miss Lopez, I’d like to speak with your sister. Is that alright?”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat and trying to ignore the shiver down my spine.
“Zinnia Lopez, please approach.”
Zinnia stands and walks to the stand. The bailiff helps her up. She looks so small up there.
“Zinnia, I’m Judge Townsend. I just want to ask you a few questions. Okay?”
Zinnia nods. “Okay.”
“Do you want to live with your sister?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Zinnia looks at me, and then back at the judge. “Because she takes care of me. And she loves me. I love her. And I’m safe with her.”
“Do you like where you’re living now?”
“Yes. I have my own room. And Lily makes sure I go to school and eat healthy food and do my homework.”
“What about Mr. Kingsway and Mr. Wickerham? Do you feel safe with them?”
“Yes. They’re nice. Jax helps me with math. And Zephyr makes really good pancakes.”
A few people in the courtroom smile. Even the judge’s lips twitch.
“Do you miss your mom?”
Zinnia’s face falls. “Yes. A lot.”
“When she gets out of prison, would you want to live with her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. But I want to stay with Lily too.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to decide now.” The judge looks at Marcus. “Thank you, Zinnia. You can go sit down.”
Zinnia climbs down and walks back to her seat. My heart feels lighter when Zinnia walks past me with a smile. I smile back.
The judge reviews more papers. The silence stretches. Every second feels like an hour.
Finally, she looks up.
“Based on the evidence presented, the home study report, and Zinnia’s testimony, I’m granting permanent guardianship to Tigerlily Lopez, effective immediately.”
Relief crashes through me so hard I almost fall.
“Miss Lopez will retain full legal and physical custody of Zinnia Maria Lopez. This guardianship will remain in effect unless circumstances change significantly or until Zinnia reaches the age of eighteen.”
Marcus is smiling. Jax squeezes my hand under the table.
“Miss Lopez, do you understand your responsibilities?”
I stand. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“Good. Take care of your sister. She’s lucky to have you.” The judge bangs the gavel. “This hearing is adjourned.”
“Thank you,” I mutter under my breath.
Everyone stands. The judge leaves.
And then Zinnia’s running to me. She throws her arms around my waist and squeezes.
“We get to stay together?” she asks, crying.
“Yeah. We get to stay together.”
I’m crying too, squeezing her back. I can’t stop the tears. I feel like I can’t breathe.
Jax’s hand is on my back.
Marcus is packing up his papers. “Congratulations, Tigerlily. You did great.”
“Thank you so much. For everything, Marcus.”
“We’re not done yet. I’ll file the final paperwork this week. You’ll get copies of everything.”
“Okay.”
When we walk out of the courtroom, Marcus says, “I have more news. About your mother’s appeal.”
I look up. “What?”
“It’s going through. The hearing is scheduled for next month. I’m very optimistic about our chances.”
My knees feel weak. “Really?”
“Really. I’ll be in touch with more details. But for now, celebrate. You earned this.”
He shakes my hand. Then Jax’s. He smiles at Zinnia. Then leaves.
Zephyr and Callum are waiting in the hallway. They weren’t allowed in the courtroom, but they came anyway.
“Well?” Callum asks.
“We won,” Jax says.
“Fuck yeah!” Callum picks up Zinnia and spins her around. “Hear that, Zinni? You’re stuck with us now.”
She giggles. “Put me down!”
Zephyr hugs me. “Proud of you.”
“I didn’t do anything. Marcus did everything.”
“You showed up. You fought for her. That’s everything.”
We walk out of the courthouse together. All five of us. A family.
That night, we celebrate.
Callum orders way too much Chinese food. He spreads it across the kitchen counter like a buffet.
“This is excessive,” I say.
“It’s a celebration. Celebrations are supposed to be excessive.”
Zinnia’s already grabbing an egg roll. “Can I have soda?”
“Yes,” all three guys say at the same time.
I laugh. “You all know that soda is terrible for your health, right? Let alone a child.”
“We’re celebrating,” Callum says, winking.
We eat in the living room, stuffing our faces. Zinnia tells us about her friend Sophie. About how Sophie’s turtle is named Gary. About how Gary only eats lettuce.
Jax listens, asks questions, and makes her laugh.
I watch him with her and feel something warm spread through my chest.
After dinner, Zinnia wants to play a video game. We decide to play Mario Kart and race each other. We pile onto the couch. Zinnia between me and Jax. Callum on my other side. Zephyr on the floor.
After a few races, I turn on a movie. Within twenty minutes, Zinnia is fast asleep.
“She’s out,” Jax whispers.
“Long day,” I whisper back.
“For all of us.”
I look at him. “Thank you, Jax. For today. For that night in the parking lot. For stalking me.”
He smiles. “You don’t have to thank me.”
I lean my head on him. “Why were you stalking me?”
He stares at the screen and says, “I just had a gut feeling something was off.”
I rub his stomach, feeling his abs, even after the Chinese food. “I’m so grateful for that. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
He looks down at my lips.
Callum reaches for my hand and says, “Are we all going to get a house together or what?”
Zephyr looks up with his soft brown eyes. I won’t ever forget the moments after I was shot, how staring at him made me not want to close my eyes.
“Yeah,” I say. “Yes. Let’s get a place for all of us.”
Jax kisses me, soft and quick, because Zinnia’s right there.
When I pull back, Zephyr’s watching me. Smiling.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. Just happy.”
“Me too,” Callum says. “Disgustingly happy.”
I laugh. “Shut up.”
Zinnia stirs. She mumbles something about turtles.
“I should put her to bed,” I say quietly.
Jax stands. He carefully picks her up. “I got her.”
He carries her down the hall to her bedroom. I follow behind him.
We tuck her in together. I pull the blanket up to her chin and make sure her nightlight is on.
“Night, Zinni,” I whisper.
She doesn’t wake up. Just shifts slightly and sighs.
We walk back to the living room. Zephyr and Callum are cleaning up the Chinese food containers.
“Movie’s still going,” Callum says. “You watching?”
“Yeah,” Jax says. “We’re watching.”
We settle back on the couch. This time I’m between Jax and Zephyr. Callum sits by Jax, and we’re all squeezing on here.
The movie plays.
But I’m not watching. I’m thinking about today. About the judge’s words. About Zinnia’s smile when she realized we get to stay together.
About my mom’s appeal going through. About the possibility of her getting out. Of having her back.
About this house. The possibility of a new house. These three men. This life I somehow stumbled into.
It’s not what I planned. Not what I imagined.
It’s better.