Chapter 21
DAVIE
I'm going to throw up. Somewhere inside the imposing Medford Courthouse is a judge preparing to change the course of the rest of my life.
“Oh, god,” I whimper, placing a hand over my knotting stomach.
“Breathe, baby, everything will be alright. I promise.”
“You can't promise that,” I say, echoing the last time I questioned Cormac when he wanted me to trust him. The thing is, I do trust him. More than I thought would be possible this quickly.
Because this past month has been amazing with the three of us together.
“The tests confirm Jesse is my biological son. You are his biological aunt, and we are legally married. That judge has no choice but to grant us custody. This is just a formality. Isn't that what the lawyer said?”
I nod, too agitated to actually speak.
Jesse babbles from his spot in his stroller. He doesn't have a care in the world. Has no clue of the turmoil his aunt is going through.
“Come here.” Cormac pulls me into his arms for a hug, and I can't help but sink into his warmth. Slowly but surely, he’s become my safe place.
“Worried, Davie?” Cody's voice breaks into the brief respite.
Jerking to alertness, I try to find my sister’s ex, but I'm firmly placed safely behind Cormac as he slowly turns around.
“You must be Cody.”
“And who the hell are you?”
“I'm Jesse's dad.”
Cody scoffs while his mother skulks in the background. The wild look in her eyes as they ping pong between us and the courthouse steps tells me she may already be high even though it's 11 A.M. in the morning.
“I'm the one Jesse knows as his dad. Jessica thinks this little stunt of digging up a random hookup will steal that kid from me, but I don't think so.”
“He's not your kid,” Cormac growls. “He's mine, and so is his aunt. A woman you won't be tormenting anymore with this bogus custody suit after today.”
Cody looks between me and Cormac, a nasty smirk twisting his lips. “I've got to hand it to you, Davie. I didn't peg you for a whore who will spread her legs to receive a welfare check.”
“What did you call her?” Cormac takes a threatening step forward, but I cling to the back of his shirt, tugging at the fabric.
“Don't! He's not worth it.”
An image of Cormac punching his ex-employee that first day we met flashes in my mind. If Cormac attacks Cody right before we're supposed to meet the judge, no telling what will happen.
“Come on Cody, we don't want to be late.” His mom grabs his arm and drags him up the steps, but not before he shoots another sneer our way.
“I don't know how you've dealt with him alone for so long,” Cormac says. He twists back around and crushes me to his chest.
His heart pounds beneath my cheek, announcing just how worked up he is over the confrontation. “Trust me, it wasn't easy. Let's hope today's the last we ever see of him.”
“It will be.” Cormac presses a soft kiss to my lips, then ushers me towards the ramp leading inside, while he pushes Jesse's stroller.
The next hour passes in a haze as we meet my lawyer in the marble hall, get settled in the courtroom, and listen to the judge as he reiterates the DNA results.
When he officially grants Cormac and myself custody, a wave of relief crashes into me so hard I almost black out.
But the relief is short-lived, and not because Cody and his mom start making a fuss, causing the judge to call for the bailiff to control the two.
Jesse's custody is settled, but what does that mean for my future?
Cormac and I married for this exact outcome, but what happens next? Do we keep living as we have in a perfect little bubble, like a real family, like a couple in love?
It's far too easy to believe that's what he wants, with each kiss, caress, and talk about watching Jesse grow up together, but it's been a long road to get here.
We've reached the end of one chapter, and Cormac doesn't need me anymore, not as his wife, anyway.
The entire way home to High Ridge and the Rocking M, the thought nags me, along with one very important question.
Does Cormac love me?
Because despite my best intentions, I've fallen for him.