Chapter 17
Sam - Fourteen Days After Chloe’s Birthday
Two days with Leo had taught me more about being a parent than any book or advice could have prepared me for.
Like how a four-year-old could ask approximately seven hundred questions before breakfast. Or how bedtime could take anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours, depending on whether the truck needed a story too.
Or how the simple act of making chocolate chip pancakes could feel like the most important thing I’d ever done when it made Leo’s entire face light up.
This morning, Leo was sprawled on the living room floor with crayons and paper, drawing elaborate pictures of the puppies at Chloe’s clinic.
Yesterday we’d taken him to visit them – Sarah had been delighted to see him, and Leo had spent an hour gently petting each puppy and telling them stories about his new room and the dinosaur shirt he’d picked out.
“Sam-Sam, does Trouble miss me?” Leo asked without looking up from his drawing.
“I bet she does,” I said from the kitchen, where I was attempting to make coffee with one hand while responding to a text from Kate about The Copper Fox’s liquor order with the other. “But Sarah’s taking good care of her until you can visit again.”
“Can we go today?”
“Maybe tomorrow, buddy. Chloe will be home soon, remember?”
Leo nodded, already absorbed back in his drawing. The resilience of children was remarkable – two days ago, he’d been abandoned by his mother, and now he was drawing puppies like it was just another Wednesday morning.
Except it wasn’t just another Wednesday morning. Arthur had called yesterday to say he’d have a full update for us today. The PI he’d hired had been tracking Jenna’s movements, and Arthur’s research into Illinois family law was complete.
My phone buzzed. Arthur: Can you talk? I have information.
I looked at Leo, happily drawing, and knew I couldn’t take this call with him in the room. Not after only two days. Not when he still asked every night if we’d be here in the morning.
I shot off two quick texts. To Chloe: Arthur has an update. Can you join a conference call in 15 minutes?
Her response came immediately: On my way home now.
To Harper: Emergency favor. Can you watch Leo for 30 min while Chloe and I take a call?
Harper: Be there in 10.
“Leo, buddy, guess what? Harper’s coming to visit. She wants to see your puppy drawings.”
Leo’s face lit up. “Can I show her my truck?”
“Absolutely.”
Harper arrived first, slightly breathless. “Jack’s watching Emma. What’s going on?”
“Arthur has an update,” I said quietly.
Harper’s expression shifted to understanding. “Say no more. Leo and I are going to have a very important discussion about those puppies and his drawings.”
Chloe pulled up moments later. She came in, gave Leo a quick hug, and followed me to the bedroom. I put my phone on speaker and called Arthur back.
“Sam, Chloe,” Arthur greeted us. “I’ve got the PI report, and I’ve spoken with Patricia Hoffman, Jenna’s attorney in Chicago. This is going to be difficult to hear.”
Chloe reached for my hand as we sat on the edge of the bed. “We’re ready,” I said.
“The PI confirmed Jenna went back to Chicago. She’s living with her ex-husband – David - in their previous residence.” Arthur paused. “They’re flying to Vegas this weekend to remarry.”
My stomach clenched. “She went back to him after everything he did.”
“It appears so. The PI did some digging into how this reconciliation came about.” I heard papers shuffling.
“David had been seeing someone else, a younger woman, but that relationship ended badly. According to what the PI was able to gather from David’s social circle, he called Jenna and told her he’d made a mistake.
Said he still loved her, wanted her back, was sorry for how everything ended. ”
“Let me guess,” I said bitterly. “Leo wasn’t part of the deal.”
“Correct. David’s stipulation for reconciliation was that Jenna sever all ties with Leo.
He doesn’t want to raise another man’s child or be reminded of Jenna’s lying.
” Arthur’s voice was carefully neutral, but I could hear the disapproval underneath.
“The PI managed to overhear David discussing this with friends at his gym. David’s exact words were that he ‘can’t live without her’ and that he’s ‘willing to take her back despite everything she did.’”
“Despite everything she did?” The hypocrisy made me want to put my fist through a wall. “He’s the one who cheated.”
“Yes, well, David seems to have a flexible relationship with accountability.” Arthur cleared his throat.
“There’s more. David told these same friends he’s getting a vasectomy.
He said, and I quote, ‘If she ever gets pregnant again, I’ll know she’s cheating, and she’s gone for good.
’ Meanwhile, Jenna’s been heard gloating to her social network about winning her husband back and the substantial monthly allowance he’s giving her to spend on whatever she wants. ”
The cold calculation of it was staggering. I closed my eyes, thinking about Leo asking when his mommy was coming back. “So she traded her son for financial security?”
“In the bluntest terms, yes.” Arthur paused.
“Patricia shared something with me during our conversation. She said Jenna seemed relieved. Patricia’s exact words were that Jenna told her she knows Leo will have a better life with you and Chloe than she could ever provide, and that she’s glad he’ll be taken care of so she can move on with her life. ”
“Glad she can move on?” Chloe’s voice was sharp with disgust.
“Patricia said Jenna was very matter-of-fact about it. She acknowledged that David can give her the lifestyle she wants. She sees this as the best outcome for everyone involved.”
Chloe made a sound that was half-laugh, half-snort. “Sounds like they’re perfect for each other. Two selfish people who deserve exactly what they’re getting.”
“Indeed.” Arthur cleared his throat. “Patricia’s very well-respected in Chicago family law circles. She confirmed that Jenna retained her services to voluntarily terminate her parental rights. David is paying, of course.”
“Can she actually do that? Just… give him up?”
“In Illinois, yes, but it’s complicated.
Typically, voluntary termination requires either the other parent accepting full parental responsibility or proof that termination is in the child’s best interest, in which case the child is put into care with a view to adoption.
Patricia walked me through the process.” Arthur’s voice shifted into lecture mode.
“First, Jenna has to file a petition with the Illinois family court. There will be a hearing where she has to appear before a judge and confirm this is her voluntary decision, that she understands she’s permanently severing her legal relationship with Leo.
The judge will appoint a guardian ad litem to represent Leo’s interests. ”
“How long does this take?”
“Six to twelve months typically. Since you’re already his legal father, it’s more straightforward than a traditional adoption, but there will still be a home study to verify you can provide adequate care, background checks, and possibly interviews with Leo, depending on what the guardian ad litem recommends.
The court needs to confirm that granting you sole custody and allowing Jenna’s termination serves Leo’s best interest.”
“What do we need to do?”
“For now, exactly what you’re doing – providing a stable home for Leo.
You’ll need to file a petition for custody in Oregon since that’s where Leo is currently residing.
Patricia and I will coordinate between jurisdictions.
” Arthur paused. “Sam, this is going to cost money. Court fees, legal representation in both states, the home study, the guardian ad litem fees. We’re looking at $15,000 to $25,000, depending on how complicated it gets. ”
I looked at Chloe, who nodded. “I don’t care what it costs.”
“I’ll get the paperwork started.”
After we hung up, Chloe and I sat on the bed in silence for a long moment.
“So,” Chloe finally said, her voice carefully controlled. “I should feel angrier. I want to be furious on Leo’s behalf. But mostly I just feel… relieved.”
I looked at her. “Relieved?”
“That we don’t have to co-parent with someone who sees Leo as an inconvenience.” Chloe met my eyes. “Is that terrible? To be relieved that Leo’s mother doesn’t want him?”
“No,” I said quietly. “Because she’s not his parent anymore. Not really. We are.”
“We are,” Chloe repeated, and something in her expression softened. “He’s our son.”
Our son. She was claiming Leo as ours.
“When did you decide that?” I asked quietly.
“I don’t know exactly when.” Chloe’s voice was fierce. “But Sam, he’s ours.”
I pulled her close, overwhelmed by this woman who’d gone from having her life turned upside down by my secrets to fighting fiercely for a child she’d known for less than a month. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too.” She pulled back to look at me. “Now let’s go tell Harper she can go home. I’m sure Leo wants to show me his puppy drawings.”
We walked back out to find Leo showing Harper an elaborate arrangement of his drawings around a block tower he’d built.
“Look! It’s a room for the puppies!” Leo announced proudly.
Harper caught my eye and stood up. “Leo, this is the best puppy tower I’ve ever seen.”
“Really?” Leo beamed.
“Yes, really.” Harper gave him a quick hug, then looked at us. “Call if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Chloe said, walking her to the door.
Once Harper left, Leo immediately grabbed Chloe’s hand. “Dr. Chloe, come see! I made one drawing for every puppy!”
Chloe settled on the floor beside him. “Tell me about each one.”
I watched them together – Leo explaining his artwork with intensity, Chloe asking questions and admiring every detail – and felt everything click into place.
This was our family. Unexpected, complicated, born out of secrets and lies and painful choices. But ours.
Jenna had made her decision. She’d chosen David’s money over her son’s well-being. Maybe she thought she was giving Leo a better life by leaving him with us. Maybe she was just taking the easy way out. Maybe both things were true.
But it didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was the little boy showing Chloe his drawings.
“Sam-Sam?” Leo looked up at me. “Are you okay? You look sad.”
“I’m not sad, buddy. I’m happy.”
“Then why do you have water in your eyes?”
“Sometimes people cry when they’re happy too,” Chloe said gently, meeting my gaze with understanding.
“Oh.” Leo thought about this. “Okay.” Leo went back to his blocks, satisfied with this explanation. “Can we eat now? My tummy is making hungry noises.”
“Triangle sandwiches coming right up,” I said, heading to the kitchen.
Behind me, I heard Leo ask Chloe, “Will you let me check the puppies’ hearts again tomorrow?”
“Of course. You’re getting really good at it.”
“I want to be an animal doctor like you when I grow up.”
“Then I’ll teach you everything I know.”
My heart melted.