Chapter 31
thirty-one
QUINN
I’m not entirely sure how I’ve managed to zone out through this entire thing, but I have. I’ve been so lost in my head I’ve missed everything Ava and the other lawyer have been saying. It’s almost like there’s a buzzing in my ear, or things are muffled as if I’m underwater.
My gaze shifts to Ava, standing as she speaks to the judge. She looks so calm and put together that I’m a little jealous of her, and although I have no idea what is going on, I know Ava is doing an amazing job. Ava told me about some of the cases she fought and won back in Boston, and this one has got to be easy in comparison.
Or maybe it’s not, and it’s the most nerve-wracking thing she’s ever done.
Those cases back in Boston were for strangers. I’m sure she still did everything she could for them, but it’s got to be different fighting a case as personal as this one. She’s known my dad and the rest of my family just as long as Declan has—she’s as much a part of our family as he is. It must be terrifying to think about losing this case.
Not that I think she will. I know Ava’s got this.
My eyes move back over to my mother. Ava must be saying something right because if looks could kill, my mother would have killed her just now.
I feel the warmth of Declan’s hand on my leg, and when my eyes shift to him, everything comes rushing back into focus.
“Your Honor, based on the evidence we’ve provided, we feel it is only right Max’s custody arrangements remain the same. Mr. Marks has done nothing to warrant the removal of Max from his home?—”
“He’s dying! How can that be good for Max?!” my mother shouts.
“Your Honor!” Ava calls.
“Order! Counselor, get a hold of your client,” the judge warns.
Mom’s lawyer leans toward her, placing his hand on her leg and whispering something in her ear before turning back to the judge. “Sorry, Your Honor. It won’t happen again.”
“Ms. Day, you may proceed.”
“Mr. Marks has always been present in Max’s life. There is no evidence to show Mr. Marks as an unfit parent. What kind of precedent will it set to remove Max from his custody simply because his biological mother, who abandoned him when he was two, wants to be back in his life?” Ava pauses, taking a breath. “That’s all, Your Honor.”
“All right. I’ve heard from both sides?—”
“Your Honor—” Mom’s lawyer tries to interrupt.
“Mr. Henry, you had your chance.” The judge stops him, speaking sternly. “This isn’t a trial where you need to defend your client. This is a preliminary hearing to determine next steps. Which is what I am about to go over with you.” He pauses as if to ensure he won’t be interrupted again.
Looking at Ava and Mr. Henry, the judge states, “I will be ordering the two of you to mediation. If an agreement has not been reached after two months, we will schedule a hearing where I will make a decision.” The judge turns to look at Dad.
“Mr. Marks, I do not envy your position, and while I’m sure you have prepared as much as possible for the future, I ask you to seriously consider what is in your son's best interest.” The judge turns to Mom. “Mrs. Williams, I know people change, and I hope you have. But I urge you to think about how the courts will view your absence from your son’s life for the past ten years. Think hard about what you are asking of this court, and more importantly, your son. Know that all of this will influence any decision made.” The judge looks down and shuffles some papers around in front of him before looking back up at both lawyers.
“Thank you for your time today. Court is adjourned.”
“All rise,” the bailiff calls.
As soon as the judge has closed the door behind him, Ava turns around to speak with all of us sitting in the first row of the gallery.
“That’s exactly what we expected and hoped for.” Ava offers a comforting smile to us. “I’ll?—”
“Where is he? Why didn’t you bring him today?” Mom storms over, interrupting whatever Ava is about to say.
Dad slowly turns to look at Mom, studying her. He doesn’t say anything immediately, and his look makes me wonder what he’s thinking. I know he saw her when she showed up at the house, but maybe he was too shocked by what was said, too focused on his response to see how she looked. Right now, as he gets a good look at her face, all I can see is some form of pain.
“We left the decision up to him. He chose to remain at school rather than be here today.” Dad’s voice is calm when he speaks, almost neutral.
“What lies have you been telling him about me?”
“Mom, come on,” Caleb interjects. “No one has told him any lies. What lies would we even have to say? You left him when he was two, and we haven’t heard from you since.” Caleb’s hands clench at his sides, and Emily reaches for him.
“I think it would be best to wait to discuss this in mediation,” Ava says. “Mr. Henry, you have my contact information. Let’s schedule a time to discuss the mediation as soon as possible.” She doesn’t wait for a response. She takes Dad’s arm and ushers him from the courtroom, Emily and Caleb following right behind.
I mean to follow them, but for some reason, I’m frozen. Physically, I can feel Declan’s hand on my back, and while that usually brings me comfort, right now, I don’t feel anything.
“Bean,” Mom says as she turns to me. She studies me for a minute before saying anything else. “You look good. I meant to tell you that when I saw you on Max’s birthday.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I want my family back. Why else would I be here?”
“Why now? Why like this?” I shake my head. “It’s been ten years. You could have called, written, anything.”
“It’s not that easy, Bean.”
“Yes, it is,” I say before she can continue. “It is that easy.”
Mom reaches out for me, but I step back, right into Declan. I look at him over my shoulder, and he must see something on my face because he immediately moves further into me, wrapping a protective arm around my waist.
“Now isn’t the time for this. You have our lawyer’s contact information. If you want to set up a time to talk to Quinn, you can do it through her.” Like Ava did with Dad, Declan ushers me out of the courtroom and doesn’t stop walking until we are outside with the rest of my family.
“Everything okay?” Caleb asks when we catch up to them.
“Not really,” I tell them.
“What did she say?” Emily asks.
I shake my head, unable to form words. Declan catches on and answers. “Nothing meaningful.”
“Emily and I were thinking we should have ladies’ night out tonight. To … I don’t know, decompress from this day?” Ava says in the silence, reaching for my hand.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’m up for that tonight.” I squeeze her hand before releasing it.
“Then breakfast tomorrow morning. I won’t take no for an answer. I fly back to Boston on Sunday.”
“It’s only for a week.” Declan chuckles.
“I know, but you’re leaving me to deal with Mom and Dad alone for Christmas this year. It’s only fair I get to steal your girlfriend for a bit.”
Declan and Ava’s parents were quite upset when neither of them went home for Thanksgiving, and Ava still hasn’t told her parents about her plans to stay in Ashford Falls. While Declan was used to disappointing his parents, Ava was not. So, she’s going home for Christmas to try and make it up to them.
Ava hasn’t figured out exactly what she wants to do, but she knows practicing law and moving back to Harborview is not it. She applied for the part-time position at the bookstore and was hired on the spot. Ava will be starting in the new year, and from everything she’s told me, she is genuinely excited about it.
Declan chuckles softly before responding to Ava. “Hey, if Quinn wants to go to breakfast with you, I have no complaints. I’m just saying you’ll only be gone for a week. It’s not like you’re leaving forever.”
I lean into Declan’s side, but look at Ava. “Breakfast tomorrow sounds good.”
“Great! Nine o’clock at The Diner?” I nod, and Ava turns to Emily. “Can you do breakfast?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t. I’ve got a shift tomorrow. But both of you have fun. I’ll see you at Sunday breakfast before your flight home.”
“All right.” Dad steps forward. “Let’s get out of here. Who’s riding with who?”
“Did you drive?” I ask him.
“I did. Picked up Ava on my way here,” he confirms.
“Emily and I came together, but we can give anyone who needs one a ride,” Caleb offers.
“I’ll ride with you, Dad. I need to grab my stuff from Declan’s truck.”
“You sure? You and Dec don’t have plans?” Dad asks, a look of concern flashing over his face when he glances at Declan.
“Nope. I just want to go home, change into comfy clothes and loaf in front of the TV.” I don’t look at Declan when I speak. We haven’t talked about plans for this evening, but I need some time to myself. I know Declan will do anything I ask—even if that is to sit quietly all night long—but I don’t want him to hover over me, worrying. “Besides, as Ava mentioned, she’s going back to Boston. You should have some time together, just the two of you.” I briefly look at Declan before turning to Ava, a pleading look on my face.
“Yeah. She’s right,” Ava says after a moment of hesitation. “We haven’t had a night for just us since I got to town.”
“Of course.” Declan’s voice is a little strained when he responds. I glance at him and catch him looking down at me, concern clear on his face.
“Okay. Are we all parked in the lot at the side of the courthouse?” Dad asks.
“Yeah,” Declan confirms. As everyone walks toward the lot, I stay by Declan’s side, both of us walking a little slower. I know I’m not being fair to him right now. All he wants to do is support me, and I’m making that difficult for him. “Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yeah. I need to be by myself for a little bit.” I take his hand in mine as we continue walking.
We’re almost to his truck when he speaks again. “Are we okay?” I hear the fear in his voice, and I feel like the worst person ever for putting it there.
“Yes.” I stop walking, forcing him to stop as well. I cup his cheek in my hand. “I promise this has nothing to do with you or us. This is all me. I just need a minute to be in my head about this.” I step into his space, pressing a kiss to his lips. “Just give me tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll be back to normal. I’ll call you when I get home from breakfast.”
“Okay.” He gives me another kiss before we turn to catch up with everyone else.