Chapter 22
MILLER
Lindsey’s sitting next to me in the courthouse while we wait to be called in. Skyler, Bree, Aria, and Ozzy walk through the doors. My mom and dad follow behind them, and Mom sits down on the other side of Lindsey and holds her hand, patting it. “Everything is going to be okay.”
Skyler pulls Lindsey and me into a quick hug.
“Zach and Logan will be here,” she says. “They’re just running late.”
“Have you heard anything?” I ask quietly. “Did they arrest the Davenports?”
She gives me a regretful look. “No. I haven’t heard anything. And Zach isn’t answering. That’s not like him.”
I squeeze Lindsey’s hand. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”
She looks at me, almost too calm. “Are you trying to reassure me or yourself?”
I wrap an arm around her. “I made you a promise. I intend to keep it. Whatever happens in there… I have a backup plan.”
Before she can ask, the bailiff steps into the hall.
“Davenport, Brody, Casey—the court is ready for you.”
We file into the courtroom. Lindsey and I take our seats beside our attorney. The rest of our family settles quietly behind us. Across the aisle, Mr. Gable sits alone at the opposing table.
The judge looks down from the bench. “Mr. Gable, where are your clients? If they are seeking custody, I would expect them to be present.”
Mr. Gable rises. “Your Honor, I have been unable to reach my clients. Given the circumstances, I respectfully request a continuance until their whereabouts can be confirmed.”
I nudge our attorney. He stands.
“Your Honor, the minor child’s need for stability and safety should not be delayed. We ask that the court proceed based on the evidence already before it.”
Beside me, Lindsey goes still. I rest my hand on her knee, trying to steady her. She reaches for me, gripping tightly like I’m the only thing holding her together.
The courtroom doors open again. A uniformed officer steps inside and approaches the front.
“Your Honor,” he says, “may I approach the bench?”
The judge nods. “You may.”
As the officer walks forward, Zach and Logan slip into the courtroom and take their seats beside their wives. I glance at Logan. He gives me a small nod with a hint of a smile.
Relief settles deep in my chest.
I lean closer to Lindsey. “It’s done,” I whisper.
A moment later, the judge lifts his gavel.
“Mr. Gable,” he says, “it appears your clients’ absence is due to their arrest. They are currently in custody facing multiple charges, including murder, fraud, and money laundering.”
A ripple moves through the courtroom.
The judge turns his attention to our side. “Mr. Carson, you are correct. There is no reason to delay these proceedings.”
He glances down at the file in front of him.
“This court has reviewed the report submitted by the guardian ad litem, including the home study, as well as interviews conducted with medical providers, educators, and other relevant parties.”
He pauses, then looks up.
“All findings indicate that Elijah Davenport is safe, stable, and thriving in the care of Ms. Lindsey Casey.”
Lindsey’s grip tightens in mine.
“Accordingly,” the judge continues, “the court awards full legal and physical custody of the minor child, Elijah Davenport, to Ms. Casey.”
The gavel comes down.
Happiness like I’ve never felt before comes over me. Lindsey is crying, and I’m hugging her. Our whole family has come up to congratulate us, and Lindsey’s hugging each of them, thanking them for everything.
I tell my family, “Eli will be home from school soon. Everyone come over and celebrate with us.”
Skyler chimes in, “I made a cake!”
I kiss her head. “Of course you did.”
We file out of the courtroom, and after another round of goodbyes and hugs, I have Lindsey in my car. She’s smiling and happy, and it’s so good to see.
My phone dings, and I pick it up. “We’re home and Eli’s asking about you guys. Everything okay?”
I text him back. “Be home in ten.”
I listen to Lindsey talk the whole way to the house, and when I look in the rearview mirror, I see my family’s vehicles behind us. I know we need to talk, but Lindsey and Eli deserve this celebration.
As soon as I pull through the gates of the house, we see Mike and Eli standing on the porch.
Eli comes down to the car, and Lindsey gets out. There’s no hiding the outcome of today’s court case. Lindsey is exuding happiness. She doesn’t even have to tell Eli and he’s jumping up and down, excited. “So I get to stay with you?”
She picks him up and holds him. “Yes, forever.”
I watch aunt and nephew hold on to each other, and I’m happy for them, but there’s a loneliness standing here watching from the outside. Eli looks at me. “Miller, did you hear? I get to stay with you forever!”
I have to steady myself for Eli’s surge into my arms, but I don’t miss the panic on Lindsey’s face when Eli says what he says. He thinks he gets to stay with both of us. The court gave her custody. Not me.
Soon, my family is all pulling in, and they all pass Eli around for hugs. Zach carries in the cake, and Bree and Aria carry in snacks. They had this all ready. They never doubted the outcome.
We all move inside, and I pass Mike. “You ready to get back to driving me around?”
He shrugs. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I actually had fun hanging out with seven-year-olds. Eli’s a pretty cool kid.”
I nod in agreement. “You going to stick around and celebrate?”
“No, I’m going to go and let you get in some family time. Back to work tomorrow, boss man?”
I scrub a hand down my face. “Yeah, I need to get to the office.”
He holds his hand up to me for a fist bump. “See you in the morning.”
I tell him bye and walk into my loud, chaotic house. I soak in the sounds, the laughter and talking. Everyone is happy. I am too; I’m just hoping that this is not the beginning of the end.
They’ve already cut the cake, and I’m passed a plate.
Lindsey is avoiding my gaze, and my stomach drops.
Skyler tells her, “Okay, I know you’re happy. I haven’t seen you smile like this since I met you.”
Lindsey pulls Eli close to her side, her arm wrapped tight around him. “I’m so happy,” she says, letting out a shaky breath. “I’m really bad at this kind of thing, but… I need to say thank you. All of you. You saved me and Eli. We didn’t have anyone, and you just… took us in like we belonged.”
She glances toward Logan and Zach. “And you helped put the bad guys away.”
Lifting the cake slightly, she gives a small, emotional laugh. “You’ve fed us, celebrated with us, listened to me when I was completely falling apart…”
Her eyes move around the room. “You’ve shown up—for games, for court, for everything that mattered.”
Then she looks at me, her voice softer. “And you… you made us feel safe. You protected us.”
Her gaze drifts back to everyone. “I don’t even know how to thank you enough. But I’m so ready to just… get back to my life and live again. To stop looking over my shoulder and just be happy.”
As soon as she says ‘back to my life,’ my heart sinks. She’s leaving. She’s going to leave me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
I set the plate down, ramble something about needing to make a phone call, and then walk through the house and out the back door.
I have to try and catch my breath. She’s leaving me. Lindsey and Eli are leaving.