24. Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Four
Kevin
I was finally ready to take the custody arrangement to court. I had reached my breaking point trying to resolve things civilly with Chloe, but the arguments persisted. If she wouldn’t listen to me, then she’d have to hear from the court.
It wasn’t my intention to put Chloe through the stress of deciding how long Noah would stay with each of us, but she was being unreasonably stubborn. I had no choice but to move forward with my decision. I had to think about Noah's future and what was best for him in the long run. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I had a son and not being part of his life.
I wanted to discuss it with Dad first, so we could get our lawyers involved. I found him in his study, reading one of his favorite genres—historical fiction. Dad loved history and was a voracious reader of anything related to it, fiction or not.
Maybe that's what shaped his perspective on life. A deep understanding of the past and how it influenced our present choices. But what did I know? Sports had always been my passion . A good game and a roaring crowd made sense to me, but history? That was Dad's territory.
“Dad, I’ve made a decision,” I blurted out, adjusting myself on the white leather chair across from him. My voice was steady, but inside, I felt a swirl of conflicting emotions. Was I doing the right thing? Would Noah hate me for dragging this into court? But Chloe was leaving me no choice.
He lifted his eyes from the pages of his book, narrowing them slightly in my direction. “About what, son?” he asked, his tone skeptical as he placed a marker between the pages.
Dad had been busy with his new business venture, so I figured my ongoing issues must have gotten lost in his sea of thoughts. Or maybe he was just tired of hearing about my problems. I couldn’t blame him. I was tired of them myself.
“About Noah’s custody. I want to take it to court and settle it once and for all.”
“Oh… that?” he replied, as if it were some minor inconvenience.
“Yes. I was hoping we could schedule a meeting with Attorney Frazier. He should be able to handle things discreetly, without the usual media circus. Neither of us wants that kind of publicity.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll give him a call right now and see what we can arrange.” Dad’s expression softened a bit. He leaned back in his chair, clearly recognizing the weight of the situation.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Attorney Frazier was quick to answer the call—after all, he and Dad were close friends. After a few minutes of pleasantries and catching up, Dad asked about his availability, and Frazier immediately agreed to meet us at his office that afternoon. I wasn’t surprised. Frazier would adjust his schedule to fit us in without hesitation. I was grateful for that. At least something was going smoothly.
“Go change into something more appropriate. We have an appointment,” Dad said with a soft smile after hanging up.
I sprang to my feet. “I thought as much. Just give me a few minutes,” I replied with a smile, feeling a surge of determination. This was the first step in reclaiming some semblance of normalcy.
“Be careful with your leg,” he cautioned.
I didn’t need a cane anymore since I could walk better now, but Dad always worried I’d aggravate my injury if I put too much pressure on it. It was a constant reminder of how close I had come to losing everything, of how fragile life could be.
“I always am,” I assured him, although a small part of me wanted to push myself harder, to prove I was back to my old self. But rushing things had never done me any good. Not with my leg, and certainly not with Chloe.
Frazier and Associates was located near one of Dad's hotels in an elite part of the city. The glass building had ten floors, each dedicated to different legal specialties. Attorney Frazier and his team had managed our family's legal affairs for as long as I could remember. They always claimed to hire the best lawyers, a claim backed up by their nearly flawless court record.
We took the elevator to the top floor. The brightly lit space was buzzing with activity. Everyone seemed busy, either working intently or hurrying somewhere. One thing was consistent: they were all dressed sharply in pristine white shirts and tailored suits, exuding professionalism and confidence.
It was a place where power was palpable, and every detail was meticulously designed to convey authority and competence.
A courteous, svelte young woman greeted us as we approached her desk. She looked to be in her late twenties, and her peppiness matched her appearance. Her blonde hair was styled neatly into a bun, and her blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. How may I assist you?” she asked, her smile warm yet confident. Her name tag read "Clarissa," and I could tell from her demeanor that she was new but eager to make a good impression.
“We're here to see Attorney Frazier. He’s expecting us,” Dad replied, glancing at an inscription engraved on the wall behind her desk. "Excellence in Legal Representation."
“Please give me a moment to confirm your appointment,” she said, dialing Frazier’s office. After a brief conversation, she looked up. “He’s ready to see you now.”
“Thank you,” we said in unison and proceeded to Frazier’s office.
“What a pleasant surprise!” Frazier exclaimed, standing to greet Dad, who was already smiling broadly at the sight of his old friend. Frazier was a tall man in his sixties with a full head of silver hair and a commanding presence.
His office was filled with dark mahogany furniture and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined with leather-bound law books. There were awards and plaques on the walls, a testament to his successful career.
I never really understood the dynamic of their friendship, but that wasn’t why we were here today. I could always ask Dad about it later if I wanted to know more.
“Good afternoon, Attorney Frazier,” I said, eager to get straight to the point. The sooner we started, the sooner I could get a sense of how this was going to unfold.
“Hello, Kevin… Please, have a seat, both of you.” He gestured to the leather chairs in front of his desk.
I didn’t waste any time sitting down. Dad could reminisce all he wanted after we dealt with the matter at hand. My heart was racing, but I tried to keep my composure.
Frazier put his glasses back on, adjusting the cord slightly to keep them in place. “So what can I do for you?” he asked, looking directly at Dad.
“Yes. My son has a matter he’d like you to handle,” Dad replied.
“I’d be honored. So, Kevin, what’s the issue?” Frazier's tone shifted to professional, his eyes sharp and focused.
I explained the situation: my initial ignorance about Chloe's pregnancy and her terms for raising Noah, careful not to give away unnecessary details.
Frazier took notes without interrupting, occasionally glancing at his notepad to ensure everything was accurate. I could tell he was calculating, weighing each word, each possibility.
“There isn’t any problem here,” he said after I finished.
“So, how soon can we expect things to kick off?” I asked innocently, but both Dad and Frazier burst into laughter as if I’d just said something ridiculous.
“It’s already begun, Kevin,” Dad said after they’d stopped laughing.
“Oh…”
“Yes, son. In a few days, we should be looking forward to the first hearing in court. You have nothing to worry about.”
I was impressed. There was no time to waste. I didn’t have any to spare. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least now, there was a plan, a clear path forward. For too long, everything had felt so uncertain, like I was floating in limbo.
After our meeting with Attorney Frazier, I didn’t talk to Chloe about the custody issue again. It was as if I’d completely distanced myself from the situation, patiently waiting for the court proceedings. I kept my focus on Noah, trying to be the best father I could, even under these circumstances.
But much to my surprise, she approached me one morning as I was finishing my workout session.
“Hi…” she greeted, her tone cordial. It was the first time in a while I’d heard her sound so… neutral.
She wasn’t in gym clothes, so she clearly hadn’t come to join my workout. What could she possibly want?
“Hi, Chloe,” I replied, my breath shaky. I slowed the treadmill to give her some attention without stopping entirely. I wasn’t in the mood for another confrontation, but I knew it was unavoidable.
She sat on the weight bench and crossed her legs, her expression unreadable. “Can I ask you a sincere question, Kevin?”
“You’re already doing that,” I replied tersely.
“I’m not playing games, Kevin,” she said, her voice tinged with hurt. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to go easy on her until she came to her senses. I was done with the mind games, the back and forth, the never-ending arguments.
“Neither am I. So, just get on with it.”
I turned off the treadmill and rolled a gym ball over to sit on. I could still do something less energy-demanding while listening to her.
“Are you really of the opinion that we can’t raise our son together as a family? Just the three of us? Let’s say Licia isn’t in the picture.”
“Why are you asking the obvious?” I snapped. “I’ve explained to you, as politely as I could, that I don’t have any feelings for you. Licia has always been in the picture and will always be. There’s no way around that.”
“Okay…” she mumbled.
“Is that all?”
“Not really. I was only asking because of an offer I received from a modeling agency in Miami.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“I have to send my response before midnight today, so I wanted to make sure there was nothing here I’d regret leaving behind.
In light of that, there’s no point in fighting with you anymore. Noah can live with you, and I’ll see him when I want to.”
A grin spread across my face. “Are you serious? You’ve finally come around?”
She chuckled dryly. “It’s better to have you as my son’s father than my enemy.”
“Thanks, Chloe. I don’t have any issues with that arrangement. You’re free to see Noah whenever you want. I can promise you that. So, it took a modeling contract to convince you?” I added with a playful tone.
A few moments ago, I had no intention of making jokes, but now I was smiling from ear to ear, teasing her.
“On the contrary, I was just tired of fighting with you. The contract was an added bonus, something to strengthen my resolve. I would have loved to raise Noah with you, but we don’t always get what we want.”
“We certainly don’t. When are you leaving?”
“In two weeks. You won’t have to deal with me for much longer.”
“I’m not trying to force you out. I’m sorry if my actions suggested otherwise.” The last thing I wanted was any more misunderstandings or resentment, so I treaded carefully.
“You don’t have to explain or apologize. I understand perfectly. I just wanted to let you know, so I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thanks for saving us both the trouble. I mean it.”
She smiled weakly. “It’s fine.”
***
A Month Later!
I needed something to focus on, something that brought me peace and joy. And that was Licia.
Over the past few weeks, Joey had dropped hints—whether intentionally or not—that Licia and Avery were no longer together.
I didn't want to waste any more time. Avery was out of the picture, Chloe was long gone, and the only thing standing between me and making Licia my bride was myself. And I was determined to change that.
To plan the perfect proposal, I needed help. I called Joey and invited her over. With her and Lexie on board, I knew I had nothing to worry about.
"What time is Joey coming?" Lexie asked for the third time in the last hour.
"She’ll be here soon," I replied with a smile. "Just a few more minutes. Maybe a glass of sparkling water would help calm your nerves."
"I can't help it. You have no idea what you're doing when it comes to event planning."
"I know planning a homecoming for your school isn’t the same as planning a proposal," I teased with a grin.
She tossed the squeeze ball she was holding at me, and I caught it mid-air.
"You didn't have to show off," she said, rolling her eyes.
"I wasn’t."
"Oh, sure. You caught that without even lifting a finger. I saw it clearly."
"Well, I’m not that rusty yet."
Just then, Mascot walked in. "Sir, your guest is here."
"Finally!" Lexie exclaimed.
"Please, show her in," I said.
"Right away, sir." Mascot nodded and left.
It was finally happening. I could barely contain my excitement. In just a few days, I would be proposing to Licia. I wanted something that would sweep her off her feet, something that would show her how serious I was about us and our future together.
Lexie and Joey had debated several ideas before settling on the perfect plan. Lexie insisted that a proposal required more than just a beautiful location and a heartfelt speech. It needed a grand gesture, something unforgettable, something that spoke volumes.
The day had finally arrived. The stage was set, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on Licia’s face. I had butterflies in my stomach—a mix of nerves and excitement. I wanted everything to be perfect.
I walked into the dining room, where Lexie stood with a camera crew. She looked at me and flashed a confident smile. "Ready for the big moment?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"As ready as I’ll ever be," I replied, trying to steady my nerves.
"Good. Because Licia is on her way," Lexie said, glancing at her phone for the hundredth time. Licia thought she was coming over to discuss college plans with Lexie, and then join us for dinner afterward.
Lexie had been coordinating every detail down to the second. I knew I was in good hands, but that didn’t stop the adrenaline from racing through me.
We practiced the routine one last time, but I couldn't concentrate. My thoughts were racing. This was it. The moment I’d been waiting for, the moment that would change everything.
"Relax," Lexie said, sensing my anxiety. She put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You’ve got this, Kevin. Just remember why you’re doing this. She loves you, and you love her. That’s all that matters."
I took a deep breath and nodded. She was right. At the end of the day, it was all about love. The rest was just details.
"Thanks, Lexie. I couldn’t have done this without you."
"You better not forget that," she teased, giving me a playful wink.
Just then, Mascot returned, looking more formal than usual. "Sir, your guest is here," he announced with a slight bow.
"Finally!" Lexie exclaimed, barely containing her excitement.
"Please, show her in," I said, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for.
Mascot turned and left to escort Licia in. I could barely contain my excitement. In just a few moments, I would be proposing to the woman I loved.
It had been a long time coming, and I wanted it to be unforgettable.