Chapter 19
“I’ve reviewed all the reports of the case and I have to say, this is one of the harder cases I’ve had to decide.
There is an idea that courts favor mothers, but I can’t deny all that Mr. Talbot has done for young Kaden Talbot.
That coupled with his resources and the fact that he’s settled are all in his favor. ”
Chelsea watched the judge and tempered a brief flutter of hope, knowing there had to be a “but” coming.
The custody trial for Kaden had come quickly.
Too quickly. They had all settled into a life that felt real and nearly perfect.
While she knew Jagger cared for her, the truth was, their marriage was about Kaden.
Today, the decision about Kaden’s custody could be made and, with it, Chelsea’s life could change again.
No matter what the judge decided, once custody was determined, Jagger wouldn’t need her anymore.
There had been a few moments when she thought he might want her to stay with him. But he’d never said the words, and finally she had to recognize that it was her own wishful thinking. After today, her time with him could be over. If not today, sometime in the near future.
“At the same time, Miss Gilson is the child’s mother. While she made bad choices, all reports indicate she’s done everything asked of her to prove her fitness. She has a stable job and home, and all her drug tests have come back clean.”
Jagger shifted and tensed. Chelsea reached out to hold his hand.
“Your honor, there were some—”
“Mr. Masters, you’re interrupting. My guess is you’re wanting me to deal with the issue of the questions raised about Mr. Talbot’s marriage.”
Chelsea flinched. She had thought Meg Carter had been fooled.
“If I give weight to that, then I have to consider the question of whether or not your client is simply after her son’s sizable trust fund and her willingness to make a deal with her former stepson to get that money.”
Mr. Masters didn’t press. Chelsea glanced at Mrs. Monroe, who wasn’t making an attempt to respond.
“I’ve reviewed all the information and determined Miss Gilson is sincere in her custody case and in fact knew she wouldn’t ever have control over Kaden Talbot’s trust. I can’t fault her for accepting financial help.
Lawyers aren’t cheap. While the timing may be suspect in Mr. Talbot’s marriage, that’s not a concern of the court, either. ”
The judge paused, looking first at Tanya and then Jagger. “My decision will be viewed as unusual, but my burden is to do what is best for the child.”
Oh, please, ran like a mantra through Chelsea’s mind.
“Jagger Talbot is not Kaden’s biological father, but he’s done everything a father would do and more. Miss Gilson is Kaden’s mother and children have a need and right to know their natural parents. Therefore, I’m ordering joint custody of Kaden Talbot to Jagger Talbot and Tanya Gilson.”
“No.”
Mrs. Monroe put her hand over Jagger’s. She leaned closer to him and whispered. Chelsea couldn’t hear what she said, but she suspected it was a warning.
“Each will have equal responsibility and custody of Kaden. Miss Gilson, that means you need to meet half of Kaden’s financial burden.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“How the visitation will be set up will be determined in mediation. Since you’re both in town, it should be easy to design a plan that gives him equal time at both homes. Prior to mediation, Miss Gilson can have overnight visits with Kaden starting tomorrow for two days.”
“Tanya, don’t do this.”
Chelsea heard the desperation in Jagger’s voice and her heart went out to him. She wished she could hug him or do something to stop the pain that had to be crushing him.
“Jagger, I—”
“It’s not your turn to talk.” The judge’s voice was firm but he seemed to show sympathy for Jagger’s situation. “Mr. Talbot, I’d be well within the law to award full custody to Miss Gilson.”
“Your Honor,” Mr. Masters started.
The judge sent him a chastising glare, then she returned her attention to Jagger. “You’ve been a wonderful parent to young Kaden. I’d hate for him or you to lose that.”
“He appreciates your consideration, Your Honor.” Mrs. Monroe patted Jagger’s hand again.
The judge banged the gavel to adjourn their hearing.
“Tanya, you can’t do this.” Jagger’s voice shook as he stood for the judge’s exit. “He’s all I have.”
Chelsea felt the sting of his words even as she hurt for him. Kaden wasn’t all he had. He could have her. She’d tried to tell him that so many times. When she encouraged him to find purpose beyond Kaden, she was telling him he could build a life with her.
“Mr. Talbot, let’s go.” Mrs. Monroe ushered Jagger from the court, leaving Chelsea to follow. But she was too stunned to move.
“Mrs. Talbot.” Tanya made her way toward Chelsea.
“Miss Gilson, we can re-petition in—”
“No.” Tanya waved her attorney away. “I don’t want to hurt him. I’ve always wanted Jagger to stay in his life. You can make him see, right?”
“He gave up everything. Everything for Kaden. To give him a life he never had. You don’t know the lengths he’s gone to give that little boy a normal happy life. He’s good at it. This…this will destroy him.”
“He should be happy with joint custody.” Mr. Masters finished putting his papers in his briefcase. “Half time is better than no time. If he was smart, he’d see that. In a few years, if Ms. Gilson continues to do well, she’d be well within her right to re-petition for full custody.”
Tanya looked down. When she looked up, her eyes shone with sympathy but also resolve. “Kaden is my son.”
“But Jagger is the one who’s been the parent.”
In a rush, she felt the need to leave the court. It wasn’t like anything she said to Tanya would make a difference. It was Jagger who needed her. She hurried out the door, finding Mrs. Monroe talking to Jagger on the front steps.
“You should have him ready tomorrow to go with her.”
“Jesus.” Jagger walked away. His arms flailed like he wanted to hit something. Then he stopped, facing away from them for a moment.
Mrs. Monroe looked at Chelsea, who felt helpless as she watched Jagger. “He just needs a minute.”
When he turned back, the anger and hurt in his eyes was gone. Chelsea frowned. That didn’t seem right.
He gave Mrs. Monroe a curt nod. “Come on Chelsea. Let’s go home.”
She followed him to the car.
“How fast can you pack?” Jagger steered the SUV into traffic.
“What?”
“Pack. How fast can you pack?”
Chelsea’s mind started spinning and her heart, already breaking for Kaden and Jagger, now shattered.
The past weeks between them that had seemed so real had all been a part of the marriage deal.
She should have known this was coming. The case was over.
So now it was time to pack up and go home. Still. “You’re kicking me out tonight?”
“What?” He glanced at her, his brows furrowed in confusion.
“You want me to pack and leave tonight?”
“No. I want us, you, me, and Kaden to pack and leave.”
One part of her wanted to be happy she was included in his plan. The problem was the law-abiding part of her was waving red flags all over the place. “You want to run away?”
“It’s the only thing I can do to keep Kaden.”
“No, it’s not. Didn’t you hear the judge? You still have rights to Kaden, just not all the rights.”
“I didn’t go into this to get part-time rights. I’m the one who’s been there. I’m the one who’s sacrificed everything for him. She doesn’t deserve him.”
“What about what Kaden wants?”
“Kaden is five. He doesn’t have a say.”
“What about when he’s older and learns you kept him from her?”
Jagger’s menacing eyes glared at her. “I thought you were on my side.”
“I am.”
“It doesn’t sound like it.”
“I’m on Kaden’s side too. You said yourself you want a normal life for him. What’s normal about running? About him visiting you in jail when you’re caught?”
Jagger slammed on the brakes in the driveway. “Are you coming or not?”
She studied him, trying to find the man she’d spend the last few months falling in love with. She’d admired his commitment and the steps he’d go through to keep Kaden. This was too much. Too far.
“Stay then.” He got out of the car, slamming the door behind him.
Chelsea sat, waiting for her heart to stop racing.
He was going to run. He invited her to go, but she loved both Jagger and Kaden too much to break the law.
Jagger had the means to run now, but once he was gone, all his assets would be frozen.
His father would likely get control of all their money.
It would be more difficult to keep running without Talbot money to fund it.
Which meant, eventually, he’d be caught.
She had to stop him but didn’t know how. He was too deep in his anger to see reason. She made her way into the house. Grayson and Miss Z stood with stunned expressions in the foyer. “Where’s Mrs. Stanton?”
“Packing for Kaden.”
Why wasn’t she stopping this?
Finally, Miss Z grabbed Chelsea’s arms. “You have to stop him.”
“I don’t know how.”
“You’re his wife. He’ll listen to you.”
So they’d finally bought the scam, and now she’d have to admit her deception. “Nothing, not even me, trumps Kaden.”
Grayson shook his head.
Jagger hurried down the stairs carrying a large duffle bag. Mrs. Stanton appeared a few minutes later. The worry etched on her face told Chelsea she didn’t like this plan any more than the rest of them.
“Where’s Kaden?” Jagger dropped his bag by the door.
“He’s coming.” Mrs. Stanton set a small suitcase and a backpack next to Jagger’s duffle. “Jagger. Are you sure this is the only way?”
“I won’t let her take him.”
Chelsea wondered what Jagger had explained to them about the outcome. Did they know he retained some rights? “The judge awarded joint custody.”
“Joint?” Mrs. Stanton’s gaze went to Jagger. “You said she won.”
Jagger whirled on them all. “Kaden is staying with me.”
“What’s going on?” Kaden stood at the top of the stairs, his eyes wide and fearful.