“Eli.”
“Just listen. He said I could fill out a witness statement. Yeah, I’m a minor, but apparently kids don’t lie as often as adults do, so the judge might actually believe me.” He shrugs and shows me another form. “Plus Sheriff Bell filled out a report saying what he found. That Pops didn’t have any injuries, but you did. A judge will have to believe a cop.”
“I don’t think this will change anything.” Even with reports, it’s best I stay clear from the whole situation.
“I’m not doing this for you and Lance. You guys might not be able to be together even with proof you aren’t a violent person. I’m doing this for Lane. To show the judge that Lance didn’t have her around a dangerous person. She deserves to have a good dad and not grow up thinking she wasn’t wanted by her parents.” He sniffles and wipes his nose with the back of his hand. It hits me why he’s so adamant about this.
“You have always been wanted.”
“Not by Pops.”
“It’s complicated.” I don’t want to defend the man when I’m still so fucking angry, but I don’t want Eli to have the same bitterness toward him that I do. “He loves you but he lost his way when Mom died. It wasn’t your fault and he knows that.”
“Maybe. It doesn’t matter.” He stabs a finger into the papers. “Are you going to give this to him?”
“He wasn’t at work today. I think he’s already gone.”
“Then go to him. You have to try. He’s a good person. Lane should get to stay with him.”
I toss it around in my head. He’s right. I don’t know if it will matter, but it definitely won’t hurt.
“Fine. I’ll make some calls.” I unlock my phone and pull up the browser.
“I need to get home. Text me and let me know how it goes.”
“Thanks, Eli. I love you.”
He rolls his eyes at me, but he smiles. It’s the same thing as an I love you too in teenager speak. Then he leaves and I make plans.
“Doc! Wait!” I call over the bustling crowd in front of the courthouse. I’ve never seen him in a suit, and it’s probably a good thing because I would demand it from him every day. Fuck gray sweatpants, doc in a gray three-piece suit with a royal blue tie is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
He freezes in place and slowly turns. I catch up to him, out of breath and my heart racing. The only flight I could catch left me with no time to change or pack. I had to jump in my car and speed to the airport. There was a four-hour layover in Charlotte, North Carolina, which makes no sense at all, but it was the only flight with an open seat.
“What are you doing here?” His eyes shift nervously, obviously hoping Maisy’s parents don’t see us together.
“I have something that might help your case.” I hand him the folder, feeling proud of my brother.
Lance pulls the papers out and flips through them, his brows knit together and his eyes move back and forth quickly across the words.
“Eli?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“He did this for me?”
“For Lane. He told me Lane deserves a dad like you.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m touched.” He holds the documents to his chest.
“Do you think it could help?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to give it to my attorney. I’m meeting with him in…” he looks at his watch, “…four minutes.”
“Go.” I motion toward the entrance of the courthouse.
He turns, but then faces me again. “What about you?”
“I have to get back to the airport and see when I can get a return flight.”
“This was really amazing of you.” His hand brushes mine. My heart skips a beat at the brief contact. I’ve been craving his touch for so long, it wasn’t enough, but I know it’s all I’m going to get.
“No problem. Good luck in there.” I tip my chin up.
He purses his lips together, appearing to be thinking about something. Then says, “Lane is in my suite with Liz at the Four Seasons. You should go there and wait for me. I’ll text her and tell her you’re coming.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to fuck anything up for you.”
“I’m either going to walk out of here knowing I have to turn my daughter over to two people who don’t love her, or I’ll walk out knowing she’s mine forever. Either way, I need you there.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon. Good luck, doc. Go get your girl.”
He nods and disappears into the crowd and I hop into a cab. My stomach is twisted and I do something I haven’t done in a long time. I close my eyes and beg for God’s help. If there is any mercy left in the world, He will see to the little princess staying with her daddy.
Chapter Eleven
Lance
I ride the elevator up to my suite. It’s been a long and exhausting day. I don’t know how to feel. I’m in a state of shock, I guess. I’m emotionally drained and could easily go right to sleep.
I won’t, though. I have one last night in New York with my girl, and I plan to show her the sights. Not to mention Bo is waiting for me too. I hope he’ll want to join us.
Inside, I find Lane tucked into Bo’s side on the couch. There’s a basketball game on the TV and he’s softly explaining the game to her.
They’re adorable.
Both of them.
“Hey,” I say, and slump onto the couch next to them.
“Hey? That’s what you’re going with? You better have a whole lot more to say because we’re dying here.”
I scoop Lane into my arms and hold her tight. Tears I didn’t know I’d been fighting off spill down my cheeks and my breath catches. Before I realize it, I’m choking on a sob.
“Doc?” he asks, scooting closer and wrapping an arm around me. I sag into him. “You’ve got to tell me what’s going on. You’re freaking me out.”
“She’s mine,” I cry out. “I won.”
“Jesus Christ. You scared the shit out of me.” He rests his head on top of mine. “I love you both so much.”
“We love you too,” I say through my tears.
I know he’s dying to ask questions, but he knows what I need right now, and it’s not to talk. I need a minute to catch my breath. To absorb everything that happened in the courthouse. Nothing about it was easy, but it was all worth it because Lane won’t be going anywhere. Bo holds me through long minutes of pent-up stress, frustration, and anxiety. He doesn’t push or ask questions. He gives me his quiet strength, and it means everything to me.
After I collect myself, I say, “The judge basically threw the case out. She said there is no reason why I shouldn’t have sole custody since I’m the biological father and I only didn’t know about her birth because Maisy kept it from me.”
“Wow.”
“She also disregarded their claim that I was living with a violent man. Mostly because of Eli and Sheriff Bell’s statements. I don’t even know how to thank them, and you, for bringing them.”