“You’re doing the right thing,” Jake said to me.
“I might lose everything.”
“It’s better than just letting him go,” Jake said, his expression grim.
“I hope you’re right.” Then I left Jake with Corey and sat inside the courtroom with Avery to wait for Judge Miller. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. My knee bobbed. I couldn’t sit still.
“All rise,” the bailiff called as Judge Miller strode into the courtroom, wearing his black robes.
We sat after the judge was on the bench.
“I had a chance to read the motions, listen to the parties talk, and I even had an opportunity to speak to the child in question. This was a tough call because Corey has lived for so long with his mother in Texas, but I don’t want to uproot him a second time in a few months to move him to yet another new living situation.”
I held myself stiff, afraid to let go.
“I’m going to keep the custody with his father. It’s in Corey’s best interest to be raised in a stable home. Right now, that’s with his father. Visitation is granted to the mother. Every other holiday, one weekend a month, and one month over the summer. I caution you, Ms. Stevens, to consider how you’ll spend your time with him. Traveling from Maryland to Texas isn’t the best situation for a twelve-year-old. You might want to consider staying here with him during those times.”
Tiffany’s eyes widened as she looked to her attorney in disbelief.
“I hope this case doesn’t cross my desk again and that the two parents involved can work out something that’s in Corey’s best interests on their own.” He gave each of us a pointed look before standing again and leaving.
I looked at Avery, not believing what just happened. “Congratulations!”
“Corey’s staying with me.”
“Yes.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” I waited while Avery pushed papers into a folder, placing it in her briefcase, then I followed her out to where Corey and Jake were waiting.
Corey stood as I approached. I must have had a grin on my face because he asked, “I can stay?”
“Yes.”
Corey stood and wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t remember the last time Corey hugged me. I closed my arms around his shoulders, noting that he wasn’t as thin as when he’d come to live with me. He was growing up, and I’d be present for all of it.
There was still a chance that Tiffany might file for custody again, but Avery told me before the hearing that judges didn’t like to change custody arrangements unless something changed. I didn’t plan on moving him, so I was fairly confident he’d be with me. I could only hope Tiffany would move here.
“Want to get pizza?” I asked Corey and Jake.
“Definitely.”
The mood was celebratory, but it was bittersweet because Hailey wasn’t here with us. While Corey played arcade games, Jake leaned his elbows on the table. “Hailey talked to me.”
My heart rate picked up. “About what?”
Jake’s face was grim. “About you and her.”
My heart stopped. “What about?”
I would never be ready for this conversation.
Jake gave me a hard stare. “She came to me upset about what’s going on with you guys.”
I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that Jake knew. “I wanted to talk to you. It’s just with everything going on—”
“You were focused on Corey.”
“There was the custody case and then the juvenile hearing.” Listing them didn’t sound as big as they had in my head. We’d already won the custody case.