A small part of me is pleased with seeing Laurel get a rude wake-up call. She’s literally been shocked by the judges ruling and our sons' choices. At ten, his own opinions were welcomed and taken into consideration.
“My boy isn’t going anywhere.”
“Which is as it should be.” Mom nods her head.
Laurel stalks out a few moments later, slower than usual, with her baby bump forming. Chaze walks behind her, throwing a scowl our way.
“You’re loving this, aren’t you?” Laurel asks snarkily.
“Having my son stay where he belongs? Yes, Laurel, I’m pleased with the ruling.”
“This isn’t over.” She points at me.
“No, we have eight more years to figure out how to work together for Brax’s sake,” I agree.
Her nostrils flare, and I fight the urge to laugh. I learned the art of not engaging in arguments early in our marriage. The skill is still serving me well.
“You’re going to regret this.”
“Come on, Laurel,” Chaz tugs her arm gently.
I glance at the man who’d once been like a brother and shake my head. “What the hell happened to you?”
He blinks. “I fell in love.” I take in the dark circles under his eyes and the tension lines around his mouth.
“How’s that working out for you?” I ask sarcastically.
“Great.” He places his hand on her belly. “As you know, we’re expecting, and I just got promoted.” I see the strain in his eyes. The weight of her expectations is practically visible above his head. I used to be him.
The poor bastard doesn’t realize he’s in quicksand and sinking a little at a time. Is this how I’d looked? A soulless zombie plodding along, running himself into the ground?
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“Let’s go, Chaz,” Laurel whines.
Watching them go, I let go of some of my long-held anger. I’m building something far better. Turning away, they stride off, and Daphe wraps an arm around my waist.
“You okay?”
“I am.” I smile down at her. “Why don’t we pick up Brax and tell him the good news?” Today could’ve gone a different direction completely. But it didn’t, and I’m done borrowing trouble. I celebrate every win as it comes. Stepping into the light with the woman at my side made me realize how long I’d been in the shadow of anger, hurt, and pain.
“He’s going to lose his mind,” Daphe says.
“This is going to be so good for him, New. He’s needed this space for a while now.”
“She shot herself in the foot with this move,” Law adds.
“Having them away from town will give you and Brax the space you need to move forward without being reminded of it constantly.” Mom pats my cheek.
“Trust me, mom, I don’t waste any time thinking about them these days.” I kiss the top of Daphe’s head.
“I’m going to head home and get dinner started. We have a lot to celebrate tonight,” Mom says.
“We’ll be there at seven o’clock sharp, Mom,” I promise as we move out of the court building and into the crisp winter air. Whether success or failure, we planned to gather at the homestead to deal with the aftermath of court together.
With the win under my belt, it feels like the start of something new and uninhibited by the darkness of the past that had started us off on a rocky road.
“Well, see you guys at dinner tonight.” Gael claps his hand on my shoulder once more. “Congratulations again.”