Do you like dinosaurs? I do. Which one is your favorite? T-Rex. Because he has big teeth. I smiled. T-Rex is pretty awesome. For the first time, he smiled back. Something in my chest shifted. That night, I stayed for dinner. Simple pasta and garlic bread. Owen sat between us at the table. Halfway through eating, he grabbed my hand without thinking.
It was such a small thing, but it hit me hard. After dinner, Emma gave him a bath. I heard him laughing, splashing water everywhere. When she brought him out in pajamas, he ran straight to me. Will you read me a story? I looked at Emma. She nodded. I sat on the couch and opened a book about a bear who couldn’t sleep.
Owen curled up next to me, his small body leaning against my arm. I read slowly, trying not to mess up the voices. By the end, his eyes were heavy. Emma carried him to his room. When she came back, she sat beside me on the couch. “He likes you,” she said softly. That’s good, right? It’s very good. Rain tapped against the windows again.
The apartment felt small, but not in a bad way. It felt full. Ryan, she said quietly. I need to tell you something. I turned toward her. I didn’t just come to you because you’re disconnected from my family. Then why? She looked down at her hands. Do you remember when I dropped out of college? I barely did.
Everyone was disappointed in me. Clare wouldn’t even talk to me, but you you asked if I was okay. You actually listened. I felt a strange warmth in my chest. I never forgot that, she continued. When I needed someone I could trust with my son’s life, I thought of you. Quote, the room felt smaller, suddenly, more intimate.
For the first time since she showed up at my door, this didn’t feel like just a legal deal. It felt personal. 2 days later, we sat in Michelle’s office for hours. She drilled us with questions. When was your first date? Where does Ryan keep his toothbrush? What side of the bed does Emma sleep on? She warned us that Jordan’s lawyer would try to destroy our story.
The timing of your marriage looks suspicious, she said. You need to stay calm no matter what he says. Tuesday morning came fast. The custody hearing. Emma was shaking while pouring coffee. I took the pot from her and filled the cups. You won’t mess up, I told her. What if I do? You’re his mother. That matters.
At the courthouse, the air felt heavy. Jordan sat across the room in an expensive suit. His wife sat next to him, perfect and polished. He looked at me with a smirk. So, this is the husband. I ignored him. When the judge entered, my heart felt like it was beating in my throat. Jordan’s lawyer went first. He painted Emma as unstable, poor, struggling. Then he turned to me.
Mr. Beck, isn’t it true you had no contact with Mrs. Torres for 5 years before suddenly marrying her? Yes, I said. And you expect this court to believe this marriage is real? I looked at Emma, then at the judge. I married her because I wanted to, I said calmly. Because I believe in her and because that little boy deserves someone who shows up. the lawyer smirked.
“You’ve known Owen for less than a week, and Jordan left him for 3 years,” I replied before I could stop myself. The courtroom went quiet. The judge studied us carefully. After hours of questions and arguments, she finally said she would review everything and give a decision by the end of the week. We walked out of the courtroom in silence.
