My breath left me in a whoosh as the sounds of the courtroom merged together, the thudding of my heartbeat drowning out the rest of what Judge Seville said, as well as the Haywards’ reaction. Overwhelming relief and gratitude swamped me, knowing my sister and brother-in-law’s wishes would be carried out. Knowing the last of my family wasn’t leaving my side.
I stood, turning to face Nat, who met me with open arms.
“Told you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Everything worked out perfectly.”
“Yeah.” I wrapped her in my arms, closing my eyes as I squeezed her to me.
This was exactly the outcome I’d wanted. June and Owen were safe with me. I’d be able to raise them how my sister and brother-in-law had wanted.
But still, I couldn’t ignore the pit in my stomach as I held Nat. I might’ve won guardianship of the kids, but that meant what had brought her there in the first place…what had kept her there…was no longer relevant.
Nat was free to go.
Nat
Prior to today,I hadn’t known I could feel overwhelming gratitude and dread all at once. Asher had won custody, and he and the kids would be a family. But that was the crux of thedread… JustAsherand the kids would be a family. Never mind that it’d started to feel a hell of a lot like I was part of that.
After the hearing, we walked into my parents’ backyard, stepping onto the patio to a chorus of congratulations. My parents, Gran, as well as Rory and Nash, were there. Mac and Hudson had to work so they’d be by a little later, and Will and Finn were currently on their honeymoon. Both Mac and Will had already sent congratulatory texts with offers to talk if I needed it.
Talk because they knew the secret. Knew these congratulations weren’t meant for me because it wasn’t my win…wasn’t my family who’d been kept together. Even though it did feel like it was my heart breaking apart.
But because this was a celebration, I pasted a smile on my face and pretended everything was fine.
“Uncle Asher!” June yelled. “I baked a pie!”
“She sure did. Strawberry, Asher’s favorite.” My momma walked over and enveloped us both in a hug. “I’m so thrilled for y’all. This is just the best news.”
“Yeah, it is,” I said, even as June tugged Asher from my side, our fingers separating in the space between us.
“We have to eat somenow.” June pulled out a chair at the patio table before pushing Asher to sit.
With a laugh, he said, “Did you leave out the worms?”
“Should we have?” Gran asked from her spot under the table umbrella.
“We didn’t do worms, Gran,” June admonished. “Just strawberries and sugar and a whole lotta love. Right, Mimi?”
My breath caught in my throat.
“Right, sweetheart,” my momma said before turning back to me with worried eyes. “That’s okay, isn’t it? I just figured since y’all’re married and the kids are officially yours, best those little ones call me what all my grandbabies do.”
God, what had we done? Agreeing to this lie that didn’t involve just us. Yeah, the outcome was exactly what we’d hoped for, but at what cost? Everyone and their dog thought Asher and I were married. Weweremarried. Both on paper and in my heart. But now, suddenly, we just wouldn’t be anymore?
“It’s fine, Momma. Perfect.”
My mom blew out a relieved sigh and hooked her arm through mine, pulling me toward the table where everyone sat.
“This must be such a relief for y’all.” Momma grabbed the dessert plates and started dishing up pie slices for everyone.
“Can’t tell you how much,” Asher agreed. “I was worried, but Nat never lost faith.”
“Nat’s certainty is pretty unshakable,” Gran agreed.
Rory sipped from her glass of sweet tea, one brow raised. “Some might call that bein’ bullheaded.”
I sat in the chair next to Asher. “Some might call you a?—”
“Pie, sweetheart?” Momma interrupted, passing me a plate.
