“Sunscreen,” Owen repeats, turning to the judge. His red curls bounce a bit when he moves. The judge smiles at him.
“So, you and your daddy have fun?”
“Yes. I have friends here too. Me and Brian was over at my house and Daddy let us run around and pretend to be bad guys while him and Gabe chased us. We were put in jail when they caught us.”
“In jail?” The judge feigns shock and I’m so happy that he’s taking care of my son, even though I’m standing right here. I glance over at Karen, who is glaring at me. I don’t give her any sort of reaction and turn back to watch Owen.
“It wasn’t real jail,” he says with a laugh. “We was just sitting on the couch and had to count to twenty before we could run away again. We put Daddy and Daddy Gabe in jail, but they had to count to fifty.”
“And who is Daddy Gabe?” The judge asks, his eyes scanning the room.
Gabe has been mentioned before, brought up by Karen and her lawyer. I hold my breath, knowing that this is going to be a pivotalanswer. I’m not worried. Nothing bad has ever happened with Gabe, or any of his friends or anyone on the hockey team for that matter.
I don’t hear what Owen whispers, but the judge laughs and pats Owen’s back before dismissing him off his lap. “He’s good to sit with Justin,” the judge announces. “For the court record, I will repeat what Owen told me. Gabe is Daddy’s boyfriend because they kiss a lot.”
Everyone but Karen has some sort of positive reaction to that. I wish that Gabe was here for this. Court cases were running long today, and he had to go for the midday game. It’s a home game and potentially their last depending on if they win or lose tonight, so we’ll see him tonight. I hug Owen tight to my chest, kissing the top of his head as he wraps his arms around me.
“Well, I think I have my verdict,” the judge declares. He shuffles some papers before looking at me and then Karen. “I’ve heard from the parties present, and from Owen himself. I’ve reviewed the witness statements and the home visit from the social worker. There is no evidence that Justin is not a fit father, nothing to warrant issuing split custody between him and Mr. and Mrs. Green. Custody will remain the same, and Owen will remain fully in the care of his father, Justin Anderson.”
I can feel tears falling down my cheeks. The stress of the last couple of weeks melts away and I hug Owen tighter until he complains that I’m squishing him. I loosen my grip, but no way am I letting him go right now.
“I want to commend you, Justin, for raising such a wonderful young one. I know that being a single parent isn’t easy, but you’re doing great work.”
I manage to choke out a relieved, “Thank you, sir.”
The judge smacks the gavel and Owen claps, unaware of what that sound means. I stand and hold him with one arm while shaking the hand of our lawyer with the other. “Thank you so much,” I say earnestly.
“It was my pleasure,” he replies. Owen gives him a high five. “And you, Mister Owen, were fantastic answering all those questions. Good job.”
Owen smiles and turns his attention to me. “Can we go to the hockey game now?”
I look at the clock on the wall. The game will definitely be over by now. “I think we missed it, buddy. But we can go home, and Gabe will meet us there.”
“Okay.” Owen bounces in my arms before wrapping his arms around my neck and hugging me. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, Owen.” After a moment, I have him stand beside me as I gather my stuff. I don’t have a lot. Just a couple of papers that I shove into a folder and stick into my bag. I glance across the aisle and see that Karen, Harold and their lawyer are already gone. It’s going to take a while before I’m ready to face them again, if at all. “Let’s go home, buddy.”
***
When we walk out of the double doors and down the hall, we’re greeted with a lobby full of people. Not just people, but people we know. It looks like half the hockey team, Izzy and Marshall, and even Overton are all standing around the room.
“Owen!” I don’t know who shouts it, but Owen lets go of my hand and runs for the person standing in front of the whole crowd.My son runs full force into the waiting arms of the one man who shook up my whole world in the best possible way.
“Daddy Gabe!”
I’m watching the way Gabe spins Owen around in a tight hug when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head to see none other than Judge Willis beside me.
“I meant it,” he says quietly enough only I can hear him. “I know firsthand how hard being a single dad is. I’ve spent my whole life creating a safe and loving space for my kid. You are doing a great job with Owen.”
I thank him and turn back to the scene before me, warmth and contentment settling over me.
I don’t feel like a single dad anymore. Gabe completes every missing puzzle piece in my life. He’s my Daddy when I need him and my partner, my equal, when Owen needs us both.
I meant it when I told him that he’ll always have a home with us. I just hope he knows that wherever he is home for me, too.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I’msorryyoulostthe game,” Justin says, leaning into my side as half the team chases Owen around the small backyard.
