“I’ve always wanted a family. It’s never been a secret,” I admit, staring at the ceiling, afraid to see her reaction to this next part. “You and Jesse are a dream come true for me, but do you feel used? Like I was so desperate that any woman would do rather than wanting you, Davie?”
Remarkably, she laughs, and that has me rolling to my side to see what she thinks is so funny.
“Of all the things I worry about with us, I can honestly say that's not something that ever came to mind.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, maybe it's because Jesse is your biological son, so it's not like you would want to replace him. And you've never wanted Jessica. If you really would have accepted anyone in your life just to have somebody, it could have easily been the biological mother of your son, even if sheisin jail.”
“That never would have happened. It’s been you from the moment I saw you. There was a visceral reaction I've never had before to anyone else. It's just a bonus that you are my son's aunt.”
“Then, we’re good,” she says, bending lower for a quick kiss, before rearing back with a mischievous smile. “Plus, I like knowing I’m not the only one who gets anxious over random stuff.”
“Oh, yeah? Are you making fun of me, wife?” Thankful our conversation didn’t turn into the bomb I was afraid it would, I tickle Davie and laugh when she tries swatting me away.
This is how we should spend our time together: laughing then making love. Not concerning ourselves with what others think.
Briggs may be one of my best friends, but he’s not number one in my life. Davie and Jesse share that spot.
It would hurt to end our decades-long friendship, but if he can’t support me, and be respectful of my family, then that’s what will have to happen.
Because I will always protect my wife and son.
21
DAVIE
I'm going to throw up. Somewhere inside the imposing Medford Courthouse is a judge preparing to change the course of the rest of my life.
“Oh, god,” I whimper, placing a hand over my knotting stomach.
“Breathe, baby, everything will be alright. I promise.”
“You can't promise that,” I say, echoing the last time I questioned Cormac when he wanted me to trust him. The thing is, I do trust him. More than I thought would be possible this quickly.
Because this past month has been amazing with the three of us together.
“The tests confirm Jesse is my biological son. You are his biological aunt, and we are legally married. That judge has no choice but to grant us custody. This is just a formality. Isn't that what the lawyer said?”
I nod, too agitated to actually speak.
Jesse babbles from his spot in his stroller. He doesn't have a care in the world. Has no clue of the turmoil his aunt is going through.
“Come here.” Cormac pulls me into his arms for a hug, and I can't help but sink into his warmth. Slowly but surely, he’s become my safe place.
“Worried, Davie?” Cody's voice breaks into the brief respite.
Jerking to alertness, I try to find my sister’s ex, but I'm firmly placed safely behind Cormac as he slowly turns around.
“You must be Cody.”
“And who the hell are you?”
“I'm Jesse's dad.”
Cody scoffs while his mother skulks in the background. The wild look in her eyes as they ping pong between us and the courthouse steps tells me she may already be high even though it's 11 A.M. in the morning.
“I'm the one Jesse knows as his dad. Jessica thinks this little stunt of digging up a random hookup will steal that kid from me, but I don't think so.”
