I pepper Sutton’s face with kisses as happiness takes over.
“Okay, kids. Why don’t we head on out?” Dad interrupts us with a hand on my shoulder.
Missy’s lawyer is packing up a few things in his briefcase. Before he leaves, I stop him.
“Did Missy say anything as to why she’s not fighting me on custody?”
He shakes his head. “No. But between you and me, I think this is the best outcome for everyone.”
“I appreciate that. Thank you.” I shake his hand before following my parents out of the courtroom.
Hugs are shared as the weight that’s been sitting on my shoulders lifts.
“Derek, you know where to find me if you need anything,” John tells me.
“Thank you for all your help.”
“Today was a good day. It’s why I do what I do.” He spins on his heels and leaves.
“We need to celebrate,” Mom tells me. Tears well in her eyes.
There’s only one person I want to see right now. A kid that wants pizza in a taco for dinner tonight.
I wrap my arm around Sutton’s shoulders and pull her close.
“C’mon. Let’s go see the kids.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
SUTTON
Idon’t think I’ve ever seen Derek so happy. There’s a pep in his step that’s been missing these last few weeks. Even thinking about all the possible outcomes of today has had my heart in a vise.
Missy signing away all of her rights to Troy? I never pictured this happening.
We come to a stop as the crosswalk sign flashes to red.
“I still can’t believe it.” Derek sweeps me up into his arms and swings me. “He’s mine. Troy is all mine.”
“Come on you two. It’s green,” his mom says.
I laugh as Derek sets me back down, grabs my hand, and we run across the street. Trees line the sidewalk of the park, casting shadows to keep it cool. Lydia and Troy are on the playground, running up the ladder.
Waving at Mom, I can see her searching my face for a clue. I give her a thumbs-up as Troy spots his dad.
“Daddy!” Troy slides down the yellow plastic ramp before running over to his dad. Derek drops to his knees and wraps Troy up in the biggest hug. “Did you see me slide?”
“Yes. You did a great job.”
“You’re squeezing too tight,” Troy tells him.
“I’m just happy to see you, bud.” Derek brushes a lock of hair out of his eyes.
His face screws up in confusion. “Can I go back to playing with Lydia?”
“Sure thing.”
Troy follows Lydia to the playground where they start going down the slide again.
