Prologue: eight years ago
Lottie
Irushtothehospital, all I was told was that there was an accident. I am so scared. There was only one other time that the hospital frightened me, back when mom passed away. Tears roll down my face as I push through the doors of the emergency room, pushing past everyone in my way. Nurses and physicians are busy and hustle around me.
I see my aunt Lilly cradling my two year old nephew, Finnick. His ginger curls cascading over his face. I see the sadness in my aunt’s eyes and worried thoughts wash over me. I wasn’t told the full story, I don’t know what is going on. Lilly had called me and told me to come down to the hospital and I rushed from my internship placement without hesitation.
“Joshua Ashers’ Family?” An attendant calls out. We all turn our direction towards the doctor.
“Yes ma’am.” I respond, Aunt Lilly rushing over, I take Finn in my arms. “I’m his sister, this is his aunt, and that’s my nephew, his son.” I am holding back from sobbing.
“Your brother and his wife had an accident, the police are looking more into what happened. The accident resulted in them having severe head trauma and cardiac arrest. I’m very sorry..” After that the words fade. I hear ringing in my ears.
My beautiful brother and his amazing wife, gone. My best friend dead, Finn’s father gone. Finn’s eyes questioning me, those bright green eyes. My mind floods with uncertainty, what was going to happen to Finn, did they have insurance, or even if this was a freak accident.
“Dadada,” Finn starts to babble, he starts to bounce in my arms.
“Buddy boy, I’m sorry.” That is all I can say. They don’t come with instruction manuals on how to explain death to a two year old.
“We’re going to get through this, Lottie. I’m here for you.” Lilly brushing my hair, helping me stable so I don’t break down in front of Finn. We couldn’t hold back from the sorrow buried inside our chests.
“I’m very sorry for your loss, we can have our counselor come out if you would like.” The doctor offers. I nod my head. I’m just a Masters student finishing her accelerated program. I’m not the most responsible, I’m still learning how to do the basics between budgeting to home improvements to even filing my taxes correctly. We sit down, waiting for someone to come see us. Lilly turns to me, looking like she is ready to pop with a secret.
“Lottie, I have to tell you honey. Something you are going to find out but I need you to understand before…” She stops as the double doors from the entrance swing open and the devil reincarnate walkthrough. My father. Elias Ashers. The slime, disgusting man that he is. He may appear to be a gentleman with a knack for business, but he was a monster to me and Joshua. Nothing is going to repair the damage he has done to us and he tried to throw money at any situation both from his legit business and the side hustle that fed his addiction.
Joshua wanted nothing to do with him and kept Finn at a very big distance from his corruption. He walks over to us in a rage.
“Charlotte, if you could hand over my grandson, I’ll take it from here.” He extends his hands, but I hold Finn tighter, not giving him any strength to take him out of my arms.
“Elias, you can take your ass back out of here.” Lilly stands up and stands in front of Finn and me.
“Sticking your nose in business that doesn’t concern you.”
“This is my family and my business. Leave before you ruin your image. Scumbag” Lilly sneers out. Her Louisanian accent came in thick.
“Everything will be fine with me, once my grandson is with me.” He puffs his chest.
“Only, one small problem dear brother, you have no power of guardianship here. That place is for your daughter. The only guardian for Finn.” She fires back.
I jolt back. I knew I was Finn’s godmother and biological aunt. But guardianship typically goes to the next of kin which is grandparents, unless…
“Joshua named me his guardian, didn’t he?” My big brother looks out for every situation. The protector he was to me and now his son.
“Yesma petit bébé, That's what I tried to tell you before someone decided to start causing hell.” Lilly looks back at me.
He laughs at me. “You think she’s capable of taking care of a child. This won’t stand in court. Why don’t we be logical about this?” He put his hands in his pocket. He has a small point. I am almost graduating, no secure job, partial income, and I live with Lilly. I’m not fully equipped to take Finn. But I am not going to allow Elias to take my nephew and ruin his life like he did Joshua and mine. Finn is a sweet soul, innocent in all this.
I hand my nephew to my aunt and stand in front of this man. I pray to the heavens for someone to be on my side.
“You can kindly walk away. You won’t be taking my nephew, those were my brother and my sister-in-law’s wishes. Their wishes are for that beautiful soul to be with me and myself to raise him. They believed that I would be the best for him, they believed that I am capable of taking care of him. If you have to ask yourself why then you’re blind.” I start to back him off, taking him away from Finn. “That little boy is now my responsibility and I will go to the ends of the Earth to make sure that he never knows the rotten, disgusting existence of you. So bring on the lawyers, bring on the courts, I’m sure they would love to know about your illegal obsessions.” I shove him out the doors, into the parking lot. “You have no power over me anymore. Do not underestimate me.” I spit out.
“You girl, will see the day where I will prove you wrong and everyone will see that my grandson belongs with me,” He yells back.
“You can certainly try.” I turn my back on him. I have no clue on being a parent, but I will make sure my nephew has the best life possible and know what love actually is. I will honor my brother and my sister-in-law. I never wanted to be a parent and possibly won’t think of myself as one. But this is about Finnick, not me.
Chapter 1: Present
Lottie
