Sarah packed up her briefcase and looked at us with something that might have been satisfaction. “That's as good as we could have hoped for. The supervised visitation clause means they can't just show up unannounced, and any future attempt to modify custody will be much harder to pursue.”
“Thank you,” I managed. “For everything.”
“You made it easy. You had the truth on your side.” She shook my hand. “Take care of each other.”
We left the courthouse as a unit — me and my siblings in front, Rook and his parents flanking us, walking out into the cool afternoon air like we'd just survived a war.
We had, in a way. And we'd won.
Poppy grabbed my hand as we walked down the steps. “Is it really over?”
“Yeah, Pops. We're safe.”
She squeezed my hand tighter. “We did it.”
“We did it,” I agreed.
And standing there on the steps with my siblings beside me and Rook at my back, I believed it. We'd built this family out of wreckage and determination and love that had nothing to do with biology. We'd fought for it, protected it, and now we got to keep it.
The people who stayed had won. And that was everything.
CHAPTER THIRTY
come home to me
SOREN
Finn called on a Tuesday afternoon while I was doing dishes at, and the second I heard his voice I knew he was grinning.
“Jamie made the talent show,” he announced without preamble. “School-wide thing. He's been practicing non-stop and he's been asking about you every single day. When can you come over?”
The pride in his voice made my chest go warm. “Yeah? That's fucking fantastic. When's the show?”
“Two weeks. But he wants to practice with you before then. He says you're the only one who gets it right.” Finn paused. “Also I think he just misses you. Kid's been talking about drums constantly.”
“I miss him too. Tell him I'll be there tomorrow if that works.”
“Perfect. See you at four?”
I hung up and found Rook watching me from the couch with a soft expression that meant he'd heard enough to know what was happening.
“Jamie's performing?” he asked.
“Yeah. School talent show. Finn says he's been working his ass off.” I dried my hands on a towel and leaned against the counter. “I'm really fucking proud of that kid.”
“He's lucky to have you teaching him.”
“I'm lucky to get to teach him.” I crossed to the couch and settled next to Rook, tucking myself against his side. “It feels good. Helping him find this thing that makes him light up. Knowing I had a part in that.”
Rook kissed the top of my head. “You're good at it. The teaching thing. You should do more of it.”
“Maybe I will.”
The next afternoonI showed up at Finn's grandfather's house with my practice pad and sticks, and Jamie nearly tackled me the second I walked through the door. His hands were flying in rapid sign language before I'd even set my bag down, and I had to laugh and sign back for him to slow down.
“I made the talent show!he signed, bouncing on his toes. “I’m going to play in front of the whole school!”
“I heard! That's amazing, bud. You ready to practice?”
