Page 156 of Pucking Daddy

She hums something that might be agreement, might be sleep, and then she’s gone.

I stay there for a second longer than necessary. Just watching her breathe.

Then I step back into the living room. Zara is curled up on the couch, a glass of wine in her hand.

She looks up when she hears me, something soft lighting in her expression.

“She out?” she asks.

“Yeah.”

“Fast?”

“Didn’t stand a chance.”

She smiles, patting the spot next to her. “Come sit.”

I grab a glass for myself, pour something without really paying attention to what it is, and drop down beside her.

For a moment, we just sit there.

“This feels weird,” she says after a second.

I glance at her. “Weird how?”

“Like… not having a crisis to manage.”

I take a sip of my drink, considering that.

“Yeah,” I admit. “A little.”

She smiles faintly, then leans back into the couch, her shoulder brushing mine.

My phone rings. At the name on the screen, we both sit up a little straighter.

It’s Rebecca.

“Answer it,” Zara says softly.

I nod and pick up. “Rebecca.”

“Jaxon,” she says. “I won’t keep you long.”

Something in her tone tells me everything I need to know.

I stand slowly, more out of instinct than necessity.

Zara watches me, her expression tight.

“The judge has finalized her decision,” Rebecca continues.

I don’t breathe.

“She is ruling in your favor. Full custody is being awarded to you. Rachel will have structured visitation rights.”

I close my eyes for a second, overwhelmed by the sheer relief flooding through me.

“She’s… staying,” I say, more to myself than to Rebecca.