by Tia Siren
“It was a very good distraction.”
“Yes, it was. I’ll take you over eggs any day of the week,” I said with a wink.
She laughed. “I better sanitize this counter. I don’t think I will ever look at it quite the same way again.”
“Me either. I’m always going to see you naked and writhing. It is an image that will keep me very happy.”
She grabbed the bottle of bleach and got busy cleaning things up while I finished making our breakfast. It was no longer what I was leaving behind in California. It was what I was coming home to. Avery was everything I wanted. I didn’t care about the job and status. I wanted her. I wanted many more mornings like this where I could fuck her in the broad light of day in our kitchen.
“You’re smiling,” she said, coming to stand next to me while I finished our breakfast.
“I’m happy.”
“Good. So am I.”
I didn’t know what tomorrow held for us, but now that I knew I had her with me for good, I could handle anything that came our way.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Avery
I had never been one to envy anyone, but I now had a very personal experience with what money could buy. I wasn’t sorry for it in this case. We had met with Jake’s lawyers, who were confident the custody hearing was in the bag. It was hard not to feel good about the upcoming meeting with the judge after listening to them talk. Now I understood why Jake had been telling me all along not to worry.
“You two ready?” the Arizona lawyer, Mason, asked.
There were still nerves in my stomach, but they were not nearly as bad as they had been on Friday.
“We’re ready,” Jake said, taking my hand in his.
Together, we walked into a small room where the judge was waiting. I looked around for Janice and was surprised to see she wasn’t in attendance. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
We sat down, and I held my breath. The judge looked at us and then a pile of paperwork in front of him.
“Good morning,” Mason said, all smooth and lawyerly like. “You’ll see the motion I’ve prepared along with supporting evidence to refute all the accusations that were made earlier.”
The judge nodded. “I see.”
Jake and I stayed quiet and let the lawyer do all the talking. “My clients have proven, beyond the shadow of a reasonable doubt, that they are more than qualified to give the child a home. They can provide a stable environment, and with my client’s direct relation to the baby, there should be no question as to who should be granted custody. Furthermore, my clients wish to adopt the child.”
The judge looked up. “That’s another matter that requires a bit more paperwork.”
“I understand that. We have already completed the application, and with the recent home study, there should be nothing to delay the process.”
The judge was quiet for a long time, flipping through papers and making me crazy. I wanted to shake the man and tell him to ignore everything Janice had said and written in her report. It was all lies based on one woman’s jaded opinion.
The judge removed his glasses and put them on the file before looking at me, then Jake.
“I see no reason not to grant you custody with the adoption paperwork to be processed immediately.”
My mouth dropped open. “Really?”
Jake nudged me under the table. “Thank you, sir,” Jake said.
“I understand our social worker may have been a bit overzealous in her prosecution. I’ve worked with her in the past, and she has always been a solid advocate for the children. I’ve reviewed the marriage certificate and checked with the judge who performed the marriage. I see nothing shady about it. I understand she was concerned with the speed at which you decided to marry. I’m sure the rush to do so did have something to do with this case, but I can’t prove that, and neither can she. And, quite frankly, I don’t think it matters.”
I was nodding my head. I kept my mouth shut but agreed with the man.
“Your lawyer has presented me with documentation that further backs up your dedication to your marriage and the child. You’re moving the headquarters of your company to Phoenix?” he asked Jake.
I had only found out that morning what he was planning to do. I had been thrilled by the news. I didn’t want to be apart from him for even one night. He would be working locally and still planned on having a home office so he could be home more often.
“I am. I expect it to take a couple months, but in the meantime, I will be working from home like I have been these past few weeks. I have a man in charge who is handling the majority of the meetings, freeing up my time,” Jake said coolly.
“Good.”
The judge turned to look at me. “And you’ll continue working?”
I nodded. “That’s my plan. I don’t know if it will be forever. I may also choose to work from home.”
The judge smiled and shook his head. “It’s nice to live in the twenty-first century, isn’t it?”
I grinned. “It certainly is. We get to have the best of both worlds, work and home.”
He nodded. “Indeed. I’ll call CPS and let them know I’ve made my judgment. I expect we can have Iris brought to the courthouse shortly. Would you like to take her home today?”
“Yes!” Jake and I said together.
He chuckled. “Good. I’ll sign the paperwork and get it filed. The adoption paperwork will get going as well.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jake said, choking up. “I appreciate you taking the time to look into this further for us. I know that isn’t the standard.”
He shrugged. “I don’t like to make a snap judgment that can negatively impact a young one’s life. Children deserve every chance at happiness in a loving home. I’m here to make sure that happens.”
“She will be very loved, and I will make sure she’s very happy,” I said enthusiastically.
“Just don’t spoil that girl. I’m tired of seeing all these spoiled, undisciplined kids in my courtroom.”
Jake chuckled. “We’ll do our best to provide good discipline, but I make no guarantees she won’t be spoiled.”
“Good enough.”
We left the room, and I nearly collapsed against the wall. I couldn’t believe it was finally happening. Jake had pulled Mason aside, and they were talking quietly.
I waited to hear what was going on. Jake came back and wrapped his arms around me, kissing me on the forehead.
“How about we go get our little girl?”
“What?” I asked, not sure what he was saying.
He smiled. “I happen to be tight with the foster parents. I talked with them this morning and let them know I was confident we would be getting Iris and to please have her ready. Mason is going to make the call to child services and get everything made official.”
Tears were flowing once again. I had never cried as much in my entire life as I had cried in the past month.
“I have to call Sally,” I choked out. “She’s been waiting to hear how it went.”
“Let’s go outside. You call Sally, and we’ll wait to make sure the paperwork is filed. The last thing I want is Janice slapping us with kidnapping charges.”
I rolled my eyes. “She would, too. Crazy bitch.”
Jake burst into laughter. “That’s exactly what I’ve thought about her as well. Hopefully we never have to deal with her again. I’m leaving everything else up to Mason. I want nothing to do with any of this stuff ever again.”
I nodded my head in agreement. “Me either.”
We walked outside into the bright sunshine that suddenly felt much brighter. We waited on one of the benches until Mason came out, waving a paper in his hand.
“Go get your little girl!”
I jumped up and down, clapping my hands, feeling like a crazy woman and not caring at all.
“Thanks, man. You’ll let me know what else we need to do to get the adoption moving along?” Jake asked, holding my hand in his.
I wa
s bouncing, anxious to get in the car and go.
“I will.”
“I don’t care what it takes. Pay whoever you have to. I want this thing wrapped up fast,” Jake said, his voice deadly serious.
“Got it,” Mason said.
I pulled Jake away. When we were finally in the SUV, I reached over and put a hand on his.
“Two things,” I started. “One, thank you so much and I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Two, you look crazy fucking hot when you are bossy and throwing your money around.”
He laughed. “You’re welcome, and hold that thought. I can be very bossy, and I will cover you in money if that’s your thing. I will fuck you on a pile of money.”
I giggled and then got serious. “We’re parents now. We can’t talk like this in front of Iris.”
He nodded. “Got it, but the moment she goes to bed and our bedroom door closes, you better believe it’s on.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I sat back and let the man navigate through the streets. We were going to have to go shopping and get so much stuff. I was grinning so big, my cheeks hurt. My heart was overflowing with happiness I never thought I would experience after losing Tracy and then Iris.
Epilogue
Jake
Mason was a fucking maniac in the court system. I was glad George had hooked me up with him. The guy was a valuable asset, and I planned on using him and his firm for any future legal problems. He had managed to get the adoption paperwork pushed through with record speed. I had no idea how many palms had been greased and how many favors had been cashed in. I didn’t care. I was going to get Iris and give her the Colter last name. I knew Tracy and my parents would be happy to have the little girl back in the family.
“You ladies ready?” I said, stopping by the nursery.
Avery was pulling a pretty pink dress over Iris’s head. “Just about. She has to look good for her big day.”
I smiled and walked over to tickle under the baby’s chin, earning a giggle. I would never get tired of the sound.
“Okay, all done!” Avery declared.
“We don’t want to be late. I’ll grab the diaper bag,” I said, heading for the kitchen to grab a bottle from the fridge. “Is Sally meeting us there?” I asked, walking into the foyer.
Avery was fastening Iris into her seat. “Yep.”
“Great. Let’s go.”
When we got to the courthouse, it brought a different feeling than usual. All my previous visits had brought stress or anger. Today’s appearance was going to be different. I hoped it was the last time I ever had to step foot in the place.
Mason was waiting outside the courtroom along with Don and Nettie. Sally was there as well, beaming like a proud grandmother.
“Thank you for coming,” I said, shaking Don’s hand.
“We wouldn’t miss it. Thank you for inviting us. It isn’t often we get to see the happy ending with one of our foster kids.”
Avery was on the verge of tears again. It was something I was getting used to. As it turned out, her emotions were going to be out of whack for the next eight months. Her birth control had failed, and we were expecting our second child early next year.
“Let’s go in,” I said, taking the baby carrier from Avery.
We walked in and found the same judge sitting at the bench. He was smiling as we approached.
“I see your lawyer moved mountains for you.”
I laughed. “Indeed he did.”
The judge did his part and made us Iris’s official adoptive parents.
“Congratulations,” Nettie said, giving me a hug, then Avery. “I’m so glad everything worked out for you.”
Don leaned in close as we walked out of the courtroom. “Have you heard the latest gossip?”
I shook my head. “Can’t say I have.”
Nettie scowled. “Don, be nice.”
He grinned. “I am. These nice people deserve to know Janice has taken a leave of absence.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really? For what reason?”
Don shrugged. “Some kind of nervous breakdown. This job can be a lot of stress, and you two weren’t the only ones who felt her wrath. It’s only too bad she was allowed to keep working for so long.”
I scoffed. “No kidding. Well, I hope she gets the help she needs.”
We said our good-byes, and then we headed off toward our next stop.
“You ready for this?” I asked Avery before opening the car door to get out.
“I am. I haven’t been out here since the new headstone was delivered.”
We headed for Tracy’s grave.
“We did it, Tracy,” I said. “Iris is here. She’s ours, and we are never going to let her go.”
Avery was nodding her head and lovingly tracing the letters on the tombstone. “Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for trusting me to raise your daughter. I promise I will do my best to raise her like you would want. I’ll make sure she knows all about you. We hung your paintings in her nursery. She’ll always remember you.” We spent a little longer visiting Tracy before I stopped at my parents’ graves.
Once we got home, I couldn’t wait to give Avery another surprise.
“What’s that?” she asked, pointing to the giant ribbon I had the realtor put on the front door.
“It’s your present. Let’s open it,” I said, grinning like a fool.
She looked confused. We walked to the front door and she pulled off the ribbon. “I don’t get it.”
I handed her a small box. “Open it.”
She opened the box and pulled out the house key. “A key to the house? I already have one.”
I shook my head. “Not this one. This key is to our new house.”
“We’re moving?”
I laughed. Clearly, I hadn’t thought the whole surprise through. “No, we’re not moving. I bought this house.”
Her eyes widened. “You did? How? I thought the owners weren’t willing to sell.”
I smirked. “Everything’s for sale.”
She burst into laughter. “You are nuts. This is amazing. Thank you. I cannot wait to make this place ours, really ours. First, we’re going to paint that nursery, and then we’re going to make that den brighter.”
I shook my head as she went on to list all the changes she was going to make. I was happy to let her do whatever she wanted.
“I’m going to go put Iris down for her nap,” she said, giving me a quick kiss before heading upstairs. She turned around and looked at the wide staircase. “We need to babyproof these. Iris is going to be crawling soon.”
I laughed. “I’ll get right on it.”
A short time later, I went upstairs to check on my girls. Avery was rocking Iris in the nursery, humming some unidentifiable tune. It was the best sight in the world. Two of the most important people in the world were right in front of me, with a third one growing inside my lovely wife’s belly.
I could not have imagined any of this in my wildest dreams. I turned my face up to look at the ceiling and silently whispered a thank you to my sister. She had changed my world for the better, and I would always be grateful.
***
END OF THE FIRST STORY
Mine to Protect
I’ll stop at nothing to make her mine… and protect her.
I’ve got the world at my feet. It comes with being a billionaire.
But I want the one thing I can’t have.
Eva Brooks. I was hooked the moment I looked into her alluring green eyes.
She’ll be mine.
Even if the price is high and the stakes even higher.
My obsession puts us both in danger.
But they don’t know who the f*ck they’re dealing with.
She’s my woman and I want her on my own terms.
Chapter 1
“The invitations have gone out.”
“Awesome. I’ll keep an eye on the RSVPs. Then we can plan accordingly.” Edward nodded as he sat at his computer. He double checked,
confirming the email address for invitation responses was correct.
“Did you ever think we’d get this far?” Joseph sat across from Edward’s desk and leaned back, putting his hands behind his head.
“I never had a doubt in my mind,” Edward said with confidence, not looking up from the screen. “Even back in university I knew it. When we work together, we’re unstoppable.”
“True dat!” Joseph leaned forward and high fived Edward before jumping up and walking out. “Back to work!” he shouted from the hallway.
Edward Caldwell rolled his eyes before returning to stare at his computer screen. They were opposites, but had managed to strike up a friendship in university that had remained. Since their first business class, they’d started talking about going into business together.
That was almost a decade ago. Each of them had a good sense about the other and after graduating top of their class, they had a lot to offer. Both turned down good salary jobs so they could start their new company. Edward never had a problem getting what he wanted, but he kept a humble mind and a keen sense of people. He talked his way through, into or out of anything and his dark brown hair, baby smooth chiseled jaw line and good looks didn’t hurt him any.
Joseph Johnson was in the same league as far as good-looking men went. Black hair, cut to succeed, chocolate brown skin with just a hint of a goatee and a smile that dazzled the ladies. His sharp mind was always dead on when it came to strategy and marketing. When they stood together they were almost dead on in height at 5’ 10 and when they went anywhere together, they turned heads and stopped conversations.
At the end of the day they always got together to summarize the day before leaving the office. “What you get?” asked Joseph plopping down in his chair across from Edward’s desk.
“The Owen project is being wrapped up this week. They made their transfer this afternoon and it should clear the bank tomorrow. I’ll put the finishing touches on the project and have it ready to be picked up by Friday.”
“Beautiful. That was a tough project.”
“You aren’t just kidding,” Edward said, running his hand through his hair. “That guy is tough to please, but I think we did it.”