I looked down. My hands were on my T-shirt-covered breasts. Heat rose in my face as I quickly moved my hands to my sides. I’m awake now.
“You called my name.” His eyes perused my body. I felt my legs go limp and fall to the sides. “Did you orgasm in your sleep?” He kissed me and put his hand between my legs. “You’re so wet. What is it with you and dreams?” A look of satisfaction flashed across his features, and he tossed me his ever-sexy wink.
Embarrassment consumed me and, apparently, took away my vocal ability.
“You don’t need to dream about me. I’m right here.”
“I… um… I don’t know what happened.” I could still feel my girly parts throbbing in need of him.
“How about we make that dream a reality?”
All I could do was nod. In a heartbeat, we were naked, and he was inside me.
“I love making love to you,” I said.
“You’re so ready for me. Want to tell me about that dream?” I shook my head, and he moved his hips back and forth. “That was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.”
I scrunched my eyes closed. “Don’t talk about it. It’s embarrassing.”
“Open your eyes. I want you to see the difference between dreams and the real thing.” His abs flexed with each roll of his hips. His biceps became more pronounced as he quickened his movements.
“Brett, so good. It feels so good.”
He slid his hand between us and pressed his finger on my hardened nub.
My legs wrapped around his. “Now, Brett. Please…”
I felt his legs stiffen as he released inside me. I grabbed his perfectly formed ass and held him close, relishing the warmth of his skin as I pulsed around him. The weight of his chest on mine was the best feeling in the world. It made me feel safe and more loved than I ever had before. Brett was my world, and he’d just rocked it.
Maddie’s small cry came over the monitor.
I sighed. “We need to get up.”
He kissed me. “I’ll get her. You go shower.”
Being in this home with Brett and Maddie was where I was meant to be. They were my world. Leaving the house was becoming more and more difficult, but I needed to head into the office and finalize things with Luca’s family. As I left, Maddie reached for me and cried. Brett would pacify her, but when I got in my car, no one was there to cheer me up.
The stress of waiting for Nikki and her attorney made it nearly impossible for me to concentrate. I talked to Luca, and we finalized the partnership deal between the club and his winery. He was pleased to hear Brett and I were getting married, and I promised to send him an invite though I wasn’t sure when the wedding would be.
A delicious aroma wafted into my office. When I looked up, Brett was standing in my doorway with Maddie and one of Bernie’s specials.
“Delivery of the usual for Julie.” Brett chuckled.
I took Maddie from his arms. “Hi, my sweet thing!” I gave her a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for surprising me.”
“Well, I have a reason for our visit—aside from giving you a food orgasm.” He waggled his eyebrows.
I covered Maddie’s ears and shut my office door. “Seriously?” I shook my head. “Don’t say orgasm in front of her.”
He chuckled. “Okay, make sure you don’t either.”
I twisted my lips and sat at my desk with Maddie on my lap as Brett unwrapped our food. “So what’s the other reason?”
“Victoria called. We’re going before a judge in two days.”
The food I’d put in my mouth felt as if it were coated in tar. I could hardly swallow. “Okay. So does that mean Nikki is fighting us?”
“I’m not sure. All I know is Victoria said to be there. I’m going to have Alex and Tyler come too since they heard her say she did this on purpose by tampering with my condom.”
A chill ran up my spine. “Makes me sick.”
“I know.” He nodded toward Maddie. “But she’s pretty fantastic.”
My knee bounced her up and down, making her giggle. “Yes, she’s the best.”
After we finished lunch, I had no desire to stay at the office. Since I was splitting my time between there and home, I decided to leave with my family.
A couple days later, we dropped Maddie off at Aubrey’s and headed to the courthouse. My parents, Alex, and Tyler were meeting us there. I prayed Nikki would do the right thing.
The waiting area walls were gray and felt as cold as the blood running through my veins. I adjusted my tie and turned to Julie. “Do I look okay?”
Her hands smoothed the lapels of my suit which, in an odd way, comforted me. “You look great.” She took my hands and brought them to her chest. “I know you’re nervous, and to be honest, I’m terrified, but we’ve done all we can. The judge will have to see that, right?”
I held her as tightly as I could without crushing her. “I’ve been praying all morning for that very thing. We can’t lose her.”
“They’re ready for us,” Victoria said, standing in the now-open doors that led to our future—to Maddie’s future.
“Here we go.” I kissed Julie’s hand, never releasing my hold on it.
The clicking of heels caught my attention. I turned and saw Nikki, accompanied by her attorney and Leah.
“Come on.” Julie tugged on my arm. “We don’t want to start anything negative.”
“You’re right.”
We walked into the courtroom. I sat at a long wooden table with Victoria on my left and Julie directly behind me. I heard people filing in behind us and turned to see my parents, Bentley, Andi, Tyler, and Alex.
Alex placed his hand on my shoulder. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. Thank you for being here.” I smiled at the small gathering behind me. When I glanced at Nikki’s side of the room, only Leah was behind her. If I didn’t loathe her so much, I’d have almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
The court officer walked in, and my pulse raced. “All rise. The court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Joseph Hutchinson presiding.”
We all stood as Judge Hutchinson entered the room. He sat, his broad body cloaked in black, between our table and Nikki’s. “This proceeding is to determine parental custody of minor child Madeline Kate Chambers.” He shifted papers around on his desk. “Petitioner is Mr. Brett Chambers.” His eyes lifted to me, and I nodded. “The respondent is listed as Ms. Nicole Webster.” When he looked at Nikki, she was whispering to Leah.
Nikki’s attorney nudged her, and she rolled her shoulders back. “Yes, that’s right.”
The judge did not appear amused. “I didn’t ask you a question, Ms. Webster, and when you address the court, you will do so by saying, ‘Judge’ or ‘Your Honor,’ understood?”
She nodded, and he glared at her. “I mean, yes, Your Honor.”
“Please be seated.”
The sound of chairs shifting filled the room.
“Ms. Drake, you may proceed,” the judge said.
Victoria stood. “Thank you, Your Honor. I’d like to call Brett Chambers to the stand.”
Julie squeezed my hand before I made my way to the chair.
The court officer addressed me. “Please raise your right hand.”
I did.
“Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?”
“I do.” I sat down, and Victoria approached me.
“Mr. Chambers, is it true that Ms. Webster is the birth mother of your daughter, Madeline Kate Chambers?”
“Yes, we call her Maddie.”
Victoria smiled and nodded toward the judge. I glanced at him, and he nodded as well.
“Two days after Maddie’s birth, did Ms. Webster leave the hospital without Maddie?”
“Yes.” My tie felt like a boa constrictor getting tighter with each question.
“Did Ms. Webster make any attempt to see Maddie over the past few months?” Victoria asked, pacing the courtroom.
“
No. Well, she came to my home on Thanksgiving.”
“Why did she come to your home?”
I cleared my throat. “She wanted my daughter.”
Victoria was now standing closer to Nikki’s table. I looked at Julie, and she smiled reassuringly at me.
“What did you tell her?” Victoria asked.
“I told her no.” When my eyes landed on Nikki, her lips twisted.
“Did Ms. Webster make any demands?”
“Yes. She said she wanted my fiancée, Julie, out of my life so the three of us—myself, Maddie, and Nikki—could be a family.” I frowned as Julie’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Anything else?” Victoria asked.
“Yes. Nikki said if I wanted to keep Julie and Maddie, then I’d have to pay her five million dollars.”
“You’re a liar! I never said that!” Nikki’s voice boomed through the room.
All of a sudden, the room filled with light chatter, and the judge hit his gavel numerous times.
“Order, this court will come to order.” The room settled, and he looked at Nikki’s attorney. “Mr. Henry, please control your client. One more outburst, and I’ll hold her in contempt.”
Mr. Henry stood. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“Proceed, Ms. Drake.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Victoria returned her attention to me. “Do you have any proof she demanded money in exchange for you to have custodial rights?”
“Yes, I have a recording and witnesses.”
Victoria handed the judge’s clerk a flash drive labeled, “Exhibit 1.”
“Mr. Henry, is your client aware of this recording?” The judge’s voice was stern, and he didn’t look at all pleased.
Mr. Henry’s face paled. “Yes, we are, Your Honor, but we haven’t had time to have it tested for authenticity.”
Victoria stepped toward the bench. “Witnesses are present to testify if need be. Their names are on the list I provided to Mr. Henry and the court.”
“You may proceed, Ms. Drake.”
The judge’s presence was extremely intimidating, and I was thankful I had nothing to hide.
“Mr. Chambers, do you live alone with Maddie?”
My eyes met Julie’s. “No, I live with my fiancée, Julie Michaels.”
She gave me a tight smile, which brought one to my face as well.
“How is her relationship with Maddie?” Victoria stood to my side, her back to the empty jury box so that I had a clear sightline to Julie.
“Julie treats Maddie as if she were her own. She bathes her, feeds her, makes her laugh, and soothes her when she cries.” My jaw tightened, and my heart beat pounded against my ribs. “Maddie is lucky to have her… and so am I.” I smiled at Julie.
“Thank you.” Victoria looked at Mr. Henry. “Your witness.” She sat down while Nikki’s attorney stood.
He buttoned his suit coat as he walked toward me. “Mr. Chambers, when you found out Nikki was pregnant, were you pleased?”
I heard my blood swoosh into my ears. “No, not exactly.”
“So is it safe to say you were upset?” He raised his eyebrows and looked from me to the judge.
“Yes, but—”
He cut me off. “Answer the question.”
Swoosh… swoosh… swoosh.
“It isn’t that simple.” I thought of Maddie. It broke me to think she would find out about this one day. “Yes, I was upset.”
“I see.” Mr. Henry stood in front of Nikki. “Isn’t it also true that you demanded a paternity test because you thought Ms. Webster was lying?”
“Yes.” The sound of my pulse intensified. Swoosh… swoosh… swoosh.
“In fact, weren’t you drunk the night my client conceived Maddie?”
“Objection. Relevance?” Victoria stood and addressed the judge.
“Your Honor, I’m trying to establish the frame of mind Mr. Chambers was in when he impregnated my client.”
“Overruled.” The judge looked at me. “Please answer the question.”
“Yes, I was drunk. I also wore protection. Why don’t you ask your client about that?” Swoosh… swoosh… swoosh.
“Your Honor, please.” Mr. Henry crossed his arms and stood in front of the judge.
“Mr. Chambers, yes or no is sufficient.”
“Sorry, Your Honor.”
“One last question, Mr. Chambers.” Mr. Henry stalked in front of me. “Did you want Nikki’s baby to be your child?”
I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed silent. The pressure behind my eyes and the pulsing in my ears were more powerful, and I couldn’t shake them. I thought back to when Nikki had said she was pregnant, and I remembered how upset I had been. I remembered the anger and confusion that had coursed through me. But when I’d seen that ultrasound and received the paternity test results, everything had changed.
“Mr. Chambers? You’re still under oath. Please answer the question.”
“No, not at first—”
“Thank you, Mr. Chambers, that’s all.” Mr. Henry smugly sat next to Nikki and patted her hand.
Victoria stood. “Your Honor, I have a few follow-up questions.”
“Proceed.”
She glanced at Mr. Henry before walking toward me. “Mr. Chambers, how did you feel the day you heard your baby’s heartbeat for the first time?”
I took a minute to gather my thoughts. “I felt protective and vowed to myself that I would do whatever I could for her… if she was mine.”
“Because at that time, the paternity hadn’t been established, correct?” Victoria asked.
“That’s correct.”
She paced. “Once you found out the baby was yours, how did you feel?”
“Confused. But like at the ultrasound appointment, I knew I’d always love and protect her. I have family and friends who have supported me.” I looked at the judge. “When I brought Maddie home, I had no idea what to do or what a baby needed, but with their help and time, I’ve figured it out. There’s no one in this world I love more than my daughter.” I returned my focus to Victoria.
She smiled. “Thank you. That will be all.”
The judge addressed me. “You may step down.”
I went back to my seat as Victoria said, “I’d like to call Nicole Webster to the stand.”
The bailiff swore Nikki in, then Victoria began. “Nicole, do you want to be a mother to Maddie?”
“I never wanted to raise her alone. The only person I wanted to do this with was Brett.” She looked at me and shook her head.
Victoria linked her hands behind her back. “I see. And after you were discharged from the hospital and left without your baby, did you intend on returning?”
“No.”
Bile rose in my throat. How could she have done that?
“So it wasn’t until Mr. Chambers filed adoption papers and you saw a big payday that you attempted to see your daughter?” Victoria’s voice was stern and laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Mr. Henry stood and glared at Victoria. “I object Your Honor. There’s no validated evidence that Ms. Webster asked for anything in exchange for her daughter.”
“I’ll withdraw that question until I call my witnesses. That’s all I have, Your Honor.”
Nikki’s lawyer stood as Victoria sat. “Ms. Webster, what was your intention when you went to see your daughter on Thanksgiving?”
“I wanted to… I needed to… I wanted to see her.” Her voice was shaky at best.
“Thank you. That will be all.”
Nikki was excused and sat beside her lawyer.
To say I was shocked would have been an understatement, then it dawned on me that anything Nikki said to counter her previous responses would be a lie. Naturally Mr. Henry didn’t want his client to commit perjury.
The judge asked, “Ms. Drake, do you have any more witnesses?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
Nikki’s attorney asked the judge if he could speak to Victoria a moment, and after he complie
d, Mr. Henry was at our table whispering to Victoria. She nodded, and he walked back to his side of the room.
Mr. Henry said, “Excuse me, Your Honor? Ms. Drake and I would like to have some time with our clients to discuss a resolution.”
“The court will take a sixty-minute recess. At that time, if the parties have not reached an amicable agreement, we will proceed. For those of you in the courtroom who are on the witness list, please don’t go far.” He hit his gavel on the block. “Court is in recess.”
As we emptied out of the courtroom, Victoria pulled me aside. “Mr. Henry would like to discuss this between the four of us and try to come to a conclusion. I think he sees the writing on the wall. But if you’re uncomfortable at any time, we don’t need to agree to any terms. We can let the judge decide.”
I nodded. “Give me a minute to speak to Julie and my family.” Once I was with my family and friends, I could finally breathe.
My mom placed her hand on my arm. “What’s going on, sweetheart?”
Once I’d explained what Victoria had said, they all stared at me.
“I’m nervous too, but if we can resolve this now, I’m all for it.” I pulled Julie into an embrace. “Stay close.”
She craned her neck to look up at me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The small conference room adjacent to the courtroom was cold and sterile. Aside from pictures of past presidents and the American flag, the room held only a table and chairs. My attorney and I sat across from Nikki and her lawyer.
“Mr. Henry, you wanted this meeting. The floor is yours,” Victoria said.
“Yes, well, in regards to the recording, my client is willing to concede she did mention money. I’d like for our clients to talk so we can try to resolve this matter.”
“Very well. Why don’t we hear from my client since he’s the one who has started these proceedings?”
“That’s fine. Go ahead.” Mr. Henry sat back.
I rubbed the back of my neck with my palm. “I’m trying to be as pleasant as I can be, but I need to know why Nikki wants to have Maddie.”
Nikki’s eyes narrowed.
“You won’t be getting a large sum of money. I will sue for joint custody, and I will be marrying Julie. I don’t want to sound like an asshole, but you left her. How could you do that? You knew from the beginning that I was in love with Julie, or you wouldn’t have had to pull the stunts you did. So tell me—why? Why after all this time do you want to be a mother to Maddie?”
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