She tilted her head from one side to the other. “I figured you’d either be with me or pay me. I didn’t really think you had me on tape. I thought you were bluffing.”
“I’d never bluff with the welfare of my child,” I said. “This isn’t a game to me. You started this, and I want to end it right now. Alex and Tyler heard you say you tampered with my condom. You’re on tape trying to extort money from me. But you know what baffles me? Not once have you asked about Maddie. No ‘How is Maddie doing today?’ or ‘Does she sleep through the night? What toy is her favorite? ’ You don’t even know how much she weighs or what diapers work best for her. How can you not care enough not to find out these answers?”
I shook my head in disgust. “Maddie woke up happy this morning and had cereal with her formula—which is soy, by the way because she has a hard time digesting any other kind. She sleeps about five hours a night and likes to have the mobile on overnight. Her red block with a little zebra stitched on the sides is her favorite toy. At her last well visit, she weighed sixteen pounds, five ounces, and we use cloth diapers because the paper ones give her a rash. Maddie has the cutest little giggle, and she loves when I sing to her even though I don’t have a good voice. Julie and I love her, and we want to raise her. Can you honestly say that you want to be her mother? That you love her and want to care for her? If you can prove that, I won’t keep her from you, but you won’t have her all the time. I won’t give up my family, which includes Julie. I don’t even think you ever really loved me, Nik. I think you were in love with the idea of me.”
Nikki bit her lip and let out a breath. “You’re right. I don’t want this.”
“Nicole—” her attorney said.
She stopped him. “Brett’s right. I wanted him and what he could offer me. Maybe we’re not in love with each other, but I hoped that would change.”
I felt as if I was having an out-of-body experience.
“I don’t know anything about her, nor do I want to be a single mom. All I ever wanted was to be Mrs. Chambers, and I thought that would happen.” She looked at me with disdain. “The one time you aren’t Mr. Nice Guy is when I needed you to be.”
“I never said I would marry you. In fact, you knew marriage was the last thing on my mind. That’s what started this entire thing.”
She shrugged. “I thought I could change your mind. I thought once I had your kid, you would want me. But in the hospital, you cared more about that baby than me, so I left. Maybe that was wrong to you, but it was right for me. My modeling career is finally getting back on track, and I may move to Los Angeles.”
“I did care and do care more about Maddie.” I couldn’t believe she was still hung up on that. My heart jackhammered at the thought of letting her take my daughter across the country. “I’m really trying here, Nikki, but I don’t know how much simpler I can make it. And as far as Los Angeles goes, that’s not going to happen if we share custody.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits before she leaned over and said something to her lawyer. I looked at Victoria, who held up her index finger. So I waited.
Mr. Henry said, “Ms. Webster will sign the petition for sole custody as long as you don’t bring charges against her for offering you money.”
An audible sigh escaped me before I agreed to her terms. “But there’s still the matter of our petition for adoption. I plan on marrying Julie, and I’d like Julie to adopt Maddie once we’re married.”
“Ms. Webster?” Victoria looked to Nikki for a reply.
“No. I hate her.” Her voiced dripped of disdain etched with jealousy.
Her attorney asked, “Does that mean you deny the request, Nikki? Please be advised the judge can overrule your decision.”
“Looks like the court will decide on the adoption,” Nikki said.
Her attorney looked annoyed. If I had to guess, he probably wanted to resolve everything now. Mr. Henry pulled out a set of legal documents from his briefcase and placed them in front of Nikki. My heart raced as I watched the ink roll from the pen onto the paper that would change my life more than it had already.
Nikki set the pen down and looked at me with empty eyes. “She’s all yours.”
“I’ll inform the clerk,” Victoria said.
We left the room, and Julie ran up to me.
“What happened?” Her eyes sparkled, yet they were rimmed in red.
Before I knew it, I was surrounded by my family and friends. “Nikki signed the custody papers.”
Everyone started talking and congratulating me at once.
“But she hasn’t signed the adoption papers,” I said.
Julie’s smile disappeared and was replaced by a frown. “She despises me. Brett, I don’t have to adopt her. I can be just her stepmother. You’ve been through enough. Let’s go.” She grasped my hand.
“No, we’re going to see this out until the end.”
Victoria walked up. “We need to go back in.”
When court was back in session, the judge seemed pleased we’d come to an agreement on custody. “I see we still have the adoption issue at hand though.”
“Yes, Your Honor. My client does not want Ms. Michaels to adopt Madeline,” Mr. Henry said.
The judge nodded. “We are moving on to decide the matter of adoption. Ms. Drake, call your first witness.”
Victoria stood. “I’d like to call Julie Michaels to the stand.”
I watched my beautiful fiancée walk with confidence to the stand even though I knew her nerves were frayed. The bailiff swore her in.
Victoria approached Julie. “Ms. Michaels, I have a few questions for you.”
She quietly cleared her throat. “Okay.”
“What can you tell me about day-to-day life with the minor, Madeline?”
Julie’s face lit up. “She’s wonderful.” Julie beamed as she looked at the judge then at me. “Maddie is a happy and content baby. When she wakes up, she’s usually cooing rather than crying. She enjoys her baby food better than her bottle, except at night—her bottle helps her sleep. Her favorite toy is a red block with a zebra on it. She loves to drop it on the floor so we’ll keep picking it up.” Julie snickered. “She loves when her daddy sings to her, especially when he sings ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’”
I heard Alex and Tyler chuckle. My mom shushed them, which made me smile, and I made a mental note to kick their asses.
Julie continued. “Recently, Maddie has been sleeping for more than four hours during the night. She’s a very happy baby. The only times she ever fusses are when she needs to be changed or is hungry. And when she first tried to roll over, her arm would get stuck, but she figured it out. That little girl brings me more joy than I ever thought possible.” She looked at the judge. “I understand I’m not Maddie’s biological mother, but I couldn’t love her more if she were my own. If I thought my leaving would benefit her, I would—I’ve even offered to—but as much as she needs me, I need her.” Julie swiped a tear from her cheek.
Pride filled me as I watched her and, more importantly, listened to everything she had said.
“Thank you.” Victoria looked at Nikki’s lawyer. “Your witness.”
He stood. “I don’t have anything for Ms. Michaels.”
The judge said, “You may step down.”
After she stood but before she stepped down, Julie looked at Nikki. “We aren’t doing this to hurt you. I know I’m not your favorite person, and I don’t need to be, but Maddie is one of my favorite people, and I will love her until the day I die. We’re doing this to benefit her, not to harm you.”
When she left the witness area, Julie smiled at me.
I couldn’t help standing to hug her. “I love you, Julie.”
“I love you too.”
The judge hit is gavel. “Court is still in session. Please refrain from personal conversation and contact until court is adjourned or in recess.”
I sat down. “I’m sorry your honor.”
I heard whispers from Nikki’s table.
<
br /> Then her attorney stood. “Your Honor, my client has decided not to fight the adoption, but she has one request.”
“Which is?” the judge asked.
“If her daughter ever asks about her birth mother, Ms. Webster would like Mr. Chambers to tell her that she did what was best for her.”
My head snapped toward Nikki. Her face was flushed. Did she grow a conscience?
“We agree, Your Honor,” I said. I couldn’t help myself.
The judge gave me a pointed look before saying, “In the matter of Chambers vs. Webster, the request for adoption is accepted. Court is adjourned, and this case is closed.”
Sounds of joy filled the room as my family and friends hugged. I shook Victoria’s hand then grabbed Julie and planted a kiss on her lips.
Nikki walked up to us and spoke to Julie. “Not that you deserve to hear this, but since I’m telling the truth, you may as well know I lied about what happened the night Brett and I were together. You were the one on his mind, not me. He should have been saying my name, but he didn’t.”
She turned, walked out with her attorney and never looked back. We stood there, stunned. A wave of relief mixed with shock washed over me. Julie’s expression mirrored mine, and for once, I was thankful to Nikki.
“Let’s go get our girl and celebrate.” I tossed my arm around Julie’s shoulders, and we left the courthouse in much better spirits.
Everything appeared brighter than when we’d left that morning. I felt as if the foggy cloud that had blanketed our home this morning had lifted and been replaced with sunrays.
“I don’t want to wait, Jules.” Brett set Maddie in her bouncy seat and handed her a toy.
I smiled as she kicked and waved, making the seat move. Her giggle was contagious.
“You don’t want to wait for what?” I headed toward the kitchen to get Maddie a bottle.
“To get married. I don’t want to put it off.”
“I’d marry you now if we had a license.”
“Jules, don’t you want a big wedding? I’d feel terrible if you didn’t have what you always desired.”
“All I need is you… okay, and our friends and family. But we don’t have to have anything elaborate. We can have it here in our home.”
“Really? That would be okay with you?” He lifted the bottle to Maddie’s lips as she eagerly sucked on the nipple.
“Yes, it would be perfect.”
Thinking about marrying Brett was a dream come true. I didn’t care when, where, or even what my dress looked like—okay, maybe I did care about that. I wanted Brett to be able to be knocked over with a feather when he saw me in my wedding dress. But most of all, I wanted us to declare our love for each other in front of our family and friends.
“How does two weeks from Sunday sound?” he asked. “The club’ll be closed. We’ll call our family and friends today, and I’ll call Pirro and have Fao’s cater it. Shit, you can have your pal Bernie set up his stand if that’s what you want.” Brett chuckled as he burped Maddie.
“Fao’s would be perfect.” I bit my lip. “So we’re going to do this in two weeks?”
He set Maddie in her bouncy seat, grabbed me, and spun me around. “We most certainly are.” Brett set me down and swatted my ass. “Now call your girls and go shopping.”
“Eeeep!”
I grabbed my cell and called Aubrey and Val. Val was free, and thankfully, Alex was home to stay with Jackson.
I grabbed my purse, gave Brett and Maddie a kiss, and bounced toward the door. “Okay, I’m leaving now.”
“Hey, Skippy?” Brett laughed.
I laughed too and stopped bouncing.
“Would you mind if Lyn stood up for you too? She’s like a sister to me, and you’ll need another girl. I’ll have Bentley, Alex, and Tyler by my side.”
“Sure! I’d love that. Do you think she’d do it?”
“Of course she will. I’ll text you her number.”
“Cool, I’ll call her on the way.”
I left the house, dialed Lyn’s number, and headed to pick up Aubrey. Lyn didn’t answer, so when I pulled up to Aubrey’s, I sent Lyn a text asking her if she could meet me at Bergdorf’s because I needed her. Hopefully, she would make it. When Aubrey got in and closed the door, we shrieked so loudly I was surprised the windows didn’t shatter.
“I’m so sorry to throw this at you at the last minute, but we don’t have much time.” I pulled down her street and headed toward the city.
“Don’t you dare apologize. I’m so excited! So who else are we meeting?”
“Val and hopefully Brett’s cousin, Lyn. She’s wonderful. You’ll love her.”
Aubrey smiled. “I met her at Brett’s birthday party at his parents’ house.”
I’d forgotten about that. “That’s right. I forgot.”
“Wait, is Tyler standing up for Brett?” Aubrey had a shit-eating grin.
“He’s going to ask him, why?” Then I remembered Brett teasing Lyn about Tyler. “So they were into each other?”
“You should have seen them, Jules.” She giggled. “There was so much sexual tension between them it was palpable.”
“I heard! I’m surprised they didn’t hook-up. I don’t know if Lyn is the wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am type, but I don’t think Tyler is the settling-down type either. Could you even imagine him committing to one woman?” A laugh escaped me.
“Pfft, no. But I didn’t think our men would either considering my husband held the title of most eligible bachelor and Brett, well…”
“Yeah, Brett was anti-marriage. I remember.” I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “But that doesn’t matter because they’re ours now. Maybe Mark or Ty will be next.”
When we got into the city, I scanned the curbs. “I hate the city. Parking sucks. It never bothered me until we moved and we got a driveway.”
Aubrey’s arm darted out. “There’s a spot.”
I parked, fed the meter some coins, and headed into Bergdorf’s. My phone dinged with a text from Lyn. She was there and in the shoe department. I loved her already. When I spotted her, the first thing I noticed was she looked gorgeous. Her blond hair was pulled up neatly on the sides while the back had an abundance of waves that cascaded over her shoulders.
“Hi, Lyn.” I gave her a hug. “You remember Aubrey, right?”
Her brows lowered then rose. “Yes, from Brett’s party. You were pregnant then.”
Aubrey glowed. “Yes. How are you?”
“I’m good. You look amazing. Congratulations!” Lyn hugged Aubrey.
I was happy Brett had thought to ask her to be in our wedding. “Lyn, the reason I asked you to come here is twofold. One, I’m marrying your cousin, and we’d like you to be in our wedding. Will you be my bridesmaid? Brett would be so happy if you agree—and so will I.”
She nodded and smiled. “Thank you! Yes!”
“I’m so happy! Brett will be too. The second reason we’re here is because we’re going gown shopping, not only for me but for my ladies.”
Aubrey gasped. “What? I didn’t know that.”
“Yes, and the gowns are on me, so let’s do this!”
We walked to the escalator as Val walked in. We waved her over, and I filled her in. She was thrilled, of course. I loved my girls.
In the bridal section, a woman came out from the back to help us select something. When I told her when the wedding was, she flinched. “That’s not a lot of time. You’ll need to buy off the rack.”
“What about this one?” Aubrey held up a straight-cut, strapless, hand-painted lace over silk organza. It was stunning.
The woman smiled. “Well, that one was never picked up by the bride because they called off the wedding.” She paled. “That’s not bad luck or anything.”
I laughed. It was perfect. “I’d like to try that on, please.” After everything we’d been through, bad luck wasn’t in my vocabulary.
I followed the woman into the dressing room. Once I slid the dress on and saw my re
flection, my eyes filled with tears.
“It’s nice that you’re tall. You don’t need many alterations.” The saleswoman put her hands on my waist and pinched a little of the fabric. “This could be taken in a bit, but our alterations department can handle that. Would you like to show your friends?”
I nodded. When I stepped out of the fitting room, the girls all gasped.
Aubrey started crying. “Jules, oh my God, it’s so pretty. You’re gorgeous.”
Val put her hand on her heart. “It’s perfect.”
“My cousin is going to freak out when he sees you. It’ll serve him right after all the grief he gives me.” Lyn grinned.
The saleswoman told me she would go get a veil for me to try on. I wasn’t sure if I wanted one, but I decided to try it anyway.
“So, Lyn, since I missed the infamous birthday party, tell me what happened with you and Tyler.” I smiled at Lyn, and Aubrey and Val turned toward her.
Her eyes flicked between them, then she looked at me. “Nothing happened.” Her cheeks turned a shade of pink, and I cocked a brow. “Really.”
Aubrey laughed. “That’s not how I remember it. The way he looked at you was hot! He wants you bad!”
The clerk came back and placed a veil on my head. I looked in the mirror and caught Lyn’s eye in the reflection. “Did I mention I’m pairing you two up at the wedding?” I shook my head, removed the veil, and handed it to the clerk.
Val and Aubrey nudged Lyn, and she laughed. “You all are worse than my cousins! Okay, he is kinda hot.”
“Kinda hot?” we all said in unison.
Val piped in, “The man is sexy as sin and should be walking a runway.”
“So what do you think?” I stretched out my arms and twirled.
Lyn smiled. “It’s perfect, Julie. Brett is going to flip.”
I looked at my reflection. I had to agree with her. “Okay, ladies. Go pick something out for yourselves. I’m thinking all the same color, but I’ll leave which color and the style up to you.”
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