Part 15 (2/2)
”Thanks, but I need to handle this on my own.” Evan nodded as he walked out of the office and closed the door behind him. Gates knew from the moment Liyah stormed in his office what he had to do. She'd been the reinforcement he needed to make his decision.
Chapter 13.
It had been about a week since the dinner at Sloane's house and she and Liyah sat in the swing on her front porch as the light of day gave over to darkness. They finished the takeout Liyah brought earlier and played with Brayden until Sloane put him down for the night. It was peaceful just listening to the creak of the wood rubbing against the chain links as the swing glided back and forth and the cool crispness of the night air wafted across them.
”So, how're you doing?” Liyah watched Sloane sitting on the other end of the swing twisting and twiddling her fingers and she placed her own hand on top of Sloane's to stop the nervous twitching.
”I'm fine,” Sloane answered, looking up at the fireflies shedding intermittent light against the navy-colored canvas of her backyard.
”You're such a liar.” Liyah laughed, leaning back against the swing and pus.h.i.+ng her sock-clad feet against the floor, continuing the swing's back and forth movement.
”I guess I thought if I said it, then maybe it would come true.”
”Sloane, this whole thing is going to be fine. You'll see. Brayden's not going anywhere.” Liyah tried to comfort Sloane. ”I'm glad you came to your senses and continued to fight for him.”
”How can you be so sure?” She'd honestly never felt so helpless and scared in her entire life. In a matter of days, a judge was going to make a decision that would change her life forever. ”Gates hates me, and honestly, I can't blame him. I was in this search for the perfect life. Wanting to be able to give my child the close knit adoring family I always wanted. I never stopped to realize it's not always going to be perfect.”
”Honey, you had an ideal. It doesn't mean you were wrong for wanting it. You made a mistake. We all do.”
”Liyah, I kept Gates' son from him. That wasn't fair to him or Brayden. He's missed out on so many things and it's my fault.” She looked back at her, hands in her lap as warm salty tears coursed down her face.
”Aw, don't cry.” Liyah slid over to pull Sloane into her arms. ”You did what you thought was best. You had no clue if Gates was going to be a good father or not.”
”I know at the time that's what I thought was best, but looking back, I probably made the biggest mistake of my life. I'm a horrible person.” Sloane leaned her head over on Liyah's shoulder and s.h.i.+vered as her tears mixed with the cool night air.
”Sloane, that's not true. You're a great person and Brayden absolutely adores you. He's a happy baby. What you and Gates had was something special and it's the reason for that wonderful little boy in there.”
”Yeah and I deprived him of a relations.h.i.+p with his father. How great of a person could I really be?” Sloane sat up trying to wipe away some of the tears with the back of her hand.
”Don't worry; everything's going to work out for the best.”
Sloane pushed her dark hair behind her ear, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She knew Gates would never forgive her for keeping him and Brayden apart for so long. He had every right to hate her and now a judge may agree with Gates that the little boy would be better off with him. ”How do you know that?”
”I have faith. Even though it doesn't seem like Gates is the same guy you knew before, I'd like to think he hasn't changed that much. Maybe he's still a compa.s.sionate and understanding person and it's somewhere buried in his heart.” Liyah wiped a wayward tear from Sloane's face trying to comfort her friend the best she could.
”I'm glad you have that kind of faith. I think I've run out of it.”
”Then, I'll have to generate enough for the both of us.” Liyah pulled Sloane closer to her as her best friend lay her head on her shoulder and continued to cry.
”So, how are you feeling about today?” Liyah and Chase sat at the barstools finis.h.i.+ng up the breakfast Avery cooked earlier. They were gathered at Sloane's house before court and the decision that was going to change her entire life. It was just what Sloane needed and she was so thankful her aunt made the trip from Charlotte to be with her. She was going to need all of the support she could get when the judge made the decision.
”I'm nervous. I'm not sure how it's going to go, you know?”
”Sweetheart, it's going to be fine; you'll see.” Avery reached over to squeeze Sloane's hand.
”Yeah, Sloane, it'll be fine. And we're all here to help you celebrate when the judge grants you custody of Brayden.”
”Thanks, Liyah. I really appreciate it. I'm very blessed to have family and friends like you.” Her nervous energy was getting the best of her and she started clearing the dishes and cleaning up.
”Sweetie, why don't you spend time with Brayden and I'll clean up.”
”Auntie, no. I need to do something to keep my mind off things.”
”Well, the least we can do is help.” Liyah chirped as she took the dishes from Sloane's hands, winked and walked to the sink.
”If you insist.” She watched Chase, Liyah and her aunt form a line to wash, rinse, dry and put away the dishes.
Just then the phone rang and Liyah added, ”You can answer the phone.”
”Oh, thanks so much.” Sloane stuck her tongue out at Liyah's amused face as she walked over and grabbed the phone. ”h.e.l.lo.”
”Sloane it's me, Kim.”
”Kim, is everything okay? We were just getting ready to leave.” Looking over at Sloane, Liyah's laugh faded and she nudged Chase when she noticed Sloane's facial expression change. The three of them moved to Sloane's side as they waited to hear what the attorney was telling her. With each pa.s.sing minute it was beginning to be unbearable and Liyah mouthed to Sloane 'what is she saying.'
”Are you sure?” Sloane motioned to Liyah to hold on. She couldn't believe her ears and it was like she was in a daze listening to Kim on the other end of the phone.
”What is it?” Chase prodded to get her to tell them.
”Okay. Thank you.” Pressing end on the phone, she stared at three eager faces staring back at her.
”Sloane, what's going on?” Avery placed her arm around Sloane. ”Baby, what is it?”
”It's over.” She still couldn't believe all of the things Kim said.
”What do you mean it's over?” Avery urged, waiting for Sloane's reply.
”Gates dropped the case. I get Brayden. Gates is willing to share custody as long as he gets to see him whenever he wants to and on holidays and birthdays.” Tears of utter joy rolled down her cheeks and she was hardly able to breathe.
”Oh honey, that is wonderful news.” Avery pulled Sloane into a hug as Liyah and Chase wrapped their arms around the two of them in a group hug.
Backing out of the huddle, Sloane walked over and picked up Brayden from his bouncer. She hugged him to her as she kissed the top of his head. ”I can't believe this.”
”Wait a minute, so he gave up? What made him change his mind?” Chase glanced at Liyah before turning back to Sloane.
”I don't know. Kim said he dropped the case and I didn't need to show for the hearing today. Gates already signed his part of the agreement. When I sign my part, everything is final.”
Once they calmed down from crying and hugging, they decided to celebrate. Chase left to pick up Hannah and buy all the things they needed for a barbecue as Avery started on side dishes with Liyah. Sloane strolled out to the deck with Brayden wrapped tightly in her arms. She was elated her little boy was not going anywhere and she was going to be able to watch him grow up. ”I guess I owe your daddy a huge thank you, don't I? Maybe Liyah was right.”
She contemplated what Gates must be going through and she felt somewhat guilty. She wondered what made him change his mind and why he would give up after he had been so intent on getting Brayden. No matter what happened between them, she still wanted him to be a part of Brayden's life; and she couldn't help the feelings she still harbored for him. Before all of this began, she and Gates had started to reconnect and it felt wonderful to have him in her life again. He filled a void no man could ever fill and she missed him more than she wanted to admit. Brayden must have sensed her nostalgia because he reached up to place his chubby hand on her cheek and she giggled at his silly grin. ”Well, I guess there is no reason for me to cry now, huh? You and I are in this for the long haul.”
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