Unhurt (23 page)

My lips twisted into a crooked smile. “Well, hold that thought. Because it’s about to get little less little.”

Derek’s brow furrowed for a moment while he worked out for himself what I had just said. “Are you saying...but I thought....wait, what are you saying exactly?”

I took one final big breath and then let the words fall out of my mouth with the exhale. “I’m pregnant. I took the test this morning.”

Much to my surprise, his whole face lit up. “What? How?”

Totally enthralled by his reaction, I grinned. “Fuck if I know. Those parts aren’t even supposed to work on me.”

“What do you mean?” His hand came down to cup my abdomen as if he could already feel the baby that was yet to reach peanut size.

“My tubes are all jacked up. Found out when I was a teenager. Apparently there was some sort of infection at some point and it caused some scaring which was supposed to prevent the egg and sperm from making contact.” I made a face. “Sounds horribly romantic, doesn’t it?”

“Sounds like our baby is a fucking miracle, actually.” Next thing I knew he was up on his feet, reaching for my hands and bringing me to him. “Joss Kelley, if I wasn’t already married to you, I’d propose to you right now.”

“Why? Because I’m having your kid? That sounds like a pretty archaic reason to get married don’t you think?” It was hard to keep a straight face when his was so full of excitement.

“No, jackass. I’d be happy to have a hundred illegitimate babies with you.”

“Whoa there.”

“Same as I would marry you a hundred times over, just for the chance to hear you say that you are mine and no one else’s.” His words rolled softly in my ear.

“What makes you think I’d ever say a thing like that?” I teased as he trailed kissed down my neck.

“Same reason I’ll be yours until the day I die, Joss. You healed my heart by trading me yours. One will never be the same without the other. And you know I’m right.”

He was.

***

I
still couldn’t fucking believe what was happening. A baby. A half – Joss, half – me person we had created in the midst of destruction. If that wasn’t a fucking sign of some sort, I didn’t know what was.

“Did you tell Deb yet?” I watched as she slid the stretched out Boston Red Sox shirt back over her head and let it drape down her torso until it touched the tops of her thighs. Lucky didn’t even begin to cover it.

“I didn’t tell anyone. I was barely even able to digest the news myself.” She strolled over and placed a flirtatious kiss on my lips like she’d known exactly what I’d been thinking as I watched her get dressed.

I cleared my throat and closed my eyes in an attempt to shut out the sight of her and what that sight was doing to me. It was pointless. The image of those pouty lips, piercing green eyes and seductive curves was forever burnt into my mind. I’d never be safe from it. Which in turn meant, neither would she.

My eyelids lifted, prepared to continue the conversation, but the sight of her standing there completely naked, stretched out T-shirt in a pile on the floor at her feet, left me damn near speechless. Now she could read fucking minds, too.

“What were you saying?” she murmured as her lips found their way to my earlobe, teeth nipping at my skin.

“Who fucking cares?” She was up in arms, back pressed against the wall before either of us had a chance to say anything else.

W
ednesday morning
came flying at us faster than a moth to light and much like that moth, we were in for a wicked burn. I arrived at the courthouse thirty minutes early, without Derek. For some inexplicable reason, he’d been gone when I woke up, and much to my annoyance, wasn’t answering his phone. The entire time I got ready, I kept expecting him to suddenly show up again, just as abruptly as he had vanished, but by the time I had to leave, he was still MIA.

Regardless of showing up with time to spare, Diane had beat me there. As per her usual, she was pacing back and forth like a mad woman, typing things into her phone at lightning speed.

“No Derek?” It wasn’t the warmest of welcomes, but whatever.

“I’m sure he’ll be here. He just...had a thing.” Lame. And I felt it.

“Well, no worries. This is just a formality anyway. The judge has already made his decision, so there’s really no reason left to try and impress him. Won’t sway him either way.” Diane’s attention was already back on her phone again as she spoke.

“Tell me honestly, Diane. Where do we stand? Am I totally fucked here?” I didn’t see how it was possible, but all rationality had evacuated my system and what was left was in no way capable of thinking clearly. Not to mention, I was still on the verge of tossing my cookies every time my eyes perceived any sense of motion. As far as I was concerned, morning sickness could suck it. I had shit to do. Real, life-changing things to focus on. This baby was going to have to sit back and wait until I was good and ready to give it my attention. I mean, that’s why it came with that nine month incubation period, right?

For once, Diane actually put her phone down. I panicked, not knowing if that was a good or bad sign.

“Honey, our case was rock solid from beginning to end. Even when they tried to trip us up, all they really did was strengthen the evidence that proves you and Derek can provide the better home for Wyatt. I can’t imagine any judge in his right mind coming into this now, and ripping your son from his home to take a chance on someone who has done the bare minimum to show he is even capable of caring for another human being. Hell, I wouldn’t trust that man with a hamster. The only thing Travis has going for him is donate a little DNA. In this day and age, I think we all know that a genetic connection is not what makes one a parent.
You
are his mother, which is precisely why you will win.”

She squeezed my hand for added reassurance. “Joss? Are you shaking?”

“Sorry. Just haven’t been eating and sleeping well.” I managed to press my lips together in what I hoped was a polite smile and not an ugly grimace.

“Well, that explains your complexion,” Diane muttered dryly as she led me over to the nearest bench to have a seat. “You just try and calm your nerves. I’ll come and get you when it’s time to go in. Do you need anything? Coffee? Juice? Maybe a bagel or an IV drip with morphine?”

Much to my own surprise, I heard myself giggle. “I think I’ll be alright. Thanks though.” The only thing I really needed was Derek. And he was nowhere to be found.

A little while later I was following Diane down the aisle of our courtroom toward our table on the left. We were the first ones there, which was fine by me. Perfect really because it meant I wouldn’t have to make the walk while under Travis’s smug glare. In fact, if I so chose, I would be able to harass him with mine when he made the trip himself.

I didn’t. But I fucking could have.

As was only natural for Travis, he caused a near scene just by arriving. From the looks of things he was having some sort of a tiff with his wife, who appeared to be just about as miserable as I was that morning. Suppose she had every right to be though. She fucking had to live with that piece of shit. I’d be miserable twenty-four/seven if I were her. Of course, I never would have married the son of a bitch, so I guess really I couldn’t relate at all. I was trying though. For some inexplicable reason, I saw her as my kin, my unspoken ally in the room. It was stupid, but I couldn’t help it. I simply couldn’t fathom one mother going up against another in defense of Travis the asshole. It went against all rules of nature. Of motherhood. So my secret, imaginary ally she remained.

But she wasn’t the only one Travis was lashing out at under his breath. He was having a real go at both of his lawyers as well and I wondered for probably the hundredth time how he’d even been able to afford them. On the other hand, I really didn’t care to know. Whatever his source of income was these days, it was highly doubtful that it was legal.

Then, all of the chaos keeping my mind so beautifully distracted came to a crashing halt when I heard the dreaded announcement that meant the fate of my world was about to be revealed.

“All rise for the honorable Judge Parrish.”

And we did. In unison, the entire room came to its feet. We hovered there momentarily while the judge entered and settled at the bench.

“You may be seated.”

My breathing was so shallow at this point I thought I might pass out, so sitting couldn’t have come at a better time. Neither could the hand I suddenly felt clasping mine. I didn’t have to turn my head to know who it belonged to. My palm only molded into one other like that.

“You’re here,” I whispered.

“Of course.” I would never doubt him again after that. If Derek said he would be there, even if he’d said it a year in advance, he would be. It wasn’t in him to let me down. Part of me felt like an ass for not understanding that sooner.

There was a sound of shuffled papers as Judge Parrish got himself situated. Then he began with his ruling and my lungs ceased to take in breath.

“Custody cases are never easy, but they become even more complex when we are faced with situations such as this one. After spending the last few weeks listening to both sides, it is clear to me that Wyatt Leroux has had a warm and loving home these past three years with Joss Kelley. I have no doubt that she has cared for him as though he were her own flesh and blood, providing him with everything a growing boy needs. And, after spending some time with Wyatt, and hearing testimony from several professionals in the field of child psychology, no one can argue that he is indeed a thriving, well-adjusted and well-mannered young man, in spite of his traumatic circumstances early on in life.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a satisfied smile resting on Diane’s lips, but I didn’t dare allow myself to feel the same confidence. Not until I heard the judge say the words out loud.

“However. I have also spent a great deal of time studying case files from your previous dealings with this court regarding Wyatt Leroux’s custody, and I have to say, I don’t share my predecessors findings. While Joss Kelley certainly made a good case for herself, now as well as then, I see no reason why her rights to the boy should trump those of his biological father. Because of this, I must rule in favor of Mr. Buratta. Awarding him sole custody, effective immediately. Counselors, please instruct your clients that they have twenty-four hours to make arrangements for the child to be returned home to his father. Court adjourned.” The sound of his gavel as it hit its mark sent an explosive boom through my entire body.

I leapt to me feet, shouting, “No. You can’t do that. Your honor, please. You don’t understand. That man is a monster. He has done horrible things to myself as well as my son! You can’t just let him take Wyatt. He won’t be safe. Please!” In my desperation I turned to Travis’s wife. My secret ally. “You know. You know what he’s really like! Please, I’m begging you, one mother to another, you have to tell the judge what he’s like. What he’ll do to Wyatt. Please.” My screams were going on deaf ears as the blast of the gavel continued through my cries.

“Counsel, control your client or I’ll be forced to hold her in contempt of court.”

I didn’t care. He could arrest me if he had to. Might as well get used to being behind bars anyway, because I would kill Travis myself before I risked him laying a hand on my son. I was about to tell the judge just what I thought of his ruling when I felt Derek’s hand firmly on the back of my neck attempting to calm me down. Then, everything went black.

***

J
oss’s body hung limp in my arms, but at least I knew she was safe. We’d been seconds away from the bailiff dragging her off in handcuffs, and that wouldn’t have done anyone any good. So, I’d done what I’d needed to get her safely from the room. If she wanted to rage at me for it later, I’d be happy to be at the receiving end of whatever she could dish out.

I was busy hitting send on a text to Aunt Deb when Diane came up beside us.

“Remind me never to stand within your reach.” she was shaking her head at me, a mixture of awe and slight unease in her face. Then her gaze drifted downward, landing on Joss who looked like she was sleeping peacefully against my chest, at least for the time being. It was only a matter of minutes before she’d come to again and then there would be no peace to speak of.

“Poor thing. This is going to kill her.” It was the first time I’d seen just how personally invested Diane had gotten over the course of this case.

“She’ll be fine,” I said, searching the area for Travis. It was high time we got out of the building.

“You don’t understand, Derek. That little boy is her entire world. She’ll never get past losing him. Never forgive herself for having to hand him over to - to
that
man.”

I smiled slightly. “
You
don’t understand, Diane. I never leave things to chance.” I started toward the exit. “Joss and Wyatt are both going to be fine.”

Diane never said another word. She understood perfectly now.

I barely managed to get Joss into the cab of my truck before she started to come to.

“What happened?” she was blinking her eyes wildly. I didn’t have a chance to answer before she burst into tears, remembering all on her own. “Oh my GOD! Wyatt! What are we going to do? There has to be something we can do. Derek, I swear to you, I’ll murder him before he can hurt my son. There’s no way I’m taking a chance just because that idiot judge is willing to risk it. Not with my baby, motherfucker!” She was rambling, spewing curse words and threats around at random and I let her continue until we’d been driving for almost thirty minutes and I was sure we’d shaken Travis. The asshole had tailed us even after he’d won. Probably would have followed us the whole way home, had we been going that way.

“What...what are you doing? Where are we going?” her swollen, red eyes were streaked with mascara as she stared at me dumbstruck from across the cab.

“You really think there’s a chance in hell I’m letting that man take our son?”

She nodded, satisfied and looking entirely insane. “Good. So, we’re going to kill him together. That works. And, since we’re married they won’t be able to make us testify against each other.”