12
Cole rode with Ava to the school to drop Ruby off. After they made sure she got inside safely, they drove over to Jameson’s office. Once the gossip of what happened outside the school traveled around town, he had contacted them and suggested they move things forward. Ava was quick to agree and asked Cole to join her. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
They walked into the law office and were immediately brought to a conference room where Jameson was seated.
“I filled out the paperwork, but there are a few gaps I need you to fill in, Ava,” he said.
“Whatever you need,” Ava said.
For the next several minutes, they went over the paperwork and Jameson finished gathering the information he needed. He promised he would have everything filed before the end of the day.
“I don’t want to give false hope, but since your mom was arrested outside the school and had been driving drunk, there’s a chance this will be pushed through quicker than normal,” Jameson said.
“How much quicker?” Ava asked.
“You might be her guardian in as soon as two weeks,” Jameson said.
Ava looked at Cole with hope filling her eyes.
“What about in the meantime? Is there a way we can keep her until then?”
“I’ll file for a temporary injunction to give you guardianship until this is worked out. I don’t see that being an issue with all the reports and information the school alone has provided. Then with the arrest records both Tonya and Frank have for drunk driving and disorderly conduct, it should go through. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.”
Ava nodded. “Thank you, Jameson. I really appreciate it.”
“I’m happy to help,” Jameson said.
He walked them to the front of the office and saw them out. Once they got into the car, Ava burst into tears.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Cole said. He did his best to hold her from across the center console, rubbing her back. “We’re going to keep Ruby safe. She won’t need to suffer.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m crying because I’m just so happy. I didn’t think it would be this easy.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s been easy.”
“That’s not what I meant. I only mean that I thought it would be a bigger battle than this.”
“Honestly, your mom showing up to the school drunk did you and Ruby a favor. I know it was hard for Ruby to see. No kid wants to see their parent in handcuffs, but it helped your case.”
Ava nodded and pulled back. “I know. You’re right. I’m just surprised, is all. And honestly, I’m kicking myself for not doing this sooner.”
Cole tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You did it when you saw fit, and that’s good enough. Don’t stress about the past. We can’t change it. Besides, you may not have gotten custodybefore since we didn’t have an extra room for Ruby. But since Kelly moved, we have the perfect setup for her.”
Ava nodded. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
Cole glanced at the clock. It was still mid-morning, and he wasn’t stressed about getting to work anytime soon. “How about we go shopping for some stuff to dress-up Ruby’s new bedroom?”
“You aren’t worried about getting to work?”
“Nope. This is far more important.”
The look on Ava’s face would have him smiling for the rest of the day.
“Thank you, Cole.”
“You’re welcome. Now let’s go make Ruby the happiest girl alive.”
Ava and Coledrove a town over to check out a few different stores for items to decorate Ruby’s room. It almost felt weird to Ava to have Cole with her. This was the longest time they had spent together deliberately in a while. When they were sick, it was inevitable. But Cole taking time off work to go shopping was on a whole new level.
