Chapter 36
Cole
“Archie, will you stop fucking fidgeting? You’re makingmenervous, never mind Cole.” Ethan throws a flower at Archie’s head, who stops pacing and glares at him.
“Need I remind you, Ethan, that this is a monumental occasion! Everything could go wrong, and I have to ensure that everything runs smoothly; this is going to work. Ithasto work!”
Ethan rolls his eyes, and Rafe plucks the flowers from his hands. “Can you stop throwing the flowers, Ethan? Daisy will pitch a fit if she sees her precious plants thrown around the place.” He carefully arranges them in the vase by the envelope I’ve laid out.
Nate side-eyes me. “You’re unusually calm. You’re not drunk, are you?” He leans in close, sniffing up, and I swat him away.
“I amnotdrunk. I don’t need to worry, I know everything is going to work out.”Am I confident? Yes, am I still shitting myself? Also, yes.
Cas flies through the door, banging it open and startling the little beauty tucked safely in my arms. He notices and winces. “Sugar sticks! Sorry, little lady. They’re here.” He tries to act all nonchalant as Emmy, Hayleigh, Daisy, Mum, and finally Lacey walk through the door.
Archie bounces on his feet, giving me a pointed stare, then looking at Lacey and finally the envelope. He does this about five times before I widen my eyes at him, trying to convey to him to chill out, but he isn’t getting the message –subtle Arch, real subtle.
Lacey notices and narrows her eyes, placing her hands on her hips, and looks between all of us. “What is going on?”
Archie opens his mouth, and Ethan quickly covers it with his hands. “Let’s go for a walk, shall we?” He all but drags Archie out of the front door.
Rafe springs to his feet and points in the direction our brothers just left. “I’m gonna go make sure Ethan doesn’t kill Archie.” Then he hurries off in the same direction.
Nate pulls Cas along with him. “We’re going to watch themnotkill Archie.”
I shake my head and pray that someone sends me some patience, because these brothers of mine are hard work. The girls and my mum quickly catch on that something is happening right now and make their excuses to leave.
Lacey lifts an arm and smells under her arm. “Do I smell bad? Why did the room clear when I walked in?” She laughs nervously, but I smile at her to ease that.
“I can’t get up just yet, but over there next to–”
She cuts me off with a loud girlish squeal when she sees the flowers. “Oh my god, those are beautiful. Cole, are they for me?”
Chuckling at her, I nod. “Yes, they are. And just beside them are two envelopes. Open the smaller one first.”
She eyes the envelopes as if they’re going to bite her, but when she sees the look of love in my eyes, she relaxes and tears it open. Her eyes scan the letter inside. When she looks back at me, questions swirl in the baby blue of her irises.
“Keep reading…”
She starts to read out loud.
Lacey,
I’m sorry for pushing you that day. I didn’t mean to hurt you or the baby. I wanted to scare you because I wanted money. I thought I could convince you to help me out.
I was never cut out to be a father. That was never going to be in the cards for me. It still isn’t. I don’t want to be a dad. I don’t want anything to do with the baby, and I’m signing all rights over to you.
Ted
She finishes reading and looks back at me. “Is this real? Is this legal? Can he sign his rights over? I-I thought Clive said…”
“Bring me the second envelope over.” She plucks it from the counter and walks over before sitting next to me.
“I spoke with Clive, and he said you can register her birth in your name. He will submit this letter as part of the case for full custody, along with the police reports. You don’t have to put his name on the birth certificate; you can leave it blank.” She releases a deep breath as tears spring to her eyes.
“Can I not use your name?” I shake my head.
“No, baby, it doesn’t work like that.” Her face crumples as she covers her eyes. “But…can you hold Peanut for a second?” She takes hold of our little girl and rubs her nose with her own, gently shushing her.
