“I don’t know, Momma.” She exhales. “I feel like a monster.”
“No one thinks that of you, honey,” Mom reassures Cori.
“I want the best for Ruby, but if we do this, it will be another way Devin gets over and dumps his responsibility on me. I’m not going to let him get away with it.”
“This isn’t about him, Cori.” Her eyes snap up and meet mine. But only for a moment. The door to the office opens, and Leander comes in with a crying Ruby. Finch follows behind, but she walks to Cori and rubs against her legs. My wife’s hand lands on Finch’s head, and she rubs it. I don’t know if she’s aware of her actions.
Cori pulls me out of the room and takes me to a corner. “I feel like I’m being set up to fail, Daxton.”
“What do you mean, baby?”
“I mean, I can’t do it all. I’m already pregnant.” She looks around to ensure our privacy before continuing. “Now, I’m supposed to be responsible for an infant, start a business,andgo to school?” She lets out a whoosh of breath. “I can’t do all of that. My load just doubled, and it’s not fair. You know what else is not fair? That they get everything. Devin gets to walk away. My parents dump the responsibility on me, and they get to walk away and enjoy life.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and look into her eyes. “But you won’t do any of it alone.” I rest my hand on her stomach. “This baby won’t be here for another seven months. Your shopis practically ready, and we’re in the rare position of being able to afford help.” I cup her cheeks. “I made a promise to give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and I’m going to do just that. And they won't get everything. You're in charge." I point at her. "You dictate the terms."
She sighs and rests her head on my chest. I cradle the back of her neck until she takes my hand and leads me back to her office.
“The only way I’ll even consider this is if Devin lets us adopt her, and he has no rights."
"I agree."
She look up into my eyes. "I know you've donated to my dad's campaign in the past." I don't answer. She gets so close that her body ends up pressed against mine. "Is that a benefit to you."
"It is," is all I say.
"OK."
"Okay?"
"Ok. Keep him in your back pocket"
"Anything else?"
"Stop paying for all their shit.Wearen't doing anything else for this family. Once Mom's a little better, they can pay for their own housekeeper."
"Done," I say without hesitation. "What else? Whatever you want, Bella."
"What about Ruby’s mother? I know she’s in prison, but doesn’t she still have rights?”
“She doesn’t.” Leander makes his presence known, and answers on my behalf. I'm unsure if he heard my wife's demands or not. Either way, he'll find out soon enough. He bounces Ruby, who is reaching for me. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“I want Devin out of it completely. He’ll have to be out of it, Dad. I’m not looking for him to be a co-parent. If we take Ruby, Dax and I are the parents, and that’s it. Devin can’t just walk back into her life. He can’t make any decisions. He can’t getaccess whenever he wants, and if you and Mom try to guilt-trip me when he eventually comes crawling back, I will never speak to either one of you again.”
Leander nods in understanding, and I see his body go lax in relief.
“You have my word,” he reassures her.
“That doesn’t mean a thing to me. I’ll only do it if it’s legally binding,” Cori says. “He will have to give up his rights and let us adopt her. That’s the only option. He has one chance. If he balks or tries to negotiate, I’m out. I won’t do it. Those are my terms.”
“I’ll put a gun in his mouth to get him to agree. If he won’t, I’ll pull the trigger. Either way, he'll be a non-factor.” I mean every word. “I know where he is,” I add.
“I’ll go with you to talk to him. I’ll convince him.” Leander, for all his size and bulk, suddenly seems small.
“I don’t want to see or talk to Devin.” Cori’s voice is soft but firm. “Daxton, you handle this. I’ll sign whatever I need to. I’ll meet with a social worker, go in front of the judge, but you’re going to handle the details.”
“You won’t have to do anything. I’ll take care of it all.”
My wife takes my hands and stares into my eyes. “I’m trusting you to be honest with me. If Devin balks even once, you will tell me.”
