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“You didn’t tell her he got hurt?” Molly asked.
“Why would I? I’ve never told her the many times he had fevers or when he had pneumonia.”
“I guess that’s true.”
He glanced at Caden to make sure he was truly asleep before he continued the conversation. “I don’t see anything changing just because she’s reappeared and wants to know him. She’ll never be his mother the way you’ve been mine.”
“No, she won’t be, but she did give birth to him, and that means she’ll always be his mother.”
“I respect that, and I appreciate it every day. But that’s as far as my obligation to her goes.”
“Hmmm,” Molly said.
“What does that mean, Mom?”
“I read her letter, son. She’s grown up a lot in the last seven years, and you may need to make space for her in your son’s life, starting by telling her he got hurt.”
“What if she decides she wants joint custody and uses that information against me?”
“You have full custody, Max,” Linc said. “She’s not going to be able to change that. Check with Grayson to see what he thinks to be sure, but I think that ship has sailed for her.”
“Your points are well taken, and I’ll talk to Gray.”
Molly turned in her seat so she could see him better. “I never considered the custody question, and you’re right to be cautious about that.”
“Did you just tell me I was right about something?” Max asked, grinning.
“There’s a first time for everything.”
Max laughed at the way she said that. “I’ll try not to get too cocky.”
“The thing is, I’ve never had to consider how my actions might affect the custody of my children, so I didn’t properly appreciate that concern.”
“Not everyone gets lucky being married to the father or mother of their children for fortysomething years.”
“No, they don’t, and in case I forget to tell you this every day, that child is very lucky to have you as his daddy.”
“And he’s lucky to have you guys as his grandparents.”
Molly smiled and then turned back to face the front.
Max composed a text to his cousin Grayson.Hi there, on the way back to Butler with Caden and my parents. Thanks to you and Emma for all the texts and well-wishes over the last few days. We’re very thankful that he and Chase are doing so much better. I wanted to let you know that I recently received a gift for Caden along with a letter from his mother, Chloe. She told me how she has worked hard to get to a point where she feels like she’d like to see him, and I’ve agreed to let her because Caden wants to meet her. That was supposed to happen today, but I put it off until next week. My mother thought I might want to inform Chloe that Caden is injured, but I’m concerned about her end game and maybe using that against me if she’s gunning for some form of custody. Anyway, can we catch up tomorrow to discuss? Thanks, Gray!
His cousin responded a few minutes later.So happy to hear Caden is on his way home. Hope Chase is right behind him. Thank God they’re both ok. Will call you tomorrow.
Thanks again, Gray.
“I’m going to talk to Grayson about Chloe tomorrow,” Max told his parents.
“Good,” Molly said. “He’ll know how to handle it.”
When they got home, all the lights were on in Max’s house, and the driveway was full of SUVs and pickup trucks. “Looks like there’s a welcome-home party for Caden,” Max said.
As he carried Caden inside, Max wasn’t at all surprised to find most of his siblings and their partners jammed into the small home he shared with Caden. Every available space was covered with food.
Caden perked up at the sight of his aunts and uncles, who swarmed around him, making a fuss and surrounding him with love, as they had all his life.
Max got him settled on the sofa, covered with a blanket and propped up with pillows supporting his injured left side.
