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“That’s not true,” I tell my attorney. “We both know she saw Isaac as a burden.”
My attorney raises a dark eyebrow. “You have to be cool about this. That’s the only way to win this case.”
“I am cool,” I shout, and then I’m instantly ashamed. I’m taking out my anger on the wrong person. “I’m sorry.”
He smiles. “I understand. Now let’s see where we are. Your wife has already filed an emergency custody motion, and she’s likely to be granted a date in the next week or so. We don’t have a lot of time to prepare.”
I’m so wound up. How can my life change in such a short time? Mila and I have been so happy.
“She looks good on paper; I have to say,” my attorney says. “More settled. A husband and a home.”
“I have a home,” I say.
“Yes, but no wife or even girlfriend.”
I remember Mila saying she had told Brenda that she was my girlfriend. “I do have a girlfriend.”
His eyes light up. “Do you think you could convince her to marry you? Like in the next couple of days?”
My eyes almost pop out of my head. “What?”
“We want to increase your chances in his custody case.”
I just don’t know. Mila and I are fuck buddies. She doesn’t harbor hopes of us getting married. One of the first things she said to me was that she was not looking for anything serious. I can’t ask her to marry me. I point this out to my attorney, and he says to tell her it won’t be forever. Just until the court case.
“What does she have to gain?” I ask. It’s too much to lay on her. She only signed up to be Isaac’s nanny and to share my bed whenever both of us feel like it. Not a fake marriage proposal.
“Just give it a shot, will you? It’s one way I can almost guarantee that you’ll be sure to keep Isaac.”
I’d do anything to keep Isaac, but even the thought of asking Mila makes me break out into a cold sweat. It makes me feel like a user.
I find her at home waiting for me.
“How did it go?” she asks as soon as I enter the house.
“Let’s go sit down,” I say, buying time.
I tell her everything from the start, including the attorney’s suggestion. “I told him to forget it. It wasn’t possible. I wouldn’t ask that of you, Mila. You’ve given so much to us already.”
She contemplates me. “I’ll do it.”
I think my hearing is flawed. ‘What?”
“I said I’ll do it. I’ll marry you. For a month, two months, whatever you need. I can’t bear the thought of Isaac going to live with your ex-wife. I’m sorry, but she gives me bad vibes.”
I cover my face and almost break into tears. I’m hanging on by a mere whisker. Mila comes to me and sits on my lap. I wrap my hands around her waist, and she clings to my neck.
What have I done to deserve such kindness? To have Mila in my life? I want to say no, to reject her offer, but I can’t. I’ll try anything to keep Isaac and not just because I love him so much. It’s because I believe I’m a better parent.I’ve provided stability for Isaac. He’s surrounded by all our friends, and now we also have Mila. When I think of Isaac going to live in a house where his purpose is to be an heir, my insides twist.
“So, when is the wedding?” Mila says, adopting a playful tone.
***
Before Isaac and I go for baseball practice, I call my attorney to tell him the good news. He’s excited to hear that Mila has agreed to marry me. He instructs me on what I need to do to get the wheels rolling.
The first thing is to log on to the county clerk website to apply for the marriage license. I stare at the form. My hands are clammy, and my heart is pounding wildly. I can’t believe that I’m doing this again. Even if it’s fake, the outcome is the same. Mila will always be a part of us.
I soon realize that Mila and I have to fill out the form together. It also hits me just how little I know about her. I’m marrying a stranger. What if she’s not who I think she is? All sorts of horrors go through my mind. Five minutes later, I’m sweating.
I shut off my laptop and get Isaac from his room. We head out for practice, but first, we swing by Collins’ to pick up his son, Thomas. Debbie is not available to drop him off, and I’m glad to pick him up. They’ve done so much for us, and I feel good when I can do something in return.
I honk when we reach the driveway, and Thomas comes out, followed by his dad. We exchange greetings, and then he leans in to whisper to me.
