Chapter 38: Chapter 38

REECE

“When I was told I had a visitor, I wasn’t expecting you,” Tyler said.

“If you were expecting Odette, it’ll never happen.”

“What do you want?” Tyler gave me a sinister smirk. Anger pulsed through my body, but I had to reign it in.

“I want you to terminate your parental rights without a fight.”

“Why would I do that? Maybe I actually want to be a father,” he retorted.

“You just want rights to hold it over Etta. Let her go, let her live her life, and you can live your life when you get out of here.”

“No, this felony is going to follow me. I’m lucky I have my own business, or I would be worried about being able to live when I get out of here.”

“What would it take to get you to sign these papers?” I asked him.

“Besides being out of here? Money.”

“How much?” I asked.

“Twenty thousand a year for six years.”

“So you want a hundred and twenty thousand dollars?”

“Yes, in a savings account that will be ready for me to use when I get out,” Tyler demanded.

“Sign the fucking papers,” I said as I threw them across the table.

“That was easier than I thought,” Tyler said smugly.

I passed him the papers and a pen. Just as I suspected, he didn’t read a word of it. When he handed it back, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Thanks, and the next time you sign something, you should read everything. You not only agreed to give up your parental rights, but you also agreed to take nothing in return. That money you asked for isn’t happening.”

“Motherfucker.” He jumped up and lunged at me. I was quick and jumped back while the guard subdued him. I left, knowing I accomplished something Etta wanted.

***

“Finally. Where were you?” Etta asked.

“Getting this and filing it.”

“What is it?” she asked.

Etta took the papers from me and quickly went over them.

“He really signed these?”

“He did. He’s legally out of Caroline’s life,” I happily confirmed.

“Thank you!” She jumped up and hugged me.

“We also got the charges against Beau dropped,” I added.

“You’re a miracle worker.”

“It’s Thomas who’s the miracle worker,” I said.

“He may be, but I like rewarding you with kisses.”

“Fair enough.”

We stood there in silence for a few seconds.

“Would it be okay if I started the adoption process for Caroline?” I asked.

“You still want that?”

“Of course I do. I told you, I want you both to have my last name. You already have it, and now she can have it.”

“I love you, Reece.”

“I love you too.”

“While you were out doing this, I scheduled us to view some homes today. I hope that was okay.”

“It is. What time?” I asked.

“Would you be able to leave in an hour? Beau will be here soon to watch Caroline.”

“I can.”

“Awesome, I’m excited about this,” Etta said.

***

Seeing Etta interact with her brother always made me smile. They loved her and would do anything for her. She admired them and looked up to them. They helped raise her, so I knew our daughter was always in good hands.

“All ready?” she asked.

“Yes.”

***

The first house we looked at was nice. I could tell that Etta thought it was nice. It had four bedrooms and three baths. It would be perfect for more children or when family wanted to stay.

The second house was the one she fell in love with. It was a bit bigger than we needed at five bedrooms, three and a half baths, a bonus room, and a bar in the basement.

“It’s perfect, Reece. We could easily have three more children and not outgrow this house. If we need to, we can renovate the bonus room.”

“It is a nice house, and I’m sure we could fill up the rooms, but will you be okay with a place this big?” I asked.

“If we have more kids, I will be.”

I smiled at her and pulled her toward me. I kissed her lips.

“I’ll give you all the kids you are willing to have.”

“So we can have the house?” she asked.

“We can have the house.”

She squealed and kissed me, saying thank you over and over again. The house was too big and a bit over market price.

However, it made her happy. Seeing her happy made me happy. I would do anything to keep her smiling.

***

^Epilogue^

ODETTE

A lot happened this past year. Caroline celebrated her first birthday, Reece legally became her father, and I just found out we were becoming a family of four.

Today, I planned on surprising Reece. It was his birthday, and we had planned a family party at the house. He was out there talking to everyone, and Caroline had just woken up from her nap.

So, I was in here getting her dressed, which included Reece’s surprise. She was wearing a shirt that read, “I’m going to be a big sister.”

Once we got downstairs, I handed Caroline a box for Reece and told her to walk to Daddy.

When she reached him, he went to pick her up but stopped. “What’s this?” he asked loudly.

“Is this true?” He looked at me, and I nodded my head yes.

“You’re pregnant?” He picked up Caroline and walked over to me, pulling me in for a hug. “How far along?”

“Just a month. Happy birthday!”

“Fuck yeah!” Reece yelled.

After the shock of the announcement wore off, people started congratulating us. They told Reece that if it was another girl, he’d need professional help.

“My girls are wonderful, and if we have another one, she’s going to be just as wonderful,” Reece said.

“Good answer,” I said.

“Man, you’re whipped,” Wren jokingly said.

“I’m glad your sister is the one doing it,” Reece replied.

“Okay, let’s stop; there’s a child here,” Wren said.

“Every time I come over, I’m in awe of your house and your family,” Olivia stated as she hugged me.

“You’ll have this one day too,” I told her.

“I hope, but I have to get going; I’ll text you later,” she said as she rushed out.

As she left, Beau came up to us. “Who was that?”

“Who?” Reece asked.

“The girl that just left,” Beau asked.

“You mean Olivia? She’s a friend, and if you’re asking about her because you want her number, the answer is no,” Reece replied.

“Why?” Beau asked.

“I thought you had a thing for Emily,” I reminded him.

He let out a sigh. “She won’t give me the time of day. She said she can’t be with anyone who won’t commit.”

“She has a point; you’re trying to go after Olivia,” I pointed out.

“Only because Emily doesn’t want me,” Beau replied.

“You have to woo her. Buy her flowers, ask her out, and most importantly, be nice to her, Beau.”

“When did my baby sister earn the right to give me dating advice?”

“Well, I am married,” I reminded him.

“Fair enough.” Beau laughed.

After about another hour of talking, the rest of the people helped clean up and filtered out of our house.

“Thank you for today.”

“No need to thank me; you deserve it.”

“Seriously, Etta, thank you for giving me a family. I’ve always wanted a larger family, and when Mom and Dad died, I didn’t have siblings to fall back on. So thank you for giving me the gift of a family.”

This was the life I wanted. I had a husband who cherished me, an amazing daughter, and I was sure all of our future children would be the same. Reece saved me. He saved me from myself and from Tyler. He gave me my life back, and I was never letting him go.

End of Book