Page 49 of Proof

Chi-Chi looped her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. “I am so relieved.” She sighed. “Oh—and I love you, too.”

* * *

Luna was resting her head on the back of the sofa, basking in the romantic atmosphere of candles and music. “This is really nice.”

“Yes, it is.” Chris moved to sit next to her. He turned her face toward him. “I have two very important things I need to discuss.”

Luna shot up like a geyser. “What? What is it?” She knew something was amiss.

“Please don’t get yourself worked into a tizzy. Do you want the good news or the challenging news?”

Her head was spinning. “All of it!”

“The good news is I am getting a promotion. And a raise.”

Luna sat on her heels. “That’s great! What’s the challenging stuff?”

“Lucinda plans on moving to Chicago. Bruce is going to be a partner in a dental practice there.”

“What about Carter?” Luna immediately realized that was going to be the challenging part.

“I’m filing for full custody,” Chris replied.

“Well, good! You should have it anyway,” Luna huffed.

Chris looked surprised. “You realize that will make us a threesome on most weekends.” Then he laughed. “Sorry, wrong wording.” He was beginning to feel less anxious about Luna’s reaction. “What I mean is, I’ll have him every weekend except when he’s staying with a friend.”

“That’s okay with me. I love Carter. We’re besties.’”

“So he’s told me.” Chris brushed one of Luna’s wisps from her face. “Like the hair, by the way.”

“Thanks. Chi-Chi did it for me.”

“Anyway, things are going to get dicey until this is settled.”

“When are they planning on moving?”

“She said six months.”

“What does Carter think about all of this?” Luna asked.

Chris looked forlorn. “He told me he’s always felt like a visitor at Lucinda’s. Ever since his grandparents moved, he’s been feeling disconnected. But he’s happy when he’s with me. He said if he was given the choice, he’d rather stay with me.”

“That’s great!” Luna exclaimed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled him. “I am very happy for you.”

Chris was stunned but not surprised. Luna had a big, open heart when it came to other people. Chris also knew she was vigilant at keeping her own heart safe. Sometimes he could feel her pulling back, but he knew it was a defense mechanism. If nothing else, Chris had learned how to read people. Not necessarily the same way Luna could, but it was something that helped create their bond. He appreciated her intuitiveness. She appreciated his strength, integrity, and methodical thinking. They were an odd but good match. Yep. Who’d a thunk it?

“There’s going to be a lot of adjustments and disruptions until this is settled. But it has to happen within the next five months. She hasn’t even told him yet. Carter overheard Lucinda talking to Bruce.”

“This is kinda sudden, isn’t it?”

“Very, but Bruce’s uncle is retiring in a couple of years. He has a good practice and wants Bruce to come on board and eventually take it over.”

“Well, that’s good for Bruce and Lucinda.”

“Exactly. What I don’t understand is why she hasn’t told Carter yet.”

“Maybe she’s afraid he’ll do something rash?”

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