Page 28 of Fighting Our Forever

“That isn’t even a question Brenna. I can’t believe you’re asking that. You need to know, that I don’t want you in his life after this. Not after you were so willing to give him up. I want full custody.”

“Let me stop you right there handsome. I’m sticking around long enough to make sure I have no legal responsibilities to him. Then Gary and I are moving out west somewhere.”

“I can’t believe your so blasé about this. You don’t even want to keep in touch, see him occasionally?”

She shakes her head sadly. “I could see the judgement in your eyes as soon as you sat down. You knew I wasn’t a good mother the moment you walked in those doors, didn’t you Ryan? You’re not wrong. I don’t have it in me.”

“Wow, Brenna. Okay. Shit, okay. Of course, I’m taking him. Can we do this tonight?”

I see relief pool in her eyes, and I don’t know whether I should be grateful, pissed, or sad that she feels this way.

“I brought everything with me. It’s in my car. Let’s do this now, I need to be home soon before Gary gets home.”

I carry Rush in my arms and follow behind her to her black Mercedes Benz. I watch as she empties the trunk full of bags of his things, his life with her since he was born. I’m hurting for my son, to be born to a woman who wants nothing to do with him. After a few minutes, I’ve had enough of watching her do the work. I might not like the woman, but my momma raised me to do the heavy lifting in the presence of a woman.

When all of Rush’s things are stored in my front and back seats, and she’s installed his car seat in the back of my truck, she hands me a folder.

“What’s this?”

“It has all of his paperwork. His birth certificate, shot record, social security card, and a few other things you’ll need. The card to my lawyer is in there as well. Call him later today and get in touch with him. He’ll tell you everything you need to know to get this finished. Can I hold him one more time?”

She almost seems sad for having to give him up, but I don’t miss the giddy energy pouring from her in waves. She kisses the crown of his head and hugs him close for a moment, before handing him back to me and getting into her car and driving away.

I stand there, holding my son. My son. Goddamn, I have a son. I hold him tight relishing the feel of his chubby little body against my chest.

“Alright Rush. It’s time to get you home. We’ll figure everything out, you’ll see.”

What are Paul and Callie going to think? Shit, are they going to be ready for this? Guess we’ll find out soon, won’t we? I buckle Rush into his car seat and drive us home, nervous about what I’m springing on the people I care about most.

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