Page 41 of Shuttered Hearts

“You still have all the legal documents?”

“Yes, I kept everything.”

“Good.”

I finish loading the dishwasher and dry my hands, turning to face everyone at the table. Scott sits at one end of the table, Ava to his right with her back to me. Next to Ava is my emptychair, followed by Emily, with Caleb sitting at the other end of the table. I can see the worried expression on his face from here.

My eyes continue around the table to Quinn, sitting across from Ava. She must feel my eyes on her because it doesn’t take long for her to look up at me with what appears to be a pleading expression on her face.

I make my way back to the table, but instead of taking the seat I had been in originally, I continue around the table to take Max’s empty chair, sitting next to Quinn.

“So, what’s next?” I ask Ava.

“I’ll have to file a return suit, countering this. Chances are, we’ll be required to attend court-mandated mediation to come to an agreement,” Ava says, looking around the table. “I’m hoping we’ll be able to convince Nicole to drop her claim at that point. If she doesn’t, we’ll have to go before a judge.” She lifts her hands when both Caleb and Quinn open their mouths. “Nobody wants it to get there, but this is a legal document. We have to go through the proper channels.”

“How can she do this?” Quinn asks.

“Legally, nothing is stopping her from filing this suit. Yes, she did a horrible thing, but from a legal standpoint, what’s to say she hasn’t changed over the last ten years?” She lifts her hand again. “You and I know it’s doubtful, especially given how she showed up out of the blue last month, but the courts don’t know that. And no matter how frustrated we are in this moment, it’s their job to stay impartial to all of it.”

I look at Quinn and see her studying her hands resting on the table. Unable to stop myself from touching her, I reach out and place my hand at the base of her neck, showing her I’m here. She looks over at me, offering me a small smile in thanks.

“I think any judge looking at this will require a lot of proof from Nicole that she’s changed. If they grant her anything, itwill be visitation, with the possibility of more in the future. After she’s proven her intent to stay in his life.”

Scott shifts in his seat before asking a question that causes all of us to pause. “What happens when I’m gone?”

“Dad,” Quinn whispers, reaching for him.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but we need to. No matter how much none of us wants it to be true, I won’t be here this time next year.” He looks between Caleb and Quinn before turning back to my sister. “So, Ava, what happens when I’m gone?”

It takes her a moment before she answers. “Do you have a will?” she asks quietly.

“Yes. I had one made when I was first diagnosed five years ago.”

“Did you address who should have custody of Max in your will?”

“Yes. It’s Caleb and Quinn. I listed both of them with the intention they would determine what would be best for Max when the time came.”

“Dad.” This time, it’s Caleb who breaks.

“Who else would I trust to care for your brother?” Scott looks directly at Caleb. “You’ve been just as much a part of raising him as I have. There’s no one else I would trust more.”

It’s quiet, except for the soft sniffle I hear from Emily.

“Well.” Ava stops to swallow when her voice cracks. “The court will honor that until proven otherwise. If the custody case were to last longer than …” She pauses again, biting her lip. “If you were to pass before the end of this custody case, Caleb and Quinn would automatically be placed in your role for the remainder of the case.” She swipes beneath her eye quickly. “I believe the outcome would remain the same. They would be granted custody, and at most, Nicole will be given visitation.”

“Thank you, Ava,” Scott says, reaching for her hand and squeezing it. “We all appreciate you coming here so quickly to help us.”

“Of course. I’m glad I can help,” she says quietly.

“Okay, on to brighter subjects,” Scott says after a few minutes, clapping his hands.

Emily follows his lead. “Yeah, who wants to talk about the rumor going around town?” A small smirk grows slowly as she speaks.

“What rumor?” Caleb asks her.

“You didn’t hear Marybelle and Esther talking at the store earlier? They weren’t quiet about it.”

I steal a glance at Quinn from the corner of my eye, both of us straightening in our seats. I move my hand to her leg under the table.

---