Page 21 of May's Bad Boy: Kody

"Yes, sir," I say. "But I think it's necessary."

He nods once.

I step forward, each movement slow and deliberate, like walking into a storm.

"I didn't marry Paige for insurance. Yes, I married her because I needed help. I needed someone beside me in a fight I wasn't sure I could win alone. But what I didn't know was how much I needed her."

I let my words settle.

"That photo? It wasn't her being reckless. That was her pushing through exhaustion and illness to make sure my daughter was fed, safe, and loved. I was there. I sat on the floor with her that night, scared out of my damn mind. And you know what I realized?"

I turn to Paige.

"She wasn't the liability. I was. I was the one who didn't know how to help. She's the strongest person I've ever met."

My voice thickens. I push through.

"She didn't just care for Sadie. She gave her hope. She gave her joy. She gave her a home. And she gave me a reason to believe I could be better than my past."

I take a breath. My hands are shaking.

"This isn't fake. This is the most real thing I've ever had."

And then, because the truth deserves to be heard--whether it wins us the case or not,I say it.

"I love you, Paige. I think maybe I've loved you since the day you made Sadie laugh. And I don't care what anyone in this room thinks about that. Because it's the truth. You're my partner. My home. And I will never stop fighting for you. For us."

The room is silent.

And then, soft footsteps.

Sadie.

I hadn't noticed her with Shane and Caitlin sitting in the back of the courtroom. Sadie still has her notebook in her hand, her glittery sneakers squeaking on the floor as she runs up to Paige.

She wraps her arms around Paige’s waist and says, "Don't cry, Mama."

The entire room holds its breath.

Paige drops to her knees, gathering Sadie into her arms. Her shoulders shake as she cries into our daughter's hair. And I cross the space to them, resting my hand over both of theirs.

A family.

The judge waits, watching it all. No gavel. No words.

Just... time.

Finally, he clears his throat and sits back.

"This is a real family. Messy, maybe. Imperfect, definitely. But real." He looks down at his papers. "Custody remains with Mr. Reed. And the court recognizes this marriage as valid."

Then he removes his glasses and looks directly at us.

"I've been on this bench a long time. I've seen all kinds of families. Some bound by blood, others by circumstance. But what matters in this courtroom isn't how a family looks on paper. It's how they show up for each other when it matters most."

He gestures toward us.

"This child knows who her home is. It's not about who has a better income or whose past looks cleaner. It's about love. Stability. Sacrifice. I saw a man today who took ownership of his past. A woman who stood in the fire and didn't flinch. And a little girl who calls them hers."

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