Page 111 of Forgotten Desires

I send him a text that I’m going to call him now and not to ask anything about the accident. We need her to give an account when we can record it.

Then I call and hand the phone to Layla.

Her eyes brighten as soon as Crew’s face is on the screen. “Hi, Ladybug. Are you okay?”

“I’m at the hospital.”

“I know. Does anything hurt?”

She shakes her head. “I want to go home.”

“You will as soon as the doctors say you can.”

Layla’s lower lip juts out. “Daddy, I want you.”

“I’m getting on the plane right now and I’ll be home in a few hours, but Brynn is there, and she’ll give you all the hugs you want.”

She looks at me and I smile. “As many as you want.”

“And you’ll be here soon?”

Crew is already buckling up in the seat on the plane. “In three hours, baby. I’ll be home just in time to tuck you in. Love you, Ladybug.”

She leans her head against my shoulder. “I love you, Daddy.”

He blows her a kiss and I smile at him. “We’ll see you soon.”

Layla and I lie in her bed, waiting for the doctor and watching television. I never thought I would be so grateful that Grady and Jett lived with me for so long, since I can talk to her about the characters on the show.

I’m pretty cool to her since I know all the songs too.

There’s a knock on the door and we turn to see Crew’s lawyer, Ms. Banks, enter. She smiles warmly at the both of us. “Hello, Layla and Brynlee.”

Layla grabs my arm. “I don’t want to go.”

“You’re not going anywhere, Layla. This is Ms. Banks, she’s a friend of your daddy’s.” Layla sniffles and I rest my hand on her cheek. “It’s okay, I promise.”

She relaxes and Ms. Banks waves. “I’m just here to make sure that you’re okay and make sure that you can go home with Brynn or see if we have to wait for your daddy.”

Layla scoots closer to me. “Can I see Mommy?”

“Not right now, sweetheart.” She looks up at me and I give her a sad smile. I hate this for her. She must be so scared and confused about what’s happening. I’m going to assume that Jacqueline is still being held, depending on how drunk she was. “Can you stay here while I go outside with Ms. Banks?”

“You’re not leaving?” she asks.

“I’m just going right outside your room. I’ll be back before you know it. Do you think maybe you can color a picture for me?” There’s a stack of books and coloring books on the table at the foot of her bed.

Layla’s eyes brighten and she looks animated for the first time since I arrived. I bring over a few options and the bin of crayons, kiss the top of her head, and we exit her room.

As soon as we’re out of earshot, Ms. Banks starts. “I’m not able to get specifics but my contact at the NYPD said her blood alcohol level was at least two times over the limit. She’s in the ER as well, being examined. She’ll most likely spend the night in a holding cell, unless her lawyer can work his magic and get a bedside arraignment, which I’m going to assume he can’t since she hit a police unit. Either way, I’ve already spoken to Child Protective Services and they’ve granted Layla to stay with Carson and you until Jacqueline’s released. After that, you’ll need to return Layla to her mother. I’m filing paperwork showing the child’s life is in danger due to her mother’s addiction.”

All of that sounds pretty standard. “I think it might be smart if you approach Jacqueline while she’s been dealt this blow. We know that Carson’s case is solid and there was a good chance at him getting custody before she got drunk and drove with her child in the car.”

“I’ve already considered that option as well. If this is a slow news day and it hits the papers, it could work in our favor. The other side is that if it doesn’t become a news story, we can make it one and use that as leverage. My hope is that we can drop the custody hearing and get her to agree to signing her rights over to avoid a story. It’s a pie in the sky dream, but I happen to be a great baker.”

That would truly be the best-case scenario. Crew could skip a nasty, drawn-out custody hearing and have Layla full time. I pray that’s the outcome, for everyone’s sake.

As we’re standing here discussing the possibilities, the doctor walks over. “Are you Layla’s family member?”

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