Page 123 of Stay With Me
“What is it?” I ask as I reach for it with shaking hands.
“Open it and see,” he says with a wide smile.
“Um, okay.” I open the metal clasp, and inside is a bunch of paperwork. I pull it out and shuffle through them until one catches my eye.
My heart stops and I gasp.
“What’s wrong?” Noah asks with a slightly panicked tone.
“Um, it’s a birth certificate with my name on it.” I look up at Hunt with tears threatening to spill over. “Is this real?”
“Yup. I had it expedited so you can move forward with getting custody of Jess.” He slides his hands into his pockets.
I set the papers down and give him a grateful smile. “Thank you. For everything.”
“After everything you’ve been through. It’s the least I can do.”
Noah walks up beside me and puts his arm around my waist.
I wipe my tears away. “Do you want to stay and hang out? We have plenty of food.”
“I wish, but duty calls. I have to get to the plane and head back. You guys will hear from me soon,” he says. “And if you’re ever in my neck of the woods, give me a call.”
“We will for sure. Thanks for everything.” Noah shakes his hand again.
Just as quickly as he came, he left.
Noah pulls me into a hug, and Jess’s laugh breaks the moment.
“I swear Noah taught you how to cheat,” Sam says and throws his head back on the couch.
“You’re a sore loser, Uncle Sam.”
We all laugh as I go on my tiptoes to kiss Noah under the chin. “Go save Sam from losing again.”
He shakes his head and walks back to the living room.
I look back down at the paperwork.
“So does this mean we can teach you how to drive now?” Am asks.
“You don’t even like driving. Why would you teach her?” Pam says.
“I don’t have to drive to teach her. That’s the beauty of it.” Am grabs a piece of pita and goes for the hummus.
“I don’t care who teaches me. I just want to learn. I also want to get my GED so I can take college classes,” I say.
“If anyone teaches you to drive, don’t let it be Pam. She hits more curbs than anyone I know,” Sam says as he walks up to us. “Congrats, Luna. This is exciting stuff.”
“I haven’t hit a curb inyears, you asshole. I’m a great driver.” Pam defends herself.
Am snorts. “You did have to get several new tires when we first started driving.”
“Not everyone had a mom who taught us how to drive at like ten years old.” Pam counters.
“I know. I’m so glad she did, although it made me terrified of everyone driving in driver’s ed,” Am says with a shrug.
Jess walks up to me and tilts her head to read the paperwork. “Does this mean you can adopt me now?” she asks, and we all freeze.
