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Ellie shook her head. “No. I put you in a terrible position by lying about my identity to you and the court. I’m sorry for misleading you. It was never designed to break your trust, although I completely understand that it did.”
“About that…” Maggie popped open her briefcase. “The emergency hearing regarding Owen’s removal from your home was held this morning."
Ellie inhaled sharply, and Daniel felt his temper spark once more. He didn’t yell in deference to Owen, who was quickly dropping off to sleep, but his words were edged with steel whenhe said, “You didn’t think that was something Ellie should know about?”
“I sent a text and an email.”
Ellie’s complexion was ghostly pale as she lifted a hand to her mouth. “I don’t have my cell phone. It’s still back at the ranch. In all the confusion…” Moisture shimmered in her gorgeous eyes. “Mrs. Lyons, please, can we have another hearing? I want to explain myself to the judge. I know it’s a long shot, but?—”
“There’s no need.” She perched a set of reading glasses on her nose. “A group of current and former FBI agents, including Special Agent in Charge Vincent Maddox and retired Special Agent in Charge James Callahan, testified in front of the judge. They were accompanied by a large contingent of Texas Rangers, who also testified. Every single one of them agreed that Owen should be returned to your care immediately.”
Ellie seemed frozen in place, as if she was uncertain she’d heard Maggie correctly. Daniel reached up to take her hand. He shook it gently. “Did you hear her, sweetheart? The judge gave Owen back to you.”
The tears shimmering in her eyes spilled over her cheeks. She crouched down next to the chair and kissed Owen, before burying her face in Daniel’s chest. “He’s coming home with me. That’s what she said, right?”
“Yes, El.” Daniel wrapped an arm around her trembling form, his heart cracking wide open as her tears wet his shirt. “He’s coming home with you.”
She sucked in a breath and seemed to gather her runaway emotions under control before standing to face Maggie again. The older woman was watching them over the rim of her eyeglasses, and if Daniel wasn’t mistaken, moisture glistened in her eyes too. She sniffed again and squared her shoulders. “I need you to sign some documents.”
“Gladly.” Ellie moved forward, reaching for the pen.
“What will you do about your name now that it’s public knowledge you’re Elizabeth Conway?”
Ellie paused, her pen above the paper. “I’m not Elizabeth Conway. Not anymore. I wondered for a while if I’d buried that part of myself when I went into hiding, but after all of this, I realize it was leaving things undone that truly bothered me. Now that the Iron Fist is dismantled, I’m free to choose who I want to be, and my real life began when I became Ellie Brooks. I have a community in Silver Creek, and I have Owen.”
Maggie nodded. “Now, I want to be clear, your adoption application is still pending. The judge will have questions about lying to the court about your identity, and he may still ask the District Attorney to pursue charges of perjury, but SAC Maddox and SAC Callahan testified adamantly that you were following orders. It’s my hope the judge will let it go, but that’s not my call.” She smiled gently. “You have good friends.” Her gaze skipped to Daniel. “Both of you.”
“Yes, we do.” Ellie finished signing the paper with a flourish. “Thank you, Mrs. Lyons.”
“No, Miss Brooks, I should be thanking you. You and Ranger Perez saved Owen’s life.” She clicked her briefcase closed. “I’ll do everything I can to convince the judge that you deserve to adopt Owen. I may have to get in line to do it…” She chuckled. “But you can count on me being in your corner.”
Her heels clipped against the tile as she left the room. Ellie turned to face Daniel, a stunned expression on her face. “Pinch me. I’m not sure I believe that just happened.”
“Believe it, sweetheart.” Daniel smiled, his heart filled with joy for her. Ellie was an amazing mother, and Owen was very blessed to have her. “When we’re all released from the hospital, we should have a party at the ranch to celebrate. A justice-was-served-all-is-right-with-the-world party.”
She laughed, the sound melodic and full of relief. “That might be hard to spell out with balloons.” Her gaze softened as she took in Owen, completely asleep in Daniel’s arms. “You two are absolutely precious together. I wish I had my cell phone so I could snap a photo.”
The comment made Daniel’s breath catch. It was something a woman might say about her husband and child. He’d vowed to give it some time, let them settle into life without danger stalking every move, but after nearly escaping death, it seemed ridiculous to put off saying what was in his heart. He started to rise from the chair, but Ellie drew closer.
“Here, let me take Owen first.” She gently lifted the sleeping boy, and ever so carefully, laid him in the crib before covering him with a soft blanket.
Daniel joined her, wrapping an arm around her waist. An easy touch. Natural. As if he’d been doing it his whole life. Ellie leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, as they both watched Owen sleep. The baby’s breathing was deep and regular, a small smile playing on his lips. And yet, even in slumber, he kept a solid grip on his favorite stuffed dog. Daniel smoothed a curl away from his cheek. “How does he manage to hold on to Scout like that, even in his sleep?”
Ellie chuckled. “I have no idea. You know I bought two extra Scouts and hid them in my bedroom closet. If we ever lose one, I wanted to have backups.”
“Just one more reason you’re such an amazing mom.”
A cloud crossed her face. “Let’s hope the judge thinks so too.”
“He will.” Daniel’s heart picked up speed as a sudden case of nerves churned his stomach. “El… what would you think about modifying your adoption petition?”
Her brow furrowed as she lifted her head from his shoulder and twisted to face him. “What do you mean? Like adding my real name?—”
“No.” He swallowed hard. “I want to marry you, and I’d like us to adopt Owen together. I love you both. So much it almost hurts sometimes. And I know it’s fast. I probably should’ve waited until I had a ring picked out, taken you someplace special…” Daniel was just realizing how foolish this was. He’d proposed in the hospital next to Owen’s bedside while his face and body were covered in bruises. He wasn’t even sure he could get down on one knee without tearing his stitches out again. This was all wrong.
Judging by Ellie’s shocked expression and stony silence, she agreed.
“I’m sorry. This wasn’t well thought out. My mom put this ridiculous notion in my head. She and my dad married after two weeks and had a wonderful twenty-five years together.” Daniel shook his head. “We can take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere. I just… wanted you to know what was in my heart.”