Page 37 of Better Than Baby
“I’m assuming you’re referring to the paternal grandparents who were against the initial adoption to you, that is.”
“Uh…yes.”
“They never filed papers to become legal guardians. I don’t know how involved they were in the child’s life, but regardless, they were in an accident last month. The grandfather died of his injuries, and the grandmother isn’t doing well. Their son, the biological father, lives in California now and has never been in the picture. Cassie has been sole provider and caretaker, a role that she never wanted in the first place. On top of that, she’s suffering from depression and has been leaning heavily on a friend while waiting for the grandparents to file their paperwork. That isn’t going to happen now. She wanted to discuss other options for her son after ending up in ER getting her stomach pumped after overdosing on a cocktail of prescription pills.”
“Oh, my God.”
“Terrible. I know,” Gabby concurred sympathetically. “Her friend has become a temporary caregiver for the boy. Her father is a lawyer with?—”
“McElvy, Holstead, and Reyes.”
“That’s correct.” Gabby paused. “It’s not a nice story. Cassie is a deeply unhappy woman who’s been held hostage by the whims and prejudices of a legal system that in this instance, has not served the boy’s best interest.”
“Prejudice.” I frowned. “The grandparents didn’t want a gay couple to adopt their son’s biological child.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry, but I believe so.”
“And now?”
“Cassie would like you to adopt her son.”
“Oh.”
“I know this is a lot to absorb, and I understand that you’ve made other plans, but I wanted to pass along the message. I don’t know how long her friend can care for the boy. At some point, given Cassie’s situation, he could be placed in the system and?—”
“Stop.” I massaged my temple and put my phone on speaker as I tried to wrap my head around this curve ball. Like it or not, Aaron needed to hear this too. “Can you repeat that, please? For Aaron.”
Gabby complied, adding, “The past year’s been very difficult for all parties, and I know this is heavy and unexpected, but please, think about it. Gauge your emotional and physical well-being and your change of circumstance, and get back to me.”
I rested a hand on Aaron’s waist, our matching gazes locked on the screen. “We need to discuss this and?—
“Is he okay?” Aaron blurted. “The baby…is he okay?”
“He’s great,” Gabby said without hesitation. “He’s a perfectly healthy, seemingly happy bouncing baby boy. Blond hair, blue eyes. Really cute. I can send you a photo if?—”
“No. Not yet.” I shook my head and squeezed Aaron’s side. “We’ll call you.”
“Wait,” Aaron intercepted. “What’s his name?”
“Xander.”
The air sucked out of my lungs as if I’d been gut punched.
Xander.
Our Xander.
I disconnected the call and turned to my husband. Aaron’s eyes were shiny, and his bottom lip quivered. He bit it as if hoping to stave off an emotional avalanche…and failed.
He burst into tears. “Oh, my God. Matty…she named him Xander.”
I blinked, rubbing his shoulder as I fought my own battle to keep a level head and not come the fuck unglued. “We need to be calm and think this through.”
“What’s there to think about? He needs us.”
“Aar, we have a baby coming in less than a month,” I reminded him gently.
“I know, but Xander is supposed to be ours. He always was.”