Page 33 of Brokered Betrayals
Ivy pursed her lips in contemplation. “I can’t agree to that without knowing what you want to ask.”
“Okay, I’ll ask my question, and you decide how you want to respond,” Royce replied patiently. “Is our expected delay because of past adoptions or custody cases your firm has presented to the family court?”
Ivy’s mouth popped open with a soft gasp. “How could you know that?”
“We’re detectives,” Royce reminded her. “We can smell bullshit a mile away, so I need you to cut to the chase and be a hundred percent honest with us. What are the chances that your firm has acted in a way that will cause the court to deny our petition for adoption?”
Just hearing the words spoken out loud made Sawyer sick. He pressed a hand to his stomach as if that gesture alone could make it settle.
Ivy’s demeanor shifted into the fierce family law advocate they knew. “There’s zero chance of that, guys. Our law firm has done nothing wrong. If there is fault to be found, it won’t be with us.” She held her hands up, palms out. “And that’s all I can say.”
Sawyer wanted to press her for more answers but knew it wouldn’t do him any good. He released a frustrated breath andturned to face Royce. “The rest can wait as long as we get the post-birth order signed in time to leave the hospital.”
Royce nodded and squeezed Sawyer’s thigh. “Keep us posted?”
“Of course. I’m going to head home and retrieve my phone. I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear from Judge Hampton’s clerk.” She pushed back from the table and stood up. “Congratulations. Please don’t let any of this overshadow the joy of welcoming your baby girl into the world. I know it’s hard to have faith, but everything is going to be okay.”
She couldn’t know that for certain, but Sawyer needed to believe it, even if he was setting himself up for future heartache. But she was right about one thing. All the fretting and worrying would only rob them of precious time with their little girl, and he didn’t want to miss a single cute sigh or adorable expression Darla made.
Their family suite became a flurry of activity between the grandparents rotating in and out and the specialists’ visits during the next two feeding cycles. Both the speech pathologist and the lactation consultant agreed with Dr. Edwards’ assessment, and Darla’s procedure was scheduled for seven thirty in the morning. Sawyer wanted to think they’d manage a little rest over the next twelve hours, but he wasn’t betting on it. He would give it his best effort if he could kindly evict his mother and father from the suite without causing hurt feelings. Both sets of parents had fed them well, loved them up, and boosted their morale with encouragement. The support was absolutely wonderful, but Sawyer was ready for some quiet time with hishusband and daughter. Eddie and Jo had taken the hint during their last rotation when Royce let out a jaw-cracking yawn, but Evangeline was too focused on her Darla to notice when he tried it with her. Sawyer’s youngest nephew was ten, so it had been a very long time since one of her children had presented her with a newborn. She’d been willing to test the limits of the hospital visiting hours.
“Isn’t she the most beautiful miracle you’ve ever seen?” Evangeline asked wistfully.
It wasn’t the first time she’d asked, and it wouldn’t be the last. Sawyer’s answer would always be the same. “Yes.” His phone vibrated with a text from Kelsey, asking if it would be okay to visit Darla. The timing couldn’t have been better. Evangeline wouldn’t refuse Kelsey time to visit with the miracle she’d helped to create. He typed out a quick reply to Kels and set his phone down. “Mom, Kelsey wants to spend time with Darla.”
Evangeline didn’t look away from the bassinet. “Barron doesn’t mind going to the waiting room.”
“Andrew is coming too,” Sawyer said. “And then these new dads need to attempt some sleep.”
His mother sighed deeply. “I know. I’m being awfully selfish.” She placed a gentle hand on Darla’s belly. “But I love her so much.”
“Tomorrow morning is going to be really eventful with her procedure, recovery, and working with the specialists to get our girl on track. I think it would be best if we waited until midafternoon for visits. I’ll keep you posted on everything that happens.”
Evangeline turned to face him. “And you’ll send pictures.”
“Of course,” Royce said.
She crossed the room and threw her arms around Sawyer’s neck and then Royce’s. “I love you both so much.”
“And we love you,” Sawyer told her. “Thank you for everything today. It’s been an emotional roller coaster, and your support means everything to us.”
“We’re glad we could help,” Barron said after hugging each of them. “Let us know if we can bring you anything when we come tomorrow afternoon.”
Sawyer and Royce exhaled sighs of relief once they were alone. They reached for each other, stepping into a warm embrace that lingered until there was a soft knock on the door. Sawyer opened it, expecting to see Kelsey in a wheelchair, but she stood in the hallway, though slightly hunched. “Come in and sit down. I don’t think gravity is your friend right now.”
“I’ve been sitting or lying down all day. I needed to move my legs, and we’re just two doors down.” Kelsey shuffled inside with Andrew close behind her, ready to catch her if things went sideways.
“She’s a stubborn woman,” Andrew said with a smirk.
“They make the world go round,” Sawyer told him.
Kelsey moved to the bassinet and smiled down at Darla. “How’s she doing?”
They told Kels about Darla’s upcoming procedure, and she made cooing noises as she stroked her cheek.
“Kids are resilient,” Kelsey said. “She won’t remember the discomfort or hold a grudge against you, especially once the milk starts flowing.” She looked over at them and smiled. “Is fatherhood everything you dreamed it would be?”
Sawyer and Royce exchanged a loaded glance, both of them wondering what to say about the situation with their law firm. If Miguel had informed Kelsey, she would’ve brought it up already.