Page 35 of Falling for You (Balsam Cliffs #2)

Today is the day that my baby girl officially becomes mine.

Emma and I were up early to make it to Mr. Bardeau’s office in Portland.

I felt more comfortable making the Ryans come to my lawyer instead of me going to theirs.

I still don’t trust them. And while I might be open to letting them be a part of Olivia’s life, it won’t be happening anytime soon at least not overnight or unsupervised trips.

Emma did tell me that I should let them get one supervised visit per month with them traveling to us.

So, I conceded. Because I don’t want to keep anyone from my girl that loves her and they’re the only connection she will have to her mother.

I won’t be the one to take that connection away.

I hope that they are getting help for their grief regarding Blair because this was an extreme reaction to keep my daughter from me.

“Mr. Thomas, Ms. Keaton, are you ready to come back? We’ll review the final paperwork together and then once everyone signs, you will officially have custody.”

We follow him back to a conference room with Olivia sleeping in tow. The Ryans are already sitting at the table, and Diane has tears in her eyes. When we step over the threshold, she starts to stand, but thinks better of her choice.

Good. She doesn’t deserve to see her yet.

Wayne stands, clearing his throat. “Roman, could I have a moment with you please? I’d like to speak with you before we start.”

“Whatever you have to say you can say in front of my fiancée.”

“Why don’t I give you a moment to talk before we start.” Mr. Bardeau nods at me and shuts the door behind him when he leaves.

“Roman, Emma, we just wanted to say how sorry we are that we acted the way we did. Diane has started us in therapy. And I know that nothing we say can ever make you trust us with Olivia, but we hope to show you that you can trust us. We are truly grateful that you are allowing us to still have visits.” He looks down at Olivia sleeping in her carseat on the table, swallowing his tears.

“We won’t do anything to jeopardize losing her. ”

“Thank you, Wayne. I hope that moving forward we are able to have a good relationship for Olivia’s sake.” Emma squeezes my hand and I just nod before opening the door to let Mr. Bardeau back in.

“Are we ready to start?” He pokes his head back into the conference room.

“Yes, we are.” Diane says quietly without letting her eyes wander from Olivia.

Mr. Bardeau pulls out all his paperwork and reviews the terms that we all discussed previously. Diane is holding back silent tears in the corners of her eyes and Wayne’s attention is mostly on his wife. They both need to be reminded that they have to sign sections of the document.

I can’t imagine how hard this is on them, but at the same time they put us through hell and I’m still finding it hard to find the sympathy that Emma has for them.

“Okay, last signature and you’re all set.” Mr. Bardeau pushes the document toward me, I sign and he pushes it toward the Ryans.

I did it. Olivia is officially mine and it didn’t take me six months to get a court date.

“Can I please hold her?” Diane asks meekly.

I hesitate to answer, but when I see the tears silently falling, that sympathy I’ve been looking for creeps in.

“Sure.” Emma looks at me with her mouth open when the approval leaves my lips.

“Thank you, Roman.” The somber woman lunges forward, embracing me before turning to Emma who’s pulling Olivia from her carseat.

I stand by the door, watching these people hold my daughter and my guard is up. I might be feeling generous right now, but it doesn’t mean my trust is ready to see it.

Emma joins me to give the Ryans a moment with Olivia together.

“You are a good man, Roman Thomas. I’m a lucky woman to call you mine.” She reaches up on her tiptoes to kiss me.

“I only said yes because I was channeling you before I answered,” I say, annoyed with myself for feeling bad.

“No. You said yes because you saw how sad that woman is, and even if you’re mad at her, you’d never purposely hurt her.”

“Like she did to me,” I scoff.

“Don’t end this on a sour note. Once we leave here, she’s ours. And no one can ever take her again.” She pecks my cheek, and soothes out my frown with the pad of her thumb.

“You’re right. Let’s get our girl and get out of here.” Looping my arm around her waist we walk over to the Ryans to get Olivia.

“I don’t understand why we have to stop by. Clark has everything handled.” I whine as Emma pushes us inside Rebels. I just want to go home with my girls and enjoy a quiet night.

“Just shut up and go in. Clark made my favorite dessert. I want some to go.” Emma rolls her eyes at my complaining.

“Fine.” I turn the corner and see why she wanted to come.

“Surprise!” Practically the whole town is here, jumping up from behind booths and tables.

I look back at Emma, a broad smile taking over her face. “Did you do this?”

“Mimi K, mostly.” She chuckles and steps aside as the woman in question comes running over to us.

“I’m just so happy for you!” She kisses my cheek and I don’t miss the sly way she slips Olivia’s car seat onto her arm before running away.

“She just stole Olivia.” I hold my empty arm out to Emma.

“Yeah, sorry about that. She’s a baby hog.”

She laces her fingers with mine, pulling me into that party and toward the family that I’ve built here in Balsam Cliffs. But I don’t miss the one face that doesn’t seem to be here.

Hunter. He’s still not talking to me. Or Emma.

“Hey, Daddy.” Cooper calls out.

All the men bust out in laughter.

“I think that line is reserved for me, Coop.” Emma slaps his shoulder and his face scrunches in disgust.

“No. Gross. I don’t want to know what you yell out—you know what? Never mind.” He walks away to grab another beer.

Looking around for Hunter again, I do find him this time. In the corner, nursing a beer.

“Don’t worry. He’ll come around. Just give him a minute. There’s some shit he’s got to work through.” Gunnar says, turning to me.

“What shit?” He might be an asshole to me right now, but he’s still my best friend and brother.

“That’s his story to tell, not mine.”

“Hopefully he can get it together soon. I miss him.”

“He’s been ignoring us too. It’s not just you. He’s got some demons and regrets he needs to work through, but he’ll get there.”

He leaves me standing there, looking out at everyone that cared enough about me to show up.

And Emma, stands in the center of it all holding our baby girl. My life would be nothing without her and Olivia.

I’m one lucky bastard.