*Long.
Charlie's POV
"You're kidding..." I chuckle humorlessly. There's no way. She just can't get out after less than a month...not when she hit that baby. I mean, there were pictures...we made it a point to take pictures and give them to the police just so something like this would not happen.
"I wish..." he mutters, running a hand over his head. "Even my lawyer seemed speechless as to how this could have happened. And I'm freaking the fuck out because he's freaking the fuck out, and we barely have a case put together aside from what my private investigator found out and fucking mother fucking-"
"Baby, breathe." I grab a hold of his shoulders and squeeze-a little roughly, I presume, since he winces. Cycling, ya know?
Though now, given my current situation, I guess I'll be putting cycling off for quite some time. Lazy me is jumping for joy.
But more importantly, what did he find out from the investigator? And why didn't he tell me that he heard back from him? Sigh.
"We're good," I reassure him and myself, nonetheless. But he only shakes his head. "Listen. You've got a really good lawyer- the best. You know I don't like to be like this, but I highly doubt her lawyer is going to be as good as yours because you have the financial means. And you have proof- like physical, proof. You can't argue pictures...you just can't."
"But they always side with the mum. I've read up on too many cases like this where the people in our position get screwed because like, how can I argue that I'm a better fit when she gave birth to him..."
"Zayn, you and I both know that it takes more than a biological connection to be a good parent. There's so much more to it, and you..." I hold his cheeks between my palms. "You're truly...remarkable. You stepped up to the plate when I thought for sure I was gonna be alone raising Marley, and how many guys in your position would have given up everything and done that? Not to mention you're raising three kids with one more on the way now and...and there's not a doubt in my mind that you could do it by yourself if you had to...not that you will, because I'll be here, but like...if the courts can't see how truly amazing you are, then...well. Fuck me," I blurt, taking a page out of his book. He smirks, basking in my compliments. "Now come. Let's get our babies...all three of them."
"Four," he says as I lean into him. But he grips my hands in his and holds me at arms length before looking at my belly, as if there's a huge difference between me a few weeks ago and pregnant me now. "Which means...we're halfway to the goal."
Oh sweet Jesus.
*
Zayn carries Adrian and Marley inside, insisting that I don't even dare try to bring Li in yet...he thinks I'm gonna get hurt or something. But I remind him that the baby is the size of a sesame seed and Liyana weighs like, twenty pounds.
...He in turn, told me not to argue with him tonight unless I'd like him to break out the red furry handcuffs I totally made him buy after we saw the first Fifty Shades movie (and let me tell you, I was hella embarrassed even bringing the topic up to him, but he was more than willing to make the purchase.) We never used them, in case you're wondering, but like...I don't think I'd be opposed to trying them out. Okay, I'll stop.
Anyway, being stubborn is one of my many selling points, so I toss Liyana over my shoulder and trudge up the front steps. Except as I open the door, Zayn happens to be opening it at the same time. "What the hell am I gonna do with you," he grins, taking Li from me as I bat my lashes at him and bite my lip. He rolls his eyes and turns around, so I pinch his butt as he walks into the foyer because us.
