CHAPTER SIX
Pain erupts in the side of my body, causing my feet to skid to a halt. I lean against a brick wall and inhale a deep breath. When I'm required to run, I always kick myself for not bothering to exercise, and the worse part is that I still won't bother after this.
I launch myself off the wall and weave between clusters of people dressed in black suits. My breath is rapid but short, my cheeks are bright red and my throat burns. I continue forwards until I see the large row of cream steps leading to the courthouse.
"Who on earth thought all these stairs was a good idea?" I groan.
I rub my arm over my forehead to remove the beads of sweat collecting on my forehead. There's no way I'm going to make it out of here alive. However, I need to do this for Blake and London, for my tiny family!
Placing one foot on the stair, I take them by two until I'm at the top and wheezing for more oxygen. Maybe today is the day I commit and go running with Blake in the morning, or I die, who knows.
As I stagger towards the door, it opens and an older man with greying hair wanders out. He holds the glass door open and I force my legs to move. I tug on a smile and thank him.
Inside the building is an odd kind of musty smell and low whispers as people muddle through. I toss my bag onto a tray and walk through the metal detectors. I collect my bag on the other side and whizz through the halls.
I tuck a strange of brown hair behind my ear and breathe.
Yes, I'm late, but I'm here, and that counts for something, right?
One of the mothers was late picking up her child, and so I couldn't leave. That's the one thing I hate about childcare, you never finish on time, and you can't up and leave if you really need to go.
A pang of guilt explodes through my stomach as Blake and our lawyer shuffle down the hallway. I zip past a couple and collide against Blake's chest. His arms instantly wrap around me and I'm squished into a hug. Blake buries his face into the crook of my neck, his breath hot against my skin.
"I'll speak with you later, I have another case to attend to." He nods.
I tug on a smile and nod.
"What's wrong, baby?"
His grip tightens, and it squishes the air out of my lungs. I hold on tight and run my fingers through his soft hair. When he pulls back, I bite my lip and explode his sad green eyes.
"Now the judge knows London isn't my biological daughter, we're working on my angle as her father given I'm on the birth certificate, and that I've raised her since birth."
"And he doesn't agree, or?" I take his hand and squeeze it.
"We bought up Tori's neglect when she left London and how she's mentally unstable, and things were going in our favour until she accused me of being abusive and that I was the reason she left London in a hurry. Apparently she has concrete evidence, and I don't want to know about that," he grumbles.
"We both know that's bullshit and there's no evidence to suggest that. She's just grappling at straws because everyone, including her parents, know she's done some crap things in the past."
"If she can make allegations, she can falsify evidence. I'm not allowed to see London until I can clean my name."
"We can do that easily! When are we due back?"
"Wednesday next week.".
"It's a small bump, but come next week, the court will see through her lies and we'll have London at home where she belongs. It'll be crazy mad house, but we'll love it."
His hand squeezes mine and he sighs.
"Ava, I'm really scared they're going to believe her."
"I promise, there's nothing to be scared about! Every single person we know can tell that judge you'd never harm a little blonde hair on London's head. I'll book the day off, that way I won't be late getting here. Now let's go home."
The frown lingers on his face as I tug him through the hallway. Once we're outside, I'm afraid to let go of his hand.
"I'll see you at home, okay?"
"Yeah." He nods.
"Do you want me to pick up your favourite food?"
"I'm not hungry."
"That's okay." I sigh.
I lean up and kiss his warm cheek. Blake's arms circle around my waist and he tugs my to his chest. His nose brushes against mine and our lips connect.
"I'm really sorry I missed this!"
He cups my cheek and strokes it.
"I understand, and you just being here now and supporting me is enough."
"Okay." I nod.
* * * * *
Blake takes a on the stool while I rummage through the cupboard for something to cook. I collect the bag of potatoes, coconut oil, flour and bread crumbs, then eggs and chicken from the fridge.
"What are you making?"
"Pan fried potatoes in coconut oil and crumbed chicken strips. Do you want steamed veggies or a salad with it?"
"Hm, that might tempt my hunger! I'd prefer steamed veggies. Now matter how many times I see you fry up those potatoes, I can never make them the same." He sighs.
"At least I bring some cooking skills to our relationship." I grin.
Blake smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
"Do you want to put on some music?"
"Okay." He nods.
While he fiddles with the speakers, I grab a chopping board and knife.
Music dances through the air as Blake slumps against the counter. My heart knots as I slide through the chicken breast.
"I hate it when you're sad." I pout.
He runs his fingers through his hair and sighs.
"I'm sorry. Do you want some help with dinner?"
"Nope, just your company." I grin.
"Sure." He rests his head against his hand.
"There's more than enough people who will tell the court you're an amazing father! The one or two people Tori forces them to lie is nothing on who we have."
"She's unpredictable, and that's what scares me, along with the thought of never seeing London again. I can't lose her."
"We're not going to lose her!"
"You are the only reason I'm getting through this."
"We're doing it together."
"I'm sorry it's just been about London and that I'm always down."
"You don't have to apologise because I don't want you to hide your feelings. I don't care what a DNA test says, London is your daughter and you deserve to see her. I'm also your wife, we're a team, and so we do this together."
"You are amazing! I should be taking you out and spoiling you."
"Nah, you know I'd much rather stay in and eat your cooking." I giggle.
"Then we'll do that tomorrow night! No talk about court, just us two and food."
"Mm, that sounds magical! We should enjoy the free time we have left, when Lo gets here, we won't be able to as spontaneous."
"You're right about that." He nods.
Blake wanders into the kitchen and wraps his arms around my waist. He rests his head on my shoulder and watches as I chop the food.
Once it's prepared, Blake cooks the chicken while I toss the potatoes into the pan and work on steaming the veggies.
My stomach rumbles with hunger which makes Blake laugh. There's a twinkle of happiness lingering in his green eyes which makes me happy.
"On the bright side, I don't have to fight Lo for potatoes." I giggle.
"That's true! Once she gives me those little blue eyes, I just can't say no."
"She has us wrapped around her little fingers."
I clean the prep mess and snuggle into Blake's side. He kisses the side of my head and smiles. I nuzzle in closer, soaking up his body warmth.
Today was a bump, but it won't stop us from climbing the mountain.
Watcha think about Tori being up to her old tricks again?!