Lifelong

EDWARDS

I

walked out into the hallway, ensuring Kristen I’d be right back.

“Hi Charlie.”

“How are you doing, bud?”

“Fine, considering. What’s up?”

“I’ve got great news for you. Custody is yours, obviously. Amber will be in jail for a long time after this. They’re thinking at least fifteen years. And she won’t be allowed near the kids once she’s out.”

“She deserves more than that.”

“Ain’t that the truth. But listen, this also means, you won’t have to write another child support check in your life.”

I grinned cheek to cheek. My kids were mine, fully mine. Finally. But then my grin fell, remembering the bomb that had just been dropped on me. The last thing Charlie had said wasn’t necessarily true. I didn’t know what the future held with Kristen and my child that she was carrying. I knew what I wanted, though. I wanted a family, one that was complete and whole.

I thanked Charlie and hung up. I rushed back into Kristen’s room, knowing what I needed to do.

“So?” she asked.

“It’s official.