Perfect Fit: Book 4 of the Fated Hearts Series (35 page)

Lucas and Lily had already picked out their rooms in the new house and were so excited about moving. I let them decide if they wanted to get new furniture for their bedroom or keep the stuff that they had from the house they lived in with Darryl and Destiny. I didn’t want to guess their feelings or make the wrong decision. They chose to keep the furniture their parents chose for them and I found that comforting.

Throughout all of the chaos and with Chloe’s help, we found a schedule that worked for our family. I only had a late lecture once a week and Jag made sure he was home by 5:30 p.m. on those nights. We enrolled both of the kids in classes at the YMCA so that they could learn new things. Lily chose gymnastics and Lucas wanted to swim. Sometimes we took them separately, but mostly we all went as a family. Lucas and Lily seemed to enjoy cheering each other on and I felt like it brought us all closer.

I caught the ladies sizing up Jag like he was some hot mountain they wanted to climb on several occasions. I would just sit there smugly because only I got to climb Mt. Jag and climb him I did at every opportunity. I too had started some stress relieving activities like running, weightlifting, and even coloring with the kids. I discovered some amazing coloring books for adults at the bookstore when we took the kids shopping. As much as those activities helped, nothing could ever make me feel as good as Jag – his hands, his mouth, and magic cock melted my stress away like nothing else.

“After today we can put all of this behind us, Bones.” Jag reached over and placed his hand over mine where it rested on my thigh. “Judge Burrows will come through for you; I’m sure of it.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“She’s an amazing advocate for children and families. I’ve seen her in action plenty of times to know that she cuts through the bullshit and gets right to the heart of the matter, which is the best interest of the children. There is no one better suited to raise Lucas and Lily than you and she’ll see that. Hell, Vanessa’s deposition alone should be enough to sway her, but then you add in Lauren’s testimony and the caseworker from DCS and we have a slam dunk decision.” The confidence in his tone did make me feel better, but I was still afraid.

Lucas and Lily and no idea that any of this was going on. We kept it away from them because the last thing they needed was to think that they might be taken away from us. Lauren advised us, as she did the court, that removing Lucas and Lily from my home could be very detrimental to them coping with the loss of their parents. It had been a little over a month since the accident and the kids could regress if they were faced with the upheaval of being relocated again.

“Have faith, Bones.” He squeezed my hand once more before he replaced it on the steering wheel. As riotous as my thoughts and emotions were, I still noticed what he said and realized how far he had come too. This was a man who didn’t used to have faith in anyone, not even himself, and there he was lifting me up and giving me hope.

“I am a lucky man.” It was random and out of the blue, but totally called for in the moment.

“
I’m
the lucky one,” Jag countered. He gave me a firm look that dared me to contradict him as he pulled into a parking spot near the courthouse.

“We’re both lucky then.” I leaned toward him and he met me halfway for a kiss. His touch soothed me like it always did and I breathed my first calm breath since leaving the house. I ran my thumb over his full bottom lip and couldn’t wait until we could be alone so I could explore it more. “Let’s go make this official.” I was referring to the kids, but hidden in my message was a desire to tie myself to him by more than just a joint mortgage. I wanted it all with him and I wanted it forever.

“It won’t take her long to rule in your favor.” One last kiss and we got out of Jag’s car and briskly walked inside so we could get out of the brutal cold.

My mom and dad were waiting for me inside the courthouse. I had told them they didn’t need to be there, but they insisted. Looking at my mom broke my heart, because she tried her damnedest to smile through her pain, but it usually came out as a grimace. The only exception was when she was around Lucas and Lily. I missed my brother every single day of my life and the loss hadn’t gotten any easier a month later. I assumed that the ache would lessen over time, but it had remained the same. The pain I felt must have been magnified a thousand times in my parents. Losing a child had to be the most hurtful thing a person could experience.

The Candlesses would’ve been hurting just as badly, which was why I couldn’t be mad at them. They hadn’t made heinous allegations against me during any of the custody proceedings. The worse thing they said about me was that I was a bachelor and the kids would better be suited in a home with two parents. My rebuttal was that I was involved in a committed and loving relationship and provided the lifestyle that Lucas and Lily were accustomed to when their parents were alive. Regardless, I didn’t think their complaint held any merit. There were plenty of single moms and dads out there raising remarkable children. That argument might have worked in the 60’s, but I believed that it wouldn’t in my case.

“Thanks for coming, Mom.” I pulled her into a hug and held her a little tighter and a little harder. “I know that I told you it wasn’t necessary, but having you here really helps me.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else when you needed me.” She pulled back and pecked my cheek with a kiss. “I am so very proud of you, Miller. I am confident that everything will go your way today. I just can’t see an alternative ending.”

My father hugged me next and I noticed that he lingered a little longer than usual too. “You’re an amazing young man and I’m proud to call you my son.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Herbert and Joann Candless arrived with their attorney, Brady Barnes, and tension filled the hallway. I had wanted to try and talk to them before things got to this point, but both Vanessa and Jag had advised me against it. Even though I had good intentions, Jag told me it could look like I was trying to pressure and harass them. Vanessa told me that it wouldn’t do me a bit of good and told me the best thing to do was to let the court decide once and for all who would be the best guardians for Lucas and Lily.

What Jag and everyone told me had finally sunk in. I was going to win that day and it was obvious that the Candlesses knew it. Their attorney surely had informed them that their case was weak and they hadn’t proved that I was unfit to raise the children. The hostility they had felt toward me had faded and now I saw resignation instead. In my mind, the only unknown was whether or not Judge Burrows was going to grant them visitation rights or would leave that up to me.

A bailiff opened up the door to the family courtroom and looked at us. “Candless vs. Brexler?” She asked.

“Yes.” I said.

She stepped aside so we could all enter the small courtroom. It wasn’t as grand as the ones portrayed in TV, but then again it wouldn’t require a jury box and a lot of seating that sensational trials needed. It would be a judge, a bailiff to keep order, and a court recorder. Once we were seated, the judge entered the room from a side door. We all rose to our feet and stood until we were instructed to take a seat.

Judge Burrows went through the process of introducing herself to both parties and named the case for the record. I put all of my focus on not bouncing my knees or giving away the sudden nervousness that washed over me. The confidence I felt in the hallway completely bailed on me. I felt Jag’s hand brush the side of my leg beneath the table in an effort to reassure me.

“I’ve had the time to review all of the depositions and evidence provided to the court.” Judge Burrows looked at me and then at the Candlesses. “None of the documentation I’ve read indicates that Darryl and Destiny were not of sound mind when they named Miller Brexler as the legal guardian of their children in their wills. Furthermore, evidence has not been provided that Mr. Brexler isn’t fit to be their guardian or that Mr. and Mrs. Candless would be the better candidates for guardianship of Lucas Brexler, age 6 and Lily Brexler, age 5. I am ruling today in favor of Miller Brexler and permanent guardianship will be granted to replace my previous order that granted him temporary guardianship. In addition, I do not see any reason to award visitation rights to Mr. and Mrs. Candless, as Mr. Brexler has stated that they can have access to their grandchildren freely.” She leveled a firm look in my direction. “However, if he fails to deliver on his promise then I will reconsider setting visitations.” The judge dropped the gavel and exited the room.

“Congratulations,” Jag said warmly in my ear. He put an arm around me and pulled me into him. “It’s finally over, Bones.”

I turned and looked at him. He was smiling happily at me and had we not been surrounded by people, I would’ve melted into him. “Thank you, Jag. I can’t imagine going through this without you.”

“I’ll always have your back.”

“Miller.” Joann’s voice pulled me away from Jag. I rose to my feet and turned to face her.

“Mrs. Candless.” I wasn’t exactly sure what to say to her. Sorry wasn’t right, because I wasn’t sorry that they lost their case. I could see in her face that she wasn’t going to apologize either, but I also saw fear that I would make this harder on them. What mattered was not how Joann or I felt, what mattered was what was best for Lucas and Lily. Having a relationship with Destiny’s parents was good for them. I didn’t want them to lose that connection to their mother. “When would you like Lucas and Lily to visit?” I extended the olive branch because it was the
only
way to proceed. I knew it was the right thing to do once I saw the tension fade from her face.

“How about this weekend? I would like to pick them up for dinner on Friday and then bring them home on Sunday afternoon.” She fidgeted slightly as she waited for my response.

“Sounds great. How about you pick the kids up at 5:00 p.m. at my house and I’ll pick them up at your house at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday? We’ll be moving into our new house that weekend so I’ll be back and forth between the houses so it might be easier for me to pick them up.”

“That sounds great. Thank you, Miller.” She offered me a small smile.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Candless.” Joann nodded and returned to her husband’s side.

My parents were waiting to give me congratulatory hugs once I finished the conversation. They offered to take us to lunch, but I needed to get back to the university to give my afternoon lecture. I promised to have a big celebration as soon as we moved into our new home.

“Feel better?” Jag asked once we were alone in his car.

“Much,” I admitted. “I knew you were right all along, but I was afraid to get my hopes up too high. I kept picturing our life together with the kids and I wanted to believe so badly that it would happen. Have you ever wanted something so bad, but were afraid you’d never have it?”

“You.” His voice was deep with sincere emotion. “You were the one I was afraid would always remain out of my reach. I still feel that way sometimes.” His confession shocked me and it must have shown on my face. “It took me a long time to believe that you really wanted me. I was afraid to let you get too close, because it would only be a matter of time before you tired of me. I took you seriously when you said you would never want forever with anyone. It was always in the back of my mind even when you told me how you really felt about me.”

“That’s because I hadn’t met you. I met you and crashed hard into love with you, Jag. Pride and fear of you not returning those feelings had me playing it all off as fun.” I reached over and placed my hand on his face. “We were truly meant for each other. The guy who didn’t believe in love and the one afraid he didn’t deserve to be loved. Somehow we were just what the other one needed.”

“Perfect fit.”

“Perfect fit.” I agreed. “You know what holiday is coming up don’t you?”

A serious scowl marred his handsome face as he thought about it. “That’s not a holiday, Bones. That’s a sappy ass occasion created by greeting card companies to make money. I refuse to celebrate it.”

“We celebrated it last year and it was one of the most memorable nights in our relationship. I loved it.” I waggled my eyebrows at him.

“My gift to you was a bright red cock ring that wrapped around your cock and balls so you couldn’t come until I released it. That’s hardly a romantic gesture.”

“It was fucking hot.” I noticed the temperature inside the car was rising too as we both recalled the way he tortured me until I begged him to let me come. My voice had been raw from pleading and my body had been covered in sweat. The delayed orgasm had ripped through me and left me in a boneless heap in the middle of his bed. “Best Valentine’s Day gift ever.”

“You’re so easy to please, Bones.” He leaned forward and kissed my lips. “We probably should buy something for our little Valentines though. They’ll be coming home from the Candlesses that night so we should do something special for them. Any suggestions?”

“Just a little gift and we’ll fix their favorite dinner. That’s the kind of memories I want to make with them. I don’t want to turn it into something material and meaningless.” I cocked my head and smiled wickedly at him. “We’ll have some time to ourselves to have a private celebration. I know where I hid my gift from last year.”

His eager smile matched my own. “Break in the new house properly? Sounds like a perfect night to me.”

Jag drove me back to the university where I had left my car. I couldn’t help but let my lips linger against his for a few extra minutes. It was my late night and I wouldn’t see him again until it was almost time to put the kids to bed so I wanted just a few more minutes with him before I got out of his car. Our kiss ended and we sat there with our foreheads pressed together. Something huge and momentous happened to us that day and it deserved a few extra moments to appreciate it.

It was the first day moving forward officially as a family – Jag, Lucas, Lily, and me.