Page 93 of Frank

King stepped over to me. “Frank. We are not going anywhere, buddy. We are going to do everything we can to keep your family together.”

“I can’t lose them too, Callum. I can’t. Not when I just got them.”

“You’re not losing anyone, buddy.”

“Frankie, look at me,” my brother George said, kneeling before me.

Looking up, he spoke earnestly, “They left me too, brother. I know you don’t remember much, but Mom and Dad loved you very much. They loved us both and only wanted us to be happy. Trust me, Frankie, if they could have avoided that accident, they would have. No matter what happens, you still have me, Granny, and this entire club. None of us are going anywhere. You’re not alone, Frank. You’ve never been alone.”

I wanted so much to believe him. I really did, but I knew what this fucked-up world was really like. Parents died and people moved on. The thought of never seeing Charlie again ripped a hole in my heart that I feared would never heal.

“Frank, you know Granny. She will never give up. Never.”

“And neither will I.”

Turning, I saw Claudia standing there with Charlie in her arms, surrounded by all the women in the club. “I’m not going anywhere, Frank. I love you. You are the father of my children. All of them. Including little Charlie. I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, but I know that you will be standing beside me as we go through it together.”

Watching Cameron walk over to me, I didn’t stop him when he placed his little hand on my shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere either, Frank.”

Grabbing the small boy, I hugged him to me. His little arms wrapped tightly around my neck as I looked up at my family and for the first time in a long time, I felt something I hadn’t felt since my parents were alive.

That I was loved and wanted.

That night, my entire family sat around the club’s large dining table, laughing, eating, and having a good time. Everyone was welcome as Bailey put out the call. All around me, I watched the people I loved who meant something to me and who I considered family.

Beth laughed with her daughter Sarah as Gunner tried to win Mike over, but the new sheriff wasn’t having it, much to Gunner’s annoyance. My poor brother still couldn’t catch a break with his father-in-law. King sat with Bailey in his lap, laughing at something Priest said while he gently rubbed Bailey’s growing stomach. Pyro rolled his eyes when Skylar yelled at Cameron, once again, for his foul mouth. The little man, arguing with his sister like he didn’t have a care in the world. Phoebe sat next to Henley and showed her how to read the tarot cards as Scribe talked adamantly with Diana Peters. Jess, Devlyn, and Sugar picked on Enigma, who sat sulking, begging his sister Claudia for help. While Banks and Hawk chuckled at Enigma’s misery. My brother, Georgie, sat next to me, rocking Charlie as if he was the most precious thing in the universe. All around me, my family laughed and loved with their whole hearts as I prayed this perfect night never ended.

“Alright, folks,” Judge Tomlinson said, slamming his gavel down on his dais. “I know we have several parties involved, so let me be very clear. I will hear everyone’s testimony before I make a decision. So, get comfortable. Bailiff, who’s first?”

“That would be the State of Virginia, Judge.”

Moaning, Judge Tomlinson rolled his eyes. “God forbid the State goes last. Alright, John. Who is here for the State?”

“That would be me, Judge. Diana Peters,” Diana stated, standing up.

“And you are representing?”

“The infant, your honor.”

“Why not the mother? She’s a minor too.”

“Judge.” Scribe immediately stood and said clearly, “I’m representing the minor in question, the biological mother, Fiona Mitchell, as well as the adoptive applicants, Franklin Steiner and Dr. Claudia James-Steiner.”

Judge Tomlinson leaned back in his chair and smirked, “Double duty, I see. Hey, weren’t you in my courtroom last summer?”

Scribe cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes, Sir. I was.”

“Bar fight, right?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“What did I decide?”

“You let me go with a warning, Judge.”

Judge Tomlinson narrowed his eyes and muttered, “Had I known you were an attorney, I would have thrown the book at you.”

“I will keep that in mind for next time.” Scribe smirked as the room chuckled.

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