Page 215 of From Rivals to I Do

I smile as he spots me, his face lighting up with joy. He rushes toward the car, his backpack bouncing on his shoulders. As he climbs into the car, Henry's cheerful chatter envelops me, and for a moment, I find solace in his innocent joy.

But as he settles into the seat beside me, his expression shifts, a flicker of concern crossing his features.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Henry asks, his voice laced with worry. "You're so quiet today, and you didn't even make any jokes. Is something bothering you?"

I glance at him, his eyes wide and filled with a mix of innocence and concern. How can I burden him with the weight of my worries? I force a smile, trying to ease his concerns. "Oh, I'm fine, buddy," I respond, my voice lacking the usual enthusiasm. "Just a little tired, that's all. Don't worry about it."

Henry's gaze lingers on me for a moment, unconvinced by my words. He's perceptive, more than I give him credit for. I've always admired his ability to sense when something is amiss. He purses his lips, contemplating whether to press further or let it go. Finally, he leans back in his seat, his tone softening. "Okay, Dad. But if you ever want to talk, I'm here for you, too."

"Okay, buddy. Ready to head home?" I ask.

Henry's brows furrow slightly, a hint of skepticism in his gaze, but he nods nonetheless. "Yeah, let's go."

As we drive home, silence envelops us, broken only by the sound of the car engine humming beneath us. I steal glances at Henry, his small form huddled in the seat next to me. When we arrive home, I watch him climb out of the car a little less energetically than usual. I follow closely behind, my mind consumed by thoughts of custody battles and legal intricacies.

Once inside, I guide Henry to the living room, urging him to start on his homework while I retreat to my study. As I settle into the worn-out chair, I power up my laptop, the screen flickering to life. It's time to seek a solution, to find a way to retain custody of my child as a single father.

My fingers tap on the keyboard, searching for keywords, hoping to stumble upon a glimmer of hope in this vast digital realm. Legal forums, articles, and testimonials fill the screen, a maze of information that I must navigate.

My eyes scan the words, absorbing the complexities of the legal process, the hurdles I must overcome. Doubt and anxiety rise within me, threatening to pull me under. How can I possibly navigate this labyrinth on my own?

After about an hour has passed, I stumble upon an article that seems to be my way out. But as I read through it, a sense of apprehension grips me. Will I be able to accomplish this? But how?

And then, like a ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds, Maya's name dances across my mind.

I pause, contemplating the possibility. Could she be the answer I've been searching for? The thought sparks a glimmer of hope within me, a flicker of possibility that I dare not ignore.

I reach for my phone, my fingers trembling with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. With a deep breath, I dial Maya's number; each ring feels like an eternity, anticipation mingling with nerves. Will she be willing to step into this chaotic world of legal battles? Can I ask her for this favor, this leap into the unknown?

When she finally answers, her voice is warm and welcoming. "Jackson, how are you?" she asks, her genuine concern evident.

"I'm all right," I say, my voice laced with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "How are you doing?"

"I'm all right; just finished from the studio now and heading back home," she says.

I calm my nerves and gather my thoughts before speaking. "I need to talk to you, Maya. It's about Henry."

There's a brief pause on the other end, followed by the sound of her inhaling sharply. "What's wrong?" Maya asks, her concern evident in her voice.

"I need to see you so I can tell you everything," I reply, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.

"I'm here for you, Jackson," Maya says, her words like a lifeline, anchoring me to the hope that still remains. "Can you come over now? Is Karen staying with Henry?" My heart floods with emotion; she's always so concerned about him.

"No, I'm with him right now. It's my day off today, so I told Karen not to worry. Can you---"

"Oh, that's fine. I'll come over right away then. See you in thirty," Maya says, answering my request before I even complete it.

A surge of gratitude washes over me, mingling with the determination that had begun to flicker within. "Thank you, Maya. I'm grateful."

A little over thirty minutes later, the door swings open, and Maya steps into my home, her presence filling the space with warmth and vitality. Henry's eyes light up with excitement as he rushes to greet her, his small arms wrapping around her legs in a tight embrace. Maya's laughter fills the air, a melodious sound that brings a smile to my face.

"Hey there, little buddy!" Maya's voice rings out with a vibrant warmth as she bends down to Henry's level. Her fingers dance through his hair, playfully ruffling it. Henry's face lights up like a summer sunrise, his eyes shining with pure excitement.

"What did you do at school today?" Maya asks, her tone filled with genuine curiosity and affection. She leans in closer, her eyes locked on to Henry's every movement as if his words are the most captivating melody she's ever heard.

Henry's eyes sparkle with excitement as he launches into his animated storytelling, his words tumbling out like a river in full flow. His hands move with flair, each gesture bringing his words to life.

"We had a science experiment today!" Henry exclaims, his voice filled with wonder. "We mixed different colored liquids, and they turned into a volcano! It erupted and made a huge mess, but it was so cool!"

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