Page 87 of Wed to You

“I’m on a new no-sugar diet. My family says it makes me grumpy.”

Chelsea smiled but wasn’t interested in small talk.

“This is just the type of thing we need to make sure the court knows about. All the wonderful enriching activities Kaden has living with you. A mother who is a teacher and bakes cookies—”

“I’m not Kaden’s mother.”

Jagger’s fingers dug into her shoulders.

She tried not to wince at the pressure. “I just...I know his birth mother isn’t able to raise him, and I enjoy caring for Kaden, but I don’t feel comfortable erasing the fact that another woman brought him into the world.”

“He sees you as his mother.” Jagger kept a firm grip on her shoulders.

She tilted her head up. “He sees me as a mother figure and you as a father figure.”

“That’s what’s important,” Mrs. Monroe said. “You’re the only parents he knows. That will count for something, especially since his mother abandoned him.”

“I’m certain he doesn’t remember her,” Jagger said.

“Quite a way to start a new marriage, eh?” Mrs. Monroe said.

Chelsea nodded, unsure how to respond.

“Being married to you, a woman with deep roots to the community, a teacher, no less, can only help his case.”

Chelsea smiled but felt certain Mrs. Monroe was on to them. Or maybe Jagger had told her.

“As his wife, it’s important that you’re involved in this as well.”

I told you so, flickered through Chelsea’s mind, but she kept her smile in place. “Jagger is the one with guardianship. He makes the decisions regarding Kaden, though, of course, I’ll support him no matter what.”

“Excellent. You should attend court with him and be present when the guardian ad litem makes her visit to interview you.”

“Of course.”

“The birth mother will ask for visitation during the investigative period—”

“No.” Jagger balked at the idea.

Mrs. Monroe raised a hand in a calming gesture. “I’ll work to stop it, but she is the mother. If she’s able to prove she’s made changes, it’s likely the judge will allow some sort of visitation. I’ll suggest it be limited and supervised. We’ll ask for regular drug testing during the process, as well. If she trips up, the case will be easily decided in your favor.”

“Kaden doesn’t know her.”

“Mr. Talbot, the odds of a judge granting some sort of visit with the birth mother are extremely high, unless she misses court or shows up on drugs. You need to be prepared to make some concessions.”

Chelsea couldn’t see Jagger’s face, but she didn’t have to, to know he didn’t like what he was hearing. Tension radiated off him in waves.

“Maybe we can cross that bridge when we get to it.” Chelsea placed a hand over Jagger’s.

“I told you, Mr. Talbot. Even with a wife, this will be an uphill battle if Kaden’s mom has pulled her life together. You need to be ready for that. In the meantime, I’ve got someone investigating her and maybe we’ll have something to use against her.”

Chelsea frowned. An investigator? She supposed poking into the “enemy’s” business was normal, but it felt mean and underhanded.

“Her side will likely be doing the same. Granted, she doesn’t have the financial resources you do, but every library has a stash of old tabloids filled with your exploits, Mr. Talbot.”

Jagger flinched. “That’s not my life now.”

Immediately, Chelsea’s mind flashed to the phoenix he wore like a talisman. A symbol of his new life. Of his commitment to Kaden.

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