Page 30 of Luke

“I know you do. It was clear when she was here, though, that she didn’t like me and that I will be painted as the problem. Like I’m taking advantage of you or something.” She shrugged. “There’s not much I can do to convince them otherwise. I’m used to it.”

It was probably not the right time, but he couldn’t resist bringing it up again.” You don’t have to answer me right now, but seriously think about it and let me know when you have an answer. We could get married. That gives us both more rights to him and each other because it shows we are together.”

She opened her mouth to speak but his phone ringing cut her off.

“It’s Jon. I need to answer it.”

Paisley slipped Garrett from his lap as he answered. He didn’t get up and go to the other room, just stayed where he was, with his family.

“What’s up?” Luke said as he answered. “I talked to Paisley and there’s no father on his birth certificate.”

“That’s great actually. We can start paperwork today to get you added. It shouldn’t take more than a week and then you’re officially his father, DNA or no.”

“That’s great. Start it now and let me know what you need from us.”

“I need her to sign a few things, but I’ll send that over. The quicker it’s all done, the quicker this can move.”

“We’ll be on it right away.”

“You’ll still better off just going to go do the DNA test. You’d be on the birth certificate before they even got the results.”

“I’m not concerned about them. I’ll do it to make CPS leave us alone, but I have no doubt that Garrett is mine.”

“Happy for you. I’ll get this all sent over. If both of you sign it and get it back, I can file it before the end of the day.”

“Thanks, Jon.” Luke ended the call wondering who else thought that Garrett wasn’t his child. He believed Paisley, but it was more than that. He felt a connection to Garrett that was instant and almost unexplainable.

“Everything okay?” Paisley asked.

“Jon is going to send some papers over to our emails to sign. He said that because there’s no father on the birth certificate, we can petition to have me added without a whole adoption process or anything.”

“That’s great.” There was a smile in her voice. “At least I did something right back then.”

“Paisley,” he scolded gently. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Let’s not. There’s no need to go back and forth over things.”

He didn’t want to but he agreed. There was no need for her to blame herself for anything.”

“Dinner?” Paisley asked.

“Let’s order in. Chinese?”

They went back and forth over what to order before finding a movie to watch. Neither of them would actually watch it, as Garrett cooed at both of them and continued to giggle as they played.

It was much later by the time that Garrett was down for the night and they were ready to go to bed themselves. Luke followed her upstairs, pausing when she stopped at his bedroom door.

“Do you mind if I sleep with you tonight?” Her voice was almost a whisper, and she didn’t look up at him. He was starting to notice that were her nervous tell.

“Mind? Not only would I not mind, I’d prefer if you slept with me always.” He didn’t need sex from her, just wanted her in his arms and safe next to him.

She turned to her own room and Luke headed into his. He was confident that she’d just get ready for bed and come to him, but he kept an eye on the door as he got himself ready.

A few minutes later, Paisley quietly came in.

Luke pulled the covers back and motioned for her to get in.

Chapter Fourteen

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