Page 189 of The Moment We Know

The night before the court appearance to finalize Jacob’s custody, David didn’t sleep at all. Thoughts of Ashley backing out and forcing him to duke it out with her in court made slumber impossible.

After drinking a gallon of coffee in the morning, he dropped Jacob off at preschool, then returned to the loft and dressed carefully in a dark gray suit and a tie that Paige had picked out. When he was done, he slipped his red jasper worry stone in his pants pocket, grabbed his keys, and drove to the courthouse.

As he was walking into the building, his phone alerted him to an incoming text from Paige.

PAIGE: Relax. You got this.

God, he loved this woman. And … he really hoped she was right.

In the end, she was.

The entire process was pretty anti-climactic, much like when he signed his divorce papers. It was also rather quick, with the judge looking over the agreement between David and Ashley, then asking a few questions before making if official.

Less than fifteen minutes after walking into the courtroom, David had sole custody. On one hand it was a relief, but on the other hand, it seemed like it should’ve taken longer to fundamentally change the fabric of his son’s life.

Not surprisingly, Ashley didn’t look at David once, nor did she ever speak to him, and walked out of the courthouse like she’d only been there to pay a parking ticket.

In a bit of a daze, he made his way to his car, where he loosened his tie and leaned back against the seat, his relief overwhelming and real. With hands that were a little unsteady, he texted Paige.

DAVID: It’s a done deal.

PAIGE: That’s great news!

PAIGE: How are you doing?

DAVID: I’m good, for the most part.

DAVID: Not looking forward to the meeting with Lauren tonight, but …

PAIGE: Leave the heavy lifting to her. She’s good at it.

Next, he texted his mom.

DAVID: Ashley signed the papers, so it’s official.

VALERIE: Thank God.

VALERIE: I was afraid she might back out.

DAVID: Me, too.

VALERIE: So, how are you feeling, now that it’s all over?

DAVID: I’m good. Relieved.

DAVID: I’m no longer angry she won’t be facing any legal punishment, because in my opinion, the real punishment is not having Jacob in her life.

DAVID: I can live with that.

VALERIE: You’re right. And I can live with that, too.

VALERIE: Unfortunately, I’m going to have a much harder time living with Liam not getting punished at all.

DAVID: I understand that, Mom. Believe me, I really do.

DAVID: But I want you to know I won’t be forgetting about Liam and what a scumbag motherfucker he is, and he won’t go unpunished.

DAVID: Not if I can help it.

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