Page 110 of Tough Love

My fingers shake still as I tear the top open and slide the folded sheet of paper out to reveal the contents.

My heart seizes before restarting with violent conviction.

“Evan …” The room falls silent as I intently read every word twice to be sure I haven’t misunderstood. “Did you know?”

“I guessed what was inside and then asked a few favours at work to confirm it.”

I look across to Briar who appears lost as he watches us talk. “Does he …?” I jerk my chin toward Briar as I look back to Evan.

He shakes his head. “All you, babe.”

Oh my God.How do I tell him this? I swallow back the fear I’ll mess up this precious moment and beckon Briar over. He slides out of Mum’s hold and gets comfy beside me.

“You remember how we talked about you living with me, how I asked if you would like me to make it official?”

He nods. “You said you had to ask if you were allowed to be my guardian.”

“Yeah.” I stop fighting my smile and let it spread wide as the pieces fall into place for Briar. “This,” I say, handing him the papers, “says I can be. It’s official, buddy. You and me against the world.”

Mum claps her hands together while Dad squeezes her shoulder. Evan smiles, mirroring the look on Briar’s face as he says, “Thank you, Aunty.”

I welcome his hug, wrapping my arms around him. “It’s my pleasure.”

He slips away, returning to the tree to fidget with the toy soldiers. The papers sit beside me, the lines I didn’t let onto Briar staring back up at me.

Not only have I been appointed his guardian, but Tristan has had any rights he may have had as one removed. He legally has no access to Briar, ever, without my approval first. And we all know that would never happen.

Is it rough that I’ve chosen to cut him off completely, especially when I know how that feels to be alienated and cast aside? Maybe. But I also know it was a decision made not out of selfishness, but need.

Tristan isn’t a dad. He’s only a father by DNA. He’s nothing that Briar needs in a role model. The man who is, is standing right beside me.

Evan and I might have a way to go before our lives are completely back on track, but we’re taking steps toward it. He’s bringing Deacon over Christmas afternoon to be formally introduced to Briar and me. We figured why not start off a new blended life on a day that’s all about joy?

“Couldn’t hope for a better outcome,” Dad says as he taps Mum on the shoulder, hinting they should give us some privacy.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“We’ll head out and get dinner,” Mum says, gathering her purse. “Be back soon.”

Evan leans down as they shut the door behind them, his arms either side of me. “You’re fucking amazing, you know that?”

“Not too shabby yourself, there,” I tease, rubbing my nose against his.

He tilts his head and pinches my bottom lip between his, giving it a little tug before I return the kiss. “Love you, Officer Evan.”

“Love you more.”

Briar breaks the moment, dropping onto the sofa beside me with a bounce. “Eww.”

“Don’t knock it,” Evan teases. “One day you’ll have a girl you want to spend every second with.”

“No way,” he protests, his eyes alive with humour. “Can we have a movie, Aunty?”

“After dinner, sure.”

“Yay.” He beams before launching off the sofa and bolting to his room.

“I think you made him happy,” Evan says with a chuckle.

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