Page 52 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

Candace smiles and types away, her fingers sailing across the keyboard like she’s transcribing every word. She looks up. “Let’s talk about decision making. Usually the primary custodial parent is given authority over decisions regarding education, health care, and other major issues.”

“I’d like to have input,” I say. “Regan and I have vastly different lifestyles. And while that may be one of the many things I like about her, I don’t really want my kid going to clown school.”

Regan laughs out loud. “I’m not going to indoctrinate him or her into some secret society, Lucas.”

“What I would suggest,” Candace interjects, “is that you make decisions together as co-parents. If you really come to a stalemate, you can always bring in a neutral third party to arbitrate based upon the child’s best interest.”

“So we fight about it until one of us gives in, or we hire someone to make the decision for us?” Regan shakes her head, clearly irritated.

“I don’t think it’ll come to that,” I say. “Despite appearances, I’m not as stubborn as I look. I can be flexible. Can you?”

“Fine,” she huffs, then looks at the time. “How much more? I have a business to get back to.”

“As much or as little as you want,” Candace says. “There’s parenting plans, childcare, communication, religion, parental dating and relationships.”

“That,” I say. “Let’s go over that one.”

“Parental dating and relationships?” Candace asks.

I nod.

“Alright, let’s see. What if one of you enters into a committed relationship with another person?”

“Then that person will be left at the altar as usual,” Regan says with a snicker.

Not amused, I say, “Low blow. But think about it, do you want any girlfriend, fiancée, or wife of mine trying to raise your kid?”

“I’m having a hard enough time at the thought ofyouhelping raise my kid, Lucas.”

“Okay, so what if we say no overnight guests when the baby is with us?”

“I’m okay with that, but what if you do get engaged? What then?”

“I won’t.”

“With your track record, what assurances do I have?”

“We’ll write it in the contract. I won’t live with anyone or enter into a marriage or engagement until the kid is, what… over thirteen?”

“Why thirteen?” Candace asks.

I shrug. “I guess because teenagers seem to know everything already. And they’re probably old enough to handle new people in their lives.”

Candace raises a brow in Regan’s direction.

Regan says, “I guess that’s okay. It doesn’t forbid any kind of long-term relationship though, does it? Short of living with the other person?”

Candace looks to me. I try to picture Regan with another guy. Another guy who’s holding my kid, going to baseball games or recitals. The thought sickens me. But I have a feeling asking her to refrain fromanyrelationship because I’d be jealous is going too far.

“I don’t think a legal contract can preclude either of you from entering into a romantic relationship,” Candace says. “Provided it doesn’t affect the child in any way and doesn’t violate the aforementioned rules. Agreed? Okay, and to the other points?”

“I’m okay leaving anything else under the ‘we’ll figure it out’ section,” I say. “I don’t intend on forcing my political, cultural, or religious views upon anyone.” I look at Regan. “As long as you don’t.”

“Lucas, I don’thaveany political, cultural, or religious views.”

I laugh. And she does too. Our eyes connect and it’s like we’re both thinking the same thing… holy shit, we’re really doing this.

Candace finishes typing and closes the lid to her laptop. “Looks like we’re finished here. If either of you think of anything we haven’t covered, or want to make changes, let me know. I should have a contract drawn up for you by next week.”

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