Page 109 of Until the Ink Dries

“Parental rights termination papers. All you have to do is sign?—”

Tierra shook her head and held her hand up to stop me.

“You doing this because of a few little mistakes? You know what? I know what it is. You’re doing this because of that bitch?—”

“Enough.” I interrupted her spiel. “Aren’t you tired, Tierra? Because I am. This has nothing to do with Willow, and you know it. All these years, I’ve given you chance after chance to get things right with Charlie. But you just couldn’t do it. Your daughter wasn’t enough of a motivation for you. Shit, you claimed you wanted me, but I wasn’t enough motivation, either. Not until Willow came around, and in your eyes, she was competition.”

I paused for a moment, trying not to get heated. I needed her to understand that we were never an option. She would have only ever been a parent to Charlie, never my girl.

“Tierra, be real with yourself for once in your life. Do you want to be a mother to Charlie?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

She looked off at the walls, not wanting to meet me head on. Then, she released a sigh before looking back in my direction.

“No, okay? No, I don’t. I had her for you and when she came along, she took you from me. Is that what you wanted to hear? That I don’t have a single connection with the one person who came from me!” she yelled as tears streamed down her cheeks.

The officer on the back wall stepped forward, ready to reprimand her, but I held my hand up to let him know it was alright.

“It’s not what I wanted to hear, but I think you needed to hear it. Every antic you do breaks that little girl’s heart further. Give her a chance. Life is already hard, and you know that better than anyone. Let her go. Let me go.” I told her while sliding over the papers for her to sign.

She hesitantly reached out for them and read every word until she made it to the last page. She glanced up at me with tears still slowly falling, now onto the paper, causing little damp spots.

“If I sign this, she is gone forever from me?”

“I had it notarized yesterday. You sign this, it’s done. Legal. Charlie becomes mine in full. No back-and-forth. No more threats. No more chances for this to get worse than it already has.”

She nodded and reached out for the pen I was holding. I handed it over and she went through, signing each part and initialing where needed. Once she was finished, she pushed the paperwork and pen over to me, then looked up at the guard.

“I’m ready to go back to my cell,” she told him.

He nodded, then walked over to help her stand. They walked over to the door she had entered through. Before she left the room, she glanced at me once more over her shoulder.

“Take care of her, and when she can truly understand. Tell her I’m sorry I couldn’t be the mother she deserved.”

I nodded as the door clicked, then opened for them to walk through. The moment they closed behind her, a weight seemed to have lifted from me and a peace settled in its place. I just wanted to be back home with my family.

* * *

BACK HOME

I stopped by my lawyer’s office on the way home so he could file the paperwork. The need to be home with my girls was intense after being in such a cold and uninviting environment. I needed to be able to feel the warmth and love that they gave without thought.

I pulled down the long driveway and opened the garage so I could park. On my way back, I had stopped by a floral shop to get both of my ladies flowers. I wanted to show them how thankful I was for them. The moment I stepped into the house, the aroma of potatoes and steak hit me. My stomach growled as if I hadn’t eaten all day.

Charlie’s giggles carried throughout the house and got stronger the closer I got to the kitchen. It was clear that Willow had brought her on as her own personal sous chef. Although by the look of the kitchen, she wasn’t much help. But if her big smile and wild hair told me anything, it said she was having the time of her life.

I stayed quiet, wanting to soak in this moment a little longer, but my presence wasn’t missed for too long.

“Daddy! Daddy’s home!” Charlie cheered.

I shook my head, but my grin stayed in place. I made my way into the kitchen and wrapped my arms around Willow’s waist, leaning in to kiss her, before handing her the flowers I bought. I released my hold on her so I could greet my other little lady.

“Hi, my baby!” I exclaimed, swooping Charlie into my arms.

She giggled as I rained kisses all over her chubby cheeks.

“Daddy!” she continued to giggle.

I pulled back, then handed her the smaller bouquet. She pulled them close to her chest and leaned in to smell them, just as she had seen Willow do.

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