Page 161 of Blackout-

“You know me four months now, right?”

“Just about,” I confirm.

“Have I ever bullshitted you?”

I raise an eyebrow and shake my head.

“Not that I recall.”

“So, what would make you think I’d fudge paperwork that will be used in a court of law? I like you, Dominic. I think you’re a good person despite all those tattoos and the whole Satan worshipping thing.”

“I don’t worship--”

“Never interrupt a woman when she’s talking,” she chastises. “Especially when she’s saying something you need to hear. I think you’re the business, Dominic, but make no mistake about it, I would never lie in a court of law. It’s my job to put your best interests first and I wouldn’t sign off on something if I thought you were incapable of living your best life. We got off to a rough start but once you started taking your treatment seriously, you progressed. You now see yourself in a new light. I think it’s even safe to say you have respect for yourself and that’s the core principle of recovery. Does that mean there won’t be days where you struggle? Absolutely not, but should temptation strike, you know what to do and I’m always here for you.”

“It’s hard for me to trust myself,” I admit. “In the past, I’ve wanted to change. To be a better man for Lacey, but I always chose wrong. I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to break the cycle.”

“You have already and I have no doubt you will continue to do just that,” she replies adamantly. “The last four months haven’t been a walk in the park. There have been many times when it would’ve been much easier to give into temptation than face what was going on in your life.”

I guess she has a point.

“Lacey still doesn’t know about the hearing?”

I shake my head.

“I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop and if that happens, I don’t how she’ll react. She’s been doing well on her medication. I didn’t realize how depressed she really was until she started to become excited over the baby. It’s a shame it didn’t hit her until we were in the homestretch.”

“Three more weeks,” she points out.

A smile ticks the corners of my lips as I rub my jaw.

Three more weeks and our lives will be forever changed.

It still boggles my mind that I’m going to be a dad and to a little girl no less.

“I can’t believe it,” I murmur. “Pretty soon there won’t be just looking at sonogram photos or counting down the days, wondering what she’ll look like.”

“Have you guys finally decided on a name?”

“No,” I reply with a shake of my head. I’m starting to think we should hold off until we see her. What if the name we decide on doesn’t suit her? All the tips in those baby books, you would think they’d give you a little advice on what to name your kid.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts and I turn around just as Schwartz strolls through the door, sans his briefcase. Have no fear, he’s still donning a designer suit, though.

“Are you people ready? Traffic is a nightmare and I don’t like to be late for court,” he says, slipping a hand into the pocket of his perfectly tailored slacks.

“Oh, good, I wasn’t sure if you’d be the one escorting us to the courthouse. Did you give any more thought to the donation we discussed?”

“Lady I’m not planting no tree,” Schwartz grunts, shaking his head. Meeting my gaze, he juts his thumb towards Sunny. “This one is special, huh?”

Looking at her, I wink.

“She sure is,” I reply before slicing my eyes back to my lawyer. “Donate a fucking tree.”

“You’re lucky I’m getting you out of here, another day and you might just turn into a bitch,” he retorts. “Now, let’s go.”

As much as I wouldn’t mind busting his balls, I don’t want to risk being late for court. Everything is riding on today.

My freedom.

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