“She stinks. It’s your turn,” I said, handing Emica over to Benito.
He looked at the other man in the room. “One second.”
I took out her diaper and wipes along with the ointment and handed it over.
Ethan Miller, Benito’s lawyer, patiently waited for us. I’d only met him once since the disaster of our wedding day. He had graying hair, big blue eyes, and a huge smile that stayed on his face. I could never tell if it was legit or bullshit. He seemed to favor loud suits expensive jewelry, and had a habit of answering a question with another question when he was talking to anyone but us.
He stood up the moment our eyes met, and I took his offered hand covered in rings. I shook it.
“Harlow Hy— Vitale,” I corrected.
“You need to get used to it already,” Benito said.
“I know that, don’t start your shit. I’m tired.”
Benito smiled, and I wanted to pick up the conference room chair and slam it against the back of his head.Idiot.
“I know who you are, Mr. Vitale,” Ethan said. He smiled at me before sitting back down.
“Sorry about that. She’s all clean.” Benito popped in her pacifier as we both settled in front of Ethan.
“I have to reiterate Benito, I am not a family lawyer.”
“But you’remylawyer,” Benito said.
Ethan grinned. “That I am. Sign the papers, and I’ll get everything filed.”
"That easy?” I asked.
Ethan shook his head. “No, but the paperwork you had the biological father sign works in your favor. Not to mention the note written in her biological mother’s handwriting will also work if they ever decide to take you to court. As far as filing goes, it will take me a bit.” He raised a hand before we said anything. “I will reach out to a few contacts and see what I can do to have it expedited, don’t worry. You know how I work.”
Benito nodded. “Yeah, I do. What about now, though?”
“In the meantime, she will stay in your care. There is normally a home inspection performed, but we already had someone pre-approve your home.”
I blew out a breath. Our home was baby proofed to the best of our ability. Benito had even gotten rid of the table because it had too many hard edges. Everything was locked down, and our weapons were now secluded in our room or high places.
“Once you two sign, Emica Tanaka will be Emica Vitale.”
Hearing it was surreal.Benito and I had a kid? Fuck.
“Are you sure about this?” Benito’s rough voice popped the bubble on my thoughts.
I turned to look at him. Benito’s dark brown eyes bore into me. I took one look at Emica in his arms. I had already considered her our kid; this would only make it official.
“Yeah.” I signed the paper and handed it over to Benito. “Maybe I won’t be as bad as my parents.”
He smiled at me, and my chest was instantly flooded with warmth. “We won’t be.” He signed as well, and Ethan took them.
“You two are taking on a huge responsibility, but I can see this is good for you,” he said. “I’m going to need a little bonus to move this through faster.”
As Benito paid the man, I dwelled on what he said. I’d have to take his word for it. I was a nervous wreck. It had only been a few days since Emica came to stay with us, but I no longer saw life without her. Benito smiled at her, and I could see the love in his eyes.
Emica was the only one I would ever share Benito with.
I flopped onto the bed.After a shower, a quick bite to eat, and another bottle feeding, I was exhausted. Even working out or disposing of a body didn’t require this much energy. How did people do it with more than one child?
Harlow cleared his throat. “Benito.”