Page 152 of Halo

“Dr. Crawford—”

“I need my lawyer.” My hands shake as I frantically pull out my phone. “I-I need to call him. He needs to be here. And I need your supervisor. And I need—oh God, I need … I need my son.”

I collapse onto the couch, burying my head in my hands as my fingers knot into my hair. I pull hard, trying to hold myself together, but the sobs come anyway.

I drag both hands down my face and force air into my lungs until I can finally think past the panic. None of this makes sense, and falling apart isn’t going to get me the answers I need.

“So what does this mean? You’re just going to take him away from me?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying?” I say a little too harshly.

She waits until I look at her. “My responsibility right now is to determine the safest placement for Grady while his mother is unable to care for him.”

“How can he be safe if he’s not with me?” My voice cracks, and I don’t bother trying to hide it. “I’m the one who takes care of him. I’m the one he calls when he’s scared. I’m the one who—” I swallow hard. “He called me Dad yesterday. For the first time, he called me Dad, and now you’re standing here telling me I’m not?”

“I’m not questioning what you are to Grady.”

“Then don’t take him from me.”

Her expression softens. “I can see how much you love him.”

I take a few deep breaths. “What happens now?”

“We have several things to work through before Grady can be discharged. Depending on what we’re able to verify, temporary placement with an approved caregiver may be an option. If we can’t identify one, foster placement is also a possibility.”

“Foster care?” I shake my head. “No. Absolutely not.”

“I understand, but legally, we also have an obligation to contact his established father.”

The words knock the air out of me all over again. I grip the back of the chair. “Then who the hell is he? Where has he been for the last five years?”

She lowers her eyes to the folder.

“I can’t answer the second question.”

“Then answer the first.”

Her fingers turn one page before stopping. “According to our records, paternity was established last summer to …” Her eyes scan the page. “Looks like Barnett. Matthew Barnett.”

Chapter 38

Leah

“There you go, sweet girl.” I shift the bottle away from Chloe's mouth and lift her against my chest. “That was a big lunch for such a tiny little thing.”

She answers with a squeak, her cheek squished against my shoulder.

I rub slow circles between her shoulder blades until a burp finally works its way out of her.

“Oh!” I laugh. “That was a good one. Do you feel better now?”

“Please tell me you don’t expect her to answer you.” Rachel shuffles into the living room, her hair piled on top of her head and sleep still written all over her face. She drops onto the couch beside me. “Thank you for coming over after work. Seriously. I needed that nap.”

“Anytime. I happen to enjoy spending time with my favorite niece.”

“She’s your only niece.”