Page 18 of Deadly Scandals

Mia

Two Months Later

Grant clutched my hand outside the courthouse in Marin County. After official DNA tests, intensive therapy for Julián and me, parenting classes, and visits from social workers, we’d been awarded custody of our son.

Turns out, Lorraine had known all along that Julián wasn’t her grandson and had been receiving payments for years from Rafael, who had been involved in arranging his kidnapping. I wanted to beg the DA not to press charges against her, but I knew it would be no use. She had knowingly harbored a kidnapping victim, which made her an accessory to a crime.

But all I cared about now was that I was finally going to have my son. I was as excited as I was scared. As far as he knew, Tiffany was his mother, so how would he react to suddenly having a new mommy?

Grant sensed my fear. “You got this. You’re going to be the best mother.”

The social worker led us to a room, and after an excruciating ten minutes, she brought our little boy inside. He was holding a teddy bear. I tried to speak but was overcome with emotion.

Grant knelt in front of him. “What’s your bear’s name?”

“Oso.”

Grant talked through Oso in a deep bear voice. “Hi, Julián. Meet my friends. This is your daddy and your mommy. They love you very much.”

Julián smiled and reached his arms out for a hug.

I ran over to him and fell to my knees before gathering my son into my arms. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have my son and Grant back in my life, but here we were.

Against all odds.

One happy family.

I exhaled and then inhaled the smell of my son for the first time, letting it settle into my heart. When I had started this journey, I’d thought that the purpose of my transformation was to save Joaquín. But it wasn’t. My road led me to save my son and save myself.

“Let’s go home, buddy.”

Grant, Julián, and I walked out of the courthouse and drove back to San Diego.

Together.

To start the next chapter of our lives.