Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

BECCA

I'm sitting in the office, putting some pictures I found of Holder and Hannah in a photo album, when there's a soft knock at the door. I turn around and see Shelby. Immediately, my stomach drops. I haven't heard from her since we sent the certified letter to Trey. I've wanted to ask about it, but I didn't want to be disappointed. "Do you have news?" I ask, licking my suddenly dry lips.

"I do." She grins, a bright smile spread across her face.

I'm scared to ask if it's good or bad. I'm assuming good since she's smiling, but I've been wrong a lot. "What is it?"

She pulls a piece of paper out of her briefcase and flashes it in front of my face. "Apparently, Madden went down to see Trey and convinced him to sign the papers. There's a letter in here from Trey. It's sealed, but some contacts I have at the Birmingham facility told me Madden was down there earlier this week."

I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what to say, not sure how to feel. There was never a point where I told Madden I wanted him to talk to Trey, but he seems to always know what I need before I ask. "I don't know how to thank you..."

"You don't have to. It's what I do, it's what I love to do, and it's my pleasure. I've already filed the paperwork with the courts, and we'll be receiving information soon about what you need to do in order to get him officially yours. This is great information, Bec, and I'm extremely happy for you."

I stand up and head over to the entryway, holding my arms open for her. We hug tightly. "I know this is what you do, but you've had so much empathy the entire time. Shelby, you're special, and I appreciate you more than you know."

"Don't make me cry and don't let that shit get out. I have a rep around here. If people think I'm a pushover, I'll never hear the end of it." She reaches up to wipe under her eyes. "I'm happy for you, Bec. You deserve this, and so does Mick. I'll be in touch."

She hands me the paperwork, the letter, and leaves with only the scent of her perfume trailing behind her. I don't know how to process this. I'd geared myself up for a fight with him that might last a decade. I will go to any lengths to get Mick, but I knew he would fight me. For it to be over like this? It's a mind fuck.

The paperwork means a lot, but it's the letter I'm interested in. I don't think he's ever written me a text message, much less a letter. Getting up, I go over and shut the door to the office. Chief Harrison is out for the day, and I want some privacy to read this. I don't know how I'm going to react, and I don't want to embarrass myself.

With shaking hands, I open the envelope, take the letter out, and unfold it. I recognize Trey's handwriting from when I saw it while we were kids.

Rebecca,

First of all, I'm going to say what I should've said when you offered to take care of Mick for me.

Thank you.

You didn't have to, and no one else stepped forward to do it. Our parents are holding strong to never wanting anything to do with me, and that means not wanting anything to do with Mick, either. While that hurts me more than I can tell you, I'm thankful that you've been willing to take care of him.

He's lucky.

I remember how loving you were when we were kids. Although I'm older than you, you always took care of me and everyone around you. I should've done what you asked me to do and given away my parental rights immediately. I didn't because I'm an asshole, and I like to blame other people for the shit I've done.

Mick doesn't deserve that, and neither do you.

I'm sure you know I'm going away for a long time. When I get out, Mick will probably have his own family, and at that point, I realize I won't have a claim to him. If Madden is to be believed, you and Madden will have the claim to him.

That's right, Madden came to talk to me. Actually, he came to kick my ass and tell me what a fucker I was being. In the end, he was right.

I was wrong.

Please love my son the way you've loved me. Please show him what a real family is, and what a mother is like. Allow him to have the life I wanted, but never could seem to get. Don't let him stand in his own way like I have. Push him to be better than me, Becca. I know with the two of you raising him, he will be.

The only thing I ask is that you let me call him. I won't be his father figure, and I understand that. I don't want to be. At the same time, I don't want him to have some sort of romanticized view of who I am. I've seen enough guys here dealing with their sons, to know that the sons can get a skewed view of who we are. I don't want him to think this is acceptable.

It's not.

And I wish someone had loved me enough to tell me to stop the bullshit before I got this deep into it.

I want to tell him to never get sucked into this. Let him know who I am, but also let him know what I've done. Honesty is something I should've led with, and I never did. I want to do that now.

I'm sorry that I've made this difficult for you. I shouldn't have.

I love you; I appreciate you, and you're lucky to have Madden in your life. He came in here like he owned the place and told me to get my head out of my ass.

This is me doing that.

You should have the paperwork that allows you to take custody of Mick. If you don't, please reach out, and I'll make sure it's done.

Love,

Trey

My heart is pounding as I fold the letter and put it back on the envelope. This is something I will hold close to me forever.

Right now, though, I have to find Madden. I have to thank him. He didn't have to do any of this, and he continues to go above and beyond. He's the first person in a long time, besides Stephanie who hasn't disappointed me.

If I'm being honest, I love this man, and he has to know that as soon as possible.