11. Fighting for Family

FIGHTING FOR FAMILY

T he elevator ride to Cassidy's office felt longer than usual, each floor ticking by like a countdown to judgment. My wrinkled shirt and yesterday's jeans stood out among the crisp suits rushing past - another sign I didn't belong in this polished world anymore. Not after tasting the simple peace of Oakwood Grove.

Cassidy's office hit me with its familiar scent of coffee and expensive leather, the wall of law books behind her desk a reminder that this was war, not negotiation. She didn't look up when I entered, too focused on whatever document had put that slight smile on her face.

"You're late," she said, but without heat. "Though considering where you've been, I'm impressed you made it at all."

"Traffic." I sank into the chair across from her, my body remembering hours of driving. "And before you start, yes, I know disappearing was stupid."

"Actually," she finally met my eyes, "it might have been the smartest thing you've done in this whole mess."

That wasn't what I expected. "What?"

"Vanessa overplayed her hand." Cassidy's smile grew sharper. "That interview? The one where she tried to paint you as unstable? It backfired."

My heart stuttered. "How?"

"Because while she was busy playing victim for the cameras, you were quietly stepping back from racing to focus on Tommy. No drama, no public statements, just a father choosing his son over his career." She leaned forward, satisfaction radiating from every pore. "The judge noticed."

Hope bloomed dangerous and wild in my chest. "You're saying-"

"I'm saying Vanessa's lawyers called this morning, wanting to 'discuss terms' before the emergency hearing." Her fingers made air quotes around the words. "They're running scared, Elliot. And your little timeout in... where was it again?"

"Oakwood Grove."

"Right. Your strategic retreat to process things? Perfect timing. Makes you look thoughtful instead of impulsive. Though next time, maybe answer your phone occasionally?"

The tension in my shoulders started to ease. "So what happens now?"

"Now," she pulled out a thick folder, "we negotiate from a position of strength. Vanessa wanted to prove you were unstable? Instead, she proved you're willing to sacrifice everything for Tommy. That plays well with family court judges."

My hands shook slightly as I reached for the papers. "She can't take him away?"

"Not without a better reason than 'his father chose parenting over racing.'" Cassidy's expression softened. "You did good, Elliot. Even if it was accidental."

The world felt steadier suddenly, like gravity had remembered how to work. "I want a full custody. I want my son away from her.”

"We can push for that now." She started marking pages for me to sign. "Though I have to ask - this Oakwood Grove place. Are you thinking of staying there?"

Jake's face flashed through my mind, along with quiet streets and peaceful ranches. "Maybe. Eventually. I don’t know.”

"Might help your case. Small towns, good schools, stable environment - judges eat that stuff up." She studied me carefully. "Plus you seem different. More grounded."

"It's a grounding kind of place."

Cassidy's expression shifted, that professional mask slipping to reveal something more personal. "Well, before you start house hunting, there's something you need to see." She reached into her desk drawer, pulling out another thick manila folder.

The sound it made sliding across her polished desk seemed impossibly loud in the quiet office. My heart kicked against my ribs as she tapped the folder with one perfectly manicured nail.

"The judge made an interim decision this morning," she said, her voice carefully neutral but her eyes dancing. "After reviewing Vanessa's interview and your... let's call it a strategic career pause."

Fucking hell, when did paper get so heavy?

"Page three," Cassidy prompted. "The highlighted section."

The legal jargon swam before my eyes until I found it - that yellow streak of highlighter that somehow held my whole future. I read the words once, twice, three times before they sank in.

"Scheduled unsupervised visitation?" My voice cracked embarrassingly.

"The judge found no compelling evidence that supervision was necessary." Cassidy's smile grew. "In fact, she specifically noted your willingness to prioritize Tommy's needs over your career as evidence of sound parental judgment."

The office blurred around the edges. I could take Tommy to the park. To movies. To fucking anywhere without Vanessa's watchdogs hovering nearby. Could teach him to ride at Rolling Hill Ranch, show him the Miller place, let him-

"Breathe, Elliot." Cassidy's voice cut through my spiral. "This is good news, but it's just the first step."

I swiped at my eyes, pretending it was exhaustion making them water. "

"Think you can handle being a real dad again? Even if it is for a couple of days?”

The question should have stung, but I heard the affection behind it. "Fuck yes."

"Good." She started pulling out more papers. "Because we're not done fighting. Vanessa's team will appeal, try to paint this as temporary insanity on the judge's part and this decision can change in an instant. But for now?"

"For now I get my son back."

"Parts of him, anyway." She softened the words with a smile. "Maybe you can show him that town of yours."

"Yeah," I managed past the lump in my throat. "Maybe I can."

"Just don't go planning any permanent moves yet." Cassidy tapped the papers meaningfully. "Baby steps, okay? Show the court you can handle this level of responsibility first."

But I barely heard her, too focused on the highlighted words that changed everything. Unsupervised visitation. Real time with my son. A chance to be his father again, not just some carefully monitored stranger.

"Thank you," I said finally, meeting her eyes. "For everything."

"Don't thank me yet. We've still got work to do." But her smile was genuine.

Cassidy settled back in her chair, the leather creaking slightly. "Actually, why don't you take Tommy to Oakwood Grove today? Get started on this new chapter right away."

My heart nearly stopped. "Today?"

"The judge's order is effective immediately." She tapped the papers. "And getting him away from the media circus that's about to explode might be perfect timing. Let Vanessa deal with the press while you focus on what matters."

"You really think we can just go?"

"Not only can you go, I think you should." She was already reaching for her phone. "I'll call Vanessa's lawyers now, inform them you're exercising your rights under the new order. Tommy's school day ends at three, right?"

My hands were shaking as I checked my watch. Just past noon. "Yeah, but-"

"Then you've got time to pack a bag and pick him up." Her eyes softened. "Elliot, this is what we fought for. A chance for you to just be his dad."

"Remember," Cassidy murmured as we approached the door, "let me do the talking."

My key still worked - one of the few victories I'd managed to keep in the initial separation. The condo smelled the same, that expensive perfume Vanessa insisted on piping through the air system mixing with the ghost of morning coffee.

She appeared in the kitchen doorway like an apparition, perfect as always in her designer workout gear. The sight of us stopped her mid-step, her green smoothie frozen halfway to her lips.

"What the hell are you doing here?" The polished society wife mask slipped instantly. "And with her?"

Cassidy stepped forward, calm as a surgeon approaching an operation. "Good afternoon, Vanessa. We have something for you."

The papers in Cassidy's hand might as well have been a loaded gun for how Vanessa stared at them. "Whatever this is, my lawyers-"

"Have already been notified." Cassidy's voice carried the perfect blend of authority and disinterest. "The judge made her decision this morning. I'm merely delivering your copy, as a professional courtesy."

Vanessa's perfectly manicured fingers snatched the documents, her eyes scanning rapidly. I watched the color drain from her face, leaving her foundation mask-like against her skin.

"This is ridiculous," she spat. "Unsupervised visits? After his recent behavior?"

"The judge found that quite admirable, actually." Cassidy said.

"He abandoned his responsibilities-"

"The only responsibility that matters is to Tommy." My voice surprised even me, steady despite the thunder of my pulse. "And that's exactly what I'm choosing."

Vanessa's laugh could have cut glass. "Please. This little performance might have fooled the judge, but we both know-"

"That Tommy needs his father?" Cassidy cut in smoothly. "The court agrees. In fact, we're here to inform you that Elliot will be exercising his rights immediately."

"What?" Vanessa's mask cracked completely. "You can't just-"

"I can. And I am." The strength in my voice felt borrowed from somewhere else - maybe from Jake's steady presence last night, or the peace I'd found in Oakwood Grove. "I'm picking Tommy up from school. We're going away for a few days."

"Like hell you are." She reached for her phone. "I'm calling my lawyer-"

"Who has already received the paperwork," Cassidy interjected. "The judge's order is quite clear, Vanessa. Elliot has the right to unsupervised time with his son, effective immediately."

The phone shook in Vanessa's grip. "You really think I'm going to let you take him to God knows where-"

"This is me giving him something real." The words came easier now. “Something that isn't about appearances or society pages or your next fucking photo op."

Vanessa's face contorted as she reached the part about unsupervised visits, her perfectly applied makeup creasing with fury. "This isn't fair!" Her voice bounced off the marble countertops, shrill and desperate. "You can't just waltz in here and-"

Her trembling fingers were already dialing her lawyer's number, but the phone slipped in her grasp. I'd never seen her like this - control slipping, facade cracking. It should have felt satisfying. Instead, I felt oddly detached, like watching a storm from behind safety glass.

"I'm getting Tommy's clothes," I said quietly, moving toward his room. The space still held echoes of morning rushes and bedtime stories, of a life I'd been slowly losing piece by piece.

"Don't you dare-" Vanessa lunged for my arm, but Cassidy stepped smoothly between us.

"Ms. Price,” Cassidy's voice could have frozen hell itself. "I strongly advise against any physical interference with the court order. The consequences would be significant."

I pulled Tommy's favorite Yankees duffel from his closet - the one we'd picked out together last summer, before everything fell apart. His favorite jeans, the soft hoodie he wore on weekends, his worn baseball cap.

"He needs his routine!" Vanessa's voice followed me. "His tutoring schedule, his social obligations-"

"He needs to be a kid." I emerged with the bag, surprisingly steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. "And that's exactly what I'm giving him."

"By taking him to some backwater town? Around God knows what kind of people?"

"Around people who actually give a damn about who he is, not what he represents." The calm in my voice surprised even me. Maybe Oakwood Grove had changed me more than I realized.

"This is temporary," Vanessa spat, but uncertainty flickered behind her anger. "My lawyers will-"

"Will advise you to comply with the court order." Cassidy's smile was razor-sharp. "Unless you'd like to explain to the judge why you're interfering with perfectly reasonable parental rights."

I checked my watch - two hours until school let out. Two hours until I could start making things right.

"His medication schedule is on the fridge," Vanessa said suddenly, her voice small. "And he needs his inhaler if-"

"I know what my son needs." But I grabbed the schedule anyway, tucking it carefully into the bag.

"He won't understand why you're taking him away."

"Jesus Christ, Vanessa, it's four days." The words burst out before I could stop them.

"Four days?" Her perfectly plucked eyebrows shot up.

"Ms. Price,” Cassidy cut in smoothly, "as clearly stated in the order, this is a short recreational trip. Elliot will have Tommy back in time for school on Monday. There's really no need for all this..." she paused delicately, "concern."

But Vanessa was already pulling up her phone calendar, voice rising. "But he has his junior golf lesson on Saturday, and the Hendersons' charity brunch on Sunday-"

"Which he hates," I interrupted. "When's the last time you actually asked Tommy what he wants to do instead of scheduling every minute of his life?"

"Some of us care about our son's future-"

"Some of us care about our son's happiness." I hefted his bag higher on my shoulder. "Four days, Vanessa. He'll survive missing one golf lesson."

She pressed her fingers to her temples, the picture of maternal distress. "The judge can't possibly have intended-"

"The judge," Cassidy stated firmly, "granted Mr. Blue unsupervised visitation specifically so he could engage in normal parent-child activities. A long weekend away falls well within those parameters."

I watched Vanessa's face cycle through emotions - anger, fear, calculation. Even knowing it was just a few days, she couldn't stand losing this small bit of control.

"I'm not taking him away. I'm showing him there's more to life than this." I gestured at the pristine condo, the carefully curated perfection. "More than pretending to be something he's not."

"Like you're pretending?" Her laugh was bitter. "Playing small-town dad instead of who you really are?"

"No," I said quietly. "For the first time in years, I'm not pretending at all."

Cassidy touched my arm lightly. "We should go. Traffic will be heavy near the school."

Vanessa's protests followed us to the elevator, but they felt distant now, like thunder after a storm has passed. In my hand, Tommy's bag felt like a promise - of fresh starts, of quiet mornings, of a chance to be the father he deserved.

"You did good," Cassidy said as the doors closed.

Two hours later, I stood outside Saint Andrew's Prep, my heart hammering against my ribs like I was back on the starting line. Kids started streaming out the ornate doors, their navy blazers and khakis a sea of privilege I'd never quite gotten used to.

Then I saw him.

Tommy's ginger hair - just like mine - caught the afternoon sun as he bounded down the steps, his backpack bouncing against his shoulders. He hadn't spotted me yet, was laughing at something his friend said, and fuck if that smile didn't hit me right in the chest.

"Tommy!"

His head whipped around, green eyes widening in disbelief. For a heartbeat, he just stared. Then - "Dad!"

I dropped to one knee as he crashed into me, his familiar weight and the scent of that ridiculous expensive shampoo Vanessa insisted on nearly overwhelming me. His arms locked around my neck like he'd never let go.

"What are you doing here?" He pulled back just enough to beam at me. "Mom said you were away for work-"

"Change of plans, buddy." My voice felt rough. "Actually, I've got a surprise for you."

"A good surprise?" The wariness in his voice cut deep - too many promised surprises had fallen through lately.

"The best kind." I nodded toward Cassidy, who waited by her car. "How do you feel about an adventure?"

His eyes lit up, then dimmed slightly. "But I have golf tomorrow, and Mom says-"

"Mom knows all about it." Sort of. "We're going on a little trip, just you and me. Four whole days."

"Really?" Hope and suspicion warred on his face. "Where?"

"Place called Oakwood Grove. It's quiet, peaceful..." I grinned. "And they've got horses."

"Horses?" The word exploded out of him. "Real ones?"

"Real ones. My friend Caleb runs a ranch there. Thought maybe you'd like to learn to ride."

Tommy's whole body vibrated with excitement. "Can we go now? Like, right now?"

"That's the plan." I nodded toward his duffel in Cassidy's car. "Already got your clothes packed and everything."

His face fell slightly. "But what about Mom? Won't she be mad?"

"Mom knows we're going." I kept my voice steady. "Everything's arranged, buddy. This is our time."

"Just us?" The hope in his voice nearly broke me.

"Just us. No schedules, no lessons, no fancy brunches. Just father-son stuff."

He launched himself at me again, nearly knocking me over. "This is the best surprise ever!"

Cassidy approached, her professional mask softening. "Ready to hit the road, boys?"

Tommy's eyes widened. "Ms. Thorne? Are you coming too?"

"No, honey. Just making sure your dad has everything he needs." She winked at him. "Someone has to keep him organized."

We loaded into her car, Tommy chattering non-stop about horses and adventures and "Will there be other kids there, Dad? Can we stay up late? Do they have ice cream in small towns?"

Each question felt like healing something I hadn't known was broken. This was my son - not the perfectly posed child from Vanessa's Instagram, but my boy, excited and real and absolutely perfect.

"Hey Dad?" His voice turned serious as we pulled away from the school. "You promise Mom really knows? She won't be sad?"

"I promise." I caught his eye in the rearview mirror. "Four days of just us being us. Then back to normal on Monday."

He nodded, processing this. Then: "Can we get pizza for dinner? Mom never lets me have pizza on weekdays."

"Buddy, we can have pizza every night if you want."

His grin could have powered the whole city. "This is gonna be awesome."

Yeah, I thought, watching him bounce in his seat with pure joy. Yeah, it really was.

Cassidy dropped us at my car, giving Tommy a warm hug goodbye. "Have fun, you two. And Elliot?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember what we talked about. Document everything."

I nodded, but I was already focused on Tommy, on his excited chatter about horses and adventures and freedom. On the way his hand felt in mine, small but strong, trusting me to lead him somewhere good.

For once, I knew I wouldn't let him down.

"Ready for an adventure, champ?"

His answering smile was everything I'd been fighting for. "Ready!"

Time to show my son what real joy felt like. And maybe find some peace for ourselves along the way.

Next stop: Oakwood Grove.