27. The Decision

THE DECISION

M y phone stayed dark no matter how many times I checked it. Jake always answered. Always. Especially today of all days. The leather seats of the town car felt too cold, too formal. Nothing like Jake's worn truck seats that smelled like coffee and safety.

"Focus, Elliot." Sarah’s voice cut from the front seat, sharp as ever. "Your dramatics won't help today."

Wanted to snap back, to remind her who really specialized in dramatics. But she was right about one thing - needed to focus. Everything rode on today. Tommy's future. Our future.

Still. Jake's silence sat wrong in my gut. Like an engine misfiring right before a big race. Something was off.

The courthouse rose ahead, all gray stone and judgment. Media vultures already circling, cameras flashing like lightning in the morning gloom. Caught snippets of their questions through closed windows.

"Mr. Blue, any comment on your relationship"

"What about the custody arrangement"

"Is it true that Sheriff Thompson-”

Fuck all of them.

Cassidy appeared like an avenging angel, parting the sea of reporters with practiced efficiency. Her hand landed firm on my back, steering me toward a side entrance.

"Head up." Her voice came low, steady. "You've got this."

Then I heard it. The one voice that mattered.

"Dad!"

Tommy barreled into me full force, all gangly limbs and pure love. Caught him close, breathed in that kid-shampoo smell Vanessa still insisted on. My son. My reason for everything.

"Hey champ." Had to clear my throat past the sudden tightness. "Looking sharp."

He pulled back, his eyes going serious. "Is it true? About you and Sheriff Jake?"

My heart stopped. Because this was it. The moment I'd been dreading and hoping for.

"Yeah buddy." Kept my voice steady even as my hands shook. "That okay with you?"

His grin could have powered the whole damn courthouse. "Sheriff Jake makes the best pancakes! And he lets me help with the sirens and"

"Tommy." Vanessa's voice cracked through his excitement. "Come here. Now."

Watched my son's joy dim, his shoulders pulling in as he obeyed. Anderson stood beside her, trying to place a hand on Tommy's shoulder. The rage that rose in me must have shown because Cassidy's grip tightened on my arm.

"Not here." She breathed. "Not now."

"Quite the show you put on." Vanessa's smile could cut glass. "That interview was Oscar-worthy."

"Truth doesn't need performance." The words came out calmer than I felt. "But you wouldn't know about that, would you?"

Her eyes narrowed but before she could respond, the bailiff called us in. Time for the real show to start.

Tommy glanced back at me, something like hope in his face. Mouthed our old joke - "Knock knock" - and fuck if that didn't nearly break me.

Still no message from Jake. The phone burned in my pocket, silent when I needed his voice most. Where was he? What had happened?

"Ready?" Cassidy asked, already knowing the answer.

"No." Honest now, here at the finish line. "But doing it anyway."

Because that's what being a father meant. Fighting even when you're scared shitless. Standing up even when your knees want to buckle.

The courtroom doors looked like they belonged in a horror movie. Dark wood and brass, ready to swallow us whole. Somewhere behind them waited a judge who'd decide everything.

"Love you, Dad." Tommy's whisper carried just far enough. Just enough to steady me.

The courtroom wood creaked under my feet, every step echoing like a countdown. Vanessa's lawyer stood first. Watched him smooth his tie, that practiced gesture I'd seen a hundred times in Victory Lane. Different audience, same performance.

"Your Honor," he began, voice dripping concern that probably cost Vanessa a fortune to rehearse. "We're here today because a mother fears for her child's stability. A mother who has consistently provided structure, guidance, and unwavering support while Mr. Blue pursued his racing career."

My hands clenched under the table. Joan's hand landed light on my wrist, steadying. Keep it together. Don't let them see you crack.

"Recent events have only heightened these concerns." Sterling paced like he owned the room. "Sudden career changes, impulsive moves to small towns, questionable lifestyle choices"

"Objection." Cassidy's voice cut sharp. "Counsel is editorializing."

"Sustained." The judge's eyes narrowed slightly. First blood to us.

Sterling recovered smooth as silk. "The facts speak for themselves. Mrs. Blue has maintained a stable environment while Mr. Blue's life has become increasingly chaotic."

Wanted to laugh. Wanted to scream. Stable environment meant nannies raising our kid while Vanessa played society wife. Meant Tommy walking on eggshells, afraid to be anything but perfect.

Cassidy stood next, and fuck if she didn't own that courtroom different than Matthews. No performance, just steel.

"Your Honor, this case isn't about lifestyle choices or career changes. It's about a father choosing his child over everything else." Her voice carried conviction that made my chest tight. "Mr. Blue didn't abandon racing on a whim. He left because he wanted to give his son something real. A home, not hotel rooms. A childhood, not photo ops."

Caught Tommy's eyes across the room. He sat between Vanessa and Anderson, looking smaller than his eight years. But he managed a tiny smile, and my heart steadied.

Then Vanessa took the stand.

Jesus Christ. The performance she gave would've won Oscars. Voice breaking at all the right moments, tears falling on cue. Even pulled out that tissue she'd probably practiced with.

"I've tried so hard to shield Tommy from all this." Dabbed her eyes delicate as a painting. "The erratic behavior, the constant changes. Do you know what it's like, trying to explain to your child why his father suddenly moved away? Why he's living with... with"

The pause spoke volumes. Made my blood boil.

"With who, Ms. Price?” Matthews prompted gentle as a snake.

"With another man." The words dripped judgment. "In some small town where Tommy has no friends, no opportunities, nothing we've worked so hard to give him."

Bullshit. Pure bullshit.

Cassidy’s cross examination cut through some of Vanessa's act. Made her admit the revolving door of nannies. The missed school events while she attended charity galas. The way Anderson had moved in barely a month after our separation.

Then it was my turn.

The witness stand felt like a racing seat - confined, exposed, everything riding on performance. But this wasn't a race. This was Tommy's future.

Cassidy started easy. My racing career. My dedication to Tommy. The decision to leave it all behind.

"Why Oakwood Grove?" She asked, building foundation.

"Because it was real." The truth came easy. "No cameras, no pressure. Just a place where Tommy could be himself. Where we could build something that mattered."

Sterling came at me hard in cross. Every question designed to make me look unstable, reckless.

"This relationship with Sheriff Thompson." His smile turned predatory. "Rather sudden, wasn't it? Another impulsive decision?"

Before I could answer, the courtroom doors swung open.

And there he was.

Jake. Looking battered but beautiful in his suit. Those steady brown eyes finding mine like magnets finding true north.

Everything shifted. Settled. Because there stood everything I'd been trying to explain.

"No." My voice came stronger now. "Nothing impulsive about it. Jake showed me what real strength looks like. What family actually means."

"And you think exposing your son to this lifestyle"

"I think exposing my son to love is the most important thing I can do." Cut him off clean. "Whether that's teaching him to be himself without shame, or showing him that family comes in all forms."

"Even forms that might confuse or damage him?"

"The only thing damaging my son is watching his mother use him as a weapon." The words came fierce, protective. "Jake's shown him more real care in months than Anderson has since moving in. Taught him about courage, about standing up for what's right."

Everyone gasped when Anderson was mentioned. And just by looking at him, he was furious.

"So you admit your relationship influences your son?"

"Damn right it does." Met the judge's eyes direct. "Shows him that love doesn't have to be perfect to be real. That family is about who stays, who fights for you. Not who looks best in society photos."

Sterling’s face went tight. Hit a nerve there.

"Your Honor." He started, but I wasn't done.

"My son deserves better than performance. Better than walking on eggshells trying to be perfect. He deserves pancake mornings and treehouse plans and people who love him exactly as he is."

Silence fell heavy. Caught Jake's eyes again, found strength there. Pride. Something deeper we hadn't named yet.

"Thank you, Mr. Blue." The judge's voice carried something like approval. "You may step down."

Walking back to my seat felt like coming home. Because Jake was here. Because Tommy's smile had gone real and bright. Because for once, truth felt stronger than performance.

"Tommy Blue." The judge's voice carried soft but firm. "Would you come up here please?"

My heart stopped watching him walk to the stand. So small in his pressed suit, but chin up like we'd practiced. Brave in a way no eight-year-old should have to be.

The bailiff had to adjust the microphone down for him. Tommy's feet didn't even touch the floor from the witness chair. Wanted to run up there, scoop him away from all this. But his eyes found mine, steady and sure.

"Hi Tommy." The judge's tone went gentle. "Can you tell me about your school?"

"I like science best." His voice came clear, no hesitation. "Dad helps me with experiments. We built a solar system with racing tracks between the planets."

Pride mixed with pain in my chest. Because yeah, we'd done that. Between custody visits and supervised hours, we'd created something real.

"And what about at your mom's house?"

Tommy's shoulders pulled in slightly. Recognized that tension - the same way he'd sit during Vanessa's society dinners, trying so hard to be perfect.

"It's okay." Small voice now. "But I have to be quiet a lot. Mom says proper children don't make noise."

"How do you feel about living with your dad?" The judge leaned forward, really listening.

"I feel safe." Simple words that cracked something in my chest. "Dad lets me be me. And Sheriff Jake teaches me cool stuff and makes the best pancakes and"

"Objection." Vanessa's Lawyer voice cut sharp. "This isn't relevant."

"Overruled." The judge's eyes narrowed. "Continue, Tommy."

My son squared those small shoulders. "I love Mom. But with Dad and Jake, I don't have to pretend."

Out of the mouths of babes. Tears burned but I blinked them back. Had to stay strong for him.

"Court will recess for one hour." The gavel crack made Tommy jump. "I'll return with my decision."

The next moments blurred. Found myself in the hallway, scanning for Jake. There. Looking battered but beautiful in his dress blues.

Didn't think. Just moved. His arms caught me solid and sure, holding everything together when I felt like flying apart.

"Sorry I'm late." His voice came rough against my neck. "Ramirez's lawyer dragged things out."

"You're here." Words muffled into his collar. "You're actually fucking here."

"Language, Dad." Tommy's laugh broke through everything. He crashed into us both, Jake catching him easy as breathing.

"Nice job in there, kiddo." Jake crouched down, those steady hands straightening Tommy's tie. "Told the truth like a champ."

The moment shattered at Vanessa's sharp laugh. "Really, Elliot? Making a scene in the courthouse?" Anderson stood beside her, jaw still showing traces of our last encounter. The bruising had faded to yellow, but satisfaction still curled in my gut seeing it.

"Not now, Vanessa." Cassidy stepped between us, all steel and sharp edges. "This isn't the time."

"Oh, I think it's exactly the time." Vanessa's smile went razor-thin. "Our son just had to testify in court, and you're what? Having a romantic reunion?"

Tommy pressed closer to my side, small fingers gripping my suit jacket. Jake's hand landed warm on his shoulder, protective.

"Careful." Jake's sheriff voice came out, the one that meant business. "Think about who you're hurting with this show."

Anderson took a step forward, trying to look tough. "Listen here, Sheriff"

"No, you listen." Jake didn't raise his voice, didn't need to. Pure authority rolled off him. "That kid just showed more courage than any of us. Maybe try following his example."

"How dare you" Vanessa started, but Tommy's voice cut through everything.

"Mom, please stop." Small but steady. "You're doing the scary voice again."

The words hit like bullets. Watched Vanessa's perfect mask crack slightly, real emotion bleeding through.

"Tommy, baby, I'm just"

"Being mean." He pressed closer to me, to Jake. "Like when Anderson tried to make me call him dad."

Holy fuck.

"What?" The word ripped from my throat. Felt Jake go tense beside me.

"He didn't" Vanessa whirled on Anderson, something like real fear in her eyes. "Tell me you didn't."

Anderson's face went red. "I was just trying to"

"To what?" Cassidy's voice could have frozen hell. "Force a child to call you father while his real dad fights for custody?"

The hallway had gone quiet, other lawyers and families watching the drama unfold. Tommy's grip on my jacket tightened.

"Dad?" His voice went small. "Can we get water or something?"

"Of course, champ." Grateful for the excuse to move him away from this mess. "Jake?"

"I've got them." Cassidy nodded, understanding passing between us. "Take a minute. Clear the air."

Watched them walk toward the water fountain, Tommy's hand secure in Jake's. Trust and safety wrapped in one simple gesture.

"You didn't know?" My voice came low, meant for Vanessa alone. "About Anderson pushing that?"

The mask cracked further. "No. I didn't." For once, no performance in her tone. Just raw truth.

"Jesus Christ, Van." Old nickname slipped out with old pain. "What happened to protecting him?"

"I am protecting him." But the words sounded hollow now. "From your-”

"My what?" Steel entered my voice. "My honesty? My fight to give him a real home?"

"You really think some small town sheriff can replace"

"Jake doesn't try to replace anyone." Cut her off clean. "He just loves. Simple as that. No agenda, no performance. Just love."

Anderson tried to speak but one look from me shut him up. The bruises on his face promised more if he pushed.

"The judge is going to see through your act." Vanessa's voice shook slightly. "See what kind of environment you're creating."

"No, she's going to see truth." Cassidy rejoined us, steel wrapped in silk. "Which is more than I can say for what's happening in your house."

Tommy's laugh carried from the water fountain - bright, real, unrestrained. Exactly what a kid's laugh should sound like. Jake was showing him something on his phone, probably photos from home.

Home.

That's what this was really about.

"He's happy with us." Simple truth that changed everything. "Actually happy, Van. Not society-photo happy or perfect-child happy. Just real."

Something shifted in her eyes. Grief maybe, or recognition.

The hour crawled by like years. But finally, finally they called us back in.

The judge's face gave nothing away as she settled into her chair. The room went silent enough to hear heartbeats.

"After careful consideration of all testimony, including that of Tommy Blue, I've reached my decision."

Felt Jake's hand find mine under the table. Anchor in the storm.

"Full custody is hereby granted to Elliot Blue."

The words didn't register at first. Too big, too important to be real.

"Dad!" Tommy's voice broke through everything. He slammed into me full force, and suddenly it was real. So fucking real.

Lifted him up, held him close like I'd wanted to do for months. Years. Forever.

"We won?" His whisper carried wonder. "For real?"

"For real, buddy." Voice cracked but didn't care. "You're coming home."

"With you and Sheriff Jake?"

"With all of us." Because Jake's arms had wrapped around us both, holding our little family together.

"Mr. Blue." The judge's voice carried warmth now. "I expect you to maintain Tommy's current school enrollment through the end of this term. After that, you're free to relocate to Oakwood Grove."

Oakwood Grove. Home. With my son and my sheriff and everything worth fighting for.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Managed those words past the tightness in my throat. "For listening. For seeing."

Her smile went knowing. "Sometimes truth speaks louder than performance, Mr. Blue. Take care of your family."

My family.

Mine to protect now.

Mine to love.

Mine to give the childhood he deserved.

"Ready to go home, champ?"

Tommy's grin could have powered the whole courthouse. "Can we get pancakes first?"

Jake's laugh rumbled through all of us. "Think we can manage that."

Walked out of that courtroom different than I'd walked in. Stronger. Whole.

Ready to build something real.

Together.

The way family should be.