Chapter Eighteen

R oam filled the cups and then doctored them how he and Sprite liked. His dad had arranged a suite for them with two bedrooms off a main room and a kitchen. He'd booked it for three nights because his dad said things always took longer than you thought.

His mom and dad had also arranged a lawyer to meet them where Shanna was being held. He turned to go back into the bedroom he'd shared with Sprite, but she came out dressed and ready to go. He stared, mesmerized by this different facet of her.

She'd slipped her piercings out and had completing changed her look. Instead of her head being curly with all the different hues of pink showing, she'd slicked it down straight. It had a reddish blonde hue. She had dark slacks, dress boots paired with a form-fitting thin long-sleeved turtleneck. The majority of her tattoos were covered. She'd also added some dark reading glasses. She looked like every other Dallas professional heading to work.

She definitely looked nicer than his dark jeans and long-sleeve henley he'd worn. He wasn't ashamed of being a biker, but when dealing with the unknown, he wanted the best impression for the social worker.

"You look fantastic, though I do miss the piercings."

Sprite smiled. "The holes are still there but not as noticeable. I've seen my share of social workers. Some are fantastic and don't look down on tattoos or piercings and others aren't quite so open-minded. I didn't want what I looked like to affect how you were treated. Now let's go rescue a baby."

Regina and Baron walked out of their bedroom. His dad had the same outfit Roam had except a different colored henley. His mom was in dark slacks, flats and a dress blouse.

"Now remember. Our goal is to get to at least temporary custody and have Shanna sign away her rights to the baby and your other kids. Don't let her rile you and make you lose your temper. I think our best bet is to not have her see Sprite and know you're moving on. Everyone agree?" Baron asked.

Roam nodded along with the others. Shanna had a horrible temper and was jealous, which was ironic since she hadn't wanted him.

He followed his dad and mom out, holding the door for Sprite. He dropped a kiss on her cheek.

"I'll keep my hands off you until we get what we want, at least in public."

Sprite smiled at him, pausing at the door for him to open it. She'd been so surprised the first time he'd done it for her, but he wanted her feeling special. He watched his dad for years treat his mom as the treasure she was. Now, he had a woman he wanted to worship.

SPRITE SAT OUTSIDE the room where Roam was meeting with his attorney, Baron, Shanna and Shanna's court-appointed attorney. Regina had stayed out with her unless Baron let her know he needed her.

Regina and Shanna had never gotten along. Baron had been concerned that with Regina in there, Shanna would dig her heels in. Sprite had to agree. Regina had whispered a couple things under her breath to Sprite that let Sprite know that Roam wasn't who Shanna should be worried about if she ever got out of jail. Regina was protective of her son and grandkids.

Regina finally sat down beside Sprite. She'd been nervously pacing.

"How are you appearing so calm because I heard you talking? You're as worried as I am," Regina asked.

"I didn't grow up in a great place and my mother wasn't a loving mother at all. I learned at a young age to hide what I was feeling. I've started breaking out of my shell, but today, I'm using what I learned from her to appear calm. Who knew she'd actually teach me something useful."

Regina slipped her arm around Sprite, tugging her close. Sprite couldn't believe how lucky she was to have found Bluff Creek. Regina nurtured her more than her mother ever did.

"I'm sorry you dealt with that, but I've seen you with your kids. You obviously are raising them completely differently than you were raised. I don't want this to sound condescending but I'm proud of you, Sprite. You chose a better path for your family and that says so much about you."

Sprite fought the tears that Regina's words had started. She breathed deep and used those lessons her mother had taught to keep them at bay. She could cry and show emotion once Roam's baby was safely in his arms.

The bang of the door had Sprite looking at the entrance. A younger woman walked in, pushing a stroller with a baby asleep in it. The baby was dressed in a white T-shirt with trucks on it and dark blue pants. She carried a small stack of folders, along with a diaper bag over her shoulder. She walked to the front desk and paused while the officer got off the phone.

"Della, I'm back. Is the father here yet?"

"Ms. Knight, how was he last night? He was a little fussy while I was holding him when she was brought in."

"He did great. Once he was fed with a clean diaper, he dropped right off. He's a sweetie."

"The father and his attorney are in with the waste of space and her attorney."

"Tell us how you really feel, Della," Ms. Knight laughed.

"I think some people are a waste of air but please don't tell the captain that. He wrote me up this week which is why I'm riding a desk."

The social worker laughed. Sprite was fascinated with their familiarity with each other.

"What did you do this time?"

"I turned away as I was holding someone we were booking. I'd already uncuffed him and he'd been fine. Someone yelled and I turned away. When my partner let go of his other arm to help the other officer, the perp tried to grab my crotch. I mean, what would you have done?"

This Della had Sprite trying not to laugh. The hand gestures she was making as she told the story were hysterical.

"I would have grabbed him between the legs and twisted," the social worker said.

"See, that's what I did. The captain called it out of line. Really, did he grab your crotch?"

Sprite snickered along with Regina because she couldn't hold it in. The officer at the desk turned at the sound.

"See, even they agree. Now I'm on desk duty for a week while I consider if this is the quote job for me ," Della grumbled. "Do you want buzzed through or to wait?"

"Let me leave him with you while I check where they are at. I don't want her to see him with his dad and decide she can try to manipulate the situation."

The social worker was buzzed through and left the stroller along with the diaper bag with the officer. The officer looked down and checked the baby, then went back to work.

Sprite tried to keep her cool and not show any interest. Regina was doing the same thing, but her fingers were tapping away. Sprite was positive it was killing Regina to not go over and hold her grandbaby. It had been made more than clear by Roam, and his parents had agreed, that they didn't need a DNA test. Roam wanted the baby and didn't want Shanna's family or the CEO to have custody.

As long as the baby was sleeping, Sprite could refrain from jumping up but if he, because they'd called it a he multiple times, started crying, there was no way she could stay sitting. She glanced over as two officers walked over close to the baby stroller.

"Uh, uh, uh. He's sleeping. If he wakes up, then you can hold him. You and I both know he probably didn't rest with that trollop of a mom."

Both officers chuckled.

"So how long are you on desk duty for, Della?"

"Well, if you keep bugging me and I squeeze your crotch, it will probably be two weeks, not just the one."

Both officers instinctively covered their crotches. Sprite was working not to giggle again but this Della was a riot.

"Now, Della. You know he had to get after you," one of the men said but stopped when Della held up her hand, then turned toward him.

"Don't even act like this was fair. You gave that perp a black eye and sprained his wrist the day before I got in trouble. There is one rule for the men and another for me. You trying to excuse the captain doesn't make it right."

Both men didn't say anything but turned and walked away. Regina stood up and paced a little.

"Della, is it?"

Della nodded at Regina. "Yes."

"If you're not tied to this area, I have a couple friends who run a female led bail bonds and security company. They are always looking for new people to join. They have offices in a couple places in Kansas. The closest one is about five hours from here."

Della stared at Regina. "Are you serious?"

Regina walked closer. "I am. Do you want me to leave their card? I can guarantee you wouldn't be penalized for defending yourself."

Della nodded, and Regina pulled a card out of her pocket. "Tell them Regina told you to call. Remi, the oldest sister, is my daughter-in-law."

Della smiled and put the card away. Sprite wondered if she'd take Regina up on her offer. She couldn't imagine when the man had grabbed Della's crotch first that she was being penalized for returning the favor.

Yelling had Sprite standing up to see where the sound was coming from better. The door to the room Roam had been in was open and who she assumed was Shanna was being led out.

"Roam, you ass, someday I'll pay you back for this."

"Ms. Schoomer, you and your attorney agreed to you signing the papers. Roam has done nothing but provide for the children. You are divorced and have given up all rights to your children. Perhaps you should use your time to decide how you want to live the rest of your life," Roam's attorney said.

The officer held Shanna's arm with her hands cuffed in front of her and led her down the hallway and through a door. Once she left, Roam, his attorney, Baron and the social worker walked out.

"Mr. Shields, with the agreement Ms. Schoomer signed, you have sole custody of your three children and only need to have your lawyer file it with the state. Since you're on the birth certificate and she signed her rights away, you have temporary custody of the baby. We'll still have to have a couple of formal visits before you can go before a judge and get permanent custody but, for now, he is yours. If you have a car seat, I can go ahead and give him to you now. If you need to buy a car seat, I can follow you."

"Umm, you know, we didn't even think about a car seat. With my twins graduating to the next size, I'm guessing I had one at home we could use but not one of us thought of that. We'll need to go buy one. I'm guessing he has the bare minimum, so we should probably get diapers, etc., but honestly, I really can't think well until I see him."

The social worker smiled and walked over to turn the stroller toward Roam. Roam bent down on one knee close and stroked his finger across the baby's hand.

"I promise you, son, I will always keep you safe."

Sprite swallowed, trying to hold back the tears and walked closer, touching Roam's arm.

"What about you dropping Regina and me at the store I saw near the hotel? You and Baron could go on to the hotel and then you can spend time with your son. Baron, can come back and pick us up when we're done? We'll need what? Formula, what size diapers, what type of bottle he's used to, so we disrupt his life as little as possible."

Roam nodded his head. "Does that work?"

The social worker nodded. "Perfect. I have a packet with all those particulars and not having to wait while you shop will help me make my next appointment."

"Okay, is it okay if I push his stroller to your car?" Roam asked.

Sprite followed them out and knew she would help Roam do whatever he needed to have this little boy have a wonderful life.