He can’t tell me who Megan was and for now, I need to respect that, because Damian, wants this, wants us, just as badly as I do. Linking my arm in his, I lead us towards the stairs. “Come on, Offside. I have an office to pack up. You can sit in the car and wait for me.”
“You good?” Damian is holding my hand as he drives towards the hospital. Veronica had been instructed to babysit me while I gathered my personal belongings, making sure I didn’t take anything that belonged to the company. She kept apologizing, but I’d rather it was her watching over me than some security team.
“Yeah. I feel a little weird.” He gently squeezes my hand. “It’s not like I had a lot of friends in that office, but it was the first real job I’ve ever had. The first law firm to hire me after I passed the bar.”
He squeezes my hand tighter. We pull into the hospital parking lot and I’m relieved I don’t have to talk about this subject any further. The truth is . . . I’m unexplainably sad that I just left my office building for the last time. My personal life has changed drastically over the past few months. Now having to change professionally as well is a lot to take in.
When I met Damian, I needed a life overhaul, and the path I’m currently on is a stark contrast to the life I was living a mere two months ago. While it’s slightly freeing, it’s also terrifying. But as Damian opens my door and helps me out. As he pulls me into his arms and rests his lips on the top of my head, holding me tightly to him, I’m relieved that even though nothing about my life feels familiar right now, that once again, I’ve lost something close to my heart, this time around, I don’t have to go it alone.
“You sure you’re up for this, Addison?”
I nod and we walk towards the entrance hand in hand. The minute we reach the nurse’s station, I know something is drastically wrong.
“Damian, can I talk to you for a second?” Susie’s voice is grave and sweat begins to coat his palm.
“Is something wrong? Is Emily sick?”
She shakes her head and glances in my direction. “What is it Susie? Just spit it out.”
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she finally delivers the crushing news. “Thomas is trying to ban all visitation rights. He called Rebecca this morning. Said Emily is getting too attached to you.”
My heart is panicking, my mind spinning with how to stop this and I have to wonder if my involvement is the reason for this drastic change. It’s too coincidental that Thomas would come forward with this request the day after I was fired. While I have no idea what Damian’s relationship was with Emily’s mother, I do know that he loves that little girl more than life and he will stop at nothing to make sure she’s well taken care of. The fact that Thomas can’t see that is unbelievable.
Damian’s breaths are coming in deep slow inhales and exhales. Everything about his stance, to the way he’s gripping my hand tells me he’s doing his best to keep it all under control, but I know inside he’s losing it. In as deep and calm a voice as he can muster he asks, “What did Rebecca tell him?”
“She said no.”
With those three words, Damian exhales a huge breath and his body begins to settle. If this fight ever goes to court, it would be in Thomas’s best interest to listen to Emily’s social worker. Rebecca sees her weekly and has first-hand knowledge what’s best for her. I’m sure Thomas will find a way around this, but her refusal gives Damian time to get his own people working on some sort of argument.
“Thank god.” Damian releases his grip on my hand and slides his palms over his face and head, rubbing out the anxiety this conversation just caused.
“It’s not all good news, Damian. Rebecca wouldn’t go along with his demands to block you, but your time is being limited. We’re supposed to monitor you to an hour a day. You know we’ll do our best to give you as much time as both you and Emily need, but don’t be surprised when we ask you to leave. We’re going to do the best we can, but please be patient with us.”