Angel Academy

Chapter Twenty-seven

Corbin's POV

"Addaline, don't you think we're being a little harsh with her?" I asked as I picked up the phone from the floor. I could hear her scoff, and, even though she was behind me, I could already see her lip raised in disdain. Besides me cheating on her with Niamh, I don't really see why she seemed to hate her so much. I straightened up and set the phone on the counter; it was ruined, and I'd have to throw it away later.

Addaline stood before me with her hand on her stomach, a frown on her pretty face. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she wore my t-shirt and sweatpants. "Corbin," she started, walking towards me. It was honestly starting to waddle more than just walk, and it was kind of funny to watch, but I never said anything. I didn't want to make her mad. She stepped to me and leaned on her toes to kiss my lips. "Baby, did you see how she acted? You said so yourself she was acting insane. I mean, threatening a pregnant woman? There is no excuse for that."

I sighed, nodding. "You're right."

"Not only that, but her boyfriend put you in the hospital, and she is still letting him be around Heath. That's not okay."

"You're right; you're right," I admitted. 

She smiled at me, her blue eyes bright. "I know I am." She kissed me again and waddled so she could sit behind the counter. "Are you sure your mother is okay to be with him alone? She does, umm-" she made drinking motions with her hand, and I scowled.

"She may be a drunk," I began through clenched teeth, "but that doesn't make her dangerous to Heath. She would never do anything to put him in danger." Calling Niamh a bad mother was one thing, but to try and talk bad about my mother was a whole different thing. Before we could say anything else, a young woman with a little girl walked in.

"Corbin?" she asked, smiling shyly at me. 

I nodded, smiling back. It was Lisa, an old friend of mine, and one of our first costumers. She was carrying Sidney, her three year old daughter. "Hey Lisa," I greeted her, kissing her cheek and Sidney's. "What can I do for you?"

She blushed, looking up at me through her eye lashes. "I just need you to watch Sidney for a little bit today." 

I nodded, taking the little girl from her mother's arms. "Of course. When will you be by to pick her up?" Sidney sucked on her thumb as she looked up at me giggling. I smiled down at her, and she hid her face in my shoulder.

"Just until five. That's when Mike gets off work." Mike was Lisa ex-husband and Sidney's adopted father. "That's not too late is it?" she asked, nervousness clouding her features.

I laughed, grinning, trying to calm her fear. "Not at all," I replied, shaking my head. "That's when we usually close up."

Lisa's face darkened with embarassment, and she looked at the floor. "Oh, right. Well, I'll be going. Bye baby, I love you." She kissed Sidney's cheek and waved at me before leaving. 

When I turned around, Addaline was glaring at Lisa's retreating form. "What?" I asked, setting Sidney on the ground. She immediatly got up and toddled over to the blocks. She dump out the tub and began plauing with them aimlessly. 

She sighed. "Nothing." She got off the stool and waddled towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

She suddenly turned to me, angry. "My feet hurt Corbin. My ribs are killing me. My back is sore, and I just want to lay down." Addaline suddenly burst into tears, her head falling into her hands, and I stayed frozen where I stood. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. It's just my hormones are all out of wack. I don't mean to be so mean." I took a step towards her and wrapped my arms around her, letting her cry into my chest. She cried for a good ten minutes, and by the time she was done, my shirt was soaked with her tears. She took deep, hiccuping breaths, and looked up at me. "I'm gonna go talk to my lawyer about getting custody taken from Niamh."

I frowned. "I thought you wanted to lay down?"

"God! Am I not allowed to change my mind? What is your problem Corbin!" I took a step back and watched as she left Angel Academy.

I sighed, shaking my head. I don't know how much more of Addaline's mood swings I can take.

~~~~~

Niamh's POV

I sat in a booth at Millie's, stirring my cup of coffee and absently staring out of the window. I could feel Caleb's eyes on me, and I knew he was waiting for me to speak, but I didn't know how to start without the fear of crying.

After a few minutes of silence, Caleb cleared his throat. "So, why did you have me meet you here so early in the morning?"

Taking a deep breath, I turned to him, raising my eyes to meet his. "Corbin is trying to steal my son."

He raised his eye brow. "Oh? And why is that?"

I could feel the sting of tears behind my eyes, and I fought to keep under control. "They say I'm an unfit mother because I spent time with my mother while she was in the hospital. I left Heath with his father because I knew he would be safe, and I knew Corbin would make sure he would bring him to see me." I stopped talking, tears welling in my eyes as I dropped my head slightly. "I just- you're a cop. Do you think they might have a case against me?"

Caleb was silent so long I didn't think he was going to answer. I looked up at him, and his green eyes blazed, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he watched me. He seemed to be debating on if he should tell me or not. Finally, with a sigh, he said, "I think they might have a resonable case."

My heart broke, and my head drooped again. "How? I'm a good mother. I give him everything he needs. I take care of him. I make sure he's happy. I love my baby. I keep him safe!" I looked up, my brows furrowed in anger. "I've taken care of him since he was born! I'm a good mother!"

"A good mother whose own mother was attacked and brutally beaten. A good mother whose son could have been killed or hospitalized along with his grandmother. A good mother who keeps psycopath around as a boyfriend. A good mother who practically abandoned her child with his father because she was too busy spending every day with her mother. A good mother who kept her son a secret from his father A good mother who refuses to quit a case that is obviously endangering the people she loves." I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off. "A good mother who sold her house without having a back up plan and who was forced to move in with her mother."

Tears filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. He was right. I was a terrible mother. I didn't deserve Heath; my son; my life. My hand covered my mouth as I fought to gain control of myself, and to keep myself from sobbing out loud. I was putting Heath in danger. If he stayed with me, he could get hurt. Or worse. My baby boy could die. I shook from the effort it took to not cry out. I wanted to ask Caleb what I should do, but the lump in my throat forbade me from speaking.

Caleb sighed, and reached his hand out to grasp my hand in his. "I didn't tell you that to hurt you, Niamh. I told you that because I want you to know some of the things that Corbin might use against you. I told you because I care, and I think you should hear it from someone that it's okay to be weak in front of."

I snorted, tears still falling from my eyes. "I barely know you. I wouldn't exactly call you a friend."

Caleb let go of my hand and leaned back. "Well, I consider you a friend, and, if you'll let me, I'm going to do everything I can to help you keep custody of Heath." He leaned foreward again, his fiery green eyes staring intently at me. "I know you love him, and that you would do anything for Heath. He's your world, and, if it meant that he'd be happier or safer, I know you wouldn't hesitate to let someone care for him." He smirked at me. "Lucky enough for you, I don't agree that Heath would be happier with anyone else. Please, stop crying Niamh. I promise you-" he reached out and carressed my cheek, brushing a tear away with his thumb- "I won't let you lose Heath."