The Marriage Counselor. (Woman x intersex)

thirty-five.

UNEDITED.

chapter thirty-five:

"Okay, so this changes things. A lot." Rayan breathed as he opened his brief case. Danielle nodded as her tired eyes stared down at the table, Nour squeezing her hand. It was a few days after Mason's confession, Danielle being unable to eat or sleep. Nour was worried about the both of them, Mason staying in his room a lot more than usual.

"I can request an emergency hearing for permanent custody, no visitation unless supervised by both an officer and you both. What is the status of your relationship?" Rayan asked, his thick accent similar to Nour's.

"We're together. We do plan in the future to get married." Danielle stated, her voice hoarse from all the crying she's done the last few days. She felt as if she couldn't trust herself. Her thoughts were louder than anything else around her. She knew for the sake of the baby she needed to remain calm, but she couldn't seem to forgive herself for marrying such a monster.

"Okay. I was thinking it would help the courts if Nour adopted the kids. As a step parent. I know this isn't what you categorize yourself in Nour, but as you know lgbt couples can now adopt each other's children under the law. I say do the paperwork. It'll give Nour more credibility as a legal guardian. They'll come sweep the house for a safety visit, and that's that."

"We have to be married first, no?" Nour asked. His voice was quiet, Danielle laying her head on his shoulder.

"Nope." Nura responded as she popped a few grapes in her mouth. Danielle nodded before sighing as she leaned back in her seat, Nura placing a bowl of grapes in front of her.

"You eat. Then we're all going somewhere as a family. Pack enough clothes for a weekend trip." Nura demanded as Rayan wrapped his things up. They said their goodbyes, Danielle eating the grapes slowly. They were cold and juicy, them satisfying the hunger she felt even with no appetite.

"They're good?" Nour asked with a smile. Danielle nodded, the baby kicking against her hand.

"Oh, that was a hard one."

"Yeah? Let me feel." Nour breathed as his hand found her stomach. The baby kicked against his hand, his smile widening as he finally felt his babygirl's foot.

"Wow..I finally felt it clearly. She's strong like mommy."

"You give me too much credit. Come on, let's go get ready for whatever Nura has planned for us."

"Can you please tell us where we're going?" Mason urged as he bounced in the backseat. Sophia was rattling her toy while babbling loudly and kicking her feet, Elias playing a game on Nour's second phone. They were in the SUV, the car ride being almost four hours long. Nura was driving while Danielle sat in the passengers seat. Nour was in the middle row, his long legs stretched out comfortably as he leaned back in the seat.

"It's a surprise! But we're here now. We're going to have so much fun." Nura chuckled as she pulled into the large lot of the resort. Mason gasped dramatically, holding his chest as Elias cheered which triggered Sophia to start screaming happily.

"Yes! Yes yes yes yes!" Mason had showed a video to Nura about a resort and amusement park two months back. It was in Pennsylvania, but it was a short drive from New York City. She felt as if they all needed a break from the heaviness they were feeling.

Especially Mason.

"We're staying for the weekend because there's a few things I'd like to see out here too."

"This is the best family ever. I don't care. I'm never leaving." Mason giggled menacingly as he stared out of the window with wide eyes.

"And where would you have gone?" Danielle snickered causing Mason to shrug. Nour ruffled his hair before getting out of the car, opening the door for Danielle immediately after. She thanked him before gathering the boys things, Nura putting Sophia's car seat in her stroller.