Unbreak My Heart (18+, ManxMan)

Chapter 29 Breathe

Chapter 29

Nicolas

"What do you mean there's a problem?"

When our lawyer called and her opening line was "Nico, we have a problem," my blood pressure immediately rose, the tension in my body was like steel spikes and every protective instinct for both Finn and Paisley revved into super overdrive.

"Well, I'm hoping it won't be too much of a road block or at least not much more than a delay..."

"Jessica, just get to the point, what's the problem," I growled into the phone. Glancing up I could see confusion and fear in Finn's face. He was sitting up straight, his mouth slightly open as he held back questions waiting for me, his knuckles were turning white where he gripped the armrests on his chair tightly.

Mrs. Pitfield, Finn's mother has disappeared, she checked herself out of the rehab clinic, I contacted Mr. Pitfield and he was concerned as well, she hasn't contacted him either."

"How does this affect everything?"

"Well the Judge had scheduled a meeting with her for tomorrow, in a case like this they usually like to get a statement in person from the birth mother to make sure she is consenting and there's no chance she'll change her mind down the road."

"But she signed her rights away," I objected and winced as I saw the way Finn paled hearing those words and not both sides of the conversation. "Hang on Jess, let me put you on speakerphone." I quickly brought Finn up to date as I put my phone down between us. Ajax and Benji sat quietly across from us, sharing anxious looks.

"Jessica, this is Finn, what does this mean?" he asked, projecting his voice to the phone. He was trying to sound calm, but I could hear a slight shake to his voice.

We spent the next 15 minutes voicing all our concerns, but not getting too many answers. It was all 'we have to wait and see'. When we hung up the phone we decided to head home. Benji promised to pack up the presents in the next day or so and deliver them to the apartment for us.

"Are you okay?" I asked, knowing that nothing would feel okay until we were able to bring little Paisley home.

"I don't know. Can we stop by and see her? I feel like I need to...I don't know...hold her for a little while."

Finn and I had just sat down in the back of the car, he let out a deep breath and ran his hands over his face.

"I don't know baby...it's a Sunday night..."

"Please," he said quietly, "Fran's working tonight, if we're quiet and just stay a few minutes I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

Fran was one of the overnight workers and we had developed a pretty good rapport with her when we saw her at shift changes in the morning or evening.

"Okay baby." I looked up at Benny and he nodded in understanding.

Finn was quiet for the entire ride to the child services facility where Paisley was being cared for. I didn't know if I should try to get him talking or let him have his space, but anything I could think to say felt hollow and patronizing.

As soon as we arrived he immediately hopped out of the car and jogged up the steps. I followed behind him and caught up when he paused at the door. There was a buzzer to gain entrance during off hours and a few minutes later a security guard showed up. Luckily it was one we had met and as my father taught me, always make friends with people you may need help from at some point.