Angel

Chapter 23

Mattie

"So I've drawn up a few rough ideas," Owen said as we sat around the dining room table. "I know Marc wants to add his name to the birth certificate and start a trust for the two of you, but what other details might you all want?"

"I'd like them all as guardians. We agreed that if anything were to happen to Nova and me, we would want the others to have custody of Violet. Can that be done?" I asked.

"Yes, it's relatively simple. We can go with one of two routes. The first is where you name them as guardians or caregivers in the event of your deaths. The second is to establish full guardianship now." He replied.

"Wait, how would that work without me giving up my parental rights?" I was confused. Family law had never been my focus, but that didn't sound right.

"It's not common, but we can draw up a custody agreement that places you and Marc as primary custodians with shared custody with the others. Technically the courts would want a parenting plan laid out as if it were a marriage, but that shouldn't be difficult," he explained.

I pondered the information, then turned to the rest, "Well, this isn't just my decision. Are you all really sure you want to do this? Being a parent isn't a part-time obligation. I mean, if you sign those papers and we split up, correct me if I'm wrong, Owen, it sounds like you will still be legally obligated to Violet. Do you really want that?" My heart clenched as I waited for them to change their minds.

Axel was the first to speak. "Do you remember what I said at the aquarium? I told you then you were part of the family and that was the first day I met either of you. I love that little princess as if she were my own, and I have no intention of letting either of you slip through my fingers." I felt the tears starting to form as I nodded.

"I want you, I want her, I want more," Brandon breathed. "I want a life with you, Mattie."

"More," I choked through my tears and he just grinned, nodding his head.

"Da, I'm Daddy Bunny now, you can't take that away from me," Raven sniffled. His tears nearly broke me.

"The two of you complete our family, little one," Corey said softly. "I can't imagine life without either one of you."

Nova just grinned and kissed my cheek, "So, when are you moving in?"

Owen and Sean laughed, "Well, I guess that settles most of my questions. I'll draw up the papers and we will head to court on Monday to file and set a date. Do I need any temporary orders for insurance or school purposes drawn up?"

"Yes, I'd like one for school. That way any of them can pick her up or attend school functions," I said.

"I'd like the addendum to add them both to my insurance and MawMaw if possible," Nova said. "If you don't object, Angel, I'd also like all of us to have medical authority rights. I'd much rather our family make those kinds of decisions than a stranger."

"I agree," I said, leaning into his arms.

"I think everything is fairly cut and dry," Owen said. "I'm sure we'll be able to expedite the matter fairly quickly. Just one last question. How will her last name be written?"

Nova and I exchanged a grin. "Violet Nova Theriot Weiland," I said proudly.

Corey

The weekend had passed quickly and Owen was able to get a quick turnaround on the court date. The judge didn't object since there wasn't a father of record on Violet's original birth certificate. The temporary orders were issued, and in 30 days it would all be final. Then Owen would file the living trust adding Mattie and Violet as beneficiaries.

"Hey, I need to run an errand, can you finish up the depositions this afternoon?" I asked Brandon.

"Yeah, you okay?" he asked, looking up from the files.

I grinned, "Yeah, I just want to run something by someone. I'll update you tonight. Are the girls coming over?"

"Not tonight. Mattie asked Marc to come to Violet's school in the morning to meet her teacher. She wants all of us to eventually," he replied, still grinning.

I nodded then headed out. Forty-five minutes later I pulled into Mattie's driveway.

"Mr. Henshaw?" her grandmother said from the front porch. "Is Cher okay?"

"Yes, ma'am, she's still at work. She, um, doesn't know I'm here actually. I wanted to talk to you," I said hesitantly. She raised an eyebrow in question. "Ma'am, I want to ask all of you to move in with us."

"Have you talked to Cher about this?" she asked, motioning for me to sit in the chair next to her.

"Not yet. I know she won't move if you aren't willing to move with her. I don't want to ask if you're not ready," I explained. "I apologize if I'm putting you on the spot, but..." I found myself at a loss for words and second-guessing my decision to speak with the elder first.

"Mr. Henshaw, are you men planning on having my Cher and Bebe as your family, or is this just fun?" Her eyes seemed to pierce my soul. "She's suffered enough to last a lifetime, and family is everything to her, but she's also still so naive, so young." I could see the tears in her eyes. "I've tried to keep her away from the darkness her parents brought, but I'm not gonna be around forever,"

That caught my attention. "Ma'am, what do you mean when you say darkness? I thought her parents still lived in California?"

The old woman shook her head, "You answer my question first. The latter is not a topic for today, garcon." She gave me a look that left no room for discussion.

"We want to be with her forever, ma'am. I know Marc, well Nova, has already mentioned marriage to her, and while we can't all be legally married to her, we would act as such."

"And what of my home, young man?"

"If you chose to move with the girls, then we could sell it, keep it, rent it out, whatever you wish. I do not say this to boast ma'am, but between the five of us, we have enough resources to do whatever you wish us to do. This isn't just about Mattie and Violet. We love them and that makes you family as well," I said, leaning in.

She had a genuine look of surprise on her face. "You are a rare bunch. Not many left these days that know the importance of family - 'specially chosen family." She tapped her chin a bit more, then said, "Tangerines."

My mouth hung open, then I stammered, "Pineapples."

She slapped her knee and howled, "Oh my stars! Tell me are Rose and Phil still running the show?"

"Pardon my language, ma'am, but how the fuck!" I thought my head was about to explode. You've got to be kidding me...this lady was Academy? How the hell didn't Mattie know?

She laughed more and nodded, "We're gonna need some more tea for this discussion, Cher. Might as well tell the others to head this way. Lord knows I'm too old to tell this story twice."  

Author's Notes:  MawMaw just took over.  I never had any plan for an Academy connection, but the sassy ol' gal just took over!  LMAO!

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