Raven's Hacker 2: Raven & Hacker

Chapter 9

Raven POV

After another three months of traveling back and forth on weekends, and sometimes spending more time if we can, it's gotten to the point in our relationship that I think I'd be okay with moving in. There's an end of summer party coming up at the MC that Beckam invited us to. I asked if my parents could come so they could meet.

I've invited Mom and Jefferson to it. Beckam said he's looking forward to it, that he has a surprise for me.

Kai and Jefferson have been working very hard on getting Matthew to either willingly give up his rights, or have all his dirty laundry aired out and very publicly by taking this to trial. And I promised that I would tell every single person I knew that I was taking him back to court to strip his rights because he's not shown up for Ryder in almost 18 months! It's been so long. And we haven't even heard from him at all this summer. He's been super active on social media, according to Beckam. Posting with different women, all younger, and at a new club or hotel in some Caribbean location. It's sad, but I think he's got a lot going on. I'm also hoping he'll just sign the paperwork. Kai is giving him until Friday afternoon, in two days. He's been down here all week, staying with Ryder and me.

Matthew is trying to play dirty, but the judge is pretty much done with him. So, I think either way, this will be done this weekend. Just whether the judge learns of all the evidence against him or not is the question.

"I miss you too, handsome. Yes, I promise. After this, he'll either give up his rights, or he'll have them stripped, and then I'll be home with my guys. I promise. I love you, Parker." He chuckles, while I finish plating the food, "Hey I gotta go baby. Jefferson's calling. You'll meet him this weekend too. No, nobody is sexier than you. I love you, bye! Jefferson! Please tell me we have good news!" I'm holding my breath, setting down the pan on the stove. Ryder is bringing the plates to the table, both of us watching Kai. Trying to see any and every movement of his face. He's keeping as neutral as possible. Suddenly, my phone rang. It's Hacker's ringtone, 'Steal the Show' from that Disney movie. I moved to pick up my phone and Kai put his hand over it.

"I fought for this. I want to be the one to tell you." He paused. Ryder and I stood still, my phone quit ringing, "We won!" We all started jumping up and down! I was screaming. I was so happy! Ryder was jumping up and down, and then started crying, stopping our happy celebration.

"Hey. Ryder, baby, what's wrong? Tell me honey," I said, pulling him down on the chair next to the one I sat in. "What's going on in that head of yours, honey?" My eyes filled with tears seeing my boy unable to stop crying. He just reached out for me, and I held him. He cried hard, and so long. His eyes were puffy, and the food had gone cold long before he stopped crying.

"I don't have a dad anymore. And I think I know what you mean when you say things are 'bittersweet', Mom. You're happy about it, but it hurts too, right?" I nod my head, my poor baby having to grow up, yet again, because of Matthew and the situation that he put us in. I have several missed calls and texts on my phone from Beckam. I can't bring myself to answer them. Not now. Not when Ryder needs me. The next time it rings, Ryder is passed out in my lap. My giant ten-year-old who's almost as big as me. Kai picks up the phone, telling Beckam I'll call him after putting Ryder to bed. He comes over and helps get my boy to bed. We just leave him in his clothes, take off his socks, and tuck him under his covers.

Once back downstairs, we reheat our food, and I call Beckam back while Kai calls Parker, moving to the living room so we can each have some privacy to make our calls.

"Hey there gorgeous. How'd he take the news?" I was putting my ear buds in so we could FaceTime while I ate. I shook my head, "Good, but then it quickly went straight to shit."

He nodded. Seeming to know what I was talking about. "I can't imagine. But I hope you both know I'm here. For all the bumpy shit that lies ahead with you guys." That made me smile, "I love you both. You and Ryder. You guys are what I want." Swallowing my food, I grinned at him.

"We want you too. He's just got big emotions to process. He's kicked his dad out of his life, but I think it's left a really big hole. It just hurts to know his dad had done so much wrong that his rights were about to be stripped."

"Kai said he gave them up in the end. He didn't want people to know that he wasn't this amazing dad he was giving the narrative of." I nodded. Because it was true. Horrible, but true. Matthew chose a life of partying over wanting to keep his son. "I'll talk with him this weekend, but I want you to know that I would love to take on that role. I'll be dad. I may be lacking a lot, but I've been reading about boys his age and what some things are that are key bonding moments for father and son. I've been reading about what activities are good for him, things he should be experiencing or should have experienced. I want to give you both the best life."

Tears filled my eyes. "I love you, Beckam." He smiled, a slight blush on his cheeks. I loved it. I hope it never went away. It let me know I still affected him. We talked a bit more, and then got off the phone. He needed to help Bullet and I needed to talk to Kai before we went to bed. I was ready to leave early if he was. I always wanted to talk to Ryder if he was up. I went into the living room, seeing Kai watching videos of Brody, Grey, and Rosie.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Thank you. For helping us get rid of Matthew forever. And for staying, and helping with getting Ryder to bed. This has all been really hard for him. It's a lot for me to process, so I can't even imagine how hard it is for him."

"Thanks, mom. This sucks." I looked over my shoulder to see Ryder coming toward us. My arms opened, and he barreled into me. Curled up on the couch, his head in my lap and the blanket mom made me draped over him, he was ready to talk.

"I had an idea and wanted to see how you two felt about it." I said, looking between Kai and Ryder. They both looked at me, waiting for me to continue, "What do you guys think about changing our flights to as early as possible and going back to the MC now? Like, we call the airlines, and change our flights right now."

"I'll start packing! And I'll call the airlines!" Kai said, jumping up and running upstairs to start packing.

"What about you buddy?"

"Do you think Beckam will be happy to see us?" I smiled and nodded.

"I do. He loves us." He looked like he was pondering my thoughts, considering my words carefully.

"Okay. Can I pack some of my favorite stuff to take?"

"Yes. But only a few things. There's not much room there. Okay?"

"Are we going to move in with him soon?" Ryder asked, seemingly out of left field, but it was a relevant question and concern.

"How would you feel about that, bud? Would that be, okay?"

"Can I think about it?" I nodded.

There was no question, I wanted him to be fully comfortable with Beckam before we made that step.