ER [wlw]

Chapter 32

The drive back from Auntie Pam's is quiet, the kind of peaceful that settles in after a long, nice weekend. Bellamy and Will are both on their devices in the backseat. Ramona is in the passenger seat, scrolling through her phone but occasionally glancing over at me with a soft smile.

I'm still replaying the weekend in my head—the warmth of Auntie Pam's hugs, the kids laughing in the kitchen, Ramona fitting so seamlessly into it all. It felt like family.

"Guess what I'm thinking right now." Ramona says over the music all of sudden, a little smirk in her lips.

I purse my lips  in thought. "How pretty I am?"

She snorts. "Nope, It's how I'm never letting you pick the music again."

I gasp. "That's so rude also this is my car. Bellamy likes it, right baby?" I turn my head to look back at her.

She looks u o form her phone and nods. "Yeah."

That leaves me with a satisfied smile.

"I don't like it. Can we listen to Jack Harlow or something?" Will inserts.

"See it's not just me." Ramona smiles, her amused eyes staying on the road.

"Fine, I'll queue a song of his in." I give in, obviously I'm cycling in clean versions though. I know I can't filter everything in their life but at least least I can when their with me. Before Bellamy I cussed bad but I've learned to dial it down since.

As I'm searching for a song my phone screen lights up with a name I wasn't expecting to see; CPS.

My stomach twists nervously but I answer  quickly after turning down the speakers. "This is Emma Parker."

"Ms. Parker, this is Ms. Daniels from CPS. I'm calling regarding William Parker." I meet Ramona's curious glance for a second.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"I wanted to inform you that the court has officially terminated his mother's parental rights. While William will remain in your care under the current foster arrangement, we need to discuss the next steps. His father has been contacted but has declined to pursue custody, although he had made I clear that he would like visitation throughout the week and will provide you with financial contribution for Will's care every month."

I can't say I'm surprised and even if he did want custody of Will, I would fight against it because no child should be raised by someone like Erik Parker.

"What happens now?" I ask.

"Since you've been fostering William, you're eligible to petition for permanent custody. If you choose not to, William would remain in foster care, but his placement could be reevaluated if another family petitions to adopt him."

The thought of someone else stepping in to take Will away makes my stomach churn. I glance in the rearview mirror at his sweet face, so small and innocent. "I'll petition for custody." I say firmly.

"Understood. I'll email you the necessary paperwork and details about the upcoming court hearing. You'll need to prepare a statement and provide documentation about your living situation, income, and support system."

"I'll get it done." I reply, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. This is so much more than I thought it would be but then  again I don't know what I expected. I guess I just didn't think this far ahead.

"Thank you, Ms. Parker. We'll be in touch soon."

I hang up and place the phone on the console, exhaling shakily.

Ramona looks at me, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What's going on?"

I glance at the kids in the backseat— both of them on their phones. "CPS is recommending I petition for permanent custody. Erik doesn't want to do it, so it's either me or eventually some other family." I say subtly as to not really bring the situation to Will's attention.

Ramona's hand reaches for mine, her grip firm. "That's a big step, but it's best for the little dude to be with us." Her voice is low but assuring.

"I know." I smile and squeeze her hand, not missing her use of 'us' or the way my heart fluttered.

"Can you turn the song back up?" Will requests boredly and clueless to our conversation.

I need to make sure he knows this is gonna happen of course. This is about his life after all even if he has no say.

"Sure but..." I turn my head to look back at him.

"How would you feel about living with us for good?" I question.

He blinks, sitting up straighter and laying his phone on his lap. "I thought that's what I was doing anyway. I don't want to go back with my mom."

I smile, although it's laced with sadness. No kid should ever say have to say a sentence like that. "You're not baby, you're gonna be with us... for good."

"Good, I like it with you guys." He smiles and sits back in his seat.

"Y-you'll basically be my b-brother then." Bellamy says matter-of-factly.

Will puts on a smug smile. "Nah I'm still gonna be your uncle."

Bellamy squints her eyes at him and then slowly her only little smug look comes up. "F-Fine then I'm ju-just gonna c-call you Uncle Will."

Ramona and I both laugh as Will scrunches up his nose at her. "No, we can just be siblings."

"That's wh-what I thought." She grins with her victory and they both go back to their devices.

I look over a Ramona and she gives me a glance with a sweet smile, squeezing my hand as she looks back to the road. The car grows quiet again, save for the hum of the road beneath us. The car grows quiet again, save for the hum of the road beneath us.

"Do you ever think about our future?" I ask softly, my eyes flicking between Ramona and the road.

Ramona's lips twitch into a small smile. "All the time."

Her answer makes my chest tighten, in a good way. "And? What do you see?"

She exhales deeply, her eyes briefly flickering to rear view mirror at the kids in the backseat before returning to me. "I see us." She says. "You, me, Bellamy, and Will—together. A real family. I mean, I already feel we are one, but I also see something more... more permanent."

I glance at her, my heart pounding. "Permanent?"

She nods, her thumb stroking the top of my hand. "Yeah. Like, maybe we don't keep living in two separate places. Maybe we start building something together—like a home. I want that with you."

Her words hit me like a wave, and for a moment, I can't speak.

"I want that too." I admit quietly. "But... are you sure? You've got your own life, your own space. Adding two kids to the mix isn't exactly—"

"Stop." She interrupts, her voice firm but warm. "I know what I'm saying. I want all of it, Emma. The chaos, the noise, the late nights. I want you and the kids in my life. Fully. You can all move in with me, my place is more than big enough."

I swallow hard, my throat tightening with emotion. "You mean that?"

Ramona squeezes my hand. "I've never been more sure of anything. I love you, Emma. And I love them too."

I blink rapidly, trying not to cry because that would be embarrassing. Even if she has seen me cry before. "You're really good at this whole sweeping romantic declaration thing, you know that?"

She laughs softly. "Only for you, chinita."

I sigh, dramatically. "And just like that you ruin it."

Another laugh as she brings the back of my hand up to her lips.