The Nanny

Envelope

I kept my eyes glued to the tiny black box in the center of the conference table as the kind and youthful voice or Grace MacDamera, the family law attorney Harry's lawyers swore up and down had the best track record in this kind of case in the whole of Florida, my home state.

Although she was still in the states she insisted on a conference call with us that Harry's lawyers graciously offered their offices for.

As it turned out, Grace MacDemera was my best hope at keeping my son.

Grace had called us yesterday to introduce herself and let us know that she was already working on this even though Mark hadn't officially asked for custody. She told us that she was very familiar with the law and that she also happened to be very familiar with the Winston family.
Her tone made me think she had seen the same side of them that I had.

Now I was sitting here beside Harry who had my hand firmly in his since we walked through the door, listening to her explain to us the way everything is going to work once things get set in motion. Her clear view on things made me feel a bit better.

Harry's firm resolve on this also helped more than he would ever know.

Ever since Jamie had called him dada for the first time, something that he had been saying quite a bit of lately, Harry had taken on this whole new level of protector. He had also taken to referring to Jamie as ours.

It was something I wasn't sure he was completely aware of doing but that made my heart swell and for the first time in weeks I felt the weight on my shoulders lift slightly.

I loved Harry and if we could get through this unscathed, we were already heading in the right direction to becoming the little family both of us want and that both of our children need.

Not for the first time I wondered why I hadn't met him sooner.

Why didn't I find this man first?

Maybe if I had he would have been Jamie's real daddy and not Mark. Maybe my life would have been the fairy tale every little girl dreams about.

"So that's what I'm working on over here, but until they make a move there isn't much for us to do but wait." Grace's disembodied voice sounded from the speaker in the center of the table calling my attention back to her. "Did anyone have any questions?"

I glanced at Harry who was already looking at me. "I think we're good. Thank you Grace. It means a lot to me that you would take my case." I finally said when I realized everyone was waiting on me to speak.

"No problem, Aria. I will do everything in my power to help you keep your son."

I thanked her, listened to the quick goodbyes and watched as Harry go over what to do when Mark finally did make a move with the lawyers in the room.

As soon as all was settled we were back in his car on our way home, my hand tightly clasped in Harry's.

Every so often Harry's eyes would wander towards his phone resting in the center console and when it finally lite up I was thankful we were at a stop as he grabbed it and pulled it up to his ear.

I am ashamed to admit I tried my very best to eavesdrop, however Harry kept the conversation to a 'yes' 'no' and 'ok' before ending it and grinning over at me.

I watched him with questioning eyes as the car began to move with traffic again.

"I have a surprise for you." He answered my unasked question with his eyes now glued on the road. "I thought it might get your mind off of things."

Now my curiosity was peaked. "What is it?"

His grin, if possible, grew even more. "If I tell you it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?"