I Choose You

Chapter 30: Unlikely Ally

          "Sloane?" she hears a knock on her door, looking up from her homework.

          "Liam...." she mumbles to herself, standing up and padding to the door.

          "I need your help," he steps in, walking past her.

           "With what? Everything okay?" she asks, shutting the door behind them and crossing her arms.

           "I need you to talk to your dad. Talk to him about helping me."

          Sloane raises an eyebrow. "Are you serious?" she smiles.

          "I'm completely serious about this. Natasha is putting the baby up for adoption, and I don't want that. I don't want her going into the system. I need your help," he pleads.

          "But, Liam, my dad doesn't do family law."

          "Well, do you know someone who can help me? His partners? People he knows? I'm drowing here," he states, sitting on her couch.

          "Eric..." Sloane mumbles.

          "I don't really care about him right now, why are we bringing him up?" he asks, glancing at her homework and then back up to meet her eyes.

           "No, Eric. That's who can help you. He does family and martial law."

          "You got to be kidding me," Liam chuckles. "That's just awesome."           

          "Why do you say it like that? He'd help you. He'd do it for me."

          "I highly doubt that. I punched his lights out. He sent me to jail, we aren't exactly on best buddy terms," Liam stands, walking towards the door.

           "If you pay him, he'll do it," she shrugs.

           "I can't afford him, not on my salary."

          "Well, you asked for my help. This is me helping. Call Eric, and he will work with you."

          Both their heads swivel as the apartment door opens, Eric stepping in. "Eric," Sloane walks over. "Liam needs your help."

          Liam treads lightly. "Eric, I need your help to get custody of my daughter."

          It's a stare off for a few seconds. It ends after Eric gives Liam the once over before proceeding. "Sure," he nods, handing food to Sloane. "So what happened?"

          "The mother of my child is putting the baby up for adoption without my approval or say. I think she's still using drugs. She put the father as unknown on the birth certificate when she knows damn well who fathered that baby," he begins. "I think she is mad at me because I don't want to be a family with her. I can tell you that I do want to raise that little girl. Can you help me, Eric? Can we put our differences aside and can you help me?" Liam practically pleads.

          "I got into this to help people," Eric nods.

           "Thank you," Liam extending his hand. Eric shaking it firmly. "Um, when can we start?"

          "I can do my office tomorrow at let's say eleven? Does that work for you?"

          "I can make it happen," Liam nods, letting out the breath he has been holding.

          "What's up daddy? How's the baby mama?" Javier answers. Liam calling him on the way home.

          "She's putting the baby up for adoption."

           "What the hell? Can she even do that? That's bullshit man. Please tell me you got to see your daughter."

          "No, I didn't get to see her. I did take your advice though."

          "And what genius Javi advice would that be?"

          "I asked Sloane if her dad can help, but ended up with Eric's help."

          "No shit?" Javier chuckles on the other end. "How's that for a coincidence."

          Liam manages a smile. "Yeah, well I'll have to suck it up. I'm meeting him tomorrow at eleven. I'll keep you in the loop."

          "Well don't kill him."

          "Wasn't planning on it today man," Liam smirks, turning onto his street.  

          "Can I give you one last tidbit of advice before you deal with that tomorrow?"

          "Yeah, shoot."

           "Don't mention banging his fiancé."

          Liam chuckles. "Noted."

          "I'm just saying, don't make that a conversation starter or break the ice with that one."