states, even rapists could sue for child custody and/or visitation. Considering that Wade was the injured party here due to Vicki’s threats toward him, what chance was there that a court would side with Adrienne?
That didn’t mean she was giving up on maintaining primary custody. But she’d have to win over Wade with diplomacy, not temper tantrums.
“You should consider living arrangements,” Geoff persisted. “What about overnight visitation, for instance?”
“I’m sleeping on my father’s couch, so I can hardly take Reggie home with me.” Wade shook his head. “I’m not ready to work out a parenting plan. It sounds like a good idea for later, though.”
“I don’t mind if we play this by ear for a while.” In time, Adrienne thought, Wade might accept that staying with her was in his son’s best interest.
“To a certain extent, that may be necessary,” the lawyer said. “However—”
“What about this business of supervised visits?” Wade pressed. “I don’t see why I can’t spend time alone with my son.”
The attorney frowned. “You are a stranger to him.”
Wade leaned forward, storm clouds gathering in his expression. This could blow up in her face, Adrienne realized. Besides, she’d already considered the matter, so why quarrel about it?
She raised her hand in a stop gesture. “It’s fine with me if Wade wants to have private time with Reggie tomorrow evening. My office hours start at six, and he’s looking forward to assembling that toy police station with his dad.”
As she spoke, Wade nodded. It felt almost as if they were on the same side.
“Toy police station? Did I miss something?” Geoff asked.
She explained about Wade stopping by the birthday party. “They aren’t strangers anymore. I’m comfortable with an unsupervised visit. I’m sure my nephew will be fine.”
Wade’s pleased expression lasted only seconds before he broached another subject. “That sounds good, but won’t you be at the hospital all night? Does that mean I should sleep over?”
Adrienne hadn’t thought of that possibility and didn’t care for it. “His regular sitter, Mary Beth Ellroy, and her family are planning a celebration for Reggie—cake and a few small presents. If you could drop him off at her house around eight, that would be great. That’ll give you a chance to meet them, too.”
Relief spread across his face. “That’s reasonable.”
“Good.” Adrienne indicated Geoff’s paper. “This is an excellent starting point for discussion as we get situated.”
“Very well.” The lawyer tapped his finger on the desk blotter. “I should caution Mr. Hunter that at first, children’s schedules may feel unduly restrictive. My wife and I have two youngsters, and between their activities and her job as a teacher, it feels like we’re conducting army maneuvers on a daily basis.”
“I grew up in a chaotic home,” Wade said. “With more order and stability, I’d have been a better student. My grandfather, by contrast, would have had me doing push-ups at five-thirty every morning and saluting when he walked by. There has to be a happy medium.”
Adrienne agreed. Was it possible she and this man could work together long-term to co-parent Reggie? She didn’t relish the idea of sharing control, but it might be her only option. And perhaps not as bad as she’d feared.
“Let’s meet with Geoff again in a couple weeks,” she suggested. “By then we’ll have a better handle on things.”
The men concurred. As she rose to leave, Adrienne checked her watch. “It’s almost time to meet Reggie’s school bus.” Impulsively, she added, “Wade, would you like to come?”
His frown lines vanished. “Very much. I start work on Wednesday, so I won’t have many free afternoons.”
Maybe she was certifiable, Adrienne mused as she left. Still, he’d brought her the potted rose, and she might as well meet him halfway.
They drove off in their separate cars. During the short
That didn’t mean she was giving up on maintaining primary custody. But she’d have to win over Wade with diplomacy, not temper tantrums.
“You should consider living arrangements,” Geoff persisted. “What about overnight visitation, for instance?”
“I’m sleeping on my father’s couch, so I can hardly take Reggie home with me.” Wade shook his head. “I’m not ready to work out a parenting plan. It sounds like a good idea for later, though.”
“I don’t mind if we play this by ear for a while.” In time, Adrienne thought, Wade might accept that staying with her was in his son’s best interest.
“To a certain extent, that may be necessary,” the lawyer said. “However—”
“What about this business of supervised visits?” Wade pressed. “I don’t see why I can’t spend time alone with my son.”
The attorney frowned. “You are a stranger to him.”
Wade leaned forward, storm clouds gathering in his expression. This could blow up in her face, Adrienne realized. Besides, she’d already considered the matter, so why quarrel about it?
She raised her hand in a stop gesture. “It’s fine with me if Wade wants to have private time with Reggie tomorrow evening. My office hours start at six, and he’s looking forward to assembling that toy police station with his dad.”
As she spoke, Wade nodded. It felt almost as if they were on the same side.
“Toy police station? Did I miss something?” Geoff asked.
She explained about Wade stopping by the birthday party. “They aren’t strangers anymore. I’m comfortable with an unsupervised visit. I’m sure my nephew will be fine.”
Wade’s pleased expression lasted only seconds before he broached another subject. “That sounds good, but won’t you be at the hospital all night? Does that mean I should sleep over?”
Adrienne hadn’t thought of that possibility and didn’t care for it. “His regular sitter, Mary Beth Ellroy, and her family are planning a celebration for Reggie—cake and a few small presents. If you could drop him off at her house around eight, that would be great. That’ll give you a chance to meet them, too.”
Relief spread across his face. “That’s reasonable.”
“Good.” Adrienne indicated Geoff’s paper. “This is an excellent starting point for discussion as we get situated.”
“Very well.” The lawyer tapped his finger on the desk blotter. “I should caution Mr. Hunter that at first, children’s schedules may feel unduly restrictive. My wife and I have two youngsters, and between their activities and her job as a teacher, it feels like we’re conducting army maneuvers on a daily basis.”
“I grew up in a chaotic home,” Wade said. “With more order and stability, I’d have been a better student. My grandfather, by contrast, would have had me doing push-ups at five-thirty every morning and saluting when he walked by. There has to be a happy medium.”
Adrienne agreed. Was it possible she and this man could work together long-term to co-parent Reggie? She didn’t relish the idea of sharing control, but it might be her only option. And perhaps not as bad as she’d feared.
“Let’s meet with Geoff again in a couple weeks,” she suggested. “By then we’ll have a better handle on things.”
The men concurred. As she rose to leave, Adrienne checked her watch. “It’s almost time to meet Reggie’s school bus.” Impulsively, she added, “Wade, would you like to come?”
His frown lines vanished. “Very much. I start work on Wednesday, so I won’t have many free afternoons.”
Maybe she was certifiable, Adrienne mused as she left. Still, he’d brought her the potted rose, and she might as well meet him halfway.
They drove off in their separate cars. During the short
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