An Unexpected Christmas Baby

by Tara Taylor Quinn

  She’d asked that he let her know about Diamond. Told him how deeply she believed the child belonged with him.

  He’d called back the last time. When she’d answered, he’d simply told her to cease calling him and then hung up.

  Very clearly she’d been warned.

  He could keep her from contacting him, but he couldn’t control her heart.

  Love chose her. She most assuredly didn’t choose it.

  “The DNA must’ve come back positive,” Mallory told her, “because Flint has to take the baby to court for a hearing this afternoon.”

  Tamara was just wrapping up her job with the box-making company she’d been working for since leaving Owens. She expected to be out of there for good by late afternoon.

  “It’s just a hearing, though, right? Nothing happens today, even if a decision’s made?”

  “From what I understand—and he’s not too chatty with me since he knows I talked to you about him last week—it could go one of three ways. He could be given full custody, with the grandparents getting some kind of visitation rights. They could get joint custody. Or the grandparents could get full custody with him having visitation rights.

  “I think he only told me that much because the outcome will affect Diamond’s time here, as well as who can pick her up. He said he’s going to request that in the event they get joint custody, the Reddings agree to continue bringing her here on a regular basis so her life has as much stability as possible.”

  Heart pounding, Tamara stood from the temporary desk she’d been clearing off. “You think there’s really a chance they’d decide custody today?”

  “He sure seems to think so because he said he’d let me know if she’d be here tomorrow. I guess he had an in-home study done over the past week, and I’m assuming the Reddings did, too. It’s my understanding that they live somewhere in the area.”

  “So the case is being heard here in San Diego?” Tamara.

  “Yes, I know that because I had to fill out a form, answering questions, and send it in to the court.”

  The hearing would be at the courthouse. She could find out the room when she got there. “Do you know what time the hearing is?”

  “I know it’s after lunch because he’s picking her up at noon.”

  That was enough. “Gotta go,” she said, thinking furiously. “Thanks, Mal.”

  “Just help him, Tamara, and then for God’s sake, let yourself be happy.”

  She didn’t really get that last part. But couldn’t think about it, either. She was one hundred percent focused on devising a plan to change a course of life events and only had until noon.

  You’re going to be someone.

  You’re special. The best part of me.

  Don’t you ever give up.

  You’re going to be someone.

  With the baby carrier on his arm, his tiny girl asleep and completely unaware of where they were, Flint walked into the courtroom just before two that afternoon.

  He’d never met the Reddings, but knew instantly who they were when he saw the couple sitting at the table on the right, holding hands.

  Her hair was brown, probably dyed based on the evenness of the color, her dress a cheery shade of rose.

  Rose for Diamond Rose.

  He was in full military dress.

  Good move.

  Flint didn’t have a chance in hell in spite of his hand-tailored shirt and three-hundred-dollar shiny black shoes.

  Much smaller than he’d expected, the room had only two benches for spectators behind the two tables facing the judge’s bench. He’d been told the hearing was closed, but to expect a caseworker, probably Ms. Bailey, in addition to attorneys for both sides. Michael had also warned him that the Reddings could call witnesses on their behalf if they chose.

  He’d been given the same opportunity, but had no one to call.

  Certainly not Stella Wainright. He’d be back in court in two days for his hearing with her.

  Merry Christmas.

  He could feel the older couple staring in his direction as he pulled a chair next to him for the baby carrier and took his seat at the table. He didn’t glance over.

  It occurred to him that they probably wanted a glimpse of their granddaughter. All they had left of their only child.

  He didn’t blame them.

  He just didn’t like them. Or rather, didn’t like that they existed.

  Michael arrived and the hearing began shortly after. Flint had purposely timed his arrival so Diamond wouldn’t be in court any longer than necessary. He’d tried to time her feeding so she’d sleep through the whole thing, too, but she hadn’t been interested in lunch at one thirty. He hoped the little bit she got down would tide her over until he got her out of there.

  Because he was going to get her out of there.

  He had to believe that.

  And he did, right up until he heard the voices of Grandma and Grandpa Redding, heard their tears and the love they had for a child they’d never even met. Their own flesh and blood. The only grandchild they’d ever have.

  Maybe Diamond would be better off with them, after all.

  He had to get outside himself, his own sorry feelings, and do what was best for her.

  Trouble was, he couldn’t seem to get far enough outside himself to believe that she was better off without him.

  Being the child of a convict... It was tough. Like Howard Owens had said, people went for percentages. And chances were, if you came from a life of crime, you’d be more apt to get involved in a life of crime.

  People were always going to judge you accordingly.

  Which tipped the scale even further toward a life of crime.

  But that didn’t mean you had to make that choice.

  He knew.

  And could teach her.

  And while she was the Reddings’ only grandchild, she was his only family, period.

  He’d had his chance to speak. Had said some version of all that. He couldn’t remember exactly what he’d said as he sat back down, but he could tell by the worried frown on Michael’s face that he had to prepare himself for a best-case scenario of joint custody.

  Which meant a life of upheaval for Diamond. She’d never have one place to call home. Or the same place. She’d never be able to come home day after day, week after week, to the same family. Or spend Christmas with the same people every year of her growing up, making memories they all shared.

  He hadn’t had it, either, not all the time. But he’d sometimes had it. Even when home had been a dingy trailer with a hole in the bathroom floor that looked down onto the dirt below, he’d preferred being with Alana Gold over the nicest of foster homes.

  The Reddings had a couple of witnesses. A preacher. And someone else. Flint spaced it.

  “If there are no further witnesses, I’m ready to issue my decision.”

  “Excuse me, Judge.” Flint looked over as his attorney stood beside him. “I do have another witness to call—or rather a group of them. They weren’t sure they were going to make it, but I just received a text that they’re here in the courthouse. If I may ask the court to be patient for just another minute or two...”

  The judge, a man of about fifty, not far from the Reddings’ age, glanced over his glasses at the couple, at Flint and then at the baby carrier beside him. He seemed like a good guy. Flint didn’t blame him for deciding, as he probably had, that the Reddings could give his baby sister so much more than a single man, son of a convict, could. In the obvious ways, at any rate.

  “A child’s future is at stake,” the judge said after a long minute. “Of course I’ll wait.”

  Agitated as hell, Flint scowled at Michael. “What’s going on?” he whispered.

  Michael leaned over. “You want to learn to trust that someone will actually help you, or just hand her over?”<
br />
  He didn’t like the man’s tone. But sat straight, turning when he heard the door behind him open.

  If Stella was pulling some prank, trying to play nice only to annihilate him...

  Howard Owens walked in with a woman Flint had never met. The way her arm looped through his made him figure he was looking at Dr. Owens. Tamara’s mother.

  A fact that seemed more obvious when Tamara walked in right behind them.

  In a pair of navy dress pants, and a navy-and-white fitted top, with her auburn hair falling around her shoulders, she looked stunning.

  Just stunning.

  He was stunned.

  Because behind her, more people were filing in. Men, women, all in dress clothes. Rich men. Rich women. In rich clothes. A politician. The police commissioner. A college president. He knew, because he knew them all.

  He’d talked to most of them that week, assuring them that their portfolios were solidly back in his hands.

  “Your Honor, these people all know Flint Collins personally, have known him, and trusted him, for years. Most of them for more than a decade.” Michael proceeded to introduce them, one by one, begging the judge’s pardon for a few more minutes to allow each of them to relate just one piece of information about Flint’s ability to provide Diamond Rose Collins with a secure and healthy home. The home her mother had chosen for her. Because she’d known her son.

  Flint could hardly hear for the roaring in his ears. The tightness consuming him. He couldn’t take it in. Couldn’t comprehend it.

  But before anything else could happen, before those around him could speak, his baby girl, maybe distressed by all the people gathering around them, started to cry. He shushed her quietly. Rocked her carrier. But the wails grew louder. He had a bottle, just in case. Was reaching for it, feeling heat rush up his body, when he noticed that someone was beside him. He caught a whiff of flowers. And then feminine fingers were expertly unlatching the carrier straps, Diamond was up, held in Tamara’s arms, and the crying had stopped.

  Tears in her eyes, Tamara faced the judge.

  “I am in love with Flint Collins, Your Honor. These are my parents.” She nodded to Dr. and Mr. Owens. “Flint felt he had to fight this on his own, but that’s not what family’s about. Yes, he had a challenging upbringing, which means he doesn’t yet know how extended family works, and that’s why we’re here to show him. I’ve had the honor to be in this little girl’s life since the day she came home to Flint, and I am fully prepared to be in her life until the day I die, just as any biological mother would.”

  Her words, a little hard to understand at times through her tears, were no less effective. Not where Flint was concerned.

  Diamond lifted her head, throwing it back a bit, but Tamara’s hand was right there, steadying her. She looked at Tamara and then laid her head down on Tamara’s chest again, closing her eyes.

  “If it pleases the court, I’ve got something to say,” Howard said.

  The judge shook his head. “I don’t need to hear any more.”

  Just as quickly as Flint’s hope had risen, his heart dropped. Until Tamara took his hand. When he looked at her she was grinning, for him only. Holding his gaze. Telling him something important.

  He might not know a lot about family, but he wasn’t a stupid man. He held on to her hand.

  “After giving this matter consideration, I feel it’s in the best interests of this particular child to honor her mother’s legal wishes by giving sole custody to her brother, Flint Collins...”

  The man’s voice continued. Flint heard mention of the Reddings working out visitation times with Flint. He heard some technicalities. And a comment about hoping to see them back in his court again for the young lady to officially adopt Diamond.

  He heard it, but couldn’t believe it. None of it.

  “Court dismissed.” A gavel sounded.

  It made no sense to him.

  He was going to wake up. Find out that he was still in bed, it was Thursday morning and he had to face getting up, knowing he might lose Diamond that day.

  Except that Tamara’s fingers were digging into his palm. People were gathering around him. Patting him on the shoulders. Dr. Owens came up to his side, opposite her daughter, put her arms around him and gave him a hug.

  “Thank you,” was all she said. Which made no sense to him, either.

  He nodded, though. Because it seemed appropriate.

  And as soon as he could, he turned to Tamara, put his arms around her and hugged gently, feeling how hard she was trembling. With an arm still around her, he took his baby girl in his other arm and knew he was never going to let go. Of either of them.

  He’d done what he’d had to do.

  He’d just become somebody he’d never known he could be.

  Chapter Twenty

  The tree was lit, Diamond had been fed and was asleep in her swing, steaks were ready to grill, and Flint stood in the kitchen, opening a bottle of wine.

  Christmas Eve, and he wasn’t working.

  He’d put on the black jeans, the red sweater. He had gifts wrapped and under the first tree he’d had since he’d left for college, and he still couldn’t quite believe he was going to have a family Christmas celebration.

  The Reddings had been over. Almost every day since their court appearance. They’d agreed that when Diamond got older, if she wanted to spend some weekends with them, she could, but for now, they were content to settle for babysitting. And visits.

  When his attorney, Michael, had called Stella’s attorney and, with Flint’s permission, started dropping names of those on the support team who’d showed up for Flint in court, the Wainrights had dropped the charge against him. And then, when Flint’s attorney had pressed, they’d agreed to sign a settlement to stay away from Flint and any member of his family and never to speak ill of him. Even after he’d refused to sign a similar one for them.

  Tamara was on her way over after going to an early service with her parents. And he and Diamond had been invited to Christmas dinner at their place the next day.

  Not so sure about that, having dinner at the boss’s home, he figured he’d handle it like he did everything else. Standing up. Moving forward.

  But for now, he had something more important to do.

  As soon as Tamara got there.

  He had a plan.

  Because she was born to be someone, too.

  * * *

  Life had a funny way of working itself out, Tamara reminded herself as she climbed the steps to Flint’s door on Christmas Eve night.

  She’d sat through church, hearing about a blessed birth and feeling sorry for herself because she hadn’t been blessed with the ability to give birth.

  And then, ashamed, she stopped that train of thought. She was truly lucky. She’d been given a second chance with Flint, and she wasn’t going to blow it.

  Her issues weren’t going away. She’d been unable to sleep for two nights after her day in court with Diamond Rose. But she was going to fight. Every moment of her life, if that was what it took. She was going to be in Flint’s life. And that meant finding a way to let herself love Diamond Rose without falling apart.

  She’d talked to Mallory right before church. Her friend was spending Christmas on a yacht in the harbor with some friends, and sounded like she was having a great time.

  As good a time as it was possible to have during the holidays when you didn’t have family of your own. But Mallory wasn’t giving up on life. Wasn’t letting the past prevent her future.

  Tamara needed to do the same.

  Flint opened the door before she’d even knocked. He’d obviously been waiting for her and she loved that.

  She took the glass of wine he held out to her, but leaned in to kiss him first. Long and slow and deep. He was much more delicious than wine.

  They’d yet to
consummate their relationship, but she hoped to rectify that situation this evening. The lacy red thong and barely-there bra she’d worn under a festively red-sequined sweater and black pants were there to help.

  But when she began to make her move, he stepped back.

  “I want to try something,” he said, leading her into the living room. “Have a seat.”

  He seemed nervous, which was saying a lot. No matter what Flint was feeling on the inside, he didn’t let weakness show very often.

  So she sat. And wondered if he was about to ask her to marry him. It was a little early, considering they hadn’t even slept together, and yet...it didn’t feel early at all.

  Except that she was a woman who might never be able to be a mother to his little girl. And who almost certainly wouldn’t be able to have any more children with him.

  “Drink your wine,” he said, taking a sip of his as he told her about his day. About running out of tape in the middle of wrapping and having to go out and get more, his baby girl right by his side. She listened because he wanted her to. Sipped wine for the same reason.

  But she really wanted to know what was going on.

  When she’d all but finished her wine, he set down his glass. “I need you to try something with me. If it fails...well, then it does, but I feel strongly that we should try.”

  “Is this like one of those times when you take a risk on an investment because you’re sure it’s going to pay out, and then it makes you a load of money?”

  “Kind of like that, yes. The feeling is the same. But I’m going to need you to trust me.”

  Though he prided himself on his knowledge, gleaned from studying everything he could about a particular topic, he’d been gifted with acute instincts. She’d learned that much about him very early on. Believed it was those instincts that had guided him so successfully through a life filled with hardship. Aided by what he’d learned, of course.

  Her mind was babbling again. His nervousness was contagious.