6 months later

Money and influence sure go a long way. I've spent thousands over the past two years on a shitty solicitor who couldn't get my case heard and then here comes Hope McGrath, and in a matter of three months I've had my case heard. She's sitting next to me at the long conference room table. The dress shirt and slacks she insisted I wear make me feel out of place and I keep shifting uncomfortably in the stuffy chair. 

Hope places her hand on my bouncing knee to still it. "It's okay, Finn." She smiles and I lean in for a quick kiss. The door behind us opens, a waft of cool air blowing inside. The solicitor and a group of other people, Kiera included, walk in and take seats around the table. Kiera won't even look at me. I glance at Hope and she gives Kiera a fleeting glance before setting her gaze on the solicitor. Hope reassuringly squeezes my leg. It's moments like this that really show you how much you need a person, how nice it is to have someone who will stand by you, how much you really don't want to be alone. Kiera finally looks over at me. Her gaze drifts from me to Hope and back. Tears are brimming on her lash line. This is the first time I've been around Kiera and it's not hurt. This is the first time I've had the thought that maybe it wasn't just me who wasn't good for her, but maybe she wasn't good for me. Sometimes, I think, we focus too much on the things we expected to make us happy. I think we lose ourselves in the things we think should have been when really, happiness is sometimes found in the most unexpected of places. Kiera shoots an angry glare in my direction before turning her attention away. Hope leans in by my ear.  

"I'll cut her if she looks at you like that again," Hope whispers and I fight a laugh. 

"Mr. West," the solicitor says and my heart immediately goes into a galloping sprint. 

"Yes." 

"We've been able to come to a decision regarding your custody and visitation rights of Lydia West." He takes a breath and opens a manila file set on the table. "You've held down a good job, no arrest—"he glances up with a narrowed gaze—"aside from the one violation of your restraining order which has since been deemed to have been unnecessary." I inhale. Sweat is building under the collar of this stiff shirt and I find myself pulling at it in an effort to get a good breath. "From here on out, you will be awarded visitation every fortnight. For the first six months those visitations will be supervised, but if all goes well, within the next year you may be awarded regular weekend visitation." 

I grab Hope's hand and squeeze, fighting the tears welling in my eyes. "Do you have any questions?" he asks as he closes the file. 

"When can I see her?" 

"This weekend will be your first visit." 

I smile and when I do the movement forces the tears free from my eyes.  I've lost five years with Lydia, but I don't have to miss any more time, and that's all thanks to Hope. "Thank you," I say.  

Kiera gets up, storming from the room with her solicitor in tow. I turn to Hope, sitting there in her tight blouse and her pencil skirt. "Thank you, queenie." 

She reaches for my face, trailing her fingers along my jaw. "Anything for you, Finnley," she says on a smile before kissing me. "You can thank me in other ways though." One eyebrow lifts and her teeth sink into her bright red bottom lip.  

"That can be arranged." She stands up, giving me a view of her arse in that skirt. Yeah, that can definitely be arranged.  

* * *

Hope comes stumbling into the living room clutching her cup of coffee. She plops down next to me on the couch. Her red hair is a holy mess. "Is waking up at this ungodly hour really necessary?" she groans. 

"It's Christmas, queenie, of course it is." 

She stares at the tree and sips her coffee. "Well, Santa is a cunt. Why can't he come at lunch and leave presents? That way we wouldn't have to wake up at six-fucking-am." 

Laughing, I lean toward her to give her a kiss and she grabs my jaw, narrowing her gaze at me before her eyes drop to my lips. "Have you brushed your teeth?" she asks.

"Yes." 

She kisses me then pulls away and smiles. "I haven't." She exhales. "Look at all those presents the fat man left." She grins as she snuggles up next to me, leaning into my side

"Yeah, seems Santa went a bit over board.” I smirk at her.

"Look, I like buying presents..." 

The light at the end of the hallway cuts on. "Daddy?" Lydia's sweet voice floats into the living room. 

"We're in here, baby girl," I say. 

Lydia comes stumbling into the room, her pigtails lopsided from sleep. She grins with wide eyes before she runs to the tree and picks up a doll. "Santa came," she whispers as she turns and looks at me. "Santa came, daddy." 

"You must have been a good girl, look at all those toys," I say. Lydia grabs a present from under the tree and skips over to me and climbs into my lap. I wrap my arms around her and hug her. "This one's for you, daddy," she says. "From me and Miss Hope." 

"Oh, is it?" I grin as I take it and carefully peel back the wrapping paper. "Wonder what it could be?" She giggles and wiggles in my lap. Underneath the paper is a white box. I open it and move the tissue paper to the side. It's a silver frame with a picture of me and Lydia, the words: I'll Always Be Your Baby Girl engraved on the top. 

My chest goes tight and I hug Lydia tighter. "Thank you, baby girl."  

She squeezes my neck hard. "I love you, daddy." 

"And I love you." I kiss her cheek.

"Come on, shortie. Those presents won't open themselves," Hope says, tickling Lydia's sides. Lydia squeals, giggling as she flops off the sofa. Hope catches her and places her on her feet. Lydia runs to the tree, the lights illuminating her rosy cheeks. I swear, Hope is more excited about her opening the presents than Lydia is. She tears into a present, shredding the paper before she opens the top to a box.

"Look, Miss Hope,” she runs up to Hope clutching a stuffed animal that she shoves in Hope’s face, “I got a Unicorn," Lydia says, her eyes wide with excitement.  

Hope gasps and grins. "Oh my goodness, what's he called?" 

"It's a girl!" Lydia says, frowning at her.  

"My bad.” Hope laughs. “What's she called?" 

"Princess Sparkle," she says before running back to her pile of presents. 

Hope leans into my side. "I don't think there's any chance of that one being a Tom boy," she says. I look at her and my chest swells. Hope is crass and loud and has an unnatural obsession with bingo, but I love the way she is with Lydia. I love everything about her crazy arse.  

"I love you," I say, pressing my lips to her forehead. 

"Aw, Finnley." She grins. "Don't make me blush. I'm ginger, it's not hot."  

I shake my head. "Of all the scandalous things you come out with..." 

"Colby Keller?” she whispers and I shake my head. She grabs my chin, pulling my lips to hers. "I love you too," she says against my mouth. Her hands cup my face and she deepens the kiss, holding me to her.  

"Babe, you really need to brush your teeth," I tease.  

She swats at me. "Just for that, I'm not dressing or washing all day." 

"Pyjamas all day?" Lydia asks, excited.  

"Yep, shortie. You and me are having a pyjama Christmas."  

"Poppy is coming over later," I remind her. 

She snorts. "And? Her kid peed on me. She does not get to judge." Jesus Christ, I don't stand a hope in hell with these two, but I wouldn't have it any other way.