The minutes in the hallway felt like hours. Hawk couldn’t sit still. He paced from one end of the corridor to the other.

I felt the same way. As if at any moment I could crawl out of my skin, but instead I sat frozen like a damn statue. Afraid that if I moved I would somehow disrupt the balance of what was about to happen.

I trusted my father. I did. But he knew Hawk’s reputation. He knew everything he had done. Regardless of how hard he cheered for the Sharks on Sundays, my dad wasn’t going to hand over the safety of a child to this man just because he was a star. My dad was wise and fair. Deliberate and detailed.

I squeezed my hands together, praying that Hunter told him everything he wanted to hear in there. Hawk was great with him. Amazing even.

The door to the hearing room creaked open and Hawk and I both rushed to the entrance.

“You may proceed,” the bailiff announced.

I looked at Hawk, trying to reassure him when I was dangerously close to falling apart myself.

“It’s going to be ok.” He smiled.

We stepped inside the room and I stared at my father. I didn’t know whether he would ask Hunter to leave.

We all waited for what seemed like an eternity.

“This young man and I had a nice conversation.” My father grinned. “After speaking to all of the parties involved, I’ve decided it is in the best interest of the child in question to be placed in the temporary custody of Mr. Kane Hawkins.”

I almost squealed.

My dad wasn’t finished. “I want to remind you all that this is only a temporary custody hearing. There is another process for adoption, if that is the path you wish to pursue.”

We nodded.

“We will re-convene in forty-five days to assess how the situation suits everyone and how custody should be handled at that point.”

Fort-five days? That put us on the other side of Christmas. I was beaming from the inside out. It was the biggest gift he could have given me and we didn’t even have a tree yet.

My mind raced. Was this happening? Were we an instant family? Would Hawk want all those things too? The stockings by the fireplace? Garland and a big tree? Surprises for Hunter? What did that mean for us? I knew Hawk wasn’t a one-woman man. But standing next to him, I felt like the only woman in his world.

I needed to slow down and at least make it out of the hearing room.

“Mr. Hawkins, are you up for the task?”

“Yes, your honor. I am. A hundred percent.” Hawk sounded confident.

“Then, this matter is settled.” My father smiled at us both. “Dismissed.”

The attorneys gathered their paperwork, but I rushed around the long table and onto the bench where I hugged my father harder than I ever had. His nylon robe scratched my face, but I didn’t care. I inhaled that Old Spice scent and sobbed into his shoulder.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart, but you know you have a long road ahead of you.”

“I do. But it’s worth it. Do we get to take him home now?”

“Of course, but the attorneys have to have final signatures from the group home. They should work that out for you.”

I looked over my shoulder when I saw my father’s eyes shift.

Hawk approached the bench, extending his hand.

“I wanted to thank you, sir.”

My father returned the handshake. “Son, you have taken on the biggest responsibility of your life.”

Hawk nodded. “I know.”

“And I’m not talking about the child.”

There was a knowing look between the two men. I thought I might not be able to breathe. They were talking about me this time. When was the last time my father had met someone I was dating? I didn’t take guys home to meet him unless it was serious. It always seemed as if it wouldn’t be fair to introduce him to someone only to have the relationship disintegrate a few months later. He had been through so much when he lost my mother.

“Got it.”

I watched the two of them exchange looks that meant something to them. From one man to another.

I put my hands on my hips. I wasn’t a piece of dowry property to be handed over. “Ok. Let’s go, Hawk.” I tugged on his arm. “Daddy, I’ll call you later.”

I pecked him on the cheek. Hunter was waiting for us at the door.

He looked up with innocent eyes. “Where do I live now? Are you taking me to the group home?”

I wanted to tell him, but Hawk was the one who had made this happen. I couldn’t take credit for something I’d never been able to do. I had tried. I had cried. But I couldn’t give this to Hunter—Hawk did.

He stooped down to the floor to speak to Hunter directly. His knees grazed the hardwood. “You get to go home with me. How does that sound?”

I knew it was shock and disbelief that kept Hunter from making a sound. He stared at Hawk. I moved to the floor.

“Honey, it’s a lot to take in, but you get to live with Kane now. Isn’t that good news?”

“Really?” His voice was small, but I was relieved he had finally spoken.

“Really. How about we head over there now and you can pick out your room?” Hawk offered.

“My own room?”

I tried to keep the tears from rushing forward. This poor sweet child. I doubted he had ever had anything of his own that he could remember.

Hawk rose from the floor, offering me his hand. “Let’s get out of here. We have a lot to talk about.”

My fingers fit through his perfectly. I sighed.

And that’s how we left the courthouse. Hand in hand. Taking Hunter home.