CHAPTER THIRTY

Days after Olivia showed up at Brian’s house, they were back in court. Judge White didn’t seem too happy to see them again.

“I’m getting pretty tired of seeing these same faces in my courtroom,” he said as he looked up from the docket in front of him. “I thought we had this matter of Brian Jackson Jr.’s custody settled.”

Gerald stood up, caressing his suspenders. “Your Honor,” he began. “In light of recent events, we have reason to believe that Brian Jr. isn’t safe with his mother. May I approach?”

The judge nodded. Gerald handed him a copy of the Atlanta Police Department’s report about the fire and Olivia’s arrest.

“The former Mrs. Jackson left a five-year-old alone in a house with candles burning. There was a fire and the little boy could have died. She has proven that the only way she should be allowed to see her son is under supervision.”

The judge reviewed the documents as Gerald walked back to his table. Judge White frowned as he read the report.

“Mrs. Jackson,” he said. “What’s the meaning of this?”


Her lawyer stood up. “Your Honor,” Kittle said. 


Judge White threw up his hand, cutting the man off before he could go any further. “I don’t want to hear from you. I asked Mrs. Jackson a question.”

Olivia dropped her head and wrung her hands. “I made a bad decision,” she said.

The judge huffed. “A bad decision is getting a bowl haircut. Leaving a child alone is neglect. I try to keep families together, but you leave me no is granted. You will have limited visitation at Mr. Jackson’s discretion. The child will not be left in your custody without supervision.”

“Your Honor, please don’t do this to me!” Olivia exclaimed.

Judge White banged his gavel. “You did this to yourself. Next case.”

Brian stood up and shook Gerald’s hand. He looked over at Olivia who had her head buried in her hands. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. Brian felt sorry for her, because in some deep recess of his heart, he cared for Olivia. After all, she was the mother of his child. He walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder.

Olivia looked up at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Come to gloat?” she asked.

“I came to ask you if you want to see our son before you go back to Atlanta,” he said.

Wiping her eyes and nodding, Olivia sighed. “Thank you, Brian. I do want to see Mickey. I need to apologize to him.”

“Why don’t we take Mickey out to get something to eat?”


Olivia stood up. “Will that woman be there?”


Brian folded his arms across his chest. “Paige is a part of our lives now. So more than likely she will be with us. Paige and I are getting married. Just remember, you walked out on me.”

“And I tried to walk in again and you wouldn’t let me. Now this woman is taking over my old life.”

Brian shook his head and walked away. She’s like a brick wall, he thought as he walked out of the courthouse.

When Brian arrived home, Paige and Mickey were on the porch looking like a Norman Rockwell painting. He was sitting beside her while they read together. For a moment, Brian just sat in the truck looking at them. The scene was so peaceful and serene. She was the stability in his life that he needed after the turmoil Olivia had caused.

Brian knew that he couldn’t have a better wife. Most women would not have taken to Mickey the way Paige had. Most women definitely wouldn’t have put up with Olivia’s drama.

But Paige wasn’t most women. She was an extraordinary woman who had a heart the size of Texas. Sometimes people came into a person’s life at the right time. He knew her presence in his life was one of those instances. Just when he had sworn off women and decided that he would never allow another woman to enter his heart, she had zoomed into his life. Brian didn’t know what he would do without her. He couldn’t imagine not having her around him. Paige was his port in the storm. With a feeling of contentment, Brian got out of the truck and walked over to them.

“Daddy!” Mickey exclaimed as he leapt from Paige’s lap. Brian wrapped him up in his arms.

“Hey, champ,” he said as he watched Paige stand up and walk over to them. She placed her hand on Brian’s shoulder.

“How did everything go?”

Brian smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “Like clockwork,” he replied with a smile. “Mickey, run inside and get washed up. We’re going to McDonald’s so Mommy can say goodbye.”

Mickey nodded and headed inside. Brian turned to Paige who was full of questions.

“So, you’re going to let her see him?” she asked.

“As long as it’s supervised. I don’t know what’s going on with Olivia, but I can’t deny that she’s his mother. She’s going back to Atlanta and Mickey needs to see her.”

Paige nodded. “You’re right. I guess this is the best way to make sure she doesn’t just go off and leave him again.” She reached out and stroked his cheek. “You’re extremely generous with your ex-wife.”

“He loves his mother and I think she loves him even though it’s been nothing but drama lately.”

“That’s really big-hearted of you, Brian. I’m sure Mickey will appreciate seeing his mother again.”

“You’re coming with us, too.”

Paige shook her head. “My presence will only make a tense situation even worse.”

“But you’re a part of this family now,” he said.

“And when she comes to visit in the future, I’ll be there, but this is a moment that Olivia and Mickey need to have without me,” she said. Brian kissed Paige on the forehead. “We should be back by four-thirty or so.”
She nodded and headed inside. Brian walked behind her, watching her hips sway. Paige oozed sensuality just doing everyday things. Unable to resist being so close to her without touching her, he lifted her into his arms and planted a passionate kiss on her. He buried his fingers in her wild hair as he held her. Paige placed her hand on his chest, pushing back from him.

“Kiss me like that again and you won’t be making it to McDonald’s,” she said breathlessly.

The thump of Mickey’s feet down the hall stopped Brian from replying.

“I’m ready!” Mickey said imitating the cartoon character SpongeBob Squarepants.

Brian let Paige go and smiled at his son. “Let’s go, then,” he said. Mickey looked up at Paige. “Are you coming too?” he asked. 


She shook her head no. “I’ll see you at dinner,” she said before kneeling down and kissing him on the cheek. 
The three of them headed out the door together. Brian pinched

Paige on the behind as he and Mickey skipped to the truck. He couldn’t be any happier than he was at that moment.