Everlasting (Unrestrained 6)

"She's trying to pull herself up on things," I said, smiling as I watched them together. "The days of putting her down and being able to leave her are gone. We're going to have to watch her every move."

"They are and we will. She's getting so mobile so fast. I'm glad I can be here to watch her instead of being away all the time she's awake. Maybe all this is for the best. If I was still at NYU, I'd be working twelve-hour days at the hospital and would be away from you both all the time. Now, I'll have more freedom."

"You should still be at NYU. It's not fair that you've had to give up your career because of all this."

"I haven’t given it up. I've just put it on hold for a while. I'll be able to go back to finish my Fellowship next year. I'll be able to work again. Right now, I have other things – family things – to figure out. I feel blessed despite the trial and everything."

We smiled at each other and I knew what Drake was thinking. He was thinking how lucky we were to have each other and to have Sophie.

"We are blessed. We have Sophie. You now have a relationship with Liam, and one day, maybe even Liam can live with us. I can imagine him playing with Sophie, showing her his toys and enjoying being a big brother to her."

"You can’t believe how much it warms my heart to imagine that day,

" Drake said, his voice breaking. "I have to do everything right for the next six months so I can go before a judge and convince him that I'm fit to be a custodial parent. I hope all this dies down by then."

Then his cell dinged to indicate a new text. He removed it from his jacket pocket and read for a moment.

"Our cup runneth over. An invite for a special dinner at the O'Riley's place this Sunday." He glanced up at me. "Sounds like a good diversion. I know Mrs. O would love to see both of us."

"We should go," I said. "Weren't you going to practice with the band this weekend?"

"We are planning to practice on Sunday afternoon. I could go and then we could have dinner afterwards. We're playing on the following Tuesday night at O'Rileys to get me back into the swing of things."

I went to him while he texted a response. "I want us to move back."

"I know," he said and kissed me. "We have to talk to Ethan. See what we can arrange for the fall. If Maureen is going to stay with Chris, we could move Liam to Manhattan to start school in August. Ethan could spend spring, summer and fall in Manhattan and winters in San Francisco."

"That sounds perfect. I can wait until August to return. Maybe by then things will be figured out with Liam."

"Maybe," Drake said and sent his email message. He glanced up. "There. We've got our weekend planned. Maybe we can go to Coney Island on Saturday."

I nodded, happy to be doing a few touristy things since we were only in town for such a short time. I wanted to move back right away, but I didn't want to leave my father and Elaine... It would be a few months and we could move back. That wasn't too long.

I'd find more than enough to do in San Francisco to keep me occupied until then. Now all we had to do was convince my dad. It would be easy enough. After all, his entire life was in Manhattan, just as mine was. His friends, his son and grandkids. His associations. Elaine's family was there, too.

We'd have to find the right place for him and Elaine to live. Wheelchair accessible with access to a big patio or yard.

Until then, I'd have to be patient.

The next day, Karen arrived at six fifteen to sit with Sophie and walked right in, taking her from my arms like a pro. She had Sophie on the sofa playing and reading a book in no time.

"You two go out," she said, glancing in our direction. "I know my way around your apartment. I'll give her a bottle before she goes down. What time do you want me to put her to bed?"

"She usually goes down at about eight."

"Sounds fine. Now, off you go. I have my cell in case you need to stay later or anything. Let me know."

"Thanks," Drake said and put his arm around my shoulder. "We really appreciate you helping out. We'll be home after nine."

"Like I said, call me if you need more time. I'm happy to stay."

We left the apartment and I felt only the slightest twinge of guilt at going out. Sophie seemed quite happy to be with Karen and so I took in a deep breath and tried to stop worrying about Sophie. Karen was a retired nurse. If anyone could look after her, Karen could. She was trained in CPR and knew babies inside and out.

Drake took my hand and led me to the car outside on the street. We drove to the restaurant Lara had chosen and found a spot in a parking garage a few blocks away. The sun was still high and the air warm. I breathed in, enjoying the Manhattan night.

The restaurant specialized in modern French food and the décor was upscale and trendy. We entered and Drake gave Lara's name to the hostess who took us back to a booth in the rear of the dining room, next to a bank of windows. Lara greeted us, standing up, dressed in her usual navy pinstripe suit and white blouse, her platinum hair in a tight bun. She looked every inch a defense lawyer you wouldn’t want to mess with. I was glad we had her on our side.

"Drake, Kate," she said and gave us both a hug and kiss. "Good to see you. Please, sit down. I've been here for fifteen minutes catching up on personal email and drinking vodka martinis. After the day I had, I needed them."