Top Dog

I felt my entire body grow numb as the conversation with my private investigator slowly fell into place. His cryptic response. The fact that I would find out during the hearing. I had no idea what the hell that fool had concocted or how he managed to uncover the bullshit man Lanie’s father really was, but I owed him big time.

Not only was he getting paid, but he was also getting a big fucking bonus.

“I guess I should’ve started with you,” the judge said. “In the case of Docket Number 245612-07, Witlowe vs. Murphy, I hereby declare full custody awarded to Brian Murphy. My decision on this matter is final.”

The judge banged his gavel and tears sprang to my eyes. Amanda threw her arms around me, but I felt like I couldn’t move. It was done. The nightmare was over, and Lanie was officially mine. I felt tears running down my cheeks as Amanda kissed my neck, her words lost in my ears as I teetered on my feet.

“It’s over,” I said in a whisper.

“Yes, it is,” Amanda said.

“And to let the two of you know,” the judge said, “that marriage license expires in thirty days. If you’re not going to get married soon, be prepared to refile.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” I said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

I felt a pair of warm lips against mine, and it brought me out from my stupor. I wrapped my arms around Amanda’s waist, pulled her in close and dipped her down low. She giggled at me as our tongues danced, and every single ounce of stress I’d been under for the past week lifted itself off my body. My hands buried in her, my mind losing myself in her taste as my lawyer tried to get us out of the room.

“Excuse me, you two? I’m going to need this room in a few minutes,” the judge said.

“Sorry,” I said as Amanda giggled. “We’re leaving.”

We followed my lawyer out into the waiting room as another docket number was called. We sat in a corner and he began throwing paperwork at me to sign, but I could tell there was something he wanted to say. I signed and initialed where he asked me to, then he took the paperwork from me and sat back.

“Brian.”

“Yes,” I said.

“This is a massive victory,” he said.

“I know,” I said.

“I’ve seen a lot in my time practicing law, and I have to tell you, I think you two are the real deal. I know this was originally an arrangement to benefit the custody case, but watching you two today in that court room? Only people who know how they feel can face a judge and answer that easily. As a man who’s been happily married for thirty years, take my advice and put that marriage license to use. Just my two cents,” he said as he rose.

I stood shook his hand, watching as he walked down the hall to file the paperwork with the records clerk. I turned back to see if Amanda had heard what Luther had said, but she was on her phone, presumably with Sarah, who had begged to watch Lanie that morning so we could go to court. I needed to figure out what the fuck I was going to do.

I knew now, without a doubt, that I loved this woman, but I didn’t know exactly how she felt about me. I needed to know. I gave her a little wave and she ended her phone call.

“Everything ok with Lanie,” I asked.

“She’s perfect. Sarah is playing tea party with her and they are having a ball,” Amanda said.

“Good,”

“We should pick up Sarah and Lanie to celebrate,” Amanda said.

“That sounds like a good idea. Any place you’d like to go?” I asked.

“Did Lanie like that pizza place you guys went to?”

I could tell she was fishing within the confines of my memory as I reached out and cupped her cheek.

“Yes.”

I saw relief cascade over Amanda’s features as a smile bloomed across her cheeks.

“Then let’s go there,” she said with a grin.

CHAPTER 29