An Unexpected Christmas Baby (The Daycare Chronicles 2)

You’re going to be someone.

With the baby carrier on his arm, his tiny girl asleep and completely unaware of where they were, Flint walked into the courtroom just before two that afternoon.

He’d never met the Reddings, but knew instantly who they were when he saw the couple sitting at the table on the right, holding hands.

Her hair was brown, probably dyed based on the evenness of the color, her dress a cheery shade of rose.

Rose for Diamond Rose.

He was in full military dress.

Good move.

Flint didn’t have a chance in hell in spite of his hand-tailored shirt and three-hundred-dollar shiny black shoes.

Much smaller than he’d expected, the room had only two benches for spectators behind the two tables facing the judge’s bench. He’d been told the hearing was closed, but to expect a caseworker, probably Ms. Bailey, in addition to attorneys for both sides. Michael had also warned him that the Reddings could call witnesses on their behalf if they chose.

He’d been given the same opportunity, but had no one to call.

Certainly not Stella Wainright. He’d be back in court in two days for his hearing with her.

Merry Christmas.

He could feel the older couple staring in his direction as he pulled a chair next to him for the baby carrier and took his seat at the table. He didn’t glance over.

It occurred to him that they probably wanted a glimpse of their granddaughter. All they had left of their only child.

He didn’t blame them.

He just didn’t like them. Or rather, didn’t like that they existed.

Michael arrived and the hearing began shortly after. Flint had purposely timed his arrival so Diamond wouldn’t be in court any longer than necessary. He’d tried to time her feeding so she’d sleep through the whole thing, too, but she hadn’t been interested in lunch at one thirty. He hoped the little bit she got down would tide her over until he got her out of there.

Because he was going to get her out of there.

He had to believe that.

And he did, right up until he heard the voices of Grandma and Grandpa Redding, heard their tears and the love they had for a child they’d never even met. Their own flesh and blood. The only grandchild they’d ever have.

Maybe Diamond would be better off with them, after all.

He had to get outside himself, his own sorry feelings, and do what was best for her.

Trouble was, he couldn’t seem to get far enough outside himself to believe that she was better off without him.

Being the child of a convict... It was tough. Like Howard Owens had said, people went for percentages. And chances were, if you came from a life of crime, you’d be more apt to get involved in a life of crime.

People were always going to judge you accordingly.

Which tipped the scale even further toward a life of crime.

But that didn’t mean you had to make that choice.

He knew.

And could teach her.

And while she was the Reddings’ only grandchild, she was his only family, period.