Chapter15
On Monday morning, my entire household gathered in the living room for our trip to the courthouse in Los Angeles. I was wearing a gorgeous, light gray suit and new shoes that pinched my feet, and I’d just had a haircut a couple of days before. This was the best and most respectable I could possibly look. I wondered if it would make a difference.
Everyone else was just as dressed up. Normally, there’d be jokes about cleaning up well and lots of selfies, but instead the mood was somber. Even though we were trying so hard to think positive, there was still tension in the air.
It meant so much to me that they were all going to be there to show their support, and it more than made up for the fact that three people would be notably absent from my day in court. I’d written a letter to my parents a month before, coming out as bisexual, telling them about the custody hearing, and asking for their support. They’d never replied, which didn’t surprise me. I was sure I’d been disowned just like Lark had years before, now that I’d come out. I’d wanted to give them a chance to do the right thing for once, but that was the last time I’d be reaching out to them.
Kathy was going to be absent too, but again, I’d expected that. When I reached out to her, she’d replied to my email and said she wasn’t strong enough to face a custody hearing in person. But then, under the advice of my lawyers, she’d written a letter to the judge explaining why she’d selected me and not her parents to raise Owen. She’d been very candid about the verbal abuse she’d endured growing up, and she’d also called them out as racists and homophobes and said they’d be a negative influence on the child.
That letter had been part of a thick packet of documentation that had been forwarded to the court ahead of time. My lawyers had asked me to collect letters from former employers and college professors attesting to my character. I’d expected most of them to reply, “Logan who?” Instead, I’d been blown away by the glowing responses I’d received.
I was incredibly grateful for all the people in my corner. Lark and Hal and my found family had stepped up and had my back from day one. And Lucky had been absolutely astonishing.
At the moment, my amazing boyfriend was right beside me with a protective arm around my shoulders, as we waited for the cars that would take us to the airport. He’d been my rock throughout all of this. I’d heard you never really knew a person until you saw them in times of crisis. The custody case definitely qualified, and what it had revealed about Lucky was that he was unwaveringly strong and devoted. When he said he’d be there for me, he absolutely meant it. I couldn’t even imagine facing this—or anything else life might throw at me down the road—without him by my side.
At nine a.m. on the dot, I picked up Owen and Lucky grabbed his diaper bag, and we all went out to the three black town cars that had pulled up in front of our house. Some of our neighbors watched us curiously. It probably looked like we were on our way to a funeral. I wanted to tell them that wasn’t the case—this was a serious occasion but not a sad one, and it was going to be okay.
It had to be.
While Lucky and I went to the lead car, Yolanda, JoJo, and Eliot climbed into the one in the middle, and Hal and Kel piled into the third car with Lark and Dylan. Lucky’s dad was waiting for us in the passenger seat. Our car had been equipped with a baby seat, and once I got Owen strapped in, I sat down beside my son and smiled at him. He was dressed in a tiny button-down shirt, khaki pants, and a sweater vest, along with little red sneakers, and he was clutching his favorite toy—a stuffed alligator Federico Suarez had bought him on one of their weekly trips to the Academy of Sciences.
I was trying so hard to act like everything was normal, but Owen was watching me with wide eyes. I ran my hand over his blond head and told him, “I love you, kiddo, and we’re going to be just fine. You’ll see.”
On the other side of the baby seat, Lucky looked fiercely determined, like he was ready to burn down the world for me. I’d never loved him more than in that moment.
As the car rolled forward, Owen wrapped his little hand around my finger. That told me he was still picking up on my tension, so I started talking to him about whatever came to mind. “Do you like the fancy car, Owen? Abuelito got it to take us to the airport.”
The baby perked up at that and repeated, “Abbo,” which was as close as he got to saying “grandpa” in Spanish.
“That’s right. Abuelito could have just gotten us a bunch of Lyfts, but he likes to travel in style.”
Federico turned and grinned at us. “This is more comfortable, and you can book them ahead. There are three more waiting for us in Los Angeles.” When I thanked him for handling the transportation, he waved his hand and said, “It was the least I could do.”
It was about a twenty minute drive to SFO, since traffic was light in this direction. The drivers took us to a special terminal at the airport, where Federico’s private jet, two pilots, and a crew were waiting for us. My family and I tried to act like we were taking it in stride, but there was no question this was a unique experience for all of us—aside from Lucky and his dad, of course.
I’d never flown before, so this was a lot to process on multiple levels. Instead of letting my nerves get the better of me, I kept my focus on Owen as I let him explore the cabin. It had cushy, tan leather seats, polished wood tables, and even a seating area with a built-in couch and coffee table, so it felt a bit like a high-end living room.
Pretty soon, we all took our seats and got ready for takeoff. Federico had once again made sure a baby seat was provided, and once I got Owen situated I gave him a snack. “I did some research and found out chewing and swallowing is supposed to help with ear pressure during takeoff and landing,” I told Lucky, as he and his dad sat down in two seats that were facing us.
He gave me a sweet smile and said, “You always think of everything.”
Owen fussed a little during takeoff, but it went pretty well overall. The flight itself was barely an hour. Before I knew it, we’d landed and were back in another trio of town cars.
Lucky had reserved a hotel suite close to our destination, to act as a home base and help our day go smoothly. We didn’t anticipate having to spend the night, but we had some down time before we were due in court, and he wanted everyone to be comfortable.
I had a final meeting with my lawyers, and then everyone tried to relax and eat some lunch before heading to the courthouse. I couldn’t manage more than a couple of sips of water because my stomach was in knots, which made Lucky’s brow crease with concern.
Finally, at about one-thirty, our town car convoy pulled up in front of the courthouse. I loved the fact that the Wilsons were outside the building to witness our arrival.
When they caught sight of me, they looked stunned. I held my head high as I carried my son up the stairs. “That’s right, take it all in,” I muttered, as I stared them down. I hoped they noticed my nice suit and the crowd of people accompanying Owen and me.
Lark was right beside me, and he indicated the Wilsons and asked, “Is that them?” When I nodded, he flipped them the bird with both hands and yelled, “You’re gonna lose, assholes!”
I grinned and told him, “God, I love you. I couldn’t do that, but I’m glad you did.”
My brother tilted his chin defiantly and muttered, “They had it coming.”
Our lawyers and three of their assistants were waiting for us at the top of the stairs. Padma offered me some last-minute tips and reminders as we went inside, but there wasn’t much left to say at this point. We’d been over what might happen many times in the weeks leading up to today. All that was left now was just to win our case.