“Look, I’m not here to start any problems. I just want to see my babies. Your father would have wanted me to see them. I’m clean. I swear.”
Ford stood beside Sawyer as his gaze flicked between the two of them.
Sawyer's features were thunderous, echoing the brewing storm in Ford's gut. “It’s not gonna happen.” Sawyer’s voice was firm. “When you complete your rehab program, then we can revisit this conversation, and from what I have heard, you already violated the court order.”
“I just want to see them, please. I swear I’ll go back to rehab.”
“Look, I know how hard everything must be for you, but this was ordered by the court and not something you just decided to do on your own. Until you’ve completed the time required and you’re well, you’re not gonna see them. Now I’d appreciate if you would remove yourself from our property.”
Fuck, why did Ford’s limbs suddenly feel heavy?
“I have to see them, please. Let me see my babies.” Her voice grew louder with every word, and Ford heard the desperation in her voice, which got to him. Did she truly miss her children, or was this all an act?
Ford opened his mouth to speak. Maybe they should just let her see the kids with them in the room. It wasn’t like she hadn’t had visitation previously, and it might make her leave faster without making a scene, but before he could get a word out, Sawyer stopped him with a shake of his head and looked down at her hands. Ford followed his gaze and saw the way she held herself, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides.
Ford’s body felt like it was nailed to the spot, watching and waiting for something. He saw what Sawyer meant. The woman was wound tight.
“I have rights. I have the right to see them.” She tried to push past Sawyer, but he was an immovable wall.
“I’m not letting you in, Cynthia.” Sawyer’s voice didn’t rise, but Ford knew she wasn’t getting through. “You lost those rights when the court sentenced you to rehab. I don’t want to have to do this to you, but if you don’t leave, I will call the police.”
Ford moved closer to Sawyer, placing a calming hand on his back. He needed to be ready to help Sawyer if need be. He knew addiction was a disease, but Ford was also aware that it could make her dangerous, and he was taking no chances.
“Savanna!” The petite woman screeched as she attempted to peer around Sawyer, who had widened his stance. Her features twisted in anger and her voice rose. “Savanna, Gavin, Callum, Mommy's here!”
“Mom?” Savanna's voice coming from the driveway cut through the tension, her tone was laced with disbelief.
Sawyer and Ford jerked their gazes behind Cynthia and found Savanna frozen on the top step, mouth parted and eyes wide as her hand squeezed the railing so hard her fingers blanched of color.
Fuck.
Cynthia slowly turned, and a smile stretched across her face as she took in her daughter.
Having been so focused on the unwanted guest, neither Sawyer nor Ford had heard the bus rumble past the corner or the kids approaching.
Ford parted his lips to explain, but before a word escaped, Gavin barreled up the steps into his mother's waiting arms.
“I knew you'd come back.” Gavin wrapped his arms around his mom as he buried his face against her navel.
Ford’s eyes met Sawyer’s, and they knew things had just gotten complicated.
16
Sawyer
Sawyer crossed his arms and stood in the living room. He should have made her leave sooner because now he was in a no-win situation. If he got the cops involved, the kids would end up hating him, and if she stayed and then he made her leave afterward, he was risking the kids getting hurt once again and still hating him. Dammit for forgetting what time it was and that the kids would have been coming home.
She sat in the middle of the couch, Gavin on one side and Callum in her arms. Only Savanna sat across from her, refusing to join her on the large sofa. From the outside looking in, they looked like the perfect family.
Fuck, he felt like a monster for wishing she would just fucking disappear and stop putting his siblings through this time and time again.
“We’ve got to do something.” Ford’s voice was low, but Sawyer heard the worry in it. Sawyer had been so focused on watching them he hadn’t hear Ford come out of the kitchen.
Sawyer glanced at him. “Do what? Interfere and have the kids hate us?” He shook his head. “We’re doing something. We’re watching her like a hawk and praying she doesn’t try anything.”
Ford’s shoulders slumped. Sawyer saw the resignation on his face, he felt the same as Ford… neither one of them liked it.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Gavin said. “I missed you, Mom.” The kid looked like he’d woken up to Santa on his doorstep with everything on his Christmas list.
Sawyer hoped he wasn’t the Grinch when he told them she could stay for dinner but had to leave afterward.
“Your mom can stay for dinner.” Sawyer stepped into the room and met Savanna’s eyes. “But then she needs to get back to New York to take care of some things”—He turned to look at the kids’ mom and directed that at her “because she’s doing this for you. Isn’t that right?”
Sawyer watched Savanna’s body react to his comment. Of course she knew what he meant. But the look in her eyes shut down even more than before, and she pulled her phone out, ignoring all of them.
Cynthia looked up and then nodded before turning to the kids. “Sawyer is right. I’ll be here just to eat with you guys, then I need to get back. I didn’t want to miss my baby’s birthday again.” Cynthia hugged Gavin tighter
