I grinned. “Uh-huh. That and your smile.”
Pearce glanced at me. “You think?”
“Your dad’s a handsome guy. I’m pretty sure I chose well if that’s how you’re going to look when you’re gray.”
“He is rather dashing, huh.”
“Dashing… sure, let’s go with that,” I teased, earning myself a shove and a “Fuck off.”
Tugging Pearce close, I wrapped an arm around him, dotting a kiss on his cheek. I didn’t need to see his face to know he was smiling. The pair of us were giddily in love and excited for tomorrow. We didn’t need any of our friends to tell us that. I saw and felt it whenever we spoke, touched, in each smile and soft gaze.
The sound of a car engine drew our attention. I recognized the rental from yesterday and wondered if we could cut off the path and find an alternate route. To be fair, Moira hadn’t been pissed that our wedding fell in the first few days of her being back, even though it meant we were stealing Lottie away for a couple of days.
She’d taken it in such good grace, it had taken me a while to pick up my jaw off the floor.
“Eddie,” she called once she’d exited.
“And I might just go and check on the ’rents,” Pearce said, making a move to abandon me.
Before I could mumble, “Chickenshit,” Moira’s “No, I need to speak to the both of you,” stopped him in his tracks.
As always, Moira looked elegant in a pantsuit. Not quite the outfit for relaxing by a lake on a beautiful acreage property, but then I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen or even heard of Moira letting her hair down.
I smiled, still making sure there was no mistaking my gratitude that she was being so cool with everything. She wasn’t attending the wedding—even though I’d felt compelled to invite her, since she was here for Lottie.
“Can I have a word before you get to your plans?”
“Sure,” I responded, dropping my arm from around Pearce’s shoulder and clasping his hand.
“I haven’t discussed this with Charlotte yet, but I’m intending to stay in Hong Kong permanently.”
My brows shot high. When she’d moved there full-time last year, it was with the expectation it was for a three-year contract. “Okay…,” I dragged out, already trying to figure out any damage control needed, unsure how Lottie would respond to the news.
“I’ve met someone.”
I froze, muscles turning rigid. My brain buzzed to life, heart thumping in my chest. If she thought she’d be taking Lottie…. I swallowed hard, not even able to finish that thought.
When I didn’t speak, Pearce rubbed his thumb over my hand and said, “That’s great news. We’re really happy for you.” Caution traced every word.
“I’ve already been in touch with my Stateside lawyer,” she continued, and I struggled to focus, my rapid pulse almost deafening. “I’ve asked her to draw up paperwork so you have full custody—”
“Fuck me,” I interrupted, clasping my chest, gripping Pearce’s hand so hard I wasn’t sure he had any blood circulation. “Thank Christ.”
Moira arched a brow and continued as if I’d never spoken. “I think it’s best. I’ve asked my lawyer to ensure I have a minimum of two weeks with her a year, and hope that when she perhaps turns sixteen, she’ll be able to fly out for visits.”
“Yes, sure,” I said, certain I would have agreed to almost anything if it meant I could get full custody of Lottie. “If you can make sure my lawyer gets the paperwork, I’ll reach out to him and let him know to expect it.”
While her smile wasn’t warm, it didn’t appear painful. She turned her attention to Pearce, and I felt him pull his shoulders back. “I expect you’ll want to ensure you have legal guardianship.”
As my eyes widened in surprise, I angled to look at Pearce. Heat flushed his cheeks, and he was bobbing his head. “Yes,” he croaked. “I’d love nothing more.” He turned his attention to me, our eyes connecting, nothing but love in their depths. “If you want that? If that’s okay?”
“Absolutely.” Happiness slammed into my chest, so grateful I’d found this man and opened my heart to him.
“Good. That’s settled then.” Was it strange that I wanted to hug the shit out of Moira? Not that I’d ever try. And whether her decisions were selfish or not, I chose to think of her as being selfless for once and doing the right thing by our daughter and for me. Having joint custody hanging over my head, knowing at any time Moira could have demanded equal time with her, had been a challenge.
Admitting that to myself was shit and selfish as fuck, as Lottie loved her mom, but hand on heart, I knew I was best for Lottie. Scrap that. Pearce and I were the family she needed.
“I’ll discuss it with Charlotte when we’re alone, after the wedding.” I cringed, wanting to be there. Her gaze narrowed. “If there’s an issue, I’ll call you.”
