Page 35 of Punked By the Playmaker
All I could think about was Austin. I’d worked so damn hard to earn my place in his life, and now I’d gone and put that in jeopardy.
God, what have I done?
The shuffling of papers snapped me out of the beginnings of a panic attack, and I looked up to find the judge browsing through the open file on his desk.
Clearing his voice, he spoke. “Mr. King, you’ve filed a petition on behalf of Ms. Arizona Cleary for temporary guardianship of Maisie Thorne. Is that correct?”
Jonathan gave a single nod. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“I also see that Mr. Nixon, the assumed biological father, is requesting full legal custody pending a DNA test to confirm his paternity.”
“That’s correct, Your Honor.”
Judge Jeffries turned to Hilda. “And where is Maisie now?”
Hilda had the nerve to give Levi a side-eye before responding, “She’s been admitted to San Diego Children’s Hospital for an infection.”
The judge’s bushy gray eyebrows rose to his thinning hairline. “Why isn’t there any mention of a recent hospitalization in her file?”
“My apologies, Your Honor. It occurred yesterday evening, and our priority was obtaining Maisie’s records from our affiliate in Kansas.”
There was a hum of displeasure from Judge Jeffries, and Jonathan used it as his opportunity to swing his support in our favor.
“I’d like for it to be noted that Mr. Nixon and Ms. Cleary were quick to seek medical attention for Maisie when she presented with open wounds around her amputation site soon after her arrival at Mr. Nixon’s residence yesterday afternoon.”
Folding both hands on his desk, Jeffries spoke directly to Levi. “Maisie’s situation is unique. It’s not often that a child loses both adoptive parents and then seeks out a biological parent. It’s even less rare that someone would choose to upend their life for a child they didn’t know existed twenty-four hours ago. So I need to ask, Mr. Nixon, are you sure that taking on full custody is what you want? The last thing I want to see happen is for Maisie’s file to cross my desk again in a year if you decide the responsibility is more than you bargained for.”
Levi didn’t waver. “I’m her only family. She belongs with me.”
“All right.” The judge nodded before turning to me. “And Ms. Cleary, you’re prepared to take on temporary guardianship of Maisie in the interim, while we certify the validity of Mr. Nixon’s paternity claim?”
I dipped my chin. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“Then I don’t see any reason to keep you any longer. I hereby grant—”
“Your Honor,” Hilda interjected. “I have some concerns.”
Beyond annoyed that she’d not only interrupted him but spoken out of turn, he trained his narrowed eyes on her. “And what are your concerns, Ms. Franklin?”
Hilda stepped forward. “Mr. Nixon is a professional hockey player whose schedule requires that he spend a significant amount of time out of state. Maisie needs a more stable environment, given that she’s recently lost the only parents she’s ever known.”
Jonathan lifted a hand, silently asking permission to speak, which was granted with a nod from Judge Jeffries. “Your Honor, stability is not an issue. Though Mr. Nixon’s travel for work is extensive, he’s set to wed Ms. Cleary next week. There will be one responsible adult available to care for her at all times.”
The judge closed the file on his desk, shooting a pointed look in Hilda’s direction. “As I was saying, I hereby grant temporary guardianship of Maisie Thorne to Arizona Cleary. Her custody will extend for thirty days, at which time, we will reconvene to review the results of the paternity test and proceed from there. You are dismissed.”
Levi rose to his feet. “Thank you, Your Honor.” Then, without warning, he hauled me into his arms for a bone-crushing hug, whispering, “We did it!”
Hilda was already gone by the time he released me, though I’d be sure to keep an eye on the sky for flying broomsticks on my drive to the office.
With a hand on my lower back, Levi ushered me into the hallway, where we reconvened with Jonathan.
The lawyer grinned from ear to ear. “Smooth as silk. Didn’t expect anything less.”
Relieved laughter bubbled up from my chest. “Glad one of us had faith the judge was going to rule in our favor.”
Levi shook his hand again. “Please send the bill for your services to me.”
“Of course. Barring any hiccups, I’ll see you back here in a month.” With a wink, he turned and walked toward the elevator.
