Her mother nodded. “Okay. For what it’s worth, I think it’s the best choice. It’s the big-picture choice. Each time she deals with them, it hurts her. Daddy and I have money set aside for her; if you need help with the legal fees, it’s yours.”

She smiled at her mother. “Thank you, but I don’t want you to do that. She’ll need the money for college and all that stuff. The studio is doing well. I have some savings too. I’m fine. It’s your emotional support I need and appreciate so much. Rennie too.” It was tearing her up, knowing Rennie was upset right then, knowing she couldn’t stop it. But she was going to. She was going to stop the Sorensons from harming her kid once and for all.

Brody accepted the hug from Rennie and settled in to wait for Elise to come back downstairs. Her parents had left for the lecture, prompting another meltdown from Rennie. It was tearing Elise apart, watching this insanity and not being able to stop it. Seeing them both in such emotional turmoil tore at Brody. He loved them both and he wanted to make everything all right.

Still, despite all the insanity and uncertainty, Elise continued to grow and thrive, and so did Rennie. Elise came to him each day more satisfied with herself and her position. Her business was booming and she’d begun to turn a real profit.

And each day, Brody fell deeper in love with her. He couldn’t be happier unless they were already living in the same house. But now that the Sorensons were alleging this crap about her being unfit and his presence being negative, he knew he’d been wise to hold back a bit. Elise needed to focus on this court crap, and then the way would be clear for both of them to move forward. He didn’t want her to feel as if she had to choose.

It was a challenge to hold back and not take over. He wanted to make everything all right for them both. Wanted to fly back to New York and beat the ever-loving hell out of those two f**kheads and stop them from hurting his girls. He wanted to pay Elise’s legal bills, wanted to yank the phone from Paul’s hands and tell the Sorensons they would not be torturing Rennie anymore. He wanted Elise safe and happy. He wanted to take away the fear of losing Rennie. God knew he spent more than a few hours a day concerned that something would happen and they’d lose Rennie forever. He knew that would kill Elise.

So he’d continue to be supportive, continue to show them both how special they were, continue to listen and love them because they were his to cherish and they needed it as much as he needed to do it.

“How does this look?” Elise asked Erin, who sat on her bed and watched as Elise tried on a few different outfits for the court date the following day.

“You look fine. Pretty. Youthful. Responsible. The kind of woman who loves her kid. All the things you’ve tried on have been lovely.

“Momma?” Rennie wandered into the room and got up on the bed with Erin, who immediately hugged her.

“What’s up, Noodle?”

“I like those shoes, but not with that skirt. Wear them with that blue skirt and the shirt in your hand.” Rennie yawned. It was getting near her bedtime, but she’d been downstairs with Ben, Todd and Brody, playing on the Wii.

“You’re right. That’s what I’ll wear. Thank you. Now go brush your teeth and wash your face before getting into pajamas.” She bent to kiss Rennie’s head.

“What’s a cunt?”

Erin and Elise both froze a moment.

“What did you just say?”

“What’s a cunt?”

“Where did you hear that word?” Elise’s heart sped; if she’d heard them having sex or if one of the visitors to the house had said it, she worried what a judge might think.

“Mrs. Sorenson said you were one. It’s on the voice mail.”

“What? On the cell phone? You heard this?” Her hands shook with anger, but she tried to keep her voice calm.

“No, on the phone here. I checked to see if Nina called while we were at the grocery store, but it was her, Mrs. Sorenson, and she said that word.”

“The way she used it is a bad word. I don’t want to hear you repeat it. It’s a bad word people use about women. It’s also what some people call your vagina, which sometimes can be all right, but you’re nowhere near the age for that.”

“She’s mad all the time, Momma. If they don’t like me and you, why do they make me talk to them every month? I don’t want to. I told the judge that already and no one listens to me.”

Elise had only a fingernail’s hold on her emotions. She sat on the bed and Rennie crawled into her lap, curling into her body. “I’m trying, honey. I’m trying my hardest. But until the court says otherwise, they have a right to talk to you every month. I’m sorry you had to hear that voice mail. From now on, we’ll just have Momma check it, okay?” She hugged Rennie tight. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“I don’t want you to worry, okay? When the attorneys talk to you, or the court people, I want you to tell them the truth. It’s fine if you want to talk to the Sorensons, or know them. If that’s what you feel, that’s what you say. I love you no matter what. You can love more than one person, it doesn’t meant you love me less.”

“Like how you love Brody and me too?”

She looked at Erin, whose eyes were filled with unspent tears. And then back to Rennie. “Yes. And like how I love Pops and Gran. And Erin too. Your life can be full of people you love. It’s okay with me if you love lots of people.”