I eyed Mason from across the table. He knew what my look said. If the judge didn’t rule in our favor, I’d run. There was no other choice. I wouldn’t let these kids go with their grandparents.

Mason cleared his throat. “I think the judge heard the truth.”

“I hope so,” Justin whispered.

“Can we go with you?” Lyla asked, wiping her tears.

“No, sweetie. Court isn’t for kids.”

“We talked to the judge,” she argued.

“That was different. An exception to the rule. But we’ll hurry home as quickly as we can, okay?”

She nodded into my shoulder, and my heart clenched. I hadn’t been there when she or Justin were born, but that didn’t change the depth of our bond. They were a part of me, and I would do anything to protect them.

An alert sounded on Mason’s phone, and he picked up. “It’s Cain and Kennedy.”

I stood, Lyla wrapping her legs around me. “Want to come with me and let them in?”

“Yeah.”

I walked with her in my arms like a little spider monkey and pulled open the front door just as Cain and Kennedy climbed out of their SUV. “Don’t you have to work today?” I asked him.

He shrugged. “I can work from here. That’s the good thing about the internet.”

I heard what he didn’t say. That if there was an unfavorable verdict, he wanted to be here to help us plan. “Thank you,” I said, my voice thick.

He squeezed my shoulder. “Anything you need. Anything. We’ve got your back.”

I nodded, unable to say more. Kennedy gave Lyla a bright smile. “How’s my bestie?”

“Okay,” she mumbled.

Kennedy pulled open a bag. “I brought nail stuff. I thought we could do mani-pedis.”

Lyla lifted her head, brightening a fraction. “Sparkles?”

“Duh.”

Lyla reached out her arms to Kennedy, and Kenz took her. Cain took the bag of nail polish and supplies. I forced a grin in his direction. “You gonna go for sparkles, too?” I asked as we headed inside.

“I think I’ll pass. Justin and I can kick around the soccer ball.”

“I’m sure he’ll love that.”

Justin and Mason appeared, and Mason checked his watch. “We should go. We don’t want to be late.”

My stomach dropped. “Okay.”

Kennedy squeezed my shoulder. “Text if you can.”

“I will.” I looked around at everyone. “Love you guys.”

The words were echoed back, and Mason slipped his hand into mine, tugging me towards the garage. I felt like a robot, climbing into the SUV, watching as our drive turned to a dirt road then turned to the highway. It seemed like a matter of seconds until Mason was pulling into a parking space in front of the courthouse.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I whispered.