“She’s not technically his mother, and you both know that.”

“Still...”

“I get it. Trust me, I definitely see this from your point of view, but the fact remains that Lori is his biological mother, and she does have rights.”

“Rights,” Gonzo snorted. “What about my son’s rights?”

“He has them too, and the court will take them into consideration.”

“So you see this going to court?” Gonzo asked, a sinking feeling invading his abdomen.

“I do, unless you and Lori are able to come to some sort of arrangement on your own.”

That was highly unlikely, Gonzo thought, as he hadn’t even spoken to the woman in months.

“How do you wish to proceed?” Andy asked. “I could set up a meeting with Lori and her attorney. Give you two a chance to hammer this out amicably.”

“Do you recommend that?”

“It’s always advised to keep things as friendly as you can for as long as you can. Perhaps you can work out something that works for both of you, short of going to court.”

“I don’t want anything less than full custody.”

“You need to be prepared for the fact that she wants the same thing.”

“She can’t possibly have as strong a case as I do as the parent who has cared for him all this time.”

“Maybe not, but she is the child’s mother, Tommy, and the court will be pleased by the changes she’s made. It shows that she has good intentions.”

“Where were her good intentions when she hadn’t even bothered to give my son a name months after he was born?” Gonzo couldn’t keep the bitterness from creeping into his tone.

“Should I set up the meeting?”

Gonzo thought about it for a long moment, weighing the pros and cons. “Yeah, go ahead. See if you can make it for after the election. Christina has enough on her plate between now and then.”

“I’ll see what I can do and be back in touch. Hang in there, okay?”

“I’m trying. Thanks, Andy.”

“No problem. Talk soon.”

Gonzo put his phone on the coffee table and reached for one of the teddy bears Alex slept with. The scent of baby shampoo and powder clinging to the bear brought tears to his eyes. Thinking of a long, protracted, expensive battle with Lori only added to his weariness. All he wanted was a peaceful life with Christina and Alex and any other children they might be blessed with. Was that too much to ask?