Recap
Note: This is a draft. There may be spelling & grammar errors, plot holes, and/or inconsistencies. These will be corrected during revision. Please comment or highlight and give feedback if you notice anything! Be as specific as possible - your feedback helps me a lot! :)
“It’s been reported to CPS that you have an unstable person taking care of your children and that they are in danger of neglect or abuse,” he told me.
I could tell the man was utterly livid by the accusations. Anyone that saw her with the kids knew she loved them and would never cause them any harm. I nearly shot up out of my chair in outrage and bit my tongue to let Roy continue.
“Since it’s been reported, they have to investigate, which means you’ll have a CPS visit coming soon. There are also allegations that Lilah has been sleeping with your son and that it began before he was of legal age,” Roy continued. “These are serious allegations and could cause some problems. They could accuse her of statutory rape and your kids could be taken as a result of your allowing such a situation to occur under your roof.”
I stared at him in shock. “But he pursued her. She didn’t want to get involved with him in part because of his age,” I protested loudly. “Lilah’s far more responsible than that. How could anyone say such a thing?”
Roy held up his hands in defense, shaking his head slightly. “Preaching to the choir, Charles. I know that Lilah would never do anything to risk harm to another person intentionally. But now that the accusations have been made, they have to check it out. It’s the law.”
I slammed my fist on my desk and shot up to my feet, walking over to look out the window. “So what do we need to do?”
Roy sighed and there was a pause. “Marrying you or Damon could resolve the majority of the issue, though it would look better if you married her rather than Damon. Then, there’s not a whole lot they can say because she’s your wife. With no sign of abuse and your being married, all Damon has to do is keep things quiet and there won’t be anything they can do. The kids are happy and healthy and well-adjusted. They love her and she adores them. Outside of the issue with Damon, there’s no proof of anything untoward.”
I chuckled dryly and shook my head before I looked back at him. “I doubt Lilah would go for a quick fix marriage. My son is in love with her and I’m pretty sure she’s in love with him as well. I can’t get in between them like that.”
“Just listen,” Roy said. “I have an idea. If you marry Lilah, you two could get a non-contested divorce quietly later so she can marry your son, if that’s what everyone wants to do. I don’t want to step on anyone’s happiness, but this is a lot more complicated than that.”
I stared out the window in thought when a knock came from my door.
“Come in,” I called out. I knew it was Lilah, no one else was home.
When she walked in, her face was a bit ashen and she looked as if she were in shock. Before I could walk over to her, she looked at me with eyes full of tears.
“I’m pregnant.”
