Page 124 of The Pact
Marlowe must read something on my face and softens her tone. “It gives us a stronger foundation to present the home environment. Especially given Presley’s existing relationship with the children.”
I see my father nod out of the corner of my eye.
My mother looks like she’s assessing Marlowe, and I’m not sure if it’s in a good or bad way.
When I look at Saint, he’s listening carefully, absorbing, processing her words.
“So, the next steps,” Marlowe continues. “We’ll arrange the family home visits.”
Saint nods. “Okay, not a problem.”
“We’ll want to document the children’s current living situation, schools, extracurriculars, emotional support systems, and, of course a caregiving plan considering your career.”
“I can provide schedules,” I offer. “Saint set everything up, of course, but I can get you any information you need.”
“That would be great, thank you,” she says.
Then she folds her hands and rests them on the table.
“There’s also the matter of the Harts.”
I see Saint’s jaw tighten.
“So, they’re still moving forward?” he asks.
“As of now, yes,” Rebecca chimes in. “But I think there may be room to resolve this without a full custody dispute if handled carefully.”
Saint doesn’t answer.
Marlowe leans forward. “The Harts will need to have their home visit, too, as part of the process, Mr. St. Clair. So take the kids down there, maybe even before that scheduled visit to see their grandparents.”
Saint clears his throat. “I make sure they talk to the Harts regularly. And they know they can reach out to the kids anytime. I’m not keeping the kids from them.”
Marlowe nods. “We understand that. But making a good-faith effort to preserve that relationship could go a long way.”
“So, ignore the fact that they want to take the kids from me?” he says, voice low.
I slide my hand over his.
“Understand that they’re grieving,” she says. “It’s not an excuse, it’s an explanation of their behavior.”
Saint looks at Rebecca. “Do you have any insight?”
“I agree, I think they’re grieving,” she says. “But I think there’s also the fear of not only losing their son, but now their grandkids as well.”
The room is quiet, and I can see the way Saint is trying to process all of this.
The fact of the matter is, the Harts aren’t the villains here. They’re broken people, too, reaching for the last living pieces of their son.
Doesn’t mean they’re right to do this. Doesn’t mean Saint should lose the kids. But it does mean the situation is bigger than legal positioning.
“Saint, if this can avoid court, it’s worth exploring. Because no one wins when you go to court. Even if it goes in your favor, someone is still hurt at the end of it,” my mother says.
“I don’t want the kids to get confused,” he says.
“Then frame it simply,” Marlowe says. “Their grandparents love them. They’re going to visit them. You’re still their home.”
Home.
