Getting home, Amaya sighed and let herself fall back on their couch.
"Its so good to be home.", she said.
He sat beside her, lifting her legs onto his lap and removing her shoes before massaging her feet. She moaned.
"That feels so good", she said.
"Rugrats should be home soon", he said, yawning.
She hummed her reply. Roman looked over and smiled. She had fallen asleep. He nudged her over and she shifted so he could lay behind her.
He didn't know what he was going to do about Valerie. They had stated in their temporary custody agreement, that Val had to call Roman and Amaya first before going to see Autumn.
"So we are meeting today to discuss temporary custody of Autumn Reigns. Is that correct?", the judge said.
"Yes your honor", both lawyers replied.
"How about we start with Mr. Reigns since your lawyers were the ones to bring this to our attention", the judge said.
Amaya and Roman watched as Jacob, their lawyer stood.
"My clients are only asking for temporary custody, till miss Valerie Sade has finished her rehab treatment and counseling. Once she's completed her steps to sobriety, they would be willing to discuss shared custody", Jacob said.
The judge nodded and looked towards Valerie's lawyer.
"My client is willing to do whatever she has too. She has entrusted Mr. And Mrs. Reigns as her child's guardians. She believes there is no safer place for her daughter than with her father.", her lawyer said.
The judge nodded.
"Now, I know Mr. And Mrs. Reigns have some conditions. What will they be?", the judge asked.
"My clients want her at least one year sober before asking to see their child. Once completed, she or her sponsor must contact either Mr. or Mrs. Reigns before going to see her daughter. Once they've agreed, Miss Sade will be allowed to have visitation under supervision for at least eight months.", their lawyer said.
The judge nodded.
"Anything from you Miss Sade?", he asked.
She was shaky and biting her nails. She shook her head no and the judge nodded.
"so you agree with their terms?", he asked.
She nodded.
"I understand why they asked for all that. I'm not in the healthiest shape for her. They just want to protect her", Valerie said.
She looked completely different to Roman and Amaya. Her hair was a bit tangled and messy. She looked exhausted and her nails were bitten too far down.
The judge nodded.
"Good, I'm glad you noticed and don't hold this against them.", the judge said.
"We aren't just trying to protect her, but you too. We want you in Autumn's life. We want you healthy, we want to co-parent with you. I would never dream of trying to replace you. I'm just hoping that at some point, we could share. I love Autumn and I want her happy and laughing.", Amaya said.
Valerie smiled and nodded.
"I would like that", she said softly.
Roman squeezed his wife's hand.
They woke up to someone jumping on them. Roman grunted and little laughter sounded. He smiled and came face to face with his youngest.
"My baby girl, daddy missed you", he said, kissing her cheek.
She giggled and squirmed away.
"Daddy your beard tickles", she said.
He held her tighter to him and continued kissing her cheek as more laughter sounded. Autumn was hugging Amaya.
"We had so much fun with uncle Phil and aunt AJ", Autumn smiled.
"You did? What did you girls do?", Amaya asked.
"Uncle Phil took us to a hockey game. He owes a lot of money to the swear jar, mom", Autumn said, whispering the last bit.
Roman chuckled.
"Aunt April took us to see Avengers", Malia announced excited, Roman held her in the air and she spread her arms out.
Amaya kissed the top of Autumn's head.
"Go put your bags away, dirty clothes in the hampers and wash up for dinner", Amaya said, making her way to the kitchen.
Malia followed after her big sister, dragging her duffle bag behind her. April and Phil followed with another bag that held the girls bath stuff and medicines in case of emergency.
"Man, I love having those girls over.", Phil said, kissing Amaya's cheek before shaking hands with Roman.
April rolled her eyes and shook her head at him, before hugging her sister.
"Yeah, I heard something about you owing money to the swear jar", Amaya said, hands on her hips.
"You took them to a hockey game?", Roman asked.
"They loved it. Its wrestling on ice when fights break out.", Phil said, taking his wallet out.
He grabbed the jar from the top of the fridge and added three dollars.
"It's a quarter per swear word", Amaya said.
"Yeah, I shouted three dollars worth, Smalls", Phil said, making Roman laugh.
"Wait till you two have kids, that's going to be fun", Amaya said.
"For who?", April asked.
Everyone laughed.
"Spending a lot of time with the girls, we've discussed kids. Maybe by the end of this year, we'll see", April said.
Amaya nodded.
"So you two will be going to Florida this week?", Phil asked.
Roman nodded.
"My parents can't wait to see the girls", Roman said.
"Just tell them to keep an eye out for Valerie.", Phil said.
"We want to speak to her before we go. Remind her of the custody agreement we have.", Amaya said.
Roman nodded.
"Did she leave a number or if we can find her at the sober living house?", Roman asked.
"Sober living", Phil said.
Roman nodded.
"Thank you guys for handling that", Amaya said.
"Of course. We love that kid", Phil said.
Amaya and Roman were tucking in Autumn for bed. Malia had knocked out right after dinner.
"So, we heard your mom went to see you.", Amaya said.
"I heard her at the door and I ran. I didn't want to see her. She scares me", Autumn said.
They both knew Autumn must have seen Valerie in the worst shape. They couldn't even imagine what Autumn went through when Valerie was strung out.
"Your mommy was very sick, Autumn. So sick she needed a lot of help, its why she's been gone so long. She's better now and wants to see you", Amaya said.
"But mom and I are going to talk to her first, okay. You have plenty of time to decide if you want to see her too", Roman said softly.
Autumn nodded.
"You won't leave me with her?", Autumn asked.
"Of course not baby. If you want us there, we will be", Amaya said.
Roman nodded, squeezing his daughter's hand.
"I'll think about it", she said, yawning.
Amaya kissed her forehead, followed by Roman.
"Goodnight my sweet girl", Roman whispered.
They walked out of her room and to theirs. Roman let himself fall back on their king sized bed. Amaya straddled him and he groaned. Moving his hips slowly.
"Maybe you should talk to Valerie alone. If I go, I feel like I'm just going to snap at her. She can't say she forgot about the agreement because I'm sure her sponsor brings it up.", Amaya said.
Roman nodded, his bottom half still rubbing against hers.
"We also need to discuss the supervised visits. I wonder if the court will appoint someone or if you or I could supervise", Amaya said, ignoring the hard length in Roman's pants.
Roman was panting.
"Are you listening to me?", she asked.
"Not a fucking word, I'm sorry babe, but can we please talk about this tomorrow. Please", he sighed.
She shook her head at him and he turned them over.
"I love you", he whispered.
She smiled.
"I love you too", she replied.
The next morning, the girls were still asleep. Amaya decided to get started on a load of laundry. Someone knocked and she opened the door. Valerie stood there.
"Valerie, what, I thought we told you that you had to call first", Amaya said.
"I know, but it's been two years and, I just want to see her. She's my daughter", Valerie said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Val, I get that, but we had an agreement. Showing up unannounced, without letting us speak to Autumn about you coming back into her life, it rocks her world", Amaya said.
Valerie nodded.
"Give us a few days to get her use to the idea of you being back. Slowly, Val", Amaya said.
Valerie wiped her cheeks and nodded.
"Roman is going to call you later to have lunch. Take your sponsor with you, proof of your treatments and that you're working", Amaya said.
Valerie nodded.
"You look good Val. I'm glad you got the help you needed", Amaya said.
"Thanks", she replied softly.
Roman came to the door and sent a nod to Valerie.
"Val, you can't...", Amaya stopped him.
"She knows", Amaya said.
Roman nodded.
"You hungry? Lets get some breakfast, call your sponsor and tell her to meet us there. I need a few things before we go to the judge and ask to start your visitation with Autumn", Roman said.
"Okay", Valerie replied.
Roman kissed Amaya.
"See you later", he said, squeezing her hip.
She nodded and they got into his car. Amaya trusted Roman and knew she didn't have to worry about them being alone together.
The drive to the restaurant Val told her sponsor to meet them at, was quiet. He finally cleared his throat.
"You look good Valerie. Healthy", he said.
She smiled.
"Thanks", she replied.
"Are you working?", he asked.
She nodded.
"Yeah. Bagging groceries, but it's a job right", she said.
"True. Good for you.", Roman said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset Autumn and go against the agreement. I just really wanted to see her", Valerie said.
He nodded.
"I get that, but you also have to remember you haven't been around in two years. We explained to her as best we could about where you were. We read her your letters and she has them in a box Amaya bought her.", Roman said.
She nodded.
"She calls Amaya mom", she said.
"Yeah. She hears Malia call her that so she just started. We didn't want to tell her to stop because we didn't want her to feel left out.", he explained.
"No, I get it.", Valerie said.
He nodded. Getting to the restaurant, they got off the car and walked in. Laura smiled and shook Roman's hand.
"Should we sit?", Laura asked.
Roman and Valerie nodded. Apart of him hoped Valerie was better, for Autumn's sake.
