The rest of the case was standard reports on how each parent could best support Matthew. The case closed that afternoon and the judge promised a verdict the following morning. Neither Max nor Steph slept that night. Steph eventually gave up and went to sit in the lounge, flicking through the channels on the TV, looking for something to distract herself.

In her mind she planned out the rest of her life. Tomorrow the judge would tell them that she was awarding Steph custody. Then she and Matthew would move back in with Max and Summer and they'd be a family, maybe she and Max could get around to marrying...

Or Ian would get custody, and despite visiting arrangements she would lose her son. Max had promised that no matter what, he would be there for her, but part of her wondered if...

Then she realised. She'd always been so caught up in the idea that Max wouldn't want her that she'd been pushing him away. She'd married someone else and convinced herself that he would hate her for it. But he hadn't. He wanted her, loved her, and let her do her own thing; even if that thing was her leaving him.

Tomorrow would be the start of their life together. Steph just prayed it included her son.


In the morning she went over to number 32 and handed Max an envelope. "My divorce has come through," she said. "Fitting day for it."

"I guess," he said. "You OK?"

"I'll be a lot better when this is over. I can't stand not knowing."

"It'll be fine. I promised you that a long time ago."

"I know," she smiled.

"And I love you. No matter what."

"I love you too," she said. "I mean that."

"Good," he said "Let's get going."


"Both parties have done questionable things in the run up to this case," the judge said. "But this isn't about what they've done or not done. This is about what they will do. Both of them can provide Matthew with a loving home and environment. Both parents will provide for their son. In cases where there is an equal balance, it is left to the judge's discretion.

"Mrs Tait," she addressed. "The state of your love life leaves a lot to be desired. On the surface you seem to be unable to decide who you want to be with. But behind that I know there are reasons. The loss of your father was perhaps the most profound one, and it is that which has brought us here today. But if I were to judge you on having feelings for two men, I would be doing you a disservice. You are obviously a loving mother and your devotion to your son prompted you to sever ties with Mr Hoyland. The strength that must have taken cannot be ignored.

"Mr Tait," she added, "can undoubtedly provide his son with a large network of relatives, and his business interests will more than allow for him to cope as a single parent. Whatever deal, or dare I say it, threats he made to his former wife are not proven... but the mere accusation is enough to cause concern.

"Matthew is lucky, he has two parents who will do anything for him, at whatever sacrifice to themselves. But only Mrs Tait made an unconditional sacrifice, and I do not see why she should be punished for that.

"I award custody to Stephanie Tait, with fortnightly visitations rights for Ian Tait to be arranged through a social worker."

Steph sat there in stunned silence, part of her refusing to believe what she'd just heard. "Did...?"

"Yeah," Toadie said.

"I...?"

"Steph, close your mouth, go hug Max, and go home to your son," Toadie laughed.

"I might just do that," she said.


Steph peered round the corner of the lounge and grinned. "He looks cute," she whispered.

Behind her, Max's arms slid round her waist and a light kiss was placed on her shoulder. "You can hardly see him for the paper."

"He's having fun," she said.

"He's not the only one."

On the lounge room floor, Summer was giggling as she threw sheet after sheet of wrapping paper over Matthew's head. He was laughing and waving his hands about, pushing them off. When Summer paused, either for breath or to find more paper, Matthew would get to his feet and totter across to her, a fistful of paper which he would drop into her lap; his way of playing the game.

"Do you think we should put him to bed?" Max asked.

"He's having fun."

"He'll be tired tomorrow."

"That's tomorrow."

"He's had a big week. What with his birthday and..."

"And today," Steph grinned, turning around in his arms.

"Ma!" Matthew giggled as Summer scooped him into her lap and began to tickle him.

"That you or me?" Steph whispered.

"Ax!" came the next laugh from the toddler.

"That one was me," Max said.

"You know, it didn't feel like this last time."

"Which time?" he quipped.

"Funny," she replied. "I don't mean us. With Ian... It was such a big occasion. I spent the first half of the night saying hello to everyone, and the second half saying goodnight."

"You don't regret it then?"

"What? Me and mine with you and yours? I wouldn't have had it any other way."

"Ma!" Matthew laughed.

"OK you two," Steph said, stepping out of Max's arms. "Time for this one to go to bed." She picked Matthew up and carried him through to what used to be Boyd's room.

"You can clear up," Max said.

"Matthew made the mess," Summer said.

"I don't care," he grinned.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Are you and Steph going to have a baby? One that's yours?"

"I don't know, sweetheart. Maybe."

"It feels like Matthew is, you know. I sometimes forget he's..."

"He is ours," Max said.

Steph cleared her throat behind him. "Matthew wants a goodnight story from his big sister," she said.

Summer took the excuse to stop clearing up and dashed into the nursery.

"He's ours?" Steph questioned when they were alone.

"Yeah, didn't you read the fine print on the marriage licence?" Max asked. "What's yours is now mine."

"You mean that?"

"You love my kids like they were your own, Steph. And you didn't need a wedding ring to do it. I love that boy, I always will. Just like I love his mum."

"Yeah, definitely didn't feel like this with Ian."

"At the risk of hurting my ego further, what did it feel like?"

"Like... like our wedding day was the first step into the unknown. And I saw it as an adventure for us. But with you," she said, walking over to him, "it's like... I don't know. Like it should be. Like there was no way we couldn't not get married, you know?"

"Like we're meant to be?"

"Exactly. So, how's your ego now?"

Max held up his thumb and forefinger, the distance between them a little bit bigger.

Steph came in closer and kissed him.

The distance got bigger.

She kissed him again.

He moved his fingers further apart.

"Definitely meant to be," she whispered.