Chapter 12: Murderer

Danny's face completely fell as he stared at the beautiful child being held in Lacey's arms. His eyes traveled from the child to Lacey. What Lacey saw was no longer anger or indignation of her. She saw a pain she never thought she'd ever see in Danny Desai's eyes.

"I need to get out of here." Danny turned to walk away quickly.

Lacey felt numb as she gripped tightly to her son. Danny's lawyer shook her head in disgust. "To think, Mr. Desai told me to go easy on you. All he wanted was rights to his son but he wanted to try to work with you out of court. He didn't want to cause you unnecessary pain. I was the one to tell him to go hard this go round so you'd get the hint and not fight him." Ms. Winthrop glanced up and down Lacey with disgust.

Lacey didn't even hear Danny's lawyer's words. She was busy watching Danny walk away. She pulled Thomas tighter to her hip before following after Danny. Trevor chuckled slightly as he looked at Macy.

"Why are you laughing? Danny's son called him a murderer." Macy placed her hands on her hips. "That is repulsive."

"Lacey would never have her son do that." Trevor nodded towards the way Lacey was hurrying to catch up with Danny. "In case you didn't notice, those two are still in love. Why don't we work out something together that will be of benefit to both our clients?"

"Like what?" Macy grinned. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well, I take it that Danny is wanting joint custody or visitation." Trevor walked until he and Macy were in a private room outside of the medical rooms. "Right?"

Macy and Trevor both sat down across from one another. Macy agreed. "Yes. He was cheated out of being his father for three and a half years."

"Thomas is autistic. Change is very upsetting for him. He needs a schedule and familiar faces." Trevor held up his hand to quiet Macy before she spoke. "Lacey isn't trying to hurt Danny. She's trying to protect Thomas."

"She really should have thought of that when she kept the boy hidden from his father." Macy crossed her arms as she leaned back. "I haven't heard anything beneficial to my client yet."

"I was thinking that Danny Desai and Lacey Porter are to move in together in a platonic relationship. Of course."

Macy snorted. "Of course."

"We will have to work out the logistics of where. I think both their places of residence. That way Thomas will get to know Danny's environment as well. But Thomas will get to know Danny in Lacey's house as a familiar face." Trevor leaned up placing his elbows on the table that sat between them. "We can start drawing up our own drafts and work out the fine points with our clients."

Macy rubbed her neck. "You know both are going to fight this."

"Sure do. But honestly, Macy, Thomas will not stay without his mother. Danny Desai has no clue about a child with Thomas's needs. This way he can learn." Trevor shrugged. "If we present this like it is what is best for Thomas, both parents will agree."

"True." Macy stood up and placed her briefcase strap over her shoulder. "I'll start the paperwork. This DNA test will be back in two days. I'll clear my schedule for Friday. How does that sound?"

Trevor stood up as well. "Sounds like we are going to get through this with a lot less pain."

"Try to convince our clients of that." Macy chuckled as she walked out of the room.

In the meantime, Danny had made it down the hall and was leaning against a white wall. His legs were crossed at his ankles as he slouched in position. Lacey approached him cautiously.

"What do you want, Lacey?" Danny never opened his eyes as he spoke.

He could smell her freshly showered scent as soon as she walked up. Lacey never wore heavy perfumed scents. Her perfume was always subtle like a spring breeze. There was only a hint of wild flowers mixed with a freshness of a breeze. Danny loved that smell. He remembered making love to her as the smell of her skin teased his nose. Nothing would ever be as tempting as Lacey's scent to him.

"Tell him you're sorry, Thomas." Lacey placed her body next to Danny's.

Danny opened his eyes to look at the small boy in Lacey's arms. Thomas stared at the ceiling as he repeated Lacey's words. "I'm sorry."

Danny chuckled slightly at how cute the boy was. "I'm not mad at him, Lacey. I know that he only repeats what he's been told. I know you would never tell your son those words either. I'm upset that you've allowed him to hear you say that about me. It hurts that the very first words that I hear from Thomas are..." Danny stammered out. "..are those words."

"I've never said those words." Lacey defended herself. "I would never say those words."

Danny looked at Lacey then to Thomas. He didn't believe Lacey despite her being visibly upset. "Where did he hear them then?"

"I have no clue. But you have to believe me, Danny." Lacey pleaded. She may be angry at his actions earlier but she would never try and hurt Danny so badly.

Thomas hummed as he noticed his mother getting upset. He placed his wrist to his forehead and hummed louder. "Grandpa. Granpa. Danny is a murderer."

Lacey was shocked at Thomas's words. He was trying to articulate what he had heard. "I'm so sorry, Danny."

Danny shook his head. That explained a lot. Samuel never did like him that much. Although, he couldn't blame him. Danny was a lot of trouble for Lacey. "I need to get some things done. You need to call your lawyer boyfriend and set up a meeting with my lawyer too." Danny pushed off the wall. "I know Thomas doesn't want me near him right now. But I'd do anything to hold him." Danny stuck his hands in the pocket of his dress pants. "I know he's not ready for that. But I'm trying here, Lacey."

"I am too, Danny." Lacey kissed her son's cheek. "I know my mistakes. But now I'm trying for him."

Danny shook his head in understanding. He turned and walked away.

She watched Danny walking away resisting the urge to chase after him. She was a stronger woman than that. Lacey cursed lowly before adding."I hate myself for still loving you, Danny Desai."