Chapter 13 - THE CHILDREN CHOSE THE SCHEDULE
The custody process was quieter than the financial case.
Nathan did not fight for full custody.
That surprised everyone except me.
He loved Lily and Owen.
Whatever else he had become, I believed that.
But he also understood the children had seen too much conflict.
We agreed to a temporary shared schedule with family counseling.
One condition came from me.
Judith and Vanessa could not have unsupervised access until the children’s therapist recommended otherwise.
Nathan initially resisted.
“They’re family.”
I looked at him.
“So am I.”
He stopped.
Then nodded.
The children met with a therapist named Dr. Maya Ellis.
After several weeks, she asked Lily what she wanted.
Lily answered.
“I want Dad.”
“Not Grandma dinner.”
Owen wanted.
“Dad at the park.”
“Mom at home.”
Children simplify what adults overcomplicate.
Nathan began taking them to museums.
Soccer.
Breakfast.
No Judith.
No Vanessa.
At first, he complained that it felt unnatural.
Then Lily stopped getting stomachaches before visits.
That ended his complaints.
One evening, Nathan brought the children home.
He stood on the porch.
The house behind me glowed warmly.
He looked past my shoulder.
“The table moved.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Lily wanted it moved.”
He smiled sadly.
“Of course she did.”
Then he said.
“I miss this place.”
I did not apologize.
“You can miss something you no longer get to live inside.”
He nodded.
No anger.
That was new.
Then he asked.
“Do you miss me?”
I thought carefully.
“I miss who we were before your fear of your family became stronger than your loyalty to us.”
“That person was real.”
“I know.”
“Is he gone?”
Nathan’s eyes filled.
“I don’t know.”
That answer was more honest than promising change.
I nodded.
“Figure it out for yourself.”
“Not to get me back.”
He looked at me.
May you like
“I know.”
For the first time, I thought maybe he did.
