The Stolen Child

Do We Have An Agreement?

"I'm late!" I huffed as I threw the car in park, slamming the door and rushing into the building. Luke had asked me to meet him at his office and I got held up at the restaurant. I hurried inside and was greeted by the receptionist.

"Good Morning Mrs. Knight. Mr. Hamilton was expecting you, please, go right in."

"Thank you Liv." I said as I made my way down the hall and to Luke's office. I gently tapped on the door.

"Come in." I heard Luke's muffled voice call from the other side of the wood barrier.

"Noe!" Luke said as I peeked my head in the office. I smiled at him and sat down in the chair across from his desk.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. One of the chefs almost caught the whole kitchen on fire. It was a total mess."

"Don't worry about it Noe." He said as he leaned against the desk in front of me.

"So, what's up." I asked him. He smiled and took a deep breath.

"I'll do it." He beamed at me.

"You mean my child? You'll help me?"

"Yes. I've thought about it and you are my best friend Noemi. If I have an opportunity to help you, I will do it."

"OH LUKE!" I jumped up, wrapping my arms around his neck and squeezing him tightly. He laughed and returned the embrace.

"Thank you so much! You don't realize how happy you have just made me!"

"Oh, I think I do." He laughed. "Have you heard from Cass?" He inquired.

"Yes. A few days ago. She agreed as well."

"That's great, Noe. So, when do we get started?"

"As soon as possible. But Luke, I want to make some things clear." His brow furrowed as the atmosphere became heavy with seriousness.

"Okay."

"I know this will technically be your child. But Luke, I'm asking you to do this for me. For me and for Brody."

"I know…"

"No…Luke, I'm asking for you to not have any interest in the child. This will be Brody and my child. No shared custody or anything like that. I'm asking you to step away, to not view this child as your own. Can you do that? Can you promise me?"

"Of course." He said without hesitation. "I understand the circumstances. I know you wouldn't have asked me had it been absolutely imperative. I am not ready for kids yet, and even if I was, I would never take your child away from you. I am doing this to help you and Brody. Nothing more. I don't want anything from this. Not even the child."

"Thank you." I said as a wave of relief washed over me. "That being said, I do want you to be a part of this child's life. You are my best friend and I don't want anything to change."

"Easy enough." He said as he pulled me in for another hug.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to."

"Okay. I'll have my lawyer draw up an agreement. I'll call you and Cass when it's ready. Sound good?" I asked as he walked me to the door.

"Yes." He gently kissed my cheek. "See you later, Noe." I couldn't help but do a happy dance as I stood next to my car. Everything was working out so well. I didn't think that Luke or Cass would agree to this as easily as they did. I was beyond lucky to have friends like them. I got in my car and immediately called my attorney. I instructed her to draw up an agreement for both Cass and Luke. One that would also strip them of their rights to the child, understanding that this baby would be solely Brody and I's child.

—--

"Thanks guys for meeting here today." Cass, Luke, Brody, my attorney and I all sat at a table in my restaurant. I had asked them all to meet here before we opened for lunch. The paperwork was complete and ready to be signed. I was one step closer to having the baby I had always wanted.

"Thank you." I smiled up at the waitresses who brought us all our meal.

"This looks delicious, Noemi. What is it?" Cass asked as she dug into the salad in front of her.

"It's a spinach, avocado, chicken salad." I smiled. "It's not on the menu. I had the chef create a special meal for us all today."

We quickly ate lunch, talking about our day and veering away from the baby talk for now. I didn't want to talk business while we were eating. Luckily, everyone avoided that topic as well. Brody leaned back in his chair, his arm around the back of mine.

"I'm stuffed." He chuckled as Luke and Cass agreed with him.

"Well, shall we get down to business?" Lauren, my attorney asked as she reached into her black leather bag, producing a thick folder. I called a waitress over to clear the table. Once the table was cleared and cleaned, Lauren slid a stack of papers in front of Luke, handed one to Cass and another to Brody and I.

"This is the agreement we have written up for you guys." She smiled at everyone. "I can't believe you all came together to support each other. Cass and Luke, you both are amazing friends to do this for Brody and Noemi."

"Anything for my bestie." Cass beamed at me.

"Yeah." Luke agreed. "We want you guys to have the world. If we can help you do that, we absolutely will."

"Thank you." I mouthed at both of them as tears filled my eyes. Lauren quickly went over the agreement we had written up. Pointing out important things, and having everyone initial that they understood.

"Anyone have questions so far?" Lauren paused, waiting for questions." Everyone shook their heads.

"Okay. So, here is the most important part. Cass and Luke, we've covered that Brody and Noemi will cover all costs associated with the baby, including hospital and doctor costs. But, I need you both to understand this child will belong solely to Brody and Noemi." She paused again, her eyes darting between Cass and Luke. They both nodded in understanding.

"This section here says that you both agree to deny any claim to the child. Luke, this is especially important for you. This child will biological be yours. We are asking you to agree to release any claim to this child. You will be giving up all parental rights to this baby. Leaving sole custody to Noemi and Brody. Is this understood and are we all in agreement?"

"Absolutely." Cass immediately said. Luke sat there for a moment. I could see the wheels turning in his mind and for a second my heart dropped. Had he changed his mind?

"I agree. I know this is your child. I'm not ready for a kid yet. I am here to help my friends have the child they can't." I let out the breath I had been holding as he picked up the pen, signing the paperwork.

"Great!" Lauren scooped up the paperwork, quickly inking her signature on them all as well. "I will get this filed with the courts today. You guys are all set. Congratulations everyone." She handed everyone a copy of what we had just signed, and shook all of our hands before she left.

"Thank you, so much." Tears streamed down my face as I pulled Luke and Cass into a warm hug. Brody grabbed Luke's hand, shaking it firmly.

"Thanks man. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you doing this for us."

"Anytime man." Luke patted Brody on the back. "I have to get back to work. But I will catch you guys later." He said before leaving.

"So, when are we doing this?" Cass asked.

"I don't know." I said as I took a sip from my glass. "We need to figure it out though."

"Well, I'm good for whenever." Cass smiled.

"I'd like it to be soon. I can't wait for my little baby. To finally have a child of my own, of our own. I would feel like my life is complete." Brody pulled me into his body, gently kissing my forehead.

"Well, I'm on board. We just need to get it all figured out with Luke." She laughed as she gestured towards the door.

"I'm sure he's good for whenever. He doesn't have the difficult part. That's you." I giggled as I pointed to my stomach.

"Right! Why does he get the easy part. It's all fun for him." We all laughed at her comment.

"You're not kidding though." I got control of my giggles. "But seriously Cass. I will be paying for all of this. Anything you need, I will supply. Okay?"

"I really don't think that's necessary."

"Cass, it's our baby. We won't take no for an answer. You're helping us out so much. I feel like it's the least that we are doing for you through this whole thing." Brody controlled the conversation.

"Well, if you insist." Cass giggled and winked at Brody.

"Noemi, are we good to open for lunch?" Lacy, my manager, came over to our table.

"Oh! Absolutely!" I jumped up out of the chair, checking my watch.

"I better get going anyway." Cass said. We hugged and said our goodbyes before heading to our cars.

"I cannot believe how well that went!" I said to Brody as we drove home. He held my hand over the console of the car, gently lifting it to his lips, kissing my fingers.

"Neither can I." He smiled at me as we headed home. "We really have amazing friends." Brody and I both collapsed on the couch the moment we walked through the door.

"Um…Noe." I detected nervousness in Brody's voice.

"What's up?" I said as I snuggled up to Brody.

"We need to talk."