Almost Easy

Chapter Sixty-Five:

Doug’s POV

I bustled about my office, trying to get all of my business taken care of, so I could take Lydia down to the gun range. It seems like there’s always so much to do and very little time. A shrill ringing filled the room. I skimmed the top of my desk and didn’t see my phone. Where did I put it? I looked up and saw Lydia shrugging. She was reading, while I was finishing my paperwork.

“I’ll find it.” She offered, setting her novel down.

“Thank you, Sweetheart.” I smiled at her and continued my work. I heard her rifle through my things, before walking my mobile over to me. I looked at the Caller ID and saw a blocked number. I sighed. I normally don’t receive blocked numbers. This is the number that I give out if it’s necessary for someone to get a hold of me. I have another phone that only a handful of people are able to have. Against my better judgment, I answered it. “Baker,” I said, not giving too much away.

“Hello Doug,” a deep voice drawled.

“Who is this?” I replied. The person on the other end of the call chuckled.

“I’m honestly surprised that you don’t remember me, Mr. Baker. My name is Adam Hotchner. I am Lydia’s biological father.” Adam revealed. My curiosity turned to annoyance.

“What do you want Adam?” I asked him. “Let’s not waste time playing games. You rang me. Spit it out. I’m not in the mood to fuck around.”

“I didn’t expect profanities from such a revered man.” He taunted to me.

“Get to the point, or this conversation is over.” I told him. He chuckled, again.

“It has been brought to my attention that you’re trying to adopt my daughter.” He said, evenly.

“That’s true.” I confirmed for him.

“I would like to wave my parental rights, so you can make that possible.” He confessed.
“What’s the catch?” I asked him.

“I would like to meet with you and Lydia to make sure that it’s what she wants. My daughter and I may not share the best relationship, but I don’t want to sign her life away to someone that she doesn’t wish to share it with.” He said, almost sounding like a genuinely considered parent – almost.

“I would have to check with her, before agreeing to anything. I would need to get it approved by a judge, as well. I realize that you may not understand how a protective order works, seeing as you have already violated it, twice… You aren’t allowed to come within five hundred feet of Lydia. I am not about to break the law for you.” I told him.

“We couldn’t have that, now. Can we?” He teased. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go ask her. This offer has an expiration date and I’m not waiting around for you all day.” He huffed.

“Very well,” I agreed, putting him on hold. I set down my phone and looked at Lydia. She looked at me, confused. “Your father has kindly offered to rescind his parental rights, so we can proceed with the adoption.” I explained to her.

“What’s the catch?” I asked him.

“He wants to meet with us, before he’ll sign any papers.” I admitted.

“It can’t be that easy.” She argued. I didn’t know what to tell her.

“That’s all that he would admit to. We both know that he has something else on his agenda, but if he’s offering to work with us, even for now, I think we would be daft not to accept it. It’ll bring us one step closer. Your mother is another problem for another day, but it’ll help to have Adam on board.”

“Fine, but we’re bringing backup.” She compromised. I nodded and gave her a hug. I kissed her temple and held her to me a moment longer, before letting go.

“I’ll have my best attorneys present, along with Tony and few other men, and a notary. Things will be official. We won’t have to keep meeting up with him. I promise you that, Sweetheart.” I assured her. She nodded.

“Okay.” She agreed, perching herself on the edge of my desk, as I picked up my phone.

“Lydia has agreed to those terms. I’ll need to have the meeting cleared, before we set up anything else.” I told him. “Adam, I am not someone you want to cross. It would be very unwise if try anything to hurt her.” I threatened him. He chuckled.

“You really love my leftovers – don’t you? First my ex-wife, and now my daughter… It must be hard knowing that you don’t have a wife or daughter of your own.” He sneered.

“I do have a daughter. The difference between us is that I know how a woman is supposed to be treated. I don’t have the sadistic need to harm my family to be happy. If there’s nothing else, I do have to get going. I’m a busy man and I don’t have time to waste on idle chitchat with bitter, sad excuse of a man.” I growled, letting my anger get the best of me. I’m sure that it’ll come back to haunt me, but I can’t bring myself to care.

“Have a nice day, Douglas. I look forward to finally meeting you.” He told me, almost professionally.

“Goodbye.” I ended the phone call. “What a load of shit.” I sighed.

“Is everything okay?” Lydia asked me. I nodded.

“Everything is fine, Sweetheart. Don’t worry about Adam. I’ll take care of it. I’ll let you know when we’re meeting with him. Why don’t you go slip on your shoes? After the range, why don’t we go to lunch, just the two of us? How does that sound, Love?”I asked her. She smiled.

“That sounds nice.”

“Brilliant. Get your shoes and we’ll go.” I told her. I watched her go, before pulling out my other mobile. I’ve had Adam and Lynn being trailed since they showed up at the mall. Neither of them have done anything since that merits illegal activity. I know that her father has something else up his sleeve, I just don’t know what.

Notes

That was almost too easy; wasn't it? New chapter up Thursday night! (I'm trying to catch back up, writing-wise.)

Thoughts? Comments? Predictions?

Lots of love,
Katie