Chapter 21 - Paige does not disappear
I once assumed that establishing paternity meant Paige would step aside.
She did not.
Good.
Nora had lost Leah.
Paige had been part of her life since birth.
Then after Leah’s death, Paige became the first stable adult.
Why would biology require another loss?
My original custody petition had treated Paige like temporary scaffolding.
That was arrogant.
I apologized.
We sat at a café.
“I came in like you were keeping my daughter.”
Paige looked at me.
“You kind of did.”
“Fair.”
“I thought you’d take her and decide I was unnecessary.”
“I almost did.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“Your lawyer’s petition.”
Right.
I laughed bitterly.
“I’m sorry.”
Paige nodded.
Then:
“I’m not trying to be Nora’s mom forever.”
“You’re her aunt forever.”
“Yes.”
There.
The eventual arrangement developed gradually.
Paternity established.
Paige retained temporary guardianship for six more months.
My visits expanded.
Afternoons.
Full days.
One overnight.
Weekend.
Nora’s therapist tracked response.
No sudden handoff.
At month seven, primary physical custody transitioned to me.
Paige received regular aunt contact by agreement.
Not court-mandated initially, later written into our parenting plan for stability.
One weekend a month.
Parts of holidays.
Vacation days.
I did not call that losing time.
Eventually.
May you like
At first I did.
Growth.
