Free No Safeword: Matte - Happily Ever After (Safewords) by Candace Blevins

handle.”
    He squeezed her hand back. “I’ll go ahead and buy the materials to make one, then, and you need to consider how you want to write your contract addendum.”
    “Are you upset I’m considering writing a change?”
    “Not upset, exactly. I’m…” He paused long enough Sam wasn’t sure he’d finish his sentence, but he finally said, “I’m pleased to know if I truly cross the line you’ll let me know, and at the same time disappointed you’re taking back some of your power.”
    Sam considered his words a few moments before saying, “I’m good with that, actually, as I’m pretty conflicted about it, too.”
    He laughed, “What, if you’re conflicted then I should be, too?”
    “Yeah,” she agreed. “Pretty much.”
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    The Masterson’s court date was moved several times, and the following week Sam once again found herself in front of the judge.
    She was determined to keep the other attorney from postponing the inevitable yet another time, so she made notes as Mr. Masterson’s attorney once again presented a pile of reasons the case shouldn’t be heard.
    The judge eyed Sam, expecting her to protest, and she didn’t disappoint, pointing out it was important the couple find closure so each could move on with their lives, emphasizing the increased legal costs with each postponement, and a dozen other points of contention.
    The judge asked questions of both sides and rubbed his forehead. Sam asked to speak again, and when the judge waved his hand in what looked like permission, she suggested the judge look over his remarks from the last time he allowed a delay. She knew she was skating on thin ice, but felt the risk negligible for this particular case.
    She supplied the paperwork when she saw him flipping through pages without finding it, and could tell by the look on his face they’d be hearing the case today, before he said a word.
    Things went well before the lunch break, and Sam ate with her legal assistant and Jenna Masterson while the three brainstormed a list of points Sam hadn’t brought up yet. Sam stressed, again, how important it was the judge see Jenna as mature and in control. 
    Barely two hours after lunch, the judge awarded Jenna Masterson the house and everything in it except Mr. Masterson’s clothing and the items left to him in his father’s will. He ordered a police officer to escort the couple to the family home after court to make the changeover. He also awarded the highest percentage of alimony and child support the law allowed, with no visitation. He told Mr. Masterson he should continue with anger management classes and therapy, and when a psychologist was willing to state he could be around his children, he could request the court change the current arrangements.
    Sam sent her legal assistant back to the office to prepare paperwork so they could get everything filed that afternoon. She wrote the name of a locksmith for Jenna Masterson, stressing she should have all locks changed, including the codes for the garage doors. She also gave her the name of someone who could make enough changes to her alarm system so her ex-husband wouldn’t know how to get around it to enter the home.
    “Does this mean we can’t stay at the women and children’s shelter anymore?”
    “I think it’s a good idea to stay there tonight, while his temper is likely riding high. However, I doubt he’ll want anything else on his record before standing trial in criminal court in a few weeks.”
    Sam called the police service center to request the court-ordered escort for Mrs. Masterson. She again recommended Jenna Masterson allow her ex-husband to take any items belonging to him as a child, or given to him by his parents or siblings, as well as anything related to his job, and anything else with special meaning for him but not the rest of the family. “The judge is trusting you to be the adult, since it’s obvious your ex-husband can’t. You don’t want him