Pretty Baby

Chapter 15

I adjust Penny in her stroller as we step out of the limo onto the bustling streets of Nashville. The Country Music Hall of Fame looms before us, its windows glinting in the late afternoon sun. Jade stands beside me, her eyes wide as she takes in the impressive building.

"Wow," she breathes. "It's bigger than I expected."

I chuckle, reaching out to take her hand. "Wait ‘til you see what's inside. Ready for a crash course in country music history?"

Jade grins, squeezing my hand. "Lead the way, Professor Fulton."

As we enter the museum, I'm struck by the reverent hush that falls over us. The air is thick with the weight of musical history, decades of stories and songs preserved within these walls. Penny coos softly in her carrier, her wide eyes taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

We start our tour in the Rotunda, where the plaques of Hall of Fame members line the walls. I find myself pointing out names to Jade, sharing little anecdotes about each artist.

"That's Hank Williams," I say, nodding towards one of the plaques. "The original country music outlaw. Died at twenty-nine, but left behind a legacy that still influences musicians today."

Jade listens intently, her eyes moving from plaque to plaque. "It's amazing how many of these names I recognize, even though I'm not really a country fan."

I nod, understanding. "That's the thing about great music. It transcends genres. These artists, they weren't just writing country songs. They were telling stories, sharing experiences that resonate with people from all walks of life. I live in the country music capital of America, and don’t have a single country song in my entire discography."

Jade laughs, “Why’d you even move here? Shouldn’t your style be more California or New York even?”

I continue to push Penny’s stroller, “I moved here to be closer to the record company. I basically lived in their office for the first few years before I really made it big. And then I never felt like leaving after that.”

As we move through the exhibits, I find myself getting more and more animated. I point out vintage guitars, explain the significance of certain costumes, and share trivia about recording techniques. Jade listens with rapt attention, occasionally asking questions that show she's really engaging with everything I’m saying.

We pause in front of a display about the evolution of country music, tracing its roots from Appalachian folk to modern pop-country. Jade turns to me, her expression thoughtful.

"Zac," she says softly, "tell me how much music means to you. I mean, I know you're a musician, but seeing you here... it's like you come alive in a different way."

I unbuckle Penny from her stroller and pick her up to buy myself some time. I take a deep breath, considering her question. Penny chooses that moment to let out a happy gurgle, reaching out to pat my cheek. I smile, bouncing her gently as I gather my thoughts.

"Music... it's everything, Jade," I begin, my voice low. "It's been my constant companion, my solace in dark times, my way of expressing joy. When I was a kid, uploading songs on MySpace, feeling lost and angry, music was the one thing that made sense to me. It gave me a voice when I felt voiceless."

I pause, running a hand through my hair. “As I got older, it became my way of connecting with the world. Every song I write, every performance... it's like I'm reaching out, trying to touch something bigger than myself. And when it works, when I see that connection in the audience's eyes... there's no feeling like it in the world."

Jade's eyes are soft as she listens, her hand finding mine. "That's beautiful, Zac. I think I understand a little better now why you do what you do."

I nod, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "It's not always easy. The life of a musician... it can be brutal. The highs are incredible, but the lows... they can destroy you if you're not careful."

"Is that what happened before?" Jade asks gently. "Before Penny? Before us?"

I look down at Penny, her innocent face a reminder of how much my life has changed. "Yeah, I guess so. I lost sight of why I was making music in the first place. Got caught up in the lifestyle, the drama. But now..."

"Now?" Jade prompts.

I meet her gaze, feeling a surge of emotion. "Now, I have a reason to stay grounded. To remember what really matters."

Jade's eyes shimmer with unshed tears. She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "We're lucky to have you, daddy."

The moment is broken by Penny, who decides she's had enough of being still, and starts to fuss. We laugh, the heavy atmosphere dissipating.

"I think someone's ready for a break," I say, tickling Penny's tummy. "How about we check out the gift shop, and then grab some dinner?"

Jade nods, her smile bright. "Sounds perfect."

In the gift shop, Jade insists on buying Penny a tiny cowboy hat, which looks ridiculous and adorable on her.

~ ~ ~

The warm Nashville sun beats down on us as we step out of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Penny babbles happily in her stroller, still wearing the tiny cowboy hat we bought her in the gift shop. Jade's hand is warm in mine, her smile bright as she takes in the bustling street around us.

It’s funny how something as simple as holding her hand makes the world disappear. In this moment, she isn’t just a woman. She’s the universe, and I’m the lucky man floating in her orbit.

"That was amazing, Zac," she says, squeezing my hand. "I never knew country music had such a long history."

I grin, feeling lighter than I have in years. "Glad you enjoyed it, beautiful."

As we start to make our way down the sidewalk, a man in a crisp suit approaches us. His eyes lock onto me, and I feel a sudden unease in the pit of my stomach.

"Excuse me," he says, his voice clipped and professional. "Are you Zac Fulton?"

I nod, trying to keep my tone casual. "That's me. Can I help you with something?"

The man reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a thick envelope. "Mr. Fulton, you've been served."

My heart drops as he hands me the envelope. I take it mechanically, my mind racing. "What is this about?"

"Child custody papers, sir," the man replies, his tone neutral. "Regarding your daughter, Penny. Your ex-girlfriend is seeking full custody."

The world seems to tilt on its axis. I stare at the envelope in my hands, unable to process what I'm hearing. Jade's grip on my arm tightens, and I can feel her concern radiating off her in waves.

"Zac?" she says softly. "What's going on?"

I look up at the man, anger and fear warring inside me. "This is bullshit," I spit out. "She can't do this. Penny is my daughter."

The man takes a step back, his hands raised placatingly. "I'm just the messenger, Mr. Fulton. All the information you need is in those papers. Have a good day."

As he walks away, I stand frozen on the sidewalk, the envelope burning in my hands. Penny, oblivious to the tension, continues to babble happily in her stroller.

Jade's voice cuts through my shock. "Zac, we need to go. We need to talk to Xavier."

Her words snap me back to reality. I nod, my jaw clenched tight. "Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Let's go."

The limo ride back to our house is a blur. I clutch the envelope, resisting the urge to tear it open right there. Jade keeps a comforting hand on my knee, but I can see the worry in her eyes.

As soon as we're back at the house, Xavier is nowhere to be found. I call Xavier. He picks up on the second ring.

"Hey man? What's up? How was the museum?"

"X, we've got a problem," I say, my voice tight. "I just got served with custody papers. She's trying to take Penny away from me."

There's a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Then, "Shit. Okay, don't panic. I'm on my way. Don't open those papers until I get there."

The next thirty minutes are the longest of my life. I pace the room, alternating between rage and terror. Jade takes care of Penny, her calm presence the only thing keeping me from completely losing it.

When Xavier finally arrives, he's not alone. A woman in a sharp suit follows him into the room, her expression serious but kind.

"Zac, this is Abby Lawson," Xavier says. "She's the best family attorney in Nashville. I called in a favor."

Abby steps forward, extending her hand. "Mr. Fulton, I understand you're in a difficult situation. I'm here to help."

I shake her hand, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time since receiving the papers. "Thank you for coming. I... I don't know what to do."

Abby nods, her expression sympathetic. "That's understandable. Why don't we sit down and go through these papers together? Then we can discuss your options."

We gather around the dinner table. Jade sits next to me, her hand on my back a constant source of comfort. Xavier takes Penny, entertaining her in the corner of the room while we talk.

Abby opens the envelope and starts to read through the documents. Her face remains neutral, but I can see her eyebrows raise at certain points.

"Alright, Mr. Fulton," she says finally, looking up at me. "I've reviewed the petition. Your ex-girlfriend is seeking full custody of Penny, citing your lifestyle and career as reasons why you're an unfit parent."

I feel a surge of anger. "That's ridiculous. I've been there for Penny every day of her life. I'm a good father, and Chloe literally fucking abandoned Penny on my doorstep"

Abby holds up a hand. "I believe you, Mr. Fulton. But we need to approach this calmly and strategically. Can you tell me about your current custody arrangement?"

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "We don't have a formal arrangement. When Penny was born, her mother and I were not really even in a monogamous relationship. After she disappeared, I just... figured it out as I went along. I've had Penny with me for the past few months while I've been working on my new album."

Abby nods, making notes. "And how often does Penny see her mother?"

I run a hand through my hair, feeling a twinge of guilt. "Never."

"Okay," Abby says. "Here's what we're dealing with. Your ex is arguing that your lifestyle, the traveling, the late nights, the unpredictable schedule, is not in Penny's best interest. She's painting a picture of you as an absent, unreliable father."

I feel my anger rising again, but Jade's hand on my back keeps me grounded. "That's not true," I say, my voice low. "Everything I do, I do for Penny. She's my world."

Abby’s expression softens. "I believe you, Mr. Fulton. And that's what we need to prove to the court. We need to show that despite your unconventional lifestyle, you're providing a stable, loving environment for Penny."

"How do we do that?" Jade asks, speaking up for the first time.

Abby turns to her. "Are you and Mr. Fulton in a committed relationship?"

Jade nods, her hand finding mine under the table. "Well it’s complicated,” her voice turns to a whisper so Xavier doesn’t overhear.

"Well, you two will need to figure that out soon," Abby says. "A stable relationship can work in our favor. We'll need to show that you're part of Penny's life, too. That you're helping to provide that stable environment."

I squeeze Jade's hand, grateful for her presence. "So, what's our next move?"

Abby leans back in her chair. "First, we need to file a response to this petition. We'll argue for joint custody, emphasizing your bond with Penny and your commitment to her wellbeing. We'll need to gather evidence, photos, videos, testimonials from friends and family about your parenting." She pauses, her expression serious. "I won't lie to you, Mr. Fulton. This won't be easy. Your public image, your past... it could work against us. But if you're willing to fight, if you're willing to make some changes to show the court you're serious about being a good father, we have a strong case."

I nod, feeling a mix of determination and fear. "I'll do whatever it takes. I can't lose Penny."

Abby smiles, the first real smile I've seen from her. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Now, let's talk specifics. We need to create a parenting plan, something that shows you're thinking long-term about Penny's needs."

For the next hour, we go through every aspect of my life with Penny. Abby asks about her daily routine, her education plans, her healthcare. She helps me draft a detailed parenting plan, one that takes into account my career, but puts Penny's needs first.

As we work, I feel some of my panic start to subside. Having a plan, having someone in my corner who knows what they're doing, it helps.

Finally, Abby sits back, looking satisfied. "This is a good start, Mr. Fulton. We'll file our response first thing in the morning. In the meantime, I want you to start gathering those photos and videos we talked about. And..." she hesitates for a moment.

"And what?" I prompt.

"And I think we need to address your public image," she says carefully. "Your reputation as a... well, a bad boy. It could hurt us in court."

I nod, understanding what she's not saying. "You want me to clean up my act."

Sarah smiles sympathetically. "I want you to be the best version of yourself. The version I see right here, the devoted father who's willing to do anything for his daughter. That's the Zac Fulton we need the court to see."

As Abby packs up her things, I feel a strange mix of emotions. Fear, anger, determination, and underneath it all, a fierce love for Penny that threatens to overwhelm me.

Xavier walks Abby out, leaving Jade and me alone with Penny. I scoop my daughter up into my arms, holding her close. She snuggles into my chest, her tiny hand gripping my shirt.

"We're going to get through this," Jade says softly, wrapping her arms around both of us. "You're a wonderful father, Zac. Anyone can see that."

I press a kiss to Penny's head, breathing in her sweet baby scent. "I hope you're right," I murmur. "I can't imagine my life without her."

As we stand there, the three of us wrapped in a tight embrace, I make a silent vow. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my daughter. I'll change. I'll grow. I'll become the man Penny deserves as a father.

The road ahead won't be easy. I know that. But looking down at Penny's innocent face, feeling Jade's support beside me, I know it's a fight worth having.

Whatever comes next, we'll face it together.