"No?" Seg's tone remained even. "That's what it sounded like. You made the assumption that's what takes place at our house. Why shouldn't I think that's what happens at yours?"
Roan's father cleared his throat and all eyes drifted to him.
"This is going nowhere," Daniel said in that same flat, gruff tone.
Sitting up, Roan decided it was time to bring this to a close. "Look. We get that you're concerned about Liam. We get that you want to spend time with him, and we want that, too. But you have to realize that we have and will put his best interest before anything else." Roan forced himself to look at Lydia. "Seg's made a good point. Gay, straight, or whatever, my house is no different than yours." Roan held up a hand before Lydia could interrupt. "And this is what Cassie wanted. She signed over guardianship of Liam from day one. She knew she had issues, and she knew I would put him first. I loved my sister, in spite of all her flaws. She screwed up her life, but she made the conscious decision not to screw up Liam's."
Seg reached over and brushed his pinky against Roan's leg. It was a silent show of support that Roan appreciated. "So, I'm gonna put an end to this right now. I am going to raise Liam. And when the day comes that Seg and I get married, he will adopt him if that's what he wants."
"I do," Seg leaned over and whispered softly.
Roan couldn't help but laugh. Yeah. He'd already known that. Which was why he'd brought it up.
"And when you want to spend time with Liam, you get to do that. As his grandparents. You get to enjoy that time without having the strain of raising another child." Roan looked at his father. "Do you really want that, Dad? To start all over?"
"No," Daniel said sharply. "I don't. I want what's best for Liam."
Roan glanced between the two of them. "Can you honestly say that I don't have his best interest at heart?"
Daniel shook his head, and Lydia glanced away.
At that moment, Liam decided he'd had enough and erupted into a loud cry from his spot on Roan's knee, where he'd been chewing on a teething toy and watching everything in the room. Roan was instantly shifting him so Liam could stand, while Seg gave him his full attention.
"What's up, little dude? Is it past your bedtime?"
Roan continued to watch his parents while Seg spoke to Liam. Lydia didn't seem as convinced as Roan's father.
"I do want you both to know that I don't want any animosity between us." Roan waited until they both looked at him again. "But I am prepared to fight for Liam. I'm not handing him over." He didn't want to be a dickhead, but he knew he needed to make his point very clear. "So, if you decide to push this issue and take me to court"-Roan pinned Lydia in place with his eyes because he knew this was her issue-"I will spend every penny I have, and I'll ensure you're broke by the time it's over."
A flash of anger brightened Lydia's eyes, but she didn't say anything.
"And I'll put my money behind him," Seg noted, his tone hard for the first time since he walked into the house. "Let's just say that I'm a very frugal man and I make a shit ton of money. That degree I have … I'll only have to use it if I choose to."
Roan swallowed a laugh that erupted in his gut. He loved that Seg was willing to go to bat for him and Liam. In fact, he loved Seg period.
"You ready, little guy?" Seg lifted Liam into his arms and turned him to face Lydia and Daniel. "Say good night to Granny and Pop Pop."
This time Roan couldn't hold back his laugh.
He seriously doubted Lydia wanted to be called Granny.
"Roan," Lydia said, ignoring Seg completely. "I think we need to talk about this some more."
To Roan's shock, his father interjected. "I think we've done enough talking, Lyd."
"Daniel?"
"No," he stated harshly. "I've sat back long enough. I see no issue with the way Roan lives his life. I never have. And I never will. I dealt with this homophobic shit from one wife … " He held Lydia's stare. "I won't do it again. Enough is enough."
Roan's heart pounded like a bass drum as his father took up for him. For the first time in his life, the man was standing up for him.
"You don't mean that."
"I do. Roan's a good man. He's a good father. Plus, this is what my daughter wanted."
"Your daughter was a drug addict," Lydia countered hotly.
"Yes," Daniel acknowledged. "But she was also my daughter. I'm done having this conversation. Today and forever. If and when Roan needs help, he can come to us. Otherwise, we'll visit our grandson. And enjoy the time we have with him."