Understanding You *Completed*

Thirty

Jocelyn groaned as she pulled the stroller from the back of her SUV. The large device snapped into place as she closed the trunk and made her way to the backseat.

"Look at what a mess you've made." She fake scolded as she pulled the back door open to see her son covered in slobber.

The infant gave her a toothless smile and a happy gurgle as he was pulled from the car seat. Setting him in the stroller, she made sure to grab a blanket in case it became chilly. She threw her diaper bag in the compartment under the stroller.

"Ready, baby?" She smiled down at her son, his own smile spreading warmth through her body.

"Look at that smile. So handsome." The coo spurred more giggles from the child. She ran a hand over the sparse hair on his head before pushing the stroller towards the entrance of the law office.

"Good morning, how may I help you?" The receptionist smiled brightly before cooing at the small child in the stroller.

"Hello, I have an appointment with Richard Sanders. My name's Jocelyn Major." She'd received a phone call from the attorney last week notifying her that she would be receiving a copy of Miles' will.

Jocelyn knew she'd be receiving some share of his wealth but as his parents entered the office, she smiled as she realized Miles had changed his mind. It never failed to amaze her at how kind he remained even to those who didn't deserve it.

"Good morning." Jocelyn smiled to the pair. She received a strange look before they brushed her off and approached the front desk.

"Ms. Major?" Came a voice to her left. A man in his late 50s stood before her in a designer suit.

"Yes, I assume you're Richard Sanders?" They shook hands briefly before he was interrupted.

"We have an appointment. Excuse us." Miles' mother chirped as she pushed past Jocelyn to stand before Mr. Sanders.

"You all will share this appointment as all three of you will be receiving a copy. Follow me." Jocelyn allowed the two to walk in front of her while she slowly pushed the stroller down the neat hallways.

"What a bunch of snobs, huh?" She muttered to the baby. He shook his hands and babbled in agreement.

Once they entered the man's office, Jocelyn made herself comfortable by the door as the others took a seat. "Ms. Major, would you like a seat? I'm sure Mr. Ellis wouldn't mind."

"Oh, no. I'm fine. Thank you." She smiled to the man as Miles' father sent her a look that clearly told her he would mind.

"Okay, well, if you would like a seat at any point in time, I'll be more than happy to go grab you one." The man smiled before pulling open a drawer and pulling out two letters.

"Here is Miles' written will as well as two psyche evaluations that will attest to his mental stability at the time of writing. Feel free to read it and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions."

The pair moved quickly, snatching the envelope open before Jocelyn could even get to hers. "Thank you." She smiled as she took it and made her way back to the stroller.

Opening the envelope, she pulled out the stack of papers and carefully read through the psych assessment. Just as she turned the page, cries of outrage were heard from his parents.

"This can't be right." His mother mumbled as she flipped through the pages once more.

"I'm sure there's some mistake here. See, my son was a bit ill in the head. He clearly wasn't thinking straight." Jocelyn wanted to jump over the chairs at Miles' father's words.

Flipping to the will, she slowly read through the page. It had clearly been written by an estate attorney from the legal jargon that littered the page, assuring there would be no complications or loopholes in the will.

Her name was listed as the sole beneficiary for all of Miles' assets. From his money, his penthouse, his art, his investments, and even his car- it had been been given to her. The next page was a more personal version of his will that had been hand written and copied.

Jocelyn felt her knees go weak as she read the letter.

'I, Miles Ellis, attest that I am of sound mind and legal age. This is my last will and testament and revokes all previously made wills and codicils. I am not making this will under duress. The executor of this will shall be Richard Sanders, my estate attorney, who will receive 3% of my assets as compensation.'

The paragraph was filled with all the legal statements he needed to make the document binding. Jocelyn's eyes couldn't help but skip down to the section that held her name.

'I am leaving it all to the love of my life: Jocelyn Major. She is the sole beneficiary of all my assets. Through sickness and health, she has remained by my side with unwavering devotion. I am disinheriting both William and Mary Ellis for reasons that are known to both parties.'

"As you can see, Miles was cleared and declared sane before and after the will was written. There's nothing that can be done." Mr. Sanders nodded to the distressed couple.

"You nigger bitch!" His mother yelled as she stood to her feet angrily. "You turned my own son against me!"

"Mrs. Ellis! I will not tolerate that language in my office. Get out!" Mr. Sanders yelled over the woman as he angrily pointed to the door.

Jocelyn couldn't help but laugh at the bitter woman. She had no one to blame but herself. Miles had been crying out for their love for years, yet all they seemed to care about was his monetary status. Even as he was dying, their minds went to his will.

"Please, you cannot allow this." William turned to her, a pleading look on his face.

"What's your grandsons name?" Jocelyn posed as she pulled the baby into her arms so that he could see the child. "You tell me his name and I'll split it with you."

"How am I supposed to know that?" He threw his hands up.

"I sent you an offer to watch your grandson be born and you didn't show up. I wrote you for weeks straight with photos of him and his measurements at birth. I sent you a copy of his legal name multiple times. What is it?" Jocelyn kept her eyes on her son.

The infant, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room, played with her hair. His eyes held the same shine that Miles' did and he eyed the word around him with the same curiosity. Deep down inside, she knew he'd be just like his father.

"Please. I don't know, okay? Just," the man pleaded, "just give us a third of it. Okay? That's all."

"His name is Miles. Miles Jr." The tears that stung her eyes were joyous as the boy let out an excited squeal at his name.

"And you'll never see a penny for as long as we both live."
——

The end! I may post the epilogue this week. I'm not sure yet.