Chapter 57: The Weight of Responsibility

Wednesday, September 21st, 2005

Joshua awoke on Wednesday morning, stretching as the early morning light filtered through his window. Tuesday had been uneventful—just another routine day of work followed by teaching his usual Aikido class, something he enjoyed despite its predictability. Guiding his students and refining their techniques gave him a sense of purpose, even if most nights blended together. But today, he had something important to take care of. As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he reminded himself that he needed to visit Colleen at her office.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and began his morning workout, falling into the familiar rhythm of push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. His muscles burned as he pushed himself, but his mind was elsewhere, turning over everything he needed to discuss with Colleen. A mix of anticipation and nervous energy coursed through him—he was confident in his plans, but the weight of these decisions made them feel all the more significant. He needed to start their legal preparations, ensuring there were no obstacles in their way. Whether that meant pursuing emancipation for her or another legal route, he wanted to get the process started. He also planned to have her added to the trust, ensuring that she was financially secure if anything ever happened to him. It wasn’t just about paperwork—it was about securing their future together.

Once he finished his workout, he stepped into the shower, letting the hot water soothe his muscles as he collected his thoughts. Afterward, he dressed for work.

Joshua prepared himself a healthy breakfast, sticking to his usual clean diet. As he ate, he used his Death Wish power to scan stock prices, keeping an eye on potential investments. While he had no desire to accumulate excessive wealth, he knew staying informed was never a bad idea. He preferred a simpler life, free from the complications that came with large sums of money. Keeping a low profile suited him, ensuring he could focus on what truly mattered rather than attracting unnecessary attention. Most of his money was already tied up in Apple and NVIDIA stock, a decision he knew would pay off handsomely in the coming years.

Financially, he was in a comfortable position. His personal savings sat around a hundred thousand, and he lived modestly, saving most of his earnings from his shifts at the Mini Mart and the dojo. His primary expenses consisted of property taxes, utilities, groceries, fuel, and vehicle insurance. With his newly activated cell phone plan adding another bill to his list, he reassessed his finances but felt secure. If he ever needed extra cash, he knew he could place bets on sports with absolute certainty, thanks to his Death Wish ability. But for now, he was content.

After finishing his meal, he cleaned up the kitchen, ensuring everything was in order before heading to the garage. Sliding into the driver’s seat of his Mazda, he gripped the leather-wrapped steering wheel, feeling the familiar texture beneath his fingers. He started the engine, the low hum vibrating through the car as the dashboard flickered to life. The scent of gasoline and faint traces of air freshener lingered in the cabin. As he eased onto the road, the steady rhythm of the tires against the pavement blended with the quiet hum of the engine, grounding him in the moment as he headed to work.

The workday passed as it usually did—checking in deliveries, stocking shelves, and occasionally running the register for Mrs. Chang. At one point, an older man came in searching for a specific brand of tea his wife liked, and Joshua helped him find an alternative when they were out of stock. “She’ll know it’s not the same,” the man sighed, but he still thanked Joshua before leaving. Later, Mrs. Chang wandered up front and handed Joshua a steamed bun from her lunch. “You work too much,” she scolded lightly. “Eat something.” He smiled, appreciating the gesture as he continued his shift. Sensei Chang remained in the office most of the day, buried in paperwork, leaving Joshua to handle the store’s front-end operations.

When his shift ended, Joshua clocked out and returned to his Mazda. He settled into the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel for a moment as he exhaled. Today was a step forward in securing his and Katie’s future, and he was determined to make sure everything was set in motion. The uncertainty of their situation had always lingered in the back of his mind, and he refused to leave anything to chance. If something happened to him, he wanted Katie protected—legally, financially, and emotionally. This wasn’t just about paperwork; it was about ensuring she would always be safe, no matter what.

With that thought in mind, he started the engine and pulled out onto the road, heading toward Colleen’s office, ready to take the next step.

Josh stepped into the familiar office of Bell & Associates, the scent of aged leather and polished wood filling the air. The place had a certain gravitas, the kind that only came with decades of careful, meticulous work. He had been coming here for years, ever since Leonard Johnson had Jim Bell set up his trust, but today was different. Today, he wasn’t just handling legal paperwork—today, he was laying another foundation for his future with Katie.

He barely had time to reach the front desk before a familiar voice cut through the quiet hum of the office.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite client,” Colleen Bell drawled, stepping out of her office with a smirk that could have rivaled the devil himself. “Come to finally make an honest woman out of me, Josh? Because if so, I should warn you—I require diamonds the size of my fist.”

Josh groaned, shaking his head as she approached, her dark green blouse and pencil skirt giving her the effortless air of someone who had been running this firm long before Jim started easing back. “Colleen, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were jealous.”

She gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Me? Jealous? Perish the thought. But I have to admit, I was shocked. You getting engaged? I always figured you’d keep me hanging on forever.”

Josh snorted. “Yeah, because that was ever going to happen.”

Colleen grinned, leaning against the desk as she looked him over. “Jokes aside, I have to say, I didn’t expect you to move this fast. Marriage already? She must be something special.”

Josh’s smirk softened into something more genuine. “She is.”

Something flickered across Colleen’s face—something real, just for a moment. A mixture of surprise and something softer, maybe a hint of admiration, flashed in her eyes before she straightened and waved a dismissive hand, masking whatever had surfaced. “Alright, alright, enough of that. Let’s get to work before you make me lose my reputation as a coldhearted professional.”

She led him into her office, a sleek, well-kept space that still had Jim’s influence all over it. Framed photos of Colleen with her parents sat beside stacks of case files, and a bottle of whiskey rested on a side table—undoubtedly something Jim kept there for after particularly grueling meetings.

Josh settled into a chair across from her desk as she pulled out a thick folder. “So, we’re here to make sure everything is squared away for your upcoming marriage. Trust adjustments, financial filings, and a few legal loopholes we need to be aware of. Nothing too complicated—unless you’d rather just sign your life over to me instead?”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Tempting, but I think I’ll stick with Katie.”

Colleen sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. Let’s start with the basics. But first, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—your fiancée is fifteen, isn’t she?”

Josh exhaled, already knowing this conversation was inevitable. He had run through this discussion in his head more times than he could count, anticipating every possible question and counterpoint. Despite his confidence in his decision, a small part of him still tensed, waiting to see if Colleen would challenge him harder than expected. “Yeah, she is. That’s part of why I’m here. We’re waiting until she turns sixteen before we move forward with the actual marriage, but I want to make sure everything is set up legally before that happens.”

Colleen leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. “Smart move. The law’s pretty clear—sixteen is the threshold, and as long as you’re within the four-year gap, you’re in the clear. But it’s still gonna raise some eyebrows.”

Josh nodded. “I know. That’s why I want everything squared away now, so when the time comes, there’s no unnecessary red tape.”

Colleen tapped her pen against the desk, considering. “Alright. We’ll need to ensure all the documentation is airtight. Birth certificates, proof of residency, and parental consent forms if required. We don’t want any surprises.”

They worked through the documents efficiently, with Colleen explaining things in her usual mix of legal expertise and casual banter. She knew her stuff—always had—but there was an ease between them that made the process smoother.

As she was flipping through the last few pages, a slow creak of a door interrupted them.

“That better not be whiskey in your coffee, Colleen,” came a deep, familiar voice.

Josh turned as Jim Bell stepped into the room, moving slower than he used to but still carrying the weight of a man who had seen more than most. His sharp eyes landed on Josh, and for a brief moment, the usual businesslike air of the office faded into something more personal.

“Josh,” Jim greeted, walking over to clasp his shoulder firmly. “Good to see you, son.”

Josh stood, shaking his hand. “Good to see you too, Jim. How’re you holding up?”

Jim waved off the concern, rubbing his knee absently as if warding off a stiffness he refused to acknowledge. “Doctors keep telling me to slow down, but what do they know?” Figured I’d come see how you’re doing before Colleen here signs you into indentured servitude.”

“It’s not a bad deal,” Colleen chimed in. “I offer great benefits.”

Jim chuckled, lowering himself into the chair beside Josh. “Alright, let’s talk business and life. You’re sure about this? Marriage isn’t just a legal contract—it’s a lifelong commitment. And you’re young, Josh. You’ve got time.”

Josh met Jim’s gaze evenly. “I know. But I’ve thought this through. I won’t lie, I was nervous about how people would react at first—about whether we were moving too fast. But the more I talked with Katie and her family, the more I knew this was the right decision. We’re not rushing into this blindly. We know what we want, and we know what it takes to make it work. I’m sure about this.”