For a moment, my heart aches for her. I’ve been in her position, and if he treats her the way he did me, she may not even realize how wrong it is. She may not know how much better she could be being treated by someone who really cares.
Brad takes his seat next to his lawyer, and the bailiff calls to the courtroom, “All rise.”
We all stand as the judge enters wearing her black judicial robes. She takes her seat at the head of the courtroom.
She motions for us to sit and rifles through the paperwork on her desk. My belly swoops with nerves, but I try to stay calm. I wipe my clammy hands down the front of my skirt and pick at the polish on my nails.
“Alright,” she says. “My name is Judge Harris, and I’ll be presiding over this case. We are here on a petition to revise the initial custody agreement between FallonDouglas and Brad Douglas, who is petitioning for joint custody of Presley Douglas. Is that correct?”
Haley waits a moment for Brad’s lawyer to answer, but when he doesn’t, she stands to answer the judge. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Sweat beads on my brow as I try to remain focused and not let my mind wander to the worst case scenario.
“Thank you, Ms. Wilkins,” Judge Harris says to Haley.
“Mr. Douglas, it appears you waived your custodial rights when you filed for divorce against Mrs. Douglas, is that correct?” She turns her attention to Brad.
He stands and clears his throat, tugging at the tie around his neck. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“And that was three years ago?”
Brad nods.
“Hmm.” Judge Harris clucks her tongue, flipping through the papers she’s holding. “And you haven’t paid any child support in those three years?”
It’s like I can see the defeat in his posture as she speaks the words. “No, Your Honor,” Brad states, gritting his teeth.
“Well, I think that in itself is pretty telling.”
“Your Honor,” Brad’s lawyer rises from his chair, attempting to speak.
“Ms. Douglas.” Judge Harris turns her attention to me. I rise, and the chair squeaks loudly as I stand. My face heats. “You have been the sole caretaker of Presley for three years now. Is that correct?”
“Yes, ma’am—Your Honor,” I correct, my cheeks heating even more.
“In that time, was any child support paid to you, any visits, or any indication that Mr. Douglas was interested in being a parent to his child?” she asks, her eyes holding mine.
“No, Your Honor.”
Judge Harris offers me a soft nod, and I take my seat again, wiping my sweating hands down my thighs yet again.
“I think I have everything I need,” Judge Harris announces. “Mr. Douglas, I am denying your petition for joint custody. You can re-petition in two years when you have paid the back child support you owe and can show you continued to make an effort that supports your statements that you wish to be in the child’s life. Until then, court is adjourned.”
My mouth is dry, my mind whirling as I try to process what happened. Is it normally that quick? I know Haley said it would be about a half an hour, but that was all of ten minutes. Is that all Judge Harris needed to decide he wasn’t fit?
I sit in the chair, my mouth dropped open in shock as I take in the last few minutes. Oh my god, does this mean it’s done? He’s not getting custody of her?
When Judge Harris stands to exit the courtroom into her chambers, Haley pulls me to my feet, releasing me once she’s out of the room so I can sink back into my chair. Brad and his lawyer immediately leave the room; Brad practically running in what is surely anger. He has always been a sore loser.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Trixie rise to her feet and follow in the direction they went in. Her eyes are downcast, but she looks up in my direction at the last second and offers me a sad smile.
When the room is empty, I stand, and Haley offers me a kind hug, and a quick congratulations. My mom hugs me tightly, whispering words of love and excitement into my ear that this battle is over, for now at least.
He can always try again in two years. And to be honest, if he does what the judge asks, and tries to show someinterest in being a father, maybe next time will be different. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
I can’t stop the whirring of emotions flitting through my body. Excitement, anxiety, happiness that it’s over, and fear for the future of having to go through it again.
Now though, I can’t wait to get my arms around my baby girl, and show her how loved she is by me, by all of the family we’ve created here in Ivy Ridge.
