Fighting for a Family (Part 1)
Will and Sonny sat on the couch together, facing each other, much like they had the night that Sonny had learned the truth about the baby. After he had taken that walk and talked with Kate. It is hard to believe that it has only been 6 weeks since that night. Their knees were touching. This conversation was a repeat conversation really. He had spent the last few weeks trying to convince Will that he is sure this is what he wants, and that he is 100% committed to seeing this through. But if Will needs one more conversation about it who is he to deny him anything.
Will reached over and took Sonny's hands in his. "Sonny, this is your last chance to change your mind on this, not that I want you to! This is going to be quite possibly the worst thing that I have ever been through, and I need you by my side!" He said.
Sonny thought back over the events that had inspired his decision. That night that he had found out about the baby, he had been so angry and jealous…Not jealous of her, per say but jealous that she is going to share something with Will that he will never be able to. But after he had talked to Kate and she had so simply pointed out that Will loves him, he had rushed back to the apartment thinking that he had to fix this, but also thinking how Will is going to make an awesome father. He is so good with Johnny, Allie, and Sydney. It is fun for Sonny to watch him interact with them.
Then when they had finally talked about the whole situation the next day after the fight, after they had both had time to calm down and get their emotions under control, the look on Will's face as he explained that Gabi and Nick will raise the baby as their own. Sonny had resolved right then that he was going to talk to his father about getting will Visitation rights or partial custody, or how ever those things work. Because that was a look that he never ever wanted to see on Will's face again.
But the one thing that would have convinced him without any of the other reasons was that altercation in the Horton Town Square, he day that Nick confirmed his suspicions, about his homophobia. There is no way that A creep like that should be allowed to raise anyone's baby. He certainly would not raise this baby to love Will or honor his choices. Sonny is sure that this baby would be raised to hate and fear what is different. That is what caused Sonny to make his announcement that day in the square.
"Babe, are you forgetting that I am the one that put this in motion?" "I am here for you every step of the way." Sonny said with an easy smile on his face. "I am not going anywhere!"
Will released the pent up breath and smiled "Ok, well in that case, we need to get to the hearing. We have about 45 minutes and I want to get there early.
"Yes, My dad is supposed to meet us there" Sonny said as he got up and slipped on his jacket. And he and Will left closing the door behind them.
Once they had arrived and met Justin in the hallway. He shook hands with Will and threw and arm around Sonny, hugging him briefly, "Okay, guys this is just a hearing and the judge is basically going to be asking questions about what exactly you want to accomplish here. And then the judge will make the decision about what is best for the baby. So be direct and honest with your answers." He advised
It was just a couple minutes later when the outside door opened and Nick and Gabi stepped through the door. Gabi looked tired and stressed, but Nick only looked arrogant.
"Hi, Gabi, How are you feeling?" Will asked.
"Fine," She said coldly and turned away from him.
A clerk came out and said Mr. Kiriakis the judge is ready now. As you requested, she will see you all in her chambers , If you will all follow me please, she said as she turned and led them down the corridor.
Present in the office, was Judge Fitzpatrick, the court reporter, Justin, Will, Sonny, and of course Gabi and Nick, Who had opted not to have an attorney, even after Rafe have vehemently objected to that. Apparently Nick was so convinced that the court would not give custody to anyone other than the mother, he did not think that one was needed.
"Mr. Kiriakis, Why don't you tell me a little about what is going on here before I speak directly with any of the parties that are directly involved." Judge Fitzpatrick said.
"Your Honor, we are seeking full custody of this child as soon as he or she is born. As Mr. Horton is the biological father." Justin said. "There is some concern that the baby will not be raised in a manner that is supportive of him, if the child is left in the care of the mother and Mr. Fallon, who as I am sure you are aware is a convicted felon that is out on parole." Justin added
"Alright!" Judge Fitzpatrick said, "I have read over the motion that was filed and I believe that I understand what it going on here and can just cut to the heart of the matter. As I am sure that you are aware, although Mr. Horton is certainly entitled to visitations, the mother of the child is usually awarded the custody unless it can be proven that she is somehow unfit."
"Mr. Horton, can you give me any reason why you think, Ms. Hernandez would not be a fit mother to this child?" Judge Fitzpatrick said as she looked expectantly to Will. "No," Will said hesitantly, "I think that Gabi would be a good mom if she weren't with Nick, but she is letting him make the decisions… and I don't think he would be a good stepfather for my baby." Will finished nervously.
"Your honor, If I may say something…" Nick said, He didn't wait for an answered but plowed on ahead, "Gabi and I are getting married in just a couple weeks, we can offer this child a stable home life, with two loving parents… A MOTHER… and A FATHER….That is something that they can not give this child." "This child needs to grow up in a normal home… Not one like…. Like… theirs would be….." Nick said, it was obvious that he was trying to control the disgust in his voice, but he did not quite succeed.
"Ms. Hernandez, do you have anything to say?" Judge Fitzpatrick said as she looked at Gabi. "Anything that you want to say to me about Mr. Horton and what kind of parent you expect that he will be?" "No ma'am, I think that Will is going to be a wonderful father, and I know that he wants what he thinks is best for our baby, he just doesn't like Nick, he doesn't want me to marry and that's how this whole thing started."
"Alright!" Judge Fitzpatrick said as she leaned back in her chair and addressed Sonny, "Mr. Kiriakis, it seems you are the only one that I have not heard from, what exactly is your part in all of this?"
"I am Will's boyfriend and I am here to support him, however he needs me to. Sonny said briefly. "But I would like to address the comment that Mrs. Hernandez made about Will, not liking Mr. Fallon, it really isn't about like or dislike on Will's part, It's more about Nick's feelings towards Will." "You see he doesn't approve of the relationship that Will and I share, and he makes it blatantly obvious, so our concern is that this child…. Will's child would be raised with disdain towards him and his lifestyle, and that would be wrong on so many levels." Sonny finished quickly.
"I see," said Judge Fitzpatrick, "This is an unusual situation that we are in, I can see your concerns Mr. Kiriakis, You are right it is glaringly obvious, and it would be unfortunate if that were to happen, however…. I am not prepared to make a decision on what is best for this child today…"
"Is there anything else that needs to be added, by anyone at all before we conclude this meeting?" Judge Fitzpatrick questioned. She looked around the room giving ample opportunity for anyone to speak. "Alright, if there is nothing else that needs to be addressed today… " she said as she started to stand.
Just then the door burst open and Chad strode in to the office "I have something to say.. and you are going to want to hear this!" Chad said directly to Judge Fitzpatrick. The receptionist was right behind him. "I'm sorry, Judge I couldn't stop him… he barged right past me."
With a nod of her head she dismissed the receptionist who backed out of the room and closed the door. "Mr. Dimera, I do not appreciate you pushing you way into my office and interrupting a private hearing," Jusdge Fitzpatrick admonished, Chad opened his mouth to speak until the judge help up a hand indicating that he should be quiet. "However since it seems like this was very important for you why don't you tell me what exactly this has to do with you?"
Chad started to speak, but Nick stood up and said "He has nothing to do with this situation at all, he has no right to speak here today."
"Sit Down, Mr. Fallon, I will decide who has the right to speak, as I am the judge!" Judge Fitzpatrick said sharply.
"Mr. Dimera, lets hear it…" She said as she turned back to Chad.
"I have something to say, about Gabriella Hernandez! She should be in jail, not roaming the streets and certainly not tainting the life of an innocent child." He ground out as he looked at her, with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Your Honor, Chad does not like me, he thinks that I caused his girlfriend to break up with him, he will say anything to hurt me…. Please don't listen to him. Please make him leave…" Gabi sobbed out.
"I am intrigued to hear what he has to say." The judge said turning back to Chad and waiting for him to proceed, which he did with no further prompting.
"She did indirectly cause Melanie to leave town, and me… but who could blame her for leaving after Gabi here paid someone to be her stalker and then let that person kidnap and almost kill Mel…" He broke off with a hitch in his voice.
"Mr. Dimera, I think that you had better slow down and run that by me again, and you had better have proof of these accusations!" Judge Fitzpatrick said with a warning tone in her voice.
"Judge, may I have a few minutes to speak with Mr. Dimera in the outer office please?" Justin asked, grabbing Chad by the arm. "NO, Justin….. I know what I am doing here. I can not allow her to get away with this another minute… no matter what the consequence is to myself." Chad insisted.
Justin held his hands up in surrender, and backed away from him.
"I do have proof your honor, I brought it with me he said as he pulled out the signed agreement between himself and Nick, and handed it across the desk into the judge's waiting hand."
Judge Fitzpatrick unfolded it and took a few minutes to read over it. "Well, Mr. Dimera," she said as she looked up at him, "this certainly sheds new light on the whole situation. Is this all true?"
"I can assure you that this is all correct information Judge, I am the one that drew up this agreement, upon the request of Mr. Fallon." Justin said pointedly.
"Mr. Fallon, Ms. Hernandez is there anything that you would like to add, considering the recent information that has come to light?" Judge Fitzpatrick asked.
"I did not pay him to hurt her, All I wanted was… I never wanted her to get hurt." Gabi finished lamely.
"Well I think that now I have all of the information that I need to make an informed decision. I am going to deliberate on this… it is an unusual situation. So I will get in contact with you when I have reached a decision." The Judge said in dismissal.
She rose from her chair and went around and opened the door to the office. "I'll be in touch." She said as they all exited the office.