Alison sat in the mediator's office waiting for Bobby and his lawyer a week later. Her lawyer had filed the petition for divorce and the mediation had been scheduled. She had thought about things and she thought maybe it was right to file for divorce. Bobby, obviously, wanted to be with Alexia. So, why would she keep him in the marriage if he didn't want it. She looked up as the door opened and Bobby walked in.
"Mr. Roode, please sit." The mediator said. She got out the file on them. "Alright, let's see what we have. Petition for divorce filed by Alison Roode who is seeking divorce on the grounds of adultery committed by her husband. Both parties will agreed to sell their house and split the profits as well as split their marital assets. The only thing not agreed upon is custody of the minor child, Carlie Roode." She looked at Bobby and then Alison. "Has any head way been made to a custody agreement?"
"No." Chris Irvine, Alison's lawyer, replied.
"So what is the hold up?"
"My client doesn't want Mr. Roode's girlfriend or mistress near her daughter."
"Mrs. Roode, why don't you want this girl around your daughter?" Sarah Orton, the mediator, asked.
"Because she's a whore and I think she will be a bad influence on her. This girl is a tramp. All she cares about is who she can screw to get her next big payoff. I don't want that around my daughter."
"She's not a tramp. I don't see a problem with her being near Carlie."
"I don't want her there. Carlie is my daughter and I have a right to say who she can see."
"Carlie is my daughter too. Alexia is in my life and Carlie is too. They will see each other."
"Oh hell no, they won't. She is not going to be near my child."
"Enough." Sarah said to them. "I've heard enough. I'm ordering marriage counseling for you both. This is a court order. If you don't go, you both will be held in contempt. You are required to have two months of marriage counseling. When the two months is up, we will revisit this. The petition for divorce is on hold until counseling is complete. Based on the counselors recommendation, we will see how to proceed. But I must say I feel there are a lot of emotions in this room and I don't think they're all bad. The court will send you the information on the counseling." She looked at them. "As for custody, I am setting a temporary order until counseling is over. You both will share custody of your daughter. Mrs. Roode will have primary custody with Mr. Roode having visitation from Tuesday at 6pm until Thursday at 6pm. He may see the child any other day as long as Mrs. Roode agrees. As for the girlfriend/mistress, she will not be allowed to be near the child for now. Mr. Roode, I suggest you get your own place to have your daughter."
"Fine." He replied.
Both Alison and Bobby signed the agreement and headed out with their lawyers. A part of Alison wanted the marriage counselor to say she and Bobby could work this out. But a part of her was afraid that he already loved Alexia and that her marriage was over.
Bobby arrived at Alexia's apartment and headed in. She was sitting on the sofa when he walked in. "How was the mediation? Did you get everything worked out with Carlie?"
"No." He replied. "The mediator is ordering counseling for me and Alison. Marriage counseling."
Alexia turned to him shocked. "Does that mean you want to give your marriage another try?"
Bobby looked at her. The truth was he did want too but he was worried that Alison didn't. He didn't want to end things with Alexia because he didn't want to be alone. He wanted his marriage to Alison but now it seemed that maybe she didn't.
"Bobby, do you?"
"I know I have to go to counseling. Court ordered. I can't not go or I will be in jail."
"Then I guess you will have to go." Alexia said hiding her anger. She had hoped that Bobby would give in to Alison and let her have sole custody of Carlie. Truth was Alexia didn't like children and Carlie was no exception. She wanted him, not his daughter.
Alison arrived at her mom's house to get Carlie. "Hey, how was the mediation?"
"Alright. We didn't agree on Carlie and the mediator ordered us to have marriage counseling."
"I think that's a good idea. It could help you and Bobby work this out and get back together."
"A part of me hopes so. But another part is worried he loves Alexia now and he wants this marriage to end."
"I don't believe that. I think Bobby wants this marriage just like you do."
"Then why did he cheat? And why is he living with that whore?"
"That is something you should discuss and in counseling."
"Yeah." She picked up Carlie and got her bag. "I'm going to go. Thanks again mom for watching her."
"Anytime." Greta Newman told her daughter. She hugged her and headed out.
Alison and Carlie arrived home and she put Carlie down for her nap. She saw where she had a message from her sister, Brianne and one from her dad. She thought about when her parents got divorced. Her, her brother and her sister were caught in the middle. And that was the last thing she wanted for Carlie. Divorce was the last thing she wanted. But she was hurt that Bobby cheated on her and was still seeing Alexia. If he truly wanted their marriage, wouldn't he have ended all of that by now?
She was brought out of her thoughts by a knock on the door. She opened it to her sister. "Hi, Brianne."
"Hey I wanted to come over and see how you and Carlie were." Brianne Irvine said to her sister.
"We're good." She smiled.
"How are things with you and Bobby?"
"Same. We had our mediation today and she ordered marriage counseling for us."
"Yeah Chris told me." She looked at her sister. "That might be the best thing."
"I don't know." She said as she handed her some coffee. "Brianne, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." She said sitting down at the bar in the kitchen.
"Do you really think Bobby and I can work things out? I mean you and Dolph didn't."
"That's a different situation. Dolph and I tried to make it work but we just couldn't. You still love Bobby right?"
"Yes, I do."
"And I know he loves you. Even though he cheated, I know he does. He's sorry about it."
"Then why is he still with her?"
"Because you haven't told him you want him back and you want to work this out." She finished her coffee and stood up. "Allie, if you truly want your marriage, then you have to work for it and fight for it. Don't give up until you're sure there is nothing left to save." She hugged her and walked her to the door.
She knew she was right. If she wanted her marriage, then she had to work for it. But could she trust Bobby after this. And did he love Alexia now? All of these questions ran through her head and she desperately hoped she could get answers.
