The weeks after Lynn's death were the hardest Cruella had ever faced. The whole manor took on an air of despair and mourning that nothing could lift. There was a certain sad quality to the air that suggested life as the inhabitants knew it was over. Lynn's absence was acutely noticed, and Cruella felt as if a piece of her soul had died along with her. Now when she had nightmares they were about her death and she'd wake screaming, thinking it was only a dream, only to have reality slam into her like a double decker bus.
The funeral was possibly the most difficult thing she had done in her life. The service was small but beautiful with only Cruella and a few of Lynn's other friends in attendance. Her father and sister refused to come. Angel didn't really understand what was going on, only that her mother was sad and her mama was nowhere to be found. It broke Cruella's heart into even smaller pieces as she tried to explain to the infant that her mother would not be coming back.
After the funeral came the custody trial. It was all over papers world-wide. Lynn's father must have decided that he wanted Angel because he made an appearance at the trial to contest Lynn's will, which stated in the event of her death Cruella would receive complete custody. He claimed she was an unfit mother and used her unstable mentality as evidence. The judge was forced to remove Lynn from Cruella's care as the court investigated James' statement.
The infant screamed and cried as she was forced out of her mother's arms. The older woman reached after her and tried to follow but was restrained. The trial went on for days and it began to look as if James would be granted custody. Cruella was a wreck. She had already lost one important person in her life, she wasn't prepared to lose another.
Her lawyer brought up the Thanksgiving visit so many years before. He suggested that she point out that James had not been in contact with Lynn for eight years. At the final meeting Cruella demanded that James take the stand.
"Mr. Smith, is it true that you and your daughter parted on less than amicable terms?"
"Yes."
"When was the last time you saw or spoke to her?"
"I'm not entirely sure."
"About eight years ago, am I correct? The Thanksgiving visit?"
"Yes, that seems correct."
He began to squirm when the jury began to murmur.
"And have you ever seen your granchild?"
"No."
"Were you notified of your daughters' death?"
"Yes."
"And did you attend the funeral?"
"No, I didn't."
The murmuring grew louder and it became obvious that he was not well liked.
"Then why do feel you would be a better guardian than Ms. De Vil? You've never seen the child in question, yet Ms. De Vil was there when she was born and has assisted the deceased in raising her for the past eight and a half months." He turned away from James to address the jury. "People of the jury, this man has not seen his daughter for eight years, has not even laid eyes on his grandchild, and yet he wishes to become her legal guardian, thus uprooting her from the loving home she has known all her life. He didn't even attend his own child's funeral."
Cruella's lawyer turned to face the judge.
"No further questions, your Honor."
James stepped down and Cruella was called to the stand.
"Now Ms. De Vil, your mental stability has been called into question. We have evidence of your episodes. Can you tell the court what causes you to have these episodes?"
"My temper."
"Can you elaborate?"
"When I get extremely angry I tend to go a bit off the deep end. But Lynn helped me learn to control it. I haven't had an episode in three years."
"Then there's the issue of your temper. Do you have quick temper, Ms. De Vil?"
"I am ashamed to admit I do."
This was common information, but she had no choice but to answer the question.
"What was your reaction when you found out about Ms. Smith's death?"
"I was... heartbroken. You see, Angel was fussy so I was walking her up and down the halls to calm her. When the call came in, it was like the breath had been knocked out of my body. I went immediately to the hospital, and I stayed there until..."
She cleared her throat before going on.
"Until she passed. It felt like my whole world unraveled at the seams. Nothing seems right anymore. There's an emptiness inside of me that seems so vast I don't know if it will ever fade."
The lawyer who had questioned her sat stunned, not having expected such an emotional and honest answer. Gathering himself, he continued on.
"And just what are your feelings toward the child?"
"I love her as if she were my own."
"And would you ever lose your temper with her?"
"Of course, I'm only human. But I know I would instantly regret it as I did when I yelled at Lynn."
James began to sweat as it became crystal clear who the better guardian was. He only hoped Cruella's oddities overshadowed her good qualities.
"Money is not an issue where you're concerned. Would you make sure that Angel has the best of education and opportunity?"
"Of course."
"No further questions."
"If there are no objections, I believe the jury may deliberate on a decision."
The jury was out for several hours, meaning they were having a hard time coming to a decision. Finally, they filed in.
"Have you reached a verdict?"
"Yes, your Honor."
A piece of paper was handed to the judge, who read it.
"This court here by grants full custody of Angelica Loretta De Vil to Cruella Leonora De Vil."
"What?!" James roared from across the room. "How can you give that raging lunatic custody of an infant?!"
"Mr. Smith, we contacted her doctor, who has confirmed that her mental health has indeed improved in the past three years. She is actually more mentally stable than some people in this room right now. Furthermore, you sir, are way out of line. One more outburst like that and I'll have you forcibly removed from the premises."
"But she's not even related to my granddaughter, how can you let her have custody?!"
"Mr. Smith, I warn you..."
"Fine, fine."
Later, after the adoption papers had been signed and sealed, Angel was returned to Cruella. A man brought out the child, who immediately recognized her mother. She reached out toward her and whimpered. The newly-appointed mother's eyes teared up as her daughter was brought out.
"Here, give her to me," she said.
Angel tried to call to her mother, but in the month the trial had been going on she had regressed. She could no longer say the few words she had begun to say before she had been placed in a foster home. She settled for making cooing and squealing noises as she was handed over. The older woman buried her face in the baby's hair, inhaling the strawberry/infant smell she had missed so much.
"Oh, darling, I've missed you." She turned to the man who had brought her her daughter. "Thank you so much."
Outside she found James waiting for her. Angel whimpered and buried her face in her neck.
"What do you want?" she growled.
"I just want to hold my granddaughter for a minute."
Cruella backed up and hugged her baby tighter.
"No, you have no right. Get away from me and out of this country. If I ever see you again I will get a restraining order."
She left him behind shouting explicatives. Once home, the relief at getting Angel back faded and the sadness crashed through her once more. She handed the child off to Alonzo and locked herself in her room. She didn't come out except for meals, and Alonzo was beginning to fear for her sanity. It was obvious she was deeply depressed, but he was worried it would go further.
A month passed, and Angel began talking again. Alonzo began to grow angry at Cruella for abandoning her. It broke the man's heart when the child would ask for her mother and he would have to explain she was gone, something he felt Cruella should explain. At least he thought she was calling for Lynn, until one day he saw her sitting and staring at Cruella's door.
"What are you doing, child?"
"Mama," she answered while pointing at the door.
His eyes widened as he realized who she had been calling for for weeks. And it just further shattered his heart as he realized how confused the little girl must be and how much she must be hurting. She began to whimper, and he hatched a quick plan. He left her there crying as he slipped around the corner to watch the scene unfold.
"Alonzo!" came a muffled call from behind the door.
He neglected to answer it. It came again, and he could have sworn Angel's cries decreased in volume. When Cruella didn't come out the wails increased in volume until he had to fight the urge to cover his ears. Just barely, he heard the unmistakable click of a door being unlocked. Cruella stepped out into the hall looking exhausted and irritated.
Angel grew silent immediately when she saw her. Cruella's eyes softened as she looked down at the little girl. She squatted down to look at her. Smiling, the child happily grasped the neck of her nightgown.
"Mama," she exclaimed.
The older woman's eyes grew sad, and yet kept the light of happiness they always had whenever she was with Angel.
"Yes, love, you've found me. Your muma's here."
Alonzo felt sorry that it had to be done this way, but she couldn't ignore the world forever, and especially not the child. He watched in silence as she picked the little girl up. Angel nuzzled against her cheek for moment before settling herself and curling into the woman's chest. As she turned to go back to her room, he swore she looked straight at him and mouthed 'thank you'.
