On Saturday Gabriella stood on Shelby Bolton's door step. As she'd walked up she had caught sight of Ethan alone in the backyard. She knocked confidently on the door. She couldn't wait to meet the former Mrs. Bolton.

She smiled kindly when a woman opened the door with a baby. Ethan hadn't mentioned a baby.

"Hello, Shelby?" Gabriella hid her disdain and surprise well.

"Hello. Do I know you?" Shelby was confused.

"No, but I've heard plenty about you." Shelby was really confused now. "I'm Gabriella Montez. Your ex husband has retained my services to serve as Ethan's voice in your custody proceedings."

"Ms. Montez, I don't know what Troy has told you, but Ethan does not need a lawyer."

"Mr. Bolton just wants Ethan's voice to be heard in court", Gabriella continued professionally.

"ETHAN is five! He doesn't even understand what's going on!" Shelby was getting upset now, and as her voice got louder the baby in her arms stirred and started to cry.

"I beg to differ, Mrs. Bolton. Ethan understands just fine."

Shelby bounced the baby on her hip in an attempt to settle her. "What can I do for you, Ms. Montez?"

Gabriella smiled. "When I take on a new case, I like to observe the home environment of the children I represent. I need a sense of how they are treated by both parents before I can adequately represent the interests of the children in court."

"Well, Ms. Montez I have a busy day planned." She cuddled her baby close. "Sara has to go to the doctor and then we are having a Mommy/daughter day. We're going shopping."

Gabriella's eyebrows shot up her forehead. "What about your son? What about Ethan?!"

"He'll be here with Michael."

"With Michael? Shelby, the purpose of these weekend visits is to spend time with your son. Not for you to pawn him off on your boyfriend. Don't you think a Mommy/Daughter day can wait until you don't have Ethan. You can have a day with Sara any day. You only see Ethan every other weekend."

By now, Shelby had a look of pure hatred on her face and her voice dripped with it. "Ms. Montez, I have had this planned all week. I am not going to change my plans just because Ethan is here."

Gabriella gave a short humorless laugh and shook her head. "Go get Ethan", she said with an angry edge to her voice. "And anything he brought with him."

"What?!" Shelby now put herself in the door preventing Gabriella from going in. "No", she continued. "You are not taking my son. I don't know you."

"What does it matter to you", Gabriella shot back. "You aren't paying attention to him." She was fuming. "Do you even know where he is, Shelby?"

She did not not, but Shelby pretended to think. "He's in his room watching a movie."

Gabriella should not have been surprised, but she was shocked and she couldn't hide it this time. "He's in the backyard, Shelby. How can you not know that?" She laughed again. "I really shouldn't be shocked. You said yourself that you hate looking at him."

That stopped Shelby. "How did you know that?"

"Ethan." Gabriella was shaking inside with her surpressed anger. "He heard you tell Michael that you hate looking at him, so I will be taking him back to Troy and I will go to the courthouse first thing Monday morning to make sure you never have to look at him ever again. She barged in passed Shelby calling Ethan, who ran into the house passed his mother into Gabriella's arms. "Do you want to go home to Daddy", she asked him.

Ethan looked at his mother; his little heart conflicted. All he saw was anger. "Please", he begged. "I want Daddy", he said to Gabriella with a little tear in his eye.

She cuddled him close before she put him down. "Go get anything you brought with you and we'll go."

When Ethan was gone Shelby continued. "I'll fight you. You can't just take my rights away."

Gabriella laughed again. "You won't win." Just then, Ethan appeared. Without another word, Gabriella took him and left.

Sorry for such a short chapter. The next section of the story isn't done yet, but I wanted this chapter to get out for those who are enjoying this story.

Thank you for that. This is my first story. I love it, but I wasn't sure others would. To see your feedback has helped my confidence so much. It means so much to see your positive reaction.

Thank you again. I will try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible.