(I've never had to obtain a PFA, I hope my research and a friend's account lead it to be realistic enough in the Plum Universe. Lee Anne)
A Christmas Wish
Chapter 4
It was an extremely long night for Stephanie and her father. A doctor checked her at the St. Francis emergency room. Her attorney arrived just as she was being ushered into an exam room. The intern determined she had no broken bones but Joe's strength left some very deep bruising on her arms and left shoulder. There wasn't too much that could be done for the cuts on her lips, but the intern gave her an antiseptic cream with Vitamin E to help with the healing and to keep her lips moist so they didn't crack open as the cuts healed and the swelling went down.
A female officer from the Domestic Abuse Unit was there to speak with Stephanie and took pictures of her injuries supporting the charges against her husband. And, also to get a statement so she didn't have to come to the police station and one from her father. Stephanie wasn't going to ignore this and brush it under the carpet, she was going through with the assault charges knowing this may ruin Joe's career as a police officer. He had pushed her too far with his actions, drinking, and probable cheating for her and Delaney to back and pretend like nothing happened. Her daughter wasn't going to grow up in fear of the man who was her father. No, Stephanie would be all the parent Delaney needed in the new life they would discover for themselves. Joe Morelli wouldn't be a part of it!
After Joe's head was stitched, he was being booked and would have to wait for his arraignment. Stephanie hoped he wasn't expecting her to post bail. Let his mother who believed her son did no wrong do it!
The next stop after the hospital was in front of the night court judge. Laura Walters, Stephanie's no nonsense female attorney, presented the female judge with all the paperwork for the restraining order.
As she read over it, Judge Masters let out a chuckle, "Attorney Walters, you are asking for Protection from Abuse Order for Mrs. Morelli, Delaney Morelli, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Plum, Mrs. Edna Mazur, who I've had dealings with on several occasions in this court room, and 'Ghost', Mrs. Morelli's dog. Isn't this a little overboard?"
The petite lawyer stood, "Your Honor, Stephanie and Delaney Morelli are going to be living with her parents, Frank and Ellen Plum, until school is over in a few weeks. Mrs. Morelli is concerned knowing her husband's temper could endanger her family also. As for the dog, Stephanie is very afraid after the incident tonight where Ghost protected her young daughter, if Officer Morelli encounters the dog, he might possibly harm it in some way."
Frank handed his cell phone to the attorney.
"Will you listen to this?" Laura Walters walked the phone to her desk and turned it on.
It was Delaney crying. "Grandpa! Help! He's hurting Mommy! Grandpa, help!" The phone picked up the growling Ghost. Joe yelling at Delaney and Stephanie's scream, "Delaney, run!" There was Joe banging on her bedroom door in the background and the little girl crying "Dad's trying to get me!"
Stephanie was sobbing in her father's arms hearing the fear in her young daughter's voice but, also the bravery only wanting to help her mother.
The judge turned it off. "Mrs. Morelli, I'm sorry you and your daughter had to experience anything like this and what makes this even more tragic is your husband took an oath to respect the rights of individuals including his own family and to act as a police officer should who wears the badge. Your Protection from Abuse order is granted for all those named and you have full custody of Delaney Morelli. Officer Morelli will be made to surrender all his weapons if and when he arranges bail. Also, Officer Morelli will have to provide financial support for you and your daughter's living expenses. Your attorney can petition the court once the financial records are obtained. Please be on your guard and if he violates the order, Officer Morelli will find himself right back in jail."
"Thank you, Judge Masters," Stephanie stood up after her hearing. "Can I go back to the house and get some clothes and things to take to my parent's, Laura?"
"Go get what you need. Your husband is still in a holding cell and won't have his arraignment hearing until sometime tomorrow and when I get in my office I'll file the divorce papers after the courthouse opens. And, please, Stephanie, go get some sleep."
"I'll try later."
Much later, Stephanie finally lay down next to Delaney in her old bed at her parent's house on Roosevelt Street. Her daughter was sleeping soundly holding Benji, her brown teddy bear with big dark eyes. She kissed her daughter's hair and instinctively the little girl snuggled closer to her mother's warmth in the cool air conditioning.
Stephanie Morelli was worn out, sore, but her mind kept going back to a suggestion her father made. Stephanie knew a restraining order wouldn't keep Joe from crossing her path; he was a cop and knew the ins and outs to get around it if he wanted, and she had Delaney to think about. She was her biggest concern. Until Joe's court date on the abuse charges and divorce hearing, why didn't Stephanie, Delaney, and Ghost go stay at Aunt Sarah's bed and breakfast in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tennessee? He didn't know where it was or ever met her father's sister. The idea had merit because it removed Delaney from all this awful situation and her daughter would think this was a big adventure to go with her curious nature. But, as she stretched her limbs in bed under the soft blankets and familiar surroundings with her heavy eyes, Stephanie couldn't shake the feeling she needed to go to Gatlinburg. It wasn't just for their safety, but hers and Delaney's live would change there. Could it really happen?