Chapter seven
September 29th 2016
Jo paces back and forth in the courthouse waiting area. She'd been pacing back and fourth for the past twenty minutes. It wasn't her fault, she just couldn't sit still, not at least while the judge was deciding weather of not she could have her daughter back. It was too big of a deal for her. She was fighting tooth and nail to get her back and Jo didn't think she could take the hit if she was told no.
She hears the creak of a wooden door open on the court house and right away she stops in her tracks and turns to face the sound.
"Dr Wilson, Dr Stadler, the judge will see you now," the man says as he stands in the doorway of courtroom 23. Jo nods her head and looks over at her lawyer. Sally walks over to Jo and laces her hand on Jo's right shoulder.
"Your case was strong Jo. I don't think you have any reason to be worried. Let's get in there," Sally says. Jo nods her head and walks strongly into the courtroom with Sally, followed by Paul and his lawyer.
Both parties walk to the front of the room and stand in front of their respective desks before the Judge.
"Given the severity of the Charges against Dr Paul Stadler, and the unjust way that Dr Josephine Wilson was denied her right to Annabelle, and the unlawful way Annabelle was taken, I nearby rule that Temporary sole legal and physical Custody of the Minor Annabelle Josephine Stadler be awarded to Dr Josephine Wilson," the Judge says.
"Yes!" Jo says happily as she smiles at her lawyer.
"Dr Wilson, as you currently reside in Seattle the court will allow you to Travel with the minor interstate, however she is not to leave the United States. You May pick Annabelle up from Child services this evening. Case Adjured," the Judge says as she bangs her hammer on the table.
Scene Break
Jo sits on a large bench seat outside of the local Sacramento courthouse. Surrounding her were tall concrete pillars and the smell of happiness. Jo pulls out her phone from her handbag and goes into her contacts. She pauses for a moment when she sees the fist contact in her contact app, 'Alex 'Dr Hotty' Karev.' Her hand hovers over his contact as she has an internal debate about weather of not to call him. She could call him and explain everything over a phone call, or she could wait the extra day and tell him herself. Deciding that the latter option was the better one she continues down to Steph's contact and hits dial.
The phone rings four times before being picked up on the fifth ring. "Hey Jo," Steph says as she answers the phone.
"Are you somewhere private?" Jo asks.
"Um, I can be," Steph replies. She looks around her and then heads into an empty consult room. She locks the door behind her so that nobody could get in and she shuts the blinds for privacy. She sits on the exam chair in the empty room. "I'm alone now," Steph says. "What happened?" She asks referring to the court case today.
"The Judge awarded sole Physical and Legal custody of Annabelle to me," Jo smiles.
"Oh my goodness Jo! That's fantastic!" Steph exclaims.
"I'm just waiting for my lawyer and the we're heading over to child services to get her. I'm so excited, you have no idea. But I'm also nervous. I haven't seen her for four years, what if she hates me? She's four years old, she's old enough to recognise and feel loss and abandonment," Jo says as she begins to panic.
"Jo, you've been searching for your daughter for four years. You never stopped searching. You didn't abandon her, she was taken. Just focus on the future you have with your daughter. That's all you can do," Steph replies.
"Thank you for being here for me. Thank you for being so understanding and not judging me. It means the world to me," Jo smiles.
"You are my best friend. We are the only two originals left from our intern class... Well... Except for Leah... She's kinda back now. It's a long story and I don't even really know how it happened. She just kinda showed up two days ago But she's beside the point we're focusing on you, not Leah. We have to stick together and no matter what we always will," Steph replies.
Jo looks around her and notices Sally walking towards her. "I have to go now. We'll talk soon, yeah?" Jo asks.
"Of course," Steph replies.
Jo looks up at Sally, who was now standing next to the seat. Jo stands up and smiles, "Let's go get my daughter," she says with a huge smile across her face.
Scene Break
"Thank you, thank up you so much for your help," Jo smiles as she stands outside the Child services building with her lawyer, Sally. It was a rather tall building, not at all what Jo thought it would look like. She thought it would be less corporate and more homey.
"There's still a long process to go Jo, don't forget that," Sally reminds Jo.
"I know there is. But because of you I have my daughter back, even if it's only temporary for the moment," Jo smiles happily.
"I'll walk you in and we will head to the front desk. I'll give the information they'll require and then you'll be taken back to a room to collect Annabelle. They'll want to observe you with Annabelle for half an hour or so and then you'll be free to head back to Seattle. You'll have to keep in touch with Child services as well as Rose and myself so we can continue to pursue the court cases," Sally explains.
Jo nods her head, "Okay. What will they observe?" Jo asks.
"They'll observe your interactions with Annabelle. Just pretend that they're not there. Now I just want to make sure that you have a car seat," Sally asks.
"I have a booster seat. It's an infaSecure extending rear facing one," Jo replies. "I don't really have anything else through, I have no idea what she likes. I could have brought stereotypical girly things, but what if she doesn't like that kind of stuff? I think I'll take her shopping when we get back to Seattle. I do have a few toys and activities for her to do on the way home and I've brought some children's CD's to listen too," Jo explains.
"Jo, stop worrying. It will be fine, you'll be fine," Sally smiles. "Part of the agreement was that Paul had to pack up some of Annabelle's possessions, furniture and clothing and have them ready to go by 7pm. I'll meet his lawyer with a mover and they'll follow you back to Seattle. It's all organised," Sally replies.
"What would I do without you?" Jo questions with a smile.
