Title: Judging Lorelai
Chapter: Nine
Chapter Title: Long Nights and Judgement Days
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Gilmore Girls, that's Amy Sherman Palladino. I do not own anything from Judging Amy, that's Amy Brenneman.
Summary: Lorelai finds herself drawn into a custody case that hits close to home for both her and the judge, Amy Gray.
Authors Note: This is a crossover with Judging Amy. Beta'd by Nate
Long Nights and Judgement Days
The night before May's custody hearing, the entire town of Stars Hollow turned out in force for her Going Away Gala. Rory had done a fantastic job on decorations, transforming the inn's events room into a sparkling, child like fairyland. A stage had been erected for Lane and Dave's band, who had selected a set list of age appropriate songs, from classic children's tunes to 80's pop. Lorelai had OK'd anything as long as there was no swearing or violence. Having spent time with May, Lane knew that she was partial to 80's girl groups, which meant Lane got to sing, and boy bands, which would have done Zach in, if he hadn't become so attached to May.
Sookie had outdone herself with soft, melt-in-your-mouth, sugar cookies shaped like ballerinas, complete with pink tutus. She had also made a pretzel dough from scratch and made large twisty pretzels, with cinnamon sugar and sea salt topping choices, and smaller pretzels filled with a rich and creamy melted cheese. She had also made a selection of personal pan pizzas with every different topping combination imaginable, from standard pepperonis, sausages, and green peppers, to Hawaiian pizzas, white pizzas, spinach pizzas, and even a barbeque chicken one that went over well. The most talked about dish, however, was the cake. Lorelai had let it leak that Sookie had made three chocolate cakes, with a chocolate glaze icing, and chocolate chips and chocolate shavings on top. To compliment it on the side was her homemade ice cream, using Jackson's fresh strawberry crop.
Most importantly, May had loved it. She'd truly felt the queen, prancing around with a cheap tiara Lorelai had bought on her head. She and Rory had fun dancing to Bangles songs, the band even let Lorelai and May sing to Puff the Magic Dragon together, after which everyone had applauded and yelled for an encore. Lorelai and May had enthusiastically responded with a cute rendition of Our Lips Are Sealed, originally by The Go-Go's. Even Maxine Gray had come, bringing her granddaughter Lauren with her. Lauren had been very excited over the ballerina cookies, so Sookie promised to box up any left over for her. The party had lasted long into the night, when the only ones left were May and Lauren who were leaning against each other in a corner asleep, Lorelai, Rory, Maxine, Luke, Jess, Sookie and Jackson. The adults were enjoying a cup of coffee, made by Luke while Sookie boxed up the left over food for Maxine, Lauren and May. They sat at one table surveying the damage with dismay.
"I've seen worse," Lorelai admitted. "This shouldn't take too long."
"Yeah," Sookie agreed. "The Bannion Boys birthday only took three hours, and this isn't even close."
Lorelai nodded. "We'd better start," Rory said, "Court's early tomorrow, Mom."
"Yeah, you're right." They all got up and pitched in. Rory and Jess taking down the decorations. Sookie and Maxine clearing the tables, Jackson and Luke dismantling the band's stage, and Lorelai going around and picking trash up from the floor. It didn't take them long at all. Within 45 minutes everything was done except for dishes in the kitchen and the vacuuming.
"You guys go," Sookie insisted. "Jackson and I can finish the rest. He can vacuum while I do dishes."
"Are you sure?" Lorelai asked.
"Absolutely."
At this Luke helped Maxine by carrying Lauren out to her car before heading home himself. Jess carried May to Lorelai's car, and then joined Luke. Lorelai checked in with Sookie one more time before waving goodbye to Tobin, the night desk manager, and leaving. She climbed into the drivers seat stifling a yawn.
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The next day dawned crisp and clear, the sky a beautiful cloudless blue. It was very deceiving. Inside the Gilmore house the three girls were rushing around preparing for May's hearing and school. Rory, already dressed in her Chilton uniform was making coffee while May, wearing a pink skit and t-shirt set unwrapped pop tarts and put them in the toaster. Rory depressed the toaster for her and then found paper plates and mugs for coffee. May took apart the paper plates while Rory poured milk in one of the mugs. She took all three over to the coffee pot and switched a mug for the pot itself. She poured a little into the mug with the milk, and the rest in another empty mug. Then she switched the coffee pot and mug again. She set the three mugs at the table, and went back to the toaster in time for the pop tarts to pop up. May held up a plate as Rory removed a pop tart and set it on the plate. They repeated this three times, just taking out the last one when Lorelai entered the kitchen, dressed in a responsible looking outfit. The three sat silently at the table and ate their breakfast.
"Busy day today," Lorelai commented finally.
"Yeah," Rory agreed.
"What's going on at school today?"
"Calculus test, and then a Franklin meeting," Rory responded. "How about you guys, what are you going to do today?"
May looked at Lorelai, "Well first, I thought we'd go to the inn and May can say goodbye to everyone there. Then I thought we'd go to Hartford to the zoo." May looked excited and nodded. "Then the hearing."
Rory nodded. "I put my e-mail address in your bag May."
"And you have our number," Lorelai added.
"Don't worry," May said, "I'll keep in touch."
"You better," Lorelai joked, "Or we'll hunt you down!"
Rory smiled, "I want to know everything, alright May?"
May smiled back, "Definitely, Rory."
The three girls got up, cleaned up their dishes, and left for their daily activities.
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"All rise," said the bailiff.
Everyone in the small courtroom rose from their seats, including Lorelai, who was sitting alone near the front. When she'd arrived Maxine had taken May to another room until she was needed so that she wouldn't be put through listening to the hearing.
"Presenting the honorable Judge Amy Gray," the bailiff continued as Amy walked in and took her seat on the judge's platform. "Case number 2938-B, Mr. Richard H. Green versus Mrs. Julia K. Green, for custody of their daughter Miss May S. Green. Judge Gray presiding."
"Thank you bailiff," Judge Gray said, "You may be seated." There was a scuffle of noise as everyone sat back in their spots. "Now," Amy continued once the room was quiet, "As I understand from the notes this is the second custody hearing over this child." Amy looked up from her paperwork, "is that right council?"
The lawyers for both sides nodded and said, "yes, ma'am."
Amy nodded and looked back at the paper in front of her. "In the previous hearing custody was granted to Mr. Richard H. Green on account of Mrs. Green's admittance to a psychiatric facility. Correct?" The council again nodded. "As I understand it May Green is no longer in Mr. Green's custody though, after being left unattended by her father, with no way of contacting him, at a local inn, temporary custody was granted to one Ms. Lorelai V. Gilmore until May's parents were located. Is Ms. Gilmore present?"
Lorelai stood up hesitantly, "Yes your honor."
Amy looked over at her, "Good, and you brought May with you?"
"Yes your honor, she's currently with child services in another room, they said they didn't want her to have to see the arguments."
"Very well," Amy responded, she turned to the bailiff. "Bailiff, will you find them and alert them that the hearing has begun and we will be back in contact with them when we need them?" The bailiff nodded and slipped out a side door. "Okay the first person I'm calling to the stand is Mr. Richard Green."
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"And how long have you been on the medication, Mrs. Green?" Judge Gray asked.
"A year and three months, your honor," Mrs. Green replied from the witness stand next to where Amy was sitting.
"I see," Amy said, marking something on a paper. "That is all for now Mrs. Green, you may step down." The petite woman with mousy brown hair and wide green eyes stepped from the stand and towards her lawyer. "I have here and affidavit from Mrs. Green's doctor concerning her condition that I will read. I also would like to have a chance to speak with May Green in private. So this court is under recess, it will reconvene in an hour and a half, let's make it exactly 2:30pm. Bailiff, could you please locate May Green, whomever is with her from Child Services and bring her to my chambers?" The Bailiff nodded and disappeared through a door. Judge Gray turned back towards the rest of the room. "Could I see the council in my chambers?"
Lorelai watched as the attorney's stood, straightened their suits and followed Judge Gray into her judge's chambers. Once they were gone things became more relaxed. The Judge's assistant followed, while the court stenographer finished a sentence and gathered her things before following them through the doors. Mr. and Mrs. Green glared at each other across the room before Mrs. Green finally stood and left the room. Lorelai stood and turned looking for Maxine. She found the older woman standing back at the door. She made her way over and caught Maxine's eye.
"What will happen with May?" Lorelai asked.
"Amy will just talk to her, try and find out how she views each parent. It'll help her make a better decision."
"Oh," Lorelai said. "Man, I feel so wired and drained all at once. I'm going to go to the cafe down the street and get some coffee, would you like to join me?"
"That sounds lovely," Maxine agreed and the two women left the courthouse.
