Chapter Ten
AN: Here ya'll go, the awaiting chapter ten. Let me promise good things for lovely chapter eleven. If I could ever finish it because of...sniff school.
It did not take long for Caroline to notice how upset Ryo was. "What's going on?" the woman asked, with a slight nod to signify that she had noticed his behavior. "Something happen at home, sweetie?"
"Don't worry about it, Caroline," Ryo said quickly, trying to dismiss everything. "Is the woman going to discuss her lawyer friend today? Are you sure?"
"I talked to Miss Douglass this afternoon, Ryo," Caroline said quietly. "She's a busy woman, being hired by your family and all. It is very unprofessional for her to help find you a lawyer against Nevan, but she likes you, Ryo, and feels sorry for you."
"She sure didn't feel sorry when she read out that list from Nevan's lawyers," he said, not even bothering to cover up the sulking, upset sound in his voice. He had been doing such a good job at keeping his attitude pleasant, but now he felt so down. He hadn't heard from Dee or Bikky and he was going insane with worry.
"Aw, come on, you'll do okay," Caroline assured him, leaning against the bench table they were waiting at. The red haired woman chuckled slightly. "Of course, you'd have done a bit better had you not had that 'recent outburst of violence.' Oh Ryo, Nevan's just reeling over what you did to him."
"That's fine," Ryo told her, trying hard not to sound rude. Caroline was one of his closest friends and he needed to realize that she was there to help him.
"So, what happened to you at home?" she asked softly, indicating that she was not planning on letting him off easily. She laughed, "Oh come now Ryo, I know something happened to you. You're too easy to read."
"Caroline, Miss Douglass will be meeting us here very soon," Ryo muttered, trying to ignore her question.
"C'mon, she said she would be here in a half hour. That's plenty of time for you to talk to your old friend, right?"
"I don't want to," Ryo said, making her laugh. He did come out sounding very stubborn, but he felt like he would get too emotional just trying to talk to this woman. "I have bigger problems then a little argument. It really was not as big of a deal as I act."
"Oh, you had a fight?" Caroline said softly. Ryo quickly mused that with anyone else, such blunt questioning would sound rude, but with Caroline, it was natural. "Oh honey, those things always blow over."
"I know," Ryo said quietly. "But it makes me worry that Dee won't support me in this battle. He promised he would, but he's trying so hard to force me to give Ari up to someone else."
"Now you know that's not his true motive, Ryo!" Caroline insisted, shaking her head slightly. "My mother knew right away that he was a good man, and Mom is never wrong about people. Haven't you ever considered that he may be terrified at what the future brings for you?"
"Evelen is an amazing judge of character," Ryo mumbled, trying to smile brightly. "She really, really is, and I know that I'm being silly. I just got so upset, and Dee got upset, and we messed things up for my family."
"It'll turn out Ryo," she promised, leaning back slightly. "It always turns out well when you love someone that much."
"Thank you," Ryo said as he walked to the other side of the table and hugged the woman. She was such a comfort to the unpleasant way he was feeling and behaving right now. She and her mother had always been family to him as they helped him through tough times. "Caroline, you have no idea..."
"It's not a problem," she said quickly. "Now that woman is coming to this park in the middle of nowhere for us. So we best be ready for her, right?"
He nodded, "Thank you for coming with me."
She nodded in reply and, for a few minutes, the two of them just waited for the woman to arrive. Ryo realized, in those moments, that he was uncommonly nervous. He had been apprehensive in this way before, but nothing like the panic he was feeling right now. He was trembling at the idea of making plans, making changes.
Pretty soon, the strict looking woman arrived, staring at them inquisitively. Ryo knew that she was thinking about Caroline's choice of a meeting place. It had been odd for Caroline to ask Miss Douglass to come to this small park on the edge of town, but he appreciated her choice. It was like Caroline to do such things, and it calmed him down to be out in the open air.
Miss Douglass nodded at them politely, and before either could speak she sat down in front of them. "Thank you for offering this assistance," Ryo said quickly, only to be silenced by her look.
She nodded, glaring over at the two of them. Her reaction was a bit shocking, but Ryo understood the cause for such worry in her. She did not have the legal authorization to get involved with a case and wanted to do this in an objective matter. "I am sorry for such harshness," she said, shaking her head. "I spoke to you about a friend of mine who would be willing to assist you, Mister Maclean."
"Yes Miss Douglass," he said, looking across the table. "Caroline spoke to me of that. I'd love to know more about this."
"All right then," she answered swiftly. "My colleague Leila Hansen is a representative lawyer that has dealt with many inside family custody battles. She has a reputation for successful cases, despite the fact that she is pretty much a business woman for a small company. I think she would be the ideal lawyer to represent your case. She agreed to be hired if you find her appropriate."
"Does she have much experience?" Ryo asked, a bit of seriousness entering his voice. "I mean, I know this woman seems to have a good record, but is she experienced, Miss Douglass?"
"Leila has worked with hundreds of domestic cases and rarely experiences failure," the woman responded.
"Do you believe that this Miss Hansen can prove that Nevan is causing the young child mental harm?" Caroline asked, strong emotions in her voice. "I believe that will become one of the main reasons that Nevan cannot take Elena's child from Ryo."
"I don't know about the specifics," Miss Douglass supplied cautiously. "All I can fairly tell you is that Leila is skilled, and that she is expecting you to call. Here is her contact information."
Ryo nodded as she slipped a piece of paper to him. On it were several forms of contact information for the lawyer Leila Hansen. "Leila is expecting you to contact her as soon as possible. This case will go underway quickly and she needs time to prepare. I also brought along some of the files I was given by your uncle's party because they deal with the deaths."
He took the files, unsure of what they would be. Reports, of course, on all the nasty little details of his life. He could feel the pressure of Caroline looking over his shoulders, so he opened the folder wider and stared down at red inked reports. They were the same words that he had been told over the phone. Caroline touched a hand to his shoulder. "This is a difficult issue to deal with," he mumbled, closing the folder. "Miss Douglass, can this woman handle something so difficult?"
"Yes, I think Leila is more than adequate for your needs," she said quickly, standing. "I honestly do. I usually don't find myself so personally involved, but this case got me thinking about Leila, Mister Maclean, and I think she can do this."
"Thank you," Ryo said, afraid that he seemed too speechless. This woman was just offering up such generous help. It made him feel relieved.
"Please call Miss Hansen," she said quietly. "I'm sorry for leaving like this, but I have to speak to three other clients this morning."
As she walked away, Caroline turned around and smiled comfortingly. "Funny," the red haired woman mused slowly. "When I first met her... I really disliked the woman. Yet, I think her advice might be the best thing for you."
"I hope so," he said not really meaning anything by the words. He was thinking too deeply to understand what she was saying. Yet his thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. "Oh, that's probably Bikky, or Dee. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Sure thing," Caroline said, waving him off. "Go on and make everything right, okay?"
She watched as he walked off to a more private area to answer his call. She knew that he was having home life problems and it made her smile to see him go off to fix them. She had always had liked him since she had met him, when he had been eighteen years old. Sure, she had only been a bit older than him at the time, at about twety one, but Elena hadn't been too old when she'd taken the teenager into her home either. Nobody really thought about it then, but it had been a big responsibility for the wild young couple, Rick and Elena.
Elena had confessed to her that she was a bit nervous. Caroline had been there with her mother, and Elena was hysterical. "I'm not so sure if I can manage," Elena had said quietly. "My big brother is dead,and his son is being tortured by the way he's being treated by his family. I'm the only one who realizes that he's a good kid. I know I'm the only one who can help him, but..."
"It's all right, Elena, darling," Evelen had said. Caroline's mother had an amazing ability to comfort people even back in those days. "Darling, you'll always do what's best cause you've always been smart in that way. "
And, of course, the anxious woman did exactly what she felt was right. Caroline felt that Ryo was probably feeling the same way Elena did. A little anxious, a little terrified, and very strong. The two of them were so alike, that it was surprising.
Before Caroline could let herself get worked up, Ryo came. As serious and thoughtful as he looked, Caroline could tell that he was smiling slightly. He was very glad about something he had just heard. "Good news?" she asked.
He nodded, and she could tell that he was trying to contain his own overwhelming relief. "Caroline, you don't know how amazing my family really is."
"You seem happy," she said nodding. That was a complete understatement, considering he looked completely overjoyed.
"I can't believe the two of them actually talked to each other," Ryo muttered, leaving Caroline unsure if he was speaking to her or aloud to himself. "Wow, the things Dee had to have said. I ... wow. Sorry Caroline, but I am speechless."
"That's fine," she said quickly, following him to the car parked outside in a small lot. "Sure is good to hear someone acting like they're doing okay. Do you want to go over and see Ari and my mother?"
"Sure Caroline," Ryo said, opening the car door. After talking to Bikky on the phone and hearing the intelligent things that Dee had talked to him about, he had no fear of anything that could develope. Assured, he allowed his mind to focus back on Evelen and Ari, who were waiting at Evie's home. "I bet they're waiting."
- - -
As Caroline had predicted, when they pulled into the driveway of Evelen's rather large home, the woman and child were sitting in the yard. Evelen was sitting in a chair on the lawn and Ari was playing with some toys and a red bucket.
When the two stepped out of the car, Evelen smiled calmly. The little girl looked up from the things she was playing with. Ryo noticed that she was such a quiet girl for her age. Usually, around the age of three, children ran rampant with disobedience. Plus, most kids were loud and Ryo had expected a lot of noise from Elena's daughter.
But no, the girl just played quietly and looked up at Ryo and Caroline smiling. Caroline smiled over at her mother, saying a quick hello before dropping to her knees on the grass. "What are you doing, Ari?" she asked, looking at the toys shaped in forms of small animals.
"I have animals," she said quickly, as if it weren't completely obvious. Caroline suppressed a laugh, watching as Ari threw the figurines into the bucket. "They are playing, Auntie." Caroline giggled; Arianne always called her Aunt Evelen Grandmother. It was something Elena had taught her and Caroline found it to be not only precious, but also appropriate.
"I guess they're done then, right Ari?" Caroline laughed softly.
The girl nodded seriously, making Ryo laugh. She was so undeniably cute and she looked so much like both of her parents. "You two best stay here tonight," Evelen said suddenly, standing up slowly. "Did you have other plans?"
"That sounds great Mom," Caroline supplied.
"What do you say Miss Arianne?" Evelen said to the girl who stood up from the grass. "Should Aunt Caroline and your cousin Ryo stay here tonight?"
She nodded quickly, after what looked like serious thought for a three year old. "OK, Gamma Evie," she said silently.
"Why don't you show your cousin your room, Ari?" Caroline suggested, as they walked inside. "Really Ryo, you have to see what Mom did for her."
The girl grabbed Ryo by the hand and began a quick paced climb up the staircase. "Woah, that's a lot of energy," Ryo said quietly, as they reached the door. The girl hurried with the doorknob to open the door into what was evidently a little girl's room. "Evie, sometimes you are too much," he muttered, staring at the walls. They were painted a pink color and outlined with flowery patterns. There was an elaborate bed for a small child in the back and a shelve full of children's books. It was so adorable, like this had been her home forever. Evelen was really doing everything she could to make the girl feel at home.
"Wow, Ari, this is wonderful," he said, looking around the room. "You seem to enjoy books, don't you?"
"Mommy books," the child said, touching the shelf. "And Gamma Evie, too."
Ryo looked at the shelf again feeling a little bit sad. He knew what the jumbled child's speech meant. Elena loved to read to her young daughter, and now Evelen would read Arianne books.He tried to shake of the sadness by talking. "It's very pretty," he said, motioning around the room.
"Don't say that!" she said to him with extreme emphasis on her words. Ryo blinked, moving backwards from the girl. He knew that it was normal, for children to pick up key phrases from their parents vocabulary, but Arianne sounded just like Rick in that moment.
"Okay then," he said, quietly thinking. "Let's go see Grandma Evie then."
He followed her quick footsteps down into the dining room where both women were sitting. Evelen had obviously prepared a lot of food and drink for them. Caroline was sitting, peering over a tiny white teacup. "Hello you two," Evelen said cheerfully, "I've prepared a few things. I know you must be worn out."
"Evelen, you're wonderful," Ryo said quickly, while Arianne scampered to Caroline's side. "This is wonderful - her room is astounding! How did you do that in only a few short weeks?"
"I simply wanted my dearly departed close friends to know that their daughter was at home with me," she whispered silently, as though strained. "And I know that with that room, Ari can feel at home until ... well, you know dear..."
"I know," Ryo said, with a bit of sadness. "But please, this is way too extravagant! If I didn't know any better I would think she had been living there since she was born!"
"I know it is not always wise to measure your feelings in material things," Evelen said slowly, touching the table as she tried to think of the correct words. "Often it is a wrong thing to do. I was just desperate when I heard the news. I had been watching the darling girl when ... it happened. Immediately I wanted to take that child away from your family, and keep her in my home until you were notified. With the help of my baby Caroline, I did it. It was probably awful of me, it was wrong I know..."
"It wasn't wrong, Mom!" Caroline said aloud. The quiet child was sitting at the edge of the table, drinking from a child's cup. She also was holding a doll that must have been lying underneath the table. "You wanted to keep her happy, for goodness' sake! She's a child, not even a child yet, still a baby really. You wanted her to be at home here."
"Thank you, Caroline," Evelen said, smiling slightly. Ryo knew that Evelen and Caroline had a mother-daughter bond that was very well developed. They were a remarkable family of two very strong women.
"Don't say that!" Arianne suddenly shouted, whether to the doll or Evelen, Ryo didn't know. He couldn't help flinch a little bit at the tone of voice the child used.
"Catches you how familiar she sounds, doesn't it?" Caroline asked, touching Ryo's arm from across the table. "She says it all the time... even when it really doesn't make any sense. It's a cute habit for a three year old, but a little disturbing."
"It is," he looked down at the young child with a bit of distraction in his voice. He still had so much to do. He had to check with everything at home and then call Leila Hansen to set up a meeting time with her. The funeral was scheduled for the next Tuesday in the week, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for it. "I was really caught off guard upstairs."
"She's a bright young lady," Evelen said, leaning against the table. "I mean, darling, she picks up on things that most young ones would never. I know you'll have an intelligent one on your hands when she reaches school aged."
"Oh yes," he said, remembering her adult like anguish over seeing Nevan in front of her. She had already made connections that told her that he meant something awful in her life. How many three year olds could accomplish that type of thinking? She was so aware of her surroundings that it disturbed him.
- - -
Upon making a phone call to the lawyer, it turned out that Leila Hansen was a very kindly sounding woman. The woman acted friendly, immediately telling him that his goals were not as impossible as they seemed. She said that she worked with many cases of family deaths. She found it extremely rare for his family to argue with explicity documented papers. He listened, and picked up that she had extreme confidence in her own abilities.
"I don't usually get things like this," she had told him with a laugh. She sounded like a young woman, but very experienced. "Usually, if there are dated documents, the opposition stands no chance. I do not really understand why your relative is... doing this. I believe that it will be easy to make it seem like a personal hatred, rather than care for the child's well being, is his motive."
"It is a personal issue," Ryo had told the woman, trying not to sound too angered or upset. He knew that he could be held accountable for bursts of uncontrollable temper, like using violence against his uncle. He was not completely an innocent victim. "Also, he is ... well, he's wealthy. His money is having a lot of influence on this already. I've only received legal notice in the past day or so."
It was true. He had received legal notice that Nevan was fighting for the guardianship of his sister's daughter, owing to the fact that her written party was, "irresponsible, living a dangerous life, and therefore was a danger to the child."
"Money can do a lot," Hansen had told him, her voice very gentle and friendly. "I am sure that, in your occupation, you've seen the power of money versus the law. Yet, your uncle best be careful before he is nailed with any bribery or blackmail. All he can legally do with his money is hire an underhanded lawyer. And I can honestly say that hiring me will counter the best lawyer's attacks on you."
"Do you honestly think I have a chance at breaking down his influence?" Ryo had asked her, not afraid of sounding weak. He had been made comfortable by her kind voice and paced speech. She was not talking on a level above him like most legals; she was helpful and talkative. "There is so much support that he could buy for himself."
"When is the next time you'd be available to meet? I am sure that you need to return the court files you were sent. I will have Jane send me the information she promised, if I went with your case." She was being evasive, but what could she do until she had facts and information to work with?
"I can meet you on Monday, " he said seriously. "If you're available the then that would be perfect." Monday was the day that Dee would be coming upstate. It was certain that Ryo was still upset, unable to forgive his lover for the type of treatment he received. However, he was starting to understand why Dee had acted that way. Bikky's phone call had explained a lot of it to him. Dee was scared, afraid of changing what they had worked so hard to make. He was only human and this was a lot of strain on him too. Ryo had never imagined how hard Dee might have been trying for him.
There was so much trying going on, and little he could do to enforce his hard work until Monday came around.