***Oh my goodness, I had such a hard time writing this chapter. I'm never writing a court case or hearing again, I really hope no one is a lawyer or a judge. I researched as best as I could about custody hearings but I probably still did it wrong. Please just go in reading this for fun. I did the best I could. Regina is going crazayyy. So anyway enjoy!***
Chapter 11
Day 189 Cont'd
"Um… Congratulations." David was confused as to why she rushed right over to tell him the news.
She smiled. "Congratulations to you too."
"Uh, for what?"
"You're going to be a father again."
He turned to August. "Hey buddy, can you go upstairs for a minute?" He didn't want to argue with Regina in front of him.
"I guess so…" August ran upstairs.
Mary Margaret carried Emma over to the door and stood beside David.
"Look, I was in a coma, and I've never slept with you once since I woke up."
Regina feigned a hurt face. "You don't remember? Last month we had a very romantic night together, it was just like old times. Maybe it's a side effect from the amnesia."
"Are you sure this isn't some bad attempt to keep me? You probably aren't even pregnant."
"Oh I am."
"It's probably the Sheriff's kid then. August even told me that before I woke up he was at your place just about every night. And it was quite obvious you were with him the morning Emma went missing."
"I was not with him that morning, it was just a coincidence that we arrived at the same time."
"Stop lying. Is this your mission in life to make everyone around you think they're crazy? First August, then Mary Margaret, now me."
She shook her head. "I'm not lying. This is your child."
He rolled his eyes. "No I'm not. And this changes nothing. I'll see you in court." He slammed the door. "That woman is so aggravating." He turned to Mary Margaret. "You believe me don't you? I never slept with that woman since I woke up."
She nodded. "You've believed in me this whole time. So I believe you."
He smiled slightly. "How about you and Emma just relax and I'll make us some lunch."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Day 220
Emma stayed back at the apartment with Granny because Mary Margaret insisted on going to the hearing with David, and August and Ruby had to be there to testify. David and Mary Margaret were both very nervous, not for themselves but for August and Emma. They both wanted to do right by them and if this didn't work then Regina would have them to herself again.
They walked into the hearing room. Regina was already waiting in her seat with a man beside them. David and Mary Margaret made their way to their seats, Gold hadn't arrived yet.
"Sydney Glass the reporter?" Mary Margaret commented. "He's your lawyer?"
"Sydney has a law degree. He'll make a fine attorney." Regina grinned.
"I would advise you not to speak them, dearies." Gold walked in and joined Mary Margaret and David.
Sheriff Graham came in and joined Regina and Sydney.
David chuckled to himself at the odd pairing of Regina and Graham.
The bailiff walked in. "All rise for the honorable Judge Milian."
Everyone stood as the woman took her seat at the front. The bailiff handed her a paper. "Thank you Douglas." She put her glasses on and glanced over the paper. "Alright I'd like to hear from the plaintiff's side. Mr. Gold… Your client is suing his wife for custody of their children?"
"Yes deary-"
She laughed. "Don't call me deary."
"My apoogies… My client, Mr. Mills and his friend Ms. Blanchard have made a loving stable home for the two children in question over the passed month. The children are happier, the boy is doing better in school. I have witnesses to testify that Ms. Mills has been verbally abusive and neglectful, dear-"
She gave him a stern look.
"-Your honor…"
She nodded. "And now an opening statement from the defense. Go ahead Mr. Glass."
Gold took a seat and Sydney stood. He nodded at Regina then looked at Judge Milian. "My client, Ms. Mills has provided a loving home for her children all along. Her husband was in a coma and she was juggling with the role of both mother and father. He woke up and she was not only happy to have her husband back but also the father of her children. But within one week of him being awake, he was sneaking off with another woman who he is now living with, he has filed for divorce, taken away my client's children, and left her pregnant and alone." Graham gasped, and Sydney continued. "He's refusing to step up as this new baby's father. Not to mention, the woman he is living with was a stalking their youngest child." He sat down when he was finished.
She nodded but looked at them knowing something wasn't adding up. "Alright Mr. Gold, if you'd like to call up your first witness."
"Yes, I would like to call up the children's baby sitter, Ms. Ruby Hood."
Ruby was escorted in by the bailiff. She was sworn in and Gold started questioning her. "Ms. Hood, can you tell me how is Ms. Mills with the children?"
"Well… she doesn't seem to want much to do with them. She's always pinning them on me. It's like she's just doing this mom thing to get under Mary Margaret's skin."
"And how are Mr. Mills and Ms. Blanchard with the children?"
"They're great with them. They want what's best for them. The kids love them."
"Thank you Ms. Hood. No further questions." He took his seat.
Regina whispered something into Sydney's ear. Sydney nodded and stood up to question Ruby. "Is it true, that while Ms. Mills had a restraining order against Ms. Blanchard, you let her see the children behind their mother's back while they were in your care?"
"Well… you see…"
"It's a simple yes or no question. Did you let Ms. Blanchard see the children behind their mother's back?"
"There's more to it than that."
"Ms. Hood, answer the question." Judge Milian glared at her.
"Fine I did. But…"
"Thank you, no more questions." Sydney joined Regina and Graham.
Next August was to come up and testify. The bailiff walked him up to the front next to Judge Milian. It broke David and Mary Margaret's hearts that he had to go through this, but it was the only way to get him away from Regina.
Judge Milian was the one to 'question' him. She was much softer towards him than the adults. "Hi August. Do you the difference between the truth and a lie?"
He nodded.
"I'm going to ask you to tell me the truth today, okay?"
He nodded again.
"Are you happier living with your mom or with your dad at Ms. Blanchard's?"
"I like it at Ms. Blanchard's house."
"What do you like at Ms. Blanchard's house?"
"She's really nice to me. So is Dav- my dad… And Emma doesn't cry there like at her house." He pointed at Regina."
"Why don't you like it at your mom's house?"
He got really sad and looked down at his lap. "She's really mean to me. And she scares Emma."
"August, would you like it I sent you back home with your Dad and Ms. Blanchard?"
He nodded.
"Thank you August, you were a great help." She smiled warmly.
Next was Regina's turn up on stand. Once she was sworn in Sydney started his questions. "Ms. Mills, can you tell me about your children please?"
She nodded. "August is a smart, sweet little seven year old. We've always had a special relationship. But when his father was in a coma it affected him grately. He started to pull away from me. And then when he woke up all he wanted was his father, understandably. So now that we're going through the divorce he wants his father because he was away from him so long. But I think that is a big mistake while his father is living with Ms. Blanchard."
"Why is that?"
"Ms. Blanchard has grown a very unhealthy attachment towards our daughter. She was their babysitter for a while but she wouldn't let go, it was like she wanted Emma to herself. She was always coming around and almost stalking us."
"Why should you have custody?"
"I have a steady job. I can provide well above their needs. I am their mother for goodness sakes! David doesn't even have a job, he can't provide for them."
"Thank you, no further questions."
Gold got up for his questions. "Ms. Mills, is it not true that when Emma was only about 2 days old, you asked Ms. Blanchard what to feed her?"
"Um…"
"Ms. Mills?"
"Yes… yes I did."
"Is it not true that Ms. Blanchard was there for every cold, when she had croup? I have an affidavit from Dr. Whale saying that she was there for her when she was in the ER. He says she was more loving towards Emma than you were. She also protected her when they both her kidnapped. Correct me if I am wrong?"
"There's more to it than that…"
"So you don't deny it? And since Mr. Mills woke up, he has wanted nothing but the best for his children. And you have been verbally abusive towards his son. And using your children as a pawn in your little vendetta against Mary Margaret. Tell me Ms. Mills, do you hate Mary Margaret?"
"Mr. Gold…"
"Do you hate Mary Margaret Blanchard?
"YES! Okay, she took everything from me! Of course she has to pay! So now I'm not going to let her take what is left!"
"Thank you Ms. Mills." Gold smirked. "No more further questions."
David went up to the stand as the final witness. Gold limped over to question him. "Mr. Mills… Can you tell me about your current living arrangements?"
He nodded. "August, Emma and I are living with Mary Margaret. August and I have our own space upstairs, and Mary Margaret is down stairs with Emma. Emma adores Mary Margaret, she is so good to her. Mary Margaret has a good steady income, so it let's me be home with Emma right now just until she's a little bigger and I can get my own job."
He grinned. "Seems like your children are thriving well at your new home, deary. No further questions."
Sydney approached David. "Mr. Mills… how do you know so much about being a father after only being awake from a coma for only a month? Ms. Mills has always been there for her children. You mistrust her judgment of protecting her children from a stalker, and then move in with your children with that same stalker. And you claim you have your children's best interests?"
"I do."
"Doesn't sound like it to me. Sounds to me like you're ditching your loving wife to fulfill selfish fantasies."
"No…"
"I don't have any more questions."
David and Sydney took their seats.
Judge Millian sorted through her papers. "I am calling a short fifteen minute recess and then we'll report back here for the decision." She pounded her gavel then left the room.
Regina stood and Graham took her arm. "We need to talk."
"Excuse me?"
He pulled her aside. "You're pregnant?"
"Yes, why?"
"Am I the father?"
"Of course not. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Regina… We've been together… I don't know how many times. How far along are you?"
"One month."
"Was it that time in the car… when Emma went missing?" His face lit up. "Am I going to be a father?"
She sighed. "Yes… but don't let this ruin my case. Keep your mouth shut!"
He couldn't help but smile. "I'm going to be a father."
"SHH…"
It felt like longer but fifteen minutes had passed and Judge Milian returned. Everyone returned to their seats.
"I have come to a conclusion about this case." She turned and looked at Regina. "Just because you're jealous of another woman who treats your daughter better than you, doesn't mean you run out and get a restraining order on them. That makes no sense. There's plenty of evidence stating that you shouldn't be a guardian of young children. I believe they can provider better home environment than you. So I am in favour of the plaintiff. David Mills I grant you sole custody of August and Emma Mills, and also custody of your unborn child. That means you make all medical decisions about Ms. Mills' pregnancy and once the child is born it goes home with you and Ms. Blanchard. Ms. Mills you I grant you one supervised visit with August and Emma every Saturday for an hour, if Mr. Mills wishes to give you more time that is up to him but he is required to give you that hour each Saturday. Okay I've had enough of you wasting my time. Case is closed." She banged her gavel and then left.
All the colour drained from her face and she put her head down on the table. What had she done? Her hatred for Snow White is now going to lose her child. HER child. She took this too far. Graham sat there shocked and he looked at Regina angrily.
David hugged Mary Margaret lifting her feet off the ground. "Let's go tell August."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
David and Mary Margaret took August and Emma to Granny's for dinner to celebrate. They sat at one of the booths.
"Can I have pizza?" August asked.
"You can have anything you'd like." David smiled and let Emma hold his finger. Emma was in a high chair right by the booth, David and August seated together and Mary Margaret across from them.
August looked over at another table and saw Marco sitting there. "Can I go say hi to fath- to Marco?"
"Sure buddy."
August smiled and went over to see Marco.
"So… you have custody of Regina's unborn child."
David nodded. "I mean a child is a child, but there's no way it can be mine. And if she truly wants her baby she'll want to prove it's not mine. I'm not too worried."
"I hope you're right."
August came running back when Ruby served them their dinner.
David raised his glass. "Here's to family!" They all tinked their glasses together. "We'll always be together." David squeezed Mary Margaret's hand.
August made a goofy face at Emma, he always liked to do that. Emma let out a loud giggle and everyone giggled with her.
Regina looked through the window. Mary Margaret looked happier than ever. Regina had lost, again. Regina needed a new plan.
***Haha, who's the stalker now?***