A/N: Hey guys! I'm really not sure if you guys will like the way this chapter is written or not. I did a lot of research on custody battles in order to write this chapter, but please keep in mind, I am no lawyer, nor have I ever been in involved in a custody battle. I tried to make this as realistic as possible, I even searched online for mock trials and such, but I could only find them for criminal cases, so I did my best. I thought long and hard on how to end the custody battle, and based on my research, this was probably the most realistic option. I tried to not make it too boring, and I hope I was successful, while still getting a point across. And just so you know, this isn't the end! The story will probably be coming to a close within the next 5 or so chapters, though. I have one more major plot twist and then I will putting this story to an end. I'd like to thank all of my loyal readers and reviewers. So much inspiration! PLEASE let me know what you think of this chapter, yeah?


Anna had been visiting more and more over the past week, but Ava still had yet to warm up to her. Maybe it was because somewhere, deep down inside of her, she knew that his woman abandoned her. But it's difficult to get into the brain of infant; the only clear thing being Ava does not like Anna.

Jay and Erin decided not to let Anna have any alone time with Ava until the custody battle was settled, to protect her. They were trying to prepare her in the case that Jay lost, and she does have to be with Anna, while also attempting to prevent her from getting too attached to Anna, in the case he won, and Anna disappeared again.

Today was the day of the trial, and Jay and Erin were both exhausted. "So how dirty are we getting, Jay?" Erin asked, while getting ready for the long day that was awaiting.

"Monique and I tried to do the best we could to go deep, but not deep enough to where we'd have to get real dirty. I mean, I think the worst thing we're gonna use is her depression." He replied as he rinsed the shampoo out of his hair.

"What do you think she's gonna pull?"

"There's nothing she really has on me, really." Jay simply stated, shrugging his shoulders.

Erin sighed, "What about the Rodiger case?" She questioned, chewing the inside of her cheek.

He inwardly groaned, he actually was prepared for this question, he and Monique spent a lot of time going over it, "It's handled, baby, don't worry. We've got this." He tried to reassure her, while also trying to reassure himself.


After dropping off Ava at daycare, Jay and Erin make their way to the courthouse. The trial was set to be finished by 3pm, without complications, and Erin would be the last witness Jay would call to the stand, as she was the most important and influential in Ava's life. He also had Lexy and Ava's nanny prepared to testify on his behalf.

"All rise." At the sound of those words, Jay and Erin, Monique, Anna, and and Anna's lawyer, Jessica Pitt, stood as the judge entered the room. "Judge Avery presiding. Please be seated."

The judge took a minute to familiarize herself with the case before starting, "Good morning. This court is assigned to resolve a custody arrangement for Ava Nicole Halstead, between Jay Mitchell Halstead and Anna Renee Walsh. Ms. Juarez, would you like to make an opening statement concerning your client?"

Monique stood as she prepared to brief the judge, "Yes, your honor. The evidence shown here today will prove that my client, Jay Halstead, is capable of raising a child with or without the help of the defendant on trial. Mr. Halstead has been raising his daughter, Ava, alone as of September the 2nd of 2014, when she was abandoned on his door step. On file, we have proof of paternity, as well as the child's medical records. Ms. Walsh has been visiting Mr. Halstead's home frequently since her return to the child's life in January of 2015. Finally, our list of witnesses that will be testifying on behalf of Mr. Halstead."

Once Monique was seated, Jessica stood from her chair, "Your honor, we are here today with evidence showing why my client, Anna Walsh is filing for joint custody of her daughter, Ava Halstead. Anna suffered from postpartum depression shortly after the birth of her daughter and Ava was taken to Mr. Halstead without her knowledge. Several documents were forged, unbeknownst to my client at the time."

The judge nodded, "Ms. Juarez, please call your first witness."

"I call Jay Halstead to the stand."

Monique's questions to Jay had already been discussed beforehand, and Jay answered every single one without hesitation. They included how long Ava had been living with Jay, about the visitations he and Anna had arranged over the past few weeks, and about Ava in general. "No further questions, your honor."

At this time, Anna's lawyer began questioning Jay. Anna's lawyer hadn't gone deep into Jay's past at all. He knew the only thing they had on him besides the ordeal with Lonnie Rodiger, was his profession, and he had that in the bag.

The judge asked him questions about his home, in which he shared with Erin, his financial status, and about Ava's medical history and development.

Next, they called Antonio to the stand, and he was asked what type of father Jay was, and whether or not it seemed as if Jay was a capable father. The routine continued with Voight, Adam, and Al. Lexy was mostly questioned about Ava, as was the same with Ava's nanny. They were asked how often they watched Ava, and how they saw Jay treat her.

Finally, it was Erin's turn to be called to the stand. "Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

Monique's questions towards Erin went wonderfully, and helped Jay's case in more ways than one.

Until now, there had been no dirty questions directed at any of Jay's witnesses. Apparently Anna had her lawyer do all the digging on Erin, which was pretty pointless anyway because none of it was related to the case. "And, Ms. Lindsay, how many times were you arrested before your 16th birthday? The lawyer asked, staring deeply into Erin's eyes.

"Objection! How is this relevant?" Monique called out, grabbing the judge's attention.

"Objection sustained."

"I have no further questions, your honor." The judge then called for a break in the trial, as they prepared to switch from Jay's case to Anna's.


Jay was furious at Anna for bringing up Erin's past like that. He was sure that the only reason she did it was to make him angry, so he tried his best to not act on his anger. Instead, during the break he wrapped Erin up in his arms, and held her tightly. "I'm sorry, babe. I didn't know they were gonna attack you like that."

Erin felt the vibrations from his voice against her face, as she rested her head on his chest. She pulled away to look at him, "It's okay. Make sure to thank Monique for that objection, though." She said with a laugh, "Let's get back in there and protect our girl, yeah?"

He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head, "Yeah." He spoke with a smile.


Anna had very few witnesses. She wasn't on speaking terms with any of her family after finding out what they had done, and most of the people in her life either met her after she had given Ava away, or didn't know her well enough to testify.

When called to the stand, Monique and Jessica asked her about her depression, and her recovery. She was asked to recite everything she remembered from before Ava had been turned over to Jay. Like Jay, she spoke about her financial status, she also included how she had a 2 bedroom apartment where she had a room set up for Ava.

"Ms. Pitt, do you have any other witnesses?" The judge asked after Anna had been called down from the stand.

"Just one more. I call Dr. Ryan Halstead to the witness stand." Jay's head immediately snapped towards the back doors of the courtroom. Why was his brother being called in as a witness to testify against him? Jay and his brother were really close growing up, but they had drifted apart as they approached adulthood, but they were still on good terms. Ryan was just a few years older than Jay, and right after graduating college, he went to a small medical school somewhere out of the city. Jay didn't even know he was in town.

Ryan wasn't called to the stand as an uncle to Ava, in fact, he was unaware of Anna's relationship with his brother. He was called as a medical professional. Ryan has been Anna's doctor since she was diagnosed with postpartum depression. He helped her through it, and Anna was dumb enough to not put two and two together and realize her doctor was her baby daddy's brother.

"Dr. Halstead, please answer the question. Do you believe that Anna Walsh is in a stable enough mental state in order to be a fit mother?" Ryan was in a dilemma; on the one hand this could completely ruin his relationship with his brother, but on the other hand, Anna had gotten excessive amounts of treatment over the past 6 months, and a part of him did believe she could be a mother to her child. But not if that child was his niece.

He cleared his throat before answering, and through his peripheral vision noticed both Jay and Anna tense up, "No, I do not believe that Anna Walsh is ready to be the sole caretaker of a child." He saw the tears well up in Anna's eyes, but seeing relief wash over his baby brother's face set all guilt aside.

Everybody sat in silence while the judge finalized his decision. "Ms. Walsh, I commend you for getting yourself through your depression and readying yourself to have a relationship with your child. Over the course of this trial, I have heard how hard you have been trying, but I have also heard what the loved ones of Mr. Halstead and yourself had to say today. While I appreciate your efforts, and desire to be a part of your daughter's life, I have to think about what is best for the child. With that being said, I grant full custody to Mr. Halstead, with supervised visitation to Ms. Walsh. Ms. Walsh is free to refile this arrangement in the future if she wishes. Court is adjourned."

Erin and Jay both let out a sigh of relief as they stood, immediately latching onto one another.

Tears filled Anna's eyes, she wanted so badly to be a mother to her child. And she was blaming everyone but herself, refusing to take fault in her own actions that ultimately caused the dispute. She watched Jay and Erin across the courtroom before her lawyer escorted her out. "I will get my daughter back, if it is the last thing I do." She silently muttered to herself, so quiet even her lawyer couldn't hear.