Stolen Dreams
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer wrote Twilight. If you don't know that, what are you doing here?
A/N: Thank you. Seriously, guys. Your support and comments have been amazing and I appreciate each and every one. JenRar is still the most awesome beta. I'm going to let you have this one without further ado.
Chapter 25
In the end, Ed and Elizabeth were only too thrilled to be given a reason to extend their stay; they had been scheduled to leave Thursday morning. Charlie said that he would arrange to switch shifts with Mark, his deputy, to be there. Renee, however, was too busy with Phil's team to fly back here.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," she practically simpered when she finally called me back around four o'clock Tuesday afternoon. "We've got a big game on Thursday, and I just can't miss it. Call me and let me know how it goes?"
I rolled my eyes. I hadn't expected anything less, but it still hurt to know that Phil's game came before my son. "Sure, Mom. Tell Phil and the guys good luck."
We hung up after a few more basic pleasantries. I banged my head against my desk, and then just stared into space. The rational side of me said that it wouldn't matter if she was there or not, but my heart—and the ten year old girl inside me—was hurt by her refusal.
I had to put it aside, though, and spend some time on the problems of my last patient. Mary had, had another episode, and her visions this time had been of a major car accident. She'd described it to her family in such detail that when the news reports came on two days later, they'd all recognized it immediately and tried to keep her from the television. When she found out, she'd gone into a deep depression, blaming herself for the life-threatening injuries the passenger in the car that had been hit had sustained.
After she left, I finished up my notes and called Edward.
"Hey, baby," he answered distractedly.
"Hey. What're the plans for tonight?" I really wanted him to tell me that dinner, a movie, and an evening full of sex were on his menu.
He sighed. "I'm not going to be home tonight. Since I'm taking off tomorrow afternoon and most of Thursday for the trial, I've got to cover the office tonight."
I couldn't hide my disappointment. "Oh, well, I suppose that you being off for the hearing is more important. Call me later?"
"Bella, I'm sorry," he pleaded. "Don't be mad. At least I'm not asking you to babysit my parents."
"I'm not mad, Edward. I'm just disappointed. And hell no, I'm not babysitting your parents," I laughed.
His answering laugh lifted my mood slightly. "I'll call you later, yeah?"
"Yeah. I love you,"I whispered.
"Love you, too." I heard a ding in the background just as he hung up.
I went home with my briefcase full of papers, and then left them all by the door. I ordered a delivery of Thai food, changed into some comfy pajamas, and flicked on the television. While chowing down on my noodles, I let all of my problems and frustrations disappear into the background of nighttime TV.
Wednesday was full of anticipation and nerves. Our closing was scheduled for three o'clock, and Edward had agreed to meet me at my office at two, so we could ride together. After my last patient left at one-thirty, I could barely contain my jitters.
Edward was almost as anxious as me. His knees were bouncing up and down in the car when I slid in, and his fingers drummed against the steering wheel. His eyes were bright, though.
"We're about to buy our first house," I squeaked out, grabbing onto one of his hands.
He gave me a nervous smile. "We are. Let's do this."
We pulled out into traffic and made it to the title company office long before we were supposed to be there. Luck was with us, though, and within ten minutes of our arrival, all the necessary parties were present.
We handed over a check with more zeroes on it than I'd ever seen in one place and signed our names about a zillion times. My hand was starting to cramp with the repetition. I tried to read everything, but the words started mixing together. The lawyer slid another page in front of me, detailing what it was. I read through it and signed.
"That's it," he announced with a smile.
"That's it?" I asked.
"That's it," he confirmed. "The house is officially yours." He handed the keys over to Edward, whose eyes were lit up like a kid on Christmas.
"You ready to go see our house?" he asked, his smile huge.
Everyone in the room congratulated us and walked us to the door, shaking our hands as we went. I could barely contain my excitement as we got into his car and started driving toward our new home. Edward picked up his phone and called his parents, while I dialed Alice. We'd managed to hold her off with pictures of the place with the promise that as soon as we took possession, she could come over. Needless to say, she was thrilled to have a reason to leave her shop in the hands of her interns for a little while and got directions.
The house looked a little lonely and forlorn when we pulled up out front. All the signs of life that had accompanied it the last time we were here had been carted away. There were no trash cans by the garage and no mail in the box. With shaking hands, Edward stuck the key in the lock and opened the front door of our home for the first time.
If I thought it looked different from the outside, it was nothing compared to how different it looked on the inside. I knew that once we added our furniture and special touches, it would look like a home, but for now, it was more like an empty cavern. It still gave me warm and fuzzy feelings inside, though, because it was ours.
"Man, it looks weird," Edward commented as he stared around the empty living room.
"I think we're going to need more furniture," I joked, though I was partially serious.
Edward grunted a laugh. "You don't say. I'm sure Alice will have us a house full by this time next week."
"Next week? You're giving her far too little credit," I teased.
Edward's eyes crinkled as he smiled and strode over to me. He reached out his hand, grasping mine, and tugged me closer to him. "Welcome home," he whispered, before covering my mouth with his in a searing kiss.
I clawed at his shirt, trying desperately to bring us closer together, losing myself in the passion I felt for the man in front of me.
Our moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. Regretfully, Edward pulled away, pouting. He took my hand and led me over to the door, where he opened it to admit our first guest. Unsurprisingly, it was Alice. Edward's parents were pulling into the driveway, though, so we stayed at the front door, wanting to give them the tour all at once.
"Oh, honey, it's beautiful," Elizabeth gushed as soon as she stepped out of the car. Ed followed her up to the front door at a more sedate pace.
"Come on in. We'll give you all the tour," I offered, sweeping my hand to the side in a gesture of welcome.
They all walked with us as we guided them through the house. Alice was mumbling mostly to herself and making notes on a notepad she'd dug out of her purse. The only room we told her she did not have any rein over was Ryan's. We wanted him to help us decorate it. It would probably take most of a weekend, but it would be worth it.
After touring the entire place and hearing both Elizabeth and Alice gush over how much they loved it, Ed suggested that all five of us go out to dinner to celebrate—his treat. As we hadn't spent much time with them since they'd arrived, neither Edward nor I could come up with a reason not to.
"Do you mind if I invite Jasper, as well?" Alice asked. "I was supposed to be meeting him for dinner in about thirty minutes."
"No, no," Ed assured her. "The more the merrier."
She left the living room to go call him, and Ed turned to us as soon as she was out of the room. "I'm really proud of you two. This house is great and will be a good place for you to raise a family."
I blinked in shock. This was the first time in more than ten years that Ed had spoken about us and the future in a positive light. This time it wasn't, "That girl has ruined your life!" or "She's just not good for you."
Edward seemed similarly taken aback. "Uh, th-thanks, Dad," he stammered. He reached out blindly, never taking his eyes off his father, and grasped my hand.
Ed looked somewhat abashed and stuck his hands in his pockets, while rocking back and forth slightly. "I know I haven't been the most supportive of your relationship, but I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong. You are good for each other, and I think you'll have a good life together. Better now than when you were just kids, but we were wrong to pull you apart like we did. I'm sorry."
I was speechless. How was I supposed to react to that? The nastier part of me wanted to club him and tell him his apology was too little, too late, but the other, more rational side recognized how hard it must have been for him to admit the wrongdoing in the first place.
Alice saved us from the awkwardness of having to respond, since neither of us seemed to know how to, by coming back in and announcing that Jasper would be joining us. She just had to text him the name of the restaurant we chose.
Elizabeth mentioned a small place that we'd passed on our way into our new neighborhood. Of course, neither Edward nor I had ever been there, so we shrugged and agreed. No more was said about Ed's comment, but I did see Edward give him a stiff hug as we made our way to the car.
Once Jasper had joined us and our food was on the table, Elizabeth brought up the elephant in the room. "So, what should we expect tomorrow? Where are you in this process?"
"To be completely honest, I don't know what to expect tomorrow," I admitted. "DSHS has met with the Cullens, Ryan, and us and deemed both households fit to care for him. The FBI's analysts have proven that we didn't sign the forms relinquishing our rights, but now a judge has to rule to restore them."
"Does your attorney expect them to restore your rights and award you custody tomorrow?" Ed asked as he swallowed a bite of salad.
Edward shook his head. "Restore our rights, yes. Physical custody, no. Ryan has requested to not be removed from the only home he's ever known at this point, and Aron expects them to take that into consideration. Really, we have no idea what will happen when we walk into the courtroom. The case got moved up because of the media attention. They don't want to look like they aren't doing what's right in the media by dragging their feet."
"Well, we'll be there to support you," Elizabeth stated decisively. She even nodded to herself as if to punctuate her declaration. As much as Edward's parents irked me, I appreciated the sentiment, especially since my own mother wasn't going to be.
Jasper asked Ed more about his business, and I sort of tuned out. I wasn't thinking about anything in particular, just reveling in the idea that Edward and I were now homeowners—together. So, it caught me by surprise when Edward called my name.
"Are you going to sit here all night by yourself?" he teased.
I hadn't even realized that everyone else was leaving the table.
"Shit," I muttered with a grin. "Sorry. I spaced out."
"I got that." His own grin was barely hiding. "Let's go back to your place for tonight. We have to be at the courthouse before nine."
We said goodnight to his parents and Alice and Jasper, who were going to meet us at the courthouse in the morning, and went back to the apartment. It was amazing that in one afternoon, it had gone from home, to my apartment. Our home was a big, empty house across town.
Seven o'clock came early after a night of tossing and turning. I was so nervous about the outcome of today. Edward seemed to be, too, and we barely spoke as we got ready to go. We arrived at the courthouse at eight-thirty and found the courtroom that Aron had specified to be empty. We'd already been told that the proceedings were closed, so only those with ties to either family would be allowed to attend.
Charles and Christina Carter were the next to arrive, skirting furtively into the courtroom and shutting the door behind them. "Oh, we didn't know you guys were here yet," Charles said, breathing somewhat heavily. "Did you have to dodge the reporters camped out in the hallway?"
My eyes widened. "The reporters are here?"
Christina nodded as she crossed the room to give me a hug. "Yeah, there were three or four of them up here and two more downstairs. One of the bailiffs was walking toward them, and he didn't look happy, so hopefully, they'll be gone soon. Esme and Carlisle aren't here yet?"
"Nope, we were the first ones. They might be meeting Tia first; I don't know." Edward was starting to fidget in his anxiety, and his eyes constantly swept over the door.
He jumped when it cracked open to admit Aron. We introduced him to Charles and Christina, and he apologized for being late. He was, it seemed, responsible for getting the hallway cleared. We only had a few minutes to speak, though, when the rest of our family came barreling through the door, along with Alice, Jasper, and Charlie. Esme, Carlisle, Tia, and Ryan filed in right after them. Ryan ran over to us and gave both Edward and me big hugs.
Introductions were passed around. Ryan waved to the Masens, but hid mostly behind Edward. Elizabeth's eyes shone with tears, and I saw her mouth, "He looks just like Edward," to Ed. Ed nodded, his own eyes suspiciously bright.
Marjorie scooted in at the last minute as the judge was entering the courtroom. We all scrambled to our own sides of the aisle, with Edward and me on one side and the Cullens on the other.
"All rise," the bailiff called.
My nerves zinged as I stood next to Edward and clasped his hand.
"Court is now in session. Judge Margaret Hill presiding in the case of Masen and Swan vs. Cullen."
"Please be seated," Judge Hill said in a kind voice as she sat and adjusted her own robes. She waited until all of us had taken our seats, before beginning again. "We are here regarding the parental rights of Major Edward Masen and Dr. Isabella Swan and the custody of the minor child, Ryan Parker Cullen. I've looked through the briefs and affidavits submitted to the courts, as well as the reports filed through DSHS. Unsurprisingly, I've also seen the news."
She paused and ordered some notes on her desk. "Mr. Michaels, based upon what I've read, it is my understanding that the child in question, Ryan Cullen, was allegedly stolen from his parents at birth by a Dr. Robert Gerandy. The paperwork relinquishing parental rights and agreeing to the adoption has been found to have been forged and the money set aside for Isabella Swan was not given to her until recently. Is that correct?"
"Yes, your honor," Aron answered.
"It is also my understanding that Dr. Swan and Major Masen discovered that their son was, in fact, alive on May fifth of this year—fifty-four days ago. Is that correct?"
"It is, your honor," he answered again.
Judge Hill sighed and laid her hands flat on her desk. "You all are here in my courtroom to decide this today for two reasons. First, a judge has to rule the termination of parental rights to have been null and void and restore them. Second, I'm concerned about the media attention this is getting and the lack of action by both parties to resolve this through mediation." She held up her hand for quiet as Tia, the Cullens' attorney, opened her mouth to rebut. "I'm well aware that less than two months in a custody battle is a drop in the bucket. Usually, the people I see in my courtroom have been arguing for more than a year. However, from what I can see here, the parties in this case have managed to work out a visitation schedule without counsel's help.
"In the interests of all parties involved, Mr. Michaels, please tell the court what you are requesting today on behalf of your clients," she ordered.
Aron stood and straightened his jacket. "My clients would like their parental rights to Ryan Cullen restored and to gain custody. As it should never have been taken in the beginning, we ask the court to right that wrong now."
"Ms. Stefano?" the judge queried with a raised eyebrow to Tia.
"My clients are challenging their right to custody, both in regards to the legal matters that are still pending and the minor child's welfare. At this point, without a conviction, Dr. Robert Gerandy has only been accused of kidnapping the child and selling him. Until a court issues a ruling in favor of the prosecution in that case, his crimes remain simply accusations. Also, based upon the DSHS report, it is in the best interest of Ryan Cullen to remain in the home he currently resides in." It looked like Tia wanted to say more, but the judge cut her off.
"The ruling in the criminal matter has no bearing in my courtroom," she retorted. "Based upon the evidence that has been provided to me, I find that Edward Masen and Isabella Swan did not willingly and knowlingly terminate their parental rights. In that matter, I find for the plaintiff. As of today, your rights are restored. Let the record reflect that. As for custody, I had hoped that you all would arrive today with a plan that had been agreed to by both sides. Has that happened?"
"No, your honor," both attorneys chorused.
"Have you even tried?" she asked, perturbed.
The answers were rather noncommittal. I knew that was because they hadn't tried. Aron said he had requested meetings, but their side never responded.
The judge practically growled, and when she spoke, her voice was steely. "Here's what is going to happen. Ryan and I are going to go to my chambers and talk for a few minutes. While we are gone, you are going to sit down and come up with something. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, your honor," both attorneys mumbled, appropriately chastised.
"Ryan," she called kindly, "would you come with me please? And Ms. Hollings?"
Ryan nodded and walked through the swinging gate and around the bench, where the judge was waiting at the door that led to her chambers. Marjorie followed close behind. Before I knew it, they were out the door.
Aron wheeled around on us. "What do you want me to fight for here?" he asked quietly. "I can say that you won't accept anything less than sole legal and physical custody, or we can go for another arrangement."
I wanted sole custody, but one glance over at the Cullens told me that I could never do that to them—at least, not at this point. They loved my son like their own, still saw him as their son.
Edward followed my gaze and pursed his lips. "We want sole custody of our son, with visitation rights for the Cullens; however, we will accept joint legal and physical custody, if that's what is necessary," he answered.
Aron nodded, turned toward Tia, and jerked his head toward a table at the other end of the room, where they could confer. All I could do was watch them. I couldn't even speak. Edward held my hand next to me and exchanged a few words with our families. What he said, I have no idea, because all I could focus on were the two people deciding my child's fate—and mine.
The time passed in fits and starts. One time, I looked at the clock and groaned when only four minutes had elapsed. The next time I checked, almost twenty had gone by. Finally, after thirty-seven minutes, the door at the back of the room opened, and Marjorie led Ryan out and back to his seat. Aron and Tia were still in conference, but they jolted back when the bailiff repeated his call of "all rise."
Judge Hill retook her seat and steepled her fingers in front of her. "Mr. Michaels, Ms. Stefano, what have you come up with?"
Aron cleared his throat and stepped back to the table where Edward and I were sitting. "My clients are requesting joint legal and physical custody at a minimum and sole legal and physical custody at a maximum, with visitation for the Cullens. Opposing counsel has rejected our minimum offer and countered with joint legal custody, sole physical custody for the Cullens, and bi-weekly visitation for Major Masen and Dr. Swan. We were unable to discuss this with our clients before your return, your honor."
"So let me get this straight," the judge said with a hint of derision in her voice. "What you are proposing, Ms. Stefano, is essentially for things to remain as they are now, with the exception of legal custody being split?"
Tia looked a bit cowed, but she nodded and replied, "Yes, your honor."
"No," Judge Hill answered simply. "Major Masen, Dr. Swan, is it your intention to remain here in the Seattle area?"
"Yes, your honor," Edward replied. "We just purchased a house here."
"Ah. I didn't see that. When did this happen?" The judge shuffled her notes around, looking for the information.
Edward's tone was slightly amused when he replied, "Yesterday, your honor."
Her head snapped up at his answer, and she shook her head. "Well, that would explain it. Major, if you could write down the address for me and hand it the bailiff."
Edward, however, had thought ahead and brought a copy of our deed with him. He passed it to the bailiff, who handed the paper over to the judge. She glanced it over and added it to the pile.
"Here's what we're going to do. After talking with Ryan, he has expressed the desire to remain in Forks for the time being. Because of the distance between the two cities, joint physical custody will be difficult, but not impossible. Until school restarts, Ryan is to alternate between Forks and Seattle in two week increments. Holidays are to be alternated between, in accordance with state standards, unless both parties can come to alternate agreements. Before the start of the school year, Ms. Hollings will report back to the court. Should Ryan choose to remain in Forks, Major Masen and Dr. Swan are to be given visitation every other weekend, working around Major Masen's Reserve schedule. If Ryan would like to move to Seattle at that time, the Cullens will be afforded the same visitation schedule. Due to his living arrangements, both parties will share legal custody. All major decisions regarding Ryan's life must be cleared by both parties. Also, moves out of the state must be approved by the court. I want to review this arrangement in six months. Counsel, put it on your calendars." Her tone left no room for argument.
"Furthermore, this arrangement will begin on July eighth. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, you are to make Ryan available to come to Seattle to stay with Major Masen and Dr. Swan on that day. I will trust the four of you to handle this Independence Day like adults. Until further action is taken, both parties will alternate years for claiming Ryan on their taxes; the Cullens will claim him this year. Major Masen and Dr. Swan, I leave it up to you as to how you want to handle your finances, but you will be eligible to claim him every other year, starting next year," she continued. "Do either of you have an opinion on child support?"
Tia piped up. "My clients have financially supported Ryan for more than ten years. Major Masen owns his own computer business, and Dr. Swan is a partner in a therapy practice here in Seattle. Surely my clients cannot be expected to provide additional financial compensation here."
"Dr. Cullen is a successful physician," Aron argued. "My clients should not be expected to provide compensation to the people that are keeping their son from them."
Judge Hill slammed her gavel onto the desk. "That's enough, counselors. No child support ordered on either side. Now, you all seem like reasonable people that care for the same young man. I suggest that you learn how to work together for his sake."
Moments later, she dismissed us.
Edward and I sat there staring at the bench where she'd been sitting as she walked back into her chambers. It had really happened. We were officially and legally Ryan's parents, and we had custody of him again. I wasn't sure what exactly to do now.
Noise from behind us snapped us out of our shock. Edward pushed his chair back and stood first, holding out his hand to help me up. Aron shook our hands and told us that he would be in touch; Edward thanked him for all of his help. I was still shocked as I watched Tia and Aron hurry out the courtroom doors, off to finish their days working on other cases.
I turned and surveyed the scene around me. Charles was on his phone, also looking over the crowd. Esme seemed to be in shock, much like I was, though hers was tinged more in relief than mine was. She was still holding onto Ryan; he was trying to worm out of her embrace, but she didn't seem inclined to let go. Carlisle was talking to Christina and Ed.
Edward's brow furrowed, and he strode toward them with determination. I followed, curious as to what had set him off after the good news we'd just gotten.
"Have the two of you met?" he asked, his voice hard.
Ed's brow furrowed in concern as he turned to look at his son. Carlisle seemed merely curious. "Not officially, no," Ed answered. "Why?"
"Have you met before today?" Edward repeated, clarifying his earlier question.
"No," Carlisle answered slowly, as if he couldn't figure out what Edward was getting at. "He was just asking me about where we lived in Forks and how we liked it."
Ed, however, had no trouble figuring out where his son's mind had gone when he saw them together. Ed's shoulders sagged slightly, and his gaze burned a hole in the floor. Charlie saw Edward's tense stance and walked toward us.
"Is everything okay over here?" he asked, Chief Swan out in full force.
"Yeah, everything's fine," Ed muttered with a sigh.
Carlisle's head turned as Charles signaled something to him. "We're going to get something to eat, and Charles has gotten a private room big enough for all of us, if you'd like to join us." He glanced over at Ryan, and then back to Edward and me. "I think today has been a win for everyone."
"Sure, that sounds good," I answered, knowing that Edward and I both had the whole day off. With the tension resurfacing between Edward and Ed, I knew we would not want to spend it alone with them.
I laced my fingers through Edward's and dragged him across the room to where Ryan and Esme were standing alone. Esme gave me a small, sad smile and released Ryan, who came to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Do I really get to come and stay with you and Dad for two weeks at a time?" he asked, his voice muffled in my shirt.
"Yep," I told him. "Every other two weeks until school starts, and we'll have weekends and holidays, too. Do you like that arrangement?"
He nodded, still not letting go. "It's what I asked for," he whispered so low that I barely heard him. I knew that he didn't want Esme and Carlisle to know that he'd asked for this, because we both knew that it would hurt them.
"Then I'm glad the judge listened," I said with a smile. "Hey, you ready for some lunch? Uncle Charles has reserved us a room somewhere."
He nodded again and let go of me. We walked back over to where Edward, Charlie, and Carlisle were still standing. The atmosphere around them was tense, and I thought about guiding Ryan over to Alice and Jasper, but Carlisle called to him first.
While they discussed lunch and moved off to the side, I wheeled on Edward. "What is wrong with you? Aren't you supposed to be happy? The outcome is better than we'd hoped for."
Edward's hands clenched into fists, not angrily, but anxiously. "I don't know, Bella. I saw him talking to my dad, and I just had to wonder if he knew."
"Your dad?" I asked. We'd been over this with him, and while I still didn't like or trust the man, I believed him when he said that he hadn't taken it this far.
"No! Carlisle," Edward hissed.
I took a step back in shock, staring at Edward as if he'd gone crazy. Carlisle had his own issues, which we'd been on the receiving end more than once, but even I didn't think that he knew about Ryan's kidnapping before we told him. His reaction made that plain.
Dad stepped forward and placed a hand on Edward's arm, gently coaxing Edward to look at him. "I asked, Edward. During my interrogation of Bob Gerandy, I specifically asked if the parents knew. They weren't ever told—no one was. Bob was convinced of his ability to get you to agree, and set up the adoption with that thought in mind. When you didn't, he had to work fast. The Cullens were only told that Ryan was the son of a young couple that didn't want him."
"Charlie, did my dad have anything to do with this?" he asked quietly. The sadness was so plain in his voice that I wished I could do something—anything—to take it away.
"Other than planting the idea?" Charlie asked, his voice low and his eyes sad. Edward nodded. "No, son, I don't think he did. I'll never understand or appreciate what he did to my little girl, but he thought he was doing what was best for his child. In the end, he was wrong, but he's suffering for that, too."
Edward swallowed and cast a glance over at his dad. Ed was standing apart from everyone else, watching Ryan interact with Charles, Christina, Elizabeth, Esme, Alice, and Jasper.
"Let's go to lunch," I suggested, bringing the conversation to a halt.
Edward clasped my hand and smiled for the first time since the judge issued her orders. "Yes, let's. We've got some planning to do."
Was that what you expected to happen? Thoughts?
Recs of the week: Learning to Let Go by lvtwilight09. This drabble style fic has me on the edge of my seat for another update every minute.
Any of all of the Age of Edward stories. I've read and enjoyed too many to name.
The Demons in My Dreams by littlecat358
Have a great week! I can't wait to hear what you think!