So if you were online earlier then you probably read the chapter I posted and deleted within an hour. Look I am no Shakespeare and I write what people tell me they want to read. When people inbox me saying that they want drama then that is what I'm going to write. Also mean comments in the reviews are not necessary, I mean come on chill out. Anyway I rewrote the ending to this chapter and I hope it's a better ending for everyone.
Rachel stood in the doorway as she watched Finn try and fasten his tie. There was nothing she could do for him, she couldn't take his pain away. All she could do was let everything happen, let today happen. Although she felt positive about the outcome of today, she couldn't help but worry about what they'd be coming home to. Slowly she walked into the room, making her presence known with a clearing of her throat. He turned to look at her before taking a seat in the chair by the window. With caution she walked towards him and took a seat on his lap.
"Hey" he said dully as he looked outside the window
"You ok?" She asked. He shrugged his shoulders
"Nervous"
"We're going to be fine, we're going to see her today" she smiled "this is huge"
"I've missed her" he mirrored her smile. "Like I've missed her a lot"
"Yeah we both have"
"Should we take her something? Like a gift or-"
"We can't, remember. Santana said that will look like we're trying to tempt her and the judge could put that against us"
"Oh yeah. We um...we should probably get going"
"Yeah" they stood up hand in hand and headed downstairs. The whole family was waiting in the foyer with looks of sadness and pity on their faces. Rachel grabbed her purse and squeezed Finns hand. "Let's get this show on the road" she smiled. The Nine of them headed to the court house. Everyone else went inside whilst Finn and Rachel lingered in the car outside. "Finn. Whatever happens today. I want you to know that I love you and we have eachother"
"Yeah. Always" he smiled half heartedly "ok let's go and get her back" he said with confidence as he headed out of the car with Rachel. Santana was waiting by the door with a smile on her face
"Come on you two. This is a big day. Our case is flawless. You're going to win this. And tonight you'll have her back at the house"
"Yeah" Finn smiled as he patted San on the back "thanks"
"Don't mention it" she smiled as she walked away.
"Finn I'm going to go to the bathroom" Rachel announced as she looked around the court house
"Ok" he placed a kiss on her head. Hand in hand they headed to the bathroom.
"Do you mind holding my bag? I hate taking it in there"
"Yeah of course" Rachel turned to walk into the bathroom before she saw chairs along the wall to the right of her and about twenty feet away, Sophie's family stood talking. Sat on a chair, swinging her legs and staring ahead was Sophie. "Oh my-" Rachel gasped
"What? Are you ok?" Finn asked as he placed a hand on her bump
"Sophie" Rachel shouted, just loud enough for the little girl to hear her.
"Mommy!" she jumped out of her chair and came running towards the pair. Rachel knelt down and quickly took her into her embrace, lifting her up as she wrapped her arms and legs around her.
"My girl" Rachel smiled with tears spilling "We've missed you" she fully cried now as Sophie gripped her, shaking and crying "oh my baby"
"Mommy" she sobbed
"Baby girl" Finn chocked as he rubbed her back.
"Daddy!" She couldn't contain herself "I-I didn't want to- I want you and Mommy" she could hardly get her words out as her tears spilled
"Shhhhhh princess, it's ok. It's ok!" he wrapped his arms around both girls, trying to stay calm "you're coming home with us today, ok" he whispered. Sophie's family were now aware of her absence and walked over to Finn and Rachel. Rachel stared at Sarah with a death glare as she cuddled Sophie closer
"Sophie it's time to go" Sarah said calmly. Sophie turned her head into her moms neck, squeezing her tighter
"Make them go away mommy" she whispered. Finn hearing this placed his arm further around Rachel's shoulder, pulling her closer.
"Sophie. I know this very hard for you to understand but we have to leave" Sarah said firmly. Her patience wearing thin, she reached forward, pulling Sophie from Rachel's grasp and held her in her arms. Sophie's bottom lip quivered, she looked at her parents over her aunts shoulder as her family walked away.
"It's going to be ok" Finn assured her but it didn't help, Sophie began to cry into her aunts shoulder all over again. Rachel looked away as she grabbed onto Finns arm. He looked her in the eyes before holding her out in front of him "let's go get her back"
Finn sat beside Rachel before turning to look across the room where his daughter was surrounded by multiple people. Sophie couldn't see them at the moment and honestly he was a little relieved. He didn't think he'd be emotionally ready if sophie began to cry before he went up.
"All rise for the honourable judge Simmons" everyone in the room stood as a blonde woman took her place in the judge chair.
"Everyone can be seated" everyone took their seats. Rachel and Finn sat nervously as Santana leaned over the table to them.
"Don't worry, we've got this" both parents smiled as Santana took a seat beside them.
"We're here today to determine the custody of the child in question" the judge announced as she read the paper in front of her "Sophie Jane Miller" she placed the paper down and look to the court room "both parties may make their opening arguments" Santana gestured for the millers family lawyer to begin
"Your honour we are here for one simple reason. To determine a little girls happiness, to put her in a home where she will be healthy, happy and safe" he took two steps forward and gestured to Finn and Rachel "up until now, sophie has been through too much for a child of her age. She needs a stable home that she can thrive and grow in. Mr and Mrs Hudson so far have not offered this type of lifestyle to her" Finn nearly stood up but Santana placed a hand on his shoulder
"Don't. He wants to you to seem mad"
"It's working" Finn muttered under his breath "it's all lies"
"It's ok we have our opening statement to make"
"-and with that your honour I hope we make the right decision for this little girl" the lawyer smiled smugly at Santana before taking his seat again next to Sarah and her husband. Santana stood up and made the her opening case as Finn and watched her. It wasn't long before the millers lawyer began to question Finn
"Mr Hudson your daughter has lived with you how long now?"
"Just over a year"
"And how have you found it so far?"
"Great. I love having sophie with me. I always wanted to be a dad and it's lived up to all the expectations"
"And you've been with your wife since?"
"Well we dated when we were younger for many years but our life's were too busy and we found we both wanted different things and so we split. But as of about a year and 4 month ago, we ran into each other in New York and the rest is history"
"At what point did you realise your wife who at the time was your girlfriend, didn't want your daughter around" Finn felt his anger boil but stayed calm non the less
"Never. My wife has done nothing but love sophie from day one. I've watched her nurture and care for her like any woman would for their own child. She's an amazing woman who was born to be a mother"
"But she has no mother. Correct?" Finn looked at Rachel who's brows furrowed. He smiled at her before answering the question
"No. no she doesn't"
"So what makes you think she's grown up knowing how to mother a child"
"I never said she has"
"So you're saying that she doesn't know how to look after a child"
"No I-"
"Did it even cross your mind that she may be making all the wrong decisions for your daughter and potentially not even caring for her"
"No wh-"
"No exactly you didn't. No further questions your honour"
"Hey that's not fair you can't just t-"
"Mr Hudson that's enough" the judge said sternly "please return to your seat. Miss Lopez would you like to offer a defence"
"I would your honour. I'd like to call Mrs Coleman to the stand" Sarah stood before touching her husbands shoulder and taking the stand "Mrs Coleman. You have three boys correct?"
"Yes"
"No daughters yet?"
"Myself and my husband only wanted three children so no our sons are just fine"
"Now what kind of lifestyle do you provide for your sons"
"I don't understand the question"
"I'm sorry I'll explain further. Are you and your husband wealthy? Do you provide a comfortable life for your sons in terms of education, clothing etc"
"We do alright. My husband works hard to provide for our three children"
"So if you were to take on another child, you could say it would put a strain on your finances"
"No. I didn't say that I-"
"And you're willing to take away from your three children just to fill your need for a daughter?"
"My sons would go with no less just because sophie is with us"
"And right now your sons get what? It is my understanding that both of your older boys attend state school"
"Yes. That's correct"
"And your mother takes care of your youngest some days"
"Yes"
"Mrs Coleman please explain to me how you think this is a better option for sophie. Being looked after by your mother instead of being in a learning environment at daycare. Not to mention when she attends school. Where is it exactly you plan on sending her?"
"we haven't decided yet but probably to the same school as my sons"
"You see. Mr and Mrs Hudson can offer sophie so much more. They pay for her to attend an excellent day care. Along with already setting up her future at an outstanding preschool"
"Children need love. Not money"
"Ah yes they do, but offering sophie love and no educational help isn't good enough. Unlike the Hudsons who provide her with both. No further questions your honour" the millers lawyer huffed as he ran a hand through his hair
"Your honour I'd like to ask for a short recess"
"Mr Ramsey the court has been in session for a mere half hour. Please tell me you have prepared more in your case than questioning Mr Hudson"
"No of course I have. Ok. Your honour I'd like to present edvidence file A" the judge was brought a folder which she began to flick through before glancing at Rachel over her glasses. "You'll find numerous magazine articles about Mrs Hudson and her relationship towards Mr Hudsons daughter. These magazines talk about her lack of love and caring for the small girl"
"Miss Lopez would you like to argue?" The judge asked
"Your honour I feel no need to fight against pointless magazines that print stories without fact or truth behind them. Myself and the Hudsons all know this is nothing but media lies"
"This doesn't look like lies" the miller lawyer argued. "Your honour if I may?" He opened up one of the magazines to page 15 and held it up for everyone to see. In the picture was sophie crying, holding onto Rachels cast mate Millie and walking next to rachel who was looking at sophie "here you will see Mrs Hudson glaring at Sophie as she is crying and being carried by a friend"
"It wasn't like that" Rachel interjected.
"Of course it wasn't. All this shows is how you haven't wanted this girl in yours or your husbands life from day one" Rachel fell back into her chair as tears sprung into them. "No further questions your honour"
"Your honour I'd like to call Mr Parsons to the stand" Santana announced, there were many whispers around the room before a gentle man stood up at the back of the court house and made his way to the stand. Santana smiled to herself as she saw the millers lawyer look shocked. "Mr parsons. Can you please tell everyone in the court room how you know the millers"
"I was Jennifer millers boyfriend" both Finn and Rachel looked shocked. They had no idea he was going to be here
"And how long had you dated miss miller"
"Around 3 years. I met her when her daughter was a few months old"
"So you know sophie well I'm assuming"
"Yeah" he smiled as he looked over at sophie and waved as her "when Jen got sick, I was with sophie a lot. But Jen finally went into the hospital and I took sophie in"
"Mr parsons why didn't you want to keep sophie"
"I did. Believe me I did but I couldn't" the man sighed before shaking his head "Sophie always knew she had a dad that lived in the city and Jen promised her one day she'd meet him. Before Jen died she asked me to take sophie to him. I begged her to let me have her, I told her I would care for her and protect her with my life. But it was no use, she said Sophie's father was a good man and she knew he would want to know her. And she told me having sophie would be a reminder of her. She wanted me to move on" he wiped his eyes as the court room stayed silent
"Mr parsons, thank you for your honesty. Did you think you did the right thing giving sophie to Mr Hudson?"
"I didn't get the chance to, sophie was left in the care of Jen's parents, they wanted to raise her but after a lot of talking to them, I convinced them that Jen wanted her to go to Finn"
"And being here today, what do you make of this?"
"I think Finn is a good guy and he deserves to have his kid with him. She looks great, she's healthy. Why shouldn't he have her?"
"But Mr parsons you've known sophie nearly all her life. You've seen her first steps, heard her first words and watched her grow. Do you think she's happy?"
"I do"
"Thank you Mr Parsons. No further questions your honour" Mr Parsons climbed down from the stand before passing Finn and Rachel, he gave them a small smile as he took his seat at the back.
"Did you know he was here?" Rachel asked in a whisper
"Not a clue" Finn replied, he turned around to get a look at him and could already see that Sophie had moved over to go and sit with him as she chatted away. The millers lawyer looked infuriated as he stood up.
"Your honour the court would like to call Mrs Hudson to the stand" Rachel gave Santana a nervous look before heading up to the stand and taking a seat "Mrs Hudson what would you describe Sophie as to yourself"
"I don't understand" Rachel replied
"I'm sorry I'll rephrase. What term do you use to explain yours and Sophie's relationship?"
"She's my daughter" she replied with certainty
"But you were declined the rights to adopt her. yes?"
"Yes. But only because of this trial"
"Mrs Hudson when did you decide that Sophie wasn't going to fit in your family"
"Speculation honour!" Santana shouted
"I'll rephrase" the lawyer said calmly "do you enjoy it being just you and your husband"
"No. since Sophie has left us the house has been quiet. We miss her a lot"
"Now much so because as I understand you haven't made single attempt to reach out to her since she has been with her family"
"We were advised that it could look bad on our side, as if we weren't complying with court orders"
"It's strange that you have suddenly began to comply with them considering you ignored the first ones that were sent out"
"No they got sent to our old address. We would've never ignored them"
"Well maybe Mr Hudson wouldn't have"
"What?"
"Mrs Hudson could you by any chance have known about the first court summon and chose to keep it a secret from Mr Hudson"
"What!? No of course not!"
"You saw a window to push his perfect daughter out of the picture and you took it"
"Are you crazy!? She's OUR daughter not just finns! I love her just as much and don't care what you say" Rachel looked over as Sophie who was looking over at the whole exchange "she's been my daughter since the first day I met her. From the moment I saw here in her pink dress in that hotel lobby, I fell in love with her and anyone who knows me can vouch for that. She's my whole world with finn"
"Well...and your baby"
"Well yes"
"Mrs Hudson why're you fighting a loosing battle that you don't want to win anyway. You have a biological child on the way with Mr Hudson now. You can stop pretending to like his daughter" Rachel felt all of her anger boil up and stood up pointing a finger at the lawyer
"BIOLOGICAL CHILD!? I am adopted and I can confirm a biological child is no more your own than an adopted one! And for you to insinuate that is not just an insult to me but to every adoptive parent out there! I am not pretending to anything, from now until the end of time Sophie will be my first daughter! My first child! And our little girl. No matter what you say!"
"Wow. With a temper like this no wonder you shouted at Sophie"
"Oh you littl-"
"The court would like to remind Mrs Hudson where she is and that she should keep a certain level of calm"
"He's lying!"
"MRS HUDSON!" The judge scolded her. "CALM DOWN!"
"No further questions your honour" the lawyer smirked as he took a seat.
"Mrs Lopez would you like to proceed?"
"I would like to ask for a short recess your honour. As has already been pointed out, Mrs Hudson is pregnant and to get her worked up like that was unsafe and cruel. I would ask for 10 minutes to allow her to gather herself" the judge looked over at Rachel who had tears streaming down her face.
"Very well. A 15 minute recess" everyone began to get up and move around. Finn stood to run to Rachel's side
"Are you ok?"
"I've ruined this for us"
"No, no you haven't. You should've seen the judges face, he was totally on your side!"
"Really?"
"I promise. Come on why don't we get you some food"
"I'm sick to my stomach. Can we just eat when this is all over?"
"Yeah. All three of us can go out together" Finn smiled "come on" he helped Rachel down from the stand and lead her to the table and chairs that they were situated at.
"Daddy!" Finn turned to see Sophie peering over the barrier into the court room. He quickly walked over and lifted her up over it "can I come and sit with you?"
"Yeah of course" he saw Sarah look at him before shrugging her shoulders to her parents. He could hear her mumbling about him not seeing her after today anyway. He took Sophie over to the chairs and sat her down on his lap. Rachel had her head in her hands as she tried to steady her breathing "Rach?"
"What?" She asked. When he didn't reply she lifted her head to look at him and instead saw Sophie "sweetheart!" She gushed
"Don't be sad mommy" Sophie said
"I'm sorry baby"
"Why don't you sing! You're always happy when you sing"
"I don't think here is the best place to sing" Rachel smiled. Sophie scrunched her face and shook her head
"There is never a bad time to sing" both Finn and Rachel laughed
"Yeah you're right"
"Why're all these people talking?" Sophie sighed "it's boring. I want to come home"
"Don't worry you'll be coming home tonight" Finn smiled "what've you done since you've lived at your aunts?"
"I play with the boys a lot. And I went to a ballet class but I don't like it as much as my one at home" Sophie smiled before climbing onto Rachel's lap "are you still having a baby?" Rachel smiled as she kissed her cheek
"Yes I am"
"You still don't have a big tummy"
"Well I have a little bump but I'm wearing a top that makes sure you can't see it"
"Can I see?" Rachel pushed the fabric against her stomach to reveal the small bump underneath "it's still too small to fit a baby" Sophie said as a matter of fact.
"You're right princess it is" Finn grinned. Sophie's face became sad as she placed her head on Rachel's shoulder and whispered
"Why didn't you come and get me?"
"We couldn't baby" Finn said pained
"Do you love me?" Rachel pulled Sophie back to look her in the face
"Of course I do! More than anything" she placed a kiss on her forehead and pulled her flush against her for a hug once again
"But the man is saying you don't"
"Sweetie that man is lying" Finn said with a lump in his throat "you know we both love you all the way to the moon and back"
"Auntie Sarah said you don't love me mommy. Why would she lie?" Rachel stroked Sophie's hair and kissed her repeatedly on the head
"We all know that isn't true. You're my baby girl" Sophie stretched her arms out to Finn and took refuge on his lap.
"I want to go home now" she said as her tears began to flow "I want to go home with you and mommy. I want to see shadow. I want to sleep in your bed...t-take me home daddy" she cried
"Baby girl it's ok, ssshhhhhhh it's ok" he ran his fingers through her golden blonde hair as she cried into his shoulder "hey come on, you're going to get this pretty dress wet" Rachel rubbed her back as Finn held onto her. Sarah came over and stood beside Finn
"I see it's taken you all of two seconds to upset her"
"Don't you dare" Finn warned as he stood up clutching Sophie to him.
"After today you won't be seeing her without my permission and upsetting her will be a thing of the past"
"If you think I'm letting you walk away with her today, you're crazy"
"Well then call me insane" sarah said bluntly as she took Sophie from Finn "because I'm taking her home with me" Sophie looked back at her mom and dad with tears as sarah walked away with her.
"I swear to god" Finn mumbled as he sat down, Rachel rubbed his back trying to calm him
"Don't let her get to you"
"She's already gotten to me. I can't wait to take Sophie home and never let her see that family again!"
"Finn calm down" Rachel said quietly. Finn borders "you don't mean that"
"They're liars Rachel! They're lying about us! I don't want Sophie near them" Rachel stayed quiet beside him until the ten minutes were up and everyone began to shuffle back into the room. The judge took a seat before sighing and looking up at the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have sat here and listened to you argue amongst yourselves for the best part of an hour. And in the short recess we just had, I realised that the only opinion I care about right now is Sophie's. That why I'd like to invite Sophie up here to speak to me before the court" the whole room went quiet as Sophie's grandmother lead her up to the front barrier where a guard took her to the stand. Sophie looked scared as she took a seat in the chair and peered around the room "hi Sophie" the judge said with a warm smile
"Hi"
"So, I know you've heard everyone talking about you today" she simply nodded at her "what do you think about all of that?" She shrugged her shoulders before glancing around the room again "ok, Sophie why don't you tell me what it's been like living with your aunt these past few weeks?"
"It's been fun"
"And do you enjoy seeing your grandma and grandpa frequently?"
"I like baking with them and helping grandpa with the garden"
"And what about your cousins? Do you enjoy living with three boys" Sophie glanced over at her aunt and uncle before shrugging
"Sometimes they're too loud and silly but that's what boys are like" she said with an air of certainty "I like when auntie Sarah sits down to play with me or cuddle me sometimes" the judge nodded with a smile before sighing
"So before you lived with your auntie and uncle, you lived with your daddy didn't you?"
"Yep!" Sophie smiled brightly
"And that woman sitting next to your daddy, can you tell me who she is?" Sophie looked over at her dad and smiled
"That's my mommy" Sophie waved at her proudly. Rachel beamed as she held onto Finns hand
"And can you tell me what it's like living with them?"
"It's the best! I have a dog called shadow and he gets to sleep in my room whenever I want and my mommy always bakes with me and daddy takes me to play basketball. Oh a-and my mommy always sings me to sleep because she has a really pretty voice"
"Now I'm sure you know your mommy is having a baby"
"Yeah" Sophie replied
"And how do you feel about that?"
"Ok" Sophie replied barely higher than a whisper "the baby has their own room so I don't have to loose mine" she said with a small smile
"Why would you think you'd have to loose your room?"
"Because the baby is brand new and they'll want all the bestest things. I thought mommy and daddy might make me move away when the baby came but daddy said he loves me lots and lots"
"And what about your mommy? What has she said?"
"Welllllll daddy told me about the baby and then I didn't ask mommy about it for a lonnnggg time because I was upset but then I did and she said I'm her first baby girl so I couldn't be replaced. She loves me to the moon and back"
"If I asked you where you wanted to live, where would you say?"
"Disneyland!" Sophie exclaimed. Causing the courtroom to laugh
"That would be a great place to live" the judge smiled "Sophie what do you want to do most at the end of today?"
"Errmm, I want to see shadow and I want to have a tea party with my bears"
"That sounds fun, where is this tea party?"
"At my house with mommy and daddy" The judge smiled before nodding to the guard
"Thankyou Sophie, I want to invite you to go and sit back with your family now" Sophie looked to the side meekly before leaning over to the judge
"Can I sit with my mommy and daddy?" The judge simply nodded before Sophie ran off into Finns arms.
"Ladies and gentleman I think I have heard all I need to hear. Sophie is a smart, caring young girl who just needs a stable loving home. Now I do believe Mr and Mrs Hudson truly provide her with that" Rachel gripped finns hand and smiled at him before whispering
"Oh my gosh we're gonna win"
"Sophie seems to get a great life with them. She has a proper education and good stimulation. Regardless of what evidence has been shown here today I think Mrs Hudson is a caring young woman who has taken Sophie in her heart and loved her like any child of her own. I think she has true compassion for the little girl and Mr Hudson has done right in his choices of raising his daughter"
"I told you we'd win" Finn whispered with a grin. Sophie stretched her arms out to Rachel who took her easily as she kissed the side of her temple
"With all this being said, you both have a baby on the way and babies can be a big change in a household system. I think what Sophie needs right now is stability, loosing a parent isn't easy and I would hate to have her feel like she is loosing two more to another child"
"what's happening?" Rachel whispered in horror
"Mrs Coleman has shown nothing but concern for her nieces welfare and has already made it clear that Sophie receives the same amount of care and attention as her three other children. I do think however that Mrs. Coleman is holding onto a part of her sister that she doesn't want to let go. That is something I think you should address personally. Although Sophie is well looked after in your care, there really was no need for her to ever leave the Hudson's. I'm going to reinstate full custody to Mr Hudson and give him the right to choose Mrs. Coleman's visitation hours. As for you Mrs Hudson, it is clear that you care very much for this little girl, I want to resubmit your forms for adoption and hopefully get you a court date within a few weeks. Case closed"
"we did it!' Rachel shouted as Finn pulled her and Sophie in for a hug.
"so I can come home?" Sophie asked with a smile
"Sophie you're going to come home and never leave us again!" Rachel cheered as she hugged her close
"but what about aunt Sarah?" she asked. Finn glanced over at the woman and her parents to see them wiping tears and talking amongst one another "when will I see her again?"
"baby girl I promise you that you are going to see them, just not soon ok. Why don't you go and give them a hug and say goodbye for now?" Finn knew that there was no keeping her from her family, no matter how much he loathed them. Rachel placed Sophie down and watched her walk over to her family. Whilst she hugged them and said goodbye, both Rachel and Finns parents came over congratulating them. Just as Rachel was in the middle of an embrace with Carole, Sarah made her way over holding Sophies hand.
"I-" she began to speak but Rachel held up her hand.
"I don't want to hear what you have to say. Sophie can you go stand with nana Carole" Sophie gave her aunt one final hug before walking away. Finn noticed the tension a few feet away and came to place an arm around his wife.
"This isnt how I saw today going" Sarah said tensely "but I need you to promise me something"
"how dare you" Rachel said through gritted teeth
"you tried to take her from us for no reason" Finn began "you tried to take MY daughter away from me. You made my wife to seem like she didn't care for her when all we have done from the beginning is love her and help her grow. What part of your fucking mind makes you think you have the right to ask us to promise you something?"
"I said what I had to, to get her back. I am trying to keep the memory of my sister alive" Sarah said through tears "I know you're never going to let me see her again so please just give me this" Rachel squeezed Finns hand before gulping
"what do you want?" Sarah glanced at Sophie before looking at the two with tears in her eyes
"Never let her feel unloved" Sarah whispered before taking a deep breath in "and please, pleaseā¦don't let her forget Jen. Make sure she knows she was her everything and she is always with her. That's all I ask" Rachel felt a tear fall down her face as she looked Sarah in the eyes.
"You have our word"
