Chapter Fifty-two
The Dawson household was sound asleep, all except for Rose, who laid awake, cuddled close to her sleeping husband. Lying there, she examined his face, marveling at how peaceful he looked, a if he had not a worry in the world. Of course he did. He shared her worries, sometimes even trying to carry them for the both of them. Looking at him now, she felt bad, because she was grateful not to have to go through this custody battle alone, that her normally carefree Jack, shared her worries when if It weren't for her, he would still have a worry free existence.
Feeling her eyes on him even in his sleep, he opened his eyes and frowned. "Rose? What is it? Are you okay sweetie?"
She reached out and stroked his cheek. "I'm sorry Jack. I didn't mean to wake you up. I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about Lindsey...and you. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here to see me through this..."
"I'll always be here for you, Rose. No matter what. And I love her too. I'll do all I can to make sure that she stays with us."
"You're so strong. You're forever my rock. Someday you will get tired of it."
Jack just smiled and shook his head. "I'll never get tired of it. I'm your husband. That's what I'm here for. You should always feel free to lean on me when you need to. Now, I suggest that you get some sleep. We have to meet with our lawyer tomorrow so he can give us a better idea of what our chances are."
Rose sighed. Jack was right. She should get some sleep. She just wasn't sure if she could, but for him she'll try. "Okay, Jack."
To her relief, she did fall asleep, but Jack remained awake, listening to her breathing. Once he was sure that she was sound asleep, he reached over and stroked her hair, wishing with all that was in him that it was within his power to keep Lindsey with them. Rose loved her so much and so did he. She was a part of their family now.
With that last thought, Jack finally drifted back to sleep, hoping that things will go their way.
…..
Mr. Emery, the Dawson family lawyer, sat behind his desk, his brow wrinkled into a deep frown as he watched the young couple before him, staring at him with pleading eyes. He wished that he had good news for them, but he didn't. It was the same news he had told the young man the day before.
"Please Mr. Emery, tell us that there is a chance that we can keep Lindsey. Even if the chance is next to nothing," Rose sniffed, leaning against Jack for support. The thought of losing Lindsey was nearly killing her.
The lawyer sighed, feeling as if he had aged ten years. He'll never like this part of his job. "Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, I don't know what else that I can tell you. In these cases, the foster parents just don't have any rights. All rights lay with the biological family. Mr. Linningston can take this child away from you and there's nothing that can lawfully be done. All I can tell you to do now is to say your goodbyes and turn her over to the grandfather. It'll save you a lot of heartbreak."
That was indeed something that neither Jack, nor Rose wanted to hear. Jack especially couldn't give up hope. He just couldn't let Rose down. He had to at least try to keep Lindsey, even if he ended up losing. "Mr. Emery, what would you say if I told you that we don't attend to give Lindsey up? That we plan to fight this?"
"That you are being very foolish. Albert Linningston is a very powerful man, Jack. He can wipe out an entire company if he so chose. For your wife's sake...for the sake of your biological children, give it up. Let the girl go with her grandfather. The two of you are young. It's not like you can not have more children of your own."
"But we want Lindsey!" Rose cried, her heart breaking. "She's our little girl! We were there for her through everything! When she had lost her mother, I was there to comfort her! When she had fallen off a swing, I was there to patch it up! When she needed affection, it was us that gave it to her! When she was scared of monsters under her bed, it was Jack who comforted her and gave her security!
Where was Albert Linningston then, huh? Where was he when that car had hit his daughter? Where was he when Stacey's husband had died and she was forced to raise her daughter alone? Where was he then?"
Hot tears streamed from Rose's eyes, her body shaking with each sob. Jack could do nothing, but wrap his arms around her and hold her, trying to comfort her with gentle words and kisses.
Mr. Emery sighed at the sight of Rose's tears. He had been afraid of this. His heart just broke at the sight. "Mrs. Dawson, I understand where you are coming from. I really do," He opened his desk drawer and took out a handkerchief and handed it to her. "I too had adopted a little boy and I love him like he was my very own. In fact, I all but forget that he was adopted. But you have to think about what's right for Lindsey here..."
"But we are right for Lindsey. Mr. Emery...you don't understand. I grew up in a house that was just like the Linningston mansion. It was a cold and unfeeling place and I was scared to death to even breathe. I was so afraid that I'd do something wrong and that my mother would severely punish me for it. It had been a terrible childhood and I'll be damned if I allow that old man to take Lindsey and traumatize her the way my mother had traumatized me," Rose gave the lawyer a hard, determined look. "Even if I have to take her and disappear!"
"Rose," Jack warned, not liking where this was going.
"Look, the decision is yours. I am just stating what your best choice is. But if you want to fight, I'll stand behind you and do my best to make sure that the little girl stays with you. Just be prepared for a nasty battle."
"What's the first step?" Jack asked, glad that the lawyer was now on the same page as they were.
"I'll call the judge. Have him halt that custody thing that Linningston has going. That should buy us some time. Then I'll get a court date set up as soon as possible. In the meantime, you two make sure that Lindsey is living in a comfortable and stable home. Which should not be too hard. And make sure that all three of the children get along. The judge will look at that."
Rose was surprised. She had thought there would be more to it. "Is that all?"
"I am afraid so, Mrs. Dawson," The lawyer simply nodded his head. It sounded so deceptively simple, but it could also get incredibly complicated. "But not to worry. I am in your corner and I'll have a couple of my New York lawyer friends work on the case as well. That will give you a lot of gun power. But let me warn you. This is bound to get dirty. I have heard of Mr. Linningston and his lawyers and they stop at nothing to get what they want. No matter who it hurts. Do you understand?"
Rose solemnly nodded. She hadn't expected anything less. "Thank you, Mr. Emery. This means a lot to us and to Lindsey."
The lawyer just smiled and nodded. "Well, I have to cut this meeting short. I have a meeting to get to."
"We understand," Jack stood up and helped Rose to her feet as well. "Will you keep in touch?"
"Of course. I'll contact you as soon as I meet up with my lawyer friends and work out a strategy. Good day Jack And Rose."
As they left the office, a gray cloud settled over their mood. The future was so uncertain. All they could do was stick close to each other and head for home where their children awaited them and hope for the best.
