Meant To Be-Ch 51

Derek gently squeezed his wifes hand as Savannah said, "Derek and I started out fast, things happened wayyyyyy to quickly for us", Chris said, "what do you mean by that"?, she said, "well we hadn't been dating long when I found out I was pregnant". He said, "and what did Derek think about you getting pregnant"?, she said, "he loved it and immediately proposed and started making plans for our future".

Chris said, "how did you feel about the pregnancy and his plans"?, she said, "at that time I never considered myself wife or mother material, I was to immature and wanted to spread my wings and have fun". Penelope couldn't believe what she had just said, she wanted to spread her wings and enjoy her life, what better way to enjoy life than to marry Derek and have a life with him and their son.

Savannah said, "the further in my pregnancy I got the moreeeeeeee, I don't know restless I guess you would say", Chris said, "what happened when you went into labor"?, she said, "the labor was a normal one but when I held Ty in my arms I had no feelings, no motherly feelings for him, not at that time".

He said, "and now"?, she said, "I love my son and want to spend time with him, watch him grow up and be a mother to him", Millie said, "objection". Thomas said, "on what grounds"?, she said, "we already know that she isn't mother of the year so can she please just stick to facts please"?, he looked at Savannah said, "she does have a point, please just stick to the facts", Savannah nodded her head yes in agreement as she sat back in her seat and crossed her legs.

Chris said, "what happened later that day"?, she said, "Derek proposed again and I said no", he nodded his head and said, "when did you leave the hospital"?, she said, "I was released the next day and when I left the hospital I never talked to Derek until today". Chris said, "and now you're here today wanting to get custody of a son you never spent time with, why"?, she said, "when I married my husband we wanted to start a family immediately but things didn't work out and I found out that I can't carry another child".

He said, "I'm sorry to hear that", she said, "thank you", he said, "if granted custody of Tyler what are your plans for him"?, she said, "he will move in with me and my husband in New York, where we will spoil him rotten". Chris said, "so you have a big home, do you"?, she said, "we have an enormous place with lots of rooms for Tyler and his stuff that we will of course get him".

She took a deep breath and said, "thank you, I have no further questions at this time"?, he walked back over and sat down and Thomas said, "Millie do you have any questions for this witness"?, she stood up and said, "yes mam I do". As she stepped closer to Savannah she said, "so Savannah did you and your spouse ever try in vitro"?, she said, "yes, several times, we tried surrogacy, adoption, everything".

Millie said, "and why were you not able to adopt"?, she mumbled something and Millie said, "I'm sorry, what was that"?, she said, "I was told that I wasn't the mothering type". She said, "and then you want custody of a son that you haven't seen in over 3 years"?, she said, "I've changed so much since Derek and I were together and I deserve to spend time with my son".

She glanced back at her husband who smiled and winked at her, she relaxed and then Millie said, "have you ever tried to contact Derek"?, she said, "no". She said, "have you ever tried to visit so that you could check on your son"?, she said, "no", Millie said, "and yet you're here today trying to get custody of said child"?, she said, "yes but like I said I've matured and am now ready for all of the responsibilities of raising my son".

Millie said, "so let me see if I can get this clear, if you are given custody of Tyler you plan on taking him away from the only parents he's ever known and move him to New York"?, she said, "yes but", Millie said, "you would uproot a 3 year old boy up from the parents that love him and take care of him to move him in with you and your husband, two people that he doesn't know"?, she said, "yes we do but we would never ever stop Derek from seeing him".

She stood back and crossed her arms over her chest and said, "well isn't that nice of you", Chris stood up and said, "objection", Millie said, "withdrawn sir" and then said, "I have no further questions for this witness at this time". Thomas looked at Savannah and said, "you may step down", she smiled as she stood up and walked over to her seat and sat down beside her husband.

Thomas looked at Chris and said, "do you have any other witnesses"?, he said, "not at this time sir but when social services make their appointed rounds we will be entering the reports and pictures into evidence". Thomas nodded his head and said, "so noted", he then looked at Millie and said, "do you have any witnesses"?, she stood up and said, "I do sir".

He said, "alright, call your first witness", she said, "Derek Morgan", Derek stood up and walked over to the witness stand and he raised his hand as the baitliff said, "raise your right hand". Derek raised his hand and the baitliff said, "do you swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God"?, he said, "I do".

Thomas said, "you may be seated", Derek sat down and took a deep breath as Millie said, "Derek, can you tell us in your own words how you feel about what Savannah is doing"?, he nodded his head yes and opened his mouth as he readied to speak.