"Dr. Freedman, can you tell the court what the nature of your relationship with Mason's biological mother was?" Cooper hesitated, giving Charlotte a pleading look that she ignored. He looked away from Charlotte and responded, "Erica and I had a one-night stand in her car at the back of a parking lot." "Is it true that you had no idea that your son ever existed until she suddenly brought him into your life?" Cooper mumbled and Charlotte's lawyer said, "Please speak up for the courts Dr. Freedman." Cooper let out a sigh, "Yes, it's true." "Dr. Freedman, you were quick to acknowledge that you met your soon-to-be ex wife in a chatroom. Is it possible to the best of your knowledge, that you may have had numerous unprotected sexual encounters that could have produced more children?" Cooper's lawyer jumped up, "Objection! She's putting the witness on trial."
Charlotte's lawyer swiftly said, "That's the purpose of a custody case. Both sides putting witnesses on trial." Once the objection was sustained, she continued her question of Cooper. "Dr. Freedman, can you answer the question please?" Cooper glared at the woman, "It may be possible." Charlotte refused to make eye contact with Cooper or Violet. After a 15-minute recess, the one thing that was about to happen had Charlotte on edge. She never wanted this to get to the point where Mason would be revictimized over losing his mother in open court. She'd rather be burned alive than to put him through anymore pain. She was pissed that Cooper wouldn't stop being selfish long enough to realize that Mason wasn't happy being with him. On the other side of the courtroom, Cooper and Violet smugly waited for Mason's turn to testify. They fooled themselves into thinking that Mason would choose Cooper over Charlotte because they were related by blood. Amelia and Addison didn't want Cooper to successfully break Charlotte by ripping her child away. The rest of the practice just wanted this to end as peacefully as possible.
After being brought into the courtroom, Mason immediately wanted to run to Charlotte but was rerouted to the witness stand. Cooper's lawyer went first, "Mason, do you know why you're here today?" Mason nodded, "My mom and dad both want me to live with them." "You mean your father and Ms. King?" Mason brow furrowed in confusion, "I mean my Mom and dad."
"Okay. Mason, how do you like living with your dad?" "I don't." "Don't you enjoy the bonding time and memories that you and your dad create?" "I liked it better when my mom was there too." "Do you know what happened between your mom and dad?" "My dad hurt her and she decided to leave." "Hurt her? Did he hit her? Is that what you mean?" "No. He hurt her feelings and that's worse than hitting her." "How is that worse Mason." "Bruises and scratches go away but feelings are on the inside."
Mason took a moment to look at Charlotte, who was fighting tears, "Don't cry mama." He looked at the judge and asked, "Can I give my mom a hug please?" Although the judge sympathized with the little boy, she shook her head no. He gave Charlotte a big smile when she mouthed 'I'm okay Astro'. Mason loved the nickname she gave him after their first baseball game together. Cooper's lawyer asked one more question, "I understand that your mom lost a baby. Does it make you happy that your father's girlfriend will be giving you a sibling soon?" Mason started to get angry, "It doesn't matter if she has a million babies. I don't want to be with my dad. Because—" "That was all Mason."
Charlotte's lawyer walked over to Mason, using her body to block his view of Cooper and Violet. "What were you going to say Mason?" Mason took a deep breath, "I don't want to be with my dad because he's okay with making my mom sad. My mama is the best. Even when I'm being a pain, she's patient. She's really busy at work; she runs a hospital and has so many people to keep up with, but she ALWAYS has time for me. When I'm really missing my mom, she holds me in the shower, because I love the sound of rain, even though our pjs get soaked. Even though she has long days, she always checks my homework and lets me tell her about my entire day. Before her, all I had was my mom. I have a grandma now, uncles, cousins, and my mama." Charlotte no longer fought her tears and completely broke down when Mason started crying. "I already lost a mom. I don't want to lose another one. I choose my mama over my dad. Don't make me stay with him please." Mason didn't wait to be excused and ran right into Charlotte's arms. It took her almost 5 minutes to calm him down.
Less than 30 minutes later, the bailiff informed everyone that the judge's verdict was in. Charlotte's mother had arrived by now, choosing to wait outside the courtroom with Mason. The judge looked at both defendants and spoke. "I have seen my fair share of custody battles. On paper, the both of you are fantastic. You're both successful doctors with the finances to properly care for a child. Ms. King, you are leaving a private practice and a Chief-of-Staff position to do what exactly?" Charlotte cleared her throat, "I am taking a position in a hospital near my hometown, but I won't be joining another practice. I want to have more available time for Mason. With the help of my mother, Mason's application had been submitted and accepted to a private-charter school. He also enjoys learning how to make miniature replicas at a shop in town."
The judge asked, "Mason has friends in Monroeville?" "Yes ma'am. He wants to play soccer next year and is friends with a few of the players already." "While you are working, do you have childcare options?" "Yes. My mother is my sitter if needed." "What are your feelings on shared custody with Dr. Freedman?" She didn't hesitate, "I won't lie, I'm completely against it. I don't feel like it's fair to Mason being shuffled back and forth on planes. It may sound selfish, but it seems fair to me. After Erica passed, Mason lost interest in everything in California. Although Cooper wanted her buried, I fought him hard until he agreed to have her cremated. Mason doesn't deserve to be tied down to a place that has so many bad memories when he can take the biggest part of his heart with him wherever he goes. Mason was Erica's world…all that matters is that he feels happy and that SHE is with him."
Cooper immediately started bitching, "Bullshit Char. This Stepford Wife shit isn't you. You the heartless wench that's trying to poison MY son against me. This is smoke and mirrors. You just cut and run when shit gets hard." Everyone, minus the judge and lawyers, knew that he said the right thing to get Charlotte to snap. "I cut and run?" Who do you think you are Coop? You're the cold miserable bastard that walks around pretending like he's all warm and cuddly. Am I a bitch? Yeah, but at least I don't try to hide it from the world. I am no where near a Stepford wife. You have been so busy being Violet's bitch that you haven't even realized that her and Mason can't stand each other. Did she tell you that she left Mason alone with Lucas while she "checked on a patient"? Who the fuck leaves a 3rd grader with a toddler for an hour and a half? Did you even know that the night she moved in, Mason ran away again? This time, he made it all the way across town to Amelia's. You were so busy satisfying your needs and putting Violet first that you have completely neglected Mason's mental and emotional health. Excuse me for being adult enough to put everything and everybody on a back burner for Mason. I will not apologize for leaving you or trying to protect him. You still don't see how forcing him between two states will affect him. Oh wait, I get it. You expect me to suddenly "come to my senses" and move back to California. Dammit Coop, let me go. You made your choice, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Go be happy with Violet and let me move on from you, our marriage, and this situation. Don't punish Mason for something you caused."
The bastard in Cooper reared its head, "You are not taking my child. You're the daughter of a fucking criminal. You are 10x worse than me just based on the kind of people you came from." Charlotte's jaw dropped just as Sam suddenly slugged Cooper. Amelia nudged him, "Thank you."
The judge raised her hand to keep everyone quiet. "Mr. Freedman, based off of what just transpired, I've made my ruling. It is obvious that you are far more immature than you appear. I am terminating your parental rights to Mason and granting sole custody to Ms. King. It is up to her if she'll allow you to visit Mason in the future. I was willing to consider joint-custody until I saw with my own eyes how much you were willing to make the child suffer just to have your way. I sincerely hope that you mature in the near future and can still have some sort of relationship with the child. Ms. King, you don't have to return to California anymore in regards to Mason. He is free to go back to Alabama with you. Court is adjourned."
The sound of the gavel seemed to echo in Charlotte and Cooper's heads. Cooper was livid until the sudden emptiness settled in. Violet tried to console him, but he just recoiled and walked away from her. Charlotte's knees buckled as happy tears streamed down her face. Amelia helped her stand; Charlotte hugged her tight, "I get my son." Amelia had happy tears as well, "Of course, you get him. Let's get out of here and feed the kid." Charlotte let everyone leave and she turned to Cooper. "I won't force him, however I will talk to him about visiting you a few times a year. Nothing it set in stone, but I'll talk to him. I don't want him to hate you. I just want him to be happy." Cooper looked up in astonishment, "Why would you do that for me?" Charlotte shrugged, "Because I'm not as heartless as you think I am."
Charlotte met a happy Mason in the hallway. She let him run into her arms, "You hungry Astro?" "Of course! Can we take grandma to our special place?" Amelia and Addison rolled their eyes knowing that it was a Creole restaurant downtown. Charlotte gave him a bright smile, "How about we treat everybody since it's our last night here?" Everyone agreed; Mason slipped something on a chain into Charlotte's palm. She opened her hand with Mason clarifying, "I asked Amy and Grandma to help me do it. It's some of mom's ashes so that you always have her with you too!" His smile was too infectious not to return, "I love you always." "I love you forever mama."