A/N: Thanks for the reviews and follows on the last chapter, and this is now coming from Marley's side once again. I have to say that this one entirely got away from me and is rather long; but it shows how Marley is maybe processing things differently to Ryder; and knowing that there is no terms for them to agree on in their marriage and that a divorce in the end is the only option.
Anyway, you all know what to do at the end and as always thanks for reading!
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxo
Chapter 8:
Heading to Sebastian's office building, the day after Kitty had come to Columbia and it had come known of the issues that Marley was experiencing with Ryder and possibly maybe that of divorce being something that could happen; Mikki who had Amelia in her stroller, walked into the office along with Marley; and headed over to where Ellie was sitting at her desk typing away on the computer.
"Did someone request cuddles" said Mikki, with a laugh as they neared her best friend.
"Always want little Millie cuddles" said Ellie, with a smile as she saved what she was working on and stood up; glancing over to Marley as Mikki got her daughter out of the stroller. "You okay Marls?"
"I think so" replied Marley, with a nod. "Never thought I'd be having my brother in law assist in that of a possible divorce for me, but kind of glad I got one who can help out there"
"I don't think any of us want to think when we marry that it could possibly end that way" said Ellie, who had married Robbie a few months earlier; shaking her head with a smile to the younger Kapowski.
"No we don't" replied Marley shaking her head, as Ellie picked up her phone and pushed a button that went through to Sebastian's office.
"Hey Seb" said Ellie, when he picked up on the other end. "Your two o'clock is here"
Sebastian replied something on the other end and Ellie laughed. "Well of course her as well, see you in a second"
"Did he not think I was going to come in as well?" asked Mikki, looking to her best friend with a smile.
"He did think that, yes" replied Ellie, with a nod as Sebastian walked out from around the corridor of offices.
"Dada" said Amelia, seeing him walk over towards them, and reach her arms out to him.
"Well how was I to know" said Sebastian, with a laugh and looking to Ellie, and then to Mikki who had hold of Amelia. "Hey babe"
"Hey" said Mikki, with a laugh also. "Of course we were going to come in and say hi"
"Yeah" replied Sebastian, with a laugh as Amelia still reached out for him, saying "Dada Dada Dada" over and over, trying to get his attention, and Mikki passed their daughter over to him, and Sebastian gave a laugh as he hugged the little girl, placing a kiss to her cheek also. "Hi, my little princess, was I ignoring you, huh?"
Amelia looked at him with a smile and then pointed the large fish tank that was set up in the office reception area. "Fee"
"Yeah, it's the fee's. We like looking at them, every time" said Sebastian, with a laugh and placing a bunch of kisses to her face; which in turn made Amelia giggle. "And as much as I would love to keep hold of you princess, I have to talk with your Auntie Lee Lee; so how about we go back to Mommy"
"Yeah, how about a cuddle from Auntie Ellie" said Mikki, as she took Amelia from Sebastian, who then looked to Marley.
"Want to come on through Marls and we can talk" said Sebastian, with a smile.
"Sure" replied Marley with a nod, and went to head to the office of her brother in law; and seeing him walk away from her, Amelia started to cry and scream "Dada, Dada"
"Hang on one sec" said Sebastian, looking to Marley who nodded and then walked back over to where Mikki had a now crying Amelia. "Princess, I'm not going too far", as Amelia stopped crying and held her arms out to Sebastian again, and he smiled at his daughter.
"I can't take you with me" he said placing a kiss to her wet tear stained face. "As much as I'd love to have you with me all the time, I have to work"
"Go, she'll be fine in a minute" said Mikki, looking to Sebastian with a smile. "We have this little upset often when she realizes her Daddy has gone, so I've gotten quite use to it"
"Yes, I know" replied Sebastian with a smile to Mikki and quickly kissed her. "Seems both my girls can't live without me"
"Nope, although I don't have a tendency to cry when you leave the room" said Mikki, with a laugh. "Now go help your sister in law"
"Yeah" replied Sebastian, with a laugh and headed back over to Marley; the two of them heading towards his office again, which in turn set Amelia off once more with crying when she realized he was walking away from her.
"How about cuddle from me, Millie?" asked Ellie, holding her arms out for the little girl and Mikki tried to hand her over to Ellie, but Amelia in turn screamed and pointed to the direction Sebastian had gone, still saying "Dada, Dada"
"Please don't be offended" said Mikki, looking to her best friend with a smile. "She's gotten a little worse with the separation anxiety in the last few weeks, a lot of the time when Seb or I leave her; even if the other is with her, she does this"
"Not offended at all" replied Ellie, shaking her head. "She just loves you both, that's all"
"Hmm, can you pass me Cubby for her" said Mikki, gesturing towards the stroller where Amelia's stuffed elephant was sitting.
"Sure" replied Ellie, with a smile grabbing the elephant and holding it out to Amelia. "What's this gorgeous girl, is this Cubby?"
Amelia looked at her and then her stuffed elephant, still continuing to cry; as Mikki took the toy from her best friend.
"Why don't we give Cubby a hug?" asked Mikki, looking to her daughter. "I think she needs one too" as Amelia took the toy Mikki held for her and threw it on the ground, still crying.
"Clearly doesn't want Cubby" said Ellie, with a small laugh. "I think she wants her Dad more"
"Hmm that and I think she's getting tired as well" said Mikki, looking to her friend. "So hopefully Seb won't mind me going and interrupting him with Marley, but if she doesn't see him she won't go to sleep and be even worse tonight because tired"
"I'm sure he won't mind at all" said Ellie, shaking her head. "Besides Marls is your sister, so you know all that is happening anyway"
"Yeah" replied Mikki, as Ellie leant down and picked up the toy from the floor and handing it back to her friend and Mikki gave her a smile. "Thanks. Come on little princess, let's go and see your Daddy"
Walking towards Sebastian's office, with her still slightly sobbing daughter; Michael who was one of the other lawyers at the firm came out of his office and looked at her.
"Hey Mik" he said, to her with a smile. "What brings you and the mini Smythe here"
"Hey Michael, Seb's talking with Marley about how to go about maybe getting a divorce" replied Mikki, looking to him.
"Marley is your little sister, the little little one" said Michael looking at her also. "Cause the noisy one that lives close by here and is married to Seb's friend, that's the other one right"
"Yeah Kitty" replied Mikki, with a nod. "Marls at the moment lives in California, but there are some issues there with her and husband"
"Well if Seb needs any help on it, I'm there" said Michael.
"Thanks" replied Mikki, with smile to the other male, who looked at a still crying Amelia.
"And what's wrong with her, she hasn't filled her diaper or something has she?" asked Michael.
"No" said Mikki, with a laugh. "She's going through separation anxiety at the moment when either me or Seb leave her, and she saw her Dad, and then him walk away from her, and that's when she got upset. So going to see if he can calm her, because otherwise she is just going to be cranky for the rest of the day"
"I see" said Michael, with a nod. "I'll let you take her to him then. Tell Seb what I said"
"I will" replied Mikki, with a nod. "Thanks"
"Sure anytime" said Michael with a smile and headed out towards where Ellie was, and Mikki continued to that of Sebastian's office and knocked on the door.
"Yeah come on in" came Sebastian's voice from inside, and Mikki opened the door walking into his office.
"Hi babe" said Mikki, with a small smile to him. "Sorry to interrupt, but Millie has completely cracked it and clearly wants you over everything, else including Cubby"
"It's fine" replied Sebastian, with a smile as Mikki walked over to near his desk. "I'm sure Marls won't mind you and her being in here, whilst we talk"
"Of course not" replied Marley, shaking her head with a smile. "It's sweet how much Millie loves you both and how she hates one of you leaving her"
"Sweet" said Sebastian, with a laugh as he took Amelia from Mikki; who then happy having gotten what she wanted, stopped crying. "Tell that to the headaches it gives you when she won't let up with the crying sometimes"
"I'm sure all the love she gives you in return is worth it though" said Marley, looking to them both.
"Definitely" said Mikki, with nod; as she grabbed the other chair that was next to Marley and bought it around near to Sebastian on his side on the desk, so Amelia would stay calm and let Sebastian continue to talk with Marley. "All good with her babe?"
"Yeah, she's fine" replied Sebastian, looking to Mikki with a quick smile. "Clearly got both of us wrapped around her little fingers"
"Yeah she has" said Mikki, with a laugh as she fixed up one of Amelia's socks that was coming off her foot and Sebastian looked back to Marley, and she also quickly looked at her sister and could see she had been upset and crying. "You okay, Marls?"
"I'm fine" replied Marley, with a nod to her. "Seb's just had to ask me some not so nice questions, that's all"
"Did you make my little sister cry?" asked Mikki, looking to her husband with a frown. "Cause I can and will kick your ass"
"You know I wouldn't do that intentionally" replied Sebastian, looking at her also with a small smile. "I just needed to know some things that's all that are hard for anyone to want to think could happen"
"Okay, yeah got you" said Mikki, then realising what had got her younger sister upset. "Ass kicking avoided for now"
"Good to know" said Sebastian with a smile and laugh to his wife, and then looked to Marley. "So what joint assets do you and Ryder have?"
"Would both our names being on the lease for the apartment we have be something that could be in effect to that?" asked Marley.
"It could be" replied Sebastian, with a nod. "But in saying that, would Ryder have enough money to pay any rent and bills that come in on his own?"
"Yeah of course he could" replied Marley with a nod. "He makes about one hundred to one hundred and fifty an hour, depending on the work he does"
"So his salary per month you'd say was close to or just over six thousand" said Sebastian as he picked up a pen again, and made some notes down on paper.
"Something along those lines, yeah" replied Marley, looking to her brother in law. "I handle my money and he handles his and we also put some into a joint account that goes towards the rent and utilities every month"
"What about groceries though" said Mikki, looking to her sister. "Who pays for all that"
"Umm who's the lawyer here?" asked Sebastian, looking to Mikki with a laugh.
"Sorry babe" replied Mikki, looking to her husband. "But I'm just curious, because everything we pay for comes out of our joint account; and the ones that are purely that of our own, are only there for our wages to go in, from which we then transfer about eighty percent of what we get in wage to the joint one; and just have some money solely that is ours for what we might need purely ourselves"
"Also know as wife buying clothes" said Sebastian, with a smile to Mikki; and then looked back to Marley. "So you and Ryder, pay for what other things exactly each?"
"Umm, Ryder pays for the cable and also subscription services; and I the groceries" replied Marley, looking to him.
"Okay, well no grounds there to contest anything there as it would probably work out to be a pretty even split" replied Sebastian, with a nod as Mikki seemed to give a huff of disbelief at what she was hearing. "And considering as a teacher, in terms of salary you earn roughly around the same as Ryder that means any form of alimony is off the table; making this much more a clear split of any shared belongings that you might want to have"
"Umm, well I guess I would want what I still have there such as clothes, books, my computer and a few other personal belongings such as photos and that; but stuff like furniture I guess I can let Ryder keep; I'm not emotionally attached to the sofa or anything else like that and really that was all his to begin with anyway" said Marley with a laugh.
"What about Marls engagement ring and wedding ring" said Mikki, looking to Sebastian and then her sister.
"Hers, free and clear" replied Sebastian, with a small smile. "Unless one or both are family heirlooms for Ryder, then he can ask that they be returned"
"He bought both of them, so no they're not heirlooms" replied Marley, shaking her head. "But in saying that I don't know if I would want to be keeping them either"
"Oh keep them" said Mikki, with a laugh. "And when I say that, I mean sell them. Got to make something out of the divorce"
Marley looked to her sister and laughed. "Why is that what you'd do?"
"Oh totally" replied Mikki, with a laugh, and looked at Sebastian with a smile. "I got it all worked out for when we divorce"
"Yeah that will never happen, babe. We both know that you can't live without me" said Sebastian with a laugh also and then looked back to Marley. "So if you're happy with all we discussed then I can get the papers drawn up, and they will be ready for you to take back to California when you head back in a few days"
"That would be great, Seb" said Marley, looking to her brother in law with a smile. "Thank you so much"
"Sure" replied Sebastian, giving her a smile in return. "Anything for my fave sister in law, just don't let Kitty know I said that"
"Secret is safe with me" said Marley, with a laugh.
"Yeah, it might be safe with Marls" said Mikki, with a laugh also. "But how are you going to keep your wife from blabbing that to other sister"
"I know plenty of ways to keep you quiet" said Sebastian, looking to her with a smile.
"I don't think I want to be hearing this" said Marley, with a laugh looking at her sister and brother in law. "Or do I think you should be talking like that in front of my little niece"
"Who is now sound asleep" said Sebastian, looking to Amelia who he still had in arms and seeing the little girl was sleeping soundly.
"Hmm hopefully she will stay that way in the car too" said Mikki, with a smile.
"Yeah, I'll walk out with you both" said Sebastian, as they all stood up. "Put this little princess in the car for you"
"That be good" said Mikki, with a nod, as Marley opened the door; and they walked out of Sebastian's office.
"And also I meant to tell you, Michael said if you need help with Marley's divorce stuff, he'd do it" said Mikki, looking to Sebastian as they headed out towards the reception. "I saw him when I was heading to your office just before"
"Okay, yeah he's done a few more then me" said Sebastian with a nod. "So I will probably get him to read it all over and make sure it's all good for Marls"
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too" said Mikki, with a nod as she went over to where Ellie had placed her stroller.
"She's quiet now" said Ellie, with a laugh once again saving what she was working on and standing up going over to Sebastian, who still had Amelia sound asleep in his arms.
"Yeah all she wanted was Seb" said Mikki, with a laugh. "So typical"
"I can see" replied Ellie, with a smile.
"So I'm just going to walk with Mik and Marls to the car, and be back in a few minutes" said Sebastian, looking to Ellie with a smile. "Can you start up a new file for Marley, for me whilst I go with them"
"Sure" replied Ellie, with a nod and walked over to Marley giving her a quick hug. "We're all here for you, you know that and you know also I think of you as the little sister I never had"
"I do" replied Marley, with a nod as she returned the hug. "Thank you, I'll probably see you before I go back to California"
"You better" said Ellie, with a smile and then looked to Mikki and Sebastian. "Now go and take that beautiful little girl out of here and hopefully she will stay asleep"
"Back soon Ell" said Sebastian with a smile to her and he headed out with Mikki pushing the stroller, and Marley as well to her car parked out front.
"So will you be home normal time?" asked Mikki, as she got her car keys from her handbag. "Or be a bit later since you're working on getting the divorce done up for Marley?"
"No, be normal time" replied Sebastian, as Mikki unlocked the car and opened the back door and he gently placed Amelia into the car seat, hopeful that the little girl wouldn't wake from sleep. "It's pretty straight forward and most of it's just template anyway, that you feel in the blank parts with the required information"
"All too complicated for me" said Mikki with a laugh, as Marley got into the front passenger seat and she opened the back of the SUV she now drove and collapsed the stroller down and placed in to the back, and then closing up.
"Yeah" replied Sebastian, with a laugh as he finished buckling Amelia into her car seat and closed the door; and then wrapped his arms around Mikki's waist and quickly kissed her. "So I will see you about five'ish"
"Five'ish" replied Mikki, with a nod. "Yeah, love you"
"Love you too" said Sebastian, with a smile. "And maybe find a way to cheer Marls up if you can. She wants to show that she is strong here I think, but it's got to be hard on her to know that her marriage is maybe about to end. I don't know if she will use the papers I am going to do up for her, but it's nice to know she has that option if needed"
"I will" replied Mikki, with a nod. "I think having Kitty here yesterday helped a little, but you know Kit and she can be kind of brash with opinions"
"She can be very brash with her opinions" said Sebastian, with a laugh.
"I might take Marls shopping tomorrow, that may help to cheer her up a little and hopefully I will be able to find out what her plans are about living arrangements and all that if this all does happen and her and Ryder do divorce, and if she will stay in California or move back home here" said Mikki.
"Yeah, just don't spend too much money if you do, go shopping" replied Sebastian, with a laugh and quickly kissing her.
"I'm sure if it's stuff for our daughter that I buy, then you won't complain" said Mikki, with a laugh also.
"No, probably not" replied Sebastian, shaking his head. "Okay go, I'll see you in a few hours"
"Yeah" said Mikki, with a smile and quickly kissed him again. "Bye babe"
"Bye" replied Sebastian as he took his arms away from around Mikki's waist; and she headed over to the driver's door opening it up. "Drive safe"
"Always do" said Mikki, with a smile as she got into the car and closed the door and looked over to Marley who was on her phone. "You okay Leesy?"
"Fine" replied Marley, looking to her older sister with a smile as Mikki started up the car engine.
"You know if you want to talk, we can" said Mikki.
"I know that" said Marley, with a nod. "But really I am fine, knowing I have options is good. Ryder and I just have to sit down and have a long discussion when I do get back to California; and if we do decide I will have the papers Seb has drawn up for me"
"Okay" replied Mikki, with a nod as she gave Sebastian a quick wave and then she along with Marley and a now sleeping Amelia, headed back home.
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After arriving at the law offices where Sebastian worked, and him coming out to quickly see Mikki; Marley was heading towards her brother in law's office, walking in step with him and she looked to him with a smile.
"If you want to go and help Mik calm Millie before we do this, then you can" she said, seeing that he was possibly thinking about his little girl crying as they walked.
"It's okay" replied Sebastian, looking to her with a smile. "Mik will get her calm in a minute, we've both gotten pretty good at knowing how to calm Millie down when she gets like upset like that"
"Okay, but if you feel at any time you need to go and check" said Marley, as Sebastian opened his office door and the two of them walked inside. "Then please check. Your little girl is much more important than my dramas"
"Okay" replied Sebastian, with a small laugh as he closed the door and the two of them walked to near his desk, and he grabbed a box of tissues from the side cabinet and held them out to Marley. "Just in case you need them"
"Thanks" replied Marley, with a small laugh as well and also gave him a quick hug as well which Sebastian, realizing that his sister in law probably needed in that moment also returned.
"You okay?" asked Sebastian, looking at her as they both pulled out of the hug.
"Fine" replied Marley, with a nod as she sat in the chair that was in front of his desk; and Sebastian moved around to his side and sat in his own chair. "I'm glad this is you doing this for me, I can't imagine having any one else helping me with this; and I am really glad right now that Mikki saw sense and came back home to you"
"Marls, even if Mik and I weren't together" said Sebastian, looking to her with a small smile. "I would like to still hope you would have trusted me enough to help you out, and you know I would have. You've always been like a little sister to me"
"Yeah" replied Marley, with a nod as she took a tissue from the box and gave Sebastian a small smile. "I think it would have been really difficult though if you weren't my brother in law now, not that it's easy regardless; but it just would have been weird if you were my sister's ex and all that"
"I guess" said Sebastian, with a nod and he picked up a pen. "So let's start, huh. Get this all done"
"Okay" replied Marley, with a nod and patted her eyes, feeling some tears about to start.
"Now I want you to know if you and Ryder come to agreements on kids and all that" said Sebastian, looking to her. "Then please tear up the divorce papers and I won't be at all offended by it"
"Yeah, okay" replied Marley, with a small laugh. "We do need to really talk when I get home, but I think knowing what to expect and how if we do separate; at least I will know where I stand legally"
"That's the best way to think of it for now, knowing where you possibly stand, and I should warn you first" said Sebastian, looking at his sister law and hating what he was about to say. "I am going to ask you some questions, that might make you feel slightly uncomfortable"
"It's fine" said Marley, giving him a smile. "Ask away"
"Okay" replied Sebastian, with a nod of his own and took a deep breath. "You're wanting possibly a no faults divorce, correct"
"Umm irreconcilable differences actually" said Marley, looking to him. "Since we maybe can't come to agreement with the whole issue of kids and that"
"That's what a no faults divorce is" said Sebastian, with a small smile. "The other term is more of a Hollywood thing, that journalists like to sprout off when some celebrity couple divorce"
"Oh, I wasn't aware of that" said Marley, with a laugh.
"No, most people aren't" replied Sebastian, with a laugh as well. "Irreconcilable differences, is more a journalistic term, and that is from what I know Mikki has told me in the past; it makes it looks like there is no bad blood between either party when divorcing. But honestly no divorce is ever that, there are always going to be issues that are never seen by other people"
"No, I guess not" said Marley, shaking her head. "There are always things we don't know"
"Okay, so first question" said Sebastian, looking to her with a small smile and Marley nodded. "Reason for this divorce is, because Ryder does not want to have children and he refuses to even consider this as something in your marriage"
"That is correct" said Marley with a nod. "I tried talking him with even that night after I found out, thinking maybe he was in a bad mood or something that morning or the night before even; but he really doesn't want to have children; and even though he has said he will think about it, I am pretty sure he's not going to budge on his views"
"I'm going to assume then you haven't been to counselling in regards to this then" said Sebastian, looking at his sister in law.
"No" replied Marley, shaking her head. "Is that something that is going to be an issue maybe?"
"Well if you do go through with a divorce, Ryder's lawyer; might bring up the option of you attending counselling and trying to sort out differences" said Sebastian, looking at her. "But the way I see it, there doesn't seem to be any sort of common ground to even try to agree on here so it wouldn't be worth it; and hopefully they will see that as well"
"But if they don't" said Marley. "Doesn't that mean the divorce won't be approved"
"It's a very highly unlikely Marls" said Sebastian, looking to her with a smile. "Don't worry over something minor, 'kay"
"Okay" replied Marley, with a nod and took a deep breath and dabbed at her wet eyes.
"Are there any other reasons for disputing as to why you're also seeking a divorce?" asked Sebastian.
"Umm well I don't know if this is something to be worried about, but kind of yeah there is" replied Marley, with a small nod.
"Marls" said Sebastian, looking at his sister in law rather concerned at that moment. "Ryder's not hurting you is he?"
"No, no" replied Marley, shaking her head. "Unless you count that of hurting my feelings occasionally as something"
"Of course I count that as something" said Sebastian. "Marls, what is he saying or doing in regards to this?"
"Well I will make up things over the weekend to reheat, or even do up like a whole bunch of ready to go meals and freeze them for which I can just put into the slow cooker whilst we're both at work and then ready for eating when we both are home; and most of the time Ryder just doesn't like what I prepare" replied Marley, looking to Sebastian with a small smile. "And even once he's completely ignored my request to put it on before he leaves for work as I've gone earlier in the morning, so that dinner will be cooked when we both get home, and instead have had to order pizza or something like that instead because dinner wasn't cooked"
"So he's making you feel as if you're not doing the correct thing by him in terms of his wants for food and that" said Sebastian.
"Yeah" replied Marley with a nod. "It's like I can't be as good as a cook as his Mom; and he has said that to me as well; that he doesn't know why I don't make things like she does. But I do best with what time I have, and my Mom always use to make up meals that were ready to go and just place in a slow cooker or something; since her and Dad both worked when we were all at school, and none of us ever had any problems with the meals, we loved them"
"My Mom did the same Marls" said Sebastian, looking to her with a smile. "And you know my brothers and know how much the two of them can eat; so doing it that way it was a way for my Mom to know we'd all have enough food at night"
"I thought I was being a good wife, but clearly Ryder hasn't ever seen it that way" replied Marley.
"Please don't think that Marley" said Sebastian. "I'm sure you have tried your hardest to make this marriage work, but it just seems that you and Ryder are two completely different sets of people with two very different sets of ideals"
"I guess, I just look at what you and Mikki have; and even Kitty and Artie" replied Marley, with a small smile. "And I truly thought I had that with Ryder; but I guess I don't and in all honesty maybe I tried so hard with Ryder because I had seen how easy you and Mikki just made it all seem from that first time you met, and I wanted that kind of relationship for myself as well"
"Maybe" replied Sebastian, with a nod. "But don't feel as if the blame is all on you here Marley. Ryder from what you are telling me here, hasn't exactly made this easy for you either"
"I guess" said Marley, looking to her brother in law. "They do say it takes two to tango, right"
"Yes, they do" replied Sebastian with a nod. "So this next question I really don't want to ask, but I have too"
"If it's about sex" said Marley with a laugh. "Then you don't need to be shy about it"
"Well whilst on the subject of that" said Sebastian, with a slight laugh also. "Last time he and you did have sex, was when?"
"Umm, it would have been about three weeks ago; I think, as when I told him it was good to you know maybe start trying for a baby, we didn't end up doing anything because after that I was definitely not in the mood for it" said Marley, going slightly red. "And see I'm the one who's more embarrassed by this"
"Yeah, you're kind of red there Marls" said Sebastian, with a laugh. "So three weeks"
Marley looked at him and just nodded as Sebastian wrote something down in among the notes he was making.
"Please tell me you're not actually writing that down" said Marley, still a little red in the face.
"It's kind of important to the information that I am collecting here" replied Sebastian, giving her a small smile. "One would expect married couples to do that at least once a week"
"Or maybe more, if it was you and my sister" said Marley with a laugh.
"Yes" said Sebastian with a laugh as well. "But my sex life with your sister isn't the discussion here"
"No" replied Marley, with a small smile and shaking her head.
"The question though I really do need to ask though" said Sebastian, looking at her. "Has Ryder ever pressured you into sex or abused you in any way that could be seen as physical abuse"
"No he's never done that" said Marley, shaking his head.
"Do you think he could be capable of it?" asked Sebastian.
"Capable of it, no of course not" replied Marley, still shaking her head.
"I just need to you think here for a minute for me Marls" said Sebastian, looking at his sister in law. "Say you were to maybe accidentally get pregnant, knowing Ryder doesn't want children. How do you think he'd react?"
"Umm I'm not sure" replied Marley. "Seb you're scaring me"
"I'm sorry Marls, I know this is really hard" said Sebastian. "I just need to get a strong enough case here for you and getting a divorce through, if you do want to go down that path"
Marley looked at her brother in law and nodded, trying to hold back her tears but wasn't all that successful in doing so. "I don't maybe, he might hurt me if that happen. But that is something I wouldn't think he'd be capable of doing"
"It's the one that we often don't think are; are the ones that do" said Sebastian, with a small smile; as Marley got a few more tissues out of the box and wiped her eyes and blew her nose as well.
"Ryder just seems too sweet to do that" said Marley. "But you're right never say never, huh"
"Yeah" said Sebastian, with a nod, as there was a knock on the door and he looked over to it. "Come on in"
The door opened and Mikki stepped inside giving him a small smile "Hi babe. Sorry to interrupt, but Millie has completely cracked it and clearly wants you, over everything else including Cubby"
"It's fine" replied Sebastian, with a smile as Mikki walked over to near his desk. "I'm sure Marls won't mind you and her being in here, whilst we talk"
"Of course not" replied Marley, shaking her head with a smile. "It's sweet how much Millie loves you both and how she hates one of you leaving her"
"Sweet" said Sebastian, with a laugh as he took Amelia from Mikki; who then happy having gotten what she wanted, stopped crying. "Tell that to the headaches it gives you when she won't let up with the crying sometimes"
"I'm sure all the love she gives you in return is worth it though" said Marley, looking to them both.
"Definitely" said Mikki, with nod; as she grabbed the other chair that was next to Marley and bought it around near to Sebastian on his side on the desk, so Amelia would stay calm and let Sebastian continue to talk with Marley. "All good with her babe?"
"Yeah, she's fine" replied Sebastian, looking to Mikki with a quick smile. "Clearly got both of us wrapped around her little fingers"
"Yeah she has" said Mikki, with a laugh as she fixed up one of Amelia's socks that was coming off her foot and Sebastian looked back to Marley, and quickly looked at her sister and could see she had been upset and crying. "You okay, Marls?"
"I'm fine" replied Marley, with a nod to her. "Seb's just had to ask me some not so nice questions, that's all"
"Did you make my little sister cry?" asked Mikki, looking to her husband.
"You know I wouldn't do that intentionally" replied Sebastian, looking at her also. "I just needed to know some things that's all that are hard for anyone to want to think could happen"
"Okay, yeah got you" said Mikki, then realizing what had got her younger sister upset; and then sat alongside her husband who had hold of their daughter; whilst he helped Marley with potentially that of her divorce papers.
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That night, after all heading to bed; having checked on Amelia to make sure the little girl was still asleep, Mikki got into bed alongside Sebastian who was already there and moved over close to him, and hugged her husband.
"Hmm, this is what I need" said Sebastian, as he wrapped his arms around Mikki and pulling her close to himself. "Wanted to earlier, but didn't think it was appropriate tonight in front of Marls, given what she is going through at the moment"
"No probably not" replied Mikki, shaking her slightly as she laid her head against his chest and traced patterns over the shirt he was wearing with her fingers. "And I'm really glad she has you to help her through this too"
"She has all of us, yeah" said Sebastian, as he absently ran his fingers through Mikki's hair. "Although I got to say when I did become a lawyer, helping someone in my family with a divorce was not something I ever saw myself doing"
"Of course you wouldn't ever think that" said Mikki, with a sigh. "I just can't fathom why Ryder would never want children though. I can't imagine not having Millie now"
"Me either, couldn't imagine it" said Sebastian. "I'm a good husband though, right?"
"Babe" said Mikki, moving to look at her husband and kissed him gently on the lips. "You are an amazing husband"
"Really?" asked Sebastian, looking to her as well.
"Yes really" replied Mikki, with a small laugh and kissed him softly and also threaded her fingers through his hair. "You're an amazing husband and a wonderful father too. Why would you think any different?"
"Just some things Marley said today, that's all" replied Sebastian, looking at her with a small smile. "Doesn't seem like Ryder even gets good husband award let alone one of amazing"
"And you're bound not to tell me any of this, right" said Mikki, looking at him. "Client, lawyer privacy rights"
"Yeah" said Sebastian, with a nod of the head. "But I think worried brother in law trumps that of my lawyer responsibility"
"Babe" said Mikki, looking at him and placing another small kiss to him. "If Ryder is doing something to my sister, then I want to know about it"
"No, oh god no. It's not that" replied Sebastian, wrapping his arms around Mikki and pulling her in even closer to himself. "It's just some things Marls said about him and their relationship; I just wonder what she ever saw in the guy"
"Yeah, she said some things to me the other night when she got here" said Mikki. "Like Ryder not liking my families lasanga"
"How can you not love Kapowski family lasanga" said Sebastian, looking at his wife and kissing her. "It's like one of the best things ever; and testament to that is the fact that you have given the recipe to Kae because Jere loves it too, so I think it's safe to call it Kapowski Smythe lasagna now"
"I think we could probably call it that" said Mikki, with a laugh. "Just don't let my grandmother know that. It's meant to be a Kapowski woman secret"
"Won't tell her, promise" replied Sebastian, with a laugh and quickly kissed her. "But seriously, the other stuff Marls was saying just made me wonder what she ever saw in Ryder"
"What did she tell you?" asked Mikki, looking at him. "And I totally understand if you aren't able to, being that it's privileged information"
"I don't think Marls will sue me for telling you" replied Sebastian with a sigh. "But it was again to do with stuff like cooking and that. Marls said that she organizes ready made up freezer meals for the slow cooker and has asked Ryder to put them on; and she'd will get home thinking all would be done and they could eat; but as it turns out Ryder didn't put the dinner on because he didn't like what she'd prepared and would rather order up a pizza for dinner"
"So Leesy goes to all that trouble to make sure they will eat something, that I am sure is really nice; because I know my little sister can cook" replied Mikki. "Only for Ryder to turn around and say he doesn't like it"
"That's pretty much it" said Sebastian, with a nod. "I seriously want to kick this guy's ass, because as far as I am concerned as of right now he is no longer family, especially with how he's been making Marley feel and then to not want kids with her; sorry but not someone I now think of as family"
"Not the only one, babe" said Mikki, gently kissing him. "I really feel like giving him a piece of my mind as well"
"Wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that" said Sebastian, with a laugh. "You may look all sweet and innocent, but you do have a way with the words and telling people what you think when you're mad at them"
"And you've only ever seen that Mikki one or two times in all our time together" said Mikki, with a small laugh also.
"Hmm yes, and I don't particularly want to be on the receiving end of that ever again" said Sebastian, kissing her.
"Don't piss me off and you won't" replied Mikki with a laugh and kissed him back in return.
"Well I have never intentionally done that" replied Sebastian, with a laugh also. "Just me being completely silly in love with you and thinking it will be romantic to pretend to forget your birthday or one of our anniversaries, I know now not smart; because it makes for mad, upset at the time girlfriend. And I don't plan on having my now wife mad at me ever"
"Don't do silly crazy loved up things like that, no matter how sweet you think they may be at the time" said Mikki, with a laugh. "And she won't be mad at you"
"I won't" replied Sebastian, kissing her. "But if you want to go to California and give Ryder a piece of that ferocious assertive mind of yours for hurting Marls, then by all means do"
"Only if you're there with me, babe" said Mikki, with a smile. "You know I hate going anywhere without you"
"Yeah and I don't like when you're not close by" said Sebastian, placing a kiss to her hairline. "Let's get some sleep 'kay, you have to be up early again in the morning for work"
"Uh huh" replied Mikki, looking at him with a smile and kissing him. "Love you"
"Love you too" said Sebastian, with a small contented sigh; and then the two of them wrapped up in one another's embrace went to sleep; both still wondering if Marley was truly going to be okay with what she was possibly maybe soon going to be going through.
End Note: Just because Marley has the papers drawn up, doesn't necessarily mean she is going to give them to Ryder when she does get back to California; she is keeping her options open as she said, and to have them there; for her it's like a safety net (and also as well it's not like Sebastian is going to be charging his sister in law for this work, as in his mind that wouldn't be right and he would have ultimately cleared this with his boss as well).
As for the questions Sebastian did ask; I spent some time googling what was asked by lawyers when divorces were sought, and that was one thing that kept coming up; and the frequency of or last time the couple wanting to obtain the divorce was intimate with one another.
Whilst I know also as well some people might think also as well, this story pertains to that of Marley and Ryder; so why is there so much Sebastian and Mikki stuff, that is because this really shows what Marley is wanting and thought when she was getting married would have; and that being the whole family with kids and husband who loves her despite that of maybe her little flaws.
So it goes to show if the divorce does happen between Marley and Ryder, for at least Marley's part what she might possibly be looking for if she was to ever marry again.
Next chapter will be Ryder's - haven't started it yet; but hopefully will soon...but have so many other stories on the go and the ideas for them that it might take me some time to get to it!
Until next time,
Love always, KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo