Next day, 3 pm, Laura Jameson's office.
"Thanks for coming with me Frasier, I really appreciate the moral support." Roz squeezed his arm affectionately as they sat in the waiting room.
"No problem Roz, you know I couldn't let you deal with this alone." Frasier smiled back as the secretary signaled that they could go into the office now.
"Hi, Ms. Doyle, Frasier nice to see you again." They were greeted by an attractive middle aged woman wearing a simple yet flattering business outfit. Roz immediately felt put at ease by her warm manner and the inviting interior of the office.
"Frasier tells me you're in a bit of a jam, why don't we discuss it here and see what's going on, I'll ask some pertinant questions to do a basic assessment and then we'll see where we end up okay?" The lawyer began warmly.
Thank you Ms. Jameson" Roz smiled as she sat down.
"Oh please, call me Laura." She said as she took her seat behind the desk and pulled out a notepad.
AN HOUR LATER
"I hate to have to tell you this, but after all the information you've shared I have to be realistic and say that your chances could be slim." Laura sighed.
"But he abandoned her while she was pregnant." Frasier sounded surprised.
"True, however that could be cast in a different light, he left to go on a study tour to another continent, not just take off like a deadbeat. Courts generally tend to favor the Mother, and that would be your strongest argument, that you're the child's mother and that you've had her since she was born. That might score empathy points. But considering that you're not married and have a questionable track record with men, and a job as a radio producer, which is good, but it wouldn't be seen as favorably as his occupation. It could easily appear that Rick would be able to provide a more stable home, both financially and emotionally." Laura finished matter of factly.
"Wait a minute, you're saying that because they're a young married couple with a better income they can take my baby away just because I'm a an older single mother who works at a radio station." Roz's eyes were blazing in anger.
"Essentially yes. I know the lawyer handling this case, and he's a piranha. If this ends up in court he could quite possibly call a string of old boyfriends, past co-workers, anyone who could provide evidence to make you sound like an unfit mother."
Roz was speechless as she stared at the wall, realizing for the first time how real it was that Rick could actually take her daughter away from her.
"Is there anything we can do, surely there must be something." Frasier was exasperated. "This would be a travesty for this guy to walk in and take the little girl that Roz has raised, her world revolves around that child and it will devastate her if she loses her. And what about Alice, to uproot her from the only home she's ever known."
"Well.... I'm no piranha like Mr. Holloway is but I do know a few tricks here and there."
"Really?" Roz's head snapped up.
"It could still be a tough battle but I can give you some tips on how you might be able to even the score."
"Anything, I'll do anything," Roz was on the edge of her seat.
"OK, first off we do have one ace in that we have the element of surprise. Obviously he is not going to tell you about wanting custody until he has everything set up so that he feels you don't have a chance. You probably have a couple more weeks before officially finding out. Do you think you could get a raise at the station?"
"I don't know, I'd have to ask Kenny...." her voice trailed.
"Consider it done," Frasier chimed in, "I'll get Kenny to give you a raise in salary, and maybe even a few more fringe benefits."
"OK, that would be good, now about housing. Your home sounds rather small, however if you could work on it to make sure it looks suitable for a child that shouldn't be to much of a strike against you. But be sure you have everything in good repair, and a fresh paint job might help also." Laura advised.
"Yes it is tiny, but I'll do what I can." Roz assured her. "What else?"
"OK, this is unfortunately one of the most important, and yet most difficult parts to address. You need to slow down on the dating. Do you have a steady boyfriend you could keep for awhile, one who Alice knows and who could stand the glare of the courts scrutiny.
"I might as well hand her over to Rick right now." Roz sighed. "The last boyfriend I had was in a rock band, and that was over 4 months ago. I haven't dated a lot recently."
"Well that's better than dating several men I suppose." Laura nodded as she made a notation.
"So you're essentially saying that if she was in a stable relationship her chances of retaining custody would be better?" Frasier clarified.
"Yes, the more stable the better." The attorney nodded. "We're going up against a happily married yuppie couple here, so their defense for a stable home is going to be pretty strong."
"I have a friend I haven't seen for several years and I might be able to get him to come help out." Roz was brainstorming.
"That might work, but your best bet would be someone who's been in your life for awhile, someone new might be hard for Alice to bond with this quickly."
"Tell me Laura, what if she were married, would that help more?" Frasier interrupted.
"Oh no doubt, if she were married her chance would increase by as much as 50% if not more. Considering he was reputable of course."
"Would a Doctor be considered reputable enough?" Frasier said with a gleam in his eye.
"A doctor, Frasier I don't know any doctor's," Roz was trying to figure out where he was going with this.
"Yes, that would be fantastic, but it can't be just any arrangement, it would have to be believable, whoever she's with would have to withstand pretty heavy scrutiny by the courts. What exactly do you have in mind?" Both women turned to look at Frasier who was obviously processing some big idea.
"Me..." he blurted out, "What if Roz married me, just until all this is over. We've been friends and co-workers for several years, my reputation is stellar, Alice has been around me frequently since the day she was born.... I think it might work."
"Frasier, are you out of your mind." Roz could hardly believe what he had just said. "You're my best friend, but I can't ask you to...."
"Roz, you're not asking, I'm just expressing an idea." Frasier countered. "What do you think Laura?"
"Let me think.... yes, if cast in the proper light a marriage to you could prove very beneficial for Roz. But I cannot legally advocate such a step. That's something I'll leave entirely up to the two of you. But let me say off the record, that if that decision is made it is imperative that everyone believes it to be legitimate. I would even say if not to late that nothing be mentioned about the lawsuit either, so we can keep our element of surprise, and also no one will be put on the spot if they end up on the witness stand."
"There's just no way...." Roz began.
"I'll let you work on all the things we've discussed here today, and how about we meet next week to check progress. Notify me immediately if you are served with any papers." Laura said warmly as she rose to show them out.
"Thank you very much," they both said gratefully as they exited the office.
TO BE CONTINUED