Sobriety

Author: Alicia

Rating K+

Summary: Tom's thoughts

A/N: I'm going to be teaching English next year and I'm trying to get in the habit of writing something everyday. This means that you might be getting a lot more from me than you're used to seeing.

Disclaimer: They're not mine. I don't own them or anything else.

Horizons Rehab. Center

Rosslyn Virginia

Tom stared at the phone hoping to get his courage up to call his lawyer. Tomorrow was the hearing to decide custody of Mattie. Tom knew what the outcome would be.

He'd checked himself into rehab a month ago with the idea that he'd get sober and then get another chance with Mattie. He told the intake counselor he'd wanted to get sober so he could take care of his daughter who'd been severely injured in a plane crash.

He'd been the man with the plan, do his month, get out, get Mattie, and live happily ever after. His lawyer had said if he was sober and working the court wouldn't let her go overseas.

Then he'd started going to group meetings. The stories he heard there had started to change his mind. He knew that Harm loved Mattie and would be good for her. He'd eventually realized that the best thing he could do for Mattie was let her be with Harm.

It wasn't that he didn't love her. He loved Mattie with all his heart; he just knew he wasn't the best person to help her deal with her problems. How could he help her with hers when he couldn't deal with his own problems?

He knew he was good at getting sober staying sober was another story. If he failed in staying sober this time there'd be no Harm to catch Mattie. Sure, there'd be the state and foster care but that wasn't the best thing for his daughter.

Now he just needed to work up the courage to tell his lawyer not to contest the petition and explain things to his daughter.

Taking a deep breath, Tom picked up a phone and began to dial.

Fin