Go On
Fear in Me so Deep
Disclaimer: I own no one!
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John waited for Lance. He couldn't figure out why the man seemed to spend an hour in the shower. It had always been like that. John was almost always ready before him.
"Lance, we need to get going!" John called, banging on the bathroom door. "We're going to be late!" Not two seconds later, Lance walked out of the bathroom. He held a white towel around his waist.
"Relax, Babe." Lance said, fumbling through the suitcase. "We'll get there in plenty of time," He slipped into a pair of boxer shorts. Closing his eyes, he realized John was nervous.
"I know! My life depends on this verdict," he said, checking his watch. "What if I lose her? What if I have to leave Canada?" He babbled mindlessly. Gently, Lance set his hand on John's shoulder.
"Babe, I may DESPISE Missouri, but if you have to move here, I will GLADLY sell my house and move here with you," Lance said. John's eyes widened. He would do that? Why? That had been his house for close to fifteen years. Darrin had died in the house.
"Why? That house holds a lifetime of memories," John murmured. Lance sighed, struggling to tie his tie.
"What is a house if you aren't with the one you love?" he asked, sighing. "I may want to take things slowly, but that doesn't mean I want to live without you,"
"I see," John said. Slowly, he was understanding. "I can't believe we may lose Rhiannon. I don't even want to begin imagining life without her in it,"
"Be optimistic," Lance murmured, sticking his arm around John's waist. "Ready?"
"Yeah," he said. Anxiously, he pecked Lance on the cheek. "Let's hope the judge sees Bob for what he is," Lance glanced to him.
"What is he?" Lance asked. John sighed.
"A racist, sexist homophobe," John said, moving swiftly through the penthouse. Rhiannon was locked in her bedroom. She had been offered the chance to come to court and had said no.
They drove to the courthouse in absolute silence. John was too nervous to speak. Lance respected John's wish for silence.
Jill met them at the front doors. John sighed, knowing this was it. Once he stepped into the courtroom, his life would change forever. Once he stepped into the courtroom, nothing would ever be the same.
"I know you're nervous," Lance murmured, squeezing his hand. John nodded. It wasn't so much that he was nervous. If anything, he was afraid.
Sitting down, he glanced to the judge. Her expression was unreadable. John hoped this was a good sign.
"Well, I have never had a more difficult judgement to make," the judge said. "Clearly, everyone has the best interests of the child at hand. I have reached a verdict. Please rise," Lance and John stood up, along with Jill. "In the matter of custody of Rhiannon Cena-Orton, I grant joint custody of the child to her grandfather, Robert Orton and her other father, Jonathan Cena. The specific agreement will be determined by the individual parties. We'll revisit this matter in one year," She banged her gavel.
John's heart fell. He had been dreading a verdict like this. Bob would try to brainwash her. He would do everything in his power to turn her into a racist homophobe. He would do everything in his power to turn her against him.
"John, don't worry. The verdict isn't final. I plan to appeal." Jill said. "Besides, there's one more card I can play,"
"Please. I don't even want to think about what Bob would do," John said, Lance holding him. "I don't want him hurting our daughter,"
Lance heard exactly what John said. In fact, it had caught him off guard.
"Our?" he asked. John nodded slowly.
"You don't mind, do you?" John asked. Lance shook his head.
"She's practically my daughter. You're right," Lance said. "We'll survive. That's all I can say. We'll survive,"
It may not have been the best arrangement but at least, they got to see Rhiannon on a regular basis. It could have been worse.
They could have lost her permanently.
That would have been the worst.
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Thank you to RKOxLEGENDKILLER for suggesting the title of this chapter.
I know I said this story was the last installment, but I have to ask. Would anyone be interested in a fic about how John and Randy fell in love? Just an idea, but comments are appreciated,
JenLea
Read, review but most of all . . . ENJOY!