Authors Note- Talk about delayed reaction. Sorry it's been so long, but now that school is back, it's easier to write (makes no sense I know). So don't loose hope, and keep reading. For the record, this chapter takes place about a week after Chapter Twelve. Enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen- "Screw New York, my idea's in Miami"
The innocence of a child allows them to always expose the integrity in any horror of a situation. When Lillian stepped into the hallway in the courthouse after the session was over, each day, she would immediately recognize the despair on Ryan's face. It really does make all the difference to have your own child run over and wrap her arms around them, and then hold his hand on the walk to the car. Especially in a situation she knew nothing about.
Lillian fell asleep early, even though he wanted to spend all the time he could with her, thinking that soon enough she'd be gone. So Ryan sat alone in the living room, the only noise being distant traffic sounds from the city street below. He was positive Julie was going to win, screw positive thinking, that was helpless against California laws.
There was a knock on the door, he simply called out to come in, not really caring who it was for a second there.
" You've got to be kidding me" Ryan stood up, "what the hell are you doing here?".
Seth sarcastically rolled his eyes, "like you don't know. I'm having a baby. Of course, the girl having the baby doesn't know that I know she's having a baby, but none the less- I also wanted to see you win custody of Lilly".
" Well that was a lost cause".
" I know, Summer's not going to like this" he then quit the act, " Lilly hates Julie, they wont let a kid live with someone she hates".
Ryan sat back down, "they don't care. But this isn't the custody situation you should be concerned about".
" Ah, yes, but when those termination papers are in New York, and you're in California, loopholes are found".
" You're going to be a dad soon".
Seth shrugged, "and you already are one".
From the dark hallway came the wandering little girl half asleep, rubbing her eyes and groaning. Without speaking, she immediately encircled her arms around Seth's thighs (her height level and then headed back to her bedroom.
" We're on the same maturity level, I think it's a mental connection" Ryan nodded in agreement, "is she talking normally?".
Ryan gestured for Seth to take a seat on the arm chair before answering, " she was, she was doing great, but then that whole thing with Amber- she thinks it's her fault about that. And now, with the court case, she's hardly said a thing".
" Too bad Julie can't see how all of this is messing with the kid she's suppose to care about".
" Yeah, well, I'm screwed".
Seth's expression shifted, "but, Elise mentioned that if either of you find evidence that the other is being, well, she worded it as ' a heartless jackass', then you'd be alright".
" Hence being screwed, I've not nothing. Marissa's dead, Caitlin would never help, and Jimmy wouldn't be any good since he's the ex-husband. And you know the deal with Caleb".
He sat rather still for a few minutes, waiting until Ryan acknowledged the fact that he was acting abnormal, even for Seth. "I have an idea...I think".
Ryan was hesitant to ask, "I hope it's not something that would bring us back to court".
" I know someone who could testify against Julie".
" Okay, who?".
" Can't tell".
" That makes sense" Ryan sarcastically commented.
" Well, I'm not sure how sure I am" Seth leaned forward, "so, I don't want to give your hopes up".
" Not like that's possible or anything".
" Do you trust me?" Seth properly accepted the glare he was then receiving, "well, I don't trust me either, but it's not like I can make matters worse".
Ryan shrugged, "I could beg to differ, since you have been in New York for the past six years".
" Screw New York, my idea's in Miami. I'll talk to you tomorrow" and with that, he bolted out of the apartment, leaving Ryan to debate whether or not to wonder about him.
Seth ignored the elevator back at Elise's building and ran up seven flights of stairs, panting as he dug through his pocket for the spare key he was given. He was so wired, he had to tell his partner the brilliant idea foaming in his head.
The second he was inside, Elise's hand was clasped over his mouth.
" Ssshhh" she silently hissed. Removing her hand, she led him into the living room, where Summer was sitting on the couch, sound asleep. "We were watching a movie, I thought she'd be gone by the time you got back, but she passed out. I can't wake her".
He nodded instead of speaking, completely forgetting what he wanted to tell Elise.
The phone rang, Elise cursed under her breath then darted to the bedroom to grab it before a second ring. Seth eased himself onto the couch, next to Summer. She was so peaceful, silently breathing, having no idea he was there.
This was the first time he had seen her so close since she left New York, and he couldn't be more scared. He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, causing her neck to turn away in the other direction.
That was when his attention was drawn to her stomach, her pregnant stomach. It still seemed a little surreal that there was a baby in there, their baby, that she wanted him to have nothing to do with. Softly, Seth placed his hand on the side of her abdomen, waiting for a kick, or anything really.
" Babies sleep before they're born too you know" Elise whispered, coming back into the room, "don't take it personally". She must have seen the look of disappointment he had.
He stood up, walking closer to her, "who was on the phone?" he was desperate for a subject change.
" Someone who could testify for Ryan's sake".
Seth's eyebrows flared, "we must be on the same wavelength here".
Elise offered him the piece of paper she had been holding, "do you know who this is?".