The court room was full to the brim with Firehouse 51, district 21, Med and the squaddie guys or the brothers in arms (BIA) as they were now referred to. They had all filed in ready to watch the two divorce hearings about to go on in court room two. Although Snake Shit was a bit aggrieved he knew they all had his best interests and those of Jess' at heart. He was actually secretly thrilled that everyone he held dear was there for support although he would never dream of telling any of them that as their egos or heads might grow too big.
The man, Mr Waters, had served papers on both Peter and Jana three days prior and they had now both walked in to the court room waiting for the judges to attend to their hearings. Everyone in the gallery sneered. There was no sitting room. Only room to stand and even that was near capacity. People were sitting on others laps and cuddled up like it was the back row of a movie theatre. Herrmann, Mouch, Cindy and Trudy were all missing as they had set up a crèche on the patio of Molly's with scavenger hunts.
Peter and Jana had strategically placed themselves next to each other on one side of the court room while Jess and Maverick sat together on the other.
The legal counsel for Jess and Maverick had said that it was a straight forward case of adultery in both cases however Peter was refusing to admit his betrayal to Jess. Susan had been told in no uncertain terms to come clean or she was going to face the wrath of the Halsted/Severide/McHolland clan along with the BIA. Susan had willingly handed over the necessary information. Chris was in possession of this right now and sat smug at how his prowess knew no bounds. It was all in the name of family though. The BIA had always had his back, yes mostly due to ranking and hierarchy but for some reason even when he went in to civilian street everyone still maintained that respect for each other. In some respects Chris wanted responsibility to fall to someone else now he was out but unfortunately as the BIA said he was always going to be their Sergeant Major. Chris shook off his thoughts off loyalty and insecurity at being the lead and focused on what was really important. His brother in arms.
The judge addressed the court room.
"We are here to deal with the decree absolute of Jessica Mills and Peter Mills on the grounds that Peter Mills has been adulterous and fathered a child with another woman. That ladies names is Susan Victoria Chubb and is named in the divorce petition. The second decree absolute we are here to deal with is that of Maverick Mitchell and Jana Mitchell on the grounds that Jana Mitchell has been adulterous. The person named in the petition is Chad. Chad where are you?"
"Here your honour," as he stands up from his seated position.
"Do you not have a surname?"
"No your honour I only use my Christian name as I prefer the anonymity that only a first name gives to me."
"Ok Chad that's duly noted now lets get on. Are either party seeking out any favourable terms in the divorce?"
"No your honour" says the legal counsel for both sides.
"Ok then that's duly noted. In order for me to award the decree absolute on the basis of adultery I need to satisfy myself that adulterous behaviour has taken part and that it occurred within the confines of the marriage. Can I now please call forward Susan Chubb to the stand?"
Susan approaches the stand and looks nervously at Peter who in turn looks away and to where his wife was seated. Jess glares at him holding her stare and Peter feeling uncomfortable looks away.
"Mrs Chubb can you please confirm when your affair with Mr Mills started please?"
"Yes around five and a half years ago."
"That's bullshit we were never together" Peter cries out in anger and betrayal. A single tear falls down on to his cheek as the realisation hits him that he is going to lose his beloved twins as well as his new quadruplets, his house and his wife. Although he would be glad to get rid of her irritating intrusive family and cut all ties with them he knew he would be able to win Jess round in time and he started to mount a plan in his head.
"Mr Mills please refrain from outbursts."
"Not if she is going to slander my name in this court room I wont."
"Well right now it is my court room and I'm asking that you give Mrs Chubb a chance to speak."
Naomi glances toward the gallery where Chris sits watching the outburst. On making eye contact with Naomi Chris nods his head towards her.
"I have the proof here your honour that he did indeed have a relationship with me" Susan hands the judge a file. In the file every single message and phone call from the past five and a half years were detailed along with maternity records to state that he attended the appointments and attended the birth of Blaze Chubb as well as providing a paternity test stating Peter Mills was indeed his father.
"It seems Mr Mills on glancing upon this file that you are the one being dishonest."
"Mrs Chubb now you have proven the paternity of your son along with these documents of messages and calls between the pair of you then you may return to your seat in the public gallery. Mr Mills this is directed towards you. Due to your dishonesty and slander along with the defamation of Mrs Chubb's character I am now granting Mrs Mills the decree absolute on the basis that you had an affair and behaved in an unreasonable manner. Mrs Mills do you wish to take another name now your divorce has been finalised?"
"Yes your honour I wish to take the surname Mitchell."
Maverick looks taken aback at what Jess had said. Jess only winks. Maverick shakes his head at Jess and she only grins even more.
"That is now logged and your change of name deed will be sent to you along with the decree absolute. You may now return to the public gallery."
Everyone in the gallery cheers as Jess walks to the gallery with her head held high. Jess smirks knowing Maverick will be sat flabbergasted probably open mouthed. As Jess walks to the gallery the judge cottons on as he is about to call Maverick's case that Jess has just chosen the same name as Maverick had and inwardly smiles knowing that his BIA was well suited to Jess and would meet her needs. Chris sat in the gallery watching the judge. His name was Rivers. He was an older gentleman with a refined look. Chris knew that as soon as Lieutenant Colonel Rivers left the army that he was going to work in the justice system. Chris had looked through Mavericks paperwork and recognised his name. It wasn't until they arrived in the court room though that Chris had been sure it was the same Lieutenant Colonel that had given him his orders to swap with Tom on those fateful days leading up to his accident. Chris looked at Rivers and lifted his hands in a "What can I do about it?" gesture. Rivers smiled and continued on. The gesture had been noticed by all though.
"I now wish to deal with the second case of Mitchell versus Mitchell. Are any favourable terms being asked for in this case."
"Not from my client your honour" the legal counsel representing Jess and Maverick says.
"Yes your honour my client wishes to ask for thirty per cent of Mr Mitchells military pension as spousal maintenance on the grounds that she was left for prolonged periods of her time with no income and no family to speak of so being a vulnerable woman with mental health problems feels that she is duly entitled to thirty percent of all Mr Mitchell's income to pay for all her medical and psychiatric costs whilst Mr Mitchell was abroad and on the basis that she was faithful and dutiful in her marriage. Due to her inability to have a child due to the distance between Mr Mitchell and my client she wishes to seek permission to split all the marital assets fifty fifty due to her income that was put in to the property."
Maverick scoffs and the gallery glare at Jana who was sat with her legal counsel holding a tissue to her cheek faking the tears that fall.
"Legal counsel for Mr Mitchell do you have anything to say at this point?"
"Yes your honour in response to the claims that Mrs Mitchell was faithful and dutiful I wish to call Chad to the stand in order to give evidence to the court in order to prove Mrs Mitchell's claims are false and she did indeed have an affair."
"Chad step forward and take your oath please."
Chad steps forward and as he begins to approach the stand Jay glares and makes eye contact with Chad and Chad nods.
Chad was sworn in and the judge proceeds.
"Chad can you divulge what information you have to support Mr Mitchell's case please."
"Yes your honour. Here is a phone log of all the texts and calls exchanged between myself and Mrs Mitchell over the last five years including the messaging log from the dating website she used when Mr Mitchell was out of the country on his deployments. The messages started as general inquisition to begin with then Mrs Mitchell started to become suggestive asking for nude photos which I sent. The phone calls and messages always became more frequent when Maver… I mean Mr Mitchell was out of the country. She asked me over to her house. On the last occasion she decided she was going to try and fleece Mr Mitchell for all his army pensions and marital assets as she said to me and I quote 'If you get me pregnant I'll tell him its his and he will have to give me half the money then, when he does that we can run away together and we can build a new life and if you don't help me Chad I will make sure you don't see the light of another day again. You will be drinking out of a straw for the rest of your life that's how much damage I can do to you. I have my ways and I've learnt a lot about killing people and how to do it living with a military man.' Well just after this it all transpired that Mr Gilmour a friend of Mr Mitchells came to the house expecting Mr Mitchell to be home however he was out on errands. Mr Gilmour told Mr Mitchell he had found me at the house in an undressed state with nothing on. Mrs Mitchell was upstairs taking a shower and I was left to get dressed after we had intercourse downstairs. She said it had to be quick before her husband got home. Mr Gilmour walked in without even knocking. Mrs Mitchell came back downstairs just as Mr Gilmour was leaving. A few minutes as I was trying to gather all my clothes a car approached and Mr Mitchell got out. The car was driven by Mr Gilmour. Mrs Mitchell distracted him in order to give me time to rush out of the back door and that's when those photos were taken. Mr Mitchell actually found my sky blue swim shorts in the kitchen."
"Ok Chad I think we have heard enough now. Is Mr Gilmour who walked in on you here today?"
"Yes your honour."
Chad looks to the public gallery and the twins are sat side by side looking as they always have. IDENTICAL.
"Erm your honour there seems to be two of them. I cant distinguish which one is which."
"Ok Chad. You have proven the infidelity of Mrs Mitchell and have provided me with enough information to make a deliberation in this case. Mr Mitchell I am awarding you the decree absolute on the grounds of adultery and unreasonable behaviour. Mrs Mitchell I award you nothing except for the disdain of this court room. You are NOT entitled to thirty percent of Mr Mitchell's army pension and nor are you entitled to fifty percent of the marital assets given that you breached your pre nuptial agreement. You may now both leave. This case is completed."
Cheers of "Molly's is open and the first round on me" rang out from the public gallery. Peter and Jana sat open mouthed wondering how the carpet had just been pulled out from underneath both parties and how they left with nothing. Peter stood with a sneer on his face knowing this was far from over. He wanted his twins and his quadruplets when they were born and there was nothing he wouldn't do to get them.
Jess and Snake Shit walked up to each other standing facing each other not saying a word.
"Sis you coming?" Naomi asks holding Jay's hand for support. She had been given twelve hours leave from the hospital provided she was back for Isaac's twelve am feed.
"Yeah be right there" Jess shouted at her sister smiling as she stood watching Naomi hand in hand with her husband with Jay's arm draped around her shoulder and his supporting hand now moving to her waist.
Everyone joined hands and Chris made a phone call as he exited the court house.
"Make sure you have eyes on them all. This is going to turn sour" Chris said to the silent person on the other end of the phone.
An inconspicuous face was watching Chris through the tinted windows of the Chevy Camaro. He was going to regret this in the morning.
Or was he?
