Thank you to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. I'm glad you all liked it. It was the first chapter I wrote where I started to cry over what I was writing, so I had a feeling it was good but all your feedback validated that, so thank you.
As always, own nothing but wished I did. I also don't claim to be an expert so all this legal stuff that I'm going to be talking about, don't really know if this is how it would work but in my Tree Hill this is how it all works.
Previously:
Later that night when I was in bed I saw Peyton walk by my room and I asked if she could come into my room.
"Hey Jenny, weird night, right?"
"Yeah, but I know you all love me."
"Yes, we're here for you no matter what."
"I got a question for you."
"You know you can ask me whatever."
"Is it alright if I call you mom?"
And now on with the story:
She sat there, her face had so many emotion going through it at one time that it was hard to read what she was feeling exactly. Shock, confusion, overwhelmed; all were feelings she showed. We sat there for what seemed like forever until the silence started to kill me.
"Peyton?" I asked in a timid, shy voice, not quite sure I wanted to know the answer. But my fears were put to rest when all those emotions on her face were replaced with another one, one I was hoping to see; love.
"Yes." That's all she said and yet it was enough.
"Really?"
"If you're sure that that's what you want, I would be honored to have you call me mom."
With that every emotion that I didn't know I was keeping pent up came out and I started crying. No, not just crying but actually bawling and doing what would be considered the ugly cry.
Peyton just held me. She held me like a mother would hold a little child even though I was fifteen. She held me like I had never been held before, how I longed to be held. As my sobs started to soften to whimpers I could hear her heart. A heart that seemed to know no bounds when it came to love.
She must have realized what I was doing because the next thing I knew she was humming the song 'You'll Be in My Heart' and when she was done humming she softly whispered, "You'll be in my heart forever. I may not have given birth to you but I want you to know you are my daughter in my heart."
I softly mumbled, "I love you, Mom," as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I awoke to find myself right where I was when I fell asleep; in my mom's arm.
"Good morning Sleeping Beauty."
I slightly jumped at the sound of the voice behind me but luckily didn't wake up Peyton.
I turned to see my dad smirking at me. "Good morning Dad."
"I trust you slept well in the arms of the woman who is usually my sleeping companion."
"Yes, very," I said with a smile.
Dad and I went downstairs to make some breakfast. Soon after Anna joined us. After we had all eaten Anna noticed that mom was still not up and announced that she was going to go wake her up. She left the kitchen with a smile that spelled trouble.
"Jenny, I should mention, for future reference, that if someone sleeps this late they usually get a wake up call…"
"Sounds reasonable."
"… by someone pouring ice cold water on them."
"Okay," I could tell he was not only saying this for future reference, something else was up.
"Think about where she is sleeping right now."
At that moment both myself and Peyton yelled, "ANNA!"
Seems I didn't stop Anna in time. I didn't really want to go up to my room and deal with the wet bed quite yet. I didn't notice that dad had slipped out of the kitchen, but the next thing I heard was, "JACOB BRYAN JAGIELSKI YOU COME BACK WITH THAT CAMERA RIGHT NOW!"
The next half hour was spent cleaning up, drying off, and my mom trying to get the digital camera to delete the pictures of her soaking wet. When everybody was dry and order had somewhat settled back on the Jagielski home, the awareness of what today was began to weigh heavy on the minds of everybody, even Anna. Today was the beginning of a long fight. One that I couldn't afford to lose.
We all got into the vehicle and solemnly drove to the court house. When we got to the courthouse we were met by our lawyer, "Good morning."
"Good morning," we all replied.
He turned and looked at me and said, "My name is Antoine Tanner. I'll be representing Jake and Peyton in this custody suit. Feel free to ask me anything at anytime. While I'm here to represent them, it's really you whose best interests I have in mind."
"Okay, thank-you so much. These two are old friends of mine and I will do whatever needs to be done."
It was then that I realized why when I first saw him this morning he looked familiar. I met him at the dinner the first night I was in Tree Hill, and at the River Court too, although I think he was introduced by some other name, just can't remember what it was. Well, it's not important. What's important is winning in court, although I knew my mother would not make it easy.
"Today is mostly going to be the judge asking if this case really does need to be presented in court, or if there's any way to settle it out of court. Since Miss Turner is not willing to give up her rights and I know you want to hold onto Jenny also, not much will happen with that. The next thing will be opening statements. I think that's pretty much all that will happen today. But I'm going to have to meet with you all again to make sure I know everything I need to know to win."
"That's fine, we'll arrange a time later."
With that we heard the bailiff yell into the hallway, "Case 2018050508091212: Jagielski v. Turner."
"Well, that's us. Ready to go on in?"
As I walked in I grabbed both my dad and my mom's hands. I knew I was going to see Nikki in there and I was going to make sure that she saw how dedicated I was to this new family I found and I was not about to let go of it anytime soon without a fight.
Sure enough, there she was sitting next to her lawyer. When our eyes met I saw a flicker of something, not quite sure what but part of me thought it was fear. But maybe that was just wishful thinking.
I wasn't allowed to sit with my parents at the table but I sat in the first row in the galley on their side right behind them with Anna sitting right next to me. As I looked to see who else was sitting on our side I saw Haley and Nathan, who both gave me reassured smiles, Lucas and Brooke, I guess Lucas isn't the judge in this case, Karen and Keith, Whitey who mouthed to me 'Stay strong Little Darling,' Tim, and some other people I had briefly met before.
Then the bailiff's voice was heard again, "All rise for the honorable Judge Gattina."
I looked up to see a young woman, about the age of my parents, walk out in her judge's robes. Although I didn't recognize her, it was clear that my parents and their friends recognized her, but I couldn't tell if that was good or bad. I guess we'll see.
"Please be seated. Court is now in session."
"Okay, well it looks like we have a custody battle here. Have both sides tried to reach a settlement in this case?"
"We have your Honor," replied both lawyers.
"And nothing could be reached."
"No."
"Those two jacka…"
"Mr. Johnson, control your client or I will have her removed."
"Yes your honor. Sorry for the disturbance." I turned to see my mother being scolded by her lawyer. I knew I shouldn't have but I couldn't help but smirk at that.
"Well, I guess opening statements will now be heard, unless there are any requests."
"Yes, your honor, we have one. My client would like her daughter removed from the plaintiffs' care. She feels that by her daughter living in that environment her daughter is being led to believe false things about her and that may hurt her case."
"Excuse me your honor."
"Yes Mrs. Scott?"
"As you know I am with child services and handled this case. This issue has been brought up and Miss Turner's request has been denied."
"Is this true?"
"She made this request without a lawyer present."
"I don't see what difference that would have made since the same request was made with and without a lawyer. Request is denied."
Yes, one small battle won.
"Now onto opening statements. Mr. Tanner…"
"Your honor, my clients are here with one small request. Let the daughter that was taken from them all those years ago be returned to them. The defendant took the child after perjuring herself in court. This lie was not caught until it was too late and the defendant had already fled the state. We intend to present evidence that manipulated the courts into giving custody of the child under false pretenses. We will also present information about present conditions and why we feel that it would be unwise to allow the defendant to keep custody of the child."
I'm not sure how strong that statement was but it signaled the beginning of the fight. Next it was my mother's lawyer's turn. I prayed he would suck.
"Your honor, my client wishes only one thing. That she would be allowed to keep her daughter and keep raising her. A daughter who she loves, would do anything for and puts before anything else. It's short and simple. Return this child to her mother. We will be presenting information that will help prove our case."
In my opinion that was weak but maybe that was only me hoping.
With that, court was adjourned. The war over me had begun.
Spoilers:
As the court case begins, who will testify and what will they say?
Sorry that this was so short but I hope that it will do until I can get another update up. Please review. I spend all this time writing this for you guys and pouring myself into the story and then to get so few reviews, it seems like a slap in the face. I won't stop writing this story because of the lack of reviews, last time I wrote something about wanting more reviews some people seemed to think I was planning on not writing if I didn't get my reviews, that's not the case. I just want to feel that my work is appreciated and that people are liking this story. Post anonymously if you don't want me to know who is saying what exactly, but please review.