HEARTS DIVIDED: Court Visitation
by tarskeewee08
Attorney Garrett sat silent the study of Llanfair as Evangeline reviewed the latest information he was able to uncover on John McBain. They had to go to court within an hour and hear the results of the DNA test and Evangeline was determined that visitation not be granted until a custodial hearing heard her concerns. She sat behind the desk dressed once again an all black wrap dress. Her hair was pulled back into a tasteful bun and she wore 2ct diamond stud earrings that sparkled on her ears.
She'd been reading the document for the 20 minutes and Garrett couldn't get a read on her. Finally she looked up and he saw pain and dread on her face.
"Are you sure your
sources are correct?"
"Ms. Buchanan, she is willing to testify
today to it. There is no mistaking this information."
Evangeline threw the folder on the desk and bit her lip. She would kill for her a child. But this? This was plain cruel. She couldn't go into court and destroy that man's world like that. Who was she to reveal this type of information in front of everyone?
The media was now camped outside. Everyone knew about today's hearing and she was distraught over the chaos hovering over KJ. Shaking her head she felt sick, since yesterday her vision was blurring. Shaking her head she regained control.
"We couldn't find anything on him? Besides his deeds with the FBI?"
Attorney Garrett shook his head sadly. "Ms. Buchanan I don't know what to tell you at this point. You know the law. He will prove to be the father and the courts will honor his rights to see your child. Of course he would have to prove you unfit to get custody and that won't happen. But he could very well get joint custody. You have to use that information. It's your only hope."
Evangeline shot Garrett an angry look. Her eyes sparkled with tears like the diamonds in her ears "The woman is dead. Even if this is true I could come off as vindictive and heartless. It could blow up in my face!"
"That's true, but what do you suggest? Because we need to leave soon and we both know what you are facing."
Evangeline leaned on the desk and put her head down into her hands. She was too scared and tired to cry anymore. She had to keep him away from her baby. The thought of him being able to take her baby from this home off to god knows where terrified her even more.
"Evangeline…"
Looking up she sees Jessica. Shocked she jumps from her chair and runs into Jessica's outstretched arms. Jessica squeezes her and helps her release her pain. Rubbing her back she whispers softly in her ear. "Mom called and told me. You should have told me."
Evangeline let her go and wiped at her face. "You just got to New York, I didn't want to…"
"Nonsense! We are sisters. I am here for you and my nephew. Now let's go to court and fight for our baby!" she said smiling and wiping away Evangeline's tears. Evangeline nodded returning a weak smile "Let's fight for our baby"
La BlueLai
John walked into the parlor of Dorian's mansion and his mouth open. Adriana came to his room and told him there was a surprise waiting for him but he had no idea it would be this wonderful.
His mother, father, brother Michael and his wife Marcie and his sister Caitlyn were all standing there smiling. Thomas walked over to his shocked son and pulled him into his arms giving him a big bear hug. John hugged him back and let a tear escape. Family meant everything and he felt so alone and abandoned when he first appeared in court without the McBain's.
Thomas let go of his son and cupped his face in his hands "We're here for you son! We McBain's stick together"
John looked over at Eve and smiled. "I am so glad you all
came."
Marcie walked over and reached and hugged him "Of
course we came! Today you find out you're a daddy. How cool is
that!"
Caitlyn walked over. "Come here big brother and
give me a kiss."
John let go of Marcie and hugged and kissed
Caitlyn then his mother. Dorian waved her hands around. "Does
anyone want something to eat or Drink? We have some time before
court."
Michael nods. "I'm starving!" he bellows grabbing Marcie by the hand and following Dorian out.
Eve touches her son's face. "John have you seen him?"
John smiles "My god mom, wait until you see this kid. He is the cutest kid in the whole world. He knew me mom I swear he did. I could see it in his eyes. And his eyes. Just like every McBain in the family crystal blue. I'm so excited to get my boy."
Eve looks
over at Thomas with a slight frown "Get your boy?"
John shrugs
and walks to the couch. "The courts will have to give me my son
it's only logical!"
Thomas pats Eve shoulders and watches as his wife goes and sits next to her son. She puts her hand on his knee and speaks to him gently. "What about the mother? What is she like?"
"Snotty!" John says waving his hand in the air
dismissively.
"Is she unfit?"
"No….but her lifestyle
is. The woman lives in some type of castle on the edge of town. That
entire family is cruel and ruthless and the things her husband did.
Well let's just say that my son will not be raised around people
with those morals."
"John the only way you can take a child from his mother is if SHE is unfit. I thought her husband was dead?"
"He is…doesn't matter. She lives off his blood money. If he hadn't taken ill the government would have indicted him. She says they were close so apparently she cosigned on what he was doing. That's enough to show her as unfit." John snapped.
Eve shook her head. "Baby, think about your son. This is his mother, find a way to work with her. Get to know her. Can you honestly think that snatching him from her will help that child? You're a father now. It's not about what you want. It's about your son and his needs."
John looked at her and sighed. "I don't know. I want my son and that woman won't let me near him!" he hisses
"It won't be up to her. The courts won't keep you from him. But if you humiliate her in public you ruin any chance of having a solid parenting relationship with her. And the baby….what's his name?"
"Kevin but they call him KJ" he said smiling.
"Cute I like KJ. Well KJ needs you both." She said leaning in and kissing his jaw.
"I'll hold back today but if she tries to shut me out I will drag her through the mud and think nothing of it. I want to be near him and not for a visit. I want him in my life permanently."
Eve hugged her son relieved that he didn't sound as angry and bitter as he did weeks ago, when he stormed in screaming someone stole his son. He was so irrational. He kept talking as if the baby belonged to him and Kelly. She wanted him to have some perspective.
Court
Evangeline walked through the flashing bulbs of photographers and lollipop microphones being shoved in her face. Jessica had her arm around her shoving reporters away and screaming for them to leave them alone. Behind her was Vikki being shielded by Clint and Joey with his girlfriend following.
Evangeline kept her head down and ignored the cruel questions of her buying another mans sperm without his knowledge because her husband was impotent.
She saw her family on the news yesterday and an expert sat up there talking about how the Buchanan's were people who felt money justified anything. How they knowingly sponsored the now infamous Spencer "Dr. Frankenstein" Truman experimental procedures to create a baby.
One disgusting expert had the nerve to call her infertile and say that KJ was made in a test-tube. The whole sordid thing was destroying them all. Her beloved husband was laughed at. All because she had the nerve to trust that hideous Doctor. She'd destroyed the Buchanan name in this town.
Feeling people pull on her she winced and tried to keep walking. She tried to keep from collapsing. Finally breaking through into the courtroom she looked up and saw him surrounded by his family. The look they all gave her hurt. She had no idea that she was being impregnated with this man's sperm. God how would she know that?
Jessica flashed them all a fuck you look and held she hand as they walked down the corridor.
Evangeline made eye contact with John and he looked just as determined today as he looked the first day they appeared in court. She dropped her gaze and stepped through the gate going to the table. Jessica leaned over her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.
"I am right behind you sweetie. You can do this. We all love you and KJ and we won't give up."
She touched her hand and squeezed it nodding. Jessica turned and shot John another murderous look then went to join the rest of the Buchanan clan. Garrett reached across and touched her knee.
"Are you
okay?" he whispered.
Evangeline finally raised her head. "I
think so…"
That was the truth. She thought she could do this. But now she's realizing how alone she is. She never had family and the Buchanan's were everything to her. Now she and her son would be destroying the one family she needed the most. She didn't have her husband to wrap his arms around her and assure her that she would survive this too. She felt as if she was five again screaming as the social worker tore her from her mother's arms, separating her from the one person in the world that was supposed to protect her.
The image of her baby boy being ripped from her punched her in the gut. She bent over at the table and started wheezing.
John sitting next to Hugh going over their evidence noticed Evangeline wince and bend over. He looked at her concerned. Her skin was pale and she was turning green.
"Is she okay?"
he asked
Hugh looked over at her and chuckled "Probably not. I
hear she's representing her self today. If she's already
crumbling we got her on the ropes."
John looked at Hugh angrily "Hey that's not what this is about. I don't take pleasure in hurting people"
Hugh laughed louder and Evangeline and her attorney looked over at them. He leaned into John "You're kidding right? Wasn't it you that brought in the info on her husband. Aren't you the one calling their family a house of freaks? Didn't you tell me joint custody wasn't an option and to destroy her."
John looked at him stunned. He looked back at his family who was so supportive and understanding. He wanted to make them proud. He then looked over into the face of the woman that gave him a son. She looked so vulnerable to him then. It was like he was seeing her for the first time.
"Don't use anything on her husband until I okay it. Attack the family history but nothing on that evidence are we clear!" he hissed at Hugh.
Hugh sucked his teeth. "It's your funeral. But don't let that poor me look she flashes you fool you. She will slit your throat to serve her on purpose."
Before he could say anything the bailiff appeared. He walked to the front of the room looking at everyone blankly "All rise. The Honorable Judge Warren is presiding."
Everyone rose and John looked back at Evangeline. She was holding herself up by bracing one hand on the table trying to appear strong. He felt a knot in his stomach at how this was unfolding.
The side door opened and Judge Warren walked to her bench in a dark Navy robe. She sat down and scanned her court room. "Please be seated."
Opening her folder she looked at the document and then at Evangeline and him clearing her throat. "I have before me the paternity results for Kevin Buchanan Jr. It has been confirmed by 99.9 that John McBain is the father of said child."
Evangeline squeezed her eyes shut and the McBain's cheered. Jessica looked over at them and flashed them hateful looks and Marcie rolled her eyes back.
Judge Warren slammed her gable down admonishing the spectators on court room decorum. Evangeline opened her eyes and looked at John. He smiled and winked at her. She sat back in her chair and held back her tears. She knew the truth but the pain and her paranoia was now intensified. Feeling a throbbing in her temples she breathed out quick short breaths. She didn't want to loose control.
"We will hear the argument for visitation and petition for custody arrangements today. Attorney Hughes"
Hugh rose from his chair. "I'd like to call Vikki Buchanan…"
Evangeline looked at him and frowned. Vikki looked up surprised. She rose and walked around her children to the bench. Looking over at Evangeline she winked. Evangeline gave her a grateful smile then glared at Hugh as Vikki was sworn in.
"Ms.
Buchanan…Can you state for the court your relationship to Kevin
Buchanan Jr." Hugh asked pacing in front of her.
"I'm his
grandmother"
"Do you spend a lot of time with him?"
"Yes
he lives with me?"
"How many hours in a day would you
say?"
Vikki frowned "I don't know, he stays at Llanfair so I
can see him anytime during the day"
"Would you please tell the
courts who Nikki Smith is…"
"Objection your honor!" Evangeline shouted standing from her seat. "That has no bearing on visitation and custody."
"Your honor we would like to move for immediate removal of the child from the Buchanan estate for fear for his safety."
"You what? Are you crazy!" Evangeline screamed.
Judge Warren slammed her gable down. "Order..Order"
"Your honor, these are preliminary hearing there is no evidence that Kevin Jr is in immediate danger. The counselor is on a fishing expedition."
The judge turned to Vikki who looked stunned and hurt. She saw the smirk on Dorian's face across the room and wanted to unleash on her immediately. "Ms. Buchanan, I'm fully aware of your medical history. When was the last time you had a lapse into your alter ego?"
"It's been over 10 years…" Vikki said looking at Evangeline with tears in her eyes.
The judge turned to Attorney Hugh. "I will not turn this into a circus Mr. Hughes. I understand that emotions are raw for everyone now, but the welfare of this child is my top priority. I feel that Mr. McBain is within his legal rights to have immediate visitation with the child…"
"Your Honor!" Evangeline shouted.
"Ms. Buchanan, please be quiet. We will schedule a custody hearing for the end of this month. Until then Mr. McBain will have every other weekend with his son unsupervised. I would like to ask that you and Mr. McBain sit down and come to some type of agreement and spare your child the horrors of an ugly custody fight. Because if you appear before me and I have to decide our personal relationship will have no bearings on my ruling."
"Your honor…." Evangeline said choking on her words. She felt like she was going to faint and swallowed the bile in her throat. "This weekend…..this…..weekend is my baby's…2nd birthday….we….we."
John watched her trying to speak and actually felt sympathy for her. She was rocking side to side trying to focus and everyone in the courtroom was dead silent wondering if she would pull it off.
"I'm having a party…I….please…don't take my baby…on his…" And with that she collapsed. Vikki stood up and screamed and John jumped from his seat running over to her. She was out cold.
Jessica ran to her. "Get your damn hands off her!" she screamed at John pushing him away. He backed away and watched as her sister in-law cradled her head in her lap.
John looked down at her shocked. The judge turned to the bailiff and told him to get an ambulance. Eve McBain came around and went to her son. She put her hand on his back. "Johnny is she okay?"
John looked at her confused and regretful. "God I hope so mom."
Vikki was kneeling down touching her face crying. "Evangeline, baby please wake up. It's okay baby we will be okay."
The paramedics came in with a stretcher. John watched as they shooed everyone away and worked on her. She was non responsive and they both lifted her to the gurney. Jessica stood and glared at John. Turning on her heel she reached for her sister in-law hand and held it as they rolled her out of the courtroom. Evangeline remained unconscious.
