Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. Also don't own Delta. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Ollie, Seraphina, Alex, and Patrick "Paddy" Ridley. Bobcatwriter owns Annie, Mike, Travon, all the characters at Lakeshore Academy, Baby Hans, Paddy's family, The Lebrie Family, Reese, Mark, Judge Stone, Judge Murray, a few of the other students and teachers from Eden Hall.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks story's: "The Way Things Are", "The Way Things Were" and "The Way Things Should Be". We recommend you read those three first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 10
Gordon's POV
9:30 Am Hennepin County Courthouse
I dropped the kids off at Eden Hall at 6:00 including Gunnar who was waiting in the car at Mickey's with Adam. Adam wanted a few more minutes with Gunnar, I knew he was disappointed when we got to Eden Hall. Charlie had escorted Bella back to her dorm room. The campus at Eden opened at 5:00 in the morning, even though the dorms remained locked until 7:00. The only way the kids could get in was using there night keys.
"I am going to miss vou," Gunnar said.
"I know me too. Look, Christmas break isn't that far away. We will be back, right Coach?" Adam said.
"Yep December 23rd and we leave on January 2nd. I will avert my eyes," I said.
2 minutes later Gunnar and Adam got out of the car. Gunnar started to walk towards his dorm and Adam climbed into the front seat.
"MISTER BOMBAY, WHERE IS YOUR CLIENT?" asked Judge Stone. He was already sitting waiting for us to get started.
"I don't know Judge Stone," I said.
9:35 am
Morgan Girls Dormitory
Eden Hall Campus
Room 307
Bella's POV
I didn't even hear the alarm go off at 8:05. Charlie had dropped me at the Dorm door and kissed me good night or good morning as he liked to call it, since we had been out all night. He was not allowed to come into the girl's dorms until 7:00am and the guys had to be gone by 10:00pm on weeknights, 12:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights. I rolled over and checked the time it was now 9:35. I WAS LATE for court, court started at 9:00. I quickly got around and left in a quick hurry hoping that I was going to be able to catch the 10:00 am bus. I had just gotten to the bus stop when the bus pulled up. I had to fix my hair and make-up as best as I could. The makeup wasn't hard, but all I could do is comb my hair and put it up into a ponytail. I just hoped that I looked okay. It took a little over 2 minutes to run the 4 blocks to the courthouse.
"Where the hell have you been?" Coach asked me after I had gotten through security.
"I am so sorry, I overslept. I got here as soon as I could. Is the Judge mad?" I asked.
"You better believe he is," Coach said as we walked to the elevators to go up to the 4th floor and into Judge Stones chambers.
"Well it's nice that you finally decided to show up, Ms. Banks," Judge Stone said to me, upon my entry into his chambers.
"I know I am so sorry. I overslept. See I was out all night with my boyfriend," I said. Then I realized that I should have lied.
"Boyfriend? I thought I told you to stay out of trouble," Judge Stone said.
"Ha, that is a good one. You don't have a boyfriend," Phillip said.
"I do have a boyfriend, Charlie Conway. Like you would care," I said.
"THAT LOSER? Well not for long you won't have him," Phillip said.
"HOW DARE YOU?" I asked.
"That's enough! Court will reconvene in 15 minutes, do you think that you can keep yourselves away from each other for that length of time," Judge Stone said.
"Yes, your honor," Phillip said.
Fifteen minutes later, "ALL RISE!' We heard out of the Bailiff I stood up with Coach and everyone else, 'Hennepin County Family court is now in session the Honorable Judge Stone presiding."
Judge Stone banged his gavel twice and then said, "Good Morning you may be seated. I do apologize for those that are waiting for their turn today. Let us finish case number JA 10987456903 Case of Isabella Lilian Banks versus Phillip and Seraphina Banks, petition for emancipation of a minor. Mr. Bombay are you ready with your closing statement?" said Judge Stone.
Coach rose and then he said, "Yes; your honor, Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe that we have proven Ms. Isabella Bank's case. By providing that Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Banks have repeatedly forced their children into the sport of hockey and making them love it and practice for more than what was required at any age level. Including making them practice when they were sick and needed to be in bed and resting. They have also not provided medical attention that Isabella required from a psychiatrist. We have also proven that they chose to disown one child while ignoring their other children. I have a son myself; I would not dream of ever treating my son like how Phillip and Seraphina have treated each of their children. I ask for you to grant Ms. Isabella's petition to be an emancipated minor. Thank you." Coach sat down.
"Mr. Banks your closing statement," said Judge Stone.
My father rose and then he spoke, "Your honor, Ladies and Gentlemen of the courtroom. We have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are the rightful place for Ms. Isabella Lillian Banks to reside. Even the court liaison said that in her opinion that Ms. Banks belongs with Mrs. Banks, and myself. We have proven that we have provided more than adequate care for her and loved her in any way that parents would love their children. Do we make mistakes? Of course, all parents do, all human's do. But I believe that given the course over all human history that she belongs with her rightful parents, the parents that gave birth to her. Who stayed up all night, nursing her, rocking her, and walking with her to help her sleep at night? The parents that taught her to walk, talk, sit, stand, and skate on her own. Ms. Banks has proven herself her inability to be an adult just yet, by showing up late this morning to court. Blaming it on a non-existent boyfriend, for keeping her out all night long. She has broken the law and we believe that her petition to be an emancipated minor should be declined. Thank you." He then sat down.
"Ms. Banks, although normally cases like this tend to favor the parents in this kind of situation," Judge Stone said.
"Oh no, no please," I said quietly to myself.
"However, I cannot ignore the fact that your parents disowned your brother and banned you from seeing him, talking to him or being of help or service to him. Basically, acting like he didn't exist. I am afraid that in your parents' minds that they have done the same thing to you behind your back. Considering that they didn't acknowledge that you had friends, a boyfriend. Had no clue who your favorite band was, favorite book or favorite subject in school. They pretended that you were a normal child, when in fact you were not normal. The state of Minnesota has not set forth laws and rules and regulations for emancipation. I will authorize an independent living situation that is equivalent to emancipation," Judge Stone said.
My ears perked up at the independent living situation, I did it. I really did it!
"However, this is just a temporary situation, a court liaison will be following up with you on a weekly basis. Your job is to stay in school, stay out of trouble, work at least 10 hours but no more than 18 hours during the school week. During school vacations and holidays, you may work a 40-hour week, you must provide a permanent location for you to live during the vacations from school. Since you will be living at Eden Hall during the school year. And be able to support yourself and be able to pay all your bills on time. We will review this case 3 months from now. Do you have any questions?" Judge Stone said.
"No, your honor," I said.
"I PROTEST YOUR HONOR, THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!" Phillip said.
"Unfortunately, you are out of order Mr. Banks! If you want to protest this fully then file an appeal. Court is adjourned" Judge Stone said and then banged his gavel twice.
"You did it, Congratulations!" Coach said.
"Thanks Coach," I said and then I gave him a hug.
"I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS ISABELLA LILLIAN BANKS, YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF ME! MARK MY WORDS YOU WILL BE MINE, UNTIL YOU ARE OF LEGAL AGE!" Phillip said to me.
October 16th, 1998
10:45 am
Somewhere over the state of Wyoming, heading for Salt Lake City, Utah
Adam's POV
My rib was killing me, we were flying to Reno and then Jeremy was going to pick us up from the airport and drive us back to Lakeshore, since we rode down with Dr. Freeman. Dr. Freeman came home almost 10 days ago. I tried to rest as best as I could, but somehow the altitude caused swelling to go up in that area and the area of my nose. I scrunched my face together and Ollie put his English book down that he was reading and highlighting.
"Pain?" Ollie asked.
"Yes, I don't know how much longer I can take it," I said.
"When is it time to take your drugs again?" Ollie asked.
"After we land, in Salt Lake City," I said.
"Do you think that walking will help you?" Ollie asked.
"No, this being 34,000 feet up is hurting too much. I think I need ice,' I said as I tried to reach up to hit the button to page the stewardess. I could not even raise my arms up without hitting some pain. 'Ouch, Shit," I said.
"Adam your language," Ollie said.
I gave him a mad face.
"I got you bro," Ollie said as he reached up and pressed the button for me.
Within a minute the stewardess came. The one that Ollie tried to pick up earlier, he crashed and burned the girl had a fiancé. "How can I help you boys?" the Stewardess asked.
"Can we get some ice in a baggie for my brother, his rib is hurting him?" Ollie asked.
"Coming up," the Stewardess said. She went back to the Galley in the back of the plane to get my ice and quickly returned.
"Thanks," I said as I was handed the ice.
"So, when are we going to land in Salt Lake City?" Ollie asked.
"Well I think that we are ahead of the flight plan so we should be landing in the next 15 or so minutes," The stewardess said.
Then we heard a Bing, come over the intercom system of the plane, "Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Captain Cook speaking, we will be landing in Salt Lake City in approximately 10 minutes. Please put your seat belts on and your seats and tray tables in the upright and locked position. Thank you for flying with Delta Airlines where we are On Top of the World," Captain Cook said. It was such a stupid slogan; I rolled my eyes.
"Can you get your seat?" Ollie asked.
I just shook my head no.
"I've got you," Ollie said as he very gently got my seat up and my seat belt on. I didn't even pull the seat tray down. Then he quickly did his own.
"Thanks Ollie, I wondered how it went this morning," I said.
"We will find out when we get home, I am sure. We did the best we could," Ollie said.
I smiled to myself before I said, "you know that would be the worst excuse for Phillip, possible."
"Yep the good news is we don't have to worry about him no more and hopefully Bella will get what she wants," Ollie said.
"I know," I said.
3 and ½ hours later
We finally made it to Reno, I was never so happy to be back on the ground again. The pain medication didn't start to take effect until after we were up in the air on the way to Reno from Salt Lake City. But I didn't feel much better. Luckily, the stewardess saw my bag of ice that I had and offered to refill it with more ice, since it was so far gone. We got off the plane within 10 minutes of landing.
We met Jeremy in front of the gate C8 in Reno. He took one look at me and said, "Jesus Adam what on God's green earth happened to you?"
"I got into a fight with Riley at the Homecoming Dance, He beat the ever-living stuffing out of me," I said.
"I'd say so. How much damage are we talking about?" Jeremy asked.
"24 stitches, a broken nose and rib 10 is cracked but at least it's not broken," I said.
"Can you run?" Jeremy asked.
"Sort of, I might need to take it easy for the next few days to let it heal and adjust to the altitude.
I didn't do a complete running work out for 2 weeks after we had gotten back from Minneapolis, I was starting to go stir crazy with not being able to run.
A/N: So, what do you think? This is the second to the last chapter of the repost. New material should be posted on Thursday May 13th. Please be kind and leave a review! Thanks!