Chapter 11: When Push Comes to Shove
A few weeks have passed and it was becoming extremely difficult for all Tommy, Kim, Jason and Kat to deal with the revelation of the custody dispute over Louise. For Jason and Kat, it was hard to accept the fact that Louise is in fact Tommy and Kimberly's biological daughter they were planning to adopt and it literally tore them up inside. As for Tommy and Kim, it was a shock to believe that their daughter was literally in front of them the whole time and they didn't realize it until things got out of control.
One afternoon, Rocky came down for a visit to Reefside with his daughter Bianca after hearing the news from the others of what was going on. Since Louise's fraternity test results came out, everyone knew that their four friends in Reefside were in trouble of losing their friendships and it was difficult to help them cope without choosing sides.
Oliver Residence…
"Hey Rocky, hi Bianca what are you guys doing in Reefside?" Kim asked as she opened the door.
"What is it a crime for the DeSanto family to visit their long time friends?" Rocky teased.
"Not crimes at all, here come in," Tommy replied.
"So I heard about what happened from Aisha…how are you all holding up?"
"It's just been so difficult to accept the fact that Louise is our daughter, to have finally found her after 6 years," Tommy sighed, "We spent nights wondering and imagining what our little girl is like and what has become of her. She was right in front of us…we couldn't see it, and now she denies the truth and she can't accept it."
"I understand where you guys are coming from, but you have to look at it also from Louise's point of view too," Rocky added, "You have to give it time…every single one of you has been affected by this besides the two of you. Look at Kat and Jason…do you think they wanted this to happen? Do you think Louise wanted to find out at the age of six that she was adopted and that the parents she thought raised her weren't related to her?"
"It was a decision I lived to regret for six years," Kim replied, "Giving Louise up was the worst thing I've ever done in my life and now it's affecting two families. There's a court date set two weeks from now to determine the final hearing who gets full custody of Louise."
"But what seems to be the problem?" Rocky asked.
"Facing Jason and Kat on the other end of the court…feeling guilty of causing them all of this misery and literally jeopardizing our family's futures on a little girl," Tommy said, "The truth is we haven't spoken to Jason or Kat since Louise's fraternity test results came out. We were in court for a couple of weeks and the judge granted parental visits to Kim and me. They won't talk to us, they won't look at us, and they won't acknowledge our presence except when they drop Louise off."
"Well what do you expect?" Rocky replied, "Kat and Jason literally took Louise in for months after her adopted parents died and just when they thought they adopted her as a new daughter, they find out she's your kid. I know you guys are doing what you must as Louise's parents but Kat and Jason are also doing the same thing too…trying to protect her from getting hurt from the truth. They're just looking out for her best interests too just like what you're doing."
"Aunt Kim, Uncle Tommy do you have any good movies to watch?" Bianca asked opening cupboards in the living room.
"Bianca Aileen DeSantos, what are you doing young lady?" Rocky smiled looking at his daughter, "Are you going through your aunt and uncle's cupboards again?"
"I thought they had some good movies to watch," Bianca smiled.
"Hey don't sweat it Rocky we're cool with her," Kim replied, "Hey Bianca…just pick out whatever movie you like and you can watch it…just make sure you keep the volume down since Ben and Courtney are napping."
"Okay Aunt Kim thank you," Bianca replied, "I love you daddy."
"At least Rocky you're lucky to have a daughter who loves and appreciates you," Tommy said, "You must be fortunate for Bianca."
"Yeah I would say the same for you guys," Rocky said looking at his daughter, "All I can say to you two is things happen for a reason whether we like it or not. However, in life we're faced with many choices that affect us in the long run and they somehow shape our lives. When I look at my daughter I'm lucky to know I have something worth living for despite her upbringing. Bianca is all that matters to me and I would protect her with my life to keep my little miracle girl safe."
Scott Residence…
Meanwhile, things weren't going so well over at Jason and Kat's place. Yesterday, they dropped Louise off at Tommy and Kim's place as ordered by the courts to grant them parental visitations with their daughter. Today, they came back from their lawyer's office to discuss the possible outcome of their custody battle and apparently…it wasn't looking good on their part. Kat and Jason were in the living room discussing the situation.
"So that turned out to be a really eventful visit to Alan's office," Kat said, "We're basically walking into court two weeks from now just basically giving them what they wanted."
"I know your upset Kat but please try to understand what can we do?" Jason asked, "We basically don't have no authority over the matter of who Louise ends up with…that's for the courts to decide."
"The hell with the courts!" Kat yelled in frustration, "Jason what's the point…we're going to lose you anyways! God why is it so hard?"
"I know how you're feeling," Jason sighed hugging his wife, "It's looking like that but we'll get through this I promise you."
"You always say that…you promise we'll get through this," Kat said, "I know you're hurting too Jason Lee Scott and don't lie to me just to try to be strong for me. I know you're trying to keep your promise to me but you got nothing to hide from me."
"I thought…it would be okay to handle all of this thinking it will blow off but what can we do huh? It looks like things are beyond our control and the problem is…we can't even admit the truth. If things are going out of control at the rate it's going, we're going to risk losing everything."
"Don't you think we've already are beginning to lose everything now?" Kat asked, "Things would have been better for us if the fraternity tests didn't reveal Louise to be Tommy and Kimberly's daughter! I love that little girl and I'll do anything to protect her and this family from getting hurt more even if I have to do something that I may regret."
"Katherine don't think like that it will just make the situation worse," Jason said, "You know what will happen if we try to attempt to runaway with Louise we'll end up being charged with kidnapping. You know that tomorrow we have to bring Louise over to Tommy and Kim's for a visit under court order."
"As always we have to obey the law," Kat sighed as she heard the twins crying, "I got to go tend to Darren and Keira. At least we don't have to worry about losing Liam and the twins."
"I'll be up there to help you," Jason said as the two went upstairs to tend to the twins.
Reefside Park…
The next day Tommy and Kimberly took Ben and Courtney out to the park for a family outing to clear their mind off things. They took turns pushing each child on the swings as the two smiled and giggled after each push. Today they had Jason and Kat meet them at the park with Louise in tow.
"Daddy!" Courtney smiled on the swing, "Higher! Push higher daddy!"
"Alright princess just give daddy a minute," Tommy replied, "How it's going with the little guy Kim?"
"He's tiring out here," Kim smiled looking at Ben, "Oh our little boy is falling asleep on the swing. I'm going to put him in the stroller to sleep okay? Courtney be careful sweetie okay?"
"Okay mommy," Courtney replied, "Daddy push me higher!"
Kim took Ben out of the swings and she picked up the little baby boy and carried him back to the place where Tommy put their picnic basket and stuff. Kat arrived with Louise and just left the little girl with Kim and tried to walk away without saying anything to Kim. She spotted Jason waiting in the car as they motioned Kim to come over.
"I'll…pick you up later on honey okay?" Kat said to Louise, "You be a good girl okay?"
"Mommy Kat do I have to stay?" Louise asked, "Why can't I go with you today? I always have to stay with Aunt Kim and Uncle Tommy every other day."
"I know but…right now it's complicated," Kat replied, "Hey why don't you go play with Courtney on the playground okay? She's really needs someone to play with okay?"
"Alright then Mommy Kat," Louise said getting out of the car, "I love you Daddy Jason."
"We'll be back for her later," Jason as they tried to drive off, "You take care of yourself kiddo."
"Kat, Jason wait a minute," Kim suddenly said as she had Ben in her arms, "Listen…can we talk?"
"Kimberly we got nothing to say here to you or Tommy," Jason said not looking at her, "Look we just came to drop Louise off and pick her up as what it's been like for the last couple of weeks under court order. We can obviously thank you guys a lot because word travels around and now our friends know what is going on with us in regards to Louise. It's difficult to explain to Louise why we drop her off with you guys and leave her with you."
"I know we all didn't ask for this and it's difficult to explain things to her," Kim said as Tommy approached them, "But please the last thing we don't want is to lose our friendship over this."
"Jason, Kat just hear us out for a minute," Tommy begged, "This can't go on forever."
"I got nothing else to say alright because I can't stay within 5 feet of you guys without losing my cool in front of my family," Jason said, "None of this wouldn't have happen if we've been honest with you because the truth is…the adoption was never processed because we knew the truth about Louise's fraternity the day we were about to adopt her. We never adopted Louise and the only reason why we said that to her was to not let her down easily."
"You guys…never adopted Louise?" Tommy and Kim replied, "Why…didn't you tell us?"
"Because we knew what would have happened and it was too late," Jason said, "Everything has been screwed up already and thanks to you two we only got one other alternative…we'll automatically turnover custody of Louise to you guys guarantee all you need to do is adopt her back. We'll go to court in two weeks and turnover our guardianship of her to you guys."
"Jason this is unbelievable that this is our only solution to give to these bastards for what they did to us!" Kat snapped, "To our family! To Louise and we just have to give full custody to them like that! I can't take this anymore let's just get the hell out of here and come back for Louise later."
Oliver Residence…
After the day at the park was finished, Tommy and Kim brought the kids back home since the children were tired out. It was something worth while having all three of their children together under the same roof. Courtney and Louise were watching The Princess Diaries together in the living room while Kim was feeding Ben.
"Kimberly, c'mon Beautiful talk to me," Tommy said, "Here…let me take over feeding the little guy."
"You saw the look on their faces," Kim said as Tommy took over feeding Ben, "They can't stand being five or ten feet in front of us…or look us in the eye for that matter. Are we doing the right thing here Handsome? Did our wish to gain our daughter came at a price to ruin our friendship with Jason who I consider as my big brother for years and to Katherine one of my oldest friends who I named Courtney's godmother?"
"I didn't…mean for things to turn out this way and in two weeks we're basically letting the court decide our daughter's future," Tommy replied, "But what surprised me was that they never went through with the adoption and they made us believe they adopted Louise. This whole mess would have been avoided if the truth came out earlier from them."
"You know why they did that and although part of me is aching from figuring out the truth too late again…all of this would have been avoided. It was like somehow by mere fate all of this was planned out and literally I hate it."
"Hate is a strong word Kimberly…you're not the type of person to hate anybody, especially two people you consider friends for life."
Meanwhile in the living room, Louise and Courtney were watching movies together. It felt odd for Louise to be hanging out with Courtney, but at the same time she was beginning to feel a sort of closeness developing with her as if she was becoming accustomed to having her sister around.
"Is it true you're…my real sister?" Louise asked Courtney, "Does that make…Benjamin my baby brother too?"
"You…my sister?" Courtney replied smiling at Louise, "You're nice…Louise sister. I like Louise."
"I like you too…Courtney," Louise smiled, "What do we watch now? The movie is now over?"
"We watch Finding Nemo!" Courtney replied, "Finding Nemo! Finding Nemo!"
"Okay we'll watch Finding Nemo," Louise said as she called for Tommy and Kim, "Uncle Tommy, Aunt Kim can you switch the movie please to Finding Nemo? Mommy Kat and Daddy Jason are picking me up soon!"
"Please…no go home Louise," Courtney sighed as Tommy and Kim heard, "I like big sister Louise."
"Hey you two what's going on here?" Tommy and Kim asked as they heard the doorbell ring, "Oh I see it's…time for Louise to go now." They went to answer the door and Kat was there with Liam as Louise was getting her stuff ready. She looked thrilled to see Kat and hugged her.
"Mommy Kat you're here! I had fun today with Courtney at the park!" Louise smiled, "She's fun to play with can she come over anytime Mommy Kat?"
"Of course she's invited over besides she's actually…" Kat said nearly trailing off, "Anyways don't sweat it sweetie okay?"
"Hey Katherine do you mind if we can talk for a minute?" Kim asked as she noticed Kat looking a bit nervous and tensed, "I know that there's a lot going on right now and we thought…whatever is happening between all of us, I hope it won't ruin the relationship with the kids."
"Don't worry…I got nothing against Courtney or Ben being near Louise," Kat said as she was about to leave; "Besides…they're family after all like they always were meant to be. I'm…really sorry but I got to go now c'mon you guys it's getting late." After Kat left with Liam and Louise, they noticed that Kat sped out of the driveway fast.
"I wonder…what that was about," Tommy wondered, "She looks like a total wreck."
Katherine's Car…
"Mommy why are you crying?" Liam asked, "I can't wait to see daddy when we get home."
"Me too I'm glad to see Daddy Jason at home," Louise smiled.
"Guys…huh listen why don't we go on a little road trip just the three of us?" Kat said as she was crying and driving, "We'll travel anywhere you want how about it?"
"Can daddy come?" the kids asked, "And what about Keira and Darren?"
"We'll…call them later okay?" Kat said, "Just buckle up safely kids okay it's a long car ride." Kat felt really guilty of what she was planning to do and this was literally going over the edge but inside she would do anything to protect Louise from anymore drama.
Scott's Residence…
That night Jason came home from doing some last minute grocery shopping with the twins. He expected Kat and Liam to be home with Louise but no one was around since she agreed to pick up Louise from Tommy and Kim's place. The house was empty and he kept searching for any sign of his wife, Liam or Louise.
"Kat, Liam, Louise are you home?" Jason called out as he set the twins in the playpen, "Hello are you guys here?" Instead he found a note on the living room table and he was in shock as he read it:
"Dear Jason,
By the time you read this then you're going to realize I decided to take matters into my own hands for our sake. I'm going to abscond with Louise for her own protection to not put her in this whole custody battle going on right now. To make matters worse Liam is with us too but I'll assure you our son will be okay with me I promise you that.
I didn't mean for things to turn out this way and don't think it was your fault for driving me away. It was my decision alone and I couldn't cope with the fact of losing this little girl I love too much. You know I love you Jason more than anything in this world and I am sorry for what is happening and putting you in this situation. Promise me you'll look after the twins and keep them safe and give all our love to them for me please?
You know our family is all that matters and I hope you can forgive for what I did or what I am putting you through now by making matters worse. I wish there could have been another alternative but I'm through with fighting please I can't cope anymore. You'll always have my heart wherever I am.
Katherine"
Jason read the note over and over again in disbelief. "Oh Katherine why did you have to do this darling?" He thought to himself, "I love you more than anything…I'm so sorry for all of this." He sighed as he looked through the note again as he dialed his phone.
"Hello?" Jason said as he dialed, "Hey…it's me Jason."
"Jason? What's wrong?" as he heard Kim on the other line.
"Did Katherine and Liam pick up Louise by any chance?" Jason asked.
"Over two hours ago why I thought she would be home," Kim said confused, "Jason what's wrong?"
"It's Katherine because she's not home," Jason sighed on the phone, "Kim...she's planning to pull a runner and abscond with Liam and Louise."