Finally, the day of the hearing arrived: the attempt at an out of court settlement had failed. On one side, Don sat with his wife and lawyer, while on the other, Bri sat with her lawyer.

"Do you know anything about the judge?" Robin asked Diana

"She just got appointed, and used to work entertainment law" Diana replied.

"Case # 8 Re. Regarding Doug O." a bailiff called out. "Are you ready?"

"Yes" Diana and Michela answered almost in unison.

Soon, the Judge appeared at the had dark hair in a bun, brown eyes, and light skin and was in her mid thirties. The bailiff announced,"Rise up for the honorable Judge Josefina Rodriguez" When she arrived at her chair, everyone sat back down.

Soon, each lawyer gave an opening statement.

"Your Honor" Diana, wearing gray pant suit, began "My client, only a year ago, found out about the existence of the child. Since then, he's done everything he can to be a good father. Now, he is seeking joint custody."

Michaela countered, "My client has raised Doug by herself since his birth. The two are very attached, and joint custody could be detrimental"

"So a DNA test was done?" the judge looked at the file.

"Over a year ago, your honor." Diana said. "My client waited to file the Order to Show Cause for joint custody to allow time for the child to get to know him."

"That's reasonable." the Judge nodded. "I'm going to appoint a custody evaluator, and we'll all meet in six weeks"

A court date was set,and everyone was dismissed.

"That was quick" Don muttered.

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Don and Robin cleaned their house from top to bottom, in anticipation of the custody evaluator. Finally, she came on a Friday when Doug was at the house around six in the evening. Both of them had gotten out of work early, picked up Doug from school, and made a simple casserole.

Before the woman came,Doug asked, "Why does the judge need this lady to come to our house?"

"Well, Doug, the judge is helping your mother and I decide whether you should stay here half time instead of just weekends." Don explained. " Miss Brine is helping the Judge do that."

"Oh.."

"You wanna spend more time with me, doncha little buddy?" Don asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, you gotta make a good impression then."

"Okay"

"We need you relaxed, but on your best behavior, can you understand that?"

"Yes Dad"

Soon, she arrived. She had light blonde hair, and hazel eyes.

"I'm Brenda Brine, the custody evaluator" she introduced herself. "I'll be observing you"

"Why don't I give you a tour of our home,while dinner finishes ?" Robin offered.

"That would be fine" the woman nodded, and followed Robin.

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The custody evaluator watched them eat dinner, and play a game of UNO. Thankfully, Don did not get a call from work. The three of them noticed her making notes. Eventually, around Doug's bedtime, she left.

Brenda Brine visited Bri's apartment during the week and saw Bri help Doug with his homework after dinner and left around nine.

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"You're birthday's coming up, Doug," Don smiled at his son over a breakfast of pancakes one Saturday morning. "What would you like?"

"I wanna got to a No Face Value concert, with Aaron," Doug replied. "And front row seats. They're gonna play in LA next month."

"I dunno, buddy, you're a little young to be going to a concert," Don said.

"Sarah got to go to a Hannah Montana concert," Doug argued. "and she got front row seats."

"That's different," Don pointed out. "Hannah Montana seems to be geared towards teens and kids your age."

"But Dad! No Face Value has great music! Hannah Montana stinks."

"I'm sorry buddy, but you're too young" Don made his decision.

"Dad!" Doug protested.

"When you're a little older I'll consider letting you go to a concert" Don promised, but the boy just picked at his pancakes.

Don sighed inwardly, but knew he had to be firm. "That's my final answer, buddy"

"Okay..." Doug said reluctantly, and then changed the subject. "I need ADD medicine"

"What?"

"It can be hard to pay attention" Doug said.

"That's normal, you're a kid" Don said.

"I'll get better grades"

"You already get good grades" Don said.

"I could get even better ones." Doug said "Sam says the medicine helps him at school."

"Look, Buddy, if you have ADD, it's manageable." Don said. "I'm not gonna give you medicine you don't need"

"But I do!"

"You can't expect magic pills to make things easier, buddy." Don warned. "Now finish your breakfast. You've got a game today"

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"I don't know about that school" Don told Robin after Doug went to bed. They talked in their room. "It's too soon for Doug to be under pressure"

Don's cell rang before Robin could say anything. Sighing he answered it, and soon closed the phone. "I gotta go"

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"Where's Dad?" Doug asked as he watched TV, while eating cereal and noticed that his father had not appeared.

"He had something urgent to attend to at work." Robin explained.

"Oh." Doug pouted.

"Why don't you invite Aaron over? We could pick him up?"

"Okay!"

"And I'll take you guys to have some ice cream!"

"Yay!"

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The two boys practiced their guitars, a new passion of theirs. Robin worked with discordant chords in the background.

"What did you dad say about the concert?" Aaron asked in between songs.

"He said no" Doug frowned.

"That sucks"

"Yeah." Doug had an idea "We should have a band"

"Yeah!"

"We need a drummer though." Doug pointed out.

"Yeah"

Suddenly, the ground started to shake.

TBC