Argh, sorry I've taken so long. Been busy and I had to do a bit of research on what is said in a court and stuff, but here we go! There's only two chapters left of this, so don't expect updates to be quick, but they will be long chapters. I'll make sure of it. Also, anyone who reads "Mistakes Were Made." I'm putting that on hold right now because someone was threatening to report it because it doesn't meet the sites conditions and we shouldn't be writing about real people. So, I'm hoping they will eventually forget about it if I ignore them lol.
"Dawson versus Tompkins!" A man shouted. "Everyone take a seat please."
Ally took a deep breath looking over at Paul who was looking smug as ever. He waved at her keeping the grin on his face. She looked away and back to the faces sitting behind her. Her parents gave her a sympathetic look and Lester gave his fatherly thumbs up. And then there was Trish and who Ally assumed was Dez. They were chatting away and too involved in the conversation to notice her. Beside them was Austin who seemed to be eying down Paul. There was a look of disgust in his face, as if, if he could, he would happily be punching him in the face. "You okay?" Leanne asked.
"I guess." Ally turned back to the front.
"You're gonna be fine, today is just the first of what could be many hearings. No need to worry at all."
"Thank you." Ally nodded turning her attention to the door opening. Her heart sank when she realized it was the same judge who had just divorced her and Austin, this wasn't going to go well.
The female judge began talking but Ally just stared down at the desk in front of her. Nothing in her mind was clear. If she lost Charlie it would kill her, and she couldn't stop thinking about that feeling. She snapped out of it just as the Judge asked the lawyer if they were ready. "Are both parties ready?"
"Ready your honor." Both of the lawyer nodded.
"Will the jury please stand and raise your right hand." The judge asked. Ally hadn't even noticed the group of people sitting off to her side. "Do each of you swear that you will fairly try the case before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according to the evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you, God? Please say 'I do'" The judge waited for the jury to mumble their I do's and sit back down. "The case is dealing with the custody of a child. It should be pointed out that both parents are not biological but adoptive. The child in question has been with them from a young age." The judge informed anyone in the court who was interested. "Mr Ryan Peake, you may start."
"Well your honor and the jury, after chatting with Mr Tompkins, Paul, I have a very strong belief that the child in question should remain with his father."
"Go on." The judge nodded.
"It seems that over the recent months Miss Dawson has ran into so financial difficulties. Is that right Miss Dawson?" He asked.
"Yes." Ally simply asked.
"Am I correct in saying that it was several thousands of dollars worth of debt?" He asked as he waltzed across the floor. Ally gulped before nodding. "An audible answer please Miss Dawson." The judge urged.
"Yes." Ally sighed.
"So how exactly did you manage to accumulate that amount of debt?" Peake asked.
Ally looked at Leanne who just nodded for her to go on. "There were a number of reasons." Ally began. "After Paul left things were good, but the house became more and more expensive. It seemed every day I was having to pay for new lights, or new windows. I tried looking for a new place to live, somewhere smaller and more affordable but there was nothing that was going to help me." Ally looked down.
"Do you have a job Miss Dawson?" The judge asked.
"Yes, I'm a journalist for a newspaper. I write an article every week on the smaller news stories, it doesn't pay much thought."
"And have you tried to find another job?" The judge asked.
"So many times, but I can never find one."
"May I continue your honor?" Peake asked.
"Of course." The judge sat back.
"So, even though Miss Dawson clearly struggling with money she still decided to take a trip to Las Vegas." The man began to explain and Ally knew what was coming next. "And then she decided to get married while there. How exactly did you afford that Miss Dawson? You aren't depriving your son of money are you?"
"No!" Ally snapped. "I didn't even pay for the trip or the wedding."
"Then who did?"
"My parents."
"Your parents paid for you to get married to what I believe was a stranger?"
"No.. he paid for that." Ally said.
"Who did?" Peake asked.
"The man I married."
"Your honor if I could." Leanne said standing up. "As Miss Dawson has quite clearly stated, she did not pay for her trip. Those finances were provided by other parties who were willing to give her those funds. I do believe this makes Mr Peake's point a little invalid?" Leanne asked and the judge began to nod. "Not exactly." Peake smiled. "Maybe she didn't pay for it, but she was still reckless in the sense that she got married to a total stranger."
"He has a point." The judge said.
"It's not like it's never happened before." Leanne said. "It was a mistake, of course, but the couple worked passed it, you know it yourself your honor."
"Indeed." The judge said looking between the two.
"I would also like to point out that Miss Dawson no longer has any outstanding debts in her name." Leanne smiled.
"Maybe so, but what kind of mother get's so intoxicated that she can't remember a single thing that happened?" Peake asked. "Your honor, the point is, Mr Tompkins is in a much more financial position to look after the child in question." Ally glanced over the the jury who seemed to be whispering amongst themselves. Elliot was shaking his head and he looked beyond worried. Leanne walked over to him and they both whispered to each other before Leanne turned back to face the judge. "I would like to call someone to the stand." Leanne blurted out.
"Okay?" The judge said. "Go on then."
"Seriously?" Peake asked.
"Mr Peake, Ms Hudson has requested to call someone to the stand, you should respect her wishes." The judge shrugged.
"Thank you." Leanne smiled.
"And who are you calling up?"
"Austin Moon."
Austin's eye's widened as he heard his name being called. This was never part of the plan, did they even have a plan? "Mr Moon… as in the Mr Moon, Miss Dawson literally just divorced?" The judge looked down at Leanne in confusion.
"Just hear me out." Leanne said.
"Well okay, Mr Moon, please." The judge said as an officer made his way up opening the gate and escorting a nervous Austin to the designated stand. Austin wiped the beads of sweat that were forming on his brow as the clerk made their way over to him. "Please relax Mr Moon." The judge said. "This is just procedure."
"Okay." Austin nodded.
"Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" The clerk asked.
"I do." Austin replied.
"Please state your first and last name for the courtroom."
"Austin Moon."
"You may be seated." The clerk said and Austin took a seat.
"Now, Austin." Leanne began. "How well do you think you Miss Dawson?"
"Well enough." Austin replied.
"Just to get this out there, you and Miss Dawson were married for a short period of time?"
"Yeah."
"And in that time Austin, did you meet Charlie?"
"I did." Austin nodded.
"How did he seem to you?"
"Happy like any other kid." Austin shrugged.
"There were no problems in the household?"
"Not that I saw."
"And Charlie didn't show any signs of neglect?" Leanne asked.
"Nope. He was always smiling and just in general being a good kid."
"Good, and do you think he was missing anything? For instance, what were the living conditions like? How were his clothes, his meals, so on?"
"The house is actually really nice." Austin said. "His clothes didn't look old or like they had been passed down, so I would guess they were new and he never looked hungry to me."
"Excellent, now are you in a relationship with Miss Dawson?"
"Yeah."
"If I may." The judge said. "I'm a little confused."
"It's complicated." Austin replied.
"The point is you two are in fact in a stable relationship?" Leanne asked.
"Yeah."
"And you are willing to help provide for Charlie?"
"Of course." Austin smiled.
"I think we're done, thank you Austin." Leanne turned back to the desk and Austin stood up.
"Actually." Peake said. "I'd like to ask him a few questions, if thats okay?"
"Go ahead." The judge said.
"Where do you work Mr Moon?"
"I uh.. I recently lost my job." Austin sighed.
"So you are unemployed?" Peake raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but I'm looking for a job."
"Two unemployed people trying to provide for a child, right. Tell me, why is it that you two got married, then divorced, but are now dating again?"
"I guess we just developed feelings for each other, I don't know." Austin shrugged.
"Indeed. You know that you will never be that boys father right?"
"I'm not trying to be." Austin replied. "I know that Paul is always gonna be his dad, but I just don't think Paul is such a great dad."
"Is that so?" Peake asked.
"The whole point of being a dad is to be there for your kid. You know? Go to their football games and cheer them. Make time to play with them. Take them to the game, make sure that nothing ever happens to them… Sure money is a part of it, but I think being there for your kid is more important." Austin looked up to see everyone immensely staring at him.
"I think we are good for today, Miss Dawson there will be someone out to check your household over in a few days, same with you Mr Tompkins. I will schedule the next trial for sometime next week. Until then I would like the child to remain with Mr Tompkins."
"Your honor." Leanne argued.
"I don't want the child to get more confused. It's for the best, for now anyway."
"That could have gone much worse." Elliot said once the group made it outside.
"I think it went really well." Leanne added. "That little speech you gave Austin, it was exactly what we needed."
"Thanks I guess?" Austin replied. "You okay?" He asked turning his attention to Ally.
"I'm fine." She flashed a quick smile.
"I know it would have been ideal if Charlie was brought back to you but we just have to deal with what we got." Leanne sighed. "Ryan is such an asshole."
"He was just doing his job." Ally said.
"He didn't have to be so dickish about it." Elliot shrugged.
"Call me once the inspector has been out, and don't worry about anything. I'm confident it will all be fine." Leanne smiled.
"Thank you." Ally briefly hugged her.
"Anyway we better get going."
"We?" Austin raised an eyebrow.
"Me and Elliot." Leanne replied and Austin smirked. "We're just going to talk about the case, nothing more." she shook her head.
"Uh huh, sure."
"Austin leave them alone." Ally hit his chest lightly.
"Sorry." He laughed.
"This place feels so empty without him." Ally sighed looking around at her front room.
"Well before you know it he's gonna be back making a mess and driving you insane." Austin put his arm around her. "Did you see how smug he looked today?"
"Who?"
"Paul." Ally scoffed.
"Yeah… I noticed."
"I don't understand why he's doing this. When we broke up we made the mutual agreement that Charlie should stay with me because Paul would be too busy. And now all of a sudden he has all the time in the world?"
"He's trying to get to you Ally, and it's working." He looked down at her. "The more you work yourself up about this the less focused you'll be."
"I know.." She sighed.
"Look, I gotta go back to my place for a little bit to check my mail and stuff."
"I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"Please say no if you don't like this idea.. but I figured since we're trying to save and your always here anyway you could.. move in."
"You want me to move in?" Austin asked.
"Only if you want to, I mean you don't have to."
"I wanna." Austin smiled.
"You mean it?"
"Of course." He wrapped his arms around her. "Give me a few days to get my shit together."
"Thank you." She smiled.
"No, thank you." He rested his forehead against hers. "It's crazy to think that we were married." Austin laughed.
"Right?"
"Don't think I've forgotten about that car either, I'm gonna fix it."
"I'm counting on it."
"I'll be back soon, alright?" He said pressing a light kiss on her lips.
"Don't be too long."
Austin couldn't have been happier. He knew that one day he'd marry Ally again, if she'd give him the honor. All happiness aside Austin was confused to find his front door open. There wasn't much to steal in his apartment, but if someone had broken it they were done for. He cautiously approached the door and opened it gently. Everything seemed to be in order. "Hello?" He called out, unsure of who he was talking too.
"Finally." He heard the familiar voice of his mother.
"Mom?" He asked when she stepped out. "What are you doing back here?" He smiled. She didn't answer and his smile soon faded when his father and Gavin of all people stepped out.
"Alright.. what's going on?" Austin asked.
"Where have you been all day?" Mike asked.
"Not important." Austin replied. "Why exactly are you all in my apartment?"
"We need to tell you something…" Mimi sighed.
"What is it?" Austin looked between the three.
"You might wanna sit down." Mike said.
