"-And not only has my client managed to raise two children for the majority of their lives on her own," Theodore said firmly as he paced back and forth in the courtroom. "But she has had to deal with more bumps along the way than most families with two parents have to deal with. She was told one of her daughters most likely would never survive to graduate middle school. Yet Samantha got her daughter through her illness while still caring for her healthy child as well. Samantha has never been anything but a caring, nurturing, strong mother. Her daughters are not in the slightest bit, to quote Mr. Motonson's own words, 'more developmentally set back' than any other child in the country. I have several experts lined up ready to testify that any developmental damage to the girls Mr. Motonson and his client are concerned about would be more likely to occur under Mr. Pewter's care than it ever was while they were living with only their single-mother."

"You do not need to call in any experts, Mr. Breslin, you've made you point quite fine yourself," the judge said firmly. "Mr. Motonson, unless you can show me clear proof that either of these girls have been set back developmentally without their father in their life, your extrapolations about Ms. Benson's parenting are irrelevant."

"My apologies, your honor," Mr. Motonson said. "But no matter, I do have plenty more to offer in his defense."

"Your Honor, this case has gone on for a combined seven hours over the course of the two court dates," Theodore said. "It is clear that Mr. Motonson is simply drawing out the case to avoid facing the verdict. My client is about to enter the third trimester of her pregnancy in a few weeks. I move to have a verdict drawn now."

"And deny my defendant the right to a complete trial? I hardly thing so," Mr. Motonson scoffed. "I understand that this case has gone on far longer than we intended, but that is just how the law works sometimes, is it not?"

"I'm afraid he is right, Mr. Breslin," the judge said. "Mr. Pewter has a right to a full, complete trial. Mr. Motonson, the moment your case begins to get redundant and unnecessary, I will dismiss it and draw the verdict, understood?"

"Of course, your Honor," Mr. Motonson nodded. "I will say that if Mr. Breslin's client needs to have this case suspended until after her pregnancy, my client and I will be more than understanding and-"

"We do not want to draw out this case any more than necessary," Theodore said at once.

"Very well," the judge nodded. "However with that being said I will have to end the case here for today. The next court date will be held on April 30th. I assume that will give you both adequate time to prepare?"

"Indeed it will," Mr. Motonson smiled.

"I would like to have that be the final date for this case, so please do try to tie up all your loose ends," the judge said.

"Well that's a good sign," Theodore said to Sam as he watched Mr. Motonson and Marshall exit the office. "The judge is seeing through his stalling tactics. Unfortunately, they're not illegal."

"Will this really finally be finished on the next court date?" Sam asked as Freddie put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"The judge seems set on making sure of that," Theodore nodded. "Now Ms. Benson, I need to just go over a few quick things with you-"

"Can I run to the bathroom first?" Sam asked. "I've been sitting here for the past three hours…"

"Can you just give me the information while she runs to the restroom?" Freddie asked.

"Yes, that will be fine, it's just some technicalities," Theodore nodded. "Nothing too important."

"I'll be back in a sec," Sam said, heaving herself onto her swollen feet.

She left the office and looked around for the restroom sign that she could've sworn she saw earlier that morning…

"Some lawyer you have, Samantha."
Sam's blood ran cold as she turned around to see Marshall standing across the corridor from her.

"Get away from me," Sam said firmly. "Or better yet…stay there. This is a courthouse, there are cameras everywhere."

"You should read the fine print, hon," Marshall smirked. "That restraining order doesn't apply to the courthouse when we're both required to be here."

Sam narrowed her eyes. "You know you can't keep hiding behind loopholes. You heard the judge, your lawyer's not going to be able to draw out this case anymore and next time she'll tell you once and for all to stay away from the twins."

"I have a right to my kids," Marshall said coldly.

"No, you don't," Sam said. "You and I both know why you're doing this…you're getting back at me."
"That's quite an assumption."

"Leave them alone," Sam hissed. "You don't care about them; you never did."

"Hey!"

Sam turned around to see Freddie rushing over to her.

"Ah, so the new husband's coming to the rescue," Marshall said. "Nice to finally meet you in person. Freddie, is it?"

"Don't come near her," Freddie frowned.

"No worries, I wouldn't dream of laying a hand on her with her bodyguard around," Marshall smiled. He looked down at Sam's abdomen. "Congratulations on the baby, you two. Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"

"Let's go," Sam said, grabbing Freddie's hand.

"We need to go tell Theodore that he approached you," Freddie said as Sam began heading towards the exit.

"Don't bother, he can be near me at the courthouse," Sam sighed. "Otherwise he'd have to be arrested just for stepping into the judge's office. Besides, all he'd have to say is he ran into me while he was looking for a bathroom or something."

"What did he say to you?"

"He was just trying to psych me out," Sam told him. "God, I wish they never let him out…"

"Don't let him get to you," Freddie said. "He knows he's not going to win."

"I hate him," Sam mumbled. "I hate him so much…"

…

"And here's a cute pair of booties I thought would be adorable on the baby," Carly said as she took yet another item out of her suitcase. "See, they have little ducks on them."

"Wow, you've single-handedly provided my son his entire wardrobe before he's even been born," Sam grinned.

"Well I've never gotten to shop for a baby before," Carly told her. "Other than grabbing something for a baby shower here and there, I've never gotten to do this! I need to make sure I don't miss anything."

"I don't think that's possible," Freddie chuckled, looking at the huge pile of baby clothes Carly had just given them.

"Oh, have you guys given any thoughts to names yet?" Carly asked. "Because I found this website that has the cutest blankets that you can have engraved with the baby's full name and it would look perfect in any crib."

"Um, no, not really," Sam admitted. "We've been a little busy."

"Well, when you decide on a name, make sure you tell me right away," Carly told her.

"We will," Freddie promised her.

"So what do you wanna do tonight?" Sam asked Carly. "Nothing too crazy, though. Being pregnant kind of puts a damper in any partying plans we might've had."

"Why don't we just go grab desert or something," Carly suggested. "We can catch up over ice cream."

"Exactly what Mama's been craving," Sam smiled. She turned to Freddie. "You cool staying back with the girls?"

"Yeah," Freddie nodded. "Go have fun."

"Come on, Carls, there's an ice cream place a few blocks over that has the best root beer floats you've ever tasted."

….

"These are good," Carly commented, sipping her float about an hour later as her and Sam sat in the small ice cream shop.

"Right?" Sam nodded. She took a large gulp of her own float. "So how long are you here for?"

"I was thinking I'd stay until new Saturday," Carly said. "I just finished a big project at work and I could use a break."

"Sweet," Sam grinned.

"So," Carly said, setting her drink down. "You're in your final stretch, huh?"

"Yup," Sam nodded, looking down at her stomach. "Three more months…"

"Let me guess," Carly said. "Freddie's going crazy?"

"He's been reading parenting books non-stop," Sam replied. "I think he's really nervous…I don't know why though. He's totally the dad type."

"Yeah, he's gonna be great," Carly nodded.

"Oh, I forgot to ask you," Sam said. "How did that date of yours go the other day?"

"Oh that was a complete disaster," Carly said simply.

"So no second date?"

"The guy wore jeans and a T-shirt to the fancy restaurant he took me to," Carly explained. "And he pulled the old 'I forgot my wallet' excuse so I had to pay for the whole thing! And get this, when he got to my place instead of coming up to get me like a gentleman, he texted me."

"Rough break," Sam said.

"Seriously, I get stuck with some real losers," Carly sighed.

"Eh," Sam shrugged. "It could always be worse."

"How?" Carly laughed.

You could get with a guy who nearly killed you and then tries to take your children, Sam thought to herself.

"Hey, you remember my partner Caleb from the wedding?" Sam said.

"Yeah, but you said he was married," Carly nodded.

"He is," Sam said. "But he's got a brother…"

"Really?" Carly said excitedly. "Is he single?"

"Yes," Sam chuckled. "And he's really nice. He lives about an hour away but I know he'll definitely be down here in a few days for his and Caleb's grandmother's birthday. I can see if Caleb can introduce you."

"You're the best," Carly said.

As Carly and Sam continued to drink their floats, Sam looked out the window and saw a tall, hooded figure standing not too far from the ice cream shop. Sam couldn't see his face, but he was built just like…Marshall.

"I-We should go," Sam said, jumping out of her seat.

"You're not done with your float," Carly frowned.

"I-I'm not feeling well," Sam lied quickly.

"Do you want to go home?" Carly asked, concerned. "Should I call Freddie?"

"No, I-let's just go," Sam said, grabbing her bag.

Sam hurried out of the shop, Carly trying to keep up behind her.

"Sam, slow down!" Carly said. "You're just going to make yourself sicker."

Sam looked over her shoulder and saw that the hooded figure was not too far behind them. It seemed like he was following them…

"Hey, let's go in here!" Sam said, grabbing Carly's wrist and pulling her into the nearest store. She figured her best bet was to avoid being out in the open with Marshall so close to her.

"Why are we-" Carly started, but Sam had already stepped into the shop.

"Um…why'd you want to look at greeting cards?" Carly asked as she looked around the shop, but Sam didn't respond. She was directing her gaze out the window at the hooded figure.

He had stopped outside the shop, still not facing her.

Sam didn't know what to do. Should she call Freddie? No. She needed him to stay with the twins. She supposed she cold call Caleb…

"Hey!"

She looked out the window as she saw another figure approach the man who had been following her. It was a woman who wrapped her arms around the hooded man. The man then pulled down the hood to reveal a face that most certainly not Marshall's.

Sam quickly turned away from the window. So that hadn't been Marshall following her…she had just been paranoid. She silently cursed herself for her mistake. Was this how she was going to be now? Thinking every man on the street was Marshall coming for her?

"Sam, you sure you don't want me to call Freddie?" Carly asked, snapping Sam out of her thoughts. "You look sort of pale."

"No, I-I'm feeling better," Sam said lamely. "Let's go back and finish our floats."