A mother for Bella
Sequel to A home for Nathan
2 of 4 in series
Chapter Six
Trevor Langan stood in the bare living room of Olivia's new home with Olivia and Elliot. They'd taken Bella and Nathan to school and asked for a personal day from Don who understanding that Olivia had a lot on her plate had been happy enough to grant it to them.
"So you think this place would be considered a good home environment?" Olivia asked as Trevor looked around.
"Well the only thing I suspect they needed was enough bedrooms, you've done that, this is a four bedroom house the fact it's in a good and safe neighbourhood is just an added bonus, you'll need to actually move in before we go to court though." Trevor replied.
"Well we're going to start decorating this afternoon and we hope to be moved in by the weekend." Elliot explained his arm slipping around Olivia's waist.
"Wait did you just say we?" Trevor asked.
"Yeah, we, I'm moving in here with Olivia actually she's allowed me to pay for half the place and put my name on the lease." Elliot smiled and Olivia beamed, this was like all her dreams slowly coming true.
"That's really good, are you together?" Trevor asked unsure if they were moving in together just to help Olivia get the kid or if there was actually something going on with them.
"Yes Trevor we're together." Olivia smiled.
"How long have you been together?" Trevor asked scribbling into his notebook.
"Nearly two years now." Elliot smiled happily. "Thinks slowed down a lot when Nathan was adopted but with everything with Bella we can't exactly hide it anymore."
"Are you petitioning with Olivia for adoption?" Trevor asked.
"No." Elliot replied, it was something he and Olivia had discussed.
"So that would mean you would have no financial ties to the kid…"
"Not by law I wouldn't but Olivia and I have already decided who'll be paying what and as she's got the kids in privet school I am going to be paying that because I won't be able to put them on my health insurance." Elliot explained as best he could, the discussion between himself and Olivia had been long and hard for both of them resulting in multiple arguments and he was worried about setting them off again.
"That's good, the judge will ask why you aren't petitioning for a joint adoption so why is it you're not?"
"Because I already have four kids of my own and Olivia isn't adopting them, if we get married they'd be my step children in the way my kids would be hers." Elliot explained and Trevor continued to scribble it all down so he could make the petition easier.
"Well you've definitely increased your chances of winning Olivia, I can tell you that much alone but of course there is no guarantee." Trevor continued. "However should you lose and not get the adoption I do want to know if you're going to fight their route of closed adoption."
"Of course, she's biologically my niece Trevor, I didn't know about her or my brother before, he's dead now but she's not I should have a right to see her and be a part of her life." Olivia explained with a passion in her voice that both Trevor and Olivia had heard every time she fought for a victim.
"Ok that's good, now I'll contact CPS and sort out a court date which will probably be a couple of weeks from now, will you be all moved in by then?" Trevor asked.
"Of course but what about temporary custody? They're trying to take that away from me…"
"I'll try and get in front of a judge today or tomorrow then, expect my call." He said before biding them goodbye.
Olivia heard from Trevor and realised that she had to be in court with Bella that afternoon at four pm. Elliot, Nathan, Olivia and Bella walked into the courtroom with so much hope. Olivia had to explain to Bella what was happening and why they were going to court and Bella was scared that she wouldn't be allowed to remain with Olivia, little did Bella know that Olivia was scared to.
Olivia and Bella slipped into the chairs beside Trevor, Bella instantly climbing onto Olivia's lap while Elliot and Nathan sat nervously behind. Nathan wasn't showing it but he wouldn't mind either way what happened, he missed having Olivia to himself but he had grown to love Bella too.
When the judge sat in his seat the lawyers presented their cases. Apparently Olivia's work and home wasn't suitable for even temporary custody at this point.
The judge wanted to talk to Olivia so she stood up nervously with Bella refusing to let go of her she held the child on her hip.
"Detective Benson, what have you done to accommodate having Isabella with you on a temporary basis?" The judge asked.
"I have taken some personal time from work, I've put Bella into a good privet school out in Queens near to the house I've bought, I have made up my bedroom for her until we move." Olivia replied.
"Do you think you can continue to accommodate Isabella until the adoption hearing?" The judge asked.
"Of course your Honour, I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could." Olivia replied honestly.
The next to talk was the CPS worker that was dealing with Isabella's case. She argued that Olivia may have been able to sleep on her couch for a couple of days until they found a place for Isabella but they couldn't expect her to do it for another two weeks, they also thought that having Isabella in a group home with other children would allow her some time away to think about whether or not she really wanted to live with Olivia and Nathan, when she could be adopted by a family more suited to look after her with less work hours and more money.
Olivia was nervous when the judge called a recess and Trevor apologised in advance, he had a suspicion that things were not going to go their way but losing temporary custody of Bella did not mean she wouldn't win the adoption case.
When the judge returned he sat down and looked gravely from one table to the other.
"While we must consider what is best for Isabella we must also consider what is best for the parties involved. At the moment I don't feel that Detective Olivia Benson is best suited to take care of a young child with her home situation and work situation and until provisions have been taken to ensure a better living environment for both the child and detective I grant custody of the minor to the state."
"No." Olivia gasped hugging Bella tight to her as tears filled her eyes.
"Your Honour we request that the minor cannot be put up for adoption until the adoption hearing for Detective Benson has taken place!" Trevor called.
"Granted." The judge replied.
"The State request that a temporary restraining order be put in place to stop the Detective from having any contact with the minor until the adoption hearing…"
"Objection Detective Benson has biological ties to the minor and should have access in order to keep building a relationship should an open adoption be put in place where the Detective would still have access to the minor." Trevor replied.
"Detective Benson could persuade the minor to reject prospective parents and upset her by visiting especially should the adoption fall through."
"RO granted." The judge replied and Olivia felt her heart break even more as she held Bella close knowing she was about to lose her.
"We request that the minor continue to study at Kew-Forest school in Queens due to the financial responsibility that Detective Benson has put in place to ensure the minor has the best education that money can buy, there is no reason to put the minor in a public school when a place is open for her at a privet school."
"The State will make provisions for the minor to continue to attend Kew Forest." The Judge ordered. "Now is that all?"
"Yes your honour."
"God no." Olivia cried as Bella held onto her tight.
She walked over to where 3 members of CPS were waiting and kissed and hugged Bella tight.
"I promise you Bella that I will fight for you, I will see you soon but until then I want you to be a big girl ok?" Olivia asked.
"I don't want to go!" Isabella sobbed just as Simon and Lucy walked into the courtroom realising they were too late for the verdict but they could clearly see what the verdict was.
"Let her go Olivia." Trevor said softly as he held onto her arm.
"You have to go baby but don't forget I love you." Olivia said stroking the sobbing child's hair and kissing her temple.
Olivia passed her over to one of the members of CPS and collapsed sobbing into Trevor who naturally put his arm around her to comfort her as Elliot was holding Nathan back as he looked like he wanted to strangle someone and Simon and Lucy looked on in shock as Bella was dragged against her will.
"God they're going to hurt her!" Olivia cried but just then Bella broke free and ran straight back to Olivia and into her arms.
They were all unaware that the judge was looking on at the scene.
"Mommy I don't want to go! Don't make me go!" Bella cried.
"I'm sorry Bella, I'm going to get you back baby girl I promise!" Olivia replied as one of the CPS workers picked her up.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Bella screamed as she kicked and fought against the woman carrying her. "Mommy!"
"Oh my God." Olivia fell forward onto her knees and Simon, Nathan and Elliot rushed over to her.
"Mom it's ok." Nathan said wrapping his arms tight around her. "We'll get her back Mom."
"Oh my God." Olivia cried holding on tight to Nathan. "I didn't … oh my God."
"Olivia I'm going to try and get the TRO lifted." Trevor said. "The kid calls her Mommy, that's going to count for something." He said before hurrying off leaving the family.
Elliot helped Olivia to her feet and held her close to his chest. She gripped his shirt tight as she sobbed knowing not only did she lose temporary custody but she also wasn't allowed within fifty feet of the little girl and that killed her, if she could visit it would be less painful than having to say goodbye for at least two weeks.
Simon rubbed his sisters back as he tried to console her. He could only imagine what she was going through and it killed him to see her so upset.
"We'll get her back Olivia." Elliot said gently. "Ok?"
"She was screaming for me." Olivia hiccupped. "And there was nothing I could do… she was screaming."