Trials and Letters

Abel's P.O.V

Today is the day I've been dreading. Family court. Today could make or break my whole life. I'm sitting on the sofa watching the minutes tick by. I have been up since 5 O'clock and had both Nevaeh and me ready by seven. It's now half 8 and I am willing time to speed up. The case started at ten, my parents and the club were coming for support as was Jason.

"Abel, you ready to go?" Jason called as I heard the front door shut.

"Hmm... What?" I asked coming out of my musings.

"Are you ready to go? It's nine o'clock." Jason nodded towards the clock, I looked up and saw that he was right.

"Yeah, sure. Just let me grab Nevaeh." I mumbled while pulling myself up. Jason pulled me into a hug as I got to my feet.

"Don't worry. It will all work out, I promise." He said into my ear as Nevaeh ran into the room. I pulled away and lifted her up.

"Time to go baby." I said as we headed out after I grabbed her jacket from the hook.

Sitting in the courtroom with my family behind me I nervously chewed my fingernails while listening to David's lawyer make his case.

"Mr. Teller divorced my client after a small argument and decided that he had the right to take their daughter with him. When my client tried to talk to Mr. Teller about the child, Mr. Teller said, and I quote 'It's your fault that Nevaeh will never remember you.' How is it my client's fault when Mr. Teller is the one to take her away?" He stopped to look at the judge before continuing.

"My client is a hardworking man, who is set on becoming a lawyer. Mr. Teller has known connections to an outlaw motorcycle club with criminal convictions. Would you really withhold this man's daughter when all he wants is to keep her happy and safe?"

I sat there gaping as he sat down. David was willing to use my family to get what he wanted. I looked over to see smug looks on both their faces and really wanted to punch them both. My lawyer stood up and gave my shoulder a squeeze before talking.

"You're Honor, Mr. Mason would have you believe that my client left him over a small argument. Would you call catching your husband about to have sex with another man, in your daughter's bedroom where she was sleeping small? Yes, my client said somethings that he shouldn't but when someone is upset, they say things they didn't mean.

My client has admitted to me that he was upset and said something he shouldn't. He would not keep his little girl from her other parent. When Mr. Teller tried to make contact to find out if Mr. Mason would like to visit, Mr. Mason refused to speak and put the phone down on him." My lawyer looked at David who put his head down.

"Yes, my client has connections to a motorcycle club, but one can't choose his family. My client made the choice not to follow his father's footsteps, instead he joined the military. Mr. Teller has done nothing but support his daughter since he was sixteen. Is he now to be judged on that because he made the wrong choice in husband?" My lawyer sat down and smiled at me.

"You both make strong cases, but my job is to determine what is best for the child. Social services have gone over the child's living arrangements and find's them more than suitable. It is this court's ruling that Nevaeh Tara Teller remains in the care of her biological father Abel Jackson Teller." The judge said. I had never been so relieved in all my life, but it didn't last long as David's lawyer spoke again.

"Motion to have the decision overturned due to mental health, your honor."

"Mental health? Who's?"

"Mr. Teller's, your honor. Mr. Teller was diagnosed with depression and suicidal tendencies when he was twelve." I saw David glaring at his lawyer.

"He is also known to have a temper that flares at any moment." The man continued.

"Is this true Mr. Teller?" The judge asked me.

"Yes, your honor." I said as I stood up to continue.

"I was diagnosed at twelve then giving the all-clear a year after my daughter's birth. I haven't taking a pill for depression since I was seventeen. As for my temper of course I have one, who doesn't? But it takes a lot to make mine snap. I haven't took my anger out on anyone in two years." I informed him.

"So, are you going to deny that you told my client that you had killed sixteen people?" The judge looked shocked at David's lawyer's question.

"I was held captive and did what I had to in order to survive. My staff Sargent did a report, my lawyer has a copy of it." The copy was handed over.

"I also have a copy of Mr. Teller's medical report and the report from the therapist he saw last week, your honor." These were handed over as well. After the judge had read through them, he looked up.

"Motion denied, my ruling stands. Court dismissed." He brought the gavel down and I knew it was over. I felt my knees go from under me as my lawyer grabbed me before I could fall. I felt an arm go around my waist to steady me and recognized Jason's scent. I smiled at him.

"I won"

"I said you would. Come on let's go see your daughter." Jason started to lead me out of the room when I felt a hand stop me. I turned and looked at David.

"Abel please, I just want to see my daughter. I told him not to bring up your mental health or what happened to you but the fool just wanted to win. I'm sorry, for everything. How I treated you and putting you through this. Just please don't take Nevaeh away from me." I could see just how upset he was, and I knew how much he loved that little girl.

"I tried to contact you after I calmed down, you wouldn't listen, but I won't put Nevaeh in the middle of our disagreements, and I won't use my daughter as a weapon against you. You can see her, just call ahead to make sure we aren't busy. It's the only chance you will get David don't blow it. You can come to spend some time with her before we go home." I turned and headed out of the room.

"Hi, daddy" Nevaeh said as she looked up from her book.

"Hey baby, look who's here." I said as David walked in.

"Papa!" Nevaeh jumped up and ran to him for a cuddle.

When we finally got home it was dinner time. I sent Nevaeh to wash up as I looked through the mail, I stopped when I noticed one from social services and one from my C.O. Deciding to open the one from work first, I tore into it.

Mr. Teller,

I have received word that you have been cleared for duty. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday 28th October at 0900 hours.

SSgt Brian Morgan.

"Jason, I got cleared. I start on the 28th." I said as I looked at him. He had been sitting across the table waiting patiently.

"Well done Abel, I'm proud of you." Jason smiled.

"What about that one?" He asked while pointing at the other letter. I took a deep breath and opened it.

Dear Mr. Teller,

Thank you for informing us of your concerns about one, Beth Manning. We have investigated the issue and have found cause to remove the child. She is now in a foster home, should you have any more inquirers please contact us.

Thank you.

Cindy Davids
Social Services.

"Can you plate up Nevaeh's dinner? I got a call to make." I said as I got up from the table without waiting for an answer and walked into the living room.

Picking the phone off the receiver I dialed the number for social services.

"Hello, social work department. How may I help you?"

"I would like to speak with Cindy Davids please."

"One moment, Sir." I waited while listening to the overly cheerful hold tune. After a couple of minutes the line was picked up.

"Hello, this is Cindy Davids. To whom am I speaking?" Cindy asked.

"Hello Miss. Davids, this is Abel Teller."

"Oh, Mr. Teller. What can I do for you?"

"I was just wondering what's going to happen to Beth?" I asked her.

"She has been placed into foster care until someone adopts her." She informed me

"Could I adopt her?"