Sorry for the delay in posting - been away for a few days. Will try to get the next chapter up shortly
For the next couple of months, Kate's life followed a similar pattern. Work, followed by a short trip to Steve's flat having told Mark she would be late, before heading home and going to bed alone.
Mark continued to ignore Kate at home when Josh wasn't around. They hadn't slept together in several months. When Josh was present, they had pretty much perfected putting on a show that everything was ok. Kate didn't mind loosing Mark's attention. She actually preferred it that way so she didn't have to feel guilty about cheating on Steve.
Visits to Steve's flat weren't always just for sex. Sometimes it would be a cuddle and a chat on the sofa or taking a bath together. It was just nice to have some time together alone. The sex when it did happen was still just as good as their first time, with the two partners finding they were very sexually compatible.
At work, they remained very professional. They set physical boundaries so they appeared to just be two friends who were developing a very strong partnership. No one would guess they were sleeping together, not even the gaffer.
After visiting several law firms, Kate eventually managed to find a solicitor she liked and who was very sympathetic to her situation. She knew she had found the right person after showing her, her diary.
"Well?" Kate asked as the solicitor finished reading what Kate had written. "Do I have a good case?".
"I would say so," the lawyer said. "This is abuse, Kate," she informed her potential client. "It may not be physical but psychological abuse is still abuse. Regular humiliation in front of your child. Gaslighting," the lawyer listed Mark's bad behaviour. "Sexual coercion,".
Kate hung her head in shame. How had she managed to find herself in such a position when she had promised herself she wouldn't become her mother.
"It's not your fault," the solicitor said as she took a seat beside Kate and gave her a hug. "And I'm pleased to see that you've had enough and are fighting back," she continued. "Any judge would give you a divorce,".
"But what about Josh?" Kate asked. That was her main concern. "It pains me to say it, but Mark is a good dad to Josh,".
"We could argue otherwise," the solicitor said.
"He works from home so could always be there for him. I'm an undercover police officer. ," Kate voiced her concern.
"Kate, your job is not a reason to keep you from your son. You may not get full custody but joint custody should be easy to achieve," she informed Kate confidently.
"Really?" Kate checked. "Even if I'm the one that has strayed from the marriage?".
"Even then," the solicitor clarified. "Your new relationship is stable?" she asked. Kate nodded.
"Steve has been my rock through all of this,".
"He wouldn't mind having Josh in the home?".
"We haven't talked about it," Kate admitted, "but I don't think so. He knows how I feel about Josh,".
"That's good," the lawyer said, "but I suggest you do mention it to him. It will be easier to grant joint custody of the judge can see it written down," she advised. "How about you talk to him and come and see me when you have. In the meantime I can get the paperwork drawn up for your divorce. That will be relatively easy,".
"Ok," agreed Kate. Things were not as dire as she had imagined they would be and she left the solicitors office with a small spring in her step. Mark was not going to win this.
"How did it go?" Steve asked once Kate returned to AC-12. The gaffer was out god knows where so they were able to talk in peace although wanting somewhere private, he had pulled Kate in to an empty ops room and closed the door.
"Ok," Kate replied. "I shouldn't have a problem getting the divorce granted and I've a good case for joint custody,".
"What did I tell you?" Steve said. He'd been telling her the same thing for a while.
"I know," Kate agreed. "Sorry," she apologised. "There is something I need to ask you though,".
"Sounds ominous," Steve teased. "What is it?".
"I know we've talked about me getting joint custody of Josh and you support me," Kate said, "but I haven't asked you what you think about it. If I do get it, Josh will be staying with us for a bit,". Steve thought about how to phrase his response but Kate took it the wrong way. "If we're still together," she added, realising she had been a bit presumptuous.
"Of course we'll still be together," Steve said quickly with a reassuring hand on Kate's arm. He was in this relationship for the long run. "I haven't had much to do with kids," Steve admitted, "but I'm willing to try," he said. "Josh can spend as much time as allowed with us,".
"I'll get the solicitor to put that in writing," Kate said greatly relieved before the sound of Steve's phone ringing disturbed them.
Fishing his phone out of his pocket, it was the gaffer calling. "Sir?" Steve greeted, wondering what their boss was calling for.
"I need you and Kate to meet me outside the ITU at the General Hospital," Ted said, cutting straight to the chase.
Steve looked at Kate. This sounded urgent. "We're on our way,".