Chapter 126- Arrangements
*If you were a part of the Sunday Night Serge Zoom when we talked about 'So This Is Love', I mentioned I did all the outlining for this FanFic the third night after the S8 finale (not that I ever anticipated it would be 100 plus chapters). Everything with Charlotte's past, Beck, etc came from making a whole bunch of notes in my iPhone for how the story needed to come together piece by piece.
How many of us watching S8 were so excited to see the storyline of Dylan Parks play out? He was introduced to us in episode one and I had all this hope that he would play such a huge part in the season as we discovered more about the Grant family backstory. Plus… how many different times, given the dialogue surrounding Allie's adoption, did we think that something "bad" could happen with that storyline? I can't be the only one who thought that… right?
Plot holes… Plot holes everywhere! (Isn't there the term now the Hope Valley Black Hole?- The place storylines and people go to disappear and never be thought of again?)
Well since the WCTH writers didn't want to see this storyline through… I will. Dylan Parks and Allie's adoption have been dreamed up in my head with as much care as I put into Beck's season arc. (I don't know if you will think that is a bad or good thing) But know I have been trying to put together these pieces for this storyline for a while. Laying the groundwork for what's to come.
In my Season 11- I've been writing about and will continue to write about the question of what defines a family. That's the story arc/theme for these characters that I wanted to explore and, in my head and heart… it's a pretty special one.
The air hung heavy in Bill's office. It seemed the outside world knew the weight of the decision being made in that small room. Nathan adjusted the tie around his neck and internally cursed his decision to wear it today. Because of the stifling summer heat in the room, he had long ago removed his navy-blue suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves on his dress shirt.
His senses were heightened in these pressured situations, and he noticed everything around him. Dylan's boot taping out of time to the tick-tock of the clock along the wall. The not so hushed whispers of his parents and the Coulters in the back corner of the room and the flustered look upon Bill's face as he watched the disarray of papers on his desk being shuffled around haphazardly by Mr. Carl, the child welfare worker assigned to their case.
Mr. Carl had arrived in town at the appointed hour that Friday morning and quickly set about business after a few cordial words with Bill. Nathan and Charlotte had determined since this would only be a review of Allie's file and adoption paperwork, they were not going to subject their daughter to the hearing and sent her to spend time with the Canfields for the day. Hoping that by being with Angela, Cooper, Minnie, and Joseph, Allie would be able to keep her mind off what was happening in the judge's office.
The room was set like it had been for Nathan's inquiry with the Mounties a few years ago. Dylan sat at a small table on one side of the room. Bill, Nathan, and Charlotte at the other, with Mr. Carl in the middle. He was a short man who wore a wrinkled pinstripe suit that clashed with his moss green bowtie and for a man who Nathan would place in his mid-thirties, Mr. Carl had only a few wisps of ginger-grey hair on top of his head that prematurely aged him.
The only words Mr. Carl had muttered in over two hours of pouring through the paperwork on the case were the occasional interjections of "Hmmmm…", "Oh!", and Nathan's personal favorite; "Well… That's interesting.".
Nathan thought he may go mad if he had to watch Mr. Carl push his glasses, thick as jam jars, back up his elongated nose one more time as they waited for the verdict on his 'interesting' findings.
Charlotte must have noted Nathan's unrest, as her hand found his and wove their fingers together. Nathan knew she was nervous about today, but she had a certain ease about it as well. Like she already knew everything would be alright in the end. Or, at least, she had the faith it would.
Charlotte wore a new dress that the Coulter's wanted her to have for an early birthday present and to say she was stunning in it would be an understatement. When Nathan first saw her this morning, his jaw slacked open, and his eyes grew wide at the splendor that was his wife. The summer dress was a light lilac color with delicate sleeves that came just to her elbows with a slight ruffle on the edging. The V-neck wrapped around her bodice and was accented with a cream-colored lace inlay and matching belt that nipped in her waist. She wore her mother's pearl drop earrings and his family's hair comb neatly pinned back a section of her wavy hair. Charlotte told him she wore the pieces today for a gentle reminder that both of their families were there to show support. A gesture that touched him deeply.
"Do you think it will be much longer?" Charlotte leaned over to whisper in Nathan's ear after a particularly loud "Humph." from Mr. Carl, accompanied by a furrow to his brow, broke the silence in the room.
Nathan shrugged. "I'm not quite sure. Bill didn't know how long these things usually take as he's never been a part of one before."
"Shouldn't he be asking us questions or something? I mean there is so much more to Allie being our child than just what would be outlined on some court documents."
"Unfortunately, Mr. Carl only seems concerned with the paperwork at this time. Maybe he'll interview all of us before delivering his decision."
Charlotte nodded in agreement and turned her focus to Mr. Carl as he flipped back to one of the initial files he had looked at and started fervently scribbling notes onto a pad of paper.
It seemed the whole day slowly trickled by in that little office, when finally, about noon, Mr. Carl pushed his glasses back up his nose as he sat a little straighter in his chair.
"I have my f-f-findings," he stuttered. "And I am ready to pr-pr-present them now."
"I'll start with you Mr. Parks." Carl twisted slightly in his chair to face Dylan. "I've read the reports of your arrest and time served for aggravated assault on a p-p-peace officer as well as the recent ch-ch-charges of trespassing. I have also looked over Mr. Grant's initial documents filed many years ago for g-g-guardianship of Allison where it claims you abandoned the girl after her mother died. I will admit Mr. Parks, with th-th-these charges and history, I'm unsure if you're the most s-s-suitable parental figure for Allison."
Charlotte's hand squeezed Nathan's. The hope floated freely around them.
"N-n-now Mr. Grant," Carl turned towards them. "I have also tried to review your p-p-paperwork for Allison's adoption from three years ago. While I have the initial probate records and court petition that J-J-Judge Avery drew up and has provided, I do not see where signed copies were ever filed with the county to be recorded and f-f-finalized."
"That's ridiculous. I did that all myself!" Bill bellowed as he abruptly stood from his chair. "Everything was done by the book, unlike these proceedings! Why- I'm shocked you can find anything for your review Mr. Carl in this disarray of papers all over my desk."
"Bill, please," Charlotte said as she placed her hand on Avery's arm to try to calm him. Bill took a deep breath before sitting down beside her again. Nathan noticed the smirk that Dylan displayed on his arrogant face at Bill's outburst and his fists clenched in response.
"J-J-Judge Avery," Mr. Carl's voice rose in pitch. "It appears as if nothing you did was, as you say, by the b-b-book. Other than the preliminary paperwork, the actual adoption does not appear recorded or f-f-finalized. In the eyes of the law, it never happened."
"But it did happen." Nathan rose now and leaned his weight into the table in front of him. "Allie is our daughter."
"Calm down Mr. Grant. N-N-Normally, in these circumstances when an adoption isn't finalized, the c-c-custody of the child would revert to the most recent guardianship, which would be you, Allison's uncle."
"Normally?" Nathan questioned, picking up on the social workers' choice words. "What do you mean by normally?"
"Mr. Grant, being a man of the law, I would have assumed you have some understanding of the clear d-d-differences between adoption and guardianship. While adoption permanently places a child with a new family, guardianship is usually a t-t-temporary arrangement made by a child's biological parents that places the child with a close f-f-friend or family member. In the case of Allison, and you being her mother…" Mr. Carl paused to search his papers. "C-C-Colleen's, brother, then it was determined that Allison be put into your care for the time being until her biological father, Mr. Parks, was in a p-p-place he could again care for her."
"Care for her?" Nathan tried to keep calm, but he knew his temper was rising. "Dylan Parks abandoned my sister and his daughter! That terminates any parental rights he has for her."
"S-S-Since the charge for abandonment appears to be a conflicting report, between what you cl-cl-claim and Mr. Parks claims, the termination of his rights would have had to be f-f-formally and voluntarily done, and since I do not see that in these files, it cannot be used as a means to re-re-retain guardianship."
"Mr. Carl," Charlotte interjected. "Are you saying that Dylan has a claim to custody for Allie."
"A claim, yes, Mrs. Grant." Nathan felt Charlotte slump beside him with Mr. Carl's confirmation. "If the adoption would have been f-f-formally completed, the adoptive parents are awarded all legal parental rights, and b-b-birth parents cannot reclaim the rights to their ch-ch-child once the adoption is finalized. However, in legal guardianship, the biological parent's l-l-legal rights remain intact and with that they can terminate the guardianship at any time and re-re-reclaim custody of their child."
"He can't do that!" Nathan's fingernails dug deep into the table, carving little marks into the wood beneath them. He felt Charlotte rise beside him, placing one of her hands on Nathan's back and the other on his arm in supportive reassurance.
"In the eyes of the l-l-law, he can, Mr. Grant. But alas, I am not a judge, and I do not have the authority to award custody one way or the other. We will need to set up a c-c-court date with a territory judge to determine Allison's future."
"I'm a territory judge," Bill said as he too rose to stand beside Nathan and Charlotte. "Let's review the case right now."
"I'm s-s-sorry, it is not that simple, Judge Avery. You would not be allowed to serve as the presiding judge as it would be a c-c-conflict of interest. Plus, we will need to p-p-push this case through the proper channels. No cutting corners. Since the judicial system is currently bogged down, it will at l-l-least be sometime next month before we can get a formal court date set. In the meantime, since b-b-both Mr. Parks and Mr. and Mrs. Grant are claiming custody of Allison, I th-th-think it is best if I take her with me today and put her in the temporary care of an orphanage I w-w-work with in Union City until this can all be sorted out."
A collective gasp and loud murmurs of discourse came from the room. "An orphanage?" Charlotte's voice rose above all the others. "No!"
"Mr. Carl," Nathan tried to keep his voice steady as his eyes implored the government agent in front of him to reconsider. "Allie is not an orphan. She is our daughter and a beloved member of this community. She's put down roots here. She's made friends and has a job working at the switchboard in the mercantile. She feels safe here and I've never seen her so happy."
"Th-Th-That may be the case, Mr. Grant, but I do not see how after reviewing these files and d-d-discovering our need for a formal court hearing that I can leave Allison in your custody, nor can I award her to Mr. Parks. S-S-She must be placed in temporary care for the time being."
"What about the New Hope orphanage in Brookfield?" Charlotte questioned. Trying to rationalize that having Allie in a place she was familiar with and amongst friends was better than some unknown orphanage in Union City. "Could she go there instead?"
"I am w-w-well aware of the operations in the New Hope orphanage, but unfortunately those arrangements would be unfit. They are at capacity. I'm s-s-sorry, Mrs. Grant, but my decision has been made. I would appreciate your assistance in readying Allison to l-l-leave within the hour. I will lunch at the saloon and expect her to be packed for our journey as soon as my meal is complete. It is a l-l-long drive back."
"What about us?"
Nathan, Charlotte, and Bill all turned to see Archie stand and stride up the aisle towards Mr. Carl.
"What about us?" Archie again asked.
"And w-w-who are you?" Mr. Carl questioned.
"I'm Allie- I mean Allison's grandpa. Archie Grant. Colleen and Nathan are my children. My wife, Maise, and I live in an apartment above the construction company office in town. Allie has stayed with us overnight before. We will take care of her."
"I'm s-s-sorry, Mr. Grant, but I don't feel comfortable leaving Allison with any relatives right now with the underlying c-c-conditions of this case."
"We'll do it!"
Lee now came forward with Rosemary a half step behind.
"W-W-Who are all you people?" Mr. Carl was clearly getting perturbed from all the rebuttals of his initial verdict.
"I'm Lee Coulter and this is my wife, Rosemary. She owns and runs our local newspaper and I have interests in a few other Hope Valley businesses as well as being the town's mayor. Allie is such an important part of our community; I can't let her leave us. She can stay with Rosemary and I at our house instead of some orphanage in Union City until this is all settled."
"That's not fair!" Cried Dylan, for the first time speaking up during the proceedings. "The Coulter's are their friends. I thought you are supposed to be impartial, Mr. Carl."
"I am being im-im-impartial, Mr. Parks. But the Coulters are not family to Allison and Mr. Coulter is the town mayor. A g-g-government official. There is something to be said for that. And you Mr. Parks should be more con-con-concerned with finding yourself a job and housing to convince the judge at the trial you are a fit f-f-father for Allison." Mr. Carl turned his attention back to Lee. "W-W-Where do you live? Do you have space for the girl?"
"We currently live in one of the row houses just out of town with our son and daughter."
"R-R-Row house? That's rather small, isn't it? I d-d-doubt with two children of your own, you would have room for a teenage girl to stay as well."
"We are currently building a house just down the street past the café. It's getting closer to being done. Maybe within a couple weeks. Allie will have more than enough room once we are inside there."
"I'm s-s-sorry, but I don't have a couple weeks to wait to provide proper housing for Allison. She will have to come with m-m-me today."
"Wait!" Nathan came around the table and stood just in front of Bill's desk where Mr. Carl was already beginning to pack his things to leave. "What if I can have the house ready for the Coulter's to move into by Monday."
"That is less than th-th-three days, Mr. Grant!"
"But if I can… Will you let Allie stay with the Coulter's until the court date?"
Mr. Carl stewed on the idea. "I don't want to have to drive back here on M-M-Monday to pick her up. It will just be easier if she comes with me n-n-now and we don't delay the inevitable."
"I'll pay for a room in the saloon that you can stay at, Mr. Carl." Lee offered. "Think of it as a weekend getaway in our charming town. If the house isn't finished and we are unable to move in by Monday morning, Allie will go with you back to Union City."
"W-W-Well…"
"Can she stay?" Nathan pushed for confirmation. Emphasizing each word he said. "If we finish the house by Monday, can Allie stay in Hope Valley?"
"Please, Mr. Carl." Charlotte joined Nathan in front of the desk. "Please do what is right for Allie. She doesn't deserve to have her world completely turned upside down by this. Let's keep a little consistency in her life right now. Letting her stay here in Hope Valley would allow her to still be in a place she knows and with friends. I'm a teacher and work with children as part of my job, just like you, Mr. Carl. Working with kids, you must understand how important that is to a child. To be somewhere they know and feel safe and happy. Please, for Allie's sake, try to see what would be best for her in this situation."
"M-M-Mrs. Grant, You can't finish a house that wouldn't be ready for weeks within only a couple days," Mr. Carl shook his head. "This all seems rather im-im-impossible."
"There is a Bible verse that says, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'. With Him and the help of this town, I have to believe there will always be hope in Hope Valley, sir." Charlotte took Nathan's hand beside her and gave it a gentle squeeze in support. Remembering the last time she said that same phrase was when the town came together for the prayer vigil in the church while Nathan was in surgery for the gunshot wound from Beck. It all worked out then. It will all work out now.
They had to have faith.