My Little Girl-Ch 17

Everybody made it to the courthouse with about 10 minutes to spare before time for the hearing to begin, Derek, Penelope, Hotch and Rosemary made their way inside the courtroom, leaving the others outside in the hallway to worry and wonder about what was going on inside the courtroom.

Hotch, Derek and Penelope took their seats on the opposite side of the room from who was obviously Christopher and his attorney while Rosemary took her seat in the audience until she was called upon by the judge to talk about Jasmine and Margaret's wishes for her daughter.

Derek reached over and took Penelope's hand in his and said, "don't worry sweetness, everything is going to be alright", she blew out a deep breath and said, "I hope so hotstuff, I sooooooo hope so", he weakly smiled and then the two of them turned their attention to the front of the room as the bailiff walked in.

He said, "all rise, the honorable Judge Gretchen Williams presiding", everybody stood up and watched as the judge walked into the room and sat down in her seat behind the bench and started looking around the room, she then opened the file in front of her.

Penelope's heart began racing the second the judge walked into the room, she couldn't believe that things were happening so fast, yesterday everything was perfect, earlier today everything was perfect but now, now she could lose her daughter.

Gretchen looked up and said, "you may be seated", everybody took their seats and looked up at the judge as they waited for the hearing to continue, a hearing that could take the child that Penelope had loved for almost a year away from her.

The judge said, "we are here today for a hearing about the minor child Jasmine Archer, are both parties here and ready to continue?", a man that was sitting beside Christopher stood up and said, "Daniel Chadsworth for the father your honor".

Hotch stood up and said, "Aaron Hotchner for Ms. Garcia, the foster mother of the child your honor", Gertrude said, "I'll be honest with you I've never had a hearing like this before but I understand that these kinds of cases are usually handled by an arbitrator but I will do my best to listen to both sides and come up with a solution that is best for Jasmine".

She then looked around the room and said, "is the social worker here in the courtroom today?", Rosemary stood up and said, "I am your honor", Gertrude said, "alright mam, can you step forward and fill me in on what happened to bring us here today?", Rosemary nodded her head and said,"yes mam" and started filling her in on everything that had happened.