Chapter 9 #2
All I know about divorce is from TV shows. I’m stumbling around in the dark with no clue if I’m walking the right way or away from it.
Robert gives me an approving nod. “That’s right. The father has a right to see the child.”
“So, I have to tell him he’s the father.”
It’s clear that I do. I appreciate that Robert isn’t judging me—at least visibly—for hiding my pregnancy from Jackson, but he should be.
Jackson does need to know. Keeping this from him isn’t fair to him or to the baby, regardless of how badly he hurt me.
“I’m just not at the stage where I can talk to him about the baby yet,” I say. “Things happened very suddenly, and I’d rather never see him again.”
“What’s the process?” Lila asks, squeezing my hand. “And can you get started on the paperwork now and leave the last part until my sister can talk to Jackson about the baby?”
Robert nods. “I can’t see why not. At this stage, if you decide to take me on as your lawyer, I’d file a summons with the court.
He would need to attend once he received the paperwork.
And you would need to be clear to the judge that there has been a breakdown of the marriage to the extent that the bonds of matrimony cannot be preserved. ”
“Would the judge need to know that I’m pregnant?” I ask.
He nods. “He would.”
“And would Jackson be told this in the paperwork and in court?”
“He would.”
I chew my lip.
He studies me for a beat, then says, “Divorcing with children is complicated. The process involves a six-month waiting period before a divorce can be made final. That you are pregnant now means any final decision would have to come after you’ve given birth and once custody arrangements are in place for this child.
If we can make all those arrangements regarding your unborn child enough to satisfy the judge, he could agree to finalize the divorce before the child is born. ”
I sit back in my seat, rubbing my throbbing temple. “Which means nothing can happen for six months, regardless of what I decide. If I wanted a divorce immediately, I couldn’t have it because of this baby.”
“That’s right.”
Annoyed, I sit in frustrated silence. If I weren’t pregnant, I might not even have to speak to Jackson again. We could just communicate through lawyers. But this baby means everything to me, and if that means I have to deal with Jackson for the next six months, then I’ll have to do it.
He folds his fingers together. “Can I ask the reason for this divorce? Is the situation so hopeless that perhaps mediation or therapy might not resolve it?”
He only gets paid if I take him on, so I appreciate that he’s thinking about my well-being, and presumably that of my child, to be suggesting alternative methods to divorce.
“I walked into my husband’s office to find his assistant giving him a blow job. No amount of therapy is saving this marriage. It ended when he came in her mouth right in front of me.”
Robert clears his throat and picks up his pen.
“I can start on the paperwork. I can prepare the divorce papers and send them to your husband. You’ll have six months to discuss custody arrangements and support with your husband.
As long as things remain amicable, we could get this divorce finalized in just over six months. ”
“And if they don’t remain amicable?”
“He may contest the divorce when he learns you’re pregnant and decides he wants to fight for custody.”
Alarmed, I sit up. “Could he stop the divorce? And could he win?”
“Not necessarily. Contested divorces mean hearings in front of the judge when the parties can’t agree on matters, for example, on the custody of the child.
It’s expensive and stressful for both parties.
” Seeing my concern, he gives me a reassuring smile.
“But that is just a possibility. Are you living in the family home?”
I shake my head. “I’m staying with my parents. He had his parents tell mine that he would prefer for me to move back into the house.”
He nods, bending his head to write. “And where is he living?”
“In a motel.” I retrieve my cell phone from my pocket. “I have his motel room number and his work address if you need those.”
“That would be helpful. I’ll know where to send any paperwork.” Finished taking notes, he sets down his pen. “I don’t foresee any issues at this stage, Ellary. He’s offered to support you and moved out of the family home to ensure you can move back in.”
“So we could be divorced after six months?”
“You could.” He looks at me. “But that is dependent on you telling him about this pregnancy.”
Jackson could fight me over the divorce. It would cost me money I don’t have, and he could drag this out when he learns I’m pregnant with a child we’ve both always wanted.
Or I could not have this child, but I know myself, know how hard we tried, and how many years it took. I can’t give this child up, no matter how difficult and complicated it makes this divorce. I just can’t.
“Please start with the paperwork, and I’ll deal with telling my husband about the pregnancy,” I say.
We spend another hour going over the divorce process in more detail. I give Robert more information about me, Jackson’s job, and our financial history, as well as what things I’m unwilling to settle on and what doesn’t matter to me.
Full custody of my child with regular visitation for Jackson is about all I care about. I don’t care about the house or money.
By the time Lila and I leave, I have a pounding headache.
Lila throws one arm around my shoulder. “Proud of you, sis.”
I flash her a tired smile. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You’re not letting this defeat you. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks.”
We head to her car and climb in.
“So, what now?” she asks, snapping on her seatbelt.
“Now we head home. I need to find a job, and I need to start looking for an apartment.” I buckle up.
She looks at me, surprised. “You’re not moving back into the house?”
“I’d like to see what’s out there first,” I say.
In reality, that house has too many memories that moving back home is an agony I’m not sure I’m ready to face, even if it makes the most sense for now.
“Whatever you want.”
“I want to be divorced, and I need to figure out how to tell Jackson he’s going to be a father. That’s it.”