Chapter 10
Connor
We're on our way back to court, though this time I have to say I'm not quite sure why.
We had one mediation session where we couldn't agree on anything. I'd give on something that she wanted and then she’d changed her mind and want something else. After two hours, the lawyers called it quits. It was obvious that even her lawyer was getting frustrated with her. Throughout the mediation, she’d want something until I did, and then she didn't want it anymore.
Not to mention the amount of child support that she wanted was more than half my salary.
We had a second mediation scheduled, and to say I was dreading it would be an understatement.
But thankfully, something came up, and Megan said that it was in our favor.
So now we’re going back to court today. However, Megan won't tell me why, and also, she and Maddie seem to be in cahoots about something.
We meet my sister at the courthouse, and she smiles when we walk up to her.
"Just so you know, your girl here is a genius," Megan says to me as she looks over at Maddie. I don't get a chance to ask what she means as Mom and Dad join us, and we head into the courtroom and take our seats.
I lean over and whisper to my sister, trying to find out what she meant, but she just continues with a big smile on her face.
"Just wait, you'll see," she says right before the judge walks in.
As I watch the judge this time, it’s like Maddie said. His eyes look Megan over, and there is a softness in his face, a look that I know myself all too well before he steels his emotions and takes his seat.
Interesting.
"So, I understand mediation didn't go well. My mediator filled me in on the details." The judge says, shooting a stern look over in Faith’s mother’s direction.
"That is correct. We also have some new evidence to submit to the court," Megan says. Though I'm not sure what evidence she has, but I trust my sister wholeheartedly.
"And what would that be?" the judge asks.
"Posts from the mother's social media profile wishing that she had aborted the baby, posts on how much she hates the baby, and comments on how at least it will be a gravy train because the dad has a good job.
There are also pictures of her out drinking and at nightclubs a week after the baby was born. "
The other lawyer jumps up, "Your honor my client was suffering from postpartum depression."
“Has she been seen by a medical professional and properly diagnosed and treated?” the judge asks
"Well, no sir, but if you let…"
"If she has not been seen or treated you cannot use that in your argument," the judge says then turns back to Megan.
“I assume you have these social media proofs to back up your statements," he says holding out his hand. Megan takes a folder with a bunch of papers in them and hands them to the judge before coming back to her seat.
"At least someone came prepared," the judge remarks as he looks over the papers in the file. No one dares to speak.
Just thinking of the disgusting things that Faith's mom said about her makes me sick. How can she think so horribly of this precious little life? About an innocent little baby who has done nothing to her? Faith doesn't deserve that, no baby does.
Who in their right mind can have so much hate for such a little creature? I will never understand it. But I make a vow to myself then and there that Faith will know nothing but love in her life and I will surround her with people that love her.
"Due to the new evidence presented to the court and your mental illness claim, the mother will only be allowed supervised visits in a public location of the father's choosing with a court-appointed supervisor.
She will be allowed two visits a month until she can prove she has been through and completed treatment.
If she is indeed diagnosed with postpartum depression, we will then reconvene. "
Breathing a sigh of relief, I can handle twice a month.
Faith's mother's lawyer opens his mouth to speak, but the judge holds up his hand.
"Furthermore, no child support will be paid to the mother.
But as long as the mother would like to have visits, she will be paying child support to the father to care for her daughter.
If you give me just a moment, I will do the calculations and give you your child support payment.
" The judge says, and the mother freaks out, drawing the attention of everyone in the courtroom.
"I'm not paying him child support! This is insane! I hired you to win this case so that he would pay me. Just give me the paperwork and I'll sign away my rights. I don't want anything to do with that snot-nosed brat. She never stopped screaming." Faith's mother’s words shocks everybody.
Turning behind me, I lock eyes with Maddie, whose wide-eyed expression I'm sure matches mine.
When I look back at the judge, I detect a hint of a smile on his face, almost like he knew that this was going to be the mother's reaction.
"So be it. You'll sign the paperwork before you leave the courtroom today. You’ll also attend a court-ordered psych evaluation to verify your mental health," the judge says before dismissing us.
Megan and the other lawyer start talking to another woman who takes the papers from the judge and brings them over to them. I watch signatures fly before Megan brings the paperwork over to me and has me sign in a few places.
"That’s it. You currently have sole custody of Faith, with no child support to be paid.
" Megan looks over at Maddie who is holding Faith in her arms, and I follow her gaze.
"In the event that you wish for your future wife to adopt her, you will not have to get her mother's permission, but you will have to go through the courts.
" There's a slight smile on her face, and it doesn't even register with Maddie what she said or the meaning behind it but I know exactly what she meant.
Maddie
I drive us home while Connor sits in the back seat, never once taking his eyes off of Faith.
Not that I can blame him now that he knows that he's not going to lose her.
We don't say anything as he stares at his daughter, and I'm sure he’s thinking of all the things that he's now not going to miss out on.
When we walk in the door, the first thing he does is set Faith down in her little pack and play with a few toys and then pull me into his arms.
"Megan told me that it was you who went digging and found those posts on social media," he says, his eyes scanning my face. His face gives no indication of his reaction, but I figure it's always best to go with the truth.
"Of course, there was no way I was going to let her take this little girl from you," I tell him as a smile creeps across his face.
"You mean allow her to take Faith from us. You are just as much a part of her life as I am, and you know it." I do, and I'm not going to bring up the fact that my bond with her is different as she's his daughter. Right now I'm more of an aunt in the picture even though she already has one of those.
"I love you so damn much," he says right before his lips land on mine. It's a short kiss but one with so much meaning packed behind it. He only pulls away when Faith starts fussing for her pre-naptime bottle.
The next morning, I wake up to Connor lightly running his hand through my hair.
I don't let him know I'm awake at first as I take in the warmth of being snuggled up against him.
Yesterday ended in some pretty intense couch sex, and somehow between making sure Faith was fed and put to bed, we stumbled into the bedroom.
When I finally open my eyes, I find Connor staring down at me. There’s a peaceful and tranquil expression on his face. One that I haven't seen in a long time, at least not since Faith’s mother showed up on his doorstep all those weeks ago.
"Go back to sleep and let me make you breakfast,” he says getting out of bed. I grabbed his arm and stop him.
"Are you crazy? It's Father's Day weekend and since we are spending Father's Day tomorrow with your dad, today Faith and I are going to spoil you. You're the one who gets to sleep in, and to start with, we are going to make you breakfast."
"There is only one thing I want for Father's Day," he says, and I wait for him to say something like a full night's sleep, but the look on his face says it might be something a little bit more important.
"What is it?" I ask when he doesn't offer it up right away.
Before he speaks again, he drops to his knee beside the bed and takes my hands in his. I'm still lying in bed, so this brings us to eye level.
"For you to marry me and officially adopt Faith and become her mother,” he says, catching me completely by surprise. I knew things were serious between us, but I hadn't realized they were that serious. I don't hesitate in my answer.
"Yes!"