Baby Makes Four (11/?)
Title: Baby Makes Four (11/?)
Author: Riversorrowdh
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction
Summary: Michael and Stacey are married and have a daughter, Gracie. Michael, David and Jason are in love.
AN: No Cohnstro in this chapter, sorry. It is crucial to the plot, though.
Mr. Phillip S. Regal is the best lawyer in the state of California, or so the advertisements declare. He’s a tiny man with not much hair, and a voice that would put Carol Channing to shame. The nasally, lisping tone would leave anyone wondering what kind of social life this man leads, if any. Nonetheless, I have no doubt that Mr. Regal can win me my daughter.
"Mr. Johns," Regal continues. "I believe that I can help you. What, exactly, are your intentions during the divorce?"
I want to live my life with Gracie and David and Jason without anyone interfereing. I try to word this into something that this man can understand, but all I can think to say is, "I want full custody of my daughter."
The lawyer sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Mr. Johns," Uh-oh, I think. This won’t be good.
"You need to think logically. Your wife is planning to take full custody of your daughter, and for you to be fighting for the very same thing would need severely good evidence as to why you’re a better fit parent. The court will be looking for the good of the child, and her being so young, it will be extremely thorough. The judge will look at every little thing, every minor detail, to make sure that your daughter is well provided for in every way. Do you understand?"
I nod. "You don’t think I’ll win full custody." I hang my head. I can’t believe it.
"Mr. Johns, I believe that it is quite a long-shot for me to win that for you. However, joint custody will be a considerably easier feat."
"What does that mean, exactly?"
"Joint custody means that you daughter will split the time she has with both parents. She’ll live the week with either you or your wife, and during the weekend she will go to the other parent, though every other week she may come to live with you, and stay every other weekend. As long as you and your wife live close by, she can do this without having to change schools or even move very far. This is relatively easy to win, though in most cases both parties have to agree."
I freeze. "Stacey will never agree to that. She’s not all to fond of me at the moment."
"Mr. Johns, I can work with you if you’ll do one thing for me. You need to be absolutely honest with me on every subject, every question I ask. Can you do that?"
"Yes."
"Alright then. First, do you want to fight for joint custody?"
"If that’s my best option."
"Alright, then. Now, why did you and your wife break up?"
I can feel myself go red at the question. I give him the best, vague answer I can. "I cheated on her."
"I see. Are you currently in another serious relationship?"
"Yes. Why does this all matter?"
"I need to get the facts straight so I can work up your case."
"Oh. Can I ask you a question?"
"Certainly."
"I have a certain…reputation to uphold…and I don’t want the media getting wind of any of the specifics."
"You have my complete confidentiality." I can see the sincerity in his face, which is how I know his lips are sealed. I nod.
"Now, Mr. Johns," he picks up his pen and continues. "Is the other woman currently living at your home?"
I pause. What do I say now? "Well…"
The lawyer sighs again. "Mr. Johns, it wasn’t a woman, was it?"
He’s good. "No, sir."
"No need to go into the details, however this does help our case. This shows your wife to be discriminatory and judgmental."
"Wait, you’ve got it all wrong. She flipped out. I mean, she walked into the bedroom to find…" I trail off just as Regal holds up his hand to stop me.
"Enough said, Mr. Johns. We won’t take that angle. Now, we’ll need testimony. Do you have parents, friends? Is your…partner willing to testify on your behalf?"
He’s making it sound like I’m on trial for murder. "Yes, they are." My lawyer snaps his head up and looks at me, a shocked look on his face. "What was that?"
I can feel myself turning red again. "Uh…well…" Oh, hell.
"Is there more than one, Mr. Johns?"
I guess I’ll just have to come clean to this man. "The three of us…are all…"
Phillip stops me again. "I see. Say no more."
He goes on. "Mr. Johns, how involved are you with your daughter?"
"I’d do anything for her. I’ve been there since the day she was born, and haven’t gone a single day without talking to her…until a couple months ago, that is."
"I see. So your wife has been withholding contact with your daughter from you?"
"Yes."
"I see. We can use this, but it won’t be enough. We need to show that Stacey is an unfit parent to deserve full custody, and that you are a good parent who deserves at least joint custody. Do you know if Stacey has a history of drug use, alcohol abuse, anything like that?"
I shake my head. "No. she doesn’t even smoke."
"I see." He glances up at the clock. "Mr. Johns, I have another engagement, so would you mind if we set up another date to go over some things for the trial?"
"That would be fine."
We set up a date for the following Tuesday, and I promise to fill David and Jason in on everything, as well as everyone who would testify for my case.
As I leave his office, I’m blinded by the flash of camera bulbs and am bombarded by at least twenty different reporters, all complete with cameras and microphones. They all shout different questions at me at once.
"Michael! What happened between you and Stacey?"
"Was she cheating on you?"
"Were you cheating on her?"
"Isn’t there a child involved?"
"What about Gracie?"
What about Gracie?
End Part 11