The Early Life: Chapter 7
Sorry all for the HUUUUUGGGE hiatus this took due to overwhelming personal life, but this chapter up and ready to be viewed, sorry if some of the writing is awkward, I forgot what I was going to write for a lot of the pictures. Enjoy!
The day came, the day that was dreaded, and the day that was loved.
Today was the day Danielle would have to fight for her child.
Brad waited impatiently for his lawyer to arrive. The gushing water of the fountain behind him provided little comfort to his anxious stomach. He started to daydream as time passed
"LET ME IN! I demand to see my child."
"He's not yours! He's Greg's!" The two fought, their screams slightly muffled by the glass.
"If you're not going to let me see him then just take this paperwork,"
Danielle sighed and opened the door, sneaking outside. "So what is it you really want? My money? I told you my inheritance really isn't that much."
"I want my child, Danielle, you're not fit to be a parent. You drink too much and always chase after guys in bars, what kind of an influence is that."
"You're not much better."
"Don't worry sweetie, mommy will be home in a few hours, the nanny will take good care of you." Danielle cooed to her son, she had been summoned to court by Brad and decided to go.
"Ms. Danielle"
"Judge" The court briefing went on and all the formalities passed, but all that could go through Danielle's mind was grief.
On the other side, Brad was highly confident in himself and his lawyer, smug even.
His lawyer pressed Danielle on hard facts, bringing her just before tears several times, he had no mercy for those who could not take care of their own children, let alone remember who the father was.
She became sour, retorting back to the opposing lawyer, the judge looked from behind his wall almost afraid for how she would erupt.
The battle continued, and Brad's lawyer continued to give a good case, Daniele tried the defense that Brad is not the real father so he can't possibly have custody of a child that's not his.
But he came back with the fact they were in a relationship for years and he was best to support the child. The lawyer continued to support him.
It all became a blur to Danielle, she was lawyerless and soon to be childless, how could someone so close do such bad things.
Each passing minute felt like an hour while the judge deliberated over his decision. Looking back and forth between the parents, down at his notes, muttering to himself as he went. "Before I can make my final decision, why don't we take a short recess. DISMISSED"
"Brad, we've totally got this in the bag, you don't even need to worry about her, there's no way. Solid case is what we have."
"I'm starting to feel a little bad about it."
"Don't start. I've never lost a case and I'm not about to start."
The two men left to relieve themselves upstairs, just as...
Danielle sobbed behind the falling water. She loved her son, she didn't want to give him up. She went through all the effort with him, all alone.
Court resumed and the parents were set back in their seats, awaiting the decision. "I find Ms. Danielle an unfit parents for this child, the child's father, Mr. Brad is much more stable and is awarded full custody.
Those words burned through her heart, 'unfit parent', 'full custody', how could this happen. She broke down and tears racked through her body.
Meanwhile Brad and his lawyer celebrated. The judge had sent someone to bring the child from Danielle's house to Brad.
Across town, weeks later...
She had vowed to not drink, not make a fool of herself. Rehab had helped her with it, building confidence. Not hiding. She felt more sure of who she was. "This menu sucks," she said quietly.
Settling for water, she watched the dance floor out of the corner of her eye. "It's been too long old pal," she said aloud after finishing her drink. The dance floor was a favorite past time of hers.
But, because she wasn't the greatest dancer, she went to Emcee, and had a blast.
The day went on...
... And on...
After finishing at the club, she went to her new home to freshen it up. It was barely lived in and needed some organization, "what a mess, how did I manage to leave all this laundry everywhere?" She asked herself. "Maybe I should call Liana, I haven't spoken to her in weeks."
Across town
Things were not smooth, they never were smooth. Liana found herself becoming overwhelmed with all her roles. "I can't take it anymore!"
The end.