“That’s right,” Cory says.
“That’s all I have, Judge,” I tell the man on the bench, hoping that I’ve struck enough curiosity in the judge that he reacts the way he’s known to.
The bailiff takes the stack of presented evidence from Cory, handing it to the judge. The man looks down at the paperwork, flipping pages, and it’s a very good sign for us that he hasn’t asked Cory to step down yet.
“What are your hopes for today, young man?” the judge finally asks.
“To win custody of the kid.”
The judge’s jaw flexes.
“Which kid?”
“The one I had with April.”
“And that child’s name?”
This information was given when the hearing first started. If Cory was paying attention, he could pull from that, but he looks at his dad as if the man sitting there can provide this information.
The older man grinds his teeth, his head shaking in disappointment, and I see the shift in Cory the second he realizes he’s had enough of his old man.
“I don’t know the kid’s name. I don’t care what the kid’s name is. I agreed to all of this because my parents threatened me with not being able to go to college if I didn’t fight for custody.”
“I see,” the judge says with a nod of his head, like his suspicions have just been confirmed. “And you still feel that way?”
“I don’t want a kid, and now I don’t even get college. My life is ruined with the charges pending against me. The last thing I need is a fucking kid.”
“Cory,” Mrs. Clark snaps. “Enough.”
“Mrs. Clark,” the judge warns.
“It’s not enough!” Cory yells, making the bailiff take a couple of steps closer to him for security reasons. “I don’t want a damn kid. I’ll sign over my rights today! I never should’ve fucked you!”
“Enough!” the judge warns. “Get it under control or you’re going to be arrested for contempt of court!”
“Arrested?” Cory snaps. “Does it look like I’m afraid of fucking jail?”
Mrs. Clark is sobbing, and her husband looks ready to spit nails as the bailiff approaches Cory and instructs him to put his hands behind his back.
The courtroom is silent with the exception of Cory yelling and blaming every wrong in his life on his parents as he’s dragged from the room.
The judge takes a deep breath, no doubt calming his nerves before he speaks. When he looks up, it’s directly at me.
“Any issue with continuing, Ms. Robbins? I feel the need to allow you your time as was granted to the plaintiff.”
The other attorney, much like the one that arrived at my office months ago with the Clarks seems to know his case is lost. He doesn’t ask for a continuance or argue that his client is no longer present so things should be delayed. I don’t doubt the man is ready to leave and never step into New Mexico again.
I present my case, questioning both April and Apollo on the stand. Their attorney asks no questions.
The judge doesn’t bother asking for time to make a decision which he’s also known for, and less than two hours after walking into the courthouse this morning, April and Nathaniel Fosse are given full, sole custody of the child. The judge advises me to draw up paperwork for Cory to sign over his rights, telling me that if he refuses to sign that he fully expects me to schedule another hearing, asking that he be made to do so.
The courtroom is a blur of congratulations and cheering when the judge retreats into his chamber.
I squeeze April tight when she hugs me with tears flowing down her cheeks. Nate’s hug is just as strong, and I feel myself getting teary-eyed when they turn to the others in the gallery.
I turn in time to see Ethan and Apollo hug, clapping each other on the back while they embrace, and neither shy away when the hug lasts a little longer than some would consider needed. It only proves what Lana said in my office on Sunday. Family doesn’t have to be what you’re born into. Sometimes the people you choose are better.
Cerberus is exactly that—one big family built on love and loyalty rather than blood and obligation—and I honestly think they’re stronger because of it.
I smile as people congratulate me, ready to get out of here. This hearing is all I had for the day and Pauline knows I won’t be back into the office until Monday, the day after New Year’s.
I’ve avoided my list of things needing to be done since my house was set on fire long enough, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to live inside this little bubble Ethan has captured me in for just a little longer.
I don’t avoid his arms coming around me despite so many other people being around. I let him pull me close and press his lips to my forehead as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.