AllFreeNovel
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***
It’s the longest lunch hour of my life. I’m a sweating, trembling mess when we get called back in. I stick to the same strategy as before: stare straight ahead and don’t acknowledge anyone in the room. It’s a struggle to get my legs to work when we have to stand for the judge.
Baxter helps me.
I cling to the edge of the table to remain upright, and when we’re allowed to take our seats, I virtually collapse into mine.
“Thank you for joining us, Ms Deighton,” the judge says. Is it just my imagination or does he not sound as warm and welcoming to her? “It’s been a very enlightening morning. As you missed it, I will leave your lawyers to fill you in, but needless to say, I have reached my decision.”
My heart beats so hard I feel like it’s been plugged into the surround sound and everyone can hear it.
“Ms Deighton, your petition for full custody of Phoenix Elizabeth Deighton is denied.”
Cordelia gasps and my head turns to her on instinct. She’s clutching her pearls.
“Furthermore, in light of the ongoing investigation into reports of child abuse brought against you, I have no choice but to remove all prior shared custody arrangements for the child in question, and to uphold the current restraining order—”
The judge doesn’t get any further than that because Cordelia unleashes an unholy scream that would rival a banshee and launches herself at me.
Baxter intervenes, moving swiftly to stand between us and blocking me protectively with his body. Security race over to restrain Cordelia and somewhere in the background the judge is banging his hammer and calling for “Order! Order!” like they do in the movies.
“Control yourself!” The judge snaps, finally losing his patience. “Ms Cordelia Deighton, you are in contempt of court. Bailiffs, take her into custody.”
She howls like a wounded wild animal, screaming curses and threats of revenge at me as they drag her away.
“I am sorry about that,” the judge says once she’s gone and calm returns. Well, the room is calmer but my heart is still racing. I’m thoroughly shaken. Even Baxter looks like a murderous slab of stone, no longer quite so calm and collected. “Miss Deighton?”
“Yes?”
“You’re free to go and enjoy being a family.”
“Thank you.”
Even though the judge said we can go, I’m still at a loss, unable to make my limbs move. Baxter takes my arm and guides me, and he doesn’t let go of it until we’re outside, swapping to wrap me in his arms as I weep on him. Tears of relief, gratitude and joy.
“Come on, princess, don’t cry. This is good news.”
“But you heard her, she’s going to fight. She’s going to keep coming. She won’t stop!”
“You think for a second I’d let her get anywhere near you or Nix or the rest of our family?” I shake my head. “Exactly. I promised I would take care of things and that means beyond today as well.”
He kisses me, slow and dirty with lots of tongue, even though we’re standing in the street. Which completely distracts me until my phone rings. I look down at the caller display and see that it’s the guys calling for the verdict. I take a deep breath and smile as I answer.
“Hey guys.”
“Miss Deighton?”
“I’ll call you back,” I say to the guys, hanging up quickly and turning at the sound of my name.
The judge from the court room is standing there.
“Your honour?”
“Please, call me Bob.”
This is too weird. I just nod. “I just wanted to say congratulations on winning the case.”
“T-thanks?”
