The Trouble Toddler

Chapter 29: the lawsuit

Peter p.o.v

Today was a terrible day. The last couple of weeks I was busy with Julia, Lexi, the divorce and now our court case about Lexi's guardianship. Because of this I could not really focus on work and that lead to me getting fired.

It was not a big deal financially speaking as my parents left me enough money to sustain myself for at least two years, but I loved my job. It also helped me to get my mind of all the bad things that were happening right now.

First, I lose the love of my life, now my job and maybe soon Lexi as well.

I sat in my office to calm myself down before I would wake up my little girl. Just as I was about the leave the room, Michael came in. "The lawyer is here, how about I wake Lexi up?"

"No, I will take care of Lexi. I haven't spent much time with her lately. Can you hold off the lawyer for a sec?" I asked.

"Yes, of course." Michael left the room as I went to Lexi.

When I entered Lexi's room, I heard she was already awake. First, I smiled at seeing my daughter but soon my smile turned into a frown. She was throwing every single thing out of her crib, even Mushu.

"Young lady, what do you think you are doing?" I said stern.

"You is meanie!" Lexi shouted. "Big meanie!"

"And why is that?" I asked serious.

"You no play!"

When my little girl said that I felt a bit guilty because with Michael being here, I did not spend as much time with Lexi as I just to. "I'm sorry sweetheart. Daddy is indeed a big meanie for not playing with you. How about we play after I am done with talking to the man downstairs?" I suggested.

"Mommy play?" Lexi asked. Every time she asked for her mother, I would get sad and mad at the same time. I could not blame my little girl for asking for her mother, but at the same time her mother was the real big meanie.

"Mommy is away, remember. She did a bad thing to daddy and because of that she had to go. But I promise I will play with you." I tried to explain to Lexi again.

She pouted her lips. I felt bad. I really wanted Lexi to have her mother around her, but that is impossible right now. I kissed her head, hoping that she would forever stay by my side.

• • •

I did not sleep a wink last night. I was so afraid I would lose my little girl. I could not lose her too. She was my everything. I could not imagine my life without her.

I was putting on my suit when Michael walked in with Lexi on his hip. "This pretty lady needs her daddy." He spoke. I could see Lexi was about to cry so I quickly took her from my brother. She literally clung onto me. She put her arms around my neck and would not leave her spot. I hugged her back.

We had not said anything to her about the lawsuit, but it looked almost like she new. Well, tension was clearly sensible in our home. It would not surprise me if she had picked it up.

After our cuddle session we had to go to the courthouse. Again, the assistant of my lawyer had no problem with looking after my little girl.

I met up with my lawyer in the parking lot of the courthouse. As we walked inside, we talked quickly things over. "And remember if things go south do not panic. Nothing is final until the judge gives his verdict." I nodded my head at that.

We took our seats. I bounced my leg and loosened my tie a bit. Cold sweat went down my back. I would have never imagined that my wife would do something this low to me. I had hoped when we had decided on our divorce we would not get this far. That she had enough love for me to spare me this nerve-wracking show.

The lawsuit began and in the beginning we were on the winning side. We had proof of how Julia had abandoned us and that she took little interest in Lexi's life the last couple of weeks of our marriage.

But then everything went south. "Your honor, we have proof that the environment Lexi is living in, is not sustainable for a child. The father, Peter Dolivo, has been fired a couple of weeks ago and his brother, Michael Dolivo, who lives with them had a alcohol problem several years ago."

What?! One, Julia knows I had enough money even without my job. Two, what alcohol problem?! I turned around to see my big brother who had a guilty expression on his face.

I tried to keep calm, but it was awfully hard. The possibility of losing my little girl became more and more real.

We had a short recess before the verdict. We walked outside and I immediately turned to my brother. "What the hell is that lawyer talking about! It better be some bad made-up story!" I yelled.

"I'm sorry Peter, but I really had an alcohol problem. After Lily's death and that of our parents I had a hard time getting through my days." Michael said in a low voice.

"Why did you not tell me. You know I would always help you. Just like when you start up your own company and you lend money of us. You know you can tell me everything."

"I was embarrassed, I felt like I failed at being a big brother. But not only that I felt like I failed at life. I'm so sorry Peter. I did not know how they find out about this." He said in a low voice.

"First of all, you did not ever fail at being a big brother. Also, everybody has it's downs in life, look at me. Lastly, that was a low move of them. It is not your fault that they found out about that personal fact of your life." After I said that I hugged him. We were never really huggers, but right now we both needed this form of affection.

We were called back in the courtroom as the judge had made his verdict.

We all stood up as the judge was giving his statement. "After hearing both sides I concluded that the evidence from Mr. Dolivo's side relied often on speculation or was too indirect to use for my judgement. The arguments giving my Mrs. Dolivo's side was clear and direct. So hereby I hand over the guardianship of Lexi Dolivo to Mrs. Dolivo as the environment of the father's side, in my opinion, is too unstable to create a safe space for a toddler to grow up in."

My world crumbled down. Now I had officially lost everything that was dear to me. Three months ago, I was part of a happy family. Now, I was all alone.

After the judge left the room, I ran to my little girl. She was playing with Mushu as I picked her up and hugged her tightly. I buried my nose into her hair to remember her scent. Slowly tears escaped my eyes. I did not want to let go of my daughter. She was mine. She was my princess, my little girl.

I heard the lawyer of Julia talking to my own lawyer, telling him I should hand over Lexi. I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was Michael. "You have to hand her over Peter." I shook my head. I could not let go of her.

"Yes, you have to, and I know you can because it will only be temporary. We are going to fight this Peter. Mark my words." My big brother tried to console me. He gently pried Lexi of me and gave her to Julia.

"Daddy?" Lexi asked, as she made grabby hands to me. I could not respond to her as I was afraid of breaking down.

"You are going to live with mommy now, darling." Julia said to my little girl and with that they made their way to the exit. Not sparing me a glance.

"Daddy! Daddy!" I heard Lexi protest against Julia. I had to turn away; I could not see how she taken away from me.

"Daddy!" I heard in the distance and then she was really gone. 

A/N: please, please, please do not hate me. (story is not done yet)

Thanks for reading and stay safe!