That turned into a Touch

Part 7

The Day of the custody hearing had arrived. I was surrounded by my whole family for support. Ria volunteered to stay home with the kids since they weren't allowed inside the court room til later on into the proceedings. The Judge appointed them a lawyer who would interview the kids and will play a big role in the judges final decision. 

Paul with his lawyer and girlfriend by his side wore a look of confidence and determination. It scared the living crap out of me. Nathaniel must have sensed my uneasiness when he suddenly swung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me against his side giving me a reassuring squeeze.

I gave him a weak smile and he planted a kiss on the top of my head.

Our Lawyer Sophia came ready to win. Stacking all her files and evidence on the desk in front of her as ammunition. I began my silent prayer for a favorable outcome. I was prepared for the worst outcome but praying for the best. They called our case number and names out. Taking a deep breath Nathaniel and I stepped forward with our Lawyer ready for whatever may come....

For hours our lawyers argued and put each case and point forward before the Judge. Paul seemed to have shelled out a lot of money for an expensive lawyer. He was good at manipulating the story, twisting it in his clients favor, but Sophia was better. She had the answer and alibi for every accusation thrown at us. Throughout the proceedings I felt so nauseated. Willing myself to keep it together, I felt like I was ready to faint. The judge called for recess just in time because I felt like I was about to throw my breakfast up everywhere. I stepped out into the open corridor gasping for breath. Nathaniel was right behind me.

"Babe are you ok?"

"Idk I just feel really sick. I think it's just the stress of today. It's got me feeling tight like a bow ready to snap.

"I know babe, do you want to stay outside? I can wait out the rest of the hearing.."

"No I need to be inside. I need to show everyone I'm capable and fit to be the mother of our kids.."

Nathaniel wore a worried frown unconvinced but I waved it off with a quick smile.

They called us back in. The kids Lawyer was present which gave me pause..I looked at Sophia questioning. She leant in to whisper to Nathaniel and I.

"Seems the lawyer has gathered all the information she needed from the kids. If she's here it means we may just get a verdict sooner than we anticipated. I can't say if it's a good thing or not that she's already done with interviewing the kids but whatever information she's gathered she has an important say in determining how the judge decides."

And with that she faced forward again to wait. Not really giving me real assurance. The nauseous feeling intensified, so did the pounding headache that suddenly showed up.

We were asked to stand as the judge made his way to his seat. Beads of sweat begun rolling down my forehead. Please Lord Please Lord...I chanted it like a constant prayer hoping God knew what I was trying to say.

When we were asked to be seated the Judge got straight to the point..It was hard to hear with the fierce pounding in my head. I saw his mouth moving but couldn't make out the words he was saying. I grabbed at my head when it became unbearable. I looked at Nathaniel who stared stoically at the judge no emotion on his face to give me any indication on what the judge was saying...Suddenly Nathaniel's eyes watered up with a face splitting grin. I watched as the Judge smiled. Paul and his girlfriend looking murderous. Everything was in slow motion. My family gathered around us crying and smiling yet I couldn't hear a sound. Nathaniel's smile dropped when he looked at me. He mouthed the word Babe, moving to me with his arms outstretched. His face drained of color as the look of pure terror crossed his face. I felt myself falling. Darkness engulfing me not knowing if I hit the floor before Nathaniel could catch me....