Braxton stood before Paisley, ready to offer up his soul if that was what it took to make amends. There was anguish in her eyes and the tears waiting to spill over. “I’m sorry, butterfly. I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
Paisley raised her hand to him, stopping him in his tracks. “Don’t; you don’t get to call me butterfly or apologize for your cruel words and expect me to forgive you instantly. Whether you meant to say it or not, the heart speaks what it feels.”
Paisley turned her back on Braxton and walked to the window. She wiped a single tear from her face as it fell and focused on the people moving about on the street below. “I know I’m not your wife. At least not in the way a wife should be and that’s alright; neither of us feels that way about one another.”
She paused, seemingly at war with herself, perhaps trying to find the right words.
“But, I am entitled to respect. I’m sure not being able to get ahold of me worried you, but you should already know that I’d never let anything happen to Emmy.” She turned to face Braxton. “I think you should go before either one of us says anything further that we can’t ever take back.”
Braxton nodded in acknowledgment before he lowered his head and strolled out of her office.
Things had been tense in the Michaels home over the last three weeks. She’d been sure the final two home visits would reveal to the social worker that they weren’t truly husband and wife. Yet they passed their last visit with flying colors.
It seemed all the years Paisley had pretended she didn’t have feelings for Braxton were just the prerequisite she had needed to pull off the best acting job ever.
Today, as they sat in front of the judge, they hid their nervousness behind smiles. Paisley had decided to let her hurt go. It hadn’t been the first time Braxton had eviscerated her heart and she was sure it wouldn’t be the last. She squeezed Braxton’s arm as she leaned into him. He tugged her closer as they waited for the judge to advise the court of his decision.
Richard and Bonnie had flown into town for the hearing and arrived last night. Through this whole hearing process, they had never once asked to see their granddaughter. This was something that our attorney had pointed out several times in letters to the judge. Braxton and told Samuel he believed Bonnie was trying to hold on to daughter by having Emmy with her.
“All rise. The honorable Judge Adkins now presides,” the court clerk announced as the stout older man took a seat behind his bench.
“Before I announce my decision, I want to say a few words.” His eyes bore directly into Braxton and Paisley. “At first, I was certain that your marriage was of convenience and solely for the purpose of this court hearing. But over the last several months, I’ve read reports from child services that, frankly, have amazed me. The dedication both of you have applied to ensuring the minor in question is protected and loved is equal to that of any pair of birth parents. I’ve read the depositions from all parties and I can’t disagree that this arrangement is unorthodox. The Iveys are both natural grandparents to the minor and can provide for her financially and physically. Their home would be a safe and sound environment which the minor would be able to grow and prosper in.”
Braxton leaned over and whispered in Paisley’s ear. “He’s going to side in favor of Alissa’s parents. I can feel it.”
Paisley narrowed her eyes at him. She hoped he’d be quiet, so she could hear the judge. She would have told him so, but tears pooled in his eyes. As worried as Paisley was about the same outcome, she couldn’t let on to her fears. Brax needed her strength.
“But…” The judge annunciated and spoke louder, his voice sterner than before as he glanced at both attorneys. “I can’t help but believe that both Mr. and Mrs. Michaels can provide an environment equal to that of Mr. and Mrs. Ivey.”
“No!” Bonnie cried out. “You can’t give her custody of our baby girl.”
The judge looked directly at the now crying grandmother. “Mrs. Ivey, I will ask you to hold your comments and only speak when you are spoken to.”
Bonnie nodded at the judge. She needed to tread lightly at this point. A scowl sat on her attorney’s face. You clearly didn’t want to get on his bad side.
Judge Adkins then continued to address Braxton and Paisley, “As I was saying, even though Mrs. Michaels is not the natural mother of the minor”—he glanced toward Bonnie Ivey once again with a stern look on his face—“all reports have demonstrated that Mrs. Michaels has the best interest of the minor in mind.” The judge shifted the papers on his bench, glancing at the document before him before continuing. “The mother has shown a bond with the minor regardless that she is not the natural mother. I see no reason to assume the environment in which the minor will be raised would be detrimental to the minor’s well-being.”
The judge laid the paper to his right. “Based on this final report, the court finds in favor of Mr. and Mrs. Michaels. The minor will remain in their household. However, the court does require that reasonable visitation rights are to be provided to Mr. and Mrs. Ivey, as they are the natural grandparents.”
Braxton had been holding his breath, and with the sound of the gavel making contact with the wooden plaque he was able to breathe a sigh of relief. They had won. He didn’t need to worry if Emmersyn would be ripped
