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“Relax,” she said in a whisper.
“I see there’s a suit for custody as well as a counter-suit for custody. I’ll start with the people who are actually here. Mr. Brian Murphy. Why do you feel you deserve custody of Lanie Murphy?” the judge asked.
“Because I’m her uncle. I’ve been taking care of her for the past year. I have a stable home, a stable income, and a family that loves her,” I said.
“Any history of drugs or alcohol in the home?”
“No, your honor,” I said.
“And who is this?” the judge asked, motioning toward Amanda.
“My fiance, your honor.”
“How long have you been in the household with Mr. Murphy and the child in question?” the judge asked.
“A few months, though it’s been more permanent the past couple of weeks,” Amanda said.
I took in her story and committed it to memory in case I was questioned about it later.
“And how long have the two of you been engaged? I see here there was paperwork filed for a marriage license last week?”
”About two weeks, your honor. We knew right away that we wanted to spend our lives together, but Brian wanted to make sure that I was the right person to be around Lanie first before we made it official,” she said.
“And how do you and Lanie get along?” the judge asked.
“Famously,” Amanda said, beaming. “I couldn’t love that little girl any more than if she were my own flesh and blood.”
Amanda was handling this like a champ. I was so incredibly proud of her, and grateful. The judge continued to throw questions at us while he shot the lone lawyer curious glances. But once the judge was done, he was not only sold on our story but so was I. We answered those questions as if we had been together for years. The stories rolled right off our tongue and the way Amanda spoke about me lit up her eyes.
No one could fake that kind of shit if they tried.
“Okay, Mr. Bergeron. Where’s your client?” the judge asked.
“My client was arrested early this morning.”
“On what grounds?” the judge asked.
“Use of methamphetamines and domestic abuse, Your Honor.”
I felt my entire body grow numb as the conversation with my private investigator slowly fell into place. His cryptic response. The fact that I would find out during the hearing. I had no idea what the hell that fool had concocted or how he managed to uncover the bullshit man Lanie’s father really was, but I owed him big time.
Not only was he getting paid, but he was also getting a big fucking bonus.
“I guess I should’ve started with you,” the judge said. “In the case of Docket Number 245612-07, Witlowe vs. Murphy, I hereby declare full custody awarded to Brian Murphy. My decision on this matter is final.”
The judge banged his gavel and tears sprang to my eyes. Amanda threw her arms around me, but I felt like I couldn’t move. It was done. The nightmare was over, and Lanie was officially mine. I felt tears running down my cheeks as Amanda kissed my neck, her words lost in my ears as I teetered on my feet.
“It’s over,” I said in a whisper.
“Yes, it is,” Amanda said.
“And to let the two of you know,” the judge said, “that marriage license expires in thirty days. If you’re not going to get married soon, be prepared to refile.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” I said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I felt a pair of warm lips against mine, and it brought me out from my stupor. I wrapped my arms around Amanda’s waist, pulled her in close and dipped her down low. She giggled at me as our tongues danced, and every single ounce of stress I’d been under for the past week lifted itself off my body. My hands buried in her, my mind losing myself in her taste as my lawyer tried to get us out of the room.
“Excuse me, you two? I’m going to need this room in a few minutes,” the judge said.
“Sorry,” I said as Amanda giggled. “We’re leaving.”
We followed my lawyer out into the waiting room as another docket number was called. We sat in a corner and he began throwing paperwork at me to sign, but I could tell there was something he wanted to say. I signed and initialed where he asked me to, then he took the paperwork from me and sat back.
“Brian.”
“Yes,” I said.
“This is a massive victory,” he said.
“I know,” I said.
“I’ve seen a lot in my time practicing law, and I have to tell you, I think you two are the real deal. I know this was originally an arrangement to benefit the custody case, but watching you two today in that court room? Only people who know how they feel can face a judge and answer that easily. As a man who’s been happily married for thirty years, take my advice and put that marriage license to use. Just my two cents,” he said as he rose.
