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“That was by agreement, your honor,” Harrison said before Jackson hushed him.
“Did your client agree to those changes?” the judge asked, irritated with the back-and-forth.
The attorney dipped his head as Lola whispered frantically to him. “Well, yes, your honor.”
“I’m assuming since we’re here on this emergency motion that Mr. Cain didn’t agree with the change in schedule this time.”
Jackson stood. “That’s correct, your honor.”
“Why didn’t she turn over the child when it was requested?” Judge Abbott asked.
“I don’t have an answer for that, your honor.”
The judge waved a hand at Lola. “I’d like to hear from her, then.”
Lola stood at her attorney’s urging. “Why did you violate the court order?”
Lola waved a hand in our direction. “They’re playing the court to get my daughter.”
Harrison and I exchanged a confused look.
“Harrison and Everly aren’t in a real relationship. They’re faking everything to present the perfect united front with the court,” Lola said, her voice a little crazed.
But my heart stuttered before racing in my chest.
The judge looked perplexed as his gaze roved over us. “I don’t see what your perceptions about their relationship have to do with violating a court order.”
For the first time, I sensed the judge might be on our side.
Lola sputtered. “They’re not even engaged. I overheard them talking to their attorney. They got engaged at their attorney’s advice.”
The judge rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Again, all of that is speculation and not why we’re here this morning.”
“With all due respect, your honor, that’s the reason why she kept her daughter. If they’re lying about their relationship, what else are they lying about?”
Harrison stood. “Your honor, may I say something?”
Jackson leaned over me to say to Harrison, “What are you doing?” But Harrison ignored him.
The judge gestured for Harrison to continue.
Harrison stood tall, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “Lola’s right, in a sense.” Harrison turned to me and continued. “What started out as friendship turned into something neither of us expected. We moved in together to present a united front, a unit to care for Wren. But somewhere along the way, it turned into something more. My love for Everly is as real as this table or the bench you’re presiding on. I built her a dream office and proposed to her. Nothing was fake about that.” He turned to face the judge. “Nothing is fake about the future I see with her or how I feel about her. I love her. And my daughter, Wren, loves her.”
At some point, Harrison had stopped looking at the judge and his gaze refocused on me. “I love you, Everly, and I’d ask you again to marry me. I’ll never stop loving you or caring for you. You’re my best friend and so much more. I can’t go through this life without you.”
“Me neither,” I found myself whispering. It was as if the rest of the courtroom faded away.
“Your honor, Ms. Weigand kept the child in violation of a court order based on her perception that Harrison and Everly weren’t serious about their relationship. She caused pain not only to her daughter, who I’m sure was confused by the change in visitation, but to Harrison and Everly. She caused unnecessary emotional stress. Mr. Cain was worried she was going to take his child and he’d never see her again.”
“And understandably so. I don’t take these things lightly, Ms. Weigand. We have court orders for a reason. You came to an agreement with Mr. Cain, and if you want to change it, there are other ways to do that besides violating court orders.” And then to Jackson, he said, “Do you have a proposed order?”
“If I may, your honor, we filed a motion for modification of custody at the same time as the emergency order. Mr. Cain was preparing to ask the court for shared custody. He’s been wanting to see his daughter and has repeatedly asked for a change to the agreement, but she adamantly refuses to make any changes. Ms. Weigand allowed Mr. Cain to take Wren to and from basketball practice, and there were a few times she asked him to take Wren so she’d have one-on-one time with her baby, Duncan, but other than that, there have been no concessions. Mr. Cain doesn’t want to be an every-other-weekend dad.”
“You have a valid reason why this shouldn’t happen?” the judge asked Lola’s attorney.
He looked momentarily flustered, whispering something to Lola. She shook her head, looking defeated.
“I see no reason why he shouldn’t have shared custody. If there’s an issue, file a motion and bring it to my attention, but I’m inclined to sign Mr. Cain’s order of shared legal and physical custody. It behooves both of you to get along and work this out. You don’t want to come before me again.” This time, the judge gave Lola a stern look.
