Chicago Fire FanFic (English)

Chapter 9

3 weeks later:

Today's custody hearing takes place in the family court. "You look tired." Kelly said on the way to court. «You wonder. I haven't slept all night." Caleb said. "Hey, I couldn't help it either, but we'll get through this." Kelly encouraged his son. Arriving at the courthouse, their lawyer, Mr. Miller, was already waiting for them. "Good morning Mr. Severide, Caleb." Mr. Miller greeted. "Good morning Mr. Miller. Sorry for the little delay." Kelly said. "That's not a problem, we're still quite early. So, it will go like this. We're both going to go in and negotiate this with the judges and her ex-girlfriend. Caleb, you'll be waiting in a separate room with an attendant from court. The judge will then, during the course of the hearing, talk to you alone and want to see everything from your point of view." Mr. Miller explained. Inside they met Renee and her lawyer. Renee came over to them and wanted to hug Caleb, but he pushed her back. "Do not touch me. And just so you know, no matter what's decided today, I'm staying with Dad." Caleb said. "Caleb, come here." Mr. Miller said. Caleb glared at Renee again and then walked over to his dad and lawyer. 'This is Mrs. Sanders, she'll be by your side from now on, can't be said to look after you, until the judge wants to hear you. We have to go in now." Mr. Miller explained. Caleb nodded and went into a separate room with Mrs. Sanders.

In the main room, Kelly and Renee sat across from each other. "We are gathered here today to clarify who 14-year-old Caleb Jeremy Severide will live with in the future." the judge opened the hearing. "Your Honor, my client has been caring for and raising his son for 14 years. So, it's only logical that Caleb should continue to live with his father and the rest of his family." Mr. Miller said. "Those are good arguments, but I would also like to hear the other side. Mrs. Royce, why do you want your son with you?" the judge asked. "For that very reason, he's my son, a child should live with its mother." Renee said. 'Now that's a bad joke. Your Honor, Mrs. Royce left our son alone in the apartment at the time and emigrated to Europe with her new boyfriend. If the neighbors hadn't reacted so quickly at the time, Caleb wouldn't be here today." Kelly said, trying to hold back his tears. "Is that true, Mrs. Royce? What do you have to say about that?" the judge asked. "My client will not comment on this." Renee's lawyer said. "Okay, then I'll retire now to have a little talk with Caleb." the judge said. "What!? Why is that?" Renee asked nervously. "To see his point of view." the judge said and left the room.

In the next room, Caleb was sitting at the table and drawing when there was a knock on the door. "Hello Caleb. I'm Judge Marc Adams. I'd like to have a little chat with you, is that ok with you?" the judge asked. "Yes of course." Caleb said, putting down the pencil. "I can imagine that this is not easy for you now that it is your parents." the judge said. "That I don't laugh. My 'mom' ran off to Europe 14 years ago and left me at the apartment. If the neighbors hadn't acted so quickly and called the police, I might not be alive now." Caleb said. "That's what your dad told me too. But I would like to know a little more about you. How are you living today? What kind of person is your dad?" the judge asked. "My dad is really cool. He tries to support me as much as possible in everything I do. He's a bit strict sometimes, but I still love him." Caleb said. "And how is your life today?" the judge asked. "There are 10 of us living here in Chicago. My dad got married when I was 7. I have 2 younger half-siblings; Benjamin is 5 and Lydia recently turned 1. In addition, my godparents live with us with their 3 children." Caleb continued. "Wow, you have a big family. What do they do for a living?" the judge asked. "They're firefighters. My dad is a lieutenant on the rescue truck, my stepmom and godfather are on Truck, and my godmother is an EMT." Caleb explained. "Okay, that's it then. I could picture it now. I'd like to take you with me now." the judge said. "Okay." Caleb said. "Come on then." the judge said.

In the main hall, both parties awaited the return of the judge. "So, I was able to get a very accurate picture of the situation and some valuable information." the judge said. Caleb sat down on one of the benches. "What information did you get. Kelly isn't able to take care of Caleb, he already has a new family." Renee said. "And Caleb is part of that. He's the big brother and the little ones love him." Kelly said. "Anyway, I'm better off with Dad than with you. You haven't given a damn about how I've been all these years." Caleb said. "I showed up now and besides, I need you now." Renee said. "Oh, and why is that now?" Caleb asked, crossing his arms. "Well, I'm pregnant and I thought it would be good for the baby to have a role model." Renee said. "I can't believe it. You just want me to be your babysitter so you can live your life in peace." Caleb said. "And if so. Are you absolutely sure that your dad is really your dad?" Renee asked and smirked. Suddenly the room was quiet. "Yeah, what amazes you?" Renee asked. "You can't be serious." Kelly said. "Yes, I haven't been faithful to you for a long time." Renee said. Kelly couldn't believe it all. "You're not seriously telling me that dumba...sorry, that guy could be my father?" Caleb asked, pointing to Renee's boyfriend who was sitting on the other side. Renee just shrugged. "In that case, a paternity test will be held by court order and I suggest we do it immediately." the judge said. It was all too much for Caleb. He jumped up and ran outside. "Caleb." Kelly called after him. "Then I'll interrupt the hearing for now. Take care of your son." the judge said. Kelly and Mr. Miller went outside to check on Caleb. "Hey, there you are. We've been looking for you everywhere." Kelly said when they found Caleb in the park outside the courthouse. "I'm sorry, but I just had to get out of there." Caleb said, wiping the tears off his face. "Hey, it's okay. Come here." Kelly said, sat down next to him and hugged him. "Caleb, I know this isn't easy for you." Mr. Miller said. "For me, my whole world is collapsing here. Dad might not be my dad, Mom's just here, so I can take care of her baby and I don't think anyone here cares how I'm doing either." Caleb said. 'Hey, that's not true. We care about you, and no matter what the paternity test turns out, you'll always be my son." Kelly said. "We should get back inside." Mr. Miller said. Inside, everyone sat down again and the judge continued. "Caleb, everything okay?" the judge asked and Caleb nodded. "Alright, I have the tests here. For that I need a DNA sample from both men, Caleb and you, Mrs. Royce." the judge said. After everyone had given their samples and the containers had been labeled, the judge put them in an envelope. "At this point I would end the hearing for the time being and as soon as the results are in, I will notify your lawyers and then we will meet again here for the final decision. As long Caleb stays with his father." the judge ended the hearing.