Always

19.

Spencer James

*one week and three days later*

"We are here today to give our attention on Angel and ultimately what is going to be best for her. So Destiny, from your perspective, what were the problems that induced you to want full custody of your niece, Angel?" the mediator inquired.

"Spencer is simply not a good father and he cannot be trusted" Destiny answered.

"Again, what were the problems that induced you to want full custody of your niece?" the mediator repeated.

"I'm afraid he would hurt Angel if she's with him" Destiny answered and Spencer's eyes widened.

"Hurt her?" the mediator raised an eyebrow. "In what way?" she inquired.

"He just...he has a history of violence. I know my sister would not want her daughter to be caught up in it" she explained and the mediator glanced at Spencer.

"Spencer would you like to say something?" the mediator inquired.

"I have no record of physical violence and I would not jeopardize my daughter's livelihood. Anyone could vouch for me, Chyna would if she was still here. This is clearly an attack on my character" Spencer said and Destiny glared at him. "I would not have Angel with me if I posed as a threat to her livelihood. She's safe with me and I provide her the stability she needs" he explained.

"You and Chyna were transporting Angel as if she were some delivery box from Amazon. What stability are you talking about?" Destiny laughed.

"Your sister and I had an agreement set in stone before she passed" Spencer answered. "We both agreed on keeping her for three days and our Sundays we would spend together as one family. Sure we weren't in one household but we both did what we felt would be necessary for our daughter. Angel came first in a lot of our decision making. But you wouldn't know any of this because you were only around the first three months of her life" he continued and Destiny rolled her eyes.

"And where were you during the first three months of her life? I don't recall you being there" Destiny mentioned and Spencer lightly chuckled.

"Your sister and I were broken up when she got pregnant. She did not tell me about the pregnancy and she did not tell me about Angel until three months after she was born" Spencer answered. "I'm not understandin' what you're trying to argue here" he shook his head at her.

"There's a reason she kept her pregnancy from you" Destiny shrugged her shoulders.

"And she's no longer here to explain herself so now what?" Spencer said.

"We are getting off topic" the mediator mentioned. "Is there any chance on coming to some form of agreement regarding the custody of Angel?" she inquired.

"Hell no" Destiny shook her head 'no'. "Angel needs to be with me at all times" she conceded.

"Spencer?" the mediator glanced at him. "What are your thoughts?" she questioned.

"I would not mind Destiny being involved in Angel's life, despite her attempting to discredit my fatherhood" Spencer answered. "Ultimately...she is Angel's aunt and I believe Angel deserves to have both sides of her family in her life. It wouldn't be fair of me to make that choice in not having Destiny involved" he explained and the mediator listened.

"I have to disagree" Destiny said. "There was a reason Chyna did not want him involved to begin with...she needs to be in a better environment" she continued.

"Angel is loved by many...the environment she's in right now is fine. But I am willing to make an arrangement if you allow" Spencer conceded. Destiny just stared at Spencer, shaking her head 'no'.