The Christmas Elf (Jenlisa)

Chapter 12

Jennie frowned after realizing Lisa had left, then turned back to Chaeyoung.

"How did you-"

Chaeyoung patted her arm. "This is what my firm does, Ms. Kim. I'll help you from here on out. I don't think we'll be in court more than once or twice more, and I'm pretty confident we'll get you that money too."

"But I mean, how did you just show up and have all that ready? How did you know about Jongin's DUI's? And how did you have that big pile of papers ready for the child support request?"

"Ms. Lisa Manoban has been working on this for the last couple of weeks, staying in the office after work almost every night, writing briefs, doing research. What I told the judge was no lie, she does better trial prep work as a three-L than most of the lawyers at our organization. She wouldn't tell me what she was working on, but then she brought the whole pile to me last night and called in all the favors I owed her for all the times she has saved my behind with last minute research. She asked if I'd come this morning and represent you, which I was happy to do. We spent most of the evening last night reviewing your case together. This is what we do, after all."

Jennie looked to the empty seat where Lisa had been. "Did she really tell you she wants to be Ella's mom?" Not for the first time, she felt shame at how she'd cut off communication with Lisa ever since she'd been served with the custody lawsuit.

"You're almost all she talks about when her personal life comes up, you and Ella. You guys are lucky to have each other." She looked to the back of the courtroom. "Where'd she go, anyway?"

"I guess she had things to do," Jennie whispered.

"Well, here's my card. Give me a call in the next week or two and let's set up a meeting for us to go over what we need to do for your next hearing. And seriously, don't worry too much. They're not going to take Ella away from you. We've already won that today. They might appeal, but it won't go anywhere. The next big thing is to get you that child support, okay?"

"Okay...I just, I-I can't thank you enough, Chaeng."

"Thank Lisa. She's the one who did all this." She pointed at the stack of papers she'd been shoveling back into her briefcase. "I swear to God, I've never seen so much prep work done for one case. She wrote up four other counterclaims for possible arguments they might raise." She stood up. "It was nice to meet you Jennie. I'm sorry, but I have to run. I have another hearing upstairs."

"Nice to meet you too," Jennie said, as Chaeyoung left. She continued to sit at the table, stunned.

She looked over and saw Jongin still slouched in his chair, looking at her.

Jennie looked away, then gathered her things. As she stood, Jongin did as well.

"Hey, Jennie," he said.

"Jongin," she replied frostily, and started to walk out.

"Hey, wait up!" he called after her. "Listen, I'm not going to let mom fight you on the child support stuff. I, uh...I think I should apologize for this whole shit-show. It was all mom's doing. And this custody thing is over. I'll see to it."

Jennie stopped walking and turned, disbelief on her face. "Really?"

"You're a better mom than I could ever be a dad. I know that from how awesome Ella is. I know I'm a fuck-up." He shoved his hands in his pockets.