A Saviour

Twenty Two

"So Scott, what are our chances?" Johnny asked from across his desk where he was sat beside his girlfriend. Scott was one of the best family lawyers in the country and had been recommended to Johnny by his defamation legal team, a group of people he trusted impeccably. "It's hard Mr Depp, Miss Baxter does have some form of evidence to use against Mr Campbell but as none of that is ACTUAL proof he was the perpetrator it will be all down to a judge to decide." "And we all know if it lays on one person's shoulders how bad that can turn out?" Kate said nervously. "So what's the gameplan?" Johnny asked. "We go to the first hearing, any good legal team will request he does a DNA test of course Miss Baxter could refuse this and not allow Belle to be tested but that won't work in her favour in the long run. Once DNA is proven, then an application for visitation will be applied for, he's entitled to visits to get to know the child before he can sue for custody." "And how likely is it he will be granted visitation if I show the judge my evidence?" "It's 50:50. I would say prepare for at least supervised visits as a minimum but I'll do all I can and defend you with all I have." Kate nodded "Thank you." She said in a whisper.

A month later after reluctantly agreeing to a DNA test, Kate and Johnny arrived at a local courthouse. She had initially refused Johnny's company, telling him he didn't need to be involved and get further negative exposure but he simply put a stop to her efforts by telling her loved both her and Belle and whatever they were involved in, he was too. Luckily the press hadn't caught on to what was going on so it was an easy walk into the building. The judge had requested that Belle be present to be assessed by social services, a standard protocol according to Scott. Kate held Belle close as she carried her into the courthouse, she spotted Ryan sat further down the corridor waiting with his lawyer. Kate instinctively held Belle just a tad closer to her as Scott showed the trio into a nearby waiting room. "This is Rosie she works for social services. She will be interacting and assessing Belle whilst we undertake the formalities in the courtroom." Kate nodded before Johnny interrupted "That's fine but Belle has a full time close protection officer who is not to leave her side." The young social worker nodded and introduced herself to the adults in the room before beginning to talk to Belle in a sweet voice. Finally Kate relented and placed the child on the floor who rushed off to play with some toys in the corner. "I swear I won't let her out my sight." Malcolm said to Kate, Travis nodded from beside him "and I'll be right behind you in court doll." Kate bit her lip, she felt stupid having to rely on all these men but she had no strength at all in this moment. She quickly said goodbye to Belle kissing her head before tears came, and she fled the room. Johnny followed and wrapped his arms around her "It will be ok I promise." Kate nodded not believing him when Jessie and Carl ran over. "I'm so sorry we are late! Traffic was a nightmare." She hugged her friend before the court doors opened and everyone was ushered inside.

After the formalities of the hearing had more or less wrapped up the judge was pondering a decision. Kate couldn't bare to be in the same room as Ryan, and felt his eyes on her constantly. Johnny was sat right behind her with Sean, Travis, Jessie and Carl. There was nobody on Ryan's side except him and his lawyer. As she took a deep breath she saw the judge remove his glasses. She stood, and as her legs pushed back her chair, it scraped along the floor gathering everyone's attention. "Your honour, please, I'm begging you, Belle is my life, I would do anything for her, I escaped this man only just, my daughter won't have the same chance, she's a completely innocent two year old, she doesn't know what people are capable of, he abused me, mentally, physically, he made me do things that I'm not proud of, he shamed me into thinking I was completely worthless, and that I meant nothing. He raped me, multiple times." Those in the room gasped but Kate continued pleading with tears in her eyes. "one of those occasions my daughter was conceived, she is the ONLY single good thing that ever came from meeting this man, I beg you to not let him ruin her life like he did mine." She bit her lip knowing speaking out of turn in court was frowned upon but she couldn't help it, she needed to say those things. "Miss Baxter.." the judge pinched the bridge of his nose. "They are some serious accusations, do you have evidence of the things you say?" She saw from the corner of her eye Ryan sitting up straight, "I do your honour." She said quietly pulling a folder from her handbag, "You and your counsel may approach the bench Miss Baxter." The woman smiled as her and Scott stood, she knew Scott had briefed them to keep the abuse evidence for a later date but she had to do all she can to put a stop to this as soon as possible, they approached the bench where she handed the folder over. She saw Ryan and his lawyer looking extremely uncomfortable. "Miss Baxter given the circumstances of who you're reportedly involved with, I am sure I don't need to highlight the consequences of falsely accusing somebody, so are you sure you wish to submit this to me?" "Yes your honour, I'm very much aware and I do want this to be considered when the final judgement is made." "Very well." The elder man took the folder and opened it before closing it again, he had seen a few of the photographs within it. "You're dismissed." They returned to their seats before the judge said loudly "As this will take some time to evaluate and ponder, I will make a temporary arrangement until our next hearing. Full custody remains with Miss Baxter however supervised visits will be granted to Mr Campbell twice a month for two hours." Kate gasped in shock.

"Miss Baxter your property should provide sufficient comforts for the child I'm sure?" Kate's eyes widened and her body tensed, she didn't want Ryan anywhere near her home. Scott looked at her encouraging her to reply before she heard Johnny clear his throat, she turned to look at him before the judge said again "Miss Baxter.." she slowly stood and placed her hands on the desk "Um yes, that would be suitable." "And where is home Miss Baxter?" The judge replied, this earned another throat clearing from Johnny as he looked at his girlfriend with a caring look. She nodded at him knowing what he was trying to say. "It's Sweetzer Avenue, I've recently moved in with my boyfriend." She swallowed nervously as Ryan's lawyer jumped up "Your honour, whilst I respect the court's decision, four hours a month supervised is hardly enough for my client to make up the two and half years he's missed out on and making him attend Miss Baxter's new love shack seems quite unreasonable?" "I would suggest it's a perfect meeting place, if a mother finds it suitable accommodation for her child then I see no reason as to why it wouldn't be a suitable place for Mr Campbell to get to know his daughter. You know protocol as much as I do, supervised visitation is a starting point." He banged his gravel and confirmed the next hearing date for 3 months time. "ALL RISE." The sheriff announced loudly. Once the judge left the room, Kate broke down turning her back on Ryan as Johnny lent over the small barricade separating them. "Hey hey, it's ok, it could have gone worse, don't panic, let's go get Belle?" Kate nodded wiping her face as they began to leave. "My lawyer will be in touch with potential visiting dates Katie. That's if you can drag yourself away from lover boy here long enough to ensure the welfare of our daughter." Johnny saw red and marched up to the man. "You listen here, you've got your supervised visits. But that's it, I'll welcome you into my home for Belle's sake but I wouldn't see this as a win if I were you. Everyone knows I play the long game." Johnny pointed his finger in the man's face and was ready to punch him but was pulled back by Kate and Sean. "Leave it Johnny." Kate said sweetly "Sir, please control your client's acquaintances." Colleen added smugly before leading Ryan out of court.