Bailey's Comet

Ch. 12 - Cross My Heart

The house was coming together nicely, and truthfully, Toni was having a lot of fun decorating. She and Sweet Pea had decided to paint the living room and kitchen, as well. And then Toni was thinking about landscaping projects. She didn't want to get too ahead of herself, though. The last thing she needed was to get all of the supplies and not do anything with them. Plus, she had never planted anything herself and didn't even know when to plant or what to plant.

She realized that her thoughts were spiraling as she caught herself biting her nails instead of doing paperwork, when there was a knock on her office door. "Betty, hey," she smiled at the woman in the doorway. "What can I do for you?"

Betty sat down in one of the empty chairs across from Toni and sighed. "Well, I have two things," she said, holding up two fingers. "One is good news, and the other is not so good news. I'm not sure I would classify it as bad, though."

Toni had just come back from taking a few days off to move and paint. Figures she'd come back to some bad news. "Okay," she nods and swallows the lump in her throat. "What is it?"

The blonde woman stares at her for a moment before she nods. "I'll start with the somewhat bad news, first." She takes a moment to compose herself before saying, "So... we'll have to find a new social worker for Britta. Whatever relationship you have with Cheryl is the reasoning. It's a conflict of interest."

Toni nods slowly. She knew this would happen eventually. Against her better judgment, she hadn't said or done anything sooner. She cared for Britta, and she's sure that no matter what happened between herself and Cheryl, she would still be in Britta's life. "I understand," Toni said when she realized it had probably been awhile since anything was said between them, judging by the look on her boss's face. "Professionally, I should have said or done something sooner."

In response, Betty gives her a small, almost sad smile. "In the meantime, you can help me look for a good fit. I imagine it'll probably have to be someone from a surrounding town."

"I'd love to help," Toni said. She wanted to find the perfect fit for Britta. "What's the good news?"

At the question, Betty immediately perked up and gave her a large smile. "The Doiley's have a court date in three weeks, where the judge will give them their sentencing. I understand that this will be hard for Britta and the other kids, as far as testifying goes, but I talked the judge into letting both the Doiley's lawyer and Britta's lawyer interview her privately, under my supervision. She won't have to see the Doiley's at all. Cheryl and Britta will be in later so I can do a practice run and get Britta prepared."

Toni's eyebrows rose in surprise at the information she was just given. They must have a really amazing, understanding judge here in Riverdale, because that would never fly in Los Angeles, unless there was a really awful circumstance. Finally, Toni smiled back at the woman across from her. "That's wonderful news, Betty. I can't wait to see them be put away for what they've done."

"Same," Betty smiled and stood from her chair. "Also..." she produced a large manila envelope, that Toni hadn't even realized she had been holding. "You got this in the mail. I'm hoping it's something good," she winked as she handed Toni the envelope and left the office.

Toni looked down at the envelope. It was thick, and in the corner the sender's address read State of New York. Truthfully, it could be anything, but she was hopeful. She carefully opened the envelope, and pulled out the bundles of paperwork. A smile spread across her face as she read The State of New York hereby approves of the Standby Guardianship of Britannia Beach by Cheryl Blossom.

It was official.

There was still work to do, if Cheryl decided to adopt Britta, but Toni would help her along the way, if that's what she decided to do. She quickly found her cell phone to give the redhead a call and tell her the good news. Her thumbs halted their movement, when she saw a text from her ex-husband.