You are always on my mind

Chapter 94

"Okay, calm down, princess. I had an idea. Give me a few minutes, I need to make a phone call."

Monica called the probation officer asking her to come to the interrogation room, where she was with little Leah. While waiting for Karen Callaway, Monica sat next to the girl and started to explain some things to her.

"Leah, I called a friend of mine to help us here. Her name is Karen."
"Why aunt Monica? Do we need help?"
"Yes, baby. Because Karen is a friend of the judge, and she will talk to him."
"Just like me?"
"Not exactly, angel. She's gonna ask the judge for some documents and then you're going to talk to him, together with aunt Stef. What do you think about this?"
"Only me and aunt Stef?" The little girl lit up.
"Yes, dear! 🥰"
"No Mr Dixon?"
"No sweetie. I promise! But you have to tell her everything, okay?"
"Really?"
"Yes. But, I can do something for you..."
"What?"
"Would you feel safer if I asked aunt Stef to stay here with you?"
"Yes!!!!!" The little girl jumped in happiness.
"Okay. So, do we have a deal? I call aunt Stef and you tell us everything?"
"Yes! I promise!"
"Right. Good girl! I'm proud of you. 😉"
"Thank you, aunt Monica. " The little girl said satisfied.

So the social worker asked Leah to wait a little bit, that she would call Stefania. The girl nodded and started playing with a police officer who was present while Monica went to talk to the italian lawyer.

"Doctor Spampinato?"
"Sì?"
"Can you accompany me, please?"
"Of course."

Dixon was already preparing to follow the social worker, but the woman said:

"You can wait here, doctor Dixon. At this point, I just want to talk to the girl's father's lawyer. I will talk to you soon."
"Okay. "

Stefania thought it weird, but she didn't say anything. She just followed the woman inside.

When they arrived in front of the room where Leah was, Monica asked the lawyer to follow her into another room next door. The brunette did what she was asked to, and as soon as Monica closed the door, the hazel-eyed girl asked:

"What is going on? I'm confused... As far as I know, this wasn't supposed to happen like this..."
"That's correct. But we have a problem..."
"What? Is Leah okay? What is going on, please? Let me see her, I beg you!" The attorney was genuinely concerned.
"Calm down, Leah is fine. Please, sit down, we need to talk "

The italian was agitated, but she sat down as she was asked to.

"Stefania, when I started talking to Leah, I realized the immense love and trust she has on you."

The brunette smiled warmly and said:

"I love that little bambina too!"
"I can see that clearly!" Monica stated smiling.

Stefania smiled too

"Well, she told me she loves you, her aunt Dani, her dad, her mom Stef..."
"And...?
"Well, when I asked her about her mom and Mr Dixon she panicked."
"What? What do you mean?"
"She said he's a bad guy."
"Why? What is going on? Did she tell you?"
"Kind of.. "
"What do you mean, kind of?"
"Well, Leah told me that Irina and Mr Dixon had threatened her..."
"THEY WHAT? Questi figli di puttana!!! (These motherfuckers!!!) I want them in jail, NOW!" Stefania was really pissed! "What did that pieces of shit do to her? What did they say?" Stefania's italian blood was boiling.
"That's the point. She didn't tell me. She just said she can't tell me, that I don't understand. "
"Motherfuckers!!!!"
"Calm down. I need you to keep calm for Leah. Look, I don't know what is it, but my experience tells me that is something really serious. So, I have a plan."
"Tell me, please."

Monica explained everything  to Stefania and they started to put their plan into practice.

While Monica went to talk to Dixon, as if nothing had happened, Stefania went to meet Leah. As soon as she entered the room, the little girl ran into her arms.

"Aunt Stef!"
"Hey bambina! Come stai? (How are you?)
"Felice di vederti, zia Stef!" (Happy to see you, aint Stef)
"Anch'io sono molto felice, amore mio!" (I'm very happy too, my love!) "I'm so proud of you, little bug, your italian has improved!"
"Sì. I'm listening to some italian classes, aunt Stef. I wanted to surprise you..."
"And you really did it! But how are you learning italian, bambina? You're so young!"
"My Nanny help me, aunt Stef. "
"Oh my God, remind me to thank her!"
"Okay..."
"Bambina, what do you think about we going after some candies?" And then we can go after Mrs Karen?"
"I'd love to, aunt Stef. But, can we do that?"
"Yes, amore mio!"
"Okay aunt Stef. Are you going to stay with me all the time?"
"I promise that I won't leave you, little bug!"
"Okay. Can I see aunt Dani, mom Stef and dad?"
"Oh my love, not yet. But I promise you, later we'll be allowed to see all of them, allright?"
"Okay."
"Are you ok with only me, bambina?"
"Of course, aunt Stef.  I love you!"
"I love tou too, my little bug! Let's go then?" Stefania asked softly.
"Yes! 🥰"

So, the italian picked Leah up and took another exit, as agreed with Monica, towards the agreed location to meet the bailiff, stopping along the way to buy some candies for the little girl.

When Stefania arrived with Leah, Karen was already waiting for them.

"Doctor Spampinato?"
"Yes. Ms Callaway?"
"Yes 😁. And this beautiful princess  is Leah, I suppose. "

The little girl hid her face in Stefania's neck.

"Hey, bambina. It's okay.  Ms Callaway is a good person, she's gonna help us."

Karen just mouth a thank you.

"Is she, aunt Stef?"
"Of course, little bug. If she wasn't, I'd never let her talk to you!"
"Okay... hi Ms Callaway. "
"Hi Leah. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks. And you?"
"I'm fine too. Thanks for asking. Oh, do you like chocolate?"
"Yes, pretty much!" The blonde girl replied smiling, but still attached to Stefania.
"You know what? Me too!"
"Really?"
"Really! What do you think about us going to my room, I have a lot of chocolates  and toys there..."
"Only if aunt Stef can come too.. "
"Of course she can! She is our guest of honor!"
"Oh, I'm flattered!" Stefania played Karen's game.
"Right. Let's go!" Leah said lively.
"Okay,  all we have to do now is to eat some chocolate while Monica doesn't arrive. Leah, you can haver whatever you want!"
"Really?"
"Really, baby!"
"Aunt Stef, can I have some chocolates, please?"
"Sure, bambina!"
"Mom Stef won't get angry? Nor dady?"
"No, amore mio, they won't! I promise!"
"Okay..."

And while Leah ate chocolates and played absentmindly with lots of toys, Karen and Stefania talked about the case until Monica finally arrived and joined them to finally find out what Dixon had said to leah.