Closed doors...

Fight until you fall

Tw:mention of self harm,abuse and other sensitive topics

James's pov
I go home from Emily's house and I put Brooklyn down for a nap, I sit on the sofa watching tv for a while until I see headlights shining outside my house, i walk to my door to see what's going on and amanda gets out of her car with tears running down her face and she looks at me with a "can I talk to you" sort of look as she walks over

I open my arms and she speeds up and hugs me and she starts to sob into my shoulder "what's going on?"i ask "I need to tell you something bad but you can't say anything"amanda says as I let her in "what is it?"I ask expecting her to say she hurt riley "riley came to my office yesterday morning and told me she wants custody of Brooklyn and the only reason she came to me was because she knows that legally I wouldn't be allowed to tell you,james I'm sorry I really wanted to tell you!"amanda says

"What!"I say looking at her "I'm sorry"amanda says "I'm not mad at you but I don't know what to do about it"i say "I talked to someone who I work with and he's more then happy to be your lawyer and he is willing to do it for free so I basically have everything sorted for you because I knew you would get stressed about working out all the stuff"amanda says "amanda breathe"i say

"I can't figure out who hurt Riley,it's the only case I've struggled with and it's stressing me out"amanda says "we will figure it out but are you staying the night?"i ask "if you want me to?"amanda says "go borrow some of my clothes"i say "where's Noah?"amanda asks from my room "at ems but he should be coming over soon"i say "and he won't mind me wearing your clothes?"amanda asks "no"i say

Amanda comes out wearing one of my old shirts and my pj bottoms but Brooklyn starts crying "I got her"Amanda says walking back to my room, amanda walks back out holding Brooklyn "are you cool to look after her while I have a shower?"i ask "go for it"amanda says and i walk to the bathroom and i turn on the shower

After my shower I get changed and i walk out of the bathroom to find amanda cleaning while Brooklyn is strapped to her "having fun there?"i ask "I'm sorry I just couldn't help myself"amanda says "it's okay you actually saved me a job thank you"i say as I walk over "hi baby"i say as I lift Brooklyn out of the carrier "you know I didn't realise how uncommon it is to be a single dad until the other day"i say "explain"amanda says

"Well I was at the shop with Brooklyn grabbing some formula and nappies when I noticed some stuff and other customers giving me weird looks and then I realised they assumed I was some sort of child predator"i say and Amanda's neck snaps towards me "I'll kill them!"amanda says "it's fine but it is frustrating because there's no changing tables in male bathrooms"i say "I know it's not the best solution but if your ever shopping I'm happy to come with you and then take her into the female bathrooms and change her"amanda says "thanks"i say and she grabs her bag and pulls out a folder

"I should have figured it out by now"Amanda says "the thing with Riley?"i ask "yes!"amanda says as she opens the case folder but Noah knocks on the door so I walk to the towards but when he spots amanda he brushes past me and kneels down to her "what's up?"noah asks "I can't figure it out!"amanda says "I'm not legally allowed to help am I?"noah asks "no and I'm already risking my job"Amanda says "calm" noah cuts me off with the "shut up" look on his face

"I say we go back to Riley's house and finish the job someone else started"noah says as he walks to the kitchen "no"amanda says "did you just say no to hurting riley?"i ask "I would love to but if would look suspicious if Riley died while noah and richelle are main suspects in the case"amanda says, Noah hands amanda a coffee "are you sure that's a good idea?"i ask

"Yes"Noah says as I walk to the kitchen,noah follows me "so do I get a hug at all?"i ask "you get more then a hug"noah says as he kisses me "even better"i say softly but there's a knock on the door,i go to answer it "let me"Amanda says before she opens the door but it's Emily,richelle,jacquie and michelle and amanda sighs