You are always on my mind

Chapter 98

"Great. Here we go!"

When Leah walked in hand in hand with Monica, Gaga was moved. Danielle, despite sharing her friend's emotions, just squeezed her hand and whispered:

"Calm down, this will be over soon. Just control yourself, okay?"

The singer just nodded.

Leah looked at Stefania who smiled at her. Bradley waved and the little girl said:

"Hi daddy."

And the actor replied:

"Hi my love, how are you?"
"Objection! The father has nothing to interact with the child..."
"Denied for being absolutely out of purpose! What's your problem, lawyer? She is just a child who is with a stranger entering a court. What's wrong with her saying hi to her DAD? Besides, he didn't say anything much. This is good for giving the girl some confidence!"

Dixon got silent, but was clearly upset.

When Monica arrived with the girl on the witness stand, Leah asked:

"Aunt Monica, can you stay here with me?"
"Of course, princess!"
"Can I sit on your lap?"
"Jesus, this girl is really cunning! Stop being a fool Leah and behave yourself!" Irina said completely out of patience.

Gaga got up and when she was about to say something, Danielle grabbed her arm stopping her, just saying:

"No! Think about Leah. Stefania knows exactly what she's doing. Let's not ruin everything.

The singer nodded and sat down once again. But Stefania was pissed and when she was going to say something, judge Klarkson said:

"Mrs Irina, could you please behave like a mother? She's only a child who's really scared with all this. Instead of chasing her, the right attitude would be comforting your daughter. This is what real moms do!"

The model got upset,  ut stayed quiet.

"Little girl, come here." The judge called Leah.

The child got up and before leaving towards the other woman, turned to Monica and said:

"Excuse me aunt Monica,  I'll be right back."

Everybody in that court melted, includding judge Klarkson.

When the little girl approached,  she said:

"Hi your honor. Can I help you?"

The judge couldn't help but smile large. Then the older woman signaled for the girl to come closer and said:

"Hey, little one, how are you?"
"I'm good, thanks for asking. And you, your honor?"
"Oh, me too, baby girl. Can I offer you my lap for a few minutes?" The woman asked smiling.

Leah just nodded and raising her arms went to the judge's lap.

"Let me say something, Leah, but it's a secret between us, ok?"
"Okay. " The girl replied smiling.
"You can call me aunt Kelly, if you want."
"But daddy, mom Stef  and aunt Stef tought me I should call you "your honor"... "
"Hahaha, yes, this is how people should call me, but you're special, princess. You can call me aunt Kelly if you want."
"But wouldn't that be disrespectful? Mom Stef taught me we should respect people..."
"Your mom Stef is really smart! And just like your daddy and aunt Stef,  she is right. We all should respect people, no matter who are they." The judge said addressing Dixon and Irina.
"Objection..." Dixon tried his chances, but the judge cut him.
"Are you questioning me, lawyer?" The woman said intimidating him.
"No. Not at all..."
"No...?"
"No your honor..."
"It's better this way..."
"Your honor?"
"Yes, Leah?"
"Can I give my mom Stef a hug? She's right there and seems a little said..."
"Do you think a jug could help her?"
"I lnow it will. Mom Stef always says I'm her angel and that a hug from me cures her of any harm."
"You really like your mom Stef,  don't you?"
"I love her with all my heart! Mom Stef really cares about me. She takes care of me when I feel sick, teaches me important things, such as respect for people. She plays with me and gives me lots of affection."
"Oh, so I think we should call her here so you can hug her before we start, right? What do you think?"
"I think it's a great idea."
"Ok. Let me call her then."
"Ms Germanotta,  could you please come up here?"

Stefani got up smiling  and when she got there, Leah ran towards her and throwing herself in her arms hugged her saying:

"I love you, mom! Don't be sad, please."
"I love you too, my angel. I'm not sad, don't worry!"

After that, judge Klarkson asked Leah:

"Are you ready now, little one?"
"Yes, your honor. Thank you."
"It was a pleasure, princess!"

So the hearing continued.

Then Stefania got up and went to talk to Leah.

"Leah, how are you?"
"I'm good, aunt Stef."
"Good.  Leah, tell us about how is your relationship with your dad, bambina. I mean, what do you do with him, if you like to stay with him..."
"Aunt Stef,  I love to stay woth daddy! Henis always so kind and lovely at me! He plays with me and takes carenof me. I always look forward to go to daddy's house!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes! Not only because of this, aunt Stef. I look forward to go to daddy's house because of mom stef too."
"And do you like mom Stef,  bambina?"
"Are you kidding me? I love mom Stef! She is a real mom for me! She always takes an excelent care of me, she protects me, kisses my dodols. Mom Stef never yells at me. Instead, when I do something wrong, she asks me to come up to her, puts me on her lap and talks to me, explaining me that I can't do any more wrong things..."
"Hahahaha, this is ridiculous! That's the reason why this girl is so pumpered! For Christ sake! When a child does something wrong, this pest has to be punished! Only then they will learn what is right!" Dixon said ironically, making Leah cringe.
"The nobble colleague, in addition to interrupting my interview with the kid, is also suggesting that a conversation can't solve anything and that we should punish a child? That's right?" The hazel-eyed girl asked outraged.
"Of course! These "conversations" Are bullshit. This little monster is not capable of understanding anything unless she is punished...."
"The only monster here is you!" Bradley couldn't contain himself anymore.
"Bradley, calm down, please!" Stefania warned her friend.
"Objection!..."
"Shut up, Mr Dixon! Mr Cooper, please, I ask you to contain yourself."
"Aunt Monica,  what is going on?" Leah asked a little scared.
"Nothing, baby. Everything is under control,  don't worry."
"Mr Dixon,  I must warn you I won't tolerate this kind of language in my court! Therefore, I sugest that you measure your words! As for you, Mrs Irina, I sugest you to learn how to treat your daughter with respect, take her emotions into account. Stop being selfish and think only of yourself. Ms Spampinato, please, control your client, so we can proceed.
"Sure your honor. This won't happen anymore! I apologize." Stefania said humbly.

The italian woman just looked at her friend with a disapproving look. The actor lowered  his head and then got up and said:

"I apologize, your honor."

Secretly judge Klarkson liked the man's attitude.

"Well, let's start." The judge said firmly.