Parents

Court

It was a few weeks later and the day of court for the divorce to be finalised. It had been decided Lucy was going to try fight for 25% custody of Tam, she needed her daughter. Lucy was still staying at Angela's, she couldn't bare the emptiness. She woke up dreading the day to come, she hadn't seen Tim or Tamara since they left, Tim had been assigned different shifts so they wouldn't cross paths and Tamara just didn't bother with Lucy.

Lucy hauled herself out of bed and sat down at her dressing table. She began to apply her makeup trying to cover the apparent red eyes and blotchy face from the night before. She put on some mascara and setting spray and moved onto her outfit. She had decided on a white shirt, black trousers with a matching blazer. Just as she was buttoning her blazer the door bust open.

"AUNTIE LULU! Good morning!" Willow squealed.

"Morning willow, u alright today?"

"Yep I'm ok! Mommy told me to come and give u a hug."

"Awh that's sweet." Lucy said while hugging willow. She pulled willow onto her lap while she did her hair.

"I love u Lulu!"

"I love u too willow."

Lucy ran a brush through her pin straight hair. She straightened it the night before to save time. She stood up placing willow on her hip and made her way to the kitchen.

"Morning Ange," Lucy said.

"Morning Lu, do u feel ready for today?"

"Not really I'm dreading it."

"Luce I don't want to stress u but Tim's family are all going."

"Oh my god, I knew he'd pull something like this."

"Luce it's ok, u know what u need to say."

"Can u not come with me Ange?"

"Grey denied the day off, I'm really sorry Luce I wish I could be there"

"It's fine."

"U got this Luce, get ur daughter back."

Lucy left the house replaying Angela's encouraging words. She needed her daughter or she was going to break down.

Lucy arrived at court to see Tim stood outside with his sister and her family along with Tamara and some of his work friends. He was so pathetic doing this to try intimidate me.

Everyone went into the court and was seated, Lucy was sat the other side of the room, no one with her. She felt so isolated, she was set to speak first regarding the custody.

"I'd like to call Miss Lucy Chen up to the stand to discuss why she believes she should have 25% custody of her daughter Tamara Bradford. Tim's family all started at her waiting for her to finally speak.

"At first I accepted the agreements that Tim would have full custody of Tamara but these past few weeks have made me realise how much I miss my daughter. I don't get why I wouldn't be allowed to look after her considering the fact that I would make her meals, take her school, help with homework and also care for her. I am perfectly capable of caring for Tamara." Lucy finished.

"Thank u Miss Chen, Now Mr Bradford."

"I do not feel Lucy should have any contact with Tamara due to the fact she is unstable, her friend had to help her out of the station after we had an argument due to Lucy being so beside herself, she also has a smoking and drinking issue and also her smoking is what caused our daughter to become a drug addict and in these past weeks I have been the one to get Tamara clean and now she's doing my better. That just shows the difference between having someone toxic in your life compared to them not being there. Me and Tamara have also found that the environment we live in is a lot calmer without Lucy's presence as she suffers from anxiety and makes that very clear as she can't cope doing daily tasks so I urge the judge to not allow Lucy to have ANY contact with my daughter."

Lucy glared at Tim, how could he say all those hurtful things towards her. Just over a month ago they loved each other and couldn't imagine loosing one another.

The judge had made a decision. Everyone was on the edge of their seat as they waited to find out. It was decided Lucy wasn't allowed any contact with Tamara, she couldn't text her, send cards, talk. She wasn't allowed anywhere near her. The judge explained how Lucy's mental state was the main reason for this decision.

As Lucy was walking out of court she felt a hand on her shoulder, it was Tim's sister ,Genny, what did she want?

"Can I help u?"

"I just wanted to give u a suggestion for a therapist to sort ur mental health out."

"I don't really want ur suggestions but thanks."

"I'm glad Tim got custody u don't deserve her."

Lucy walked off and got into her car, she was fuming. How dare she say that to her.

***

It was a few hours after court and Lucy was still driving aimlessly trying to decide what she was going to do. She couldn't live with Angela for ever but couldn't bare the thought of M living alone. Lucy decided to drive the the station she didn't want to be alone any longer.

As she pulled up to the station she was greeted by Nyla waving at her. She hopped out the car.

"So how did it go?" Nyla asked as they walked into the station together.

"Awful Nyla, no contact at all.I'm never going to see my baby girl again."

"What? why?"

"Apparently I'm mentally unstable so I can't look after my kid."

"Ur joking ?"

"Nope. I'm so fed up I don't get why all of a sudden Tim hates me."

"Have u told Angela yet?"

"Nope I was coming to find her."

They both go to find Angela, they headed towards the break room. Lots of people were looking at Lucy as they knew what today was. She was trying to keep herself together but that didn't last. The second she saw Angela she broke down, luckily this time no one was staring. Angela pulled her into a hug and they sat down, Angela holding Lucy tightly while she cried into her like a child.

"Lu what happened?"

"I'm not allowed to see tam at all."

"Awh Luce, it will be alright."

"Ange it won't, I'm loosing my mind."

"I've still got 6 hours left on my shift, I can try convince grey to let me clock out early."

"No no it's fine, I'm going to head back to my apartment and sort some stuff out."

"Luce are u sure ur going to be ok?"

"Idk but it's whatever."

"Lu, don't do anything stupid."