Inner Demons

Keeping her safe

It's been almost a month since that initial therapy session where you revealed it had all come to blow with your estranged mother turning up out of the blue again and only selfishly thinking about herself like usual.

The memory of you breaking down in tears, overwhelmed and vulnerable is something that has stuck in Leah's head and makes her more determined to go ahead with the idea that she has in her mind.

It was a simple moment that had ignited a fire within the blonde that ultimately made her realise what she wanted to do - if there was any way to help you, to give you that stability and happiness that you so desperately needed, she would do it.

Looking into the extensive research into guardianship laws over the last few weeks has led her to the painful realisation that it won't be as easy as she thought it would be, the process is nothing but complicated, fraught with legal hurdles and emotional strain.

It will be a hefty fight to go through, but having seen you in the state that you were, it just leaves her even more determined to fight for it because you are worth it in her eyes.

You deserve nothing more than a sense of happiness that you want or more so, you need in your life.

Leah has been a presence in your life since you moved in with her when you signed for the club and being at the age of 16, you were a minor and that was enough of a justified reason to be deemed acceptable.

At the earlier convince that Leah could, she sought out legal advice to meet with solicitors to get the ball rolling, however there was one obstacle that stood in the way of it all.

Your mother.

Of course Leah is under no impression that dealing with the woman will be easy, but she just hopes for your own sake that the woman agrees to it.

This moment of realisation leads to now, where Leah finds herself standing on the doorstep of your old house, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and determination.

The door creaks open and Leah is met with your mother's scowl, "What do you want?" The woman scowls at her, her voice dripping with hostility.

"Well that's polite," Leah thinks to herself, forcing a polite smile even though her patience is already wearing thin, "I wondered if I could come in and have a chat with you?"

"You've got a real nerve coming here," Your mother sneers, crossing her arms defensively, "Come to gloat about turning my own daughter against me?"

The blonde's jaw tightens, "I think you'll find that you did that one on your own accord," She states, firmly, "So, can I come in and talk to you, or are we just gonna stay out here and do this?"

"You're not stepping foot in my house," The woman responds, her voice steely, "So whatever it is that you want to say then you can tell me right here."

"Okay then," Leah pauses to take a deep breath and force herself to stay calm despite the growing anger inside of her, "I want guardianship of your daughter."

Your mother's eyes narrow in suspicion, "Oh, and what's in it for me?" She asks, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Nothing at all," Leah shoots back, trying to keep her voice steady, "But don't you think your daughter's happiness is what matters here?"

"I want £5,000 for her," The woman says, her tone dismissive as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Leah stares at her, bewildered, "What?"

"You're rich," Your mother replies with a shrug of her shoulders, "You play football so I know you have money. You're not strapped for cash."

"Uh, what– Hold on a minute," Leah stammers, struggling to comprehend the absurdity of the request that your mother asked for, "I'm not going to pay you."