This Is Amelia Trying- A Tayvis Story

Chapter 20

The next morning, the atmosphere in the house was heavy with a sense of purpose. Taylor and Travis knew that today was critical; they had to find the right legal counsel to protect Amelia. After a quiet breakfast, they sent Amelia to spend the day with a trusted friend, someone who could keep her distracted and happy while they handled the serious business ahead.

As soon as Amelia was safely out of the house, Taylor and Travis sat down at the kitchen table, armed with a list of potential lawyers. They had spent the previous night researching and had narrowed it down to a few who seemed experienced and compassionate, qualities they felt were crucial for handling such a delicate situation.

"Are you ready?" Travis asked, looking at Taylor as she dialed the number of the first lawyer on their list.

Taylor nodded, taking a deep breath before pressing the call button. "We have to be. This is too important."

The first few calls were a mix of disappointments and hopeful possibilities. Some lawyers were unavailable, others didn't specialize in cases like Amelia's, but after a few tries, they found someone who seemed like a perfect fit. Her name was Emily Cartwright, a seasoned family law attorney with a reputation for being both tough in the courtroom and empathetic with her clients.

Emily was able to fit them in for a consultation that afternoon, so Taylor and Travis quickly made arrangements to meet her at her office. As they drove through the city, a sense of determination settled over them. They were nervous, but they knew they were doing the right thing.

When they arrived at the law office, they were greeted by a warm, professional atmosphere. The receptionist led them to a comfortable meeting room where Emily soon joined them. She was in her early 40s, with kind eyes and a calm demeanor that immediately put them at ease.

"Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice," Taylor said as they shook hands.

"It's no problem at all," Emily replied, gesturing for them to sit down. "I understand this is a difficult situation, and I'm here to help in any way I can. Why don't you start by telling me a bit about what's going on?"

Travis took the lead, carefully explaining Amelia's situation—her history with her father, the recent confrontation, and their concerns for her safety and well-being. Taylor chimed in occasionally, providing additional details and expressing their fears about Joe's intentions.

Emily listened intently, taking notes and asking a few clarifying questions. When they were finished, she leaned back in her chair, considering everything they had told her.

"First and foremost," Emily began, "I want to assure you both that you're doing the right thing by seeking legal advice. Family law can be complex, especially when it involves custody issues and allegations of abuse. But the law is designed to protect children like Amelia, and there are several steps we can take to ensure her safety."

Taylor and Travis exchanged a relieved glance, grateful for her reassuring words.

"The first thing we need to do," Emily continued, "is to assess the current custody arrangement. If there's any indication that Amelia's safety is at risk, we can petition the court for a modification of custody or even an emergency protective order. We'll need to gather as much evidence as possible—documentation of the abuse, any communications between you and Joe, and statements from Amelia if she's comfortable sharing."

Taylor nodded, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety. "Amelia has been through so much already. We don't want to put her through more trauma, but we also know we need to protect her."

"That's completely understandable," Emily said gently. "We can take this at a pace that's comfortable for her. The most important thing is that she feels safe and supported. We can involve her in the process as much or as little as she's ready for."

Travis leaned forward, his expression serious. "What about Joe? He's already been aggressive about taking her back. How do we handle that?"

Emily's gaze hardened slightly. "If Joe is making threats or trying to coerce Amelia into doing something she doesn't want to do, that's something we can address legally. The courts take the well-being of children very seriously. If necessary, we can request supervised visitation or even suspend his visitation rights until the situation is resolved."

Taylor felt a surge of relief, but also a pang of guilt. "It feels awful to think about keeping her from her father, but..."

"You're not doing anything wrong," Emily interrupted gently. "You're prioritizing Amelia's safety and well-being, which is exactly what you should be doing. The courts will understand that."

After discussing the legal process further and going over the next steps, Taylor and Travis left Emily's office feeling a mix of emotions—relief, apprehension, and determination. They knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but they were more confident than ever that they were taking the right steps to protect Amelia.

On the drive home, they talked quietly about the meeting, making plans for how to break the news to Amelia. They agreed to be honest with her, to explain that they were doing this to keep her safe, and to make sure she knew that she had a voice in what happened next.

As they pulled into the driveway, Taylor reached over and took Travis's hand. "We're going to get through this," she said, her voice filled with quiet strength.

Travis squeezed her hand in return. "Together," he agreed.

And with that, they walked into the house, ready to face whatever came next.