The Guardian

Chapter 1

Amelia

I listened, as my deceased half-brother John and his late wife Kate's lawyer informs me about the latest news in regard to my niece Lucy guardianship court case.

Mr. Clark a sixty something year old man has been the family's lawyer for a long time. He has always tried to do more than his best.

I had a feeling he will resolve the guardianship in no time. In the past he has always been efficient with all the legal matters but today he appeared to be uncomfortable.

"Miss Parker. Kate's brother lawyer has contacted me. Apparently.. He is the legal guardian and very much opposed to you having guardianship of Lucy." he said with regrets than continued "To be quiet honest even if we fight it our chances of winning are very, very small" The lawyer informed me with so much sadness in his eyes.

"How can that be?." I said surprised "I have always been around since she was born. I never meet any of Kate's relatives.  Where were they for the past four year?"

"From what I understand. Kate had a fallout with her family when she married your brother. her father was opposed to the wedding. he cut her off and pull out any financial help after john spent all of Kate's inheritance  from her mother"

She was not the only one. John used my inheritance too with promises of great financial gain. But I only saw one disaster after an other. We even lost our childhood home. Now I have to start afresh since I was issued with an eviction notice that demand I leave by the end of the week. Luckily my best friend Lisa who loves Lucy so much has offered her guest room to us until I find proper accommodations. 

It has been more than one month since John and Kate funeral and I never heard anything about Kate's family. Why John never gave me an indication that something like this might happen? he knew how much I loved Lucy and would do any thing for her.

This is so unfair. Am I supposed to just say goodbye to another member of my family? Again. 

"So. Why now?" I asked trying to keep calm.

"Her brother never agreed with what his father did. He always kept in touch with Kate and offer her all kind of help but she told him that she was happy and satisfied with her life and she wouldn't trade it for anything else. So he respected her choice and never spoke about it again but he insisted to always be part of Lucy's life." He informed

"How come I never met him and how do you know so much?" I asked astonished about all the new information I'm hearing

"Kate wrote a letter requesting it to be sent it to him in case something happen to her" he informed kindly than continued

"John and Kate's brother didn't see eye to eye so Kate use to contact him alone or with Lucy occasionally when he is in town."

"I was hoping that he will not have interest in raising Lucy. knowing his reputation with the ladies . but I was wrong he definitely does and he is very serious about it"

"Reputation with the ladies. What do you mean exactly. is he a womanizer? a pedophile? would he be dangerous for Lucy?"

He suddenly laughed over my comments.

" Amelia Parker don't you ever look at newspapers or magazine at all!!" He asked surprised

"Lately I haven't had time for much outside of work and looking after Lucy" I informed with all honesty

"Well I can guarantee he will not hurt Lucy in any way. He has been known to be a big player. Always in the arm of a new woman. but they have not been any scandal he is very careful with that" he informed