Begin Again {Sequel to Sleepless Nights}

Chapter One

"Are you okay?" Joey asked, putting a hand on my shoulder, shaking me from my deep trance of thought.
"Yeah I'm okay."
"Anna, darling, there's nothing to worry about. You're a wonderful mother to Jackson, you have plenty of people to vouch for you."
"That's not my concern."
"Then what is?"
"This is going to be a bloodbath. People are already taking sides."
"Well, just know I'm on yours." He said, placing a quick kiss on my temple and reassuring me once more that everything was going to be okay. I couldn't shake the feeling from my stomach, I felt sick, like at any moment, I would have to run to the trash can and throw up. Jackson was squealing as Joey played with him, he would squeal as Joey would move his hands and shout peekaboo.
"I don't think I can do this." I whispered to myself, placing a hand on my queasy stomach. Joey looked up, taking notice of how uneasy I was.
"Do you want me to go with you today? I'm sure Jackson will be good sitting with me."
"I don't know. It's been so long since I've seen Mark. I don't know how I'm going to react."
"Well, he's tried to get up with you, don't think I haven't noticed." He said, winking at me.
"I know."
"What are you worried about?"
"How I'm going to react."
"It's okay. You can do this."
"It's only the first day."
"And there's more to come. Now go get 'em tiger." He said, placing my car keys in my hand. I pulled down the skirt clutching onto my hips and flattened the wrinkles in the coat over my blouse.
"Babe, you look fine. Go, before I lock you out."
"You wouldn't dare." I said, looking at him through the mirror.
"Try me sweetheart." He said sarcastically, standing up from his place on the carpet and wrapping his arms around my waist.
"What if he wins?"
"You gotta believe in yourself. I promise, that no matter what happens, it's going to be okay." I nodded, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. "Now, go." He said, playfully pushing me towards the front door.
"Are you sure you'll be okay with Jackson?"
"I got this. We're going to have a blast while you're gone." He said, looking back to Jackson, who was trying to eat his lion.
"I'll call you when I get out."
"Okay." He snickered, kissing my cheek.
           
My legs felt as if they would give out at any moment as I walked up the concrete steps of the courthouse, my phone started ringing from inside my purse. I cursed to myself as I searched through the huge bag. I was so distracted by looking in my bag that I turned a corner and ran straight into someone.
"I'm so sorry. I'm just really nervous and I'm in a hurry and I haven't had my morning cup of coffee."
"You always loved coffee in the morning." His soft voice said as he picked up some documents.
"Mark." I breathed out, my heart falling into my stomach.
"I always told you that bag was too big." He said, not wanting to keep eye contact with me for too long. "How's Jackson?"
"He's trying to walk." 
"I haven't seen him in awhile. You haven't been answering my calls."
"There's a lot going on. I just started my residency at work so—"
"Congratulations. I knew you'd be a fantastic Doctor. Have you thought about what field you want to go in, or are you still sticking with Pediatrics?"
"I don't know anymore actually. Joey and I are really I interested in Neurology."
"How is Joey? Haven't seen him much lately, although I understand because of the circum—"
"He's fine." I said harshly, crossing my arms.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. It's just I haven't seen you in awhile and I've tried to think of what to say to you and now I've made you mad." He said as he picked up the contents that spilled out of my purse. His fingers clutched the yellow folder, I squeezed my eyes shut as he sorted through the papers, running his fingers along the thick bold lettering of the word Divorce.
"I'll see you inside." He mumbled as he handed me the folder and my purse. He tugged at his tie nervously as he opened the door and entered another part of the court house. I didn't immediately pull myself off the ground just yet. Instead, I stayed kneeled on the hard marble flooring, thinking about what just happened. I pushed my now brown hair from in front of my eyes and stood up, taking a deep breath as I walked towards the elevator. My shaky hand pressed the button and I watched the numbers change from each floor to the lobby. The doors opened and I was face to face with Dee.
"God dammit." I said under my breath as I awkwardly walked in the elevator.
"Well, I was going to go to the car to fetch my purse, but I just can't pass this opportunity to chat with you." She said as her fingers clicked the number 3.
"How convenient is it for me to travel to California to visit my stepson only to find out he has to go to court for custody over my grandson?" I couldn't respond, my heart felt as if it was stone,  tears wanting to escape my eyes the longer I let her words sink into me. "I just don't understand how this has even happened. Marky never told me why you two were taking a break, but as I can see now, you're filing for divorce." She said, eyeing the folder sticking out from my purse. "Darling, we're not going to leave this elevator until I have the answers I want." I sighed, squeezing my eyes shut.
"He cheated on me."
"What makes you assume he cheated on you? From what I've heard, you're living with another man."
"With all due respect, that's none of your concern."
"It is when my grandson is there." Agitation burned through my entire body, Mark and I may not be together anymore, but that doesn't mean I'm going to disrespect one of the most important people in his life.
"I've been friends with this other man for a very long time. He helps me with Jackson."
"Are you seeing this man?"
"Can we not talk about my personal life right now?"
"Sure, sure. Just because you and Marky are having issues, it doesn't mean I still don't care for you sweetie."
I awkwardly nodded and the doors opened, relief washing over my body.
"I guess I'll see you inside." We walked into the court room and I was shocked to see Matthias and Bryan in the crowd of unfamiliar faces. I once again, pulled nervously at the skirt I was wearing.
"Case number seventy four, Mark Fischbach and Anna Fischbach, here for the custody of their one year old son, I understand that this will also include the signing of the divorce papers?" The judge asked, looking over her thick glasses.
"Yes ma'am." I said, giving her a small smile.
"Let's begin." My lawyer asked for Mark to take the stand.
"Do you swear the evidence you give will be shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"
"I do." He said as he sat down in the hot seat. My lawyer grabbed his suitcase, pulling out a document and laying it on the table.
"So Mark, you're a big YouTuber yes?"
"Yes sir."
"And with the fame, brings things such as conventions, meeting fans, traveling etcetera."
"That's correct."
"How would that with a one year old?"
Mark shifted uncomfortably in the chair, he looked over to me and the look in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.  "Let me rephrase that, would you take your son with you?"
"Of course not. I would let him stay with someone."
"Who?"
"He could stay with Anna while I'm gone."
"It says here that you're not physically capable to consume alcohol. Care to explain?"
"Yes sir. There's something wrong with my heart that will not allow my body to break it down."
"It also says here, you've been hospitalized over this."
"Yes sir."
"I also see you have history of violence. Care to elaborate?"
"Objection, your Honor. This has nothing to do with the child." Mark's lawyer spit.
"I'll allow it." The judge said softly, causing the woman to sigh.
"No ones perfect sir."
"I agree. As from these witness reports to the police, you broke a man's nose, almost caused him to lose vision in his right eye, and broke a couple ribs. That's not your normal fight."
Mark didn't respond, instead he sunk down into the chair.
"No sir."
"When did you cheat on Anna?"
"Objection, your Honor, the question assumes facts not in evidence."
"Move on."
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, I felt the hot breath of Matthias hit my neck.
"Hey, it's okay. You look like a stiff board. Keep your head up girl." He patted my shoulder and I sighed, placing my hand against my chest.
"Are you seeing anyone Mark?"
"No sir."
"Do you plan on seeing someone?"
"No sir."
My lawyer nodded.
"So if you were to get full custody of Jackson, it would just be you?"
"Yes sir."
"That's all I have your honor."
"We will come back tomorrow to hear witnesses and Anna will be questioned. Court dismissed." She hammered her gavel and I stood up, ready to immediately hit the ground.
"Who do you think Mark's  witnesses are?"
"I don't know."
"Who are yours?" Matthias asked.
"Felix, Joey, Vanessa, and Shane."
Matthias nodded and placed his hand on my back, following me outside.
"Anna! Wait up!" I heard Mark's voice boom down the halls. I turned on my heels and he sighed.
"Can we please talk about this? We never talk anymore."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"That's a lie and you know it."
I sighed and told Matthias not to wait up for me.
"I'll see you at Joey's."
I nodded and waved as he walked out the doors.
"Anna come have a cup of coffee with me, we can talk." I sighed and tried not to get lost in his brown eyes, which were filled with sadness and something else, hope maybe?
"Mark, please."
"Anna come on. You know this is long overdue. It's just a cup of coffee."
"Fine."