Forbidden

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

It has been two days and Lena's hope has been running thin. She wasn't even up for going to work today. She couldn't accept the fact that Mariana wasn't going to be there waiting for her. Finally getting out of bed, hours after Stef left for work, she trudged down to the kitchen to make herself some tea.

She barely looked at Dana and Sharon, who were sitting at the table as she poured her cup and took a seat herself. "Perk up honey. Things will work themselves out". Lena gave Sharon a skeptical look before her red puffy eyes looked back to her cup. "I judge denied my request. There's no hope or point now. I can't over rule a judge. Having Mariana is practically forbidden".

"And so is your relationship with my daughter," Sharon pointed out, "But that clearly doesn't stop you two. Does it?"

"Sweetheart, let me tell you. There's nothing stronger than the bond between a mother and her child," Dana said grabbing Lena's hand as she watched the tears silently fall down her daughter's face. "Look at us. We both didn't think that we would ever see each other again. But we kept fighting. And look how far faith has brought us".

"And let me tell ya. Me and my Stephanie weren't always as close believe it or not. But we are here for each other. And there's nothing that would ever keep me away from her. Destiny has a way of working itself out honey. But you can't give up".

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"So why exactly does Rita want you and not you and Lena" Mike asked confused. They were out on patrol in the area and Stef figured that this would be a decent time to make a stop by. Rita called her the previous night asking if she could come by; saying that she had something to talk about regarding Mariana but didn't want Lena to worry or get too upset.

"Something about Mariana I guess. We saw the judge the other night to get a rushed hearing to adopt Mariana. But Hazelwood got to him before us. I swear he knows every slumbag in power. He had Mariana placed in a foster home in god knows where. And denied us any form of custody". Stef said clearing her throat to get rid of the lump that was forming.

"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?!" Mike yelled. Stef looked at him both shocked and slightly confused. She knew that he was always willing to help but she wasn't expecting this reaction. "I...I don't know. What can we do at this point anyway? We can't fight the chief of police and a judge without something ridiculous happening".

They pulled up to Rita's house and Stef hopped out of the car. "I'll just be a minute. You have to wait out here" Mike waved her off as he reached for his phone.

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" I'm assuming she went to the school looking for Lena. She look so scared and upset so she called me. She didn't have anyone else's number. I gave her yours and Lena's but you say she hasn't called".

Stef's heart was shattering. She didn't want any of this to be happening. She just wanted Mariana home and not alone. "But that's not the reason I called you here. I knew that woman who has her. I couldn't think of how at the time but it finally dawned on me. She fostered on of my other girls when she was younger. She used to keep her locked up for days and sometimes even weeks for the smallest things. I reported her before. But with private fosterization, and the power of Justina Marks I guess anything could happen".

At this Stef jumped out of her seat and ran to the door. " I have to go get her!" Rita ran after her grabbing her arm. "Stef wait! You can't just bust into her house and take Mariana. That's still technically kidnapping". "Rita I don't care! What is the address?"

"Stef..."

"GIVE ME THE ADDRESS NOW!"

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