Amelia

Chapter 25

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Chris asks Melissa as she applies her last coat of mascara.

"Positive," the 29-year-old replies. She only glances at her boyfriend before leaving the bedroom. Chris follows closely behind her as she goes into Leah's room. Melissa walks over to her smiling daughter.

"Are you ready?" Melissa asks warmly.

"Almost, do you like it?" Leah asks, walking out of the closet. She had chosen a completely different outfit from what Melissa picked out for her earlier but Melissa actually liked this new outfit. It was a grey shirt with a rainbow on the front and jeans. It was simple but cute.

"I love it, honey." Melissa says smiling. "Let's go downstairs and get our shoes on." Melissa says grabbing her young daughter's hand. She thanked god no one was trying to take her away as well.

...

"Melissa, we don't have to do this today. We can reschedule. I'm sure they'd understand." Chris says as soon as the couple got to court.

"No, were doing this today." Melissa insists, trying to keep her temper down.

"All I'm sayi-" Melissa cut Chris off before he could continue.

"I've already lost one child. I'm not losing her too." Melissa says, and storms into the building. Just before she reaches the court area, she takes a deep breath. 'Getting upset at Chris won't help you get Amelia back.' Melissa says. She walks in and sits next to her lawyer, James Anderson. They exchange small 'hellos' before she focuses her attention on the Judge.

"Today, we are here to discuss full custody of Miss Amelia Shea Larson. Is that correct?" The judge asks.

"Yes, judge." James confirms.

"Alright, I'd like to call Kimmy Larson to the stand to speak." Melissa has to refrain herself from flipping the woman off when she walks up to the stand. After all, she was trying to take away her baby girl.

"Kimmy, why do you believe you should obtain full custody of Miss Larson?" Judge Gideon asks.

"Well judge, I've been in Amelia's life for as long as she's been alive. I believe it would be a good idea to have her live with someone who she truly knows." Kimmy explains. Melissa's blood boils within her.

"The poor girl trembles when she sees you." Melissa mumbles under her breath.

"Why do you believe Miss Benoist wouldn't be able to give Amelia the love she deserves?" James asks.

"Well Mr. Anderson, Melissa has another young child she has to tend to. She wouldn't be able to give Amelia the attention she deserves. But with me, I can give her all my attention." Kimmy explains. Melissa rolls her eyes at her barely true statement.

"Thank you Ms. Larson. I'd like Ms. Benoist to come to the stand. Chris squeezes Melissa's hand reassuringly. Melissa stands up and walks towards the stand. She sits down on the uncomfortable chair and looks out at the crowd. This meeting has conjured a descent amount of people. Although most of them happened to be Melissa's close friends.

"Ms. Benoist, why do you believe you should have full custody over Ms. Larson?" The judge asks. Melissa thinks long about the question before answering his question.

"Well, I've been in Amelia's life for about eight months. Contradicting to what Kimmy had said, I do give Amelia a lot of attention. Yes, I do have another child, but that doesn't mean I ignore her. She feels welcome in my home and she absolutely adores her sister. I feel it would be cruel to rip her away from that." Melissa explains, picking at her nails. It's a nervous habit she had become accustomed to.

"How did you first meet Amelia?" The judge asks.

"I was visiting kids in the hospital. She was in the hospital after her father abused her." Melissa responds. A shiver runs down Melissa's spine as she remembers the small, fragile girl Amelia once was.

"How would you describe your relationship with her at that time?" The judge asks.

"Amelia was very hesitant. It was almost as if she was trying to not get close to me, in fear of God knows what. She eventually did warm up to me. She still has nightmares about her father, but they've been getting better." Melissa explains.

"Thank you Ms. Benoist." The judge says. Melissa nods and walks off the stage. She walks back over to her seat and sits down.

"As you all know, there is still one more court date. After just today, I could make a decision, but that would be unfair. The next date is next week, October 30, at four PM. I hope to see you there." With that, the just hits his goblet on the pad signaling the end of the session.

"You did great." Chris tells Melissa.

"I'll know I did good when I get to take my daughter home again."