Teen Dad

Nineteen

Two weeks, three trials, and I am nowhere close to keeping my daughter. David's attorney was good, I'll give him that. While he hadn't given a lot of reasons on why David is good enough to get custody of Anna, he had given plenty on why I shouldn't, and think the judge agrees.

"That is all for today, I still have three more trials to do before lunch," the judge said, fixing some papers that were sitting in front of him. "Our next, and final meeting will be next Tuesday at five o'clock."

My eyes widened slightly when I heard the date. Next Tuesday? But that's...

"Your honor," a voice said from the audience behind us. Everyone looked back to Abigail standing in the center aisle.

"What is it miss?" the judge asked.

"Next Tuesday is our graduation," Abby said, pointing at herself and me, "Michael can't miss it."

The judge looked from her to me, and I nodded. "I see." He took a look at something on his desk, a calendar I assume, before sighing and looking back at me. "I'm sorry Mr. Little, but next Tuesday is the only opening I have for a month, which leaves you with only two options. You can either come to court and fight for your daughter, or-"

"Or what, your honor?" 

He sighed again, giving a quick glance towards David before looking back at me again, "Or you can attend your graduation, but then David automatically gains full custody over Annabelle."

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"This isn't fair," Abby exclaimed, slouching in her seat next to me. "Why does it have to be next Tuesday? Why can't he schedule it for next month, or change the dates with someone else?"

"Abigail, sit up straight," Mrs. Fisher said, causing Abby to sit up. She handed me a cup of coffee, a bright smile on her face. "Here you go, Michael."

I took the drink and smiled. "Thank you, ma'am," I said, watching as she took a seat next to her husband. All of us, plus my mother, were sitting at the Fisher's house, Abby and I on the loveseat, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher on the sofa, and my mother on the recliner across from me. Anna was with her biological mother, staying at her place until we got everything taken care of. 

"I don't know why he did what he did, but the judge has made his decision. The trial will be on Tuesday," my mother chimed in.

"But it's not fair to Michael," Abby stated once again.

"Life isn't fair sweetie," her mother said.

Mr. Fisher took a chug from the substance in his glass before setting it down on the coffee table and began speaking. "Well, it's obvious what he's going to do."

"Oh really, and what's that?" my mother asked, taking a sip from her own cup.

"He's going to attend his graduation"

"What?!" everyone asked, almost yelling. My mother almost choked on her drink she was so appalled. 

She set her cup down before sending daggers at Mr. Fisher, "I can't believe you think my son will choose his graduation over his daughter."

Mr. Fisher put his hands up in defense, "I'm not saying anything against your son; all I'm saying is that maybe David should get a chance. If something separated me from my daughter, I would do anything in my power to get her back. I mean, I get that this guy has done stuff in the past, but that's just it, the past. Maybe he wants a second chance."

"Yes, but if he gets Annabelle, Michael may never see her again," Mrs. Fisher said. 

"But maybe not. If he just takes to David-"

"That's too big of a risk," Abigail interrupted. 

"Well if he just talks to him-"

"What is your problem?" my mother interrupted this time. "Why are you so against my son? Why can't you let him be happy? First, you try to separate him and Abigail, and now you want him to give up his daughter. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Ms. Little, I-"

"Johnson," my mother said through gritted teeth.

"Ms. Johnson, I have nothing against your son. Okay, I admit, at first I was a little skeptical, but now I trust him."

"Then why-"

"Would you all just shut the hell up!" I shouted, getting up from my seat. Everyone looked at me, shock and terror in their eyes. "This trial is giving me enough stress, I don't need you guys to be fighting over something so fucking stupid!" Everyone stayed silent. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair, tugging at it  bit, "I need some fresh air."

Once I was outside, I leaned on the railing, taking in deep breaths of fresh air. A cool breeze surrounded my body, sending shivers down my spine and goosebumps up and down my arms.

"Michael," Abby's voice asked. "Are you okay?"

I looked at her and saw the concern in her eyes, "Oh, hey Abby." I looked back forward and sighed for the third or fourth time, "Yeah, I'm fine." 

I felt a pair of arms wrap around my torso and a head rest on my back, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I said, grabbing her hand and rubbing my thumb over the back of it. "I'm sorry about what happened in there. It's just, I'm tired of everyone trying to make decisions for me. I'm 20 now, I'm a dad, and I've been taking care of myself for almost six years now. I don't need them stressing me out more than I am." 

"Hey, it's okay. I get that you are stressed, but everything is going to be okay." We stood there silent for a minute before Abby continued to speak. "What are you going to do?" I looked at her and gave her a questioning look. "Michael, if you don't attend graduation, you don't graduate."

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*3rd Person P.O.V.*

Tuesday rolled around fast. Everyone was gathered in the courtroom, waiting to see if Michael would show up. His mother sat in the front row, nerves filling her as she watched the door, waiting for her son to show up. Anna was also sitting next to her, clutching at her arm as she waited for her father to walk into the room to take her home.

With every passing minute, a smirk grew on David's face as he also watched the door. After about five minutes, he finally turned to the judge and spoke, "Your honor, it seems that Michael isn't going to show up. Which mean that I-"

The judge held his hand up, "Give him a couple more minutes." 

So they waited, but Michael still never walked through the courtroom doors. 

"Your honor," David's attorney said, "It has been almost ten minutes, and Mr. Little still hasn't shown up. This obviously means he went to his graduation and isn't going to show u-"

"I'm here," a voice said. Everyone looked back and saw Michael walk in, and immediately Anna's eyes began to sparkle with happiness. "Sorry I'm late, traffic was a bitch."

"That's quite alright Mr. Little. I'm glad to see you chose to come here instead of your graduation, but can I ask you one question?" Michael gave the judge a look which told him to continue. "Why?"

"I've been held back two years in order to take care of my daughter," Michael paused, looking back at Anna and smiling, "What's one more."

The judge also smiled, before fixing himself in his chair and spoke, "Then let's end this shall we."

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A/N ~ I am so pissed at wattpad right now...