Dreamer

Chapter Fifteen

Tia's POV

I scoff, "Are you seriously so low that you have to threaten a seventeen year old girl to get what you want?" I ask in disbelief. "Ms. Ryan, in this field that isn't low. It's average." Darus said, and I let out a dark chuckle. "Where I'm from not only is it low, it's a sign of cowardice, and a lack of drive to work for what you want." I inform them. "Oh, and calling me by that name will not get you anywhere with me. If you wish to earn my respect, try getting on my good side. Without my respect I will never comply with your wishes unless it's for the good of Shawn." I inform the two men in front of me. "She isn't wrong, Sir." Andrew spoke up, keeping his head hung low. Darus raises his voice, slamming his fist on the table. "I don't care if she's right! That girl will not destroy Shawn's image!" With that, Shawn did what I never expected. He got angry. "Tia is not ruining my image! That girl has actually helped my image! If not for her I would be out of a job! If you were to do anything that hurts her not only is she out of the picture, but so am I!" He screamed, and my jaw drops, along with everyone else's in the room, except Chandler. He stands, red in the face. "I am sick and tired of this! Tia is my girlfriend, not yours, Shawn! She isn't going to be there at your every beck and call! Tia, if you aren't going to actually be there for me like an actual girlfriend, then we can't be together! I followed you to Washington with my daughter! I stuck with you through that tweet with Andrew!" Chandler yelled, and now it was my turn to lose it. "Chandler, I have been there for you too! I have stuck with you through that trial! I may end up with your daughter! You may have carried babies around on set for years, but you didn't know the first thing about how to actually care for them until I came around! I taught you how to care for her! Me! I am helping you raise her! You would've lost her a long time ago if not for me!" I yelled at him, now red in the face as tears brimmed my eyes. I lowered my now quivering voice. "I am not, nor have I ever been, Shawn's girlfriend. Does he love me? Yes. I love Shawn, but not in a romantic way. I love Shawn as a friend. He was there for me when I was robbed. He was there for me when I got robbed. He was there for me when my parents emancipated me. He was there for me when I blacked out from an anxiety attack. So, excuse me if I want to repay him for what all he has done for me." I spat at Chandler. I had my hands firmly in place on the table. I waited for someone to say something, anybody, anything. "Shawn, you know where to find me, Chandler, I'll be by sometime to get my things. If I don't see you then I'll see you in court. I'll leave my key on the table." I snap, grabbing my purse and leaving the four men alone in the conference room. I rushed out to Shawn's car, climbing in. I began to cry, taking my shoes off so I could pull my feet in the seat. I pulled my knees to my chest, sobbing. My body wracked with sobs, I let out all of my pain in those tears. I didn't know how long I was out there, but the second I saw Chandler exiting the building I cleaned my face up. Shawn came out a few minutes later, and so I pretended nothing happened. "You're welcome home, Tia. Anytime." Shawn informed me as he shut the door and started his Jeep. I nodded, looking out the window. I felt something on top of my hand, knowing it was Shawn I turned it over, letting him intertwine our fingers. I let out a breath, and we began to back out of our parking spot before leaving.

August 6th, 2018

"All rise for Judge Martin." An Officer said, and everyone in the courtroom stood. The judge walked in, and walked to his stand. "You may be seared." He said, and everyone sat down. "I'm going to keep this short and simple. I know this will not be like most cases, and I am doing this for a reason. I have several cases I need to view and go over today. I have already came to a conclusion on who should have custody of Violet Riggs. Before I proceed with my decision, does anyone have anything they would like to say?" Judge Martin asks, looking at each of us individually. "No, your honor." I state. "No, your honor." Shawn states. "No, your honor." Chandler states. It was then I saw how bloodshot his eyes were. He had been crying, and was lacking sleep. "No, your honor." Brianna stated. The judge nodded, clearing his throat. "After reviewing all evidence, and I have considered age in this before anyone interjects, I am giving partial custody of Violet Riggs to Tia LaFoy, and partial custody to Shawn Mendes. Chandler Riggs and Brianna Maphis have visitation rights. Brianna Maphis must have supervised visitations due to the abandonment of Violet Riggs. Chandler Riggs is required to provide child support of $600 a month, and Brianna Maphis is required to provide child support of $400 a month." Judge Martin said, and picked up his gavel. "Court is adjourned." With that, everyone stands up and murmurs erupt through the court. I begin to gather my things, sighing as I tuck my hair behind my ear. I was now, legally, responsible for an eight month old baby. So was Shawn. We were going to raise a baby together. As this thought entered my mind it was immediately gone. My left cheek began to sting, and I was on the ground. Brianna was screaming at me. "That is my baby! That is Chandler's baby! Not yours! Not Shawn's! You don't deserve her!" Shawn helped me to my feet, and I glared at Brianna. I kept my composure as she was drug out. "Brianna, it wasn't up to me as to who Violet went. I love Violet as if she were my own, but I have her. I can assure you that Violet is in good hands." I assured her, despite the fact she hit me. Shawn had his arm around my waist, checking my face. The same social worker that had questioned us came out of the same door that Judge Martin did. She was carrying Violet. "My little girl!" Chandler cried, rushing over to the social worker. Shawn had to chase after me, seeing as I was trying to get to the baby before he did. He couldn't touch her, not without my permission. I carefully shoved past him, taking Violet from the social worker, whom quickly left. "Tia, please..." Chandler begged, and I looked at Shawn. We just starred at each other for a few minutes. We kind of new what the other was thinking. "I'll be over soon. You can watch her while Shawn and I get her things." I tell him, and Violet began to cry and reach for Chandler. I glanced over at Shawn, and he nodded. I slowly handed Violet to Shawn. "You have five minutes. Then Shawn and I will meet you at your place." I state, and Shawn grabs my hand. I pull it away, slightly frustrated with him. "Oh, I see the two of you are together." Chandler gulps, tears in his eyes. He was holding his baby girl close. He was scared. He was alone. He was wearing long sleeves, but I saw the bracelets around his wrists. I knew what he was doing. I just couldn't help him. I sighed, knowing something needed to happen. "Chandler, we need to talk. Not with Violet around, or Shawn. Just us." I state firmly, and Chandler gulps. He knew I knew. He knew that I knew the signs. Slowly, Chandler hands Violet over to Shawn. Shawn tries to kiss my cheek but I shove him away. I grabbed Chandler's sleeve, pulling him off to the side so that no one saw us. I rolled his sleeves up, pulling his bracelets off. Chandler tried to pull his arms away, cover his shame, but I refused. "Shawn and I, we aren't together. He just hasn't given up." I explained, tracing each cut lightly. Chandler didn't say anything. "I miss you, Chandler, I really do, but what you said was pretty close to unforgivable. There's only one way I can forgive you." I spoke softly, still tracing his cuts. "Please, anything..." he begged, his voice crackling after every syllable. "You have to stop cutting." I said firmly, then I slid Chandler's bracelets back on his wrists, pulling his sleeves back down before I kissed his cheek and walked away.