That Would Be Enough

11

A/N: More steaminess in this chapter, at the end.

The day of the custody hearing finally came, and Kate was a bundle of nerves. She dressed in a business suit with a skirt and pulled her dark brown hair up in a tasteful twist. As she finished off her make-up in the mirror, she looked at herself for several long moments. Did she look like a capable mother? Like someone who loved her daughter more than anything in the world? Would a judge look at her and decide to take away some of her custody so a low-life like her father could be in Madeline's life?

As she was doubting herself, Lin walked in and stood behind her, putting his hands on her hips. He knew she was terrified of what would happen today. He couldn't imagine raising Madeline single-handedly for four years then all of a sudden have someone swoop in, wanting to share custody. It must be tearing her up inside. He planted a kiss on her cheek.

"You're gonna be fine," he told her, making eye contact with her in the mirror. "Whatever happens, you're still Maddie's mom and she adores you."

Kate let out a breath. That wasn't enough. She couldn't imagine waking up in the morning and Madeline not being there. Instead, being across town with Jason. It made her feel sick.

"Just because he contributed the sperm, he's probably going to get at least some visitation rights," she complained. "Never mind he's been MIA for two years."

"But Maddie wouldn't exist without him," Lin pointed out. Kate sighed and turned around to face him. He put his hands on her hips and stepped in a little closer.

"Take some deep breaths," he told her. "You're gonna do great."

Kate tried to take his advice, but it was so hard. She couldn't keep calm when her daughter's welfare was in jeopardy. Jason knew nothing about how to raise a four-year-old. He thought good parenting meant catering to her every whim. McDonald's for dinner every day and staying up late. Maddie was such a good kid and she didn't want him to screw her up.

Lin leaned forward and captured her lips in a sweet kiss, jogging her mind away from her worries temporarily. She closed her eyes and gently kissed him back. She was so lucky to have him in her life.

"Call me as soon as it's over," he told her. "And I'll come over tonight."

She nodded and he gave her hip a supportive pat. The hearing was in the afternoon, so she had all morning at work to worry. The hours passed a snail's pace. She could barely eat anything for lunch, but forced herself to swallow down a little something.

Finally, it was time to head to the courthouse. Like she'd heard, there was a lot of waiting around. The case was supposed to start at 1:00, but it wasn't until 1:45 they were called in. Jason was there, dressed up in a suit, looking responsible with his lawyer. She took a seat at her own table with her lawyer. The judge walked in and we all stood, then sat down. As she took a seat, she realized her hands were trembling. She sat on them.

"We are here today to rule on the custody agreement of the minor child Madeline Elizabeth Groves," the judge announced. Kate hated that Madeline had his last name, but we'd been together at the time. Semantics. She didn't belong to him.

"Mr. Jason Groves is petitioning for joint custody," he said, looking through his paperwork. "And Kate Hamilton would like to retain full custody."

Jason's lawyer was allowed to speak first. They went through all the usual mumbo-jumbo about the fact he was Madeline's biological father and that he had every right to see his child. He was gainfully employed and had a suitable residence. No criminal record.