Blended Family

Lin

I felt physically sick as we walked back into the courtroom. This judge had the power to disrupt our lives. He had the power to take my daughter away from me. I felt like I was in a trance as we walked back up to the tables and shakily sat down. Joey wouldn't let go of my hand.

My lawyer said a few words to me, but I couldn't tell you what they were. The judge walked in and we were instructed to rise. Once he was seated we gratefully sat down again. I wasn't sure my legs could hold me.

"Thank you for your patience and your time today," the judge told us. "I have reviewed all the information carefully and have come to a difficult decision. It is my decision to grant to petition of Clarita Hernandez..."

The judge went on but I didn't hear any of it. I heard Joey let out a scream and I just collapsed, putting my head in my hands. I heard the gavel slam and Joey sobbing next to me. Pippa had since walked around and was holding Joey as she cried. My lawyer said something to me about appealing and he patted my back.

I didn't think I could move, but one of the bailiffs told us we needed to exit so the next case could start. Pippa took my arm and we slowly walked out. I caught glance of Clarita and she was smiling, thanking her lawyer. I couldn't believe she'd done this to us. She looked over at me and I'm sure the scowl on my face showed my pure hatred for her at that moment. She was taking my daughter away from me.

How could the judge do this? She was a teenager and she'd strongly stated that she wanted to stay. She'd lived here since she was born. Pippa led us out to the street as Joey continued to bawl. She hailed us a cab so we could go home.

Joey sat next to me in the cab and I just held her, her head buried against my chest.

"Daddy, do I have to go?" she asked through her tears.

"I'm afraid so, sweetheart," I gently stroked at her hair.

"I hate her," she spat out. I didn't argue with her. I kind of hated her right now too.

When we got home it was mid-afternoon and my parents still had the little kids. Elliott was still at school, so we had some time together to process what had happened. I sat on couch and Joey laid with her head in my lap, numb. Pippa made us both some tea and let us be. We barely moved the whole afternoon.

Joey must have texted Elliott because when he got home he was in a rage. He couldn't believe this was happening to them. Truthfully, he irked me a bit with how upset he was. I was her father. He'd been in Joey's life for a few months. He couldn't be feeling the same loss as I was.
I let them have their moments, though, standing up to rinse out my mug. They disappeared to Joey's room, leaving the door open as we asked. Pippa joined me in the kitchen, wrapping her arms around my middle. We just held each other for a couple minutes.

"I'm so sorry," she told me quietly. I didn't have any words to respond.

When my parents brought the kids back later there were more hugs and I'm sorrys but nothing was going to help. I'd never been away from Joey more than a couple days. I honestly didn't know how I was going to handle it.

The little kids seemed to sense something was wrong so they were somewhat quiet and subdued. They went to bed without a hitch. Pippa and I were relaxing on the couch, cuddling, when there was a knock at the door. We met eyes, sensing who it probably was. Reluctantly, I walked to the door and opened it. Clarita.

"I have nothing to say to you and neither does Joey," I told her, crossing my arms.

"Lin-"

"What you've done is unforgivable," I told her tersely. Pippa came up beside me, rubbing her hand around my upper back.