"All right, let the court resume."
Hunter took a deep breath as the judge rattled off the little bit of information they'd reviewed before the three day recess. Today was the day of truth. He was going to find out whether or not he was a father. Breathe, Hunter. It'll be all right.
Amanda took a deep breath as well, on the other side of the room. It'll be okay, Amanda. You're going to win this court case. Matt will be pleased.
Bethany closed her eyes and tried to forget where she was. Breathe, Beth. He might not be the father. Maybe he's not the father...But what if he is?
"Dr. Cornell, please present the evidence." Bethany, Amanda, and Hunter all watched with a bubble of air held in their mouths as the doctor pulled his manila folder out of his briefcase and smoothed out the papers on the podium.
"Well, we took the paternity test as instructed. If you'll give me just a moment to find the proof sheet..." he scrounged around in his folder, finally found the paper, and then raised it with an "Ah-ha!" expression. "Here it is."
He put his glasses on, reading the sheet with the paper only a few inches from his face.
Come on, Doc. Am I the father? Hunter thought.
Come on, Doc. Say it! Amanda pleaded.
Oh, please please please...don't be the father. Please don't be the father. Beth squeezed her eyes shut and prayed fervently.
"It has been established through the paternity test that Mr. Hunter Hayes is, in fact, the father of Ms. Amanda Felton's child."
The massive audience of photographers and reporters exploded into clicks and flashes and loudly-whispered sentences into their little hand-held recorders. Hunter pressed his fingers to his eyes and let go of his breath. I'm the father. Oh, Beth, I'm so sorry.
Amanda sighed in relief. It's going to be all right. Hunter is the father and it'll be okay.
A tear rolled down Bethany's cheek, and she didn't wipe it away, hoping that nobody had noticed. That's it. There can be no doubt anymore.
"Thank you," Judge Clarkson said, clearly indicating that he was done with the doctor. He held out his hand for Dr. Cornell to place the manila folder in, and the doctor returned to his seat behind Amanda's bench.
"I'd like to call forward Derek Uggs. Is he present today?"
The room erupted again, the name Derek Uggs circling the room with confusion and excitement and curiosity. As a man, clad in dark cargo pants and a non-descript blue collared shirt, approached the witness' stand and placed his hand in the air to give his pledge of "the truth and nothing but the truth", Bethany and Hunter immediately recognized him. Even through the haze of her blurred vision, Bethany couldn't forget his dark, hairy face, the scowl that seemed ever-present, and the hardness in his doll-like eyes. Hunter glared at him. You ruined me! My life was PERFECT! Now look what you've done to it!
Amanda's defense attorney, Mr. Bailey, rose to ask some questions.
"Mr. Uggs," he started, gesturing with his hand. "How long have you worked as a photographer for People magazine?"
"Six years." His response was gruff, and his expression told of boredom and irritation.
"And, in that time, how many front page stories have you taken pictures for?"
"One."
Attorney Bailey nodded. "And that was...?"
"The story about Hayes."
Bethany held her breath. Where was he going with this? What does this have to do with anything?
Attorney Bailey nodded again. "Judge Clarkson, I would like to say that this man is only guilty of doing his job. Respectfully, I'd like to ask why he has been called in to witness."
Judge Clarkson looked like he was going to roll his eyes again. "There have been allegations and speculation that Ms. Felton hired Mr. Uggs to take the photographs."
Attorney Bailey looked aghast, and Amanda smiled. Wow. He's good.
"That is preposterous! Mr. Uggs, do you now or have you ever had any association, in your work or personal life, with Ms. Amanda Felton?"
"Nope."
"I am done asking questions, Your Honor." Attorney Bailey took his seat again, a smug look on his face.
"Attorney Dean, do you have any questions for the witness?" Judge Clarkson asked, looking over his glasses at Hunter's side of the room. I sure have some questions for him! Hunter thought, clenching his fist under the table. What did I ever do to you?!
"Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Uggs," Attorney Dean started. "Please explain to the court your association with the article in People magazine."
Derek Uggs rolled his eyes. "I work for the magazine, and I went to the awards to get some pictures. I got bored, so I followed the kid to his hotel. Then I went to the after party and I saw him with the blonde girl, so I followed them again." Derek shrugged. "Look, I have a press release. I can't be arrested for this. He signed it," he said, stabbing his finger in Hunter's direction again.
Judge Clarkson held out his hand to take the crumpled paper Derek pulled from one of the many pockets on his pants. He read it over and said, "When did Mr. Hayes sign this?"
"In the hallway before I took pictures of him with the brown-haired one."
Bethany's anger was rising. How could he do this? These are people's lives you're ruining here!
"Mr. Hayes, is this your signature?" Hunter got up and went over to check the bottom line. It was, indeed, his signature. He vaguely recalled Mr. Uggs asking for an autograph in the hallway. Had this been his plan all along?
"It is," he confirmed, taking his seat again.
"Were you, at the time of signing, aware of the information and stipulations contained within the document?"
Hunter shook his head. "No, Your Honor. I just thought he wanted my autograph."
Judge Clarkson nodded. "The contract is not legally binding as no real agreement was made between either party. Mr. Hayes, if you wish to sue Mr. Uggs, that may be done in a separate court case following the conclusion of this one. Now, Mr. Uggs, is there any more pertinent information you'd like to share with the court?"
Derek shrugged his shoulders and picked at his fingernails, completely unfazed by this turn of events. "Nope."
"All right, you may step down. Ms. Felton, please take the stand."
Amanda was sweating. Her hands were shaking, and her entire body was quivering. So many things could go wrong. They were playing a dangerous game. Her hormones were at a record high, and as she stood to cross the room, the heels she was wearing seemed to grow to impossibly high stilts. The world turned and her stomach lurched and the ground seemed a lot closer than it had before...
A loud thud echoed through the packed room as Amanda hit the floor.
HA! Bet you guys thought he was gonna spill the beans. :P
Derek Uggs. UGHHH. xD Haha. Anybody ever seen The Swan Princess? We used to watch it all the time as kids, and every time I hear the name Derek my brain goes, "Derek...you and I were meant to be! FAR LONGER THAN FOREVER!!!"
Anyway. You guys are fantabulous for continuing to read. :3 How am I doing with the court stuff? Does is seem like I know what I'm talking about? I promise I don't. xD But I'm trying to make it at least SEEM legitimate. xD haha.
Love you guys <3
God Bless and Happy Reading!
YOU ARE READING
Secret Love (Hunter Hayes Fanfiction)
Romance"I'm falling for someone who isn't falling for me." "I know exactly how you feel," he answered, leaning down and hugging her tightly. "Do you?" She hugged him back, willing him to know just how much she cared for him. He chuckled. "Yeah, I do." H...
