The Imperishable Flame⎪✓

❨02❩

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Stepping on the cigarette I scold myself for smoking again, it's a bad habit by now. I plan on quitting as soon as this is over, but during this time it's a need for me to ensure that I don't explode in the middle of all of these meetings. All of these people are questioning me as if I'm the fucking bad guy, they act like I want to harm Tilly by taking her away from our mother. What they don't realize is that I will prevent a lot of heartbreaks for my little sister. I have to get custody of her. 

Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, my mind tries to collect itself before walking in again. The suit is itchy and I'm annoyingly tempted to take it off, change into a pair of black jeans and a black shirt, but the lawyers and social workers wouldn't appreciate me for it. They have my ass these days, I hate it. 

I'm lucky Tilly has her high school responsibilities, her friends and studies keep her away from home many hours of the day. It gives me an out to complete all of these meetings without her knowledge. She knows I'm fighting for custody because of grandpa's departure to a home, but she has no clue about our mother having a finger in on us. 

Roughly opening the door, I confidently stride into the conference room where two lawyers are seated, one of them is here to defend my case, the other is here to be a big fucking pain in my ass. Besides them, the three social workers here are actively frustrating me, they want the best for Tilly apparently, but they're wrong when they say my mother is that. None of them know shit and it's absolutely pathetic how they talk about my life as if they understand. 

"Mr. Black, we've discussed the case with Matilda's best interest at heart, she needs an adult to guide her through life. Placing her under your care will compromise her ability to grow into a woman, she has needs that a 22-year-old cannot handle nor take care of," One of the triplets from hell tells me, all of them are wearing big glasses with a bun on the top of their heads. If I didn't know any better, I would bet on them planning this beforehand. 

"Excuse me, my client has to disagree with those statements," My lawyer cuts in, he probably saw the angry expression on my face. "He is more than capable of taking care of her, he is financially stable and has an entire strategy laid out for how they will proceed during the next years. Matilda has shown no sign of failure to thrive, all of us know this since we spoke to her teachers. She is a happy girl with amazing grades, she has friends and shows interest in social events. None of the previously mentioned implies a struggle on her part, she is in a good place with Mr. Black."

I interlace my fingers on the table, leaning towards them. I'm very fortunate to have Mr. Lowell on my side, he picks up on my signals and he fights for Tilly and I. The entire system is against me and having one person on my side helps my mind, it gives me a reason to fight. Three months ago they agreed to place Tilly under my care until this case is over, she is doing so well with me, her grades are insane and she has so many friends. It's frustrating how they refuse to see this. 

"He is a kid himself!" The other lawyer suddenly yells, the loud tone of his voice incredibly unnecessary. "The boy has tattoos all over, he is struggling with the abandonment of a mother and a father, he is only 22! How in the world could he ever take care of a teenage girl?"

"Mr. Quinn, that is highly unprofessional, my client won't tolerate discrimination based on his appearance nor his past. This is the 21st century and if you find it absolutely necessary to imply that there is anything wrong with him, then make sure to have an eligible reason. Keep up these unbecoming comments, I will file a report and ensure we have another lawyer on the case," My fingers are tightly clutched as Mr. Lowell stands up for me, these comments are happening far too often. I don't have tattoos all over, but he just spotted the only one I have on my fingers. I have eight tattoos, he can only see one of them. 

"None of us condone that level of unprofessionalism," One of the triplets pipe up, looking at Mr. Quinn in disdain before her softened gaze lands on me. "Okay Elijah, you haven't had the easiest months with us, I know we have been on you for every single reason. Your mother abandoned you and she isn't capable of ensuring Matilda's safety. The other way out would be to foster Matilda, but the probability of anyone adopting someone at her age, it's unlikely. We have seen you fight for her and all your ideas and propositions have been perfect. We definitely have reason to believe she will thrive with you, but that leaves us to the consequences of you becoming the legal guardian of her."

My eyes widen by her words, it almost seems unreal that after endless meetings and hours inside this conference room, they finally see me and my intentions as they are. I'm the best solution for her. "Thank you, I'm listening."

She smiles at me, "We need to do monthly check-ins, ensuring that her grades are up there and her social life is working as it should. You have to email us every bill you pay, so we're sure none of you end up in a difficult situation financially. We will take the liberty to change our decision if your focus is on anything else than Matilda. You need to show us that you are responsible enough to keep your head and mind where it should be."

Nodding my head at her, that sounds more than fair to me. They have their protocols and I'm young to be adopting a teenager, but she is my sister. I would have fought until death for her. "That appears to be no problem for me, not at all," Saying this her features change slightly as she searches my face.

"That isn't everything," She pauses. "As her legal guardian, you need to be at your best and your mental health is crucial during these times. Therefore, we have assigned you to some meetings at a psychologist clinic where you will receive therapy, it will be an open space for you to tell your feelings and allow others to give their input. Trust us when we say you will benefit from this."

Agreeing to their conditions, Mr. Lowell reads the contract through before handing it off to me with a nod. I smile down at the paper and sign my name quickly, the last stroke of the pen feels like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I won! We fucking won!