Stepfather ( A Split/Glass AU Short Story )

Chapter 3

Dennis was getting changed for the court trial and was having problems with his tie, he was too nervous to do it up properly since his hands were shaking so much.

Molly comes in and she's wearing a cute little sundress with tiny daisy's on it and some flats, she walks up to him, reaching up to help him with his tie.

Dennis stared at her, feeling himself calm down at her touch,

"I did this a few times for my fathe.....Mr. Starling in the past" she almost chokes at on the words.

"You look beautiful" Dennis sighed. "Thank you.." she smiles.

"I'm scared Molly" he whispered.

She laughs sadly "How do you think I feel, I could end up in a home or sent far away to a boarding school"

"I could lose you forever"

"I could be adopted out to some horrible people and get abused again until I was 18 and then I'd be kicked out on the streets" she cries.

"I won't let that happen" he told her kissing her deeply.

"Please be my strong protector, I need you to be.. I need you daddy" she cries against his chest.

"I will, as long as you are with me" he sighed holding her close to him

They leave for the court hearing and when they get there they take their seats, and on the other side of them is Barbara looking all smug.

Dennis tried to ignore her as they waited for the judge to enter the room.

"All rise, Judge Stapleton has entered the court" a cop calls out.

They all rise as Judge Stapleton walks in and takes his seat, as soon as everyone is seated he speaks. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury we are here today to discuss the custody of Miss Molly Starling" he announced "Both legal guardians will put forward their case and then the final verdict will be discussed, now let us begin, will Mrs. Barbara Starling please come forward"

She smiles and gets up from her seat and goes to her seat behind the bench.

"Can you in your own words describe the series of events leading up to this moment" the judge told her.

"Yes I can your Honor, Well I had gotten married to that man Dennis Crumb about a year ago, well everything seemed fine until a week ago when I found out their was something strange going on between him and my daughter, now my Molly here has been known to try to be very close to her biological father before he left and that's one of the reasons we got divorced, that and him leaving for another woman out in California. Molly has mental issues that I have taken her to many doctors for. Dennis took it upon himself to take her away from me" Barbara fake cries.

"And how would you describe your husband and your relationship?"

"It was wonderful until all this happen.. now he's changed so much all because of Molly's behavior" Barbara tells him.

"How would you describe your husband before the incident?"

"Very kind and loving towards me" Barbara takes a tissue and dabs her eyes.

"And how has he changed prior to what has happened?" the judge asks.

"Distant and cold and mostly wanting to pay attention to Molly" she tells him.

"And why should you get custody of Miss Starling?"

"Because I don't think she is safe with her stepfather due to their relationship being the way it is now" she tells him.