Helena Walton's POV

"Adam we need to talk," I said holding his gaze. If I was going to stop exercising and follow a healthy diet, I couldn't hide it anymore.

"Are you okay?" a frown appeared on his beautiful face "Oh right you went to see the DR." He stood up and took my hand in his helping me up as well. "Don't scare me, Lena, what's going on?"

I smiled a little, loving how caring he was and how worried he got when it came to me or anyone else he loves. I glanced at Emily and my mother and saw them on the porch playing and laughing together. Taking in a deep sigh and releasing it before looking back at Adam, I turned around putting up a brave face. I led the way to the wooden chairs in the garden and sat down on one. Adam followed suit and sat across from me. He was quiet but I knew there were a million questions going on in his mind.

"I can't get pregnant" I blurted out not really knowing where to start.

"What? What do you mean? Is that why you went to see the doctor? But I told you not to stress about it, we'll have a baby when we do."

His tone wasn't reproaching, it was clear he was sad I went to the clinic without him and kept him in the dark. I played with my fingers not able to meet his gaze.

"Lena why didn't you tell me? I always felt there was something wrong with you, but you kept telling me you were okay. Deep down I didn't believe you but I didn't want to pressure you... I thought you'd tell me when you were ready."

"And I am now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I mean, you've been through so much, I didn't want to add to it."

"Look Lena, whether you can get pregnant or not, that won't change the fact that I'm madly in love with you! I'll only be sad because you won't have children of your own and I know how much you love kids. But we have Emily, and you've been nothing but a great mother to her, even better than her own real mom. You love her like your flesh and blood, and she's so attached to you I'm sure if Amanda comes back she won't go with her."

At this point I had tears rolling down my cheeks; I looked back to where Emily was and smiled faintly. Everything he said was true; I loved her like my own and wouldn't change a thing about it. I didn't mind putting my career on hold for her, and I would give her the world if I could.

"Lena, you are what I need in my life. You are my one and only. I don't want you to stress about this, I want you to know that I'll always be by your side."

"I know Adam, I know you will. It will take time, but I'll be able to have kids one day. And when I do" I pointed to the house "I'll fill up this house with so many little monster kids that'll you'll run away from us" we both burst in laughter and Adam pulled me to him securing me close to his heart with his strong arms.

We sat like that for a while, with me on his lap and my head on his chest. We were silent and I could hear his heartbeat in my ear. If I could I would stop time and remain like that forever. This is my happy place.

I told him everything Doctor Harley said, and assured him there wasn't anything wrong with me except for my weight. We decided to both change our lifestyle and make sure I get to the right weight together. Adam even decided to set a working timetable, he'll do his best to be home by five in the afternoon and spend the rest of the evening with us.

I was about to get up from his lap and go check on Emily but Adam stopped me. I paused and looked into his eyes realizing he had something he needed to say.

"Amanda called" he simply stated and looked away.

"So? She calls every day in the hopes Emily would speak to her."

"She wanted to speak to me this time..." he ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes for a moment before facing me again.

I stood up and sat on the chair facing him, bringing it closer to him before taking both his hands in mine encouraging him to speak up.

"She said she's coming home next week and..." He let out a heavy sigh and I could see he was fighting the emotions he was feeling. "She wants to take Emily from us." He finally said shocking me.

"What the hell! After everything she put the poor little girl through, she has the audacity of asking to take her back? Is she crazy? Emily won't even speak to her!"

"Shhh calm down Lena, I don't want Emily to hear."

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her to come and try, she can't take her. I'm her dad, she can't take her away from me."

"Look I have no idea how this custody process works, but a friend of mine got custody of her son because he was still little and needed his mother... what if they give her Emily? You have to talk to her Adam, you have to talk her out of this!"

I was panicking and started pacing back and forth. I didn't want her to take Emily for so many reasons. I bit my lower lip thinking of how Emily will take this. She'll probably go mad. I shook my head as I wasn't going to let Amanda ruin Emily's life again. I couldn't allow this, and I also couldn't imagine living without Emily. More tears ran down my cheeks and I could feel myself going into a panic attack when I was pulled out by Adam's laugh. I frowned and looked at him skeptically. Was it all a joke?

"Come here" he pulled me back to my seat and took my hands in his kissing them softly "No one is taking our daughter from us. I've already called my attorney, and he explained a few things about custody in New York."

Apparently, getting the judge to give us custody for Emily was quiet easy. A New York court can make orders about a child's custody as long as he's under the age of eighteen. The court usually gives custody based on what is best for the child, Adam explained to me that it was called 'the best interest of the child'. At first I was confused, thinking they would give Amanda full custody since she was her mother and she raised her on her own for years without having Adam know about her existence. Therefore, Adam also explained to me how easy it would be for him to win custody due to things Amanda did in the past.

"We will use the fact Emily was abused by a stranger, who is probably a drug dealer. We don't have proof so they will have to call Emily to the stand and ask her what really happened that day. Emily will tell them about the 'white flour' and the jury will understand what she means by that."

"But that means we will have to put Emily through all of this... I'm not really okay with it Adam."

"I know, I'm not either but we have no choice. I'd rather put her through it than let Amanda take her away. The attorney also said we can point out that Amanda neglected her when she brought her to your parent's house and left. She disappeared after that... we have a strong case, you don't worry. And to top it all, Emily wouldn't want to go with her, the judge will certainly give us custody."

"You're right... but I still think you should talk to Amanda. Explain to her how easy it will be to take custody, show her she doesn't have a chance and make her change her mind. I just don't want our little girl to go to court and be called on the stand."

The next few days were filled with tension in the house. Adam worked from home not wanting to leave our side, knowing Amanda had a crazy side to her, he was afraid she might come over and kidnap her own daughter. When we told my parents about the situation we were having, my dad sided with Adam, knowing we would win the case and my mom sided with me. Just like me she was thinking about how Emily would feel and how it might affect her later. It's been five days since Amanda called Adam, and there was no sign from her after the call. Not even a simple text nothing at all. Adam called her last night but she ignored him, so he texted her asking to meet. She ignored the text as well.

Saying Adam was on edge was an understatement, and I completely understood why and supported him no matter what he said or how he snapped at me sometimes.

We were having breakfast in the kitchen just the three of us and Emily was still oblivious to everything. We didn't want to worry her, she seemed happy that Amanda wasn't calling her anymore. We heard the bell ring and Emily ran to get the door before any of us could stop her. She was so fast we didn't get there in time, we only heard her scream making us fear the worst.

"Daddy!!!" she called running back to us and hiding behind me. We saw Amanda follow her inside.

"Good morning" she said seeming hurt. I mean who wouldn't be hurt if they got this reaction from their kid?

"Amanda. You came." Was all Adam said before standing between Amanda and us.

"I told you I was coming to take my girl, you didn't believe me well I'm here." She said crossing her arms.

"I'm not going with you! Noooo!!" Emily ran upstairs to her room and I squeezed Adam's shoulder before following her.

I found her hiding in the closet and she wouldn't come out as long as she could hear Amanda's voice. I sat down next to her in the closet and tried to calm her and take her mind off of it. But it was a bit hard as their voices were really loud.

"I told you! You cannot take my daughter away from me! Look at you! Look at your eyes, are you still on drugs Amanda?"

"I was never on drugs you idiot! Give me my daughter and let us be!"

"She doesn't want to go with you! Just get the hell out of here before I call the police!"

"Call them! I'm her mother! I'll tell them you kidnapped her!"

I heard Adam's laugh roar in the whole house and then there was no more shouting and no more yelling. I left Emily's side and opened the door wanting to know what was going on. I went further down the stairs and saw her sitting down hugging her knees and silently crying while Adam was watching her.

"It's up to you" He said softly "As I told you, the court will look into the man you were with, they'll make you take drug tests randomly to make sure you're clean. They'll also put you behind bars if they know you were dealing. I'm tired of all the yelling and fighting Amanda. Just think about it, you won't get her anyway. So do you want to fight for her and get behind bars or do you want us to fix this between us?"

"You won't let me see her" she said between sobs and my heart broke into million pieces.

Adam sighed and crouched in front of her "I will let you see her. But you won't be left alone with her. And you have to understand that it wasn't easy on her, she'll need time to accept you again. And I also have one condition."

"Of course you do."

"You'll go to rehab. You can't be around her while you are under the influence of drugs. I'm sorry."

Amanda nodded and wiped her tears away standing up "There's something I need to tell you about... Ash"

"The man who abused you and Emily?"

She nodded and wiped away the new tears falling down "He is Helena's uncle. Asher Collins."