A Month Later...

De'Shawn's POV:

Me: "Okay, now look at me." I examined his eyes while I put on his tie. He's been gradually moving away from drinking for the past month and today is the first week completely sober. I still check If he has been drinking every day, though. "Youre good. Don't be sneaking a drink either." I stood on my tippy toes to peck his lips.

D: "I wont," He caressed my cheek. "Yo ass monitor my every move, anyway." He chuckled.

Me: "Damn, right." I smiled. "You are all set. You ready?"

D: "Yeah," He sighed. "Just nervous."

Me: "Hey," I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Everything thing will go just the way way they're supposed."

D: "But, I can't lose her." He said sincerely.

Me: "I know, Baby. But even If they do take her, who said that's gonna stop us from trying again? Can't nobody keep you away from her, you hear me?" He nodded and hugged me tightly.

Just then, there was a knock at the door and I walked to go get it. As soon as Maria was in sight, she ran to give me a hug.

Maria: "Shawny!!" She shouted in joy.

Me: "Hey, Princess." I hugged her. "You look pretty in your dress."

Maria: "Thank you, Daddy bought it for me." She smiled.

Me: "Well, he for his good taste from me, you know?" I laughed.

D: "Yeah right, you da kid got style." He tightened his tie a little and brushed off his shoulders.

Me: "Whatever you say," I laughed. "Yah ready to go?" They both nodded and sat down on the couch. "Okay, lemme get my shoes." I ran to get my heels and D decided to carry Maria and I to the car. It was Maria's idea, that girl is a mess. This man is too strong If you asked me.

The car ride to the courthouse was full of memories. We all laughed and joked about good times, we even cried a little. It's nerve wrecking to think that this could possibly be our last moment like this after a few hours. D will never be the same, even If he don't give up. Hopefully that judge makes a wise choice and let D have Maria. Every little girl needs her father, I know that for a fact.

2 Hours Later...

Richard: "Your Honour, regardless of what the Defendant has said, my client has taken care of De'Maria even when he felt he shouldn't have to because she lived with her mother. My client and his wife rushed her to the hospital as soon as they realized the problem, which the defendant failed to see. The incidents happened repetitively in the home of the defendant and she claimed it didn't happen and that her own daughter was lying. My client did not only trust that his daughter didn't make this up, he immediately felt it was necessary to contact the police to have justice brought to the situation. If that's not enough to gain full custody of the child, then neither one of them should have her."

It was quiet for a moment for the Judge to soak in what was just said. I sat in the bench behind D and Richard holding Maria's hand tightly. She was nervous and so was I. Maria always find a way to lighten her mood, though. She slid off the bench and began playing in D's dreads. I found it pretty cute. He let her take the band that held them back off and she attempted to braid his dreads.

Maria: "I'm gone make you look handsome, Daddy." She giggled.

Me: "Shhh," I shushed her as I tried not to laughed myself.

D: "You just hating cause she ain't making you look handsome, ain't that right Princess?" He smiled.

Maria: "That's right!" She shouted on accident causing everyone to look at us.
"Oops." She covered her mouth. D and I chuckled and everyone else joined in.

Judge: "Well, I think the logical thing to do is to ask the child what she wants. Let's have her come to the podium, please?" He asked.

Richard: "Come on, Sweetheart," He motioned for her to follow him. She looked nervous but I think she'll do just fine.

Once Maria got on the podium, D turned his body in her direction and reached for my hand. A smile grew on my face because I love how he includes me into his feelings.

Judge: "The Defense Attorney shall ask as these questions," He announced. "What ever she answers, will be ruled."

DO: "Maria, Do you like living with your dad?"

Maria: "Yeah," She smiled.

DO: "Do you like living with your mom?"

Maria: "I used to, but not anymore." She said sadly.

DO: "May I ask why?" He asked concerned.

Maria: "Because I don't like Ajay. She makes my mom be mean to me." She dropped her head.

DO: "If Ajay was gone, would you like to go back?"

Maria: "Sometimes but not all the time. It's better at my Dad's house."

DO: "So, which part would you like to live with? Your Dad, your mom, or both?"

Maria: "Is Shawny coming back home?"She asked D. It confused the judge and Kaceys lawyer but Maria was determined for an answer. My heart warmed and a smile formed on my face. He squeezed my hand and raised his eyebrow at me.

D: "Well, are you?" He said with pleading eyes.

Me: "Of course," I smiled.

D: "She's coming back, Princess." He smiled and so did Maria.

Maria: "Can I stay with my Dad?"

Judge: "Of course, you can. I think we know what to do. De'Mario Smith, you have been granted full custody of De'Maria Lee'Ann Smith." He ruled. "The court is dismissed.

Maria: "Wait!!" She shouted. Everyone stopped moving and Maria looked at her mom. "I still love my Momma. I want to see her too."

Judge: "She's free to see you whenever she want as long as your father says it's okay and she brings you back home."

D: "Whatever my daughter wants, she can have. But, I want Kacey to know that Im not losing my daughter. She's safe with me. As long as I know she's under my protection, Kacey can continue being a mother. But Karma is still gone come." He said sternly. "I don't want to take her away from her mother, I wanted to take her away from danger. If she steps up and be the mother she's supposed to be, Im fine with my daughter going over there. I'm being fair."

Kacey: "Thank you," She smiled with a tear coming from her eye.

Maria: "Can I hug my momma?"

Judge: "Yes, you may" He chuckled.

She jumped off the podium and hugged her mom. It was so cute and sad at the same time.because they haven't seen each other in like 4 months.

"The court is dismissed." He pounded his gavel.

D squeezed my hand once more and closed his eyes with a smile on his face.

D: "Step one." He opened his eyes. "Guess what."

Me: "What? "

D: "I don't have to divorce you." He laugh.

Me: "I hate you." I punched his arm.

D: "I hate you too" He leaned in making our lips meet. "Eww, you're just awful." He mumbled against my lips causing me to giggle.

I love this man and we have an awkward bond that noone understands. That's my heart and I can't deny it one bit I've tried before and that didn't work. Our fog is clearing and we'll be back to our happy family again in no time.

D and I thanked Rickie for all his help and became on cool terms with Kacey. She apologized for all the lying like always and just hoped that she can get a chance to build a bond with Maria. The happy Maria has forgiven her mom and says she's willing to move on but she wants to pinky promise that nothing like that will ever happen again. I think it's strong of her to do something like that and admire her maturity at such a young age.

-------------------------------------------------

15 Comments
+
15 Votes
=
UPDATE ✔