Chapter 12

Ella held Mia's hand tightly as they sat inside the lawyer's office. Leo sat on his mother's lap and playfully struggled with the lollipop Ella had given him to keep distracted.

From behind the sisters, the door opened and two tall figures talked in. One was an old gentleman with salt and pepper hair and a clean shaven face. The other was a well built man in an expensive black suit with black hair and narrow eyes.

"Hello, Mia," he said as he walked in.

"Liam," Mia pressed her lips tightly together.

Ella followed the man's eyes to the child on Mia's lap. The bastard was seeing his own son for the first time in a judge's office.

"Hello, Ms. Dunbar," the lawyer, Eric Rizzo, greeted Mia as he urged everyone to sit down.

"You must be Ella," Liam said as he held his hand out to her.

Ella looked at his hand for a brief second before she turned away and followed Mia to the chairs.

"Alright," Mr. Rizzo cleared his throat. "Ms. Dunbar, I am sure you are aware of the reasons why we are gathered here today."

"Yes, I am," Mia said. He pulled Leo a little closer to her chest. "And I am not signing the custody agreements."

Liam sighed as he adjusted his tie. Rizzo looked from Liam to Mia and then to Leo. After a few seconds he dropped his gaze to the paperwork in front of him and took off his glasses.

"You do understand that this can be a lengthy process if we go to court," he said to Mia.

"Yes," Mia nodded. "I understand."

"Mia," Liam said. "Don't be difficult. We can come to a compromise. We can split the time between us."

"Split the time," Mia gave a bitter laugh. "Do you even know his name?"

Liam's eyes dropped to his son, "No.....I don't. But I am trying to change that."

"Little too late, buddy," Mia looked away. She fixed her eyes on Rizzo and held her head high. "I am not signing the custody agreements you sent. You can meet me in court."

"You do know the judge is a family friend of mine, correct?" Liam rubbed his jaw.

Ella wanted to smack him across the face when she saw the smirk on his lips. He was the reason for all the turmoil in her family. She wanted to drag him through the streets and make him pay.

"There are laws," Mia told him. "You can't buy your way to everything."

"Oh but I can," Liam smiled. "And I will."

"Why not?" Mia suddenly asked. "Why now, after all these years? He's almost five years old. You never cared to ask about him before."

Liam looked away. Ella wanted to know his answer too. She was interested in what possible reason he could have for the misery he put Mia through.

"I'm talking to you, Liam," Mia pushed. "Why do you want him now?"

"He's my son," Liam said.

"He was your son last year," Ella pointed out. "And the year before that. And the year before that. He was your son on his birthday. He was your son on Christmas. He was your son on Father's day."

The office grew quiet. Rizzo capped his pen and slowly closed his file. He leaned back in his chair as he eyes the parents and the child.

"If I may," he started. "This can get really ugly in court. Ms. Dunbar, with everything happening with your family, I don't think it's a smart idea to go to court."

"So this was your plan," Mia smiled as she kept her eyes on Liam. "Wait for the right moment and then you strike."

"You won't win in court, Mia," Liam shook his head. "I am willing to give you visitation rights if we do this outside of the court. But if you insist on dragging this, I will demand full custody in front of the judge."

"Visitation rights?" Mia was outraged. "I gave birth to him! I raised him! No judge in their right mind would pick you over me."

"No, they won't," Liam surprised everyone by saying. "But I have my way. You know that, Mia. Don't you remember?"

"Are you trying to intimidate me?" Mia's eyes narrowed.

"You were never the type to be intimidated," Liam smiled. "That's what I loved about you."

Mia rose from her seat and grabbed her purse, "Let's go, Ella. We're leaving."

Ella got up and followed her sister. She felt Liam follow them out of the office and out into the streets.

"Mia," he called. "Mia, wait."

"What?" Mia turned in anger.

"Can....can I hold him?"

"Go to hell."

"He's my son."

"When is his birthday?" Mia took a step closer to Liam as she passed Leo to Ella. "How much did he weigh when he was born? How does he like his grilled cheese sandwich?"

Liam closed his mouth as his shoulders dropped.

"You're not a father," Mia said. "You were just a sperm donor."

"Mommy," Leo's little voice called from behind Ella.

Mia turned to her son and pulled him to her side. She placed an arm around him, keeping her eyes on Liam.

"See you in court," Mia said.

"You won't win," Liam challenged.

Ella felt sick to her stomach as they watched the man walk back into the building. His arrogance and lack of remorse angered her to her core. She couldn't even imagine what Mia must have been going through.

"Mommy, is he going to take me away from you?" Leo looked up at his mother.

"No, baby," Mia shook her head as the little boy began to cry.

Leo had always been an emotional child. Very quiet, calm, and observant. He wasn't like most kids his age. Ella's heart broke thinking how scared he must be.

"Mommy won't let anything happen," Mia promised him as she picked him up. She kissed his cheeks and tickled his stomach to get him to laugh as they crossed the streets.

"Leo, do you want to get some ice cream?" Ella asked to cheer up the little boy.

Leo nodded his head as he clung to his mother. The deep frown on his face made Ella restless. They took a cab back home and stopped by the ice cream shop before going back inside. Ella grabbed their favorite orders as Mia found them a small table in the shop.

"What are you thinking?" Ella asked after a while as Mia swirled around her ice cream in her bowl. Her mind was catered as she let the scoops melt in the heat.

"Mia?"

"Yes?"

"I asked what you were thinking of."

Mia sighed, "This is way too much."

"I know."

"Liam wasn't kidding when he said he had his ways."

"You don't actually think the judge will pick him, do you?" Ella asked. "He didn't even know Leo's name."

"None of that will matter," Mia sighed once more as she ran a hand through her hair. She looked at Leo before wiping the little boy's face with a tissue.

"He will pay the judge if he has to," Mia said.

"They can't do that," Ella said with a chill. "That's against the law."

"A lot of things are against the law. But when you have money, laws are just playground rules."

Ella lost her appetite as she saw the defeated look in Mia's eyes. She couldn't remember Mia ever giving up. She was a fighter. The stubborn one in the family. She was the one who broke rules and challenged her parents the most growing up. Mia was not a quitter....

But the woman sitting in front of Ella smiling down at her son with a heartbroken smile was not the girl Ella remembered.

"Mia..." Ella started slowly. "There might be a way we can win..."

Mia's eyes slowly moved to her sister.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Don't get mad, okay,"

"Now I know I will get mad," Mia narrowed her eyes.

"We could....I could....ask Maksim for help," Ella said each word slowly.

"No," Mia shook her head immediately.

"Why not? He can help."

"We will do this on our own," Mia said as she gathered the trash. "I don't want you to go beg at someone's doors for me."

"I'm not going to beg," Ella said. "You don't know Maksim. He'll be more than happy to help."

"Help from people like that always comes with a price," Mia said. "He will be sure to throw it in your face when the time comes."

"You don't know that," Ella rolled her eyes. "Max isn't like that at all."

"They're all like that," Mia said. "And not just the wolves. Humans too. Everyone is your friend until you need help. And the ones that do help always hold it over your head."

"You won't have to worry about losing Leo,"

"It's my fight, Ella," Mia said. "I will speak to a lawyer tomorrow. You are not asking anyone for anything."

"Why not?"

Mia sighed. She threw out their trash and picked up her purse. Leo and Ella followed her out of the shop as they began to head home.

"What if Maksim wasn't in your life?" Mia asked as they neared their diner. "A few months ago, he was just a memory and our life was moving along just fine without him. And that is the way it will be. We are not going to rely on anyone for anything."

Ella could hear her father's words in Mia's voice. Dean always said the same thing. He never wanted his children to be in debt to anyone for any reason. But Ella always wondered what was so wrong about asking for help....

They walked past the closed diner and climbed the stairs to their apartment. Mia put on a bright smile before she entered for the sake of her parents. Ella, unfortunately, couldn't lie so well. She slumped to her room and checked her phone.

No notification.

________________________

Big smiles Exton mind-linked the kids as he watched them live on TV from the palace.

Maksim and Maya stood outside the new public library as they smiled for the press. The protesters behind the media chanted insults and demanded they leave as they booed the royals.

"I feel like a circus freak," Maya said under her breath as she smiled and waved at the people.

"At least circus freaks get applauded at the end of a show," Maksim waved. "We get booed and death threats."

Guys, stop talking, Exton told them. They can read your lips.

Maksim laughed as he heard Maya groan beside him with a perfect smile on her face.

"Your majesty," one reporter called out. "What do you have to say about the disappearance of Lily Dunbar?"

Stick to the script, Exton reminded Maksim.

"We were all gravely saddened to hear the news of Ms. Dunbar," Maksim said slowly. "We wish for her to return home safely to her family. Our prayers and well wishes are with the Dunbars."

"Do you consider this a kidnapping?" Another reporter asked.

Don't answer, Exton said. Repeat after me.

Maksim took a deep breath as he said the words Exton linked him.

"From what I understand, Ms. Dunbar is with her mate. Until we know more details about the situation, we should not rule out anything for her safety."

"Thank you," Lawson, who had accompanied the royals to the event, spoke up. "No more questions. Thank you."

"Princess Maya, what can you tell us about Princess Adeline and her mate?" A reporter ignored Lawson's request for no more questions.

Maya just smiled and ignored the question as she looked the other way to the crowd.

"What does this new relation mean for the policies of our kingdoms?"

"How does Ben Zephyr feel about his mate's sister and mother being a witch?"

"Will Princess Adeline move to be with Mr. Zephyr or is she staying in the palace?"

"Who is designing her wedding dress?"

"Prince Maksim, are you and Margo Watermen dating?"

"Will you join the Queen's guard like your father and uncle?"

Lawson quickly thanked the organizers for the event and ushered the two royals to the car waiting from them at the bottom of the stars. Maksim helped Maya step down the many steps as they waved one last time at the crowd and slipped into their car.

"Oh good god," Maya groaned as soon as the doors closed.

"That went well," Lawson said with a smile.

"How many more of these do we have to go to?"

"Just two more, your grace," Lawson said, checking their schedule. "We were invited to the Alvita family fundraiser for the police department this afternoon and after that we will be making a quick stop at the orphanage the Queen mother runs to drop off a few toys for the children and take some photos."

"Will Mimzy be there?" Maksim asked.

"No, your grace." Lawson nodded. "Your grandparents come every month. They wanted you to attend this time."

"The Alvita family?" Maya looked up from her phone. "Liam Alvita? I thought they moved."

"They recently moved back to town," Lawson said.

Maksim didn't know why the name tickled his mind.

Liam Alvita.... Had he met him before?

"How long do we have to stay?" Maya asked.

"No long, your grace," Lawson laughed. "I would say an hour would be more than enough time."

Maya looked over at her cousin sitting beside her, "Thank god Clare is taking over for me tomorrow."

"I thought you loved the camera," Maksim laughed. "This is your thing. The spotlight."

"The protesters are ruining my flow," Maya rolled her eyes. "I can't hear the people call my name over their stupidity."

"As the next covenant leader replacing your mother, I think this is a great learning opportunity for you," Lawson said to Maya.

"Mom isn't going anywhere any time soon," Maya laughed. "I can take my time."

"The day might come sooner than you think,"

"I'll wing it when I get there,"

"Amen in," Maksim fist bumped her.

Lawson shook his head as he watched the young royals.

"Oh come on, Lawson," Maksim chuckled. "Loosen up a little."

Just then, Maksim's phone vibrated in his pocket and he leaped up. Maya flinched next to him as the boy searched through his pockets like a madman. She watched with concern as he pulled the device out and checked the screen.

Maksim's face fell as he realized it was just Clare.

"Jesus, kid," Maya placed a hand over her heart. "What the hell was that?"

"Ah young love," Lawson laughed. "Was it Ms. Ella? Checking in on you. I remember when your grandmother used to call the king to ask him how his day was going."

Maya ignored the old man as she watched Maksim. His frown hadn't left his face. It only made itself more permanent.

"Mackey?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Maksim sighed.

"Everything okay with Ella?"

"I don't know," Maksim looked out the window at the passing buildings. "We haven't spoken in the past few days."

"Yikes," Mya said. "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Mavi asked you to cut off contact right?"

"Yeah, but......"

"You were hoping she would call?"

"Yeah, I guess," Maksim sighed. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. He couldn't remember the last time he felt calm. The past few days had felt like a none stop roller coaster ride and not seeing Ella only made things worse.

________________________

Ella laid in bed staring at the blank screen on her phone. She didn't know what she was hoping for. She knew Maksim wouldn't call. Yet, there she was. Another night wasted laying awake in bed waiting for something that never happened.

Just when Ella sighed and tucked the phone under her pillow for the night, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Ellie," Mia called. "Are you asleep?"

"No," Ella sat up in bed. "Come in."

Mia pushed the door open and quietly walked in. Ella could tell she had been crying from how red and puffy her eyes were. The dark circles only added to the haunted look in the girl's eyes.

"I don't know what to do," Mia said as she took a seat at the edge of Ella's bed.

"What's wrong?" Ella asked.

"No one wants to take my case," Mia's eyes began to tear up. "Every lawyer I call in town turned down the offer after finding out it's with Liam and his family."

"That's ridiculous," Ella twisted the sheets as she frowned. "There has to be someone who will take the case."

"There is one lady," Maya nodded. "But her fees are too high. With the diner closed and mom not working, we can't afford her right now."

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know," Mia took a deep breath as her bottom lip quivered.

Ella crawled across the narrow bed and hugged her sister. She placed her chin on Mia's shoulder as she wiped her eyes.

"Mia..." she said slowly. "Please, let me call Maksim."

Mia looked at her little sister with a frown. Ella would see the battle behind her eyes. Mia wanted to refuse help from Maksim but at the same time she didn't want to lose her child.

"Please," Ella pushed knowing Mia was so close to giving in.

"I.....I don't know if that's a good idea....."

"We have to try, right?"

"Ella..."

"Please," Ella begged. "Think of Leo."

That did the trick.

Mia's eyes softened at the mention of her child. She covered her mouth with her hand to keep her sobs quiet as she nodded her head.

"Thank you," Ella said. "I'll call him in the morning."

Mia nodded once more as she got up and quickly ran out of the room. Ella sat on the bed quietly as she stared after her sister. Her heart broke as she thought about the little boy never being a part of their family.

Not being able to wait until morning, Ella grabbed her phone and pulled up Maksim's number. Her heart pounded as she realized she was excited to hear his voice. With shaking fingers, she hit the call button and bought the phone to her ear.

"Ella?" Maksim answered with a sigh of relief after three rings.

"Hi..." Instantly Ella became breathless.

"Hi," Maksim gave a small laugh as he felt relief flood through his system from healing her voice.

"Max,"

"Yes?"

"I.... I have a favor to ask."

______________________

Mia and Ella were greeted by Maksim at the palace doors when they arrived in the early mornings the next day. As soon as Ella saw Maksim, a little bit of the pressure in her chest released into the air. She found herself smiling as they locked eyes with each other.

"Thank you," Mia said to Maksim once they came face to face.

"Of course," Maksim nodded. "This way."

The two sisters followed Maksim down the halls and up a flight of stairs in the back. When they arrived at the second floor, the prince led them into a large office with a group of men and women dressed in dark suits and polished shoes.

"Ms. De Luca," Maksim walked up to a middle age woman with chestnut hair and red nails.

"Good morning, your grace," Ms. De Luca rose from her desk and bowed.

"Good morning," Maksim smiled. "This is Mis Dunbar. I spoke to you about her last night."

The lady turned to Mia, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Dunbar."

"Thank you," Mia smiled, shaking her hand.

"Well," Ms. De Luca looked around before picking up her laptop and phone. "We shall get started then. Please follow me."

She began to direct Mia into a conference room. Maksim followed behind as Mia looked over her shoulder to her sister.

"Mia," Ella called to her. "I have to go see Vivian."

"What for?" Mia asked.

"Just to say hi," Ella shrugged. "I think you and Ms. De Luca should talk alone."

Mia hesitated slightly as her eyes bounced from Maksim to Ella. She turned to look at De Luca waiting for her before she gave Ella a nod.

"Don't be too long," she said.

"I won't," Ella smiled.

She waited until Ms. De Luca closed the door to turnt o Maksim standing behind her. She lifted her gaze and found his eyes already on her.

"Let's go," Maksim said as he held out his hand for Ella.

Ella pushed away all the worries in her mind and placed her hand in his. She smiled down at it as sparks flew up her arm. Maksim pulled her closer and led her out of the office.

"Where are we going?" Ella asked as he pulled her along.

"You'll see," Maksim said over his shoulder with a smile.

Ella let him guide her down the stairs and through the halls. She was curious as to where he was leading her. As they slowly neared the doors to the greenhouse, Ella looked at Maksim to find him grinning.

Maksim pushed the doors to the greenhouse open with his back as he pulled Ella inside. The warm air wrapped itself around them as Ella tilted her head back and took in the sight before her.

"It's like being in a rainforest," she said looking around. "This place really changed."

"Yeah," Maksim laughed. "Paws got bored of it just sitting around and started gardening."

"It's beautiful," Ella reached out and touched the roses right next to the lemon trees.

"Almost," Maksim said.

"Almost?"

Maksim walked over to one of the large flower pots and pulled off a white daisy. Ella watched his as he walked back to her and tucked it into her hair above her ear.

"Now it's perfect," he smiled.

Ella felt her cheeks heat up as she reached up and touched the flower.

"Thank you," she said.

"You don't have to thank me," Maksim took a step closer to her.

"No," Ella shook her head. "I do. Thank you for helping with Mia."

"Thank you for letting me help,"

Ella didn't know what else to say as Maksim raised a hand and brushed her cheeks. She melted against his touch as he placed a hand on her waist and tugged her forward.

"Were you mad at me?" She asked as she placed her own hands against his chest.

"No," Maksim shook his head.

"I thought you were," Ella frowned. "From what I said the other night."

Maksim sighed. He leaned forward and brushed his lips over Ella's forehead and inhaled her scent.

"I was upset, but not not mad," he said.

His lips against her forehead felt too good to resist. Ella leaned in closer as Maksim's arms wrapped around her. He placed another kiss on the same spot and pulled back to look into her eyes.

"How's the image rebranding going?" Ella asked.

"Not well, I'm afraid."

"What's wrong?"

"We're being dragged around to every fundraiser, very dinner, every photo opt but the public is still out protesting. It's like the more we try the angrier they get."

"But are you really trying?" Ella raised a brow.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Maksim slowly dropped his arms and took a step back.

Even in the heat of the greenhouse, Ella shivered from the loss of his touch.

"I always say the wrong thing around you," Ella frowned. "I didn't mean you weren't trying. I was just trying to say that maybe you need to change your approach."

Maksim waited quietly for her to elaborate. Ella could tell his mood had gone a tad bit sour from her blunt words. She held out her hand and hoped he would take it.

Maksim stared at Ella's hand for several seconds before eventually giving in and taking it. Ella took a step closer and closed the gap between them.

"I have been watching the news," Ella said. "You have been everywhere. But can you tell me anything you remember from all these events."

Maksim thought about her question for a while. He couldn't even recall how many places he had visited per day.

"It's not the quantity," Ella said. "It's the quality that matters. Instead of visiting five different events in one day, spend five hours in one place. Talk to the people around you. Get to know them and not just shake their hand and take a picture. Find out who they are."

A slow smile started to creep across Maksim's lips. He had wrapped his arms around his mate once more as they stood under the jasmine tub and gazed into each other's eyes.

"And I don't know who's picking these places for you to visit, but they are horrible," Ella laughed.

"What do you mean?" Maksim searched her eyes. He pushed her hair out of her eyes, careful to not disturb the daisy in her hair.

"I mean that you're really not going to meet the real people of your kingdom by visiting a fundraiser where only the 1% of the community is invited."

Maksim chuckled at her words. He leaned back against the large pot, pulling Ella along with him. As he positioned himself against the pot, a few jasmine buds fell around them like clumps of snow.

"I'm serious, Max," Ella laughed. "Go visit a school or a farmer's market. Community events, factories, local stores, small businesses. That's how you meet the people. They need to know you're not just on TV and on magazine covers."

Maksim had a glint in his eyes as he listened to Ella talk. She waited for him to say something but all he did was smile down at her and hold her in his arms.

"What?" Ella raised a brow.

"I should replace my team with just you," Maksim said.

"No, thanks," Ella shook her head. "You're a handful to deal with. I already have Leo to babysit."

Maksim threw his head back and laughed. Ella caught her breath at the beautiful sound. She found herself, once again, smiling until her cheeks hurt.

"Max?"

Maksim slowly stopped his laughter and looked down into Ella's yes.

"Yes, my love?"

Ella smiled, shaking her head. "Nothing."

"Ell?"

"Yes, Maksim?" Ella sighed.

"Can I kiss you?"

"No," Ella stuck her tongue out at the prince.

"Why not?"

"I don't even like you, Maksim Radacovick."   

I was going to make this a short story, but I decided to take my time and make it a full on book. Most likely, the rest of the kids will have their own book too. Lord help me, lol 

What do you think will happen now? Will Max and Ella finally be together?