Harvey

"What i whisper?

A script? This whole thing is a script! The feelings, the moments, we just confessed to each other! He just told me he loves me. Just yesterday!

" Harvey, my love, please don't listen to him, let me explain " he says pleading

"Is there a script?" I ask confused, I can't seem to figure all this out. Is my heart breaking right now?

"Of course there's a script!" Antonio says

"Yes, but..." Damien tries to say

Immediately my phone rings and its the lawyer calling. I have to answer this.

"Hello Mr. Andrate, please be at the court house tomorrow by 11am, the six month deadline is tomorrow, the judge is going to give his final verdict on the custody and divorce case" he says

What a time to get this information!

"Alright, we'll be there, thank you" I say

"Was that the lawyer?" Damien asks

"Yes, the verdict is for tomorrow" I say

"Well, well, no more happy family" Antonio says gleefully

"Why do you Always do this?" Damien asks him

"Do this? You're the Andrate golden boy, you've had everything, money, wealth,fame meanwhile I was always the illegitimate son,always second place with my mother, you deserve everything coming to you" he shouts

"I get that you've been through things but aren't you taking the little step brother act too far? You went to the best schools,you had everything I had, why take it out on me. Our father was the one who made mistakes" Damien says

"Whatever!" He says not so smug now stomping up the stairs.
What an annoying human!

"And i am not giving you you're inheritance till you earn it! The will  says so" Damien shouts after him

Then he turns to me,
"Please Harvey, can we talk,please?" He begs

"I ...." Before I can even speak, Bella bursts through the door and comes with Jake.

"Just saw the Missy leaving with her tail between the legs!"
She bursts out laughing till she notices my face.
Pretty sure I look heartbroken and dead and maybe lifeless cause I can't feel my heart. Its just pumping blood and that's it.

"Harvey, what's wrong?" She she asks hurrying to me.

"I'll tell you later" I tell her trying to contain myself. I won't give Damien the pleasure of seeing me cry.

"Fine, let's go, are you done packing?" Jake asks

"Yeah, are you done?" Bella parrots

"Wait! What? Packing?" Damien says startled

"I am going to sleep over at Bella's" I tell him.

I almost cave in when his face falls and a look of despair comes over his face.

"Harvey please" he begs holding tightly onto my shoulders

"Ahem! Excuse me, we'll go pack Ashton's stuff" Bella interrupts taking Jake with her. I whisper a silent thank you to her.

"You're taking him?" He asks his eyes look at me accusingly

"I can't leave him here, i can't just go and leave him" I defend myself hotly

"But you're leaving me! You didn't even let me explain" he answers back taking my hands in his.

"Its not that I don't want you to explain, its just that tomorrow is just a huge day for us and I want to be prepared, there is too much tension here! " I tell him

"Will you at least let me talk on the phone to Ashton before you put him to bed? " he asks resigned

Everyday, Damien put Ashton to bed and if he was on set, he always called and talked to him.

"Alright"
I say as Bella comes down with him and his bag. He looks very excited and is smiling.
Damien puts out his hands and Ashton eagerly goes to his arms. He hugs him and kisses his cheek and hands him to me.

"Promise me we'll talk and you'll let me explain" he asks of me

"Yes, after the hearing" I tell him and go to the door. Bella, Jake, Ashton are already out in the car.
I want to turn back and kiss him and he moves towards me too but none of us have the courage! The fear of rejection is stronger. I just wave at him and he says,

"See you in court tomorrow"  he says.
I nod and close the door.

I go to the car and we go to Bella's. She sets up the guest room for me and Ashton, then as we make dinner, I explain to her what transpired.

"I don't think he would do something like that. That Antonio is a spoilt brat. There must be some explanation" she says taking the chicken from the oven.

"You think so?" I ask her cutting up fruits for dessert

"Yes, and Harvey you should know him better, tell me the truth, why do you have so many doubts, I know you love him" she says turning to me

"I do, I just can't explain the feeling I got when Antonio said all that" I tell her

"I know why" she says looking at me with knowing eyes

"What do you think?" I ask her putting the fruits in a bowl and going to put them in the fridge.

"You're scared!" She says

"Scared? Of Damien?" I ask incredulous

"No silly! You're scared of the depth of emotions you feel for him! You love him but a certain part of you is scared of getting hurt. So when you heard what Antonio said, that doubting part crept in. You know Damien loves you but you're scared to fully accept it." She says

My eyes open wide in realization. She's right! I am truly scared after all Damien is a famous actor and I'm just me.

"Yes, you're right" I tell her

"It will be fine Harvey" she says as we sit down to dinner.

Then we hear a knock on the door and Bella goes to check. I hear muffled voices, a shout, a slap and Bella turns to me,

"Harvey, something has come up and i have to go, lock up after me" she says grabbing a house key and her purse

"Is it an emergency?" I ask alarmed getting up from my seat

"No! Stay seated" she shouts

What's wrong with her? Why won't she let me see the person at the door?

"Guy trouble" she shouts running out and dragging the person with her.

I just shake my head and sit back down

~~~~

The next day, I dress up very smartly and dress Ashton in this cute little outfit for the hearing.
We are outside the court house with Bella, Jake, the lawyer and we are waiting for Damien.
The lawyer is very confident we are getting custody and there will be no divorce.

Damien arrives and carries Ashton as we go in. After we are seated, the judge gets our file to give us his decision.
I almost start panicking and I feel Damien hold my hand under the table. I calm down and sit up straight to hear his decision.

"After reading reports from the court officials sent to check up on you, and keeping in mind the welfare of the child, I hereby grant full and permanent custody of Ashton Klein to Harvey and Damien Andrate"

I jump up shouting out of happiness! The heavy weight on my shoulder is lifted. I'll finally be able to take care of my sister's son.

"And the divorce petition is dismissed!" The judge says
Damien and I look at each other silently.

Everyone goes out in jubilation and as we go to the parking lot, Damien approaches me,

"Am so happy about Ashton, Can we talk?" He asks

"I want to take him to Bella's first, so he can relax, then we can talk" I tell him.

"Alright, give me a call" he says dejectedly going to his car.

"I turn to head to Bella and see that an inconspicuous woman in a car was observing us and they quickly drive off.

Am too excited to even care! I finally blessedly have my nephew permanently.

Who's in the car?

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