This chapter is dedicated to mindless_mochanini who I haven't seen around for a while. I hope things are going OK for you XD

7 - The Battle Begins

Charlotte's POV

We ended up hiring Tivon Goldstein anyhow after Ryan got the run around and some lawyers even blew him off completely when he called up to schedule an initial consultation. It wasn't until later that I learned about Tivon's power with the Illinois Bar Association. As one of the most active members in family law with a lot of pull, most attorneys wouldn't touch the case after receiving the memo that he was interested. The only ones who were totally left out of the loop were the Fallons since they were not only Tivon's nemesis but also rumored to be the ones on the other side. Tivon didn't want to spoil the element of surprise.

Ryan hired a private investigator Tivon hooked him up with. His name was Barnabas Williams, referring to himself only as Barney, and he tracked Rena's every move. Noah was born on the 6th of December, a few weeks ahead of schedule, and Ryan arranged to have Rena served with the custody papers on her eighteenth birthday to show her he meant business. The response to our petition arrived just as strategically on New Year's Eve and as expected, alleged all kinds of domestic and child abuse which would place Noah 'in an unsafe environment which could be detrimental to his development and wellbeing'. Ryan was furious and contentious, raging and ranting all evening until he finally snapped. The night ended with me celebrating the start into the New Year by nursing new bruises on my back.

The first hearing was scheduled for the second Friday in January. Ryan and I flew up to Chicago the night before but stayed at a different hotel. He had written a long letter of complaint to the company's headquarters and had gotten an equal long letter of apology with the assurance that the security guard was in a lot of trouble for being so insensitive, especially since Ryan was an FBI official who couldn't have done anything wrong. The ignorance of some people - statistics suggested that domestic violence was particularly high among law enforcement employees.

Tivon greeted us upon arrival at the courthouse. "Ok, we got Judge Oaks. He is an old grump who believes in efficiency and follows the law to a T."

"Is that good?" Ryan asked.

I didn't dare gaze at Tivon though I felt his eyes upon me.

"Well, he is old school. He doesn't particularly like young, unwed mothers, but this case involves grandparents' rights which are a hot political topic at the moment. He is up for reelection next year and it could swing either way."

"So what will happen today?" Ryan tapped his foot, glancing around, probably to find Rena who was nowhere around.

"It will just be a short appearance. The best we can hope for is some visitation and he will set a future hearing date. The docket is full, so it could take six months or more."

I noticed Rena before the men - she strutted down the corridor with her chin held up high, flanked by the two Fallon brothers. I remembered the one from the trial but couldn't tell them apart - they looked totally identical right down to their matching ties. Rena was wearing that bratty pout that Brent had adored so much, but that had always bothered me. Her hair was pulled up in a meticulous bun and she was wearing a business suit, making her appear older than her eighteen years.

The anger and hate flared up without warning. She didn't deserve being here but should be behind bars for what she had done to my son. Her atrocious act was despicable and had destroyed our family - the least she could do now was turn my grandson over to us to make things right. Noah shouldn't be raised by a cold blooded murderer who took his father away from him.

Tivon gave the group a small nod and one of the brothers nodded back. That must be the lawyer. The other slid his arm around Rena when she turned to him. There was so much tension in the air that not even the sharpest knife could have sliced through it.

I glared at them without trying to hide my animosity. When Brent had told me about Fallon, I had always thought that she was cheating on him. The concept of platonic friendships was not something I believed in. Seeing them now confirmed my suspicion - I was certain they were sleeping together. Considering that he must be at least ten years her senior and she had only been sixteen when they met, it was disgusting. They would probably tell Noah that Fallon was his father if I didn't put a stop to this.

Our name was called and Tivon ushered us into the courtroom. We took a seat on the table to the left while Lawyer Fallon and Rena claimed the chairs to our right. The doctor brother sat in the audience.

"All rise. The honorable Judge Robert Oaks presiding."

I stood while the judge walked in - he was heavy set and short, maybe in his late fifties, with a receding hairline. His face was flushed with puffy cheeks, suggesting he had enjoyed the better aspects of life a little too much.

"Good morning, people. Have a seat."

Like obedient subjects, we lowered ourselves back into our chair, almost in unison.

He pulled the file in front of him closer. "Okay, this is the matter of Ryan and Charlotte Parks versus Rena Cooper. Are the petitioners present?"

Tivon was on his feet. "Tivon Goldstein for the petitioners, your honor. My clients are both here today."

The judge gazed at us over the rim of his glasses. "Excellent. Who do we have for the respondent?"

Lawyer Fallon rose. "Noel Fallon, your honor. Ms. Cooper is also present."

The judge's eyes darted from table to table. "Well, Goldstein versus Fallon. That should be interesting. Mr. Goldstein, please proceed."

Tivon flashed him a pearly white smile. "Your honor, my clients are the paternal grandparents of the child Noah Kade Cooper and they are seeking custody of their grandson."

Judge Oaks folded his arms in front of his chest. "And what makes you think that your clients even have standing in this matter. Where is the father?"

A heavy silence fell over the courtroom before Tivon continued. "Your honor, the father of the child is deceased. As our petition outlines, the respondent killed him. Therefore, my clients have standing under the Illinois Compiled Statutes, section 607."

The judged squinted at Rena. "Yeah, I thought the name sounded familiar. Are you alleging unfitness here, Mr. Goldstein?"

"We are, your honor, but are not seeking termination of parental rights at present. My clients wish for Ms. Cooper to remain a part of Noah's life but are of the firm believe that she is unfit to raise him."

Judge Oaks's attention turned to Noel. "And I assume you are opposing this?"

Noel's smile was just as dazzling. "We are, your honor. It is not only our position that Ms. Cooper is perfectly capable of raising her own son but that the Parks have a marriage dominated by domestic violence. In addition, there is credible evidence that Mr. Parks also abused his own son and my client fears for Noah's safety and well-being. Therefore, we oppose any contact with the petitioners, including visitation."

"Well." Judge Oaks's eyes came to rest on Ryan. "I can already tell you, Mr. Fallon, that that's not gonna happen. The Parks have the right to have a relationship with their grandson under the circumstances." He focused back on Noel. "Let's start with bi-monthly visitation right here in Chicago. Saturdays, for eight hours."

Noel kept the smile on his face. "Your honor, my client is breastfeeding. That wouldn't work."

Judge Oaks clicked his tongue. "Fine then. Saturdays and Sundays for four hours each." He turned to Tivon. "Is that acceptable to your clients, Mr. Goldstein?"

Tivon beamed as he shot Noel a triumphant look. "It is, your honor."

"Wonderful. We will reconvene -"

Judge Oaks was crudely interrupted when Rena jumped on her feet. "You can't do that. Ryan Parks will kill my son."

Pressing silence hung over the court room while all eyes turned to her. She blushed but stood her ground by staring defiantly at the judge who in turn glared back at her with a frown. What a foolish outburst - her immaturity was going to really piss him off.

Noel finally cleared his throat. "Your honor, what my client was trying to say -"

Judge Oaks cut him off with a raised hand. "I heard your client perfectly, Mr. Fallon. I also do not allow these types of rackets in my courtroom. Please control Ms. Cooper or I'll have to sanction you and hold her in contempt the next time around. Understood?"

Tivon was barely able to stifle a laughter while Noel flushed, eagerly nodding. Rena plopped back down into her chair, her eyes directed at the ground. A tear ran down her cheek and I almost felt sorry for her. If Brent had told her only half of what he had to endure in his childhood, she had to be terrified. As a mother, my heart reached out to her.

Yet, her words had not gone totally over the judge's head. "Having said that," he continued. "I do appreciate Ms. Cooper's concern. Let's appoint a guardian who can supervise the visits to play it safe." He peeked over the bench at the court clerk. "Who is next on the list?"

The woman shuffled in the files in front of her. "Attorney Davenport."

Tivon's face contorted like he just bit into a sour grape while Noel looked like he just hit the jackpot. Whoever this lawyer Davenport was, it couldn't be a good thing for our case.

"Okay." Judge Oak wrote something in the file. "We'll reconvene again in three months to see how visitation is proceeding before setting this for a full hearing. Maybe we're lucky and one of the parties will change their mind."

He took of his glasses and rubbed his eyes before addressing Noel. "A word of caution, Mr. Fallon. If your client continues to make those types of allegations, I expect you to have credible evidence to back this up other than the word of a dead man. I tell you now that I'll be awarding attorney fees to the other side if there is not."

He squinted at us before sliding his glasses back on his nose. "I'm also issuing a gag order. This case will not be tried in the media and no one will appear on the Jerry Springer show to advocate for grandparents' rights or against domestic violence. Is that absolutely clear?"

"It is, your honor." It was the first time that Tivon and Noel almost spoke in unison.

Judge Oaks swung his gavel. "Then we are adjourned. Next case."

xxxx

The first visit with Noah was scheduled for eleven am the next day and I was barely able to sleep the whole night. Barney had snapped a couple of pictures when Rena had taken him for a stroll in the park but he was a wrapped up in blankets with a little hat which hid his face. I couldn't wait to meet him and wondered if he looked anything like his father.

The guardian, Angela Davenport arrived five minutes early. Tivon had warned us that she was 'a tad different than other lawyers' and as soon as she appeared on our doorsteps, I knew what he meant. Angela was frozen in some type of hippy era with a bright rainbow T-shirt and sandals without socks despite the fact that it was winter and snow outside. A slight scent of marijuana emitted from her body.

"Hey there." Her hand raised with the peace sign. "I'm Angela, Noah's guardian."

Ryan's jaw almost dropped as his body went rigid, yet he managed to keep a wide smile on his lips. He couldn't stand women like her. "Well, it's nice to meet you. Come on in."

After the introductions without any handshake exchange, she glanced around the hotel suite which was meticulously clean - I had made sure that things were in their proper place and everything was baby ready. We had purchased all the necessary items such as diapers, wipes and a few outfits, not certain if Rena would think ahead and provide us with the necessities. Knowing her, she may claim she forgot to sabotage the visits.

Angela took a seat in the offered chair. "Are you intending to use hotels for your upcoming visits?" she asked, chipping nonchalantly away at her purple nail polish.

"No." Ryan lowered himself in the chair across from her. "Charlotte and I will be renting a small apartment here in Chicago, so that Noah can feel at home during the visits.

That was news to me but seemed to score plus points with Angela. "Very good. You are not sparing any expense which shows that this is really important to you. I like that."

Ryan beamed at her. "Nothing will ever be too much for our grandson. We are determined to give him the best life possible."

A small smile twitched on Angela's lips. "I would expect nothing less of you."

A knock on the door interrupted their formal exchange of pleasantries. Rena carried Noah in her arms and to my surprise, brought the Fallon brother along. Her eyes were red and puffy, probably from crying, and her hair looked a total mess. There was crusted blood on her chapped lips and she was unnaturally pale.

"Good morning, Rena." I extended my hand. "Please come on in."

She shook her head stubbornly, not moving an inch, desperately holding on to the baby when I reached for him.

"May I?" Angela appeared behind me. "I'm Angela Davenport, Noah's court appointed guardian."

After a slight hesitation, Rena finally surrendered her son. Angela cooed at him with pursed lips and Noah watched her with big eyes. He whimpered when she passed him to me.

"Could I talk to you for a moment outside?" she asked Rena.

Rena's lip trembled when the tears began to role. "You can't leave my son alone with them. They will hurt him."

The Fallon brother stroked her back. "Rena, we talked about this. Nothing will happen if they are alone with him for just a few minutes."

Angela gave him a good once over before joining them in the corridor, closing the door behind her.

Ryan walked over, his hands gliding over Noah's hair. "He is beautiful, isn't he? He reminds me of Brent when he was a baby."

How would he know? When Brent had been an infant, he had travelled almost non-stop with work until Jared's death. Brent had been eighteen month at the time and had cried every time Ryan had picked him up and it had taken months before he had gotten used to having a father around.

The voices out in the hallway were getting louder and once Rena screamed: "No, I'm not calming down. This guy is a child abuser and nothing else."

Ryan chuckled. "She is digging her own grave. It's pathetic."

I clicked my tongue, halfway agreeing with him. She was such a drama queen.

"OK, Charlotte, what are we going to do with him now for four hours?" He wrinkled his nose. "And I think he needs a diaper change."

I sniffed Noah's behind - Ryan was right about that one. "There're lots of things to do. We can read to him or sing or just walk around and talk to him. Rena didn't bring a buggy so we can't take him out. That's something we should get for the next visit."

I laid Noah on the bed and started to open up his romper. Ryan squatted down next him, eying him with disgust. "Well, babies are your domain, Charlotte, so keep him occupied. I will try to score some plus points with that dreadful guardian."

That was fine with me and I grumbled my agreement. The less time Ryan would spend with Noah, the better. I wanted my grandson to mostly bond with me and not his abusive grandfather.

The four hours went by in a flash and at some point, Noah just feel asleep. Ryan was chitchatting away with Angela the entire time and I curled up on the bed with my grandson, watching him drooling in his sleep. I had to agree with Ryan - he was just like Brent. My heart swelled with love for the little boy and I never wanted to let go of him.

At the end of the visit, the Fallon brother was the one picking Noah up and from Angela's facial expression, this didn't sit well with her. We agreed to start the visit at one pm the next day because Rena wanted to take Noah to church. I was stunned - I didn't even realize she was into religion.

After everyone left, Ryan caught up with me in the bathroom when I was changing my shirt on which Noah had spit up.

"What do you want to do tonight, baby?" His arms wrapped around my waist. "Go out for dinner or stay in?"

I shrugged. "I don't really care. How about you?"

He traced little kisses down my neck. "As long as our plans involve making love to my wife, I'm flexible."

His fingers were teasing when they continued to open the buttons of my blouse before he turned me around and pulled me against him. His deep, passionate kiss made me melt in his arms - he hadn't shown this type of affection in years.

That night, he did everything right, rekindling those memories why I fell in love with him in the first place. And for one small moment, there was hope that we had finally reached a turning point.

This chapter was a little more mellow than the last few but I hope you still enjoyed reading about the start of the custody fight and seeing Rena through Charlotte's eyes. Let me know how you liked the court room scene.

Please leave comments and share your thoughts and don't forget to vote if this chapter deserved it.