Jeremy aka Jamie on the side.The handsome Sam Clafin😍.

Chris's POV-

Its a busy day.We had meeting with Raiya's school authority yesterday and today,one meeting with my ex-in laws.

I have a feeling the latter is not going to be pleasant.Katja is not going to entertain logic.It was getting on my nerves.

"You know,you look like a man in his 50s.Creased eyebrows,hair stuck in every direction,wrinkles..there is no end to how pathetic you look right now."

Tristan snorted as he sat beside me.I gave him a dirty look.

"Well,my life is not exactly a bed of roses currently.I am sure you can see that."

"Well,niether is mine.I understand Raiya is your daughter..but she is my only niece.Mom's and dad's only grand child and as well as Nysa's only niece too.Just because you have a hand in making her does not mean that we are outsiders.We love her too.Nysa just called you know.You dont talk to mom and dad.You dont talk to our sister and well,you dont..never mind.I am not even there.You cant just keep everything bottled up."

I knew he was right.Tristan was never the one to interfere unless he really thought things were just too messed up.

And yes,our lives were messed up.

"So,what do you want me to do?Call every one up?Throw a reunion and announce that i might be losing my only child to her pschycotic grandmom!"

"Well..that is one way to look at things.A family get together is one thing that we should actually go for.I mean,look at the bright side.Christmas is almost here.Our lives are no where near ok..why dont we all just hang out and eat and booze up."

I sighed.Maybe he was right.I needed to loosen up.

"Alright.Fuck it..lets do it on Sunday.I mean after today,its going to be something very essential.I am damn sure."

I snorted and my brother laughed.

"Cheer up dude.I'll save an extra bottle for you..and dont forget to invite that pretty little neighbour of yours.Gorgeous little lady that one,i must say."

He winked and got up to look for something to eat while i rolled my eyes.

My brother is a man-whore.Sure Faith is more beautiful than an average American woman but this idiot has never left a single female alone.

"You need to get your mind out of the gutter."

He just shrugged.

"And you need to get laid.When was the last time you had some good female company?You know so many of Rebecca's friends are pretty much willing to just jump your bones."

I almost smacked him.I mean,one night stands are not really my thing.I have been out of the dating game for a while.After Rayanna,i stopped dating for 2 years.After that,there were a few casual relationships which were just meaningless.

"Yep.It would be better if they stayed away though.I dont want more drama.My life has seen quite a lot of it already."

"Geez,uptight bitch."

I gave him the finger and he just ignored me.

The door bell rang.

I got up to check who it was.

Faith was standing at my door with a file in her hand.She was wearing a black top and some denims.She had a very serious expression on her face though i found it more grumpy than serious.

Tristan's comment ran through my mind and i almost smiled.She really was a little lady. Barely reached my chest.

But then i was over 6 feets,6'4 to be exact.Faith would not be more than 5'2 i am sure of that.

"Well,come inside.We will leave in half an hour.Raiya and Moose are at my parents's place."

"Oh.Ok.I brought my personal documents and the statement from the school authority. You do have all of Raiya's medical reports ready, right? "

"Yes.Once again, thank you so much. "

"No problem. Don't keep thanking me every ten minutes now. "

I smiled.

"Woah! Woah! If it isn't the gorgeous Miss Hempstead. Hello beautiful. "

Tristan grinned at Faith.

Faith's Pov-

"I am sorry. "
Chris mouthed silently.

I shook my head.

"Well hello to you too, Tristan. I am glad you seem as cheerful as ever. "

He immediately snaked his arm around my shoulder.

"She is lovely.Is not she?Sweetheart,lets get married?"

Tristan grinned at me and I just rolled my eyes.

"Sorry sweetheart.Marrying you is not in my cards right now.Maybe after the 32nd December."

Chris let out a small laugh and went upstairs.

"You wound me,Faith."

"I am no medicine.Stop complaining."

He just glared at me playfully.Then his expression turned serious.

"Thanks for helping us.I mean my brother and niece..my family owes you right now.Thats for sure."

It was embarassing.Tristan has always acted like a flirt and jokster to me.Hearing all this from him is a bit..awkward.

"I dont know.All you guys are thanking me when i am already a registered professional counsellor.I dont do thank yous and sorrys."

He just smiled..then again gave me a two finger salute to wander around somewhere in the house.

I sat on the couch.Time was ticking away.My nervousness kicked in.Chris came downstairs with a bundle of 3-4 files.

I have degree in child psychology and i am an art teacher for kids yet i was having a little mental break down.This was not a normal case..it was about a bond.A kid might lose her parent.A father might lose his only existing chance at having his daughter.

It just cannot go wrong.I will do my best.I hope Jamie has the best plan too.He is the lawyer..he has to be the best.

I had a lot of anger on my brother but i have this nagging feeling that my brother is not the one who will fuck this up.

"James will meet us at the office.He said he had to collect some papers.Lets move forward."

Chris smiled at me.

I tried my best to return his smile.I did not want him to know that i was nervous.I mean,i am the councellor.

The drive was nerve racking.I can say even Chris was very nervous.He kept fidgeiting with the steering wheel..i am afraid we might get into an accident.Well,i will just have to go with trusting his driving skills.

We stopped near a white building.Safe i might add,thank the lord.

"We are here."

I followed Chris.We had to go on the 7th floor.The silence in the elevator was suffocating.

"You wont lose Raiyaa."

I found myself saying.I dont know where is came from.

"I..that is a lot of ..thank you,Faith."

The elevator opened and I held my breath.

I am ready.

The door to the office opened.Five people were sitting.

My brother and his sercretary i presume.I noticed a woman with short blonde hair and white bodycon dress.She oozed power.

Katja.Her husband Ivan was seated right beside her.Everyone knew them.They were the power couple of the journalism industry and they were Chris's ex-inlaws.

A woman in her mid 50s was sitting beside Katja.She looked like her lawyer and she kept going through some files ignoring everyone.

"Nice of you to show up right on time.We thought you might be late."

Katja spoke.Her thick Russian accent echoed.

"Chris,Faith..please take your seats.We should now start the meeting."

James sounded pissed off.I am sure Katja was the reason.

"Hie.I am Faith Hempstead.Mr James Hempstead might have informed you about me.I am Raiya's counsellor from the last month and yes i am also Mr James's sister.Judging by the expression on your face,i had to add this mam."

This was not related to the case but i am sure they would have made an elephant out of it.

Jamie looked like he was amused now.Did he think i wont be saying that?Idiot.

"Hello Miss Hempstead.Chris,well you have your councellor with you.Will it be a lot if she would show me her license?It wont be a problem for you Miss Hempstead?Right?"

Their lawyer spoke up for the first time.This was a no-nonsense female and i respected that.

"Sure,you dont have to bother my client for it.Here,go through this file.This has all the information you need."

Jamie smiled at me.He looked proud.

I shook my head.

She kept reading through my file and finally placed it down.

"Fair enough.So,you are a verified councellor but you are also working as a teacher,can i know why?"

"Thats a personal question,Gina.You cannot ask that."

Jamie intervined.

"No problem James.I can answer that.I am a child councellor man who also has a diploma in arts.I am currently working as an art teacher in Canton high.I am Raiya's art teacher too.My profession is to teacher 7 year olds the art of painting and drawing.Those are also kids.You see.."

Gina was quite.

"I think if you guys are done with interrogating my daughter's councellor i have something to show you all."

Chris looked at Jamie.

"Yes.My client has submitted a report of Raiya's school teachers and staff members.As claimed by Mr and Mrs Petrov,my client is not fit enough to take care of Raiya apparently so.We have a proper detailed report from the school authority as well as a cd with statements.It shows the progress report of Raiya and Chris too."

Jamie looked right at Gina.She had a grim expression.I noticed Ivan was quite through out the conversation.He did not even speak a single word.

Katja kept throwing comments at Chris.

The cd ended with a report about how Chris was present at everu single meeting and function.He was a caring single father.Even the other neighbours had testified.

"It does not mean he gets a clean chit.He is an ex druggie.My grand daughter is a babe.She cannot be with a father who might relapse who knows when."

Katja shouted.Ivan tried to quiten her down but she would not budge.

"Keep quite Mrs Petrov.My client had one episode.He has been sober ever since."

Jamie spoke up.

"Look,i have my medical reports and dope test reports.I am sober.I love my daughter and she will be staying with me.I dont care for your tantrums Katja."

Chris lost his calm.

"You..you i will see you in court.Just you see.My grand daughter will live with me."

Katja stormed outside.Gina sighed and Ivan just shook his head.

"I know this is a difficult situation Chris.I have always said this,you loved my daughter and she loved you.Katja has not been the same ever since.I am sorry."

Ivan tapped his shoulder and left the room.I looked at Chris.

"Jamie,please see if you can do anything to win this one.I also dont want to see my grand niece being separted from her father but my hands are tied by law.Take care Chris,Faith."

I had a lot of questions.

"Ivan knows Katja wont stop.Gina is Ivan's cousin.They are still ok with the idea of Chris and Raiya but Katja hates Chris and wont want him to keep Raiya.In my opinion,its all just family drama."

Jamie sighed.

"Yup.I might lose my daughter over that drama and because of that woman's bullshit.Gina might sympathise but at the end she wants to win the case.This is not the first time Ivan or Gina have spoken sweet words to me about this."

Chris spoke softly.

I slumped down to my knees and took his hand in mine.I dont know where the courage came from.

"Look Chris,you have to trust Jamie and I right now.You just cant lose hope.I gathered that Katja is crazy about winning and she will do everything in her power to win this case at any cost but at the end Raiya loves you more than anyone.I have seen it.Jamie knows it.Hell,everyone around knows it that you two share an incredibly beautiful relationship.I am sure we will win.Trust your love for daughter Christian Crawford."

He looked at me and smiled slightly.

"You speak a lot."

"It comes with my job."

He chuckled at my reply.

Jamie kept looking at Chris and I weirdly.I shrugged.

"Chris i would like to talk to my sister alone?"

I looked at Jamie and glared at him.

"I dont want to talk to you."

"Well,you should talk to him.Just saying.I am outside."

Chris left us.

"I still hate you for what you did."

"And i missed you and Grace more than anyone.You made me so proud and i just..you have grown up so much.My baby sister is so smart and this makes me want to punch myself."

He teared up.

Even i teared up.That idiot.

I gave in and hugged him tight.I missed him so much.

"Grace is going to beat you up with her slipper and Dave is going to just humiliate you and..dont even talk about Lucas,he knows about his uncle who ran away,alright."

"Damn.I have a reason.I promise its worth it though."

"It better be.I will kill you with my bare hands if its not."

He wiped my tears.

"Come on,lets go.Chris is waiting for us."

I stopped Jamie.

"Is there a way to just grant Raiya's full custody to him?Any way?"

Jamie sighed and looked at me.

"There is one way.It gaurantees a 100% custody."

I looked at him and smiled.

"Well,what are we waiting for then?Lets talk to Chris about it."

Jamie ignored me.

"Believe me.He is not ready for that.Come on,lets go."

I wanted to argue but i knew this conversation was done for today.

But i will find the answer to my question.

Tada.

A long update for a long absence.

In these times where the whole world is suffering at the hands of corona..i hope everyone is safe.Please keep hygiene and isolate yourselves.Social-distancing is the best you can do avoid getting infected.

Take care guys and stay safe.
Love u all
WimpieKid:)