Touching the Heart of Ace novel Chapter 73

Isaac, one of Robbie's lawyer had asked me if Lia and I could give them a date to be present at the court. When I asked Robbie about it, he said we had to do it someday anyways to have full custody over Lia. I was not needed per se but everyone knew she was not going anywhere without me.

They asked to answer truthfully if anyone asked me anything and use my common sense. I could always choose not to answer and there was no need to be too formal with the people of the court.

Well, that was the day my life had its next major flip.

If the seating arrangement was not like in the movies, I would have thought it was just a busy, boring, office cubicle.

Nothing too dramatic happened.

Janice glared at me and Lia, so I turned my Little Baby other way on my lap and gave her my phone to play. It was just a simple game where she had to tap at the images of the animals by their names. She loved it so much and it was learning through games.

We had expected the court to ask Lia some questions but the lawyers had told me that it would be private and she would be with me or Robbie.

But Janice's lawyer asked Lia for questioning, I looked at Robbie who was frowning but then he nodded.

I did not like it. Should she be sitting there like a criminal? I meant the whole procedure was between Robbie and Janice, why should my kid be over there?

And the judge was unnervingly staring at me.

"Davey?" Lia was confused and she was looking at me nervously.

The hell with lawyers and court. I walked with her ignoring the judging eyes of people surrounding us.

"Just the girl, please." Janice's lawyer was trying to put attention on me.

Fuck you too.

If she wanted me to walk through volcano, I would, much less this court hall. I ignored his speech of how I was not needed. He was just an attorney, not Jesus Himself.

I helped her sit on the chair which was designed for adults, her tiny legs pointing straight when she tried to lean on the chair back. A kind police officer handed me two cushions, I adjusted them behind her back, so her legs could dangle.

"These good people are going to ask you some questions, Little Baby. You answer to that lady on the podium, okay?"

"That laad?" She pointed to the judge with her tiny hand.

"Don't point at people, Lia. Yes, that lady. She will hear..."

"Please go back to your seat, Sir." Janice's lawyer boomed and Lia jumped, her eyes getting more nervous. "Stop coaching the kid. Your honour, the man..."

"... is clearly trying to help the girl, not to be afraid of the court. Please, young man, take your time." I thankfully nodded at the judge and hugged Lia.

"Daddy is over there." I showed him Robbie who was busy whispering to one of his lawyers. But he noticed us looking and gave us a wave. "...and Davey would be over there." I showed the nearest chair to her. "Now, just answer whatever you can, okay. If you don't want to, that is okay too."

"Do we have to do this with the people, Marshall? She is a toddler." Judge asked Janice's lawyer. It seemed like everyone could understand how uncomfortable would it be for my baby.

I watched the man walk to the judge and talk in hushed whispers.

"Fine. You have ten minutes to ask her the questions. Keep it easy and precise."

Lia was refusing to let my hand go, but I gently took that away after kissing her palm. I sat as close to her in the audience panel, waving whenever she looked my way.

"Hello, young lady, what is your name?"

"Amleya Angee Bwantly."

"Amelia Angeline Brantley. That is a big name for you. Don't you think?"

"No. Its a pwefet name. Dada gave baby." [It is a perfect name. Daddy give her that name.]

"Are you sure? What if mommy gave you that name?"

Lia suddenly turned her face to me, panicked. I gave her a wave and smile though my heart was beating rapidly inside my chest.

"Don't look at anyone, kid." Marshall told her sternly but Lia did not listen, so the fucker tried to touch my kid's cheek to turn her to him.

"Don tech me." Lia screamed before popping her thump inside her mouth.

"Judge, please note, aggressive behaviour."

What the fucking fuck!

"OBJECTION." Simon our lawyer, stood up before Judge could open her mouth. He continued after her nod. "Kids should behave aggressively when an adult especially a stranger try to touch her. Points to proper guidance, in favour of Mr. Brantley."

What the fuck was going on here?

"You have no permission, I repeat, no permission, Marshall, to touch anyone in my court without their verbal consent. Am I clear?"

"The kid was getting coached..."

"Did I stutter Marshall?"

Wow! The judge was a hard core lady.

"No, Judge."

"Now, ask for forgiveness."

It was funny to watch that fuming red man stutter out a half assed apology to Lia but she nodded anyways.

"Back to questions, do you know who that is?" He pointed to Robbie and Lia nodded. "Well, tell me who is he?"

Lia gulped and looked at Judge. "Dada."

"You are doing good, kid." Judge gave her a thumbs up.

"Okay, now who is he?" Marshall pointed to me.

"Davey."

"Who is Davey?"

"My Davey."

"Well who is he?"

"Davey."

"No. I mean yes, he is Davidson but who is he to you?"

Lia was confused beyond her imagination.

"His my Davey. We bafrans."

Marshall was getting annoyed and Simon tried to object again but it got overruled.

Huff!

"Let us try again. Who is that man?"

"Dada."

"Yes, what is his name."

"Daddy."

"His name is Robert Brantley."

"No, his Dada." Lia stretched her arms to Robbie and my heart broke.

"Well his name is Robert Brantley, and he is your father, hence he is your Dada."