Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
“All rise for Judge Hopper,” the bailiff intoned.
Everyone rose, including Layla, who was sitting behind us with the two kids.
“Please be seated,” Judge Hopper said, taking his seat. He wore the black judge’s robes, of course, which made me think of depictions of Death.
I swallowed, feeling the blood drain from my face. James took my hand.
“Now, I understand this is a custody hearing,” Judge Hopper mumbled. He was a bit elderly, and if not hard of hearing, at least hard to hear.
“Yes, your honor,” Chad’s lawyer said, rising in his chair. “We would like to remove Alessandro Valentino from Rebecca Woods’s custody and place him with his father and paternal grandparents. We have several witnesses who will attest to Miss Woods’s unfitness as a mother and… well… I don’t even know where to begin with Mr. Valentino.”
“The grandfather?” Judge Hopper mumbled again.
Chad’s attorney nodded. “The grandfather who just happens to be Don of the Valentino Family, a Mafia element based out of Italy.”
Judge Hopper blinked. “You have proof of this?”
“We do, your honor,” Chad’s attorney continued.
Ms. Loveless stood. “I just want to make it known, your honor, that my client, James Valetino, will be pleading the Fifth on any and all insinuations that he might be part of the Mafia.”
“Noted,” Judge Hopper said. “And you also have several witnesses, I can see on this list here.”
“Yes, your honor,” Chad’s lawyer replied. “All ready and willing to testify to the appalling nature of Ms. Woods’s character.”
“Ms. Loveless, I notice you did not submit a witness list.” Judge Hopper gave a rattling cough.
“We don’t have any to call at this time, your honor,” Ms. Loveless responded.
Judge Hopper narrowed his eyes at our table. “Well, this could be very short.”
I felt sick to my stomach. James squeezed my hand hard.
“Your honor, I would ask that you not hold any prejudice…” Ms. Loveless began.
Judge Hopper scowled at her. “You are accusing me of harboring prejudice already, Ms. Loveless?”
Ms. Loveless swallowed, but I could see her fingers digging into the wood of the table. She was pissed. “Of course not, your honor.”
“Good. I will hear preliminary arguments from the plaintiff,” Judge Hopper said.
Chad’s attorney smiled smugly at Ms. Loveless, and her nails just dug deeper. “Thank you, your honor. Now, as we all know, Taliana Valentino made it clear in her final wishes that she wanted Rebecca Woods to raise Alessandro Valentino. That fact is not in question. What is in question is whether or not she made the correct, informed choice.”
A clack of papers being hit on the tabletop interrupted Chad’s attorney’s speech, but I saw soon it was deliberate. The attorney took the papers from his second and held them out for all to see. “We have no less than thirteen affidavits here attesting to Rebecca Woods’s mercurial and violent nature.”
“I’ve read them,” Judge Hopper said. “I must say they are rather… damning.”
“Your honor,” Ms. Loveless protested again.
Judge Hopper frowned at her. “Would you like me to hold you in contempt?”
“I would like you to recuse yourself. You are obviously already prejudiced against my clients,” Ms. Loveless sniffed.
“Your objection is noted, but I will not be recusing myself,” Judge Hopper said.
“I want that objection noted on the record,” Ms. Loveless seethed.
Judge Hopper raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”
“Good.” Ms. Loveless sat down again.
“You can continue, Bruce.” Judge Hopper smiled kindly at Chad’s attorney.
“Thank you, your honor.” Bruce oozed charm. “As you can see from these affidavits, Rebecca Woods is hardly a fit person to raise Alessandro Valentino. All of these people are prepared to come and testify in open court if you would like to hear from them yourself.”
“That won’t be necessary, Bruce,” Judge Hopper said, waving a hand. “We don’t need to waste the court’s time.”
“Your honor! I would like the opportunity to cross-examine these witnesses!” Ms. Loveless gaped.
“Noted. I’ll take your request under advisement.” Judge Hopper yawned. “I am interested in this witness, however. The child’s maternal grandmother?”
“Allison Valentino has come forward of her own free will, your honor, in order to act in the best interests of her innocent little grandchild,” Bruce simpered.
Ms. Loveless looked as though she wanted to kill Bruce. As did James. Apparently, if I wanted to strangle him, there was already a line.
“Is there a particular reason Judge Hopper is being such a d*ck?” James asked Ms. Loveless in a low tone.
“Judge Hopper and Bruce Kensington II are old golf buddies. You’re looking at Bruce Kensington III,” Ms. Loveless grumbled.
“And there’s nothing we can do about this,” James responded.
Ms. Loveless shook her head. “Not really. The Kensingtons play golf with every member of the legal profession I know.”
“Great,” James sighed.
I wanted to throw up.
“… Call Allison Valentino to the stand,” the bailiff said, making me realize I’d missed a whole paragraph of Bruce Kensington III’s posturing.
Allison came in wearing a Versace dress and Christian Louboutin heels. Her somewhat subtle ruby jewelry appeared to be authentic.
“My, my, look who’s come up in the world,” James snorted.
Allison screwed up her face in something resembling fear and pointed at James. “This man is harassing me.”
“I’m not—!” James argued.
“Mr. Valentino. This is a court of law. Please try not to be disruptive,” Judge Hopper ordered.
James seemed ready to reel back and defend himself some more, but both Ms. Loveless and I put a hand on his arms.
Grinding his teeth, James sat back down.
Judge Hopper’s eyes twinkled with interest as Miss Sex-On-Heels got herself into the witness stand.
