From Nanny To Wife (31 page)

"He's accusing me of-"

"I know," Hope said. "We know it's not true. For Zoe's sake, you have to remain calm. Now please sit down."

"You would be wise to listen to your wife, Mr. Kendall," the Judge said.

Seething, Ryan did as he was told.

"Next witness, Mr. Finch."

"I saved the best for last," Harvey muttered to Ryan. "I would like to call Mrs. Andrews sister, Michelle Hilton to the stand."

Ryan heard Laura gasp.
I hope she buries you, you bitch.

Once Michelle had taken the stand Harvey didn't waste any time, but got right down to business. "Ms. Hilton, what kind of mother would you say your sister is?"

"A lousy one," Michelle said.

"Tell me about her."

Michelle tossed her long black hair over her shoulder. "Laura has always been self absorbed. Everything revolves around her. I had hoped when she had Zoe that would've changed, but it didn't."

"Do you believe that your sister loves Zoe?"

Michelle snorted. "No. She doesn't care about Zoe. She sees the little girl as a burden. The only reason she wants Zoe is so she can make Ryan's life a nightmare. Laura can't stand to see Ryan happy."

Harvey folded his arms in front of his chest. "What do you think of Ryan Kendall?"

"I think he's an arrogant prick." Michelle grimaced. "I apologize for using such language in your courtroom, Your Honor. There is one thing I can say for Ryan. He loves that little girl."

"If Mrs. Andrews were to raise Zoe do you think she would take care of her?"

"No," Michelle said. "I wouldn't let a child near her."

Harvey cocked his head to one side. "Please explain what you mean by that."

"The family got together for Christmas at Laura's place. We have a large family and the holidays can be chaotic when we're all together. My four-year-old son was running through the house with his cousins. You know how kids can be when they're hopped up on sugar. Anyway, he bumped into the coffee table and knocked over a crystal vase. It shattered into a million pieces. Laura became livid and smacked him across the face."

"Your Honor," Mr. Dickerson said. "She has no proof of the allegation."

"Oh, but she does," Harvey said. "I believe you have a copy of the police report, Your Honor."

"I do," Judge Stewart said.

"Excellent." Harvey stepped to his briefcase and removed a folder. He held it out to Mr. Dickerson. "Here is a copy of that report. So, Ms. Hilton, you called the police. What happened next?"

"They came to the house and listened to everyone's side of the story. I told them I wanted to press charges and they arrested Laura."

"I'm through Your Honor."

"Mr. Dickerson, your turn."

"No questions," he croaked.

Judge Stewart clasped her hands in front of her. "Do either of you gentlemen wish to make a closing statement?"

"No," they said in unison.

"I will take a short recess and then come back with my decision."

"How are you two doing?" Harvey inquired once the Judge adjourned to her chamber.

"How the hell do you think we're doing?" Ryan snarled.

"Hang in there," Harvey said. "It won't be much longer now."

Five minutes later, Judge Stewart came out. She took a seat and studied first Ryan and then Laura. "These cases are never easy. A child's future is in my hands. Is Zoe here?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Harvey said. "She's waiting in the corridor."

"Bring her in," Judge Stewart said. "I would like to meet her."

Maggie left the courtroom and came back a few minutes later with Zoe in tow. She escorted the child to the stand and helped her onto the chair.

"Hello, Zoe," the Judge said. "My name is Marla."

"Hello," Zoe mumbled shyly. Her eyes scanned the courtroom and lit up when she spotted Ryan and Hope.

"I have something for you." Judge Stewart stuck her hand in the pocket of her robe and brought out a cherry flavored sucker. She held it out to Zoe.

Zoe looked to Ryan for permission.

"You can take it, baby girl," he told her.

Zoe reached for the sucker. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The Judge smiled at her. "How old are you, Zoe?"

"Three."

"My, you're getting to be a big girl."

"I know."

Judge Stewart laughed. "It was nice meeting you, Zoe. Please take her out," she said to Maggie.

"Come along, sweetheart." Maggie lifted her out of the chair. "Let's go back to our story book."

Zoe waved at the Judge. "Bye-bye."

"Bye-bye." She waited until Zoe left the courtroom before she spoke. "She is a beautiful and well-mannered child. I wanted to meet her for two reasons. To see if she was a happy and healthy child and I wanted to see which parent she was drawn to the most. Mrs. Andrews, when she looked at you there was no emotion on her face. It was almost as though you were a stranger to her. Visitation is put into place for the parent and child to have time to bond with each other. You did not use your time with your daughter wisely."

"How could I when I was being watched," Laura said angrily.

"It doesn't matter if one or five people had been watching you," the Judge stated. "Your focus is on that child and not the people around you. Mr. Kendall, it is obvious she loves you and looks to you for guidance. You have done well with her."

"You mean the nanny done well with her," Laura sneered.

"One more word from you, Mrs. Andrews and I will have you removed from the court." Judge Stewart paused. "I have made my decision. Zoe will remain with her father. Mr. Kendall, I hope that in the future you will allow Zoe to see her mother should she want to."

"I will, Your Honor," Ryan said hoarsely. "Thank you."

Judge Stewart rapped her gavel against wood. "You all are free to go."

Ryan grabbed Hope and kissed her. "I love you."

Hope pressed her forehead to Ryan's. "I love you, too. Our Zoe is waiting for us. Let's go home."

Feeling like he had just been given a second chance, Ryan shook Harvey's hand. "Thank you for everything."

"I was just doing my job." Harvey grinned. "You will be getting my bill in the mail. Now go be with your daughter."

Ryan wrapped an arm around Hope and headed toward the exit. Laura moved in front of him. "Get out of my way," he growled.

"You will get what you deserve," Laura said her eyes full of hatred.

Ryan shoved past her. Nothing was going to ruin his mood. In the corridor he scooped Zoe up and spun her around. Her shriek of laughter was music to his ears. "Let's go home, baby girl." With love shining in his eyes he turned to Hope. "Let's all go home."

The End

Watch Out For The Sequel Of This Story

The title of the sequel is
From Roses to Thorns
.
Here is the summary.

It has been five months since the court hearing and Hope could not be happier. She and Ryan have a loving and committed marriage: and she has Zoe who is the light of her life. Things are finally going right for her, but as the old saying goes, life can change in the blink of an eye. For Hope that change comes one night when she is kidnapped, drugged, tortured, and then dumped in a hospital parking lot. Scarred and frightened she struggles to put the pieces of her life back together.

Will Hope ever get past what happened to her? More importantly, why would someone want to harm her? Those are the questions that haunt Ryan as he tries to help the woman he loves cope with what happened. He will stop at nothing to make sure the person responsible for Hope's attack is found. Ryan always gets what he wants and what he wants more than anything is revenge.

There you go. The story will be told from Hope and Ryan's P.O.V. All the old characters will be back and possibly two new ones.

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