The judge immediately noticed Evan’s surly attitude because his eyes flicked over him appraisingly. “Your home is supplied by your company along with your job. Is that right?”
“Yeah,” Evan spat.
“Yes, Your Honor!” the judge roared.
A tiny squeak left Gabby’s throat, and DJ grunted quietly.
“So,” Judge Merrick continued. “Am I right in assuming that you’re no longer employed as a Ranger for Sterling Wildlife Management?”
Evan’s lawyer cleared his throat. “My client decided to resign from his position, Your Honor. Another opportunity has arisen in Alaska, so he’ll be relocating there in two weeks.”
My heart gave a hard thud.
Traveling to Alaska would be impossible for the kids.
Shit!
The judge’s mouth went tight, and he leaned back in his chair, studying Evan. “Daniel and Gabrielle can’t travel to Alaska every two weeks. Has your client taken that into account?”
Evan’s lawyercleared his throat and nodded. “In the circumstances, my client has asked to drop the custody request. He would still like to maintain visitation rights but understands visits will be sporadic until he can establish a routine.”
The judge glowered. “Visitation will be nonexistent unless your client travels to their home in Wyoming. It’s unreasonable to expect two teenagers to board a plane without adult supervision and travel hundreds of miles away, especially when they have to study for college. Plus, Daniel needs to be present if he’s going to excel at sports and earn a college scholarship.”
My breath caught in my throat.
“So I’ve decided to leave visitation up to Daniel and Gabrielle. They’re old enough and have the maturity and emotional intelligence to make those decisions for themselves. Ms. Woods has never denied Mr. Palmer access, and I assume she won’t start now.” His eyes slid to me. “Is that assumption correct, Ms. Woods?”
I gave the judge a nod and murmured, “Yes, Your Honor.”
He glanced back down at his notes. “I also see Mr. Palmer makes regular child support payments. The amount seems very low, but Ms. Woods hasn’t made an application to the court to get it reviewed. However, the existing arrangement was made on the basis that Mr. Palmer cares for the children for approximately six days per month, and during school breaks.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” the lawyer agreed.
“In light of the changes and the fact that Mr. Palmer will no longer be caring for the children regularly, I’ve decided that the child support payments should be increased to seven hundred dollars until Gabrielle and Daniel reach the age of eighteen. If they remain in education at that time, I would expect your client to extend a helping hand and continue payment until such time that the children leave college, but that’s an arrangement he can discuss with Ms. Woods.”
Evan’s lawyer sighed.
The judge picked up his gavel and smashed it down on the sound block. “Case dismissed.” His stare cut to Kennedy. “On a separate matter, I’m gravely concerned that Mr. Palmer’s investigator took it upon himself to trespass on private property in order to take photographs of children without their main carer’s consent. I trust you’ll deal with it?”
Kennedy stood up and smiled. “It’s already in hand, Your Honor.”
He gave her a nod before shooting DJ and Gabby a parting smile. Then he rose to his feet and swept out of the courtroom.
“Oh, goodie,” Kennedy drawled. “We’re finished in time for lunch.” She swiveled her head toward Evan and his lawyer. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
The lawyer’s eyes narrowed, and Evan folded his arms across his chest as he let out a huff.
I turned to DJ and Gabby with tears shining in my eyes. I didn’t even attempt to hide my utter relief, or the pride I felt for the way my beautiful, incredible kids had handled themselves.
“It’s over, babies,” I said quietly, not quite believing it myself.
DJ sat up a little straighter and looked at Kennedy, who was packing up her files. “Does this mean he can’t show up at the house whenever he wants and cause shit anymore?”
“It means you and Gabby get the final say about if and when you see your dad. No more forced visits. The court trusts you both to make those decisions for yourselves,” she replied softly.
The corner of DJ's mouth hitched. “Cool.” He shrugged like it was the least important thing in the world, but I could tell he was in alpha-badass-in-training mode. God forbid he actually showed his teenage boy excitement.
“Does that mean we get to go home?” Gabby breathed excitedly.
