“Does the child, Olivia, have a guardian ad litem?”
“I’m here, Your Honor,” a voice said behind them.
Judge Atwel nodded. “Good to see you again.”
“You too, Your Honor.”
“Is Olivia here?” Judge Atwel asked.
Abby glanced behind her at Olivia, who stood. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“All right. Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to speak with Olivia in my chambers. Then I’m going to speak with her guardian ad litem, and I will render my decision afterward.” She stepped down from her bench and gestured for Olivia to follow her.
Olivia looked at Abby and Abby nodded encouragingly. The chamber doors shut behind Olivia and the judge with a sharp click. A sense of dread, of finality, washed through Abby. She couldn’t sit. There was too much nervous energy. She paced back and forth, watching the door nervously. Fifteen minutes later, it opened a crack and the bailiff stepped toward it, leaned in, then called for the guardian ad litem to go into chambers.
Olivia didn’t come out.
Oh, god. They’d whisked her out another door. They’d already decided Abby wasn’t fit to be Olivia’s guardian. They were going to take her away and she’d never see her again.
“Hey.” Tinker wrapped his arms around her.
So focused on the door, she’d completely blocked out everyone else. Tucking her face into the pocket of his shoulder, she wrapped his arms around his waist. “She’s going to say no.”
“She’s not. It’s not a bad thing that the judge is talking to Olivia and her ad litem. It means she’s listening to what they’re saying and factoring it into her decision,” he assured her.
Katherine joined them. “He’s right. Judge Atwel is one of the fairest judges in the family court. You honestly couldn’t have gotten assigned a better judge.”
Abby nodded. A little worry and fear dissipated, but she wouldn’t feel good until Olivia was back in the courtroom.
As if her thoughts had manifested, the door opened, and Olivia exited followed by her ad litem and the judge. Tinker kissed the top of Abby’s head, and he and Katherine returned to their seats. Abby remained standing. Olivia, beaming, bounced to a stop next to Abby.
Finally…finally, a glimmer of hope shot through Abby.
Judge Atwel took her seat. “All right. Ms. Day, under normal circumstances Olivia would need to be in your physical custody for at least six months to make that custody permanent.”
There went that glimmer.
“However, after speaking with Olivia and her guardian ad litem, and given the unusual circumstances of this case, let the record reflect that full custody of the minor, Olivia Holder, is given to Abigail Day.” She banged her gavel.
Abby struggled for words. “That’s— That’s it?”
Judge Atwel gave her an amused look. “Do you want more? I’m sure we can schedule more hearings, but that would be a waste of time and money.”
“No! No, I just wasn’t expecting a decision today. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Abby hugged Olivia tightly. Everyone joined them, hugging and laughing.
Judge Atwel banged her gavel several times. “Okay, folks. I know this is a happy occasion, but please go be happy out in the hall—I have other cases to hear.”
“Yes, Your Honor. Thank you,” Magda said. She ushered and shooed them out of the courtroom.
Abby glanced back before leaving to see both the judge and the clerk grab tissues.
After party
The celebration continued in the hall.
“I don’t understand,” Abby said. “Do you know why she withdrew her petition? Not that I’m complaining, but I’m surprised.”
