Chapter 29
Casey Novak, Sandra, Nick
_ The next day, Nick and his mother Sandra were sitting in
the attorney, Casey Novak’s, office. It had been a long day for everyone with the death of
Ariana surrounding them. It was said that Nick may have been the last one to
see her alive. She never went to work after she had gotten into that fight with
Joanna. Because of the fight, Joanna was even considered a suspect in Ariana’s death.
Casey walked into her office to see Nick and Sandra sitting and waiting for her return. “Okay…” Casey said entering into her office and taking a seat behind her desk. “I just got word that Ariana’s death has been ruled as a suicide. They found a word document on her computer. Something about her life not being complete without the love of her life…Nicholas Lancaster.”
Nick lean down and buried his head into his hands. Sandra rubbed her son’s back in comfort. “So what’s next?” Sandra asked.
“She, Ariana, also mentioned Joanna’s name in her suicide note confessing to the things her and Joanna did to pretty much make Nick’s life miserable. Joanna is definitely going to be getting some jail time. With the help of Ariana, they broke several laws. Tampering with Nick’s mail for one, when it came down to those DNA results that Ariana clearly committed fraud. With that said, we wait to be called in for the court hearing of rather or not you get custody of Josslyn and we get the real DNA results for baby Nicky.” Casey stated as she looked at both Sandra and Nick.
Nick sat up in his chair taking a deep breath. “How long will it be before they call us in for a court hearing?”
“It could be today…it could be tomorrow…next week…or even 6 weeks from now.”
“In the mean time who will have Josslyn and Nicky?” Nick asked.
“Her mother, Melissa. She managed to work up some cases on the fact that you were a ‘drug addict’. Which would give her the next guardianship for the kids.”
Nick mumbled a curse.
“Can she do that?” Sandra asked slightly upset.
“She is the biological grandmother of both kids. She can do whatever she likes. We just have to fight for Nick's parental rights.” Casey responded.
Nick sat there clenching his jaw muscles.
Sandra looked at Nick and brought her attention back to Casey. “So that means, he can’t leave town until this is all figured out, right?”
“Not unless you want to get this handles as quickly as possible.” Casey responded.
Sandra looked at Nick. “Do you understand that, Nick? You’re not going back to Atlanta until this is taken care of.”
“I heard her. Im not deaf.” Nick stated flatly with sarcasm.
“I know this sucks for the moment. Playing the waiting game is not fun. But don’t worry. You will have Josslyn in your arms. I will promise you that, Nick.” Casey reassured him.
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Casey walked into her office to see Nick and Sandra sitting and waiting for her return. “Okay…” Casey said entering into her office and taking a seat behind her desk. “I just got word that Ariana’s death has been ruled as a suicide. They found a word document on her computer. Something about her life not being complete without the love of her life…Nicholas Lancaster.”
Nick lean down and buried his head into his hands. Sandra rubbed her son’s back in comfort. “So what’s next?” Sandra asked.
“She, Ariana, also mentioned Joanna’s name in her suicide note confessing to the things her and Joanna did to pretty much make Nick’s life miserable. Joanna is definitely going to be getting some jail time. With the help of Ariana, they broke several laws. Tampering with Nick’s mail for one, when it came down to those DNA results that Ariana clearly committed fraud. With that said, we wait to be called in for the court hearing of rather or not you get custody of Josslyn and we get the real DNA results for baby Nicky.” Casey stated as she looked at both Sandra and Nick.
Nick sat up in his chair taking a deep breath. “How long will it be before they call us in for a court hearing?”
“It could be today…it could be tomorrow…next week…or even 6 weeks from now.”
“In the mean time who will have Josslyn and Nicky?” Nick asked.
“Her mother, Melissa. She managed to work up some cases on the fact that you were a ‘drug addict’. Which would give her the next guardianship for the kids.”
Nick mumbled a curse.
“Can she do that?” Sandra asked slightly upset.
“She is the biological grandmother of both kids. She can do whatever she likes. We just have to fight for Nick's parental rights.” Casey responded.
Nick sat there clenching his jaw muscles.
Sandra looked at Nick and brought her attention back to Casey. “So that means, he can’t leave town until this is all figured out, right?”
“Not unless you want to get this handles as quickly as possible.” Casey responded.
Sandra looked at Nick. “Do you understand that, Nick? You’re not going back to Atlanta until this is taken care of.”
“I heard her. Im not deaf.” Nick stated flatly with sarcasm.
“I know this sucks for the moment. Playing the waiting game is not fun. But don’t worry. You will have Josslyn in your arms. I will promise you that, Nick.” Casey reassured him.
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Sabrina, Cody, Kelly, Jordan
_ Several days later, Sabrina was lying on the floor of her
apartment playing with Jordan and Cody when she heard a knock at her door.
“Watch him, okay?” Sabrina said to Cody with a smile as she got up from the floor.
“Im on duty!” Cody told her as he lightly tickled Jordan.
Sabrina opened her door to see her aunt Kelly. “Hey!” Sabrina smiled.
“Hey sugar plum!” Kelly laughed and gave her niece a hug.
Sabrina welcomed her inside.
“There’s my handsome newphews!” Kelly said putting her purse down.
“Hey aunt Kelly!” Cody exclaimed as he hopped up from the floor to give her a hug.
Kelly leaned down giving Cody a hug and many kisses on his cheeks. “What are we up to today?” Kelly asked with a smile as she looked at Jordan sitting on the floor in his cushioned pillow.
“We’re trying to make Jordan smile so we can get ready to take his Kodak picture.” Cody shared as he held Kelly’s hand pulling her into the living room.
“Oh yeah? When is picture day?”
“I’m not sure. Mom, when is picture day?” Cody asked Sabrina as he sat on the floor next to Jordan.
“Well…it was going to be this weekend, but I think I may reschedule it.” Sabrina responded.
Kelly looked up at Sabrina as she too sat on the floor next to Jordan. “Why reschedule?”
“I was hoping Nick could take a picture with us.” Sabrina said sounding a little sad as she took a seat in the chair next to the sofa.
“Have you heard from him since he’s been back in Florida?”
“Yeah. He calls me everyday. But…he doesn’t know when he can come back because if he decides to hit the road, the judge may call a court hearing.”
“Oh man. That sucks.”
“Yeah.” Sabrina said in deep thoughts as she crossed her legs.
Kelly couldn’t resist it anymore, she had to pick Jordan up and place him in her arms. “So now what?”
“I want to go down there and be there for him.” Sabrina said looking at Cody.
“What do you think about that Cody?” Kelly said also looking at Cody.
“I think she should go. Me and Jordan will be fine.” Cody simply responded.
Sabrina snickered. “Cody thinks Im going to let him babysit Jordan…alone.”
Kelly laughed and rustled her fingers thru Cody’s hair. “Yeah right, Code-meister. That’s not gonna happen.”
“I could do it ya know.” Cody smiled.
“I guess you want your mom to go to jail for leaving her sons, a 9 year old and a 5 week old, home alone. Yeah, right.” Sabrina teased Cody.
“I won’t tell if you don’t tell.” Cody joked.
“Where is this child’s mind been wondering lately?” Kelly asked.
Sabrina laughed with a shrug.
“Well, Brin…if you go down there, how long will you stay?” Kelly asked.
“Just a day. If I leave early in the morning and spend the day there and come back that night.” “No…that’s too much. You’ll be tired. Why don’t you just stay for one night and come back the next morning. I’ll keep Cody and Jordan with me. Derek is gone for the weekend on base, so I can use the company.”
“YESSS! Aunt Kelly’s house…yeah!” Cody said as he hopped up doing a little dance forcing Sabrina and Kelly to laugh.
“Really, aunt Kelly? You don’t mind?”
“No. Go get your man.” Kelly smirked at Sabrina.
“Yeah. Bring him back. He’s been pretty cool lately every time I talk to him on the phone. He can’t be that bad in person.” Cody added.
Sabrina hopped up and playfully tackled her son embracing him as they all laughed.
“So when are you leaving?” Kelly asked.
“Im thinking Friday. You’re off Friday, right?”
“I am.”
“Cool. Now, let’s talk about this re-newing vows ceremony. I want to go big!” Sabrina said with excitement. She then grabbed a couple of Bride magazines to show her aunt.
----------------------------------
“Watch him, okay?” Sabrina said to Cody with a smile as she got up from the floor.
“Im on duty!” Cody told her as he lightly tickled Jordan.
Sabrina opened her door to see her aunt Kelly. “Hey!” Sabrina smiled.
“Hey sugar plum!” Kelly laughed and gave her niece a hug.
Sabrina welcomed her inside.
“There’s my handsome newphews!” Kelly said putting her purse down.
“Hey aunt Kelly!” Cody exclaimed as he hopped up from the floor to give her a hug.
Kelly leaned down giving Cody a hug and many kisses on his cheeks. “What are we up to today?” Kelly asked with a smile as she looked at Jordan sitting on the floor in his cushioned pillow.
“We’re trying to make Jordan smile so we can get ready to take his Kodak picture.” Cody shared as he held Kelly’s hand pulling her into the living room.
“Oh yeah? When is picture day?”
“I’m not sure. Mom, when is picture day?” Cody asked Sabrina as he sat on the floor next to Jordan.
“Well…it was going to be this weekend, but I think I may reschedule it.” Sabrina responded.
Kelly looked up at Sabrina as she too sat on the floor next to Jordan. “Why reschedule?”
“I was hoping Nick could take a picture with us.” Sabrina said sounding a little sad as she took a seat in the chair next to the sofa.
“Have you heard from him since he’s been back in Florida?”
“Yeah. He calls me everyday. But…he doesn’t know when he can come back because if he decides to hit the road, the judge may call a court hearing.”
“Oh man. That sucks.”
“Yeah.” Sabrina said in deep thoughts as she crossed her legs.
Kelly couldn’t resist it anymore, she had to pick Jordan up and place him in her arms. “So now what?”
“I want to go down there and be there for him.” Sabrina said looking at Cody.
“What do you think about that Cody?” Kelly said also looking at Cody.
“I think she should go. Me and Jordan will be fine.” Cody simply responded.
Sabrina snickered. “Cody thinks Im going to let him babysit Jordan…alone.”
Kelly laughed and rustled her fingers thru Cody’s hair. “Yeah right, Code-meister. That’s not gonna happen.”
“I could do it ya know.” Cody smiled.
“I guess you want your mom to go to jail for leaving her sons, a 9 year old and a 5 week old, home alone. Yeah, right.” Sabrina teased Cody.
“I won’t tell if you don’t tell.” Cody joked.
“Where is this child’s mind been wondering lately?” Kelly asked.
Sabrina laughed with a shrug.
“Well, Brin…if you go down there, how long will you stay?” Kelly asked.
“Just a day. If I leave early in the morning and spend the day there and come back that night.” “No…that’s too much. You’ll be tired. Why don’t you just stay for one night and come back the next morning. I’ll keep Cody and Jordan with me. Derek is gone for the weekend on base, so I can use the company.”
“YESSS! Aunt Kelly’s house…yeah!” Cody said as he hopped up doing a little dance forcing Sabrina and Kelly to laugh.
“Really, aunt Kelly? You don’t mind?”
“No. Go get your man.” Kelly smirked at Sabrina.
“Yeah. Bring him back. He’s been pretty cool lately every time I talk to him on the phone. He can’t be that bad in person.” Cody added.
Sabrina hopped up and playfully tackled her son embracing him as they all laughed.
“So when are you leaving?” Kelly asked.
“Im thinking Friday. You’re off Friday, right?”
“I am.”
“Cool. Now, let’s talk about this re-newing vows ceremony. I want to go big!” Sabrina said with excitement. She then grabbed a couple of Bride magazines to show her aunt.
----------------------------------
Days Later
Josslyn
_ “Daddy, I miss yoooouuuu!!” Josslyn wailed into the phone
making Nick cringe at her loudness.
He chuckled. “I miss you too pumpkin eater. I hope to you see really, really soon.” Nick replied.
“Daddy you said that last time!” Josslyn snapped into the phone.
“I know baby, but this time I hope soon means even sooner!” He then heard Josslyn sigh.
She then spoke to her grandmother Melissa in the background, “No grandma, Im still eating that!” “What are you eating?” Nick asked.
“Some froot loops.”
Nick smiled as he heard her munch on something crunchy. It was clear, Nick missed his little girl severely. He hadn’t seen her in weeks, yet he talks to her on the phone at every chance he gets.
“Oh, daddy, grandma says I have to hang up now…buh-bye, luv you!”
“I love you too, baby, bye.” Nick responded.
He didn’t hand the phone back over to his mother until he heard Joanna’s mother, Melissa, say, “Hello?”
Once Nick handed his mother the phone, he stood up and quietly told her, “Im going to take a shower.”
“Ok, honey.” Sandra responded before bringing the phone up to her ear.
Nick refused to have any words with Melissa. In order to speak to his daughter, he would ask his mom to call Melissa’s house, and Sandra would speak to Josslyn first and then hand the phone over to Nick for him to speak to his daughter. It was early Friday morning, and Nick was hoping that his attorney Casey Novak would hurry and tell him that the judge was calling them for the court hearing. Apparently, whatever legal issues Joanna was dealing with, was holding his custody battle back for Josslyn.
Once Sandra was off the phone with Melissa, she gathered her things to head off to work. She walked upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door where Nick was taking a shower.
“Nicholas, Im leaving for work. Give me a call if Casey calls.” Sandra said loudly for him to hear. “Yeah, if she ever calls!” Nick yelled over the shower water.
“Bye, honey!” Sandra yelled and walked away.
Sandra walked out of the front door of her house looking thru her brief case to make sure she had everything. When she looked up she noticed a white car in her driveway. She then saw a female slowly walking toward her as the light breeze in the air blew the long floral designed maxi dress she wore. Sandra squinted her eyes and realized it was Sabrina.
“Sabrina…” Sandra said in shock.
Sabrina smiled, “Hi, Ms. Sandra. How are you?”
“Im fine. What are you doing here?” Sandra asked now looking confused. She looked in the distance to see if she had the baby with her.
“I came to see Nick. To make sure he was okay.” Sabrina noticed that Sandra was about to leave. “Am I blocking you in? I can move my car…”
“No, I should be able to get around.” Sandra said with a little smile.
Sabrina sensed a slight awkwardness between the two. When she drove by to see if Nick’s car was going to be there to surprise him, she didn’t think about the fact that she would be alone with his mother who clearly didn’t have the greatest liking to her. It also didn’t help that she had yet to see her grandson, Jordan.
Sabrina awkwardly cleared her throat not sure what to say to her when she saw Sandra standing there just staring at her. “So, you’re off to work?”
“I am.”
Sabrina faintly smiled feeling awkward. “Is it okay if I go check on Nick?”
“Sure. He’s in the shower, so he may not hear the doorbell.”
“Okay, thanks.” Sabrina smiled as she started to walk away.
“You know, Sabrina…” Sandra said forcing Sabrina to turn around and face her mother-in-law. “I just have one question for you.”
“Okay…” Sabrina responded with uncertainty.
“Why haven’t I seen Jordan?”
“Trust me Ms. Sandra, Im not trying to prevent you from seeing him.”
“Really? So…you come all of this way, and you don’t bring him?”
Sabrina quietly sighed. She felt if Sandra really wanted to see or even meet Jordan, she would have come to the hospital to visit him.
“I uh…I didn’t think now was the right time to bring him…But you received a picture of him, right? His newborn picture from the hospital?” Sabrina said trying to change the subject.
“No, actually I didn’t.” Sandra replied flatly.
“Im sorry. I thought Nick would have given you one by now.” Sabrina dug into her purse and stated, “I can give you one now. I have an extra copy in my purse.”
“Don’t bother. I’d rather have my own personal copy. And if I can…I would love to see my grandson personally.” Sandra said walking away from Sabrina toward her car. “And soon, I hope.” Sandra added as she put her shades on.
“Okay. Yes ma’am.” Sabrina responded forcing a smile on her face.
Sabrina turned to walk away until she heard Sandra say one last thing.
“By the way, Sabrina…that’s a lovely dress.” Sandra then closed her car door shut and drove away.
Sabrina sighed with frustration. She could never understand why his mother never liked her. It hurt her feelings, but she figured it was something she would have to deal with it.
Sabrina walked up to the door and rung the doorbell before trying the door to see if it would open. No luck, the door was locked. She rung the doorbell again and knocked hard on the door. Sabrina waited a few minutes and rung the doorbell once again.
She then heard Nick say, “Im coming, Im coming! Did you forget something?”
Sabrina smiled to hear his voice as she looked down at the car keys in her hand. Nick yanked the door open and was caught off guard to see his wife, Sabrina, standing on the other side of the door.
He chuckled. “I miss you too pumpkin eater. I hope to you see really, really soon.” Nick replied.
“Daddy you said that last time!” Josslyn snapped into the phone.
“I know baby, but this time I hope soon means even sooner!” He then heard Josslyn sigh.
She then spoke to her grandmother Melissa in the background, “No grandma, Im still eating that!” “What are you eating?” Nick asked.
“Some froot loops.”
Nick smiled as he heard her munch on something crunchy. It was clear, Nick missed his little girl severely. He hadn’t seen her in weeks, yet he talks to her on the phone at every chance he gets.
“Oh, daddy, grandma says I have to hang up now…buh-bye, luv you!”
“I love you too, baby, bye.” Nick responded.
He didn’t hand the phone back over to his mother until he heard Joanna’s mother, Melissa, say, “Hello?”
Once Nick handed his mother the phone, he stood up and quietly told her, “Im going to take a shower.”
“Ok, honey.” Sandra responded before bringing the phone up to her ear.
Nick refused to have any words with Melissa. In order to speak to his daughter, he would ask his mom to call Melissa’s house, and Sandra would speak to Josslyn first and then hand the phone over to Nick for him to speak to his daughter. It was early Friday morning, and Nick was hoping that his attorney Casey Novak would hurry and tell him that the judge was calling them for the court hearing. Apparently, whatever legal issues Joanna was dealing with, was holding his custody battle back for Josslyn.
Once Sandra was off the phone with Melissa, she gathered her things to head off to work. She walked upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door where Nick was taking a shower.
“Nicholas, Im leaving for work. Give me a call if Casey calls.” Sandra said loudly for him to hear. “Yeah, if she ever calls!” Nick yelled over the shower water.
“Bye, honey!” Sandra yelled and walked away.
Sandra walked out of the front door of her house looking thru her brief case to make sure she had everything. When she looked up she noticed a white car in her driveway. She then saw a female slowly walking toward her as the light breeze in the air blew the long floral designed maxi dress she wore. Sandra squinted her eyes and realized it was Sabrina.
“Sabrina…” Sandra said in shock.
Sabrina smiled, “Hi, Ms. Sandra. How are you?”
“Im fine. What are you doing here?” Sandra asked now looking confused. She looked in the distance to see if she had the baby with her.
“I came to see Nick. To make sure he was okay.” Sabrina noticed that Sandra was about to leave. “Am I blocking you in? I can move my car…”
“No, I should be able to get around.” Sandra said with a little smile.
Sabrina sensed a slight awkwardness between the two. When she drove by to see if Nick’s car was going to be there to surprise him, she didn’t think about the fact that she would be alone with his mother who clearly didn’t have the greatest liking to her. It also didn’t help that she had yet to see her grandson, Jordan.
Sabrina awkwardly cleared her throat not sure what to say to her when she saw Sandra standing there just staring at her. “So, you’re off to work?”
“I am.”
Sabrina faintly smiled feeling awkward. “Is it okay if I go check on Nick?”
“Sure. He’s in the shower, so he may not hear the doorbell.”
“Okay, thanks.” Sabrina smiled as she started to walk away.
“You know, Sabrina…” Sandra said forcing Sabrina to turn around and face her mother-in-law. “I just have one question for you.”
“Okay…” Sabrina responded with uncertainty.
“Why haven’t I seen Jordan?”
“Trust me Ms. Sandra, Im not trying to prevent you from seeing him.”
“Really? So…you come all of this way, and you don’t bring him?”
Sabrina quietly sighed. She felt if Sandra really wanted to see or even meet Jordan, she would have come to the hospital to visit him.
“I uh…I didn’t think now was the right time to bring him…But you received a picture of him, right? His newborn picture from the hospital?” Sabrina said trying to change the subject.
“No, actually I didn’t.” Sandra replied flatly.
“Im sorry. I thought Nick would have given you one by now.” Sabrina dug into her purse and stated, “I can give you one now. I have an extra copy in my purse.”
“Don’t bother. I’d rather have my own personal copy. And if I can…I would love to see my grandson personally.” Sandra said walking away from Sabrina toward her car. “And soon, I hope.” Sandra added as she put her shades on.
“Okay. Yes ma’am.” Sabrina responded forcing a smile on her face.
Sabrina turned to walk away until she heard Sandra say one last thing.
“By the way, Sabrina…that’s a lovely dress.” Sandra then closed her car door shut and drove away.
Sabrina sighed with frustration. She could never understand why his mother never liked her. It hurt her feelings, but she figured it was something she would have to deal with it.
Sabrina walked up to the door and rung the doorbell before trying the door to see if it would open. No luck, the door was locked. She rung the doorbell again and knocked hard on the door. Sabrina waited a few minutes and rung the doorbell once again.
She then heard Nick say, “Im coming, Im coming! Did you forget something?”
Sabrina smiled to hear his voice as she looked down at the car keys in her hand. Nick yanked the door open and was caught off guard to see his wife, Sabrina, standing on the other side of the door.
_ Nick’s eyes quickly adverted to her car in the driveway and
then back to her.
He smiled, “Baby, what are you doing here?” He stepped forward and immediately wrapped his arms around her giving her a hug.
Sabrina broadened her smile and welcomed his embraced. “Im here for you, silly.” Sabrina laughed joyfully to see him so happy to see her.
“Damn, girl, get in here.” Nick said pulling her inside his mother’s house. He swept his eyes up and down her body. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Nick smiled.
Sabrina cutely turned around as if to give him a model’s twirl. She then got a good look of him as well. He looked amazingly hot wearing a white v-neck short sleeved t-shirt and blue jeans, with his diamond earrings sparkling, and smelling good from his fresh shower.
“You’re not so bad yourself, good looking.” Sabrina tapped his muscular arm.
Nick wrapped his arms around her again giving her a hug once again. Sabrina laughed feeling him hug her so tightly. “Are you happy to see me?” Sabrina teased him.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Nick pulled away and became slightly concerned. “Wait…where are the kids?”
“Aunt Kelly has both Cody and Jordan. So, everything is okay.”
Nick grabbed her hands and laced his fingers with hers and held her arms out. “This is big…this is huge. You’ve just earned a hell of a lot of brownie points with me young lady.” Nick said with a smile as he leaned into her.
He planted a kiss on her lips. Sabrina giggled as she kissed him back. They both pulled away gazing into each other’s eyes with a smile.
“I missed you too.” Sabrina said wrapping her arms around his neck.
“How long are you here for?”
“Just for tonight. But it doesn’t matter, Im here now, right?” Sabrina quickly added.
Nick responded by embracing her again. “I can’t believe you came down here all alone. Are you crazy?”
Sabrina laughed.
Nick pulled away holding on to her hands. “You just missed my mom. She just left for work.” “Yeah…I saw her.” Sabrina said as her smile slowly faded.
Nick saw her immediate change in her expression. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Sabrina lied.
She didn’t want to tell him about his mother at that moment. She wanted to keep the mood on a good note. Nick lightly pulled her into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He then forced Sabrina to sit in his lap.
“What happened?” He asked looking up at her while he rested one hand on her upper thigh and the other around her waist.
Sabrina smiled. “What…I said nothing.” Sabrina looked down at his hand and noticed he was wearing his wedding ring. She quickly changed the subject. “Babe, you’re wearing your wedding ring!” Sabrina smiled lacing her fingers around his fingers.
“Brin…c’mon, don’t change the subject. Did she say something to you?”
Sabrina sighed and wrapped her arm around his neck. “Yes, she spoke to me. Everything was fine. It’s okay. She just wondered why she hadn’t seen Jordan or even got a picture of him. That’s all. It’s nothing. Seriously.” Sabrina finished as she outlined Nick’s jaw line with her hand.
Nick lightly whisked a strand of her hair from around her face. “You know how my mom is, right?”
“I know…you’re her only son…I totally understand. No one is good enough for her son. I promise you, I feel the same way with Cody and Jordan. No chick will be good enough for them.” Sabrina snickered.
“So, she was a bitch to you, huh?” Nick stated with a smile.
Sabrina smiled. “No, not at all. She was a little stand offish but it’s okay. I understand. I mean…we almost got divorced, remember?”
Nick lightly gripped her chin. “I love you, Bri-bear.” He leaned into her and tenderly kissed her lips.
Sabrina deepened the kiss as she ran her fingers thru his short curls. Nick tightened his arms around her waist giving her a playful hard squeeze. Sabrina pulled away from the kiss and playfully shrieked out loud. Nick laughed.
“Hungry? You must be hungry…you got on the road so early.”
“Not really. Im fine.” Sabrina smiled gazing into his eyes.
“Well, I think you should eat. I’ll fix you something to eat.” Nick said as he helped her up from his lap.
“It’s okay, really. Im fine.” Sabrina smiled.
“Nope. You need to eat.” Nick grinned and slapped her butt as he stood up.
“Ow!” Sabrina smiled as she placed her hand over her butt from where he slapped her.
Nick continued to walk over to the refrigerator to pull out a carton of eggs. “I know you’re tired after that long drive. How early did you get on the road anyway?”
Sabrina walked over to the island counter and stood behind it as she leaned forward resting her chin on the palm of her hands while watching her husband move about. “Let’s just say really early. Thanks to your son, Jordan. But…what else is new. I think he knew I was leaving him today so he woke up really early this morning.”
Nick turned around to face Sabrina as he walked up to the other side of the island counter in front of her. He leaned forward moving close to her face saying, “Can you blame him? I wouldn’t want you to leave me either.” Nick pecked her lips and quickly went back to preparing breakfast. “Trust me…I know how he feels.” Nick added with a smile.
Sabrina gasped. She then moved around the island kitchen counter and walked up behind him playfully poking his sides as if trying to tickle him.
“Hey!!” Nick quickly turned around with a smile and grabbing her arms so she would stop. “Okay, okay, cut that out!”
Sabrina laughed.
Nick slowly backed her into the island kitchen counter as he spoke.
“Well, I know how it feels to be left too….all alone.” Sabrina stated softly.
Nick lowered his hands around her waist. “Well, you will never know how that feels again. I promise.” Nick said with sincerity leaning into her.
At that moment, the land line phone began to ring.
“Promise?” Sabrina asked in a seductive tone with a smirk.
Nick nodded ‘yes’. “Promise.” He whispered sending a tingly feeling up and down Sabrina’s body.
They simultaneously began sensually kissing each other as the phone continued to ring. Sabrina giggled and slightly pulled away to say, “Are you going to get that?”
“Nope.” Nick mumbled shaking his head as he continued to softly kiss her lips.
Sabrina briefly kissed him back and pulled back, “Nick you should get it. What if its your mom checking on you.”
Nick rested his forehead against hers and quietly sighed. “Finnne.” Nick said with annoyance. He then planted one last firm kiss on her lips and quickly moved away.
As he made his way over toward the phone he said, “It’s probably not her. It might be one of her coworkers. Watch this…she hates when I answer the phone like this and its one of her coworkers. Sabrina giggled while cutely biting her lower lip as she kept her eyes on him.
“Talk to me!” Nick answered the phone giving Sabrina a wink.
Sabrina wasn’t sure why, but she felt like she could have just melted when he winked at her like that. She felt like a teenager falling in love all over again. She was loving the feeling. Her smile slowly faded when she saw Nick’s demeanor change when he heard the other person speaking on the phone.
“Mrs. Novak. Hi.” Nick replied.
His expression became stoned serious. Sabrina became more alert waiting to hear what Nick was going to say next the lawyer Casey Novak, who was helping with the custody case.
Nick raised his wrist up to view his silver rolex watch. “At what time?” He paused in silence. “Yes….of course. Yes….. Okay. Thanks so much Mrs. Novak—I mean Casey. Sorry…” Nick slightly chuckled. “Alright, thanks. See you in a bit.” Nick finished as he ended the call.
Sabrina stood up straight away from the counter looking up at Nick awaiting for him to fill her in.
“The judge is calling for a court hearing today. In like two hours.” Nick said slightly stunned.
“Baby, that’s great!” Sabrina exclaimed as she walked up toward him.
“Yeah.” Nick said as if he still couldn’t believe it.
“So…don’t you have to get dressed or something?”
Nick looked down at his shirt and jeans. “You mean like a suit?”
“Yes! You’re going to court. Nick, snap out of it. It’s happening. You. Are. Coming out of Court. With. Josslyn.” Sabrina smiled emphasizing each word as she lightly shook his shoulders.
Nick nervously took a breath thru his teeth and wrapped his arms around Sabrina tightly embracing her. “Ahhh, Im so happy you’re here.”
Sabrina laughed. “Me too, now go get dressed!”
------------------------------
He smiled, “Baby, what are you doing here?” He stepped forward and immediately wrapped his arms around her giving her a hug.
Sabrina broadened her smile and welcomed his embraced. “Im here for you, silly.” Sabrina laughed joyfully to see him so happy to see her.
“Damn, girl, get in here.” Nick said pulling her inside his mother’s house. He swept his eyes up and down her body. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Nick smiled.
Sabrina cutely turned around as if to give him a model’s twirl. She then got a good look of him as well. He looked amazingly hot wearing a white v-neck short sleeved t-shirt and blue jeans, with his diamond earrings sparkling, and smelling good from his fresh shower.
“You’re not so bad yourself, good looking.” Sabrina tapped his muscular arm.
Nick wrapped his arms around her again giving her a hug once again. Sabrina laughed feeling him hug her so tightly. “Are you happy to see me?” Sabrina teased him.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Nick pulled away and became slightly concerned. “Wait…where are the kids?”
“Aunt Kelly has both Cody and Jordan. So, everything is okay.”
Nick grabbed her hands and laced his fingers with hers and held her arms out. “This is big…this is huge. You’ve just earned a hell of a lot of brownie points with me young lady.” Nick said with a smile as he leaned into her.
He planted a kiss on her lips. Sabrina giggled as she kissed him back. They both pulled away gazing into each other’s eyes with a smile.
“I missed you too.” Sabrina said wrapping her arms around his neck.
“How long are you here for?”
“Just for tonight. But it doesn’t matter, Im here now, right?” Sabrina quickly added.
Nick responded by embracing her again. “I can’t believe you came down here all alone. Are you crazy?”
Sabrina laughed.
Nick pulled away holding on to her hands. “You just missed my mom. She just left for work.” “Yeah…I saw her.” Sabrina said as her smile slowly faded.
Nick saw her immediate change in her expression. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Sabrina lied.
She didn’t want to tell him about his mother at that moment. She wanted to keep the mood on a good note. Nick lightly pulled her into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He then forced Sabrina to sit in his lap.
“What happened?” He asked looking up at her while he rested one hand on her upper thigh and the other around her waist.
Sabrina smiled. “What…I said nothing.” Sabrina looked down at his hand and noticed he was wearing his wedding ring. She quickly changed the subject. “Babe, you’re wearing your wedding ring!” Sabrina smiled lacing her fingers around his fingers.
“Brin…c’mon, don’t change the subject. Did she say something to you?”
Sabrina sighed and wrapped her arm around his neck. “Yes, she spoke to me. Everything was fine. It’s okay. She just wondered why she hadn’t seen Jordan or even got a picture of him. That’s all. It’s nothing. Seriously.” Sabrina finished as she outlined Nick’s jaw line with her hand.
Nick lightly whisked a strand of her hair from around her face. “You know how my mom is, right?”
“I know…you’re her only son…I totally understand. No one is good enough for her son. I promise you, I feel the same way with Cody and Jordan. No chick will be good enough for them.” Sabrina snickered.
“So, she was a bitch to you, huh?” Nick stated with a smile.
Sabrina smiled. “No, not at all. She was a little stand offish but it’s okay. I understand. I mean…we almost got divorced, remember?”
Nick lightly gripped her chin. “I love you, Bri-bear.” He leaned into her and tenderly kissed her lips.
Sabrina deepened the kiss as she ran her fingers thru his short curls. Nick tightened his arms around her waist giving her a playful hard squeeze. Sabrina pulled away from the kiss and playfully shrieked out loud. Nick laughed.
“Hungry? You must be hungry…you got on the road so early.”
“Not really. Im fine.” Sabrina smiled gazing into his eyes.
“Well, I think you should eat. I’ll fix you something to eat.” Nick said as he helped her up from his lap.
“It’s okay, really. Im fine.” Sabrina smiled.
“Nope. You need to eat.” Nick grinned and slapped her butt as he stood up.
“Ow!” Sabrina smiled as she placed her hand over her butt from where he slapped her.
Nick continued to walk over to the refrigerator to pull out a carton of eggs. “I know you’re tired after that long drive. How early did you get on the road anyway?”
Sabrina walked over to the island counter and stood behind it as she leaned forward resting her chin on the palm of her hands while watching her husband move about. “Let’s just say really early. Thanks to your son, Jordan. But…what else is new. I think he knew I was leaving him today so he woke up really early this morning.”
Nick turned around to face Sabrina as he walked up to the other side of the island counter in front of her. He leaned forward moving close to her face saying, “Can you blame him? I wouldn’t want you to leave me either.” Nick pecked her lips and quickly went back to preparing breakfast. “Trust me…I know how he feels.” Nick added with a smile.
Sabrina gasped. She then moved around the island kitchen counter and walked up behind him playfully poking his sides as if trying to tickle him.
“Hey!!” Nick quickly turned around with a smile and grabbing her arms so she would stop. “Okay, okay, cut that out!”
Sabrina laughed.
Nick slowly backed her into the island kitchen counter as he spoke.
“Well, I know how it feels to be left too….all alone.” Sabrina stated softly.
Nick lowered his hands around her waist. “Well, you will never know how that feels again. I promise.” Nick said with sincerity leaning into her.
At that moment, the land line phone began to ring.
“Promise?” Sabrina asked in a seductive tone with a smirk.
Nick nodded ‘yes’. “Promise.” He whispered sending a tingly feeling up and down Sabrina’s body.
They simultaneously began sensually kissing each other as the phone continued to ring. Sabrina giggled and slightly pulled away to say, “Are you going to get that?”
“Nope.” Nick mumbled shaking his head as he continued to softly kiss her lips.
Sabrina briefly kissed him back and pulled back, “Nick you should get it. What if its your mom checking on you.”
Nick rested his forehead against hers and quietly sighed. “Finnne.” Nick said with annoyance. He then planted one last firm kiss on her lips and quickly moved away.
As he made his way over toward the phone he said, “It’s probably not her. It might be one of her coworkers. Watch this…she hates when I answer the phone like this and its one of her coworkers. Sabrina giggled while cutely biting her lower lip as she kept her eyes on him.
“Talk to me!” Nick answered the phone giving Sabrina a wink.
Sabrina wasn’t sure why, but she felt like she could have just melted when he winked at her like that. She felt like a teenager falling in love all over again. She was loving the feeling. Her smile slowly faded when she saw Nick’s demeanor change when he heard the other person speaking on the phone.
“Mrs. Novak. Hi.” Nick replied.
His expression became stoned serious. Sabrina became more alert waiting to hear what Nick was going to say next the lawyer Casey Novak, who was helping with the custody case.
Nick raised his wrist up to view his silver rolex watch. “At what time?” He paused in silence. “Yes….of course. Yes….. Okay. Thanks so much Mrs. Novak—I mean Casey. Sorry…” Nick slightly chuckled. “Alright, thanks. See you in a bit.” Nick finished as he ended the call.
Sabrina stood up straight away from the counter looking up at Nick awaiting for him to fill her in.
“The judge is calling for a court hearing today. In like two hours.” Nick said slightly stunned.
“Baby, that’s great!” Sabrina exclaimed as she walked up toward him.
“Yeah.” Nick said as if he still couldn’t believe it.
“So…don’t you have to get dressed or something?”
Nick looked down at his shirt and jeans. “You mean like a suit?”
“Yes! You’re going to court. Nick, snap out of it. It’s happening. You. Are. Coming out of Court. With. Josslyn.” Sabrina smiled emphasizing each word as she lightly shook his shoulders.
Nick nervously took a breath thru his teeth and wrapped his arms around Sabrina tightly embracing her. “Ahhh, Im so happy you’re here.”
Sabrina laughed. “Me too, now go get dressed!”
------------------------------
_ Sabrina looked over at Nick clenching his jaw muscles while
keeping his eyes on the road as he drove them toward the courthouse. Sabrina
knew he was nervous and very tensed. However, he looked good in his gray suit
jacket with a tint of blue pinstripe, and trousers and a nice white buttoned
shirt underneath. His knuckles were white as he held on tight to the wheel.
Sabrina raised her left hand softly caressing his neck while sliding her fingers
thru his short strands of hair of his head.
“Babe, relax. It’s going to be okay.” Sabrina said in a comforting tone.
Nick took a deep breath and looked over at her with a faint smile. He placed his hand on her left knee and gave it a light squeeze.
“Your mom is going to meet us there, right?” Sabrina asked softly.
Nick nodded his head ‘yes’.
Once Sabrina and Nick got out of Nick’s car at the courthouse, Nick extended his hand waiting for Sabrina to grab it. She gladly took his hand, lacing her fingers between his as they walked hand in hand into the courthouse. Nick escorted Sabrina toward the elevator where he was to meet his lawyer Casey Novak. They entered into the empty elevator. Nick quietly pressed the 3rd floor button taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. Sabrina noticed and lightly squeezed his hand as she gave him a comforting rub with the other. Nick brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of her hand as if thanking her for being there.
The elevator arrived to the 3rd floor and Nick saw Casey walking by just as the doors pried open. “Casey!” Nick called out to her to get her attention.
Casey immediately stopped in her tracks to see Nick and an attractive petite woman by his side. “Hey! You are right on time! Follow me.” Casey said with a smile as she escorted them into a small conference room.
As Casey gestured for them to walk in first, Nick introduced Casey to Sabrina and vice versa.
“Oh my gosh, you’re Mrs. Lancaster? So nice to meet you! You’re so pretty.” Casey said with a light smile.
“Aww, thank you.” Sabrina blushed taking a seat next to Nick at a shiny wooden table.
“Nick, where is your mother?”
“She’s on her way. There was an accident on the highway and she’s stuck in traffic.” Nick responded adjusting his suit jacket while settling in his chair.
Casey faintly smiled, “Okay. Well, let me tell you, it is fantastic that Sabrina is here. That shows family support, and every little bit counts. Now, Sabrina are you working?”
“No—“
“No, she just had a baby.” Nick responded interrupting Sabrina to answer for her.
“Okay, no problem. Now, Melissa’s lawyer is going to try and say that you all are only staying together to try and win this custody case. Word got out that Sabrina filed for divorce so its going to show you, Nick, as being more unstable. But don’t worry about it.”
Nick nervously took another breath.
“Do I need to take the stand to prove anything, because I will.” Sabrina stated confidently.
Taking the court stand was something she felt she was used to. The whole court setting was something she was used to since she had to deal with it in a prior rape case. Sabrina was ready to do anything to help her husband, Nick, to get Josslyn away from Joanna.
“No, this is just a hearing where we, the lawyers, will do all of the talking with the judge. We will get the paternity readings for baby Nicky and then Melissa and Nick will say whatever they feel they need to say to the judge to rule in their favor…but that is only if the judge asks you too.” Casey informed both Sabrina and Nick bur more so to Nick.
Nick nodded his head saying ‘okay.’
At that moment there was a knock on the door. A man dressed in a sheriffs uniform poked his head thru the now cracked door. “Attorney Novak? They are ready for your case.” He said in a deep voice.
“Okay, thanks.” Casey responded to the man. She then looked back at Nick. “Ready?”
Nick clenched his jaw muscle and nodded 'yes'.
“Let’s go.” Casey said rising to her feet.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
“Babe, relax. It’s going to be okay.” Sabrina said in a comforting tone.
Nick took a deep breath and looked over at her with a faint smile. He placed his hand on her left knee and gave it a light squeeze.
“Your mom is going to meet us there, right?” Sabrina asked softly.
Nick nodded his head ‘yes’.
Once Sabrina and Nick got out of Nick’s car at the courthouse, Nick extended his hand waiting for Sabrina to grab it. She gladly took his hand, lacing her fingers between his as they walked hand in hand into the courthouse. Nick escorted Sabrina toward the elevator where he was to meet his lawyer Casey Novak. They entered into the empty elevator. Nick quietly pressed the 3rd floor button taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. Sabrina noticed and lightly squeezed his hand as she gave him a comforting rub with the other. Nick brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of her hand as if thanking her for being there.
The elevator arrived to the 3rd floor and Nick saw Casey walking by just as the doors pried open. “Casey!” Nick called out to her to get her attention.
Casey immediately stopped in her tracks to see Nick and an attractive petite woman by his side. “Hey! You are right on time! Follow me.” Casey said with a smile as she escorted them into a small conference room.
As Casey gestured for them to walk in first, Nick introduced Casey to Sabrina and vice versa.
“Oh my gosh, you’re Mrs. Lancaster? So nice to meet you! You’re so pretty.” Casey said with a light smile.
“Aww, thank you.” Sabrina blushed taking a seat next to Nick at a shiny wooden table.
“Nick, where is your mother?”
“She’s on her way. There was an accident on the highway and she’s stuck in traffic.” Nick responded adjusting his suit jacket while settling in his chair.
Casey faintly smiled, “Okay. Well, let me tell you, it is fantastic that Sabrina is here. That shows family support, and every little bit counts. Now, Sabrina are you working?”
“No—“
“No, she just had a baby.” Nick responded interrupting Sabrina to answer for her.
“Okay, no problem. Now, Melissa’s lawyer is going to try and say that you all are only staying together to try and win this custody case. Word got out that Sabrina filed for divorce so its going to show you, Nick, as being more unstable. But don’t worry about it.”
Nick nervously took another breath.
“Do I need to take the stand to prove anything, because I will.” Sabrina stated confidently.
Taking the court stand was something she felt she was used to. The whole court setting was something she was used to since she had to deal with it in a prior rape case. Sabrina was ready to do anything to help her husband, Nick, to get Josslyn away from Joanna.
“No, this is just a hearing where we, the lawyers, will do all of the talking with the judge. We will get the paternity readings for baby Nicky and then Melissa and Nick will say whatever they feel they need to say to the judge to rule in their favor…but that is only if the judge asks you too.” Casey informed both Sabrina and Nick bur more so to Nick.
Nick nodded his head saying ‘okay.’
At that moment there was a knock on the door. A man dressed in a sheriffs uniform poked his head thru the now cracked door. “Attorney Novak? They are ready for your case.” He said in a deep voice.
“Okay, thanks.” Casey responded to the man. She then looked back at Nick. “Ready?”
Nick clenched his jaw muscle and nodded 'yes'.
“Let’s go.” Casey said rising to her feet.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
_1/31/2012
© 2011-2012 CelebritySuperFan
© 2011-2012 CelebritySuperFan
Chapter 30
Joanna
_ Sabrina was sitting in the front row behind Nick and Casey inside
the courtroom as they waited patiently for the judge to arrive. Sabrina could
tell that Nick was nervous as he sat back in his chair listening to whatever
Casey was whispering in his ear. In the next moment, one of the front doors opened
with Joanna being escorted by a sheriff. Sabrina felt a weird feeling in the
pit of her stomach when she saw Joanna come thru the door. Was it hate? Was it
rage? Was it pitty? Sabrina didn’t know what kind of feeling she was having,
but whatever the feeling, she found herself slightly frowning at her.
Joanna walked in wearing a green, black and white short plaid shirt dress with a black belt. She ran her fingers thru her hair as she took her seat at the table adjacent to where Nick and Casey were sitting.
Sabrina noticed how Joanna kept her eyes on Nick. Nick briefly looked at Joanna with a scowl on his face and quickly looked away. Nick then turned around behind him to look at Sabrina. Sabrina met his eyes and faintly smiled showing him support. Nick turned back around to face the front when Casey leaned in to whisper something else to him. When Sabrina looked away from Nick, she brought her attention back to Joanna across the court room and she saw that Joanna was staring back at her with a frown. Sabrina didn’t bother to look away. She wanted to let Joanna know that her glares didn’t scare her. She was up for whatever challenge Joanna thought she could give to her. Sabrina wasn’t backing down for her and she wanted to show that by keeping her eyes on Joanna. Joanna finally looked away when Melissa called out to Joanna sitting behind her. Sabrina watched them exchange words with the lawyer sitting at Joanna’s table.
In the next instant, Sabrina felt a presence come sit beside her. Sabrina saw that it was Sandra. “Did I miss anything?” Sandra whispered to Sabrina.
“No, nothing yet.” Sabrina responded.
Sandra quickly stood up and leaned forward to give Nick a hug from behind. “Sorry Im late honey.” Sandra whispered into his ear.
Nick didn’t respond, however, Sabrina could tell that he was happy she showed up.
Sandra then lightly squeezed Casey’s shoulder in greeting.
Joanna walked in wearing a green, black and white short plaid shirt dress with a black belt. She ran her fingers thru her hair as she took her seat at the table adjacent to where Nick and Casey were sitting.
Sabrina noticed how Joanna kept her eyes on Nick. Nick briefly looked at Joanna with a scowl on his face and quickly looked away. Nick then turned around behind him to look at Sabrina. Sabrina met his eyes and faintly smiled showing him support. Nick turned back around to face the front when Casey leaned in to whisper something else to him. When Sabrina looked away from Nick, she brought her attention back to Joanna across the court room and she saw that Joanna was staring back at her with a frown. Sabrina didn’t bother to look away. She wanted to let Joanna know that her glares didn’t scare her. She was up for whatever challenge Joanna thought she could give to her. Sabrina wasn’t backing down for her and she wanted to show that by keeping her eyes on Joanna. Joanna finally looked away when Melissa called out to Joanna sitting behind her. Sabrina watched them exchange words with the lawyer sitting at Joanna’s table.
In the next instant, Sabrina felt a presence come sit beside her. Sabrina saw that it was Sandra. “Did I miss anything?” Sandra whispered to Sabrina.
“No, nothing yet.” Sabrina responded.
Sandra quickly stood up and leaned forward to give Nick a hug from behind. “Sorry Im late honey.” Sandra whispered into his ear.
Nick didn’t respond, however, Sabrina could tell that he was happy she showed up.
Sandra then lightly squeezed Casey’s shoulder in greeting.
Judge Barbara Lenks & Atty. Mark Gosselar
_ “All rise. The honorable Judge Barbara Lenks is now presiding.” Announced the baliff of the court.
Everyone stood up out of respect for the judge. When the judge announced for everyone to take a seat, Sabrina briefly looked around the courtroom. There were some people in the back of the courtroom that Sabrina had no idea who they were. They may have been there to just observe or they were there waiting for their case to be called next.
Sabrina then brought her attention back to the judge at the front of the room. She was an older woman who looked like she was having a bad day, yet the day had just begun.
Judge Barbara looked down at a few paper work that was laid out in front of her. She then said in a raspy smokers voice, “This is the case of Nicholas Lancaster vs Joanna Cyrus and Melissa Cyrus for the custody of five year old Josslyn Lancaster and five month old Nicholas Junior Lancaster. Is this correct?”
“Yes it is, your honor.” Casey Novak spoke up from her seat speaking on behalf of Nick.
“That is correct. However, your honor, might I add that we are here to find out the paternity results for Nicholas Junior Lancaster as well. Keeping in mind that I am also trying to represent my client in a few legal issues as well, your honor.” Said Joanna’s attorney, Mark Gosselar.
“Alright, alright…I got it.” The judge demanded for Mark to stop talking. Counsel Gosselar, are you also representing Melissa Cyrus?”
“Yes, your honor, that is correct.” Mark stated confidently.
“Do we have the paternity test results? Because I don’t have it here with me?” Judge Barbara stated looking around for someone to respond to her.
Everyone seem to look around as if no one knew who had the results. Sabrina could see Nick nervously bounce his right leg as he rested his elbow on the arm of his chair allowing his fingers to lightly brush over his lips. Sabrina wanted to badly sit next to him and place her hand over his leg to stop it from his nervous vibrations. She just wanted to comfort him. She then looked over at Sandra’s foot as she crossed her legs. She nervously wiggled her foot. Sabrina could see where Nick got his nervous tactics from.
Sabrina was knocked out of her thoughts when she heard the judge say to the baliff, “Please go check on the results. Someone may have left it in my chambers.”
The baliff nodded his head and disappeared behind another door near the front of the court room.
The judge continued in her raspy smoker's voice, “In the meantime, we can discuss the custody of 5 year old Josslyn Lancaster.” The judge paused as she looked over some paperwork. She then asked, “Who has the child now?”
“Uh that would be my client, your honor. Melissa Cyrus. Melissa Cyrus is Joanna’s mother.” Mark Gosselar stated as he stood up buttoning his blazer.
“And Joanna Cyrus is serving time for ….?”
“Fraudulency, theft by mail—“
“Ahh, I see it here. Never mind. She has been sentenced to jail for the max of 5 years…” Judge Barbara interrupted Mark.
“Yes, but we are in the process of appealing that time your honor.” Attorney Mark stated as he interrupted the judge in return.
Judge Barbara continued, “Riiight. She is also under a civil lawsuit for the death of Ariana Grande who helped her with this fraudulency case…”
“Yes, that is correct.” Att. Mark stated slightly shamefully.
Judge Barbara raised her eyes above the rim of her eye glasses as she looked at Joanna. “Young lady you are in a world of trouble here.” Judge Barbara continued to look down at the paperwork. “Stand up.” She demanded Joanna.
Mark looked down at Joanna and quickly motioned for her to stand up on her feet. Joanna stood up keeping her hands clasped together in front of her.
Judge Barbara took her eye glasses off and brought her attention to Joanna. “How old are you?” “Twenty-seven.” Joanna replied with nerves surrounding the tone of her voice.
“Before tampering with the mail belonging to the father of your children…well, allegedly of both of your children, did you know it was a federal offense?”
“No ma’am.” Joanna responded softly.
“What was the reason for doing those things?”
“Love, your honor.”
“Love?” Judge Barbara quickly placed her eye glasses over her eyes and looked down at her paperwork in front of her. She then raised her eyes over the rim of her eye glasses to look at Nick. She took her eye glasses off and brought her attention back over to Joanna. “He’s married. How could love bring you to commit a federal offense?”
Joanna stood there speechless.
“Stand up.” Judge Barbara demanded Nick.
Nick stood up on his feet.
“Were you having an affair with this woman who is the mother of allegedly both of your kids?”
“No, your honor.” Nick answered confidently.
“Then why would she do something like this?”
“I don’t know your honor.” Nick responded with a slight shrug of his shoulders
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-nine.” Nick responded.
“How long have you been married?”
“Nine months.” Nick replied.
“Your honor, might I add, that he is getting a divorce. His estranged wife has already filed.” Atty. Mark interrupted.
Nick’s attorney, Casey Novak quickly stood on her feet. “Your honor, this is no longer true. He and his wife have reconciled so they are not getting a divorce.”
“What?!” Joanna shouted out loud as she looked over at Nick and then brought her attention to Sabrina who sat behind Nick.
“Order in the court.” Judge Barbara calmly announced. “Married nine months and your wife had already filed for divorce? And now suddenly your getting back together and trying to get custody of these children? Seems odd.”
“If I may, your honor. The only reason why my wife filed for divorce is because of the strain that Joanna has caused by all of her illegal actions against me.” Nick explained as he nervously adjusted his suit jacket. Nick added, “Once we found out the false allegations that Joanna was forcing, we were able to reconcile.”
“False allegations? She was cheating on you!” Joanna protested loudly.
“Well we won’t go into any of that. Especially when his wife is not here to defend herself.” Judge Barbara sustained.
Before Nick had a chance to say anything, Casey added, “Actually, your honor, she is here.” Casey gestured toward Sabrina sitting behind them.
“Really now? Can she please stand.” The judge announced.
Sabrina proudly stood up at her seat.
“Step up and stand by your husband. I guess it is only fitting to do.” Judge Barbara said annoyingly as she slightly rolled her eyes.
Sabrina excused herself as she scooted by Sandra to stand beside Nick. Nick lightly touched the small of her back as Sabrina took her place beside him.
“State your name.” Judge Barbara commanded.
“Sabrina Marie Lancaster.” Sabrina stated with confidence.
”Are you only reconciling with your husband for the sole purpose of helping him to win this custody battle?”
“No, your honor. This has nothing to do with us reconciling.”
“She’s lying!” Joanna complained loudly.
Judge Barbara brought her attention back over to attorney Mark Gosselar. “Will you please control your client? This is just one too many outbursts coming from her.”
Mark nodded and touched Joanna’s arm as he whispered something in her ear.
“Alright, let’s move on. Mrs. Lancaster you may be seated.” Judge Barbara annoying stated.
Sabrina took a seat next to where Nick remained standing.
Judge Barbara continued, “Joanna Cyrus clearly won’t be able to take care of her children for some time, now that she has the pending civil lawsuit for Ariana Grande’s death and this appeal that you all are currently working on for her fraudulency and theft by mail federal offense. Since she has been in jail, her mother, Melissa Cyrus, has been taking care of both children, correct?”
“That is correct your honor.” Mark replied looking at Melissa who was now sitting on the other side of Joanna.
“Melissa, please stand up.” Judge Barbara demanded.
Melissa stood up at her seat.
“How often do you take care of your daughter’s children?”
“All the time, your honor.” Melissa stated with a heavy heart.
“What does that mean?” Judge Barbara asked nonchalantly.
“I have been taking care of Josslyn since she was born. I always helped my daughter with her from the day Josslyn was born. It has been the same with baby Nicky.”
“Right now we’re talking about the five year old Josslyn Lancaster. Now, has your daughter, Joanna, ever cared for Josslyn on her own?” Judge Barbara stated feeling frustrated.
“I would say after she moved out of my house and got her own apartment.”
“Which was when?”
“When Joss was about three years old.” Melissa answered honestly.
“After your daughter moved out of your house, how often did you see your granddaughter?”
“Just about every other weekend?”
“Just about?” Judge Barbara questioned.
“Well the father over there…” Melissa said gesturing her head over toward Nick, “…would take Josslyn with him for the weekends I did not see her.”
“This arrangement was made by whom and how?”
“Between my daughter and the father of Josslyn.”
“Yeah, Nick and I made a verbal agreement that he would keep Josslyn every other weekend.” Joanna chimed in after her mother clearly didn’t want to state Nick’s name. Melissa's demeanor clearly showed how much she hated Nick. She didn’t even want to have his name come out from her lips.
“Your honor, we made that agreement long before Joanna moved out of her mother’s house.” Nick added with a slight frown.
“Did you pay child support?” Judge Barbara asked Nick as she wrote down notes.
“I’ve been paying child support on Josslyn since I found out that she was biologically my child when she was 2 months old.”
“That’s not true!” Joanna protested.
“Yes it is, your honor.” Nick stated loudly.
“We do have all of his previous check stubs where his checks were being garnished on file, your honor.” Casy spoke up as she tapped Nick’s arm wanting him to keep calm.
“Alright. I’ll check.” Judge Barbara stated as she rolled her eyes.
At that moment the baliff walked back into the court room and handed the judge an envelope. “Ahhh, thank you. We have the DNA results for the 5 month old Nicholas Junior Lancaster in this envelope. But since we have started to talk about the 5 year old, Josslyn, let’s continue with this side of the case.” Judge Barbara indicated nonchalantly. She continued as she raised her eyes up to look at Nick, “Did you see your daughter while Joanna Cyrus was living with her mother?”
“Yes ma’am.” Nick responded quickly.
“How often?”
Nick hesitated for a minute as he thought a few years back. “Majority of the time it was every other weekend. I may have missed a couple of weekends here and there.”
“Whenever you picked her up for your weekend and dropped her off when you’re visiting time was over, where or with whom, did you pick and drop her off with?”
“While Joanna was living with her mother, it was with her mother, Melissa, or with her sister, Miley. When Joanna moved out, it was the same. Joanna was hardly ever around when I picked up my daughter because she was always getting ready to go to a club or something.”
“That is such a lie and you know it, Nick! You lying bastard!” Joanna shouted at Nick as she glared at him.
“Counsel, please control your client. I will not have these outbursts continue in my courtroom.” Judge Barbara demanded.
Mark nodded his head and whispered something else in Joanna’s ear. Joanna huffed and flipped her long black hair behind her shoulder.
Judge Barbara continued, “Mrs. Cyrus, is it true that your daughter liked to party a lot? Is that why you mainly took care of your granddaughter?”
Melissa glanced at Joanna and responded, “Yes, your honor, it is.”
“Oh my God…” Joanna mumbled with frustration.
“Joanna, is there anything you would like to say?” Judge Barbara sighed.
“Yes! These people are trying to make it out like Im not a good mother! I have always been there for my kids! Always!” Joanna frowned as if she were about to cry.
“Well, regardless of the fact Ms. Cyrus, you can’t be there for your children now when you are facing federal criminal charges. You put your children in danger to the point where your children could have been taken away from you if your mother hadn’t jumped in to rescue them. So, now we are having a battle for who can take care of your children.” Judge Barbara stated firmly in her raspy voice. She then spoke to Nick. “Now, I understand you don’t have job and you just came back from drug rehabilitation center?”
“Yes.” Nick responded.
“Are you clean now?” Judge Barbara asked without any concern.
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Almost 3 months now.”
“If I were to give you a drug test right now, would you pass it?”
“Yes, your honor.” Nick responded confidently.
Judge Barbara remained silent for a moment as she continued to write notes down. She then continued to ask Nick, “You foreclosed your house?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you living now?”
“I am currently residing with my mother here in Florida, but since my wife and I are reconciling, I will be moving to Atlanta Georgia with her.”
“Where do you live, Mrs. Lancaster? Is it a home or an apartment?” Judge Barbara asked Sabrina.
“An apar—“
“Stand up please ma’am.” Judge Barbara interrupted her.
Sabrina quickly stood up sliding her hands down her dress. “I live in an apartment.”
“How many bedrooms?”
“Two bedrooms.”
“Do you have any other people residing in your apartment?”
“Yes, my two kids. One from a previous relationship and one with my husband, Nick.”
“Ages?”
“My son from the previous relationship is 9 and my son with Nick, is 1 month old.”
Judge Barbara sighed. “Busy man, aren’t we Mr. Lancaster?”
Nick didn’t respond. He figured she was being sarcastic.
Judge Barbara continued to write notes. “Are you working Mrs. Lancaster?”
“Not at the moment. No.” Sabrina answered reluctantly.
Judge Barbara looked at Nick. “How are you going to support a wife and three kids with neither of you having any income?”
“Your honor I do have money saved up.” Nick replied.
“Your honor, we have submitted his account information in privacy due to not allowing the Cyrus family invade on his private account activity.” Casey Novak spoke up in defense of Nick.
“Very well.” Judge Barbara paused.
After a few moments of her reviewing some notes and making more notes. She finally stated, “I am going to allow recess so I may have a random drug test performed on Mr. Lancaster.” She paused as she continued to write more things down.
Sabrina looked up at Nick. He stared straight ahead as he clenched his jaw muscle. She wasn’t sure if that meant he was pissed off he had to take a random drug test or if he was just nervous that he had to. All Sabrina knew was that the test had better come back negative. She wasn’t sure what she would think if Nick had been lying to her and the court.
The judge continued, “When we come back from recess, I will have the drug test results. I will share with you the results of the paternity test and I will have my final decision on the full custody for both Josslyn and Nicholas Junior Lancaster. Please understand that, because Nicholas Lancaster…senior, is the biological father of Josslyn Lancaster without a doubt, he has the parental rights to take full custody of this child as I see fit. However, if I don’t see fit, then I will grant full custody to the grandmother, Melissa Cyrus. Joanna Cyrus, I do not think you are cable or stable enough to raise any children at this time. By your actions, you seem crazed and not in the right mind frame. As far as the 5 month old baby Nicholas Junior Lancaster, IF Nicholas Lancaster Senior is not the father of this child, I will grant full custody over to the biological grandmother as I see fit. Nicholas Lancaster, as the non-biological father of that child, you have no legal bounds to this child at all. However, IF you are the father of this child, you do have a legal bound and rights to this child, and I will give my final decision upon return from recess of rather or not you will receive custody. Court is in recess.” Judge Barbara stated as she banged the gavel.
The sheriff quickly took Joanna and escorted her out of the courtroom behind the door near the front side of the courtroom. Joanna didn’t leave without giving both Nick and Sabrina one final glare.
Sabrina gently grabbed Nick’s arm and gave him a light rub. “Are you okay?” Sabrina asked softly.
Nick turned to her and wrapped his arms around her embracing her. “Im so glad you’re here.” Nick whispered to her. Nick felt someone rub his back. He turned to his mother.
“Sweetie, are you okay?” Sandra asked quietly.
“Yeah.” Nick responded.
“You can pass this test…right, Nicholas?” Sandra asked him suspiciously.
“Yeah.” Nick stated with uncertainty.
At that moment, the baliff approached Nick saying, “You need to come with me, sir.”
Nick nodded ‘okay.’ He looked back at Sabrina and quickly pecked her lips. He then walked off with the baliff.
“In the meantime…we go outside and wait.” Casey stated with hope.
Just as Sabrina turned to leave out the courtroom with Casey and Sandra, she noticed how Melissa gave them an evil stare, yet she kept walking out without saying a word to them.
Sabrina followed Casey and Sandra into a large lobby with vending machines in the corner. Sabrina quietly walked over to the vending machine and got a coke. She was looking forward to the caffeine to keep her awake. The early morning wake up and long drive was starting to wear down on her. She walked over to a small table just to get a breather away from everything. She wanted to think about the case that Nick was involved in. She prayed that Nick was going to pass the drug test. She knew he would. However, she felt a small ounce of distrust with Nick and was worried that he may not pass the test. She thought about Raven and the words she said about having trust in a relationship. At that, Sabrina repeated these words in her head: “I trust Nick. He will pass the test. I trust Nick.”
Everyone stood up out of respect for the judge. When the judge announced for everyone to take a seat, Sabrina briefly looked around the courtroom. There were some people in the back of the courtroom that Sabrina had no idea who they were. They may have been there to just observe or they were there waiting for their case to be called next.
Sabrina then brought her attention back to the judge at the front of the room. She was an older woman who looked like she was having a bad day, yet the day had just begun.
Judge Barbara looked down at a few paper work that was laid out in front of her. She then said in a raspy smokers voice, “This is the case of Nicholas Lancaster vs Joanna Cyrus and Melissa Cyrus for the custody of five year old Josslyn Lancaster and five month old Nicholas Junior Lancaster. Is this correct?”
“Yes it is, your honor.” Casey Novak spoke up from her seat speaking on behalf of Nick.
“That is correct. However, your honor, might I add that we are here to find out the paternity results for Nicholas Junior Lancaster as well. Keeping in mind that I am also trying to represent my client in a few legal issues as well, your honor.” Said Joanna’s attorney, Mark Gosselar.
“Alright, alright…I got it.” The judge demanded for Mark to stop talking. Counsel Gosselar, are you also representing Melissa Cyrus?”
“Yes, your honor, that is correct.” Mark stated confidently.
“Do we have the paternity test results? Because I don’t have it here with me?” Judge Barbara stated looking around for someone to respond to her.
Everyone seem to look around as if no one knew who had the results. Sabrina could see Nick nervously bounce his right leg as he rested his elbow on the arm of his chair allowing his fingers to lightly brush over his lips. Sabrina wanted to badly sit next to him and place her hand over his leg to stop it from his nervous vibrations. She just wanted to comfort him. She then looked over at Sandra’s foot as she crossed her legs. She nervously wiggled her foot. Sabrina could see where Nick got his nervous tactics from.
Sabrina was knocked out of her thoughts when she heard the judge say to the baliff, “Please go check on the results. Someone may have left it in my chambers.”
The baliff nodded his head and disappeared behind another door near the front of the court room.
The judge continued in her raspy smoker's voice, “In the meantime, we can discuss the custody of 5 year old Josslyn Lancaster.” The judge paused as she looked over some paperwork. She then asked, “Who has the child now?”
“Uh that would be my client, your honor. Melissa Cyrus. Melissa Cyrus is Joanna’s mother.” Mark Gosselar stated as he stood up buttoning his blazer.
“And Joanna Cyrus is serving time for ….?”
“Fraudulency, theft by mail—“
“Ahh, I see it here. Never mind. She has been sentenced to jail for the max of 5 years…” Judge Barbara interrupted Mark.
“Yes, but we are in the process of appealing that time your honor.” Attorney Mark stated as he interrupted the judge in return.
Judge Barbara continued, “Riiight. She is also under a civil lawsuit for the death of Ariana Grande who helped her with this fraudulency case…”
“Yes, that is correct.” Att. Mark stated slightly shamefully.
Judge Barbara raised her eyes above the rim of her eye glasses as she looked at Joanna. “Young lady you are in a world of trouble here.” Judge Barbara continued to look down at the paperwork. “Stand up.” She demanded Joanna.
Mark looked down at Joanna and quickly motioned for her to stand up on her feet. Joanna stood up keeping her hands clasped together in front of her.
Judge Barbara took her eye glasses off and brought her attention to Joanna. “How old are you?” “Twenty-seven.” Joanna replied with nerves surrounding the tone of her voice.
“Before tampering with the mail belonging to the father of your children…well, allegedly of both of your children, did you know it was a federal offense?”
“No ma’am.” Joanna responded softly.
“What was the reason for doing those things?”
“Love, your honor.”
“Love?” Judge Barbara quickly placed her eye glasses over her eyes and looked down at her paperwork in front of her. She then raised her eyes over the rim of her eye glasses to look at Nick. She took her eye glasses off and brought her attention back over to Joanna. “He’s married. How could love bring you to commit a federal offense?”
Joanna stood there speechless.
“Stand up.” Judge Barbara demanded Nick.
Nick stood up on his feet.
“Were you having an affair with this woman who is the mother of allegedly both of your kids?”
“No, your honor.” Nick answered confidently.
“Then why would she do something like this?”
“I don’t know your honor.” Nick responded with a slight shrug of his shoulders
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-nine.” Nick responded.
“How long have you been married?”
“Nine months.” Nick replied.
“Your honor, might I add, that he is getting a divorce. His estranged wife has already filed.” Atty. Mark interrupted.
Nick’s attorney, Casey Novak quickly stood on her feet. “Your honor, this is no longer true. He and his wife have reconciled so they are not getting a divorce.”
“What?!” Joanna shouted out loud as she looked over at Nick and then brought her attention to Sabrina who sat behind Nick.
“Order in the court.” Judge Barbara calmly announced. “Married nine months and your wife had already filed for divorce? And now suddenly your getting back together and trying to get custody of these children? Seems odd.”
“If I may, your honor. The only reason why my wife filed for divorce is because of the strain that Joanna has caused by all of her illegal actions against me.” Nick explained as he nervously adjusted his suit jacket. Nick added, “Once we found out the false allegations that Joanna was forcing, we were able to reconcile.”
“False allegations? She was cheating on you!” Joanna protested loudly.
“Well we won’t go into any of that. Especially when his wife is not here to defend herself.” Judge Barbara sustained.
Before Nick had a chance to say anything, Casey added, “Actually, your honor, she is here.” Casey gestured toward Sabrina sitting behind them.
“Really now? Can she please stand.” The judge announced.
Sabrina proudly stood up at her seat.
“Step up and stand by your husband. I guess it is only fitting to do.” Judge Barbara said annoyingly as she slightly rolled her eyes.
Sabrina excused herself as she scooted by Sandra to stand beside Nick. Nick lightly touched the small of her back as Sabrina took her place beside him.
“State your name.” Judge Barbara commanded.
“Sabrina Marie Lancaster.” Sabrina stated with confidence.
”Are you only reconciling with your husband for the sole purpose of helping him to win this custody battle?”
“No, your honor. This has nothing to do with us reconciling.”
“She’s lying!” Joanna complained loudly.
Judge Barbara brought her attention back over to attorney Mark Gosselar. “Will you please control your client? This is just one too many outbursts coming from her.”
Mark nodded and touched Joanna’s arm as he whispered something in her ear.
“Alright, let’s move on. Mrs. Lancaster you may be seated.” Judge Barbara annoying stated.
Sabrina took a seat next to where Nick remained standing.
Judge Barbara continued, “Joanna Cyrus clearly won’t be able to take care of her children for some time, now that she has the pending civil lawsuit for Ariana Grande’s death and this appeal that you all are currently working on for her fraudulency and theft by mail federal offense. Since she has been in jail, her mother, Melissa Cyrus, has been taking care of both children, correct?”
“That is correct your honor.” Mark replied looking at Melissa who was now sitting on the other side of Joanna.
“Melissa, please stand up.” Judge Barbara demanded.
Melissa stood up at her seat.
“How often do you take care of your daughter’s children?”
“All the time, your honor.” Melissa stated with a heavy heart.
“What does that mean?” Judge Barbara asked nonchalantly.
“I have been taking care of Josslyn since she was born. I always helped my daughter with her from the day Josslyn was born. It has been the same with baby Nicky.”
“Right now we’re talking about the five year old Josslyn Lancaster. Now, has your daughter, Joanna, ever cared for Josslyn on her own?” Judge Barbara stated feeling frustrated.
“I would say after she moved out of my house and got her own apartment.”
“Which was when?”
“When Joss was about three years old.” Melissa answered honestly.
“After your daughter moved out of your house, how often did you see your granddaughter?”
“Just about every other weekend?”
“Just about?” Judge Barbara questioned.
“Well the father over there…” Melissa said gesturing her head over toward Nick, “…would take Josslyn with him for the weekends I did not see her.”
“This arrangement was made by whom and how?”
“Between my daughter and the father of Josslyn.”
“Yeah, Nick and I made a verbal agreement that he would keep Josslyn every other weekend.” Joanna chimed in after her mother clearly didn’t want to state Nick’s name. Melissa's demeanor clearly showed how much she hated Nick. She didn’t even want to have his name come out from her lips.
“Your honor, we made that agreement long before Joanna moved out of her mother’s house.” Nick added with a slight frown.
“Did you pay child support?” Judge Barbara asked Nick as she wrote down notes.
“I’ve been paying child support on Josslyn since I found out that she was biologically my child when she was 2 months old.”
“That’s not true!” Joanna protested.
“Yes it is, your honor.” Nick stated loudly.
“We do have all of his previous check stubs where his checks were being garnished on file, your honor.” Casy spoke up as she tapped Nick’s arm wanting him to keep calm.
“Alright. I’ll check.” Judge Barbara stated as she rolled her eyes.
At that moment the baliff walked back into the court room and handed the judge an envelope. “Ahhh, thank you. We have the DNA results for the 5 month old Nicholas Junior Lancaster in this envelope. But since we have started to talk about the 5 year old, Josslyn, let’s continue with this side of the case.” Judge Barbara indicated nonchalantly. She continued as she raised her eyes up to look at Nick, “Did you see your daughter while Joanna Cyrus was living with her mother?”
“Yes ma’am.” Nick responded quickly.
“How often?”
Nick hesitated for a minute as he thought a few years back. “Majority of the time it was every other weekend. I may have missed a couple of weekends here and there.”
“Whenever you picked her up for your weekend and dropped her off when you’re visiting time was over, where or with whom, did you pick and drop her off with?”
“While Joanna was living with her mother, it was with her mother, Melissa, or with her sister, Miley. When Joanna moved out, it was the same. Joanna was hardly ever around when I picked up my daughter because she was always getting ready to go to a club or something.”
“That is such a lie and you know it, Nick! You lying bastard!” Joanna shouted at Nick as she glared at him.
“Counsel, please control your client. I will not have these outbursts continue in my courtroom.” Judge Barbara demanded.
Mark nodded his head and whispered something else in Joanna’s ear. Joanna huffed and flipped her long black hair behind her shoulder.
Judge Barbara continued, “Mrs. Cyrus, is it true that your daughter liked to party a lot? Is that why you mainly took care of your granddaughter?”
Melissa glanced at Joanna and responded, “Yes, your honor, it is.”
“Oh my God…” Joanna mumbled with frustration.
“Joanna, is there anything you would like to say?” Judge Barbara sighed.
“Yes! These people are trying to make it out like Im not a good mother! I have always been there for my kids! Always!” Joanna frowned as if she were about to cry.
“Well, regardless of the fact Ms. Cyrus, you can’t be there for your children now when you are facing federal criminal charges. You put your children in danger to the point where your children could have been taken away from you if your mother hadn’t jumped in to rescue them. So, now we are having a battle for who can take care of your children.” Judge Barbara stated firmly in her raspy voice. She then spoke to Nick. “Now, I understand you don’t have job and you just came back from drug rehabilitation center?”
“Yes.” Nick responded.
“Are you clean now?” Judge Barbara asked without any concern.
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Almost 3 months now.”
“If I were to give you a drug test right now, would you pass it?”
“Yes, your honor.” Nick responded confidently.
Judge Barbara remained silent for a moment as she continued to write notes down. She then continued to ask Nick, “You foreclosed your house?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you living now?”
“I am currently residing with my mother here in Florida, but since my wife and I are reconciling, I will be moving to Atlanta Georgia with her.”
“Where do you live, Mrs. Lancaster? Is it a home or an apartment?” Judge Barbara asked Sabrina.
“An apar—“
“Stand up please ma’am.” Judge Barbara interrupted her.
Sabrina quickly stood up sliding her hands down her dress. “I live in an apartment.”
“How many bedrooms?”
“Two bedrooms.”
“Do you have any other people residing in your apartment?”
“Yes, my two kids. One from a previous relationship and one with my husband, Nick.”
“Ages?”
“My son from the previous relationship is 9 and my son with Nick, is 1 month old.”
Judge Barbara sighed. “Busy man, aren’t we Mr. Lancaster?”
Nick didn’t respond. He figured she was being sarcastic.
Judge Barbara continued to write notes. “Are you working Mrs. Lancaster?”
“Not at the moment. No.” Sabrina answered reluctantly.
Judge Barbara looked at Nick. “How are you going to support a wife and three kids with neither of you having any income?”
“Your honor I do have money saved up.” Nick replied.
“Your honor, we have submitted his account information in privacy due to not allowing the Cyrus family invade on his private account activity.” Casey Novak spoke up in defense of Nick.
“Very well.” Judge Barbara paused.
After a few moments of her reviewing some notes and making more notes. She finally stated, “I am going to allow recess so I may have a random drug test performed on Mr. Lancaster.” She paused as she continued to write more things down.
Sabrina looked up at Nick. He stared straight ahead as he clenched his jaw muscle. She wasn’t sure if that meant he was pissed off he had to take a random drug test or if he was just nervous that he had to. All Sabrina knew was that the test had better come back negative. She wasn’t sure what she would think if Nick had been lying to her and the court.
The judge continued, “When we come back from recess, I will have the drug test results. I will share with you the results of the paternity test and I will have my final decision on the full custody for both Josslyn and Nicholas Junior Lancaster. Please understand that, because Nicholas Lancaster…senior, is the biological father of Josslyn Lancaster without a doubt, he has the parental rights to take full custody of this child as I see fit. However, if I don’t see fit, then I will grant full custody to the grandmother, Melissa Cyrus. Joanna Cyrus, I do not think you are cable or stable enough to raise any children at this time. By your actions, you seem crazed and not in the right mind frame. As far as the 5 month old baby Nicholas Junior Lancaster, IF Nicholas Lancaster Senior is not the father of this child, I will grant full custody over to the biological grandmother as I see fit. Nicholas Lancaster, as the non-biological father of that child, you have no legal bounds to this child at all. However, IF you are the father of this child, you do have a legal bound and rights to this child, and I will give my final decision upon return from recess of rather or not you will receive custody. Court is in recess.” Judge Barbara stated as she banged the gavel.
The sheriff quickly took Joanna and escorted her out of the courtroom behind the door near the front side of the courtroom. Joanna didn’t leave without giving both Nick and Sabrina one final glare.
Sabrina gently grabbed Nick’s arm and gave him a light rub. “Are you okay?” Sabrina asked softly.
Nick turned to her and wrapped his arms around her embracing her. “Im so glad you’re here.” Nick whispered to her. Nick felt someone rub his back. He turned to his mother.
“Sweetie, are you okay?” Sandra asked quietly.
“Yeah.” Nick responded.
“You can pass this test…right, Nicholas?” Sandra asked him suspiciously.
“Yeah.” Nick stated with uncertainty.
At that moment, the baliff approached Nick saying, “You need to come with me, sir.”
Nick nodded ‘okay.’ He looked back at Sabrina and quickly pecked her lips. He then walked off with the baliff.
“In the meantime…we go outside and wait.” Casey stated with hope.
Just as Sabrina turned to leave out the courtroom with Casey and Sandra, she noticed how Melissa gave them an evil stare, yet she kept walking out without saying a word to them.
Sabrina followed Casey and Sandra into a large lobby with vending machines in the corner. Sabrina quietly walked over to the vending machine and got a coke. She was looking forward to the caffeine to keep her awake. The early morning wake up and long drive was starting to wear down on her. She walked over to a small table just to get a breather away from everything. She wanted to think about the case that Nick was involved in. She prayed that Nick was going to pass the drug test. She knew he would. However, she felt a small ounce of distrust with Nick and was worried that he may not pass the test. She thought about Raven and the words she said about having trust in a relationship. At that, Sabrina repeated these words in her head: “I trust Nick. He will pass the test. I trust Nick.”
Sabrina & Sandra
_ “Is this seat taken?”
Sabrina looked up and saw Sandra with a cup of coffee in her hand. Sabrina faintly smiled at her. “Of course not, have a seat.”
Sandra took a seat as she placed her purse on the empty chair beside her. She began stirring her coffee in silence while Sabrina took a sip of her cold coke. The two sat there in silence for a moment.
Sandra then took a deep breath and looked up at Sabrina. “Thank you, for doing what you did.” Sabrina combed a few strands back into her side braid with her fingers giving Sandra a confused expression.
“In the courtroom this morning. You really stood up for yourself and for my son. I feel like you really do love my son, and I can appreciate that.”
“Thank you. I did what was right and yes, I really do love your son. I always have.” Sabrina said with a pleasant expression.
Sandra took a small sip of her hot coffee. She then added, “He’s my heart. He’s my life. He’s my everything.”
“And he is my heart, my soul, and my everything as well. Ms. Sandra, I don’t think I would be alive today if it wasn’t for Nick. Your son means the world to me.” Sabrina said with sincerity. She felt her voice almost break with emotion as she said her last words.
“Well…I just hope you don’t break his heart again. Because if you do…there will be consequences…” Sandra said in a threatening tone as she glared at Sabrina. Her expression immediately changed when she saw Nick approaching them. “Hi sweetie!” Sandra said with a smile as she looked up at Nick.
Sabrina couldn’t believe his mother pretty much just threatened her. She guessed she couldn’t blame Sandra. Nick was her only son. Sabrina would surely feel the same way when it came to her sons and any female who were to break their hearts.
Sabrina looked up and saw Sandra with a cup of coffee in her hand. Sabrina faintly smiled at her. “Of course not, have a seat.”
Sandra took a seat as she placed her purse on the empty chair beside her. She began stirring her coffee in silence while Sabrina took a sip of her cold coke. The two sat there in silence for a moment.
Sandra then took a deep breath and looked up at Sabrina. “Thank you, for doing what you did.” Sabrina combed a few strands back into her side braid with her fingers giving Sandra a confused expression.
“In the courtroom this morning. You really stood up for yourself and for my son. I feel like you really do love my son, and I can appreciate that.”
“Thank you. I did what was right and yes, I really do love your son. I always have.” Sabrina said with a pleasant expression.
Sandra took a small sip of her hot coffee. She then added, “He’s my heart. He’s my life. He’s my everything.”
“And he is my heart, my soul, and my everything as well. Ms. Sandra, I don’t think I would be alive today if it wasn’t for Nick. Your son means the world to me.” Sabrina said with sincerity. She felt her voice almost break with emotion as she said her last words.
“Well…I just hope you don’t break his heart again. Because if you do…there will be consequences…” Sandra said in a threatening tone as she glared at Sabrina. Her expression immediately changed when she saw Nick approaching them. “Hi sweetie!” Sandra said with a smile as she looked up at Nick.
Sabrina couldn’t believe his mother pretty much just threatened her. She guessed she couldn’t blame Sandra. Nick was her only son. Sabrina would surely feel the same way when it came to her sons and any female who were to break their hearts.
_ Sabrina snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Nick’s
voice close by. “Hey.” Nick said as he walked up to Sabrina and leaned down
giving Sabrina a peck on her cheek. He then took a seat next to Sabrina
wrapping his arm around her chair. “Are you okay?” Nick asked Sabrina noticing
the slight disturbed expression on her face.
Sabrina gave him a faint smile and nodded her head ‘yes’. “Are you okay?” Sabrina asked him softly as she rested her hand on his leg. “Yeah.” Nick replied quickly.
“So, did they say anything to you?” Sandra asked taking another sip of her coffee.
“No. They just gave me a cup to piss in.” Nick replied nonchalantly.
“Nicholas…you are going to pass this test, aren’t you?” Sandra asked him suspiciously.
Nick frowned a bit. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nicholas, Im just concerned.” Sandra added as she stared at the young couple sitting across from her at the table.
“Concerned about what?” Nick asked starting to get upset.
Sabrina noticed how he began to raise his voice. Sabrina lightly squeezed and rubbed his knee wanting him to calm down.
Nick looked at Sabrina and brought his attention back to his mother as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “Im passing the test. Don’t worry about it.” Nick stated more calmly.
Sandra stared at her son and his wife for a moment in silence. Her eyes drifted off into the distance to see Casey speaking to Joanna and Melissa’s lawyer, Mark. “I better go see what they’re talking about. I’ll be back.” Sandra stated gathering her purse.
Sabrina watched her mother-in-law walk off. Sabrina sighed and took a sip of her coke and rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache. Nick looked at his wife and noticed her tired demeanor. “Are you tired?”
“Just a little.” Sabrina smiled faintly at him as she folded her arms across her chest.
Nick wrapped his arm around her shoulder forcing her to rest her head down on his shoulder. “Why don’t you try to get some shut-eye. I know you’ve been up since what, 4 am?”
Sabrina nodded as she nestled her head on his shoulder while Nick took her coke soda swallowing a couple of gulps from it. When he was done, he placed the almost empty soda can on the table, and turned his head to kiss Sabrina’s forehead while lightly rubbing her bare arm with his thumb. Sabrina closed her eyes feeling the comfort in his arms.
A few minutes later, Sandra walked back over toward Nick and Sabrina taking a seat across from them.
“What were they talking about?” Nick asked his mother in a soft tone.
“Apparently nothing. Nothing that contains to us or the case.”
Nick sighed as he continued to lightly glide his thumb up and down Sabrina's arm, feeling the softness of her skin.
Sandra stared at the two. Sandra cleared her throat as she sat back in her chair folding her arms across her chest. “Honey, do you think we should have went ahead and got a paternity test for Josslyn too?”
“No. I already know she’s mine.”
“Yes, but just to make sure…”
“She looks just like me. There is no doubt in my mind, alright. Now drop it.” Nick said slightly annoyed with his mother.
Sandra adjusted herself in her seat and cleared her throat. She leaned forward to try and speak softly to Nick not wanting Sabrina to hear her. “Honey…what about Jordan. Maybe you should get a paternity test for him, just to be on the safe side.”
Sabrina slowly opened her eyes and stared at Sandra not believing what she had just heard.
Nick frowned. “What? Are you serious right now?” Nick said in disbelief.
Sandra noticed that Sabrina was now staring back at her. Sandra sat back in her chair and brought her attention back on her son, Nick. “I just want you to make sure there are no doubts anywhere from this point forward.”
Sabrina slowly raised her head off of Nick’s shoulder. “Ms. Sandra, Nick is definitely Jordan’s father. There is no doubt—“
“It’s never been any doubt, don’t start that shit, mom.” Nick said sounding angry.
“You watch your tone with me…” Sandra said narrowing her eyes at Nick.
“So, watch what you’re saying…” Nick snapped at his mother.
Sabrina quickly looked over at Nick and tapped his leg to try and calm him. “Babe…” Sabrina whispered to him.
“I don’t need this from you. If you need to go back to work, go. I can handle it from here.” Nick said jumping up to his feet. He stormed off out of the lobby.
“Nicholas!” Sandra called after him.
Sabrina grabbed her purse and slowly stood up. Before Sabrina walked off, she stopped to look at Sandra. “I know you haven’t seen Jordan yet, but when you do, trust me…you will know that Nick is his father and you are his grandmother. You wouldn’t need a test to prove it.” Sabrina spoke softly. She then quickly walked out of the lobby to find Nick.
Sabrina rushed out into the large hall of the courthouse. She looked down one way and didn’t see him. She then looked down the opposite way and saw Casey walking toward her. “Hi, did you see Nick?” Sabrina asked Casey.
“I saw him turn the corner down the hall. I was just going to go get him. The judge is ready for us.” “Okay, I’ll go get him.” Sabrina responded and jogged down the hall after Nick as she held her long flowing dress.
Sabrina turned the corner and slowed down as she continued to search down the hall for Nick.
“Brin.”
Sabrina heard her name being called from behind her. She turned around to see Nick posted against the wall with his hands in his pocket. Sabrina slowly walked up to Nick as she calmed her breathing from the small jog she just made down the hall. Sabrina stood close to him and looked up at his handsome face. “Are you okay?”
Nick looked down at her and raised both arms placing them on top of her shoulders and pulling her closer so he could wrap his arms around her neck. “Im sorry about my mom.” Nick said resting his forehead against her forehead.
“It’s okay. I can understand where she’s coming from.”
“I love you.” Nick said in a whisper.
Sabrina raised her hands up to lightly grip Nick’s arm around her. “I love you too.”
They lightly pecked each other’s lips.
Sabrina then softly spoke, “Casey said the judge is ready for our return. Are you ready?”
Nick leaned his head back looking up at the ceiling as he took a deep breath. “I don’t have a choice.” Nick lowered his head to look back at Sabrina.
“Let’s go.” Sabrina whispered to him as she wrapped her arms around his torso.
Nick pushed himself away from the wall, keeping one arm around Sabrina’s neck as they walk back toward the court room.
Everyone was back in their respectable positions as they stood on their feet as the judge arrived back on the bench in the front of the courtroom.
“You may all be seated.” Judge Barbara stated in a raspy voice.
Nick turned around to see if his mother was in her seat. She was not there. He turned back around to face the front and glanced at Sabrina to his side. She gave him a comforting smile.
Judge Barbara cleared her throat and began speaking. “I unfortunately was not able to reach any clear decisions due to an emergency on my behalf. I have some urgent issues to take care of. With that said, I see this as an opportunity for everyone to get themselves together. What I will do is give you all the results of the paternity test. Mr. Lancaster, I will have to give you the results of your random drug test at a later date. But you can be rest assured that in the case of 5 month old Nicholas Lancaster Junior…Mr. Nicholas Lancaster you are not the biological father of that child.”
“What!?! That has to be a mistake! He needs to take it again! I demand that he take the test again!” Joanna yelled from her side of the courtroom.
“Counselor Gosselar, please control your client.” Judge Barbara said calmly.
Attorney Mark Gosselar tugged on Joanna’s arm as he whispered something to her.
“But it’s not right!” Joanna whispered loudly to her lawyer.
Sabrina looked at Nick and saw that he held his head low looking at his hands intertwined together resting in his lap. Sabrina rubbed his back as she continued to listen to Judge Barbara.
The judge continued, “Ms. Cyrus, you knew that baby was not his child hence the reason you did all those terrible things. It would appear you have some serious psychological issues and I would recommend you receive help. While serving your time in jail I want you to have a psych evaluation performed. I will set that up for you at a later date. Im going to ask you now, Joanna, do you know who the father of your 5 month old son really is?”
“Yes! It’s Nicholas Lancaster!” Joanna protested again.
Nick glared at Joanna as she continued to make false accusations.
Judge Barbara sighed as she continued to speak. “In regards to 5 month old Nicholas Lancaster Junior, since the mother has indicated that she clearly does not know who the father of her child is, because the DNA results have concluded that Nicholas Lancaster Senior is NOT the father, I will reward full custody to the child’s grandmother, Melissa Cyrus.”
Melissa dabbed her eyes with a kleenex tissue.
The judge continued, “In regards to 5 year old Josslyn Lancaster, I will have my final decision upon the results of Nicholas Lancaster Senior’s drug test he took today.” Judge Barbara raised her eyes up to look at everyone in the court. “We will return to court first thing Monday morning at 9am sharp. No later and no earlier. With that said, I will grant the grandmother to have the 5 year old child for the weekend. Now, rather or not you want to work out a visitation with the father for the weekend, I will leave that up to you all. But as of right now, custody is still legally bind to Joanna Cyrus with Melissa Cyrus as the guardian. Do I make myself clear? Are there any questions?” Judge Barbara asked as she gathered her paperwork together.
Casey looked at Nick. “Do you understand everything? If you want to see Josslyn this weekend, let me know and I can work it out with Melissa for you.” Casey whispered to Nick.
“Yeah, I wanna see her. I haven’t seen her in weeks.” Nick quickly responded.
Casey quickly spoke loudly to Judge Barbara. “Your honor, we would like to go ahead and make arrangements for my client to see his daughter for the weekend, while here in court for the record.”
“No! Momma, tell them no!” Joanna begged her mother.
“No, it’s not his weekend anyway.” Melissa stated loudly.
“Who cares, I haven’t seen her in weeks!” Nick argued back as he glared at both Melissa and Joanna.
Casey quickly grabbed Nick’s shoulder wanting him to calm down. “Your honor, he hasn’t seen his daughter in weeks.”
“Well I guess one more weekend won’t make a difference. You see, here’s the thing. Joanna Cyrus has custody of Josslyn as we speak. The arrangement of Mr. Lancaster seeing his daughter every other week was a verbal agreement held between the mother and the father of the child. There was nothing in writing and the schedule was never kept serious. Meaning if one missed a weekend, no legal actions were taken. Therefore, that verbal agreement has been voided many years ago. With that said, I will order that you all give him an hour’s time with his daughter—“
“An Hour?!” Nick argued loudly.
“Just for now, until Monday morning when I have reached a decision. That is when visitation will be taken into serious consideration. Is that understood?” Judge Barbara stated firmly.
Everyone reluctantly responded yes.
“Court is adjourned until Monday morning 9 am sharp!” Judge Barbara stated as she banged her gavel.
Nick turned to Casey, “I thought you said I was walking out of here with my daughter today!”
“You will…eventually. Listen, no one knew the judge was going to have emergency issues outside of court that would delay the decision even more. There are just some things that we can’t control.” Casey responded trying to calm Nick.
“Momma, don’t let him take my child! Please!” Joanna shouted as the baliff took her behind the court room doors in handcuffs.
Sabrina gave him a faint smile and nodded her head ‘yes’. “Are you okay?” Sabrina asked him softly as she rested her hand on his leg. “Yeah.” Nick replied quickly.
“So, did they say anything to you?” Sandra asked taking another sip of her coffee.
“No. They just gave me a cup to piss in.” Nick replied nonchalantly.
“Nicholas…you are going to pass this test, aren’t you?” Sandra asked him suspiciously.
Nick frowned a bit. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nicholas, Im just concerned.” Sandra added as she stared at the young couple sitting across from her at the table.
“Concerned about what?” Nick asked starting to get upset.
Sabrina noticed how he began to raise his voice. Sabrina lightly squeezed and rubbed his knee wanting him to calm down.
Nick looked at Sabrina and brought his attention back to his mother as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “Im passing the test. Don’t worry about it.” Nick stated more calmly.
Sandra stared at her son and his wife for a moment in silence. Her eyes drifted off into the distance to see Casey speaking to Joanna and Melissa’s lawyer, Mark. “I better go see what they’re talking about. I’ll be back.” Sandra stated gathering her purse.
Sabrina watched her mother-in-law walk off. Sabrina sighed and took a sip of her coke and rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache. Nick looked at his wife and noticed her tired demeanor. “Are you tired?”
“Just a little.” Sabrina smiled faintly at him as she folded her arms across her chest.
Nick wrapped his arm around her shoulder forcing her to rest her head down on his shoulder. “Why don’t you try to get some shut-eye. I know you’ve been up since what, 4 am?”
Sabrina nodded as she nestled her head on his shoulder while Nick took her coke soda swallowing a couple of gulps from it. When he was done, he placed the almost empty soda can on the table, and turned his head to kiss Sabrina’s forehead while lightly rubbing her bare arm with his thumb. Sabrina closed her eyes feeling the comfort in his arms.
A few minutes later, Sandra walked back over toward Nick and Sabrina taking a seat across from them.
“What were they talking about?” Nick asked his mother in a soft tone.
“Apparently nothing. Nothing that contains to us or the case.”
Nick sighed as he continued to lightly glide his thumb up and down Sabrina's arm, feeling the softness of her skin.
Sandra stared at the two. Sandra cleared her throat as she sat back in her chair folding her arms across her chest. “Honey, do you think we should have went ahead and got a paternity test for Josslyn too?”
“No. I already know she’s mine.”
“Yes, but just to make sure…”
“She looks just like me. There is no doubt in my mind, alright. Now drop it.” Nick said slightly annoyed with his mother.
Sandra adjusted herself in her seat and cleared her throat. She leaned forward to try and speak softly to Nick not wanting Sabrina to hear her. “Honey…what about Jordan. Maybe you should get a paternity test for him, just to be on the safe side.”
Sabrina slowly opened her eyes and stared at Sandra not believing what she had just heard.
Nick frowned. “What? Are you serious right now?” Nick said in disbelief.
Sandra noticed that Sabrina was now staring back at her. Sandra sat back in her chair and brought her attention back on her son, Nick. “I just want you to make sure there are no doubts anywhere from this point forward.”
Sabrina slowly raised her head off of Nick’s shoulder. “Ms. Sandra, Nick is definitely Jordan’s father. There is no doubt—“
“It’s never been any doubt, don’t start that shit, mom.” Nick said sounding angry.
“You watch your tone with me…” Sandra said narrowing her eyes at Nick.
“So, watch what you’re saying…” Nick snapped at his mother.
Sabrina quickly looked over at Nick and tapped his leg to try and calm him. “Babe…” Sabrina whispered to him.
“I don’t need this from you. If you need to go back to work, go. I can handle it from here.” Nick said jumping up to his feet. He stormed off out of the lobby.
“Nicholas!” Sandra called after him.
Sabrina grabbed her purse and slowly stood up. Before Sabrina walked off, she stopped to look at Sandra. “I know you haven’t seen Jordan yet, but when you do, trust me…you will know that Nick is his father and you are his grandmother. You wouldn’t need a test to prove it.” Sabrina spoke softly. She then quickly walked out of the lobby to find Nick.
Sabrina rushed out into the large hall of the courthouse. She looked down one way and didn’t see him. She then looked down the opposite way and saw Casey walking toward her. “Hi, did you see Nick?” Sabrina asked Casey.
“I saw him turn the corner down the hall. I was just going to go get him. The judge is ready for us.” “Okay, I’ll go get him.” Sabrina responded and jogged down the hall after Nick as she held her long flowing dress.
Sabrina turned the corner and slowed down as she continued to search down the hall for Nick.
“Brin.”
Sabrina heard her name being called from behind her. She turned around to see Nick posted against the wall with his hands in his pocket. Sabrina slowly walked up to Nick as she calmed her breathing from the small jog she just made down the hall. Sabrina stood close to him and looked up at his handsome face. “Are you okay?”
Nick looked down at her and raised both arms placing them on top of her shoulders and pulling her closer so he could wrap his arms around her neck. “Im sorry about my mom.” Nick said resting his forehead against her forehead.
“It’s okay. I can understand where she’s coming from.”
“I love you.” Nick said in a whisper.
Sabrina raised her hands up to lightly grip Nick’s arm around her. “I love you too.”
They lightly pecked each other’s lips.
Sabrina then softly spoke, “Casey said the judge is ready for our return. Are you ready?”
Nick leaned his head back looking up at the ceiling as he took a deep breath. “I don’t have a choice.” Nick lowered his head to look back at Sabrina.
“Let’s go.” Sabrina whispered to him as she wrapped her arms around his torso.
Nick pushed himself away from the wall, keeping one arm around Sabrina’s neck as they walk back toward the court room.
Everyone was back in their respectable positions as they stood on their feet as the judge arrived back on the bench in the front of the courtroom.
“You may all be seated.” Judge Barbara stated in a raspy voice.
Nick turned around to see if his mother was in her seat. She was not there. He turned back around to face the front and glanced at Sabrina to his side. She gave him a comforting smile.
Judge Barbara cleared her throat and began speaking. “I unfortunately was not able to reach any clear decisions due to an emergency on my behalf. I have some urgent issues to take care of. With that said, I see this as an opportunity for everyone to get themselves together. What I will do is give you all the results of the paternity test. Mr. Lancaster, I will have to give you the results of your random drug test at a later date. But you can be rest assured that in the case of 5 month old Nicholas Lancaster Junior…Mr. Nicholas Lancaster you are not the biological father of that child.”
“What!?! That has to be a mistake! He needs to take it again! I demand that he take the test again!” Joanna yelled from her side of the courtroom.
“Counselor Gosselar, please control your client.” Judge Barbara said calmly.
Attorney Mark Gosselar tugged on Joanna’s arm as he whispered something to her.
“But it’s not right!” Joanna whispered loudly to her lawyer.
Sabrina looked at Nick and saw that he held his head low looking at his hands intertwined together resting in his lap. Sabrina rubbed his back as she continued to listen to Judge Barbara.
The judge continued, “Ms. Cyrus, you knew that baby was not his child hence the reason you did all those terrible things. It would appear you have some serious psychological issues and I would recommend you receive help. While serving your time in jail I want you to have a psych evaluation performed. I will set that up for you at a later date. Im going to ask you now, Joanna, do you know who the father of your 5 month old son really is?”
“Yes! It’s Nicholas Lancaster!” Joanna protested again.
Nick glared at Joanna as she continued to make false accusations.
Judge Barbara sighed as she continued to speak. “In regards to 5 month old Nicholas Lancaster Junior, since the mother has indicated that she clearly does not know who the father of her child is, because the DNA results have concluded that Nicholas Lancaster Senior is NOT the father, I will reward full custody to the child’s grandmother, Melissa Cyrus.”
Melissa dabbed her eyes with a kleenex tissue.
The judge continued, “In regards to 5 year old Josslyn Lancaster, I will have my final decision upon the results of Nicholas Lancaster Senior’s drug test he took today.” Judge Barbara raised her eyes up to look at everyone in the court. “We will return to court first thing Monday morning at 9am sharp. No later and no earlier. With that said, I will grant the grandmother to have the 5 year old child for the weekend. Now, rather or not you want to work out a visitation with the father for the weekend, I will leave that up to you all. But as of right now, custody is still legally bind to Joanna Cyrus with Melissa Cyrus as the guardian. Do I make myself clear? Are there any questions?” Judge Barbara asked as she gathered her paperwork together.
Casey looked at Nick. “Do you understand everything? If you want to see Josslyn this weekend, let me know and I can work it out with Melissa for you.” Casey whispered to Nick.
“Yeah, I wanna see her. I haven’t seen her in weeks.” Nick quickly responded.
Casey quickly spoke loudly to Judge Barbara. “Your honor, we would like to go ahead and make arrangements for my client to see his daughter for the weekend, while here in court for the record.”
“No! Momma, tell them no!” Joanna begged her mother.
“No, it’s not his weekend anyway.” Melissa stated loudly.
“Who cares, I haven’t seen her in weeks!” Nick argued back as he glared at both Melissa and Joanna.
Casey quickly grabbed Nick’s shoulder wanting him to calm down. “Your honor, he hasn’t seen his daughter in weeks.”
“Well I guess one more weekend won’t make a difference. You see, here’s the thing. Joanna Cyrus has custody of Josslyn as we speak. The arrangement of Mr. Lancaster seeing his daughter every other week was a verbal agreement held between the mother and the father of the child. There was nothing in writing and the schedule was never kept serious. Meaning if one missed a weekend, no legal actions were taken. Therefore, that verbal agreement has been voided many years ago. With that said, I will order that you all give him an hour’s time with his daughter—“
“An Hour?!” Nick argued loudly.
“Just for now, until Monday morning when I have reached a decision. That is when visitation will be taken into serious consideration. Is that understood?” Judge Barbara stated firmly.
Everyone reluctantly responded yes.
“Court is adjourned until Monday morning 9 am sharp!” Judge Barbara stated as she banged her gavel.
Nick turned to Casey, “I thought you said I was walking out of here with my daughter today!”
“You will…eventually. Listen, no one knew the judge was going to have emergency issues outside of court that would delay the decision even more. There are just some things that we can’t control.” Casey responded trying to calm Nick.
“Momma, don’t let him take my child! Please!” Joanna shouted as the baliff took her behind the court room doors in handcuffs.
Melissa Cyrus
_ Sabrina lightly grabbed Nick’s arm in comfort as she watched
Joanna be taken out of the courtroom. It wasn’t long before Mark Gosselar
walked up to Casey and Nick with Melissa close behind.
"We are going to get the kids shortly. If you want to take the hour you have with your child now, then you can meet us down at the holding area for kids.”
Nick rubbed his face in frustration. “Yeah, alright, whatever.”
“Remember…you have one hour! One hour! I will be watching the time…you…” Melissa stated in anger.
“Alright, let’s go Mrs. Cyrus. We’ll see you down there.” Mark said and exited the courtroom.
“This is some bullshit, Casey, and you know it!” Nick stated thru his teeth as he walked past Casey.
“I know, Nick. I apologize.” Casey state apologetically. She glanced at Sabrina.
Sabrina only lightly shrugged her shoulders and followed Nick out of the courtroom.
----------------------
“So, what else happened?” Nick asked Josslyn as she sat in his lap while they sat at an ice cream parlor.
“Uhmm…that’s all. Baby Nicky loooooves to hold my finger.” Josslyn said cutely as she giggled. She then took her spoon and dug it into her cup of vanilla ice cream with sprinkles and attempted to feed a spoonful to Nick. “Here, daddy, have some more!”
“Thank you, baby.” Nick said and happily allowing Josslyn to feed him the spoonful of ice cream. “Mmmm, good.” Nick smiled at Josslyn.
“I knowwwww!”
Sabrina smiled as she enjoyed watching Nick with his daughter. Nick looked so happy at the moment, but she could tell there was pain hiding behind his chocolate brown eyes.
“How about those gummy bears? Do you like those too, Joss?” Sabrina asked as she took a spoonful of her ice cream into her mouth.
“Yep. It’s scrumptious!” Josslyn smiled.
“How did you learn a big word like that?” Nick asked in shock..
Josslyn giggled. “Evvy-body knows that word daddy!”
Nick and Sabrina laughed at Josslyn as she gave him the ‘duh’ expression. Nick enjoyed the rest of his time with Josslyn as they talked. Sabrina didn’t say much, she wanted Nick to enjoy his time alone with her since he only had such a very short time with her.
When it was time for her to go, Josslyn cried and held on to Nick’s neck. They literally had to pry her fingers off from around him. The sight was devastating even to Sabrina as she felt her eyes get watery with tears. Nick continued to try and say comforting words to Josslyn to calm her down. It worked to a certain extent, but Josslyn clearly wanted her daddy.
Once Josslyn was back with her grandmother, Sabrina hugged Nick for a long time as she felt him become emotional. He tried his best to hold back his tears of frustration, but Sabrina saw a tear or two escape from his eyes as he composed his manly stature.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
"We are going to get the kids shortly. If you want to take the hour you have with your child now, then you can meet us down at the holding area for kids.”
Nick rubbed his face in frustration. “Yeah, alright, whatever.”
“Remember…you have one hour! One hour! I will be watching the time…you…” Melissa stated in anger.
“Alright, let’s go Mrs. Cyrus. We’ll see you down there.” Mark said and exited the courtroom.
“This is some bullshit, Casey, and you know it!” Nick stated thru his teeth as he walked past Casey.
“I know, Nick. I apologize.” Casey state apologetically. She glanced at Sabrina.
Sabrina only lightly shrugged her shoulders and followed Nick out of the courtroom.
----------------------
“So, what else happened?” Nick asked Josslyn as she sat in his lap while they sat at an ice cream parlor.
“Uhmm…that’s all. Baby Nicky loooooves to hold my finger.” Josslyn said cutely as she giggled. She then took her spoon and dug it into her cup of vanilla ice cream with sprinkles and attempted to feed a spoonful to Nick. “Here, daddy, have some more!”
“Thank you, baby.” Nick said and happily allowing Josslyn to feed him the spoonful of ice cream. “Mmmm, good.” Nick smiled at Josslyn.
“I knowwwww!”
Sabrina smiled as she enjoyed watching Nick with his daughter. Nick looked so happy at the moment, but she could tell there was pain hiding behind his chocolate brown eyes.
“How about those gummy bears? Do you like those too, Joss?” Sabrina asked as she took a spoonful of her ice cream into her mouth.
“Yep. It’s scrumptious!” Josslyn smiled.
“How did you learn a big word like that?” Nick asked in shock..
Josslyn giggled. “Evvy-body knows that word daddy!”
Nick and Sabrina laughed at Josslyn as she gave him the ‘duh’ expression. Nick enjoyed the rest of his time with Josslyn as they talked. Sabrina didn’t say much, she wanted Nick to enjoy his time alone with her since he only had such a very short time with her.
When it was time for her to go, Josslyn cried and held on to Nick’s neck. They literally had to pry her fingers off from around him. The sight was devastating even to Sabrina as she felt her eyes get watery with tears. Nick continued to try and say comforting words to Josslyn to calm her down. It worked to a certain extent, but Josslyn clearly wanted her daddy.
Once Josslyn was back with her grandmother, Sabrina hugged Nick for a long time as she felt him become emotional. He tried his best to hold back his tears of frustration, but Sabrina saw a tear or two escape from his eyes as he composed his manly stature.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
_2/5/2012
© 2011-2012 CelebritySuperFan
© 2011-2012 CelebritySuperFan