Page 61 of Misery In Me

“Mr. Donovan, where is your daughter now?” The judge stares at the papers in front of her.

“She’s with my wife in the hallway, your Honor. I wasn’t sure if they should be in the room. Zoe’s only four months old and I didn’t want to disrupt the proceedings.” Kiera snorts from the table to my left, and I look over at her just as she rolls her eyes. “Do they need to be in here?”

“Your Honor, may I speak?” Kiera speaks, clearing her throat and not waiting for permission to speak. “He married the woman he hired to be our daughter’s guardian while he’s away. A stranger. He didn’t even try to get in touch with me to see if I was okay or see if I reconsidered everything. Which I have.”

“Stop.” Holding up her hand to Kiera. “I’m very reluctant to hear anything you have to say, Ms. Marsden. From the evidence provided by Mr. Donovan, I find it very hard to believe you are reconsidering.” The judge shifts her attention back to me. “Mr. Donovan, this woman… your wife.” She looks at the packet of papers I submitted, the ones with Alejandra’s petition to adopt Zoe.

“Alejandra, your Honor.” I say proudly because I am proud that she’s my wife. “She filled out the paperwork to adopt Zoe, if it pleases the court today to make that decision.”

“I see that.”

“I don’t consent to that woman being around my daughter, your honor. I mean, is she even here legally?”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I turn towards Kiera and stare at her with a look that has her flinching. Turning my attention back to the judge.

“Your Honor, my wife has been a citizen for five years and we submitted all paperwork to prove that, along with ourlegalmarriage license.” I can’t believe that Kiera would pull this shit right now, and it’s taking everything in me to keep my shit together.

“Mr. Donovan, I’m not even going to dignify Ms. Marsden’s comment with a response.” She stares disapprovingly at Kiera, then draws in a deep breath. “Are you and your wife willing to accept all financial responsibility for Zoe?”

“We already do, your Honor. I don’t want anything from Ms. Marsden. Although a restraining order would be appreciated, I don’t want her on my property again, nor do I want her around my wife and daughter.”

“How about for your daughter to know the woman who she shares DNA with? The one who birthed her.” Kiera huffs and looks at the judge. “I have rights, don’t I?”

“Okay, I’ve heard enough.” The judge throws her glasses down in front of her, rubbing her eyes. “Roger.”

The bailiff moves in front of her. “Ma’am?”

“Will you please go out in the hall and get Mrs. Donovan and Zoe?”

“Of course,” and he walks through the double doors, moments later appearing with Ale and Zoe.

“Mrs. Donovan, will you come and stand with your husband, please?”

Ale nods and follows the bailiff up the aisle and doesn’t even look at Kiera. She stands beside me with Zoe asleep on her chest in the carrier. The judge gives her a once-over and stays stoic.

Fuck, is that bad?

“Ms. Marsden, you left a newborn on the porch of a house in the middle of the night. You didn’t try to contact her father to let him know you were pregnant.”

“—He was deployed. What was I supposed to do, leave him a voicemail?”

“Do not interrupt me again, Ms. Marsden, or I will hold you in contempt.” The judge takes a sip of water and continues. “I find it very unlikely that you actually care about this child, as you made no efforts to get in contact with Mr. Donovan prior to your one visit to his home. I do not think you have Zoe’s best interest at heart.”

Don’t get your hopes up, Gage.

Is there a but coming?

“I am granting the petition for Mrs. Donovan to adopt Zoe Jane Donovan, hereby dissolving your parental rights, Ms. Marsden. In addition to that, I am also granting the request for a restraining order.”

Fuck yes!

For once, the courts are working in the father’s favor, and I am so fucking happy they are. “Thank you, your Honor.” My voice shakes a little as I try to hold back the tears.

“Once the social worker conducts the home study and gives their clearance, I’ll see you in three months for the formal decree.” The judge smiles. “But in the meantime, the restraining order will be active from today.”

“Your Honor, what if I’m deployed when it’s approved?” There is a high probability that could happen, and I grab Ale’s hand for comfort.I wouldn’t want to miss that moment.

“I’m sure we can do a tele-hearing on your behalf, Mr. Donovan.” The judge clicks a few things on her computer, then gathers the paperwork, shoving everything into a folder. “Okay, you can go to the recorder and get the paperwork from today.”

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