Page 63 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"How is she?" Natalie asks.
Leah makes a face with her lips.
"We haven't talked; Emma is with her. Later we'll meet to tell her about the plan," the tennis player explains and stands up while checking her watch. "I'm going to send Emily a message and go to class with Ted. We'll talk later."
Leah leaves her mothers' office with a radiant smile and the feeling that for the first time in her life, she'll do something truly good. Helping Mia a few years ago benefited them both; Mia managed to get a job and a family, and Leah gained a sister and confidant. Now, they'll go a step further, and Aaron will officially become another member of the Walkers.
Chapter 33
Emma sits on Mia's sofa, silent, while stroking the hair of the cadet whose head rests on her lap. She's been there all day. Since going this morning to deliver the bad news before Mia left for the club, Emma hasn't been able to leave her alone with so much sadness. She took care of ordering food for both of them, plenty and varied in hopes that Mia might want to eat something, but she's barely touched a bite. Now, at least, she's managed to calm her down and, although they sit in silence, neither feels uncomfortable.
Her phone vibrates. Emma unlocks the screen and smiles with relief as she reads her cousin Emily's message.
"Leah just called me and says she has nothing else to think about, she wants to go ahead with plan B. Come with Mia to the club restaurant. We're waiting there to discuss it with her."
Finally some good news to give Mia, Emma thinks.
"Get up, we need to go to the club," she says, giving her a tap on the arm.
"Pass," Mia says, moving her head so Emma can get up.
"This isn't a request, Mia. Emily wants to talk to you about your brother's case. There's something else we can do, but if you don't move your butt, you'll never know. Seriously, it's important," she adds in an affectionate tone.
Mia jumps up.
"What thing?" she asks, grabbing Emma's hand to stop her from walking toward the door.
She smiles and restrains her urge to kiss her.
"I'd love to tell you, really, but I don't think it's my place to do so."
"Damn it, Emma," Mia huffs, making the lawyer smile.
Forty minutes later, they walk through the doors of the club restaurant, and Mia sighs deeply when she sees that Leah, her mothers, and Emily are sitting at Leah's favorite table. The first thing the tennis player does is stand up and hug her to say she's sorry about what happened. Then Mia receives the same show of affection from Anne and Natalie and, finally, from Emily.
"Sit down," Emily says, settled next to Leah.
They've left the two chairs across from them empty for Mia and Emma, with the tennis player's mothers heading each corner of the table.
"What's going on?" Mia asks nervously.
Emily looks at Leah in case she wants to be the one to speak.
"You tell her," Leah requests. "You'll express it better than me, and it was your idea."
"Okay," Emily agrees, fixing her gaze on Mia. "I know the judge's rejection has been a hard blow, Mia, but I think there's something we can do so Aaron can be with you."
"What?" she asks, taking Emma's hand under the table without even being aware of it.
"Leah could apply for custody."
Mia blinks, mouth agape, as she looks at Leah for a moment before focusing back on Emily.
"Can she do that?"
"Yes, any adult who meets the requirements can do it. It will always depend on an evaluation, just like what happened with you, but in Leah's case, I think there's a very high probability they'll grant her custody. She has no record," Emily makes a sad face at that comment and continues, "She has enough financial stability to give Aaron a very promising future, she has a structured family that supports her," she adds, pointing to her mothers, "and she's a public sports figure with an impeccable reputation. No judge in their right mind would deny a possibility like this to any child, but as I say, there's always a chance they'll refuse, although in my opinion, it's very small."
"And you would do this?" Mia's eyes are already flooded when she looks at Leah because, deep down, she already knows the answer.
