Chapter 6

The following week had been an emotional rollercoaster.

All they thought about was Eli. Elliot took the entire week off from work to spend it with Eli. Kathy had moved out and was staying at a hotel in Queens. They agreed Eli could spend some time with each of them every other day, until the hearing on Friday.

El hired lawyer on Monday, he knew through work. Robert Burrell was a great child custody attorney. Burrell assured El that he didn't have anything to worry about. Kathy couldn't take Eli away like this after being out of their lives this past year. The judge would not allow it. The law usually favors the mother with custody battles; but this case was different. A mother that neglects a child in any way loses creditability. If she had kept in touch with the family or visited during the past year, her chances would be better. But as it stands she doesn't have much in her favor. El was happy to hear this; but still worried.

Eli was still upset at the possibility he may have to leave. He told Kathy he wanted to stay with his daddy and brother and sisters. Kathy tried to explain to him that she missed him while she was gone. She wanted him with her in Utah. Eli cried and told her he wanted to stay here. Kathy tried to convince El to talk to him and explain to him he needed to be with his mother. El told her it was Eli's choice.

El came by on the nights Eli was with Kathy to eat when she got home from work. He wanted to fill her in on what was going on. He told her about Eli and how it is truly hurting him. She can't believe how selfish Kathy was being. Of course she was Eli's mother, but she should have thought about that before she left him a year ago.

While they were sitting on the couch one night, she decided to ask him what been on her mind for a week.

She leaned on his shoulder looking at the TV and started, "El, are you okay with everything that happened between us. I don't want what happened to be a mistake. I have wanted to make love to you for a long time. I have loved you longer than I could ever admit. If you want us to go back to what we had, I will try to do that. I just don't want to lose what we've had."

He turned, cupped her cheeks with his hands, looked into her eyes and replied, "What I said to you after we made love was the truth. I love you with all my heart and have for a long time. When Kathy left it made me realize what I really wanted; but was afraid to say anything." Then he leaned in kissed her deeply and hugged her as tears ran down her cheeks.

They sat there for a while thinking about what would happen in a few days. The verdict will change their lives forever. If he gets custody, then Eli will be with him for good. If he doesn't, he will get Eli two weeks every summer and on certain holidays. That will kill them all. The judge has to agree that Eli belongs with El.

Thursday night

Last night El brought Eli by to visit. We fixed some popcorn and played games. It was like old times. She has missed him so much. While they were putting up the last game before they had to go.

Eli stood up and asked, "May Daddy and I stay the night? I want to sleep in your big bed again. Please?" He looked up at his daddy and El melted.

El just looked over to her and said, "It's okay with me if it's okay with you."

She just smiled and said, "Alright. But we have to go straight to sleep. You guys have a busy day tomorrow." Eli jumped up and down, then grabbed her around the neck, and squeezed her tight. He turned and ran to her room, jumping on the bed.

They heard him say, "Come on, you two it's bed time." They both looked at each other and laughed. They loved that little boy so much. El walked up to her and hugged her close and kissed her gently on the lips. They pull apart with tears in their eyes. Then they walked into the bedroom, got ready for bed. When they finally were in bed, snuggled up and drifted off to sleep thinking about what the future holds for them.

Day of the Hearing

This morning, El and Eli were up and on the way out of the door by 6:00 am. She walked them out hugging Eli tightly and then El. She watched them go down the hall with tears flowing down her face. Turning to go back inside, she prayed all of this will turned out alright. She didn't know what would happen to El if he lost that little boy. She sighed and went to get dressed for work.

Around 10:30 am she is working a call with Fin when she gets a call. El needs her to come to the courthouse. Fin drops her off on the way back to the prescient. When she reaches the top of the stairs, she sees Kathy and Eli standing together. She walks over to them slowly not wanting to interrupt them. She looks around from El, but she doesn't see him at all. Eli reaches for Kathy to pick him up, she hugs him. While Liv is standing there Eli notices her and motions for her to come over. She timidly walks up to them. Eli make a beeline to her, grabbing at her legs and holding on tight. She reaches down and picks him up. He puts his head on her shoulder and stays that way. She squeezes him and that's when El walks up behind her. He gives her a side hug and pats Eli on the back. Kathy shyly smiles at Liv and then nods and walks away.

Was that it? That's all there was. She had so many questions. Eli leans back in her arms and whispered, "I get to stay with Daddy." He begins bouncing in her arms and grinning from ear to ear. She can't believe it. El looks at Liv and says, "The hearing went by so fast. It took 45 minutes for the judge to come to a decision." She looks over at El with the biggest smile. They lean into each other and kiss quickly. At that moment, they realize that is one of the best days they've had in a long time.

They leave the courthouse and head down the street to eat breakfast. Eli is between them as they walk down the sidewalk. He was smiling and giggling. She looks down at him with the biggest grin, she know life from here on out will be different. Different in a great way, she hopes she know what it's like to be apart of this family.

Then she looks over at El and gives him a wink. She lips "I love you both so much." Then she smiles.

He lets go of Eli's hand and reaches over wrapping his arm around her shoulders and says, "Love you too."

She doesn't know what the future holds with El, but right now she is extremely happy.

The End

I would like to thank all of you for reading my first fic. I hope you enjoyed it.

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