But Why Daddy?

Chapter 23

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            Marcus looked at Randy, “Have you seen Paula since?” Randy shook his head, “Well, I go to the hospital and see how she is.”

            “And the baby…if she’s had her yet.” Randy added.

Marcus nodded his head, stood up, walked to the door and opened it, “I will. In the mean time, don’t talk to Liz, Paula’s lawyer, Josh or his lawyer without me.” Marcus said, “In fact, just stay in the cell and don’t say anything until I come back in the morning.” Randy nodded his head, stood up as well and followed Marcus out of the room. An officer led Randy back to his cell as Marcus walked out of the station and to his car to go to the hospital.

+*+

When Cathy found Josh, he was sitting in the nursery holding the little girl and feeding her. Josh looked up and smiled some when Cathy lightly knocked on the door. “Can you believe the nurse said she strong enough for me to hold and feed her?”

Cathy shook her head, “That’s hard to believe.” She said, “And she’s so small.”

“She’s a little over five pounds.” Josh said, “I couldn’t leave without getting the chance the feed her.”

“Where exactly were you going?” Cathy asked, “You live quite a distance from here.”

Josh shrugged his should, “Get a room at a motel I guess.”

Cathy shook her head, “Not a good idea. Wait until Liz comes back and she’ll tell you someplace to go.” Josh nodded his head and Cathy smiled, “I’ll leave you to bonding with your daughter.”

“Her name’s Kayla Denise.” Josh said, “Can you tell the others?”

Cathy nodded her head, “I’ll do that.” She turned and walked out of the nursery and back to the waiting room.

Liz returned after dropping her daughter off with her parents and sat next to lance, “Where’s Josh?” She asked

“With Kayla.” Cathy said.

Liz raised an eyebrow, “And who exactly is Kayla?”

“The baby.” She said, “That’s what he told me her name was. Kayla Denise.”

“That’s pretty.” Karen said, “It has a nice flow to it. Kayla Denise Chasez.”

“Aren’t you being a bit presumptuous that her last name will be Chasez?” Paula’s lawyer, Cole Paulson said, “After all, she could end up being a Johnson.”

“Bite your tongue.” Liz said shooting the man a look, “That little girl is a Chasez.”

“You keep telling yourself that.” Cole said

“What exactly are you doing here?” Cynthia asked, “Family and friends only.”

“Well, Paula asked me to be here. I’m her lawyer.”

“If you haven’t noticed, Paula’s in the room, not out here.” Liz said

“Oh, I was just leaving.” He said standing up, “But I needed to give you these papers.” He handed an envelope to Liz and walked out of the room.

Liz opened the envelope and her eyes went wide, “That son of a bitch.” She said riffling through the papers.

“What is it?” Lance asked looking at them

“He’s questioning, rather, I should say, challenging my self appointment as Kayla’s lawyer.” Liz said, “In a nut shell, that I’d be biased in one way or another because I’m involved with both parties.”

“Well, that’s a load of crap.” Justin said, “You’re the most unbiased family lawyer I know.”

“Justin, I’m the only family lawyer you know.” Liz said with a laugh, “But anyways, he’s saying that since I’m Randy’s cousin, I’d be likely to side with him, but knowing my intense dislike of him, I’d be biased against him.”

“But what does that have to do with the baby?” Lance asked

“Let me put it this way.” Liz said putting the papers backing the envelope, “Say it was the other way around. That I wasn’t biased against Randy. Me being his cousin, I’d try and get Kayla into his custody.”

“But that wouldn’t happen.” Karen said, “Right.”

“Whether I’m his cousin or not, I know Randy’s temper, and I wouldn’t put a child in his care.” Liz said, “If Paula wants a new lawyer for her daughter, she’s going to have to really fight me for that.”

The group continued to talk until Josh returned from the nursery. He walked into the waiting room and cleared his throat. The group looked up and there were a sea of congratulations as he walked into the room. Josh took a seat next to his mother and thanked everyone.

“So what were we talking about?” he asked

“Liz was just wowing us with her law expertise.” Cynthia said, “I want to watch her in court.”

“You may get a chance to do that.” A voice behind them said. The group turned around and looked at the man who was standing in the entrance to the waiting room. “The name’s Marcus McAllister. Counsel for Randy Johnson.”

“I’d say this is a pleasant surprise,” Liz said, “But it’s not.”

“Liz, such harsh words for your former employer.”

A chill ran down Liz’s back, “You are scum Marcus and you should have been disbarred.”

Marcus gave a hearty laugh, “Not when you’re distinguished as I am.”

Josh looked at Liz, “You know him?”

“Unfortunately.” She said, “It was because of him I dropped criminal law and went into family law.”

“The criminal lawyers would have eaten you up for desert, Lizanne.” Marcus, “But that was in the past, let us focus on what’s going on now.” Marcus sat in a chair placing his brief case at his feet, “My client would like to see the baby first thing in the morning. Until the paternity of the child is determined, no name is to be put on the birth certificate.”

“Too late for that.” Josh said, “Her name is Kayla Denise.”

“Correction, until tomorrow morning, her name is Baby Jane.” Marcus said, “If she’s Randy’s daughter, he should be allowed to name her.”

Liz folded her hands and placed them in her lap, “Anything else?”

Go to Chapter 24