But Why Daddy?

Chapter 31

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

 

“Funny thing about being a parent…I can say who sees and doesn’t see my daughter.” Josh said putting Kayla back in her carrier, “And I say that no one outside my family can see her.”

“Josh that’s not fair and you know it.” Karen said, “Jean and John didn’t take Kayla so why are you taking her away from them?”

Josh looked at his mother, “How do I know that when I leave her here with them, they wouldn’t try to take her away?” he asked

“You have to trust them.” Cynthia said.

“I trusted on McCarthy and looked what happened.” He said with a shake of his head, “I’m not going to make that mistake again.”

“Taking Kayla away isn’t the right thing to do Josh.” Liz said, “Granted, I’m a bit weary about letting there be unsupervised visits, but taking Kayla completely away? That’s not fair.”

Josh looked at Liz, “I thought you were on my side.”

“I’m on Kayla’s side.” Liz said, “I want what’s best for Kayla. And what’s best for Kayla is for her grandparents to still be in her life.”

Josh sighed, “I don’t know.” He said, “I think I’ll take her on tour with me for a while and think about things.”

John looked at Josh, “Take as much time as you need to think about it.” He said, “And we’ll completely understand if you want us to have nothing to do with her.”

“But we would never betray your trust in us by trying to take Kayla without you knowing.” Jean added, “I know what’s it like to have someone take your child away and I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone.” Jean stood up, walked to Kayla’s carrier, kissed the little girls head and walked out of the living room.

“Do you hate me so much that you would do this to my parents to get back at me?” Paula ask when she saw her mother leave the room, “I’ll give up all my rights to Kayla, I won’t ask for anything from you having to do with Kayla. Just let my parents stay in Kayla’s life.”

Josh looked at Paula, “What part of ‘I have to think about it’ doesn’t anyone understand?” he asked, “Plead all you want, but that isn’t going to make me change my mind any sooner.” He looked at his mother, Cynthia, Heather and Tyler, “I’m leaving now if you guys want to leave with me.” They nodded their heads and stood up. Josh looked at John, “You’ll hear from me at the end of this week if I decide anything.” John nodded his head and went to see about his wife.

“You’ll be hearing from me in the coming weeks.” Liz said to Paula, “Papers need to be drawn up.” Paula didn’t say anything. Liz picked up her daughter Adriana and walked out of the house with Lance right behind her.

Josh made sure Kayla was buckled in the carrier before walking out of the house. Cynthia, Karen, Tyler and Heather followed when and Randy closed the door behind them.

The drive back to Josh’s house was a quiet one. Josh sat in the back of his car next to Kayla’s seat while Cynthia and Karen sat in the front. Behind Josh were Heather and Tyler. Once back at Josh’s house no one knew what to say or if they should say anything to Josh.

“I’ll be upstairs with Kayla.” Josh said. He turned and looked at Liz, “How long before those custody papers are ready?”

“It may take a couple days.” Liz said, “I have to get in contact with your lawyer and Paula’s lawyer so we can sit and talk about this.”

“I want them tomorrow.” He said as he walked up the stairs.

“And if we had other things we had planned already?”

Josh didn’t turn around, “Tomorrow or Jean and John won’t be able to see Kayla.”

Liz sighed and shook her head, and then she looked at Lance, “Looks like I won’t be home for dinner tonight.”

Lance smiled at Liz, “I knew that before we even left Jean’s house.” He said, “I’ll bring something to your office later.”

“How did I get so lucky as to have such an understanding husband?” Liz said as she kissed Lance’s lips, “I’ll see you later then.” She picked up her things and walked out of Josh’s house to head to her office.

+*+

            Three hours later Liz, Robert Jamison and Cole Paulson were sitting in Liz’s office trying to come to some kind of compromise. Cole didn’t want Paula to be completely out of Kayla’s life; Robert wanted to press charges against Paula and Liz charges to be brought against Paula and for her to not have anything to do with Kayla.

            “This is the ultimate example of what’s wrong with our society.” Cole said, “Because Josh is this famous person, he’s getting special treatment.”

            “Special treatment? What special treatment?” Liz asked, “This has nothing to do with Josh being rich and famous. But this has everything to do with Paula taking Kayla from Josh without anyone knowing.”

            “Since when does she have to inform anyone that she’s taking her daughter?” Cole asked, “Which she has every right to do.”

            “Not when she only had visitation.” Robert said, “Paula gave up all her rights and Josh was sympathetic enough to let her continue to see Kayla.”

            “No legal documents were drawn up stating that Paula was giving up her rights.” Cole said.

            “A verbal agreement is just as binding as a paper agreement.” Liz said, “Especially when there were plenty of people who witnessed the conversation.”

            “That was held under duress.” Cole added, “Paula was afraid that she would be put through the ringer if a long court battled happened.”

            “She could have avoided that had she been honest from the very beginning.” Robert said

            “True as that may be, that’s neither here nor there.” Cole said, “I’ll agree to everything as long as Jean and John are still able to see Kayla…”

            “Okay.” Robert and Liz said

            “And that Paula never sees the inside of a jail or courtroom for this supposed kidnapping.”

            “I can’t agree with that until I talk to Josh.” Robert said

            “Then Paula isn’t signing anything.” Cole said

            “Jesus Christ!” Liz exclaimed. She reached for the phone, dialed Josh’s number and placed him on speaker, “Josh, its Liz…”

“Did you get the papers finished?” Josh asked

“Almost.” She said, “But we’ve hit a snag.”

“What kind of snag?”

“Don’t press charges against Paula.” Cole said, “And she’ll agree to everything else.”

“Liz…Robert what do you think?”

“This is all you.” Robert said, “She won’t have anything to do with Kayla, but Jean and John will still be able to see Kayla.”

Josh thought a moment, “Okay fine. No charges, and I don’t want her to see Paula.”

“Okay, fine.” Cole said, “You’ll have the papers signed by the end of the week.”

Josh hung up the phone and Liz pressed the speaker button on her phone to end the call. “So I trust we’re done here?” Liz asked

“For now.” Cole said, “Paula will sign the papers, but I’d like to know how you plan on keeping her from seeing Kayla.”

“If Jean and John want to be in Kayla’s life, I’m sure something could be worked out on that end.” Robert said, “But we’re done here.”

“Then gentlemen,” Liz said standing up and walking to her office door and pulling it open, “It was a pleasure doing business with you and I look forward to having those papers at the end of them week.” Robert and Cole stood up and walked out of Liz’s office. Liz closed the door behind them, walked back to her desk and began to type up the custody arrangement to send to Cole and Robert the next morning.

 

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