Chapter 277: Michael
*I named him after our dad and his mom. – Rye*
Rye sat in the courtroom wearing the gray slacks and purple sweater that Chance had bought her last night. He also bought her a pair of dress boots and a leather jacket. She had argued over it all until he reminded her that it was for Michael.
They had gone to several other stores at the mall where they found some artwork and little trinkets that she liked. Then he took her to dinner at the Sombrero, or as his mother called it, big hat Mexican.
Chance slipped his hand into hers and linked their fingers. She turned and looked at him. His beard was trimmed, and his long hair was in a ponytail just above his suit collar.
He wore a dark gray suit and crisp white shirt. His tie was expertly tied and had small army emblems and his unit patch all over the green silk.
Looking at him like this, it was hard to see the biker. He looked like the type of man who would treasure his wife. Spoil his children. Take care of his mom. Be there for his family and friends.
That was exactly who he was.
He had said that he loved her. She didn’t love him. She wasn’t sure if she was even capable of loving someone. But maybe she could try.
“Yes.” She whispered and he looked at her confused. Then he smiled at her.
“If we weren’t in a courtroom, I’d be screaming like a madman.” He whispered back as the judge made his ruling on the case before him.
“For the case of Michael Lee Lynch.” The bailiff called.
“That’s you, Duchess.” He kissed her cheek. “Go get our little Michael.”
She followed Phineas and Mary Kate to the large table.
“Mr. O’Malley, your office is stating that this child was removed without reason or cause and should be returned immediately.” The judge stated as a way of starting. “Mrs. Nguyen, you dispute this?”
“As you can see in my reports, Miss Lynch is not in a position to care for an infant. She has no steady income, no regular place to stay, her vehicle is over twenty years old, and she has a history of bolting in the middle of the night.” Jessica said.
“Your honor, I believe that Mrs. Nguyen may be overworked and is confusing her cases. I would hate to think that she was intentionally providing the courts with false information.” Phineas said offering a binder to the bailiff and Mrs. Nguyen.
His office was known for their binders. The thicker the binder, the more facts they had. If you were going against them, you did not want to see a binder.
The binder that was handed over was at least two inches thick. And full.
“Be careful with accusations, Mr. O’Malley.” Judge Serif warned accepting the binder.
“As I said, your honor, I am sure that this was an honest mistake. But as you see from the files, prior to moving here, Miss Lynch has been attending the University of Northern Georgia in Dahlonega. For the past three years, she has rented a room from Miss Beulah Johnson. She also worked at a local restaurant in Dahlonega and for Peachy Clean. This was while she also maintained a GPA of 3.8 while attaining her teaching degree.” Phineas explained. "Affidavits from the employers and Miss Johnson are in the second section of the binder."
“Although we are impressed with her recent history, we are looking at her overall history.” Mrs. Nguyen pointed out.
“Perhaps Mrs. Nguyen could tell her parents that she did not want to move, but like most minors, Miss Lynch did not have this option. Therefore, we are limited to the past three years since her mother’s death.” Phineas countered.
“Considering that Miss Lynch is only twenty, we will limit past adult choices to the time that she has been considered a legal adult.” Judge Serif said. “It appears that she does have a stable history. Have you graduated, young lady?”
“No, your honor. I graduate this month with a bachelor’s degree of elementary and special education.” Rye answered just as she had practiced.
“Are you currently employed?”
“Yes, your honor. I’m a pre-k4 teacher at a daycare.”
“And where do you live?”
“I just moved into a house on Saturday.” Rye answered and after a nudge from Mary Kate, she elaborated. “I notified Mrs. Nguyen early Monday morning, and she called me to schedule a home inspection around three thirty that afternoon. I met her for the first time about an hour later.”
“Mrs. Nguyen, did you inspect the same house two weeks ago?” the judge asked, and she confirmed it. “Not sure if you are aware of it, but the house was under construction. I know this because I have pictures from the security system for that day. I see that the foundation has been repaired. But I do not see you.”
“I may have the wrong date…” She mumbled.
“Your honor, we consulted with the security company, the first time that Mrs. Nguyen was at the house was Monday.” Phineas explained. “We did request that Carly Henderson come over. Her main concern, as is stated in the enclosed report in the fourth section, was that it seemed to lack the feeling of a home. Of course, Miss Lynch has just moved in.”
The judge nodded and then asked if Mrs. Nguyen had verified employment.
“I have been unable to do so.” She said as Phineas handed over a document.
“Because you have a criminal trespass and restraining order for the daycare and its employees.” The judge remained calm, but his anger was evident. “You will remove yourself from this case or I will remove you from all cases.” He waited for the caseworker to nod inunderstanding before turning his focus back to Rye.
“Young lady, what do you drive?”
“A little Kia hatchback that my fiancée, Chance Lowery, got me. My friends gave me a baby shower Sunday and I have four car seats. One is an infant carrier with a stroller. The fire department installed the base for me yesterday.”
“I’m going to have to rule in favor of Miss Lynch. From other reports and personal recommendations, I don’t see why this child was removed.”
Rye let out a sigh of relief and turned around to find Chance right behind her. Smiling he opened his arms to her, and she stepped into his embrace.
“I’m assuming that you’re the fiancée?” the judge asked.
“Yes, your honor.”
“You are not mentioned in any of the reports. I see a Timothy James Lowery.”
“Timothy James is my legal name, but I go by Chance.” He explained. “I’m a member of the Devil’s Saints and BACA.”
“Very well. And how did you meet Miss Lynch?”
“I am a certified personal accountant for DS Holdings. I am also a licensed armed security guard for my brother’s company, Wolf Pack Security. My office is at the front of the daycare as an added layer of security for the kids and employees.”
“Workplace romance?” the judge asked making a note on one the reports. “You will need to submit to background checks. Do you have any issue with that? Or anything the courts should be aware of?”
“Just that DOD reps may come to see you. I had a high-level clearance with my job, and they still keep track of me.”
“And just what did you do in the military?”
“Officially, I was a bean counter.”
“Thank you for your service and your bean counting.” He turned his attention to the court clerk. “Miss Saunders, can you make sure that this family is reunited?”
His clerk nodded as her fingers flew over her keyboard. Her computer dinged a few times and then she smiled up at the judge.
“The original caseworker, Mrs. Walker, is taking back over and Mrs. Brown will be contacting you about Mrs. Nguyen and her actions.” The ever efficient, and extremely pregnant, clerk replied from her desk to his right.
“Are you sure you don’t want to just stay pregnant? I don’t think I can work without you.”
“As much fun as heartburn, swollen ankles and nosebleeds have been, I’m done.” She smiled back at the judge.
“And so are we. Next time I see you, Miss Lynch, will be in July. We will review the petition for adoption then.”
