THIRD POV
"Thank you" Nina thanked the young man helping her out of the taxi and holding an umbrella over her head. Wrapping the shawl tighter around her on this rainy day she headed inside.
She hated that she had to push herself this past 52 hours all because of that damned family. They had somehow, made it possible and called for a deliberation before a judge. Those fools, knew very well that Diane was not in the country. They couldn't even let her enjoy her vacation.
Walking further into the courtroom, she passed the massive statue and he met her associate and close friend Jude Ichikawa waiting for her.
"Beautiful morning, isn't it?" he joked. He was answered with a short of annoyance.
"How is it going?" he asked handing her a mug of lemon tea with two tea spoons of honey.
Nina took it greedily and took a sip "Thank you. I love you"
"Better not let Neal hear you say that. I don't want to be the fish's next meal" he joked darkly. He knew how protective and possessive Neal was about his woman. Walking with her side by side they discussed the case. Jude was her second chair and ironically was George' Sinclair's lawyer.
"When did they arrive?" she asked taking another sip of her tea. Enjoying the hot beverage as it warmed her inside.
"Since a half an hour ago" he replied.
"Honest to God, I hate them I hate them so much. They knew that Diane is out of the country and they decide to move the hearing a week ahead to today" she complained.
"They must be getting desperate" she noted. Laughing wryly.
"Well playing dirty is how the game is played" Jude laughed.
"What do you think of our chances?" she asked him. Even though they had gone over this many times last night.
"Anybody else this would be a stitch. An open and shut case"
"But.." she pushed, knowing that he had more to say. She knew that he had something more to say and coming from Jude it meant something important. This man was a genius.
Coupled with a business degree and a law degree he could take anyone to court.
"But this is the Dwights we are talking about. If it were anybody else it would be easy to gage the outcome. But he holds a lot of power in not just this town but this state"
"Yes, I suppose. But so does Sinclair and Diane" she added.
Occasionally tossing a nod to other lawyers and bailiffs, paralegals and security guards she met along the way. But she was deeply engrossed in this conversation.
"Nina, I hate to say this but I have to. Sinclair is a mega celebrity but the Dwights hold a fair amount of power in this state. They come from both old and new money." Jude reminded her.
"I suppose. Though we have to thank them for being wise enough to sign that contract"
"True. That might be our biggest argument" he agreed. Walking around the corner they made it towards the designated room. Jude being a gentleman opened the door and let the lady go in first. In the room they already saw the plaintiff with his two lawyers. Top notch lawyers in the state.
And of course they saw their supporters. His parents and the Eric Timmons. On their side however, they had Esther. She gave them each a hug.
"You are going to do great" Esther whispered. They had to, this was her family.
"Nina. Jude" they opposing counsel greeted them.
"Patrick. Tracey" Jude returned. Nina just nodded her head at them she was busy opening up her brief case and organizing her notes.
"You know, we can skip this and just go to a mediator. Keep everyone happy" Tracey Hellman came walking up to their side of the room.
"No thanks" Nina answered momentarily glancing up from her notes.
Thankfully, the judge came in the room from his chambers.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Mathis" the bailiff shouted.
After he had taken a seat "You may be seated"
As soon as everyone was seated Judge Mathis started "The plaintiff you may open with your presentation"
"Thank you, Your Honor. Your honor I am representing my client Mr. Collins Jackson Dwight and his family, to fight for his restoration and joint custody of his twin boys" Patrick began standing up to give his opening statement.
"Would counsel care to clarify?" the judge asked
"Yes. Your honor a number of years ago, Mr. Dwight's unwittily lost the possession and his right of his two twin boys. We are here to see to it that his rights and the title of his father be restored of his two boys" Patrick continued.
"That is putting it mildly" Nins whispered to Jude who just nodded his head.
"And what do you have to say Ms. Lockhart" Judge Mathis asked.
"Your honor, I am here on behalf of Ms. Reyes who wishes to oppose Mr. Dwight's lawsuit. This is nothing more than hearsay and Mr. Dwight has no right to the children whatsoever. This case was handled almost eleven years ago."
"I see. And where is your client?" the judge asked. Seeing the seat empty where the opposing client should be sitting.
"I am sorry Your Honor but my client is indisposed at the moment"
"Your honor, the faithful mother is out vacationing with her boyfriend whilst this trial is going on" Tracey couldn't help but add. Anything to show or create the impression that Ms. Reyes is an unfit mother and a role model to the two boys.
"Your Honor, my client couldn't make it due to her being held up in Madrid. She was working abroad when Mr. Dwight imposed this meeting on us. As you are probably aware the airports in Madrid have been closed until further notice. I assure you, Your Honor if she could she would be here" Nina retaliated.
"I see. Honestly, I have to admit that I am quite surprised. I didn't know that Mr. Dwights had any children" the judge stated. When will fathers start taking responsibility?
"Well, yes he does" Patrick stated.
"Excuse me, Your Honor" Nina interrupted.
"Yes, Ms. Lockhart"
"I will like to correct the grammar that opposing counsel just made"
"Yes?" He always enjoyed when Nina was in his court. It was like a fight in the jungle for supremacy.
"For the sake of argument, the sentence should be "did" Not and "does". And at this time I will like it to be put on record that Mr. Collins used to have children. He does not anymore"
"Explain counsel" Judge Mathias demanded.
"Well eleven years ago, Mr. Dwight was in a relationship with a woman by the name of Diane Reyes. Well, you know how these stories go. Dwight impregnated her. He did not accept the baby and in fact demanded that she terminate it. Well, Mr. Collins and Diane signed an airtight legal bond that forfeits the rights to the child and all other circumstance. Including a ball gag, that prevents my client from ever telling her children who their real father and the kids have no rights or claims to his fortune or his net worth. Under any circumstances"
"Counsel is this true?" the judge asked.
"Well yes, Your honor, but it seems opposing counsel has only told half of the story. For the record Mr. Collins assumed that Diane was after his fortune and even doubted wether the baby was even his. Who knows what lies Ms. Reyes could have told the child about his supposed father. My client was just trying to protect his company and his fortune from a supposed gold-digger"
"I will like to object to that. If he was so aware that the baby was not his as he claimed, why has he never demanded a paternity test. And your honor, I will like to add that Mr. Collins has in no way shape or form ever had any contact with the children in the last ten years, whatsoever. In fact the only time he actually saw his son was 5 days ago at a party. Therefore Mr. Collins did in fact know the baby were his and simply chose not to have anything to do with them " Nina argued.
She was getting hyped out. Seeing the judge nod his head in understanding was working well for her.
"Your honor, that is because their mother has prevented him from doing so" Tracey argued.
"Your honor, here is the legal document between Mr. Dwight and Ms. Reyes where he forfeits his rights as their father. And places a gag on her, preventing her or any other person from telling the two boys he is their sperm donor" Nina continued to argue standing up and handing the document to the judge.
"Your Honor, please order counsel to refrain from using such language" Patrick objected.
"Why? He is nothing more than that. The definition of father or dad is one who actually is in the life of a child and takes a hand in raising him/her. I have a dictionary, care to use it to look it up" goading Patrick further.
"Enough. Ms. Lockhart tread carefully. And as supposed to this document it seems to be airtight. There is absolutely no clause that will give Mr. Collins the right to re-enter the lives of his kids. Absolutely none. So now, I am confused. Why are we here?" the judge asked folding his arms and looking directly at Patrick and Tracey and the side of the Dwights.
"Well, Your honor that is why we are here. We are here for the contract to be dissolved" Tracey stated.
"On what grounds?" he asked.
"On the grounds that the contract stated a baby. There are twins. So, technically it only applies to one child" Tracey argued.
"You have got to be kidding me" Nina sneered.
"Yes, the contract states for the "child" Diane Reyes had twins.
More specifically, twin boys at that. So technically, Mr. Dwight has a right to one of the boys" she finished triumphantly.
"That is a far stretch counsel" the judge replied sitting back.
"Yes. But a good one. And as we don't want to bring separation and hatred between brothers, for we have all seen Parent Trap" Patrick laughed. "It will be in the boys' best interest if we don't separate the children. So in the fair interest of the boys we move for joint custody"
"Your honor that is just ridiculous" Nina exasperated.
"But true. If we are going by the contract" Patrick argued back.
"That is true" the middle aged judge sighed.
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Nina's head.