Page 25 of Adventures in Spring

I can’t believe what happened today in court. We leave tomorrow and we have to leave the twins here. And it’s not the leaving them here part that’s the most upsetting, it’s the part where they’re going to be forced to see Seth’s parents. They don’t even know them.

“Do you want me to be with you when you talk to the twins?” I ask Emiko.

“You would do that?”

“Of course I would. I told you, you and the twins are mine. And if you want me to be there when you have to explain what’s going on, I will. I don’t want to overstep at all. But I am here for you. I love you.”

“Thank you. And yes, I want you to be there with me. I’m so scared about all of this. I remembered something when we were in court today. That judge? He’s a good friend of Seth’s parents. I met him a long time ago.”

“We need to tell Lorenzo, maybe that could help him get the court moved to Lake Renegade.”

We head over to Lorenzo and Emiko tells him about meeting the judge.

“That’s a huge deal, that’s a conflict of interest for him and you can bet your ass I’m going to use it. I’m going to be on the phone for a while. I need to get this rolling since he gave us a court date in two weeks. I don’t know if I can get the venue moved by then, we might have to start it here and end it in Lake Renegade.”

“I can’t lose my kids.” Emiko starts sobbing again and I can’t stand to see her cry.

“You’re not going to lose them. I just need to figure out how to fight for them. And right now, they’ll be with your parents.”

“What about when they’re being forced to see Seth’s parents? Can they really keep them overnight?” I ask.

“Unfortunately, they can.”

“I need to talk to the kids,” Emiko says softly.

“I’ll keep you posted on everything. We’re going to win,” Lorenzo says as he hugs both of us.

“Thank you,” she says to him as I take her hand.

We go to find the twins.

“We need to talk to you both,” Emiko says to them.

“Why do you look sad, Mommy?” Miyuki asks.

“Mommy and Rhett have to go back to Wintervale tomorrow. You and Kaito have to stay here with Ojiisan and Obaasan.”Grandpa and grandma.

“Why do we have to stay? Why can’t you stay with us?” Kaito asks as his eyes fill with tears.

Emiko grabs them both and hugs them tight. I wrap my arms around all three of them.

“Remember Mommy went to the courthouse today? Well the judge said that you have to stay here. And you’re going to meet some people. They are your daddy’s mom and dad. They’ll probably tell you that you have to call them ‘Grandpa’ and ‘Grandma.’ But you don’t have to if you don’t want to. And no matter what, you remember that Mommy loves you. More than anything in this world.”

“Can you stay with us, Rhett?” Miyuki asks.

“I don’t want to see them. Why do we have to see them?” Kaito frowns as he wipes his tears.

“I wish I could, sweetheart,” I say as I hug her tight. “If you need me or your mommy, we’ll come back.”

“How long will you be gone?” Miyuki asks as she starts bawling.

“Two weeks. We’ll be back. Sooner, if Mommy can get the time off. If I can, I’ll be back sooner.”

“Will you come back too?” Kaito asks me.

“Yes. I’ll come back with your mommy.”

“You promise?” they both ask us.

---