Page 33 of Patch's Bride
I freeze, because although I knew we needed to go through with the ceremony, I had no idea Patch was planning it for today. I swallow thickly. “We probably should get it over with. It’s just a formality anyway.”
We stand before Rigs and he runs through a shortened version of the vows so quickly that I feel like I’m trapped in a dream, where I’m getting everything I ever wanted. I’m protected, marrying my childhood crush and with him, finally getting a found family I actually like. But instead of my dreams where I’m standing in front of the altar, wearing a beautiful dress, surrounded by friends and family, it’s a rushed job in a back office in a biker clubhouse.
I tell myself that it doesn’t matter, it’s all destined to be temporary. The thought of these people leaving my life makes me feel such sorrow that I’m already mourning the loss as we make our vows. Patch slips a gold band onto my finger and holds out one for me to put on him. There can be no more powerful display of our marriage than rings for the world to see.
At least the gold is real, unlike our union.
Chapter 11
Patch
We finally get our day in court eleven days later. Serena quietly organizes files beside us. She’s lost in her own thoughts, likely preparing what she’s going to say to the judge. Smoke sits beside her as co-counsel. He’s scribbling notes on a legal pad and occasionally conferring with her. With these two behind us, I have a good feeling about today.
We rise when the judge enters and take our seats again when he settles into place and calls the court into session.
Serena stands. “Your Honor, we are requesting an injunction against any change of placement for Lila Jefferies. She is medically fragile. Her current facility meets her needs and has been the place she’s called home for the last eight years. We have letters from treating physicians stating preserving her current placement is in her best interest and a statement from Lila stating she wishes to remain at Sunnybrook. Her care is being paid for by money set aside by her late father, so there are no mitigating reasons that she be moved.”
Serena lays out her case carefully, noting the applicable statutes. She explains how removing her meets the threshold for irreparable harm. She also states that the guardianship order only covered periods where Lila is unable to advocate for herself.
“Finally,” she says, “we submit text messages from the defendant to Ms. Beth Jefferies, which demonstrate intent to remove the patient immediately, without a plan of care in place. The defendant’s words are a clear and present dangerto the patient. We are asking the court to prevent imminent harm while we prepare a full filing. A sudden removal without a respiratory plan or medical transport risks harm up to and including death.”
She stops there and takes her seat again. The judge gives her a quick nod.
The opposing counsel rises. “Your Honor, this family has suffered a devastating loss. The defendant is a bereaved widower and an attentive father who has maintained employment and a stable home. He admits to strong language in private texts during the worst of his grief and deeply regrets it. He has sought counseling with Father Michael, who is his longtime spiritual support. I submit Father Michael’s letter regarding the defendant’s participation in pastoral counseling and his fitness as a guardian.”
He walks the letter to the clerk himself and hands it over.
“My client has no intent to harm his stepdaughter. This court would do better to order family counseling and mediation rather than the extraordinary remedy of approving this injunction. In this time of need it is imperative that the grieving family stay together, in the family home. That is why he wants his stepdaughter to live with him.”
Serena stands again. “Response, Your Honor. Pastoral letters have their place. They should not replace reports by relevant medical professionals. The defendant’s texts threaten immediate removal. He has offered no plan of care for oxygen support or respiratory therapy.”
When Serena sits, the judge leans back, looking at Beth. “Ms. Jefferies, do you wish to address the court?”
Beth rises. Her voice is soft, steady, clear. “My sister told me she does not want to leave. It’s one of the best facilities in theregion. She waited years to get a placement there, entering when she was a child and could no longer be maintained at home. They know how to care for her, and she’s doing well under their care.”
Her stepfather rises to give his personal statement. “I have made mistakes, Your Honor. I miss my wife, and my stepdaughters miss their mother. All I was trying to do was keep my family together. I am willing to sit with a counselor and a mediator. I will not harm my own.”
The judge passes his judgment. “Ms. Lila Jefferies will remain in her current facility. I am ordering family mediation within seven days. Counsel will coordinate with an approved mediator. The court expects a good faith plan regarding placement, medical coordination, and a visitation schedule.”
Serena turns to us and leans in. “We move on to the issue of guardianship tomorrow,” she whispers. “This buys us time. We’ll use it wisely.”
Beth nods and moves towards the aisle. Her stepfather watches her go with that same controlled expression on his face.
Once all the arrangements have been made, I step into the hallway. I’ll admit that I’m eager to get out of that stuffy courthouse. I hurry out the front door of the brick building and see Beth in the distance. Somehow her stepfather got past me and made it to her first.
Beth is standing near a stone pillar, looking angry and exasperated. Her stepfather is standing about three feet away, talking to her.
“Elizabeth,” her stepfather starts. “You did this,” he hisses. “You dragged our family through court.”
She glares at him. “I told the truth.”
“You’re talking nonsense, you ran off out of the blue and next thing I know you’ve married a damn biker. You aren’t in your right mind. You’ve clearly lost your grip on reality and now you want to make me look like a monster.”
“You are one.”
“Your mother would turn over in her grave to see you associating with biker trash. It’s your fault she’s dead. You worried her when she most needed to rest.”
I pick up my pace as he keeps talking. “She lost the will to fight. She once told me to keep tight control over you because you were no good. She knew what was in you, don’t think she didn’t. You broke her heart, and now you’re breaking mine.”
