Page 124 of Touch in the Night

“That can’t be all you’re feeling,” Jesse said, putting his beer aside.

“Of course, it isn’t,” Emory said with a small smile. “But that’s all I’m choosing to acknowledge right now.” He kissed Jesse’s cheek. “I’m enjoying my evening with my family. I never dared to believe I could even have this. I want to savor it.”

Jesse didn’t let himself say anything more, though he wanted to…at length. But he bit it back and allowed his new routine at Oswald House to distract him.

People still hung around at the gates, though fewer than before. No new graffiti had appeared in some days. All the security systems were online and registering nothing unusual. Tom was back to being his usual, friendly self, though he seemed to be taking more meetings with Kelly than Jesse thought must be necessary. But he spotted a quiet, private smile on Tom’s lips more than once and didn’t say anything.

Whenever he wasn’t working, Dimity kept him busy. Her skill with her drawing tablet was increasing, and her joy at the effects in some of the art apps seemed unbounded. As soon as it was dark, they shared a few precious hours with Emory. Each day Jesse woke late, and the fragile bubble of ease around his heart wobbled but did not break.

But all too soon he was holding Emory’s hand tight as they walked into a courtroom, having negotiated a crowd of reporters and protestors on the courthouse steps. The only other people in the courtroom were Harrison and Ivor at the other table, the Child Services rep in a seat behind them and, finally, sweeping in with her heels clicking on the marble floor, Helena Hawthorn.

She stopped at the end of Jesse’s row.

“What is this man doing here?” she demanded. “This is a private hearing.”

Jesse bristled, but then a door opened and in walked a gray-haired lady in a gown with a round face and a serious expression.

“Jesse Truelove is here as a court-approved significant other to the baron, Mrs. Hawthorn,” the judge said as she took her seat. “Now, if you want to take your own place, we can begin.”

Color flushed into Helena’s face, but she moved to her lawyer’s table.

The judge cleared her throat and opened a file. She sat up straight, and her eyes went over everyone in the room, one at a time.

“This is a private custody hearing to determine the guardianship of Dimity Hawthorn,” she intoned. Jesse clutched his hands together in his lap. “As everyone is aware, I have now read and assessed all the statements, depositions and evidence provided by both parties. Today’s hearing is simply to inform you of my decision. And, as is my right, to call on any extra witnesses to testify on any areas I still have my doubts on.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Harrison said, standing. “And I’m sure Mr. Kelly would agree in saying we hope that this matter can be resolved quickly and fairly for the sake of the child involved.”

“I take it as a point of professional pride that I resolve all my cases quickly and fairly, Mr. Harrison,” the judge said as she flicked through her notes. “But I appreciate everyone’s emotions in this case will be running high. Would Mr. Kelly like to add anything before I proceed?”

Kelly stood. His face was grave, but the deep emotion in his eyes was undeniable. Jesse was flooded with gratitude that Emory’s happiness at least lay in the hands of someone that clearly understood the significance of this moment.

“I would first like to thank the court and opposing counsel for their flexibility in allowing this hearing to be held after dark, to accommodate me and my client’s admittedly inflexible needs,” he said, his voice weighted with just the right amount of sincerity. Harrison and Helena looked unimpressed, but the judge watched him with a measured look. “And I would like to go on to say that, whatever their differences, the baron and Mrs. Hawthorn are in agreement over the need for this matter to be resolved fairly and finally before Miss Hawthorn returns to school on Monday.”

“A noble sentiment,” the judge said, turning over another paper. “And one I’m also in agreement with. To that end, I only have two extra witnesses I would like to interview before making my decision. First, I would like to call Sofia Graf. Bailiff? Please escort her in.”

Jesse stared as the door was opened and in walked the woman from the stable yard. She wasn’t smiling this time. Her expression was uneasy as she looked around the room. She caught sight of Helena and stopped in her tracks.

“Please, Miss Graf,” the judge said, indicating the seat to the right of her bench. “This won’t take long.”

A man who had come in at her elbow spoke to her in what sounded like German. The young woman nodded and took the seat.

“Miss Graf is accompanied by Stefan Jurgen, our court translator. Good evening, Miss Graf. Thank you for joining us.”

The translator relayed this information to the young woman, who nodded and shot a smile up at the judge. She said something, which the translator then repeated in English.

“Thank you, your honor. Anything I can do to help.”

Jesse was looking between the woman, the set look on Helena’s face and the unreadable one on Emory’s and trying to figure out just what had changed in the room.

“My first question, Miss Graf—”

“I’m sorry, Your Honor,” Harrison said, standing, “but we must object. Sofia Graf gave up all parental rights to Dimity when she put her up for adoption at birth.”

Jesse watched Sofia, taking in the brightness of her eyes, the soft tilt of her mouth. It was like Dimity was sitting in the witness box, looking wary but not scared. The judge was peering at Harrison over the top of her glasses.

“I am aware of that, Mr. Harrison,” she said. “However, Sofia is still the girl’s mother. And, I understand, has made an agreement with the baron about being involved in her daughter’s life.”

“That’s correct, your honor,” Kelly said smoothly. “Miss Graf was only eighteen years old when Dimity was born. She had—and still has—a whole life to live. She wasn’t ready to give Dimity a home. But she is a kind and responsible woman and was keen to see how her daughter’s life has turned out. She makes agreed visits to Dimity once or twice a year.”

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