Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(56)

I take a deep breath and say, “Today is Madison’s birthday, too, and we would like for her to have this.” I take the small wrapped gift and place it at the end of the table for Madison to see. I smile at her through blurred vision. I look back to the judge and say, “Madison is our biological daughter and we don’t need to know her to love her. I know this entire nightmare had taken its toll on all of us. I have no idea how a baby swap could have happened, but I do know that we parents are left to deal with this mess. We mourn the loss of our daughter Jamie, and we long to know and love our biological daughter Madison.”

“I don’t have a quick fix to resolve this… I don’t even have the right word to describe it, but I hope you don’t punish Robert and me for the hospital's negligence. Madison is our biological daughter, and we have a right to have her.”

Robert and I sit down and he squeezes my hand. Bruce pats the top of my right hand.

“Would the bailiff see that Miss Madison gets her birthday gift from the Grethers?” The judge called us Grethers, this can’t be good. The gushing sound has returned in my ears. The judge says, "Mrs. Grether was right: The hospital was very negligent and the families are left to sort it out. I understand that the person responsible for this was the charge nurse and that Melissa Simms is now under psychiatric care for her mental illness.” He look behind us at the men from the hospital and says, “Good.”

“I want to apologize in advance because no matter what, someone is going to get hurt. There is only one living child and there are two families.”

I cry and I can hear Chelsea as she sobs. The judge clears his throat and says, “I have been dreading this date and this case for that matter, for a long time. The only thing I am thankful for is that these cases are few and far between. The hospital is working on a monetary settlement for each family as we speak. We know it’s not about the money and it won’t resolve anything, but they need to be held accountable so this won’t ever happen again.”

The judge drums his fingers on his overly large desk or bench as the courts call it and says, “As for custody, this isn’t an easy decision.” He looks over to where Drake, Madison, and Chelsea are sitting. I can see that the Sinclairs love Madison and has provided a stable and loving home for her. That’s what children need. Madison is a very caring and loving child. I watched her cry as the Grethers talked about the loss of Jamie.”

He looks over at us and says, “There are no words to say to someone when they lose a child. But Mr. Grether, for you to stand here and say that you would give your life for your daughters, shows me the love that you had for Jamie. I wish this were easier, but it’s not.”

The judge looks straight ahead and says, “The court’s ruling is in favor of the Grethers.”

I hear Chelsea cry and scream, “No, you can’t take her from me. Madison is our daughter, you can’t do this to us. She doesn’t know them.” I place my hands over my ears to mute her cries. Her agony is too much for me. I close my eyes and cry with her. Why am I crying? We just got custody of Madison. I should be dancing around and I’m not. I know her pain, I can feel it in her words. Someone was going to get hurt. It was inevitable. Robert wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly. I cup my hands over my ears harder and her cries still hit me right in my heart. Please stop, please don’t cry.


The judge pauses briefly and explains that it won’t be done quickly. It’ll be done gradually so Madison and both families can adjust to the transition. Family counseling is mandatory for everyone in both families. Chelsea continues to cry. She repeats over and over, "We love her, she’s our daughter, please don’t take her."

I still cover my ears and cry with her. He gets to the part about Jamie. What about Jamie? She’s gone, there’s nothing to discuss. He explains that the Sinclairs have all rights to Jamie’s body. If they want to move her gravesite to another cemetery, they can. “No, you can’t move her. She’s only three, you can’t move her.” I didn’t expect this. I wanted Madison, but I didn’t mean to give up Jamie to have her. “She’s our daughter,” I cry. Not once did I think Jamie would ever be involved. To think that they can move Jamie and I won’t know where she is, that I won’t be able to see her, it’s too much. I’m stupid to think this would all work out.

The dark cloud consumes me. I don’t fight it, I welcome it. I want to be numb. I fall limp in my seat, unable to move, unable to speak, unable to hear. I see what looks like arguing, Robert stands and so does Drake. Bruce and the other attorney also stand. The judge bangs his gavel over and over and it doesn’t do any good. Robert moves to the front of the desk we are sitting at and he looks mad. I just want to sleep, I am so tired. I want to go home. I blink and breath, it’s all I’m capable of. My mind shuts down and finally I’m completely numb.

Robert

When that dickhead judge said Jamie belongs to Drake and Chelsea, I wanted to beat him like I want to beat Kennedy. When I stood, the wooden chair I was sitting on fell behind me. I went to the front of the desk ready to beat down the first person I saw. I see Drake and start to go after him. “Yeah, motherf*cker, come and get it.”

Someone grabs me, and I continue on my quest to beat that son of a bitch down. Someone else grabs me and holds me back. I fight to get loose, but I can’t move. I hear the judge’s gavel banging repeatedly and I remember where we are. The jailers loosen my hold and I push them away. I straighten my shoulders, move my neck side to side and take my seat back with Leah.