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Walking side by side with her lawyer, Zeara had on a white v-neck sweater and tan and white plaid pants paired with white shoes
She wasn't exactly happy with her outfit but Stefan said she couldn't wear sweatpants so he just picked something out. Stefan was next to Zeara and was nervous for and about the girl
This was a very nerve racking situation, and because he hadn't seen Zeara show any emotion he had no idea what emotions she would show
But as they walked in the room where the judge, Tyler's lawyer, and Tyler & Caroline were; Zeara gave Stefan a tiny smile and seemed very composed
And even though she seemed very composed on the outside, on the inside teen wasn't calm at all
She was completely frazzled and extremely nervous but had no choice but to be here, and really wanted back her legal custody of her daughter
When everyone had sat down the judge declared their start and said she would be running over statements quickly while a state lawyer took notes
The judge decided to start with Stefan statements first. She cleared her throat and politely began asking
"Mr Salvatore, I understand that you are around a lot but now you are currently living with Ms Velesco. Is that correct?"
Nodding Stefan agreed and replied politely "Yes, your honor that is correct. My girlfriend lives with Zeara, and after an incident Zeara needed a little more comfort and support than one person."
Hearing those words made Zeara, Tyler and Caroline shocked but unlike the other two Zeara gave the vampire a smile small. She didn't know they were dating but she was happy that they were
And technically they were, but Rebekah and Stefan didn't really take about labels. I mean they literally acted like a couple but never got around to labels, so Stefan just said girlfriend. Plus he can't really call her his short lived lover from 100 years ago
The judge nodded and continued "Mr Salvatore, do you or your girlfriend work?"
Shaking his head Stefan responded no then the judge said there were no other questions for him
As the just was done questioning Stefan she had moved to Caroline. Now the blonde was nervous, and didn't know what would be asked
The truth is that taking care of a child
In high school and in general was much harder than it seemed. Caroline had no idea what she got herself into when she got custody of Xila.
And Tyler, he didn't know how hard it really was because Zeara basically did everything. The two also had school sports which made it harder to care for the child
So they didn't really care for her. They had Carol and Liz watch the 9 month old most of the; But the judge didn't needed to know that
If it got brought up she would share bits and pieces but wouldn't say it on her own. Because after all this was all about Zeara and wether not she was fit to care for her daughter
With the judge asking her first question Caroline got pulled out of her thought and back to the room
"Ms Forbes, correct me if I'm wrong but you are a senior and do not work?" The blond agreed and let the judge continue
"And do you or Mr. Lockwood do any extra curricular activities, like sports or clubs? If yes, what time do they occur and how regularly do you to attend."
Just when Caroline was going to respond, her and Tyler's lawyer held up his hand and spoke "Objection, this doesn't have anything to do with the case."
Completely shocked the judge looked at the male lawyer as she was absolutely dumbfounded and looked at him entirely stunned. Pausing her thoughts she turned to face him and furrowed her eyebrows and stuttered
"Um, Mr—Mr Adamson, you, you do know that I'm the judge correct?" Her voice was filled with confusion and she was honestly embarrassed for him
As she said her next sentence her voice became more firm "I am asking the questions and know where I'm going with this, so please, do what you get paid for Mr Adamson while I continue what I'm doing. Don't question my abilities."
Looking away from him her eyes shifted back to Caroline while the male lawyer appeared absolutely embarrassed, and he was
But the judge moved on from that and gestured for the blonde teen to answer her previous question. Taking a breathe Caroline answered calmly and politely
"Yes your honor we both do school sports. I am in charge of the cheerleading team and we practice everyday after until 5, while Tyler has football but with the same schedule. Although we football is almost done."
Nodding the judge paused and let the stenographer and state attorney takes their notes. Once they were caught up she asked one final question for the blonde. "My last question for you is who. watches Xila when you are busy. Adults or teenage friends?"
Caroline became a little nervous with where this was going but after giving her answer the judge professional smiled and said thank you. That was all and it made the blonde vampire relieved
But even though Caroline was done with questioning it was Tyler's turn, and they both knew his was going to be filled with more hard hitting questions
And boy it certainly was. The judges first question was about the crash incident and Xila being in a coma. She immediately pulled out the statement given to the police and questioned Tyler
His statement today was the same the night of the accident. Which was good, and the judge believed it. He had to leave some of supernatural bits out of it to make it more believable, and honestly even Stefan was convinced
A few more questions later it was the final part of the hearing. The rest of Tyler's question were just basic general stuff about college and finances
So now that every other portion was done it was only Zeara's statements they had to run by
Since this whole thing was about her, her questions were a little more in depth and it was harder for Zeara to answer especially since the first one was about the accident
But the judge respected that and gave her time she needed. "I understand this must be very tough Ms Velesco. I'll repeat the question and you can answer whenever you're ready" The female politely gave a small comforting smile
"Ms Velesco, when did you receive the news about the accident
Taking a deep breath the girl began talking about how she found out and tears began forming
"I uh—I'm so sorry." She had to pause but Stefan lightly grabbed onto her hand under the tables
Feeling a little calmer she took another breathe and tried telling the story again. The story was fake which was part of the reason she was so nervous, but also because v this fake story brought up memories from the real one
"I uh was at home when I found out. They had called me but I didn't see it until two hours later because I was sleeping."
The judge nodded, and didn't make faces because she knew there was obviously more to the story. She is a mother herself and knows you don't just sleep through your phone ringing, especially if you're children isn't with you. So she asked a question to get more of the story for the sake of it being a court hearing
"And why did you sleep through the call Ms Velesco?" Calmly replying back the brunette seemed very put together
"I had just been released from the hospital because I had a concussion. I was volunteering with cleaning the dance at the high school when I tripped and slammed my head on the ground."
To be very honest, even though that wasn't even true just saying it out loud was almost laughable and it took a lot in Zeara not to smile during that
But it was totally believable, and it looked like everyone was literally believing it
But it was also believable because the hospital documents matched up with what she was saying and that made it seem like she was 100% truthful
Taking notes then moving away from that, they asked general based questions and followed up with her answer from the previous trial. Like if she had worked or volunteered, in which Zeara told them about her tutoring
If she was going to college, what adults or support system she had help her, how she payed for her house and car, also if she ever drank or hardcore partied
They were very reasonable questions but Stefan, Aspen, and Zeara hoped that this time around her answers were enough to help her win custody back
☆☆☆☆☆
Once Zeara's statement was all typed and done the final part was now ready to be discussed and also finalized
But after a 15 minute break the judge had all she needed to make a ruling, and everything was going good financially and safety wise
When she sat down she could see how nervous the teen mom was, but as she looked at her papers she happily read the name that now held custody of the nine-month old
"As we all know, this process was very nerve racking, stressful and intense. But I have come to a decision that Ms Velesco is fit to care for her child."
Closing her eyes Zeara showed a small smile and waited for the final statement from the judge
"With all the evidence and statements it is clear that they love their child very much and I now grant sole custody of 9 and 1/2 month old Xila Velesco-Lockwood to......."
"Ms Zeara Velesco."
Hearing her name be read off felt like the greatest relief and even made her break out in a full smile
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Once they had left and out of the room Zeara stopped her lawyer and Stefan. She gave them both individually a big hug and thanked them both for helping her tremendously
And even though she won custody, her daughter was still in the hospital
So after thanking the two Stefan and her left the building and went to her car to see Xila. That's when Stefan spoke to her her and he stopped to over Ms Brown
"Wait Zeara. Don't you want to go celebrate, you finally got custody of your daughter?"
He was honestly just trying to be helpful and get Zeara to look at the bright side, but how could she. Custody didn't really matter if Xila was still in a coma
But instead of lashing out at him like most people would, because he suggested that, she just looked at him and spoke softly
Almost as if she was tired. And honestly she was, but not in a no sleep tired kind of way
"Yeah it's great that I now have custody but it doesn't matter because I still can't hold her, cuddle her, or play with her. So no I don't really celebrate in a party way because it's not entirely a win. I'm going to the hospital to see her."
Nodding both Aspen and Stefan understood and weren't exactly shocked by that, but the next thing Zeara said shocked the both the vampire and lawyer
"Um I know she won't really be awake but you should come with me to see her. Ms Brown you truly helped me so much and I would love for you to see my daughter." Her voice was very soft and sounded like she was on the verge of tears
The two looked at each other then nodded, so Stefan went with her,since he came with her in the first place, while Ms brown was going to follow behind in her own car. But before she went to her car she walked up to Zeara and held her hand out
"I know I'm not really supposed to do this but I'm Aspen. My full name is Aspen Brown."
The teen also held her hand outs and shook it. After they stopped shaking hands Aspen walked back to her car smiling. That girl was absolutely nothing like her mother
Yet there was such a strong connection between the two and it was like Aspen knew Zeara since she was a baby, except she didn't
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Zeara is truly trying her hardest even though she doesn't want to :(
But she finally got custody back! Even though it's a little useless at this point in time 💀
Okay also Aspen is literally eating the girlies up even with her 5 minutes of "screen time" Like the way that she's a successful lawyer as a vampire???? That is slay behavior
More will be looked into with Aspen and Zeara's mom, how Stefan found out about Aspen, and the night of the accident
Also, don't think I forgot about Elena and her part in the accident, she'll come in later, and don't forgot who was all responsible for the accident. Zeara will find out, but how and when????
That's a secret I'll never tell xoxo 💋💄❤️🔥
Thank you so much for sticking around and reading. I love you all so so much and I hope you are enjoying!!! <3
Outfit Next Chapter
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