Ms Lawrence knocked on my bedroom door gently .
“Hazel” She called , “You've got a visitor .”
I frowned ; no one was allowed to come and see me , Judge's orders .
“Who is it ?” I asked , opening my door curiously . She shrugged .
“In the living room” She said , not bothering to answer my question .
On the sofa sat a figure , bent over . Their head was covered with … a beanie ?
“Alex” I smiled , running to him .
“Hey Halo” Alex said , standing up .
“What are you doing here ?” I asked , “The judge said ...”
He waved his hand . “Who gives a crap .”
Alex smiled , making me forget all my worries .
“That speech in court yesterday ?” He said , “It needed some rewarding , I mean , it was awesome .”
He tapped the sofa , “Come , sit .”
Alex took off his scarf , and wrapped it around my eyes .
“So , we got you some stuff” He said , “It was actually for when we win the trial , but we figured we might give it to you earlier .”
I felt in my hands a plastic case . I rolled it around on my fingers , trying to guess what it was .
“A CD ?” I said after a second .
“Not just any CD .”
Alex fumbled around at the back of my head , before the scarf fell onto my lap . A clear CD case sat in my hands , the disc blank .
“Your CD .”
I looked at him . “You mean -”
Alex nodded . “Yep . The song that you , Nikki and Pommie wrote .”
“No way !” I laughed . “This is amazing !”
He nodded . “Yeah , it sounds epic , despite the rushed recording and mixing and stuff . It's from Nikki and Pommie , by the way .”
“Best present ever” I grinned , but he stopped me .
“I wouldn't say that too quickly .”
Alex blindfolded me again , before placing another object in my hands . I felt it .
“That's from Jack .”
I frowned . “A … box ?”
He chuckled , and untied the scarf .
It was a jewellery box , the kind shops give you to hold your earrings in . I took the lid off cautiously , and smiled when I saw what was inside .
“It's pretty” I said , stroking the stone bird . It was white and shiny , small enough to fit in the paln of my hand .
“It's a turtle dove” Alex said , “Ever seen Home Alone 2 ?”
I shook my head , and he gasped . “Jack would slaughter you” He said , “But anyway , in the movie Kevin gets two turtle doves from Mr Duncan , and on Christmas morning he gives one to the lady he met at the park . “
“Why ?”
“That's what Mr Duncan told him to do . He said to keep one and give the other to a very special person . Because turtle doves are a symbol of friendship , and as long as you each have your turtle dove , you'll be friends forever . I can't believe I know all of that off by heart . Dammit , Jack .”
“Oh” I said , looking at the little bird more closely now . “Oh .”
Alex nodded . “Jack has his moments , doesn't he ?”
I could feel the tears welling up , so I put it back in it's box .
The next present kept up the cuboid pattern .
“Any ideas ?” Alex asked , and I shook my head .
“Who's it from ?”
“Zack” Alex said , taking the blindfold off .
I gasped , staring down at the photo .
“I know , right ?” Alex said softly .
“Wow ...”
Behind the glass slept a photo that I recognized – Zack had taken it on the bus , when Alex was teaching me Jasey Rae . The guitar bridge in the middle . Alex was leaning around me , positioning my fingers across the fretboard . We looked … happy .
“It's perfect” I breathed , “I knew Zack liked photography , I never knew he was good .”
“Next up – Rian” Alex said , knotting the scarf around my head .
I felt the object carefully . “It feels kinda like Jack's present . You know …a box .”
Alex laughed , and took the blindfold off again .
“And I was right” I laughed , “It is a box .”
I opened it , and my eyed instantly widened . “Woah . It's ...”
“I know” Alex said softly , “For a dude , Rian has a great taste in necklaces .”
I let the silver chain spill over the edge of my hand while I examined the cross that was attached to it . It was slim silver pieces that looked like they had been woven together . There was a big square in the middle , and four blocks that led off of that . Definitely a cross , but not a normal one .
“Rian said it's called a St Brigid's cross . He said to Google it , and something about lightning .”
“Well , it's beautiful” I told him . “And I love it .”
“Only one present left” Alex said , not bothering to blindfold me this time . Then he frowned . “Well , three .”
He reached into his pocket and handed me a card . “That's from the crew .”
I laughed . “I'm guessing Matt bought the card ?” I said , gesturing to the dancing Mickey Mouse , and he nodded .
“I wasn't there when he was buying it , so you can't blame me .”
I read the message and smiled . “That's sweet of them” I said .
“And this is from everyone behind the Second Chance programme” Alex continued , handing me a blank disc .
“That's all the footage they shot since the very first interviews . Uncut . The documentary that will never be aired .”
“And now” Alex said , “I've been saving the best for last . Here .”
From behind the sofa , he picked up a guitar case . One of the expensive leather ones .
“Wow” I breathed , “But Alex , I don't have a guitar .”
He rolled his eyes . “Open the case , idiot .”
And there it was . It was Steven's guitar , definitely , but … better . You couldn't tell that it had once been in pieces . It was glossy and polished , every string sparkling .
“How ...”
“Halo , I play guitar for a living . I know people .”
“Alex ...” I stroked the instrument , “It's amazing ...”
“Well ?” Alex said expectantly .
I looked at him , confused . “What ?”
“Are you going to play it or what ?”
“Oh . Oh , yeah , of course .”
I slid the guitar out of it's case and rested it on my lap , positioning my hands over the instrument .
“Wait” I said , frowning , “I don't have a pick .”
Alex rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket . “Here “ He said , handing me a small triangle of plastic .
“All Time Blow” I read out , smirking . “Alexander William . Really , Alex ?”
He rolled his eyes . “Just play .”
The illegal visit from Alex had lightened my spirits considerably , and when he left I felt much happier . The temporary room in the foster home looked much more mine now with all these things in it . I put the CD – with my song on it – on replay while I searched the internet like Rian had told me to .
“St Brigid's cross“ I typed , then remembered what else Alex had mentioned . “Lightning .”
It was on the second website I found that said it ; St Brigid's crosses are traditionally hung in barns to protect from fire … and lightning .
Instantly , I remembered the conversation Rian and I had shared on top of the hill .
“I thought lightning doesn't strike twice” … “We'll protect you from the lightning , I promise”
I smiled , and clasped the necklace around my neck . And I remembered how lucky I was to have , well , all of them .
The next morning , I woke up early and got dressed . Everything was packed as , no matter what the Judge decided , I would be leaving today .
It was the last trial . The final decision . But I knew how it was going to go down ; the Judge would admit that Alex was a responsible guardian and he would let me stay with him . How could he not , after all ?
It was the same courtroom as last time , the same set-up , the same people . Alex sat on my right and Mr Sullivan on my left . On the table across from ours , my father and his lawyer sat , looking smug .
“All rise” Judge Burner said , “Court is in session .”
But it wasn't a long trial – in fact it took less than twenty minutes .
“This was a hard case” The judge began , “Both Mr Reede and Mr Gaskarth obviously care very much about the child , as well as both being entitled to custody . But both have been clear about not wanting shared custody , so I've had to make a black and white decision . Of course , these trials have been everything but black and white .”
“Mr Reede is Hazel's biological father , and although he has not been there since birth he could provide a suitable home for the child . I believe that he could be close to a perfect father .”
“Mr Gaskarth , despite being young , adopted Hazel and since then has provided a good home and all of the necessities for a healthy child . To my knowledge , he has connected to her on many levels and they get on well together .”
“As a judge , it is my job to make sure everything is fair and equal . The root of this case is two men who are arguing over the more suitable home for a child . I must make my decision on who I think would provide the best home .”
The Judge paused , about to make his decision . He was going to say Alex . I knew it . Everyone knew it , it was obvious .
“Wait !” Mr Towson shouted , “Apologies , Your Honour . But we have one more witness .”
Judge Burner frowned , but waved for him to go ahead .
“Please state your name .”
“Angela Lawrence .”
I stared up at my foster mother – what the hell was she here for ? What did she know about who would be a better father ?
“Ms Lawrence , Hazel has been in your care for the past few days , correct ?”
She nodded . “Yes , that's true .”
“So when she hasn't been in court , her time has been spent with you ?”
“Yes .”
“And tell me , where were you and Hazel last night ?”
“At home .”
“And apart from the other foster children , who else was there with you and Hazel ?”
“Alex . Gaskarth .”
I swear my hear stopped beating . My lungs stopped breathing . Suddenly , I felt lost .
Mr Towson turned to Judge Burner .
“Your Honour , did you not make it clear that Hazel was to have no contact with either Richard or Alex outside these courtrooms .”
He nodded . “I did .”
“A man who cannot obey a judge's orders – of all people – can hardly be capable of looking after a child .”
The judge nodded . “Take a seat Mr Towson , Ms Lawrence .”
Judge Burner took a deep breath before telling us all his decision .
“Originally , I thought that Mr Gaskarth would make a suitable guardian . Despite Mr Reede being Hazel's blood father , I believed that Alex connected with her better . But this information does shed higher light on this situation … I cannot award custody to someone who can't control himself for a few weeks .Therefore , I award full custody to Richard Reede .”
A/N - Typical Jack , giving her something to do with Home Alone ... So guys , what do you think ? Only one part left now ! As always vote , fan and comment , because you people are awesome !