32. FAMILY: Closure

Omniscient

Recess is over. Playtime is done. The witness is ready to testify and rain down hellfire in the courtroom. Nathaniel had returned to the stand and answered a few more questions before he was allowed to return to the bench.

After Nathaniel stepped down, Madison stepped up. She, of course, told a different story from the one that had been told. She contradicted both of the previous testimonies. She and her mother created an air of doubt in the courtroom. There was no definite choice of which way the court would swing their vote. Smugly Madison had returned to the plaintiff bench retaking her seat with her legs crossed one over the other.

She had not seen this key witness of the defense and as far as both her mother and she were concerned, it had been a dud. The case was closed. The case was theirs for the taking. She had won. She had won yet again. She always gets what she wants. Not this time though, she would not win.

"Your honor, the defense would like to call our key witness to the stand", Nathaniel's lawyer announced.

As if on Que, the courtroom doors were opened revealing three people. The three people walked down the aisle approaching the bench before two took a seat on the defense side while the other continued to the stand. Madison looked as if she had seen a ghost. Her skin paled and her palms began to sweat.

'This cannot be happening', she thought as the key witness took to the stand.

"Please state your name and your purpose for being here today?", the councilman requested.

"Ishmel Luciano", he stated before taking a seat on the stand. "I am here today to right a wrong", he declared.

Naomi had not wanted to do this. She wished that there had been another way, but this was for her babies. Her heart hurt being away from Nathaniel like this, but for their plan to work. It had to be this way.

By doing this, she was no different than either of them. They were all damn near one in the same. The only difference between them all being the 'Why?'. And her why is what motivated her to do the things she was doing. Her why is what keeps her sane as she lies in bed at night cradling her sleeping baby girl. He why is why she is currently snuggling against another man that is not her husband.

Anya is with family. Naomi could not stand to be too far from her only remaining child. Her anxiety multiplies and manifests itself within her until she is nothing more than a hyperventilating mess. She cracks and brings her baby home within her arms. Although both of them agreed to keep Anya as far away from the mess they were cleaning up, Naomi could not stay away. She is her baby and her anchor now that both her elder siblings and father are gone from the house for a while.

"Ishmel, I need to talk to you", Naomi said softly as she lied in his arms.

The man hummed in acknowledgment, being half asleep as he continued to lazily card his fingers through her hair.

She was tired. Both physically and emotionally, Naomi was tired. She was tired of the lying and conniving. We just wanted her family back. Although it was not a part of the plan, Naomi had faith in the person she used to know. Naomi and Ishmel's relationship had not been all bad.

It had been fairly good until it wasn't. Before they were ever NaomiandIshmel, they were Naomi and Ishmel, friends. She still believed that somewhere inside of his casanova exterior was the man she had come to know before everything went sour between them. We had wanted everything to stop. We just wanted her children and husband home at her sides where they belonged. So on a leap of faith, she began to tell him her tale.

The man-made no move to push her away. He listened intently with his eyes drooped as she spoke her truth. When she was finished a silence filled with uncertainty surrounded them.

"Will you help us, Ish?", she murmured tiredly.

Still he remained silent. He said nothing leaving her to believe that she had just ruined everything her husband and her had set out to do. Mentally she began to beat herself up for being so naive. Tears swarmed her eyes once again. She had ruined everything.

"Why should I help? Why should I help the woman I love be happy with another man? Why should I help you have a happy life with someone else when all I want is to hold you in my arms for eternity, Naomi? Tell me", he uttered just as the first tear trailed down her cheek.

Lowering his hand from her hair, he gently wiped her tear away with the pad of his thumb. Despite having hurt her so badly before, Ishmel still loved the woman till this day. He loves her and it hurts, all the same, to see her cry.

"I just want them back. Please, I want my babies back home, Ish", Naomi pleas.

There it was again. That nickname that she had called when they were still together. The nickname he hasn't heard since their breakup years ago. He missed it so much. He missed holding her in his arms. He missed the sound of her voice.

He missed everything about her. She was perfect, but he was too flawed to love her right. He knows that now. He knows, yet, he could help but hope for the downfall of her happiness. He could help but to further hurt her simply because he could no longer have her. He was still ever so shallow and still had a lot of maturing to do within himself.

"That's not good enough for me, Naomi", he whispered, his embrace tightening around the woman.

He just wanted to hold her a bit longer.

"Stop being so selfish! Haven't you done enough to hurt me, Ishmel!? Get off of me! I hate you!", Naomi spat shoving at his chest, anger engulfing her like a flame.

"Naomi?"

"Get off me!"

"Na-"

"I hate you!"

"Stop, please? Just let me hold you", Ishmel pleaded tightening her hold more.

"Burn in hell!", Naomi yelled meeting her wit's end.

Ishmel froze. His heart was hurting so badly now. Her words were like knives to his heart.

"Is that really what you want?", he whispered brokenly.

"What I really want are my kids back home. I knew that you could be selfish, Ishmel, but I had no idea that you could be downright evil. My children, my family are not a toy for you to play with. They are human beings and you ripped them away from the only home that they have ever known you selfish bastard", Naomi spat not feeling an ounce of remorse.

She was angry. She was not sorry in the least for the words she had spoken. She never would. Both he and Madison were standing in the way of them making their family while once again. She would do anything for her family.

"Evil? So loving you is evil now?", Ishmel hissed, anger beginning to consume him as well.

"Loving me? You don't even know what the fuck love is, Ishmel. This is not love. Love would not break you down and make you cry. Love would not make you question what you lacked for the person you loved to ever break your heart. Love would not allow for you to lie in bed with someone else while claiming to love another. Because that love that you have for them would never allow for it. So don't fucking tell me that you love me. You had me and didn't know how to", Naomi sneered.

That had been Ishmel's moment of realization. He had to rectify his wrongs, starting with Naomi. They had spent hours talking and arguing with one another until they were both emotionally drained. Their eyes were red from crying, chests heaving from anger, and their hearts saddened by their predicament. The two talked, really talked and they had finally gotten the much needed closure that their relationship's demise had not permitted them.

"What do you mean by right a wrong, Mr. Luciano?", the councilman asked.

"I am here today for one reason, and one reason only. That is to reunite a wrongfully torn apart family. I admit that I played a hand in the fall of this family, but someone I cherish helped me to see reason and how much of an asshole I was being. I am not here to answer questions. I will only speak, only for the defendants' favor and that of my children's well-being", Ishmel declares.

The more Ishmel spoke, the paler Madison seemed to become. He was given the floor and that is when everything truly unraveled. His testimony had been powerful. No-one could deny where his loyalty lies or where Aiden and Aryan belonged.

"I met Madison years ago after my breakup with Naomi. At the time, all that I cared about was myself. I put my reputation above the woman I love and I lost her. I had tried to say sorry many times, but Naomi wasn't having it. She was as stubborn as ever. I began to drink and party most days just to forget about her. That is how I met praying Mantis. At a party shit faced. It did not take much for us to fall into bed together. Many mistakes were made that night, the biggest resulting in the creating of two children with shit parents. We had hooked up multiple times after that and even had a three-month fling. When she told me of her pregnancy I denied paternity. I felt like there was no way I could be the father of her kids, definitely not a father in general. I was a freaking drunkard with the minimalist responsibility. I was not ready to be a parent not did I want any hand in it. So I signed my rights away to them to Madison. I let her have them. I was under the impression that she would raise them after the way that she cursed me to hell and back when I gave her the papers. Before all of this, I had actually thought of her to be a decent human being. Oh, how wrong had I been. She abandoned our children in the dead of Summer. She tried to break up a marriage and snatched two innocent children from the only family they have ever known just like the spoiled entitled brat that she is. Madison cannot accept rejection. She hates being told no. She had run off a few of my potential partners and threatened to take me to court for back child support on many occasions. All because I had not wanted to be with her or start a family with her. We had gone as far as to get a job at my place of business and file sexual harassment claims against me. I had nearly lost my job because of her. The bitch is psycho and I rue the day that I met her. She is spiteful, but I had been just the same when she contacted me months ago about Naomi and Nathaniel having custody of the twins. I had wanted her to suffer as I had for rejecting me. So I agreed under the condition of me having my revenge. I was as fucking selfish as they come. I did not think about how I would be hurting a family. I did not think about how I would be hitting my children, their children by forcing them away from their home after they were abandoned by their biological parents. I just wanted to get even with the fat bitch that broke my heart and I am so sorry. I am sorry for being so selfish and entitled to believe that it was her fault. I am sorry for hurting those innocent children whose lives I have missed out on due to my own stupidity. I am sorry for tearing your family apart and hurting you all. I nearly tore your family apart out of jealousy and rage. Things I had no right to feel. I was the dumbass that drove Naomi away and for so long I blamed her when it was really me all along. It took for my good friend to remind me of that, for me to finally wake my delusional ass up. Madison, you need to wake up and face reality. The both of us are shit people. Nathaniel is in love with Naomi. They love our children and gave them what both of us refused to, love, and a home. Leave them be. For once in your life, be a fucking decent human being and leave them alone", Ishmel testified before leaving the stand and the courtroom with escorting from an officer.

Of course, Mrs. Grier protested the man's sudden departure. She went as far as to ask for his testimony to be thrown out. Her request had been denied leaving the woman disgruntled.

This entire case had been flipped upside down for her. Her daughter's name had been slandered and she would not stand for much more. She knew her child. Madison could not be as bad as she was being portrayed by these people. She was trying. She was trying to be a mother to her children, her grandchildren.

The case had drawn to a close. The judge and jury were about to make their judgment. That is until a wayward voice yelled out from the stands.

"Your honor, we would like to call Naomi Lopez to the stand!"

Murmurs filled the courtroom. This was obviously a desperate ploy to sway the courts back into their favor. Naomi who sat in the stands on the second bench with Lelita at her side was unphased. The judge asked Naomi's permission to which she granted it before approaching the stand.

Naomi's face had been stoic. She was a bit anxious, but she would not show anyone the slightest indication of such. She was on a mission that was nearly complete.

Mrs. Grier approached the stand, a thoughtful look upon her face. She was calculating her plan of action. She was figuring out an angle. That was soon discovered and a smile graced the woman's face.

"Naomi Lopez, te-"

"Vitro. My name is Naomi Vitro and I am here on this stand to tell my side of everything and shed light on the little girl claiming to be a mother. I want my children back home with me. I spent countless nights worrying about them and it honestly makes me anxious to be away from them for so long. Especially when I do not know where they are. I love my children dearly and I will be taking them home with my husband and I today", Naomi announces to the courtroom.

Her words seemed to light a fire within Madison and her mother. Both women had noticeably tensed.

"Cute, Mrs. Vitro. On April thirteenth, you and the defendant had gotten into an argument that my client could hear down the hall. Do you and Mr. Vitro argue often? Have you ever argued in front of the children? You do know that this is damaging behavior to display in front of minors. Answer honestly, ma'am. You are under oath", Mrs. Grier questioned.

Naomi smiled a sarcastic smile. She was not amused by this woman's antics. She knew what she was getting at.

"Everyone argues. Nathaniel and I did have an argument on the day in question. We were falling apart. We both missed our children. Seeing a serpent slithering from my once home made me feel no better. It was disheartening to witness. However, Nathaniel and I bicker at least once a day. We do not argue nearly at all. As I recall, on April twelfth, the plaintiff had an appointment to visit the children she claims to miss but was a no-show. I think that your client has her priorities mixed up still, Mrs. Grier. How can she throw and host a party for college kids, but she can't take an hour out of her day to visit the children that she abandoned?", Naomi retorted bluntly.

Madison's hands clenched into fists beneath the table she sat behind. She was furious. How dare this overweight bitch question her. It was bad enough that the bitch was in her way. She would not continue to have a happy ever after with what was rightfully hers. She deserves that happiness, not her.

"I am sure tha-"

"I will no longer be answering any of your questions, ma'am", Naomi stated interrupting the woman.

"Pardon? You are a witness tha-"

"Does not have to answer a damn thing you ask. Ishmel took his leave after his testimony. I will do the same then let the court decide for themselves. However, if the courts does not agree that Nathaniel and I are where Aiden and Aryan belong then we will be back again and again until they are back home with us. I am not answering anymore questions. I will be testifying", Naomi declared.

"Bu-but you can't do thi-"

"Your honor, I have submitted evidence to the courtroom. In this evidence, you will find messages between the plaintiff and Ishmel Luciano, the biological father of the twins. There is proof in their own words of this entire case being a selfish revenge plot against my husband and I. There is even messages between the two as well as the 'caseworker' that removed our children from our care. They were trying to use the system itself to take our children from us to get back at us for not choosing either of them over each other. But that alone was not why this scheme was concocted. The plaintiff wanted a secure financial stability. She did not want to work. She is spoiled and never had to before. She was not going to let two little snot nosed brats and some fat bitch stand in her way, her words, not mine. By reclaiming custody of the twins, she would receive nearly five thousand dollars in total monthly for the both of them. I mean, how selfish can you get? Tearing a family apart for your own amusement. You ruined a big day for my family, the birth of my baby girl. Let me return the favor, sis. If you flip to page twenty-five your honor, you will see the drug possession charges, DUI's, petty theft, and discharges from the hospital. Three of which are after the plaintiff had to have her stomach pumped after ingesting drugs and alcohol. The other discharges are after two administered abortions that left her infertile. Your honor, the plaintiff is unfit. Her priorities clearly lies with drugs and alcohol. Instead of attempting to be a parent she instead abandoned those precious babies to party. She is still a child. Nathaniel rejected her and she could not handle that. She is so used to her way that she could not handle my husband's rejection. So she blackmailed a social worker into helping her take our happiness. I have had fifteen anxiety attacks since my children have been gone, your honor. It's ha-", her voice cracked as her emotions began to get the best of her.

Tears began to spill from her eyes. Her hands began to shake. Her mind was beginning to cloud over with thoughts of never seeing her children again. Her through began tightening drastically. She was about to have another panic attack.

Nathaniel saw and rose from his bench to run to her aid, but the judge ordered him to be seated. He so badly wanted to be at his wife's side. He wanted to hold her and tell her that everything would be alright. He felt guilty. He had no idea how much stress this entire situation had truly put on Naomi.

Every time that they would meet she would be smiling. Her hugs were just a bit more warm and tight. Her kisses were a bit sweeter and her touches a bit more tender. All along without words, she had been seeking his comfort, but he had been so engrossed and crushing Madison and Ishmel that he had forgotten some of his duties as her husband. The courtroom had taken on a solemn air. Although she felt as if the world had her in a chokehold, she persevered. Naomi finished her testimony.

"It's so hard being away from them. From the day that we found our babies, I knew that they were ours. I became attached the moment I saw their chubby faces. You don't know how it feels to stay up at night worried about your children because they suffered from dehydration, hyperthermia, and were malnourished. You don't know what it's like to worry about your children even when they are healthy and happy at your side. You don't know what's it like to hear your children call you 'mommy' and 'daddy' for the first time. You don't know what it's like to be hugged and loved by a child. You don't know the sacrifices that a parent makes on a daily bases. The first year after we took in Aiden and Aryan the both of us had nearly flunked out of school and gone bankrupt because we were adjusting to having two other mouths to feed. Two other people to love and care for. Two other souls joined to ours and we wanted to make sure that they knew that we loved and cared for them. So we skip classes to be with them. We would miss opportunities to further our careers because nothing was and is more important than our children and family. We struggled for a while, but we were happy. We were happy as long as we had each other. We were happy as long as we got to hear those precious giggles and see them smile. As long as our babies were happy, Nathaniel and I would move Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory for them. We persevered as a family. We are one. Meanwhile, Madison was off living her life as carelessly and as recklessly as she always has. We almost lost Aryan when we found her. She was almost gone before she had ever really had a chance at life and it's your fault. You abandoned them and my babies had to suffer because of your poor choices. I will not allow you to hurt them again. Karma will get you, Madison. You are no mother nor a woman. You are a child still. Children are not a pawn to be played with. You cannot throw temper tantrums when you do not get your way. You have to accept the things you cannot change. God brought those precious angels to us and with us, they will stay demon. I am done testifying, but I will never be done fighting. I will fight you at every twist and turn. You do not mess with family, especially not our children. Your honor, may I please be dismissed from the stand?", Naomi finishes her testimony.

Her testimony had once again thrown Mrs. Grier's case on its head. The woman began to panic and blunder in an attempt to save the case. She was in denial. She still believed that her precious baby girl, her miracle baby would never do the things that she was accused of doing. She was going to risk it all to return her grandchildren back to their mother.

"N-n-no you may not, Mrs. Vitro. You are still under oath and have yet to be examined by either attorneys. Mr. Luciano was excused bu-", she began blubbering before Naomi interrupted her.

Not even bothering to hide her eye roll, Naomi turned and addressed the judge.

"Your honor, may I please be excused from the bench? I wish to not answer anymore questions or be further examined", she said blatantly ignoring the woman's words.

The judge had sighed. This case had been one unlike he had ever seen before. Both sides had little regard for the other. The Vitro side had been on the offense in the early stages of the trial. Now, they were cutthroat and the judge admired them for fighting so hard for the return of the children in question to their care.

Then there was the plaintiff. The woman that sat before him was quietly fuming on the bench. She was not a mother, far from it. She still valued a social life over that of being a parent and a responsible adult. He skimmed the submitted evidence that Mrs. Vitro had brought to court. Despite how much of a selfish brat that Madison was, the judge empathized with her for his wife had been the same leaving them childless over the years.

'Everyone deserves a second chance', thought the judge being the ever compassionate justice he was deemed.

"Jury, your verdict, please?", called the judge.

"Thank you, your honor. We the jury find that Nathaniel and Namoi Vitro should remain the legal guardians of Aiden and Aryan Vitro. Madison Grier is deemed too unfit and therefore will not be awarded care. However, if the parents shall ever decide, she may be granted visitation with the children in question."

"Mr. and Mrs. Vitro, how do you proceed?", asked the judge.

Naomi and Nathaniel rose from the bench hand-in-hand. Their heads were held high as they addressed the courtroom.

"Not a got a damn chance in hell", the couple announced unanimously.

"And that's on what?", said Amanda quietly.

"Period!", chorused the remaining friends and family while doing the hand gesture.

The judge had been so appalled that he had laughed out of pure disbelief. He had never handled a case with people like the Vitro family before.

"I have never seen no shit like this before", mumbled the judge to himself before clearing his throat and addressing the courtroom.

"Thank you, jury. I will take it from here. In the case of Madison Grier versus Nathaniel and Naomi Vitro, I order that both Aiden and Aryan Vitro remain in the custody of Mr. and Mrs. Vitro. Ms. Grier is also ordered to sign a court document surrendering her rights as a parent to the Vitros. She is unfit and an endangerment to herself and the children. You have until Wednesday to sign the document and submit it to the courts, Ms. Grier. I find in favor of the defendants", the judge announced before bringing down his gavel.

"WHAT!? YOU CAN'T DO THIS! THEY'RE MINE!", shouted an angry Madison.

"Your honor, on behalf of the state, we would like to formally charge Madison Grier with child endangerment charges on two counts, child abandonment charges on two counts, child neglect and mistreatment on two counts, and for violation of her probation", called the councilman.

"Objection! Your honor, he can't do that. The case is over and the council is trying to add false charges against my client after his clients threw dirt all on my client's name!", protested Mrs. Grier.

"We have done no such thing, Mrs. Grier. You and your client are both delusional obviously. Her bad deeds and injustices will not go unpunished. We gave your client a second chance and she blew it as well as tried to manipulate the courts to her will. This will not go unpunished. There is also a petition for the plaintiff to stay away from the Vitro family within the documents submitted to the courts, your honor", the councilman debunked.

"C'mon, your honor. She is still young. She is not a bad person. She made mistakes. We all have. She will do-"

"Mrs. Grier, you call intentionally abandoning innocent children, abandonment that nearly hosted one of them their lives a mistake? You call ingesting drugs and alcohol, especially after it is court ordered that she not for a mere three months a mistake? Ripping children from their home because she could not get her way? Blackmailing an agent of the state to aid her in her plans, another mistake? Those were not mistakes, those were choices. Choices that she made. Your client is not young. She is an adult and it is high time that she is treated as such. Your honor, we ask that the plaintiff be moved into custody and held until her due court date without bail", the councilman quipped.

"Granted. Bailiff, please take Ms. Grier into custody", the judge announced.

"Mom! Do something! This isn't fair! Mom, help!", yelled Madison, frozen in fear as the court bailiff moved in on her to arrest her.

The judge took notice of the delima on Mrs. Grier's face. She was an attorney of law, but a mother first. She turned to go to her daughter when the judge called out to her.

"Mrs. Grier, if you interfere then you will be found in contempt of this courtroom and be charged with obstruction of justice. Remain where you are Mrs. Grier", the judge quipped.

Mrs. Grier had stood frozen as she watched helplessly as her daughter was detained by officers of the courts. Madison thrashed violently and swore up a storm as she raised arrest, going as far as to scratch an officer across the cheek. Leaving the officer with a bloody scratch on his face. She was carried from the courtroom by officers thrashing and screaming of how useless her mother was and how much she loathed her and the Vitro family.

"Court is adjourned! I will be seeing you soon, Councilman Michelangelo Vitro", the judge curtly announced.

"You will, Judge Lee", said Nathaniel's Uncle Angelo and a well-respected councilman of the courts with a smile upon his face.

The Vitro family celebrated their victory hugging one another while Mrs. Grier stood frozen. Madison's angry words haunting her mind. The woman was guilt-ridden. She felt as if she had let her daughter down. She did not know her own daughter, the little miracle that she had raised was a stranger to her. Mrs. Grier was heartbroken.

"Mommy! Daddy!" "Mama! Papa!"

Two feet stampeding down the aisle towards the Vitro family. Loud cries of happiness could be heard as Nathaniel and Naomi Vitro embraces their children tightly and lovingly while everyone else stood back and watched fondly. Naomi peppered their faces with kisses while the children smiled and giggled in their mother's embrace as she coddled them. Nathaniel stood with tears streaming down his brightly smiling face as he held his family in his arms.

It was the laughter that Naomi spoke about that had brought Mrs. Grier our of her reveries. For the first time, she had laid eyes upon her grandchildren. They were beautiful. They were perfect, and they were where they belonged she realized forlornly. Quietly she gathered her things placing them inside of her suitcase.

"Grandma?"

A tear spilled from her eye cascading down her cheek. Slowly she turned praying that she had not misheard. When she turned her hand flew to her mouth. There stood before her were two little children holding hands with nervous smiles upon their faces. This was surely a cruel joke she thought, but it had not been. With a soft smile upon her face, Naomi nodded towards the woman giving her their blessing while a stern-faced Nathaniel stood at her side gently squeezing her hand for his own comfort.

"Yes, sweethearts. I am your grandma. It's so nice to finally meet the two of you. I-I'm so happy to meet you. Can-Can I please hug you both?", Mrs. Grier said with a watery smile.

Without hesitation, Aiden and Aryan embraced the middle aged woman. And she cried. She cried tears of happiness and sorrow. She cried for the metaphorical loss of her only child. She cried for the gain of the beautiful children embracing her. Although she had lost a part of her, she found another and she had never wanted to let go. She would not let go for as long as she was allowed to.