The Parent Trap

Chapter 37

Chase Jacobs

POV

While Rebecca Collins interviewed both Carly and Stella. I was worried something would go wrong. Somehow this might be the last time I see my daughter.

They were supposed to come two days ago but it got backlogged and I honestly thought it was over, I was surprised by the sudden visit.

I didn’t tell Carly about Amelia filing for emergency custody, I didn’t want to worry her.

Rebecca Collins and the two police officers had spent nearly four hours in my home, yet it felt like four years. This experience has left me feeling like ten years has been knocked off my life.

The claim was baseless, but I didn’t know what Amelia might have to told the police and I worried my daughter might fall into Amelia’s hands. We have a custody case already in the works and this was a warning from Amelia.

A warning I was now fully aware of. She knew that Stella was my weakness and she was using it to her full advantage.

Rebecca Collins had spoken to, Carly, Stella and to me. She tried to press to find out if I had a temper. She’d been to every room in my house, asked questions about our routines, how I disciplined Stella, to run through Stella’s bedtime routine, she wanted to know about meal times and how much Stella ate.

The woman was good at her job, she didn’t miss a thing.

I stood in the hallway watching her gather her things. She offered me a professional smile as we walked toward the door.

My heart was in my throat.

"Thank you for your time..." she says.

I nod. "You’re just doing your job..."

"I’ve completed my investigation."

I clench my teeth. I wait for her to speak.

She looked toward the living room where Stella was sitting in Carly’s lap while she spoke happily.

"I found no evidence supporting the allegations made against you in the emergency custody petition." she says.

I let out a breath I didn’t I know I was holding.

"I’ve interviewed all three of you, including your housekeeper and kitchen staff." she tells me, but I already knew that.

Rebecca smiled. "Everyone sang your praises. Stella’s a bright little girl. She’s the kind child we always hope to see."

I smile too. "Stella makes parenting easy..." I tell her.

A soft laugh escaped Rebecca. "I can believe so. She spoke about how her daddy makes the best pancakes and how he lets her help even though she drops one..."

I let out a laugh.

"She also told me you’re very bad at coloring inside the lines." she says.

I roll my eyes. "That’s probably true. It’s not one of my talents..."

"That little girl loves you..." she tells me.

The words hits me right in the chest.

Rebecca continued. "She appeared relaxed, happy, and completely comfortable in your home." she says.

I looked over at my daughter. She did look relaxed. She was excitedly speaking to Carly about something. She looked like every little girl age should look.

Rebecca’s expression turned serious. "Based on everything I’ve observed today, I’m recommending that Stella remain in your care while these proceedings continue." she says.

My entire body loosens up, I didn’t realize how stiff my body was until this very moment.

"There will still be a hearing in two weeks." she tells me.

I nod. "I understand."

"Though I will give the court my findings and give my opinion. The judge will ultimately make the final decision." she tells me. "But honestly I found nothing today that would support the claims filed against you that would warrant removing Stella from your home."

For the first time all day I could finally breathe, for the first time in four hours I felt like my world wasn’t falling apart. It wasn’t over far from it. But this small win was enough to have me breathing easier.

"Thank you." I was genuinely thankful she wasn’t corrupt and investigated fairly.

"I know this must have been difficult, even if the claim may have been false, we still have to investigate these cases. Especially when a child is involved..." she explains.

"I understand. You’re just doing your job, honestly no one can fault you."

Rebecca glanced toward Carly and Stella on the sofa. "That little girl has no idea how blessed she is to have the amount of love she has. Many children don’t have what she does..."

I followed her gaze. "For a long time I felt guilty because she didn’t have her mother in her life. I made sure I only had people around her that loved her..." I tell her.

Rebecca smiles. "I wish you all the best." she reaches out her hand and I take it.

"Thank you."

I open the front door for her and she and the police officers head out.

I watch her get into her car and the police get into a cruiser.

She waves before she pulls out of my drive way.

I wave back and they’re gone.

I close the front door, the house was quiet. I could hear Stella speaking yet the house felt quieter than it did when they were here.

I stood completely still, still in utter shock. I knew the claims were unfounded, but I honestly didn’t know if Amelia would get what she wanted and the scared the shit out of me.

The adrenaline running through my body was starting to fade and my knees felt weak. I felt like I was going to faint from exhaustion. The experience took at least ten years from my life span. t

"Daddy!" Stella called.

I looked up.

And Stella was running toward me. I picked her up into my arms hugging her. Holding Stella in my arms took all the exhaustion from my body. She healed me in more ways than one.

"I love you bug." my voice hoarse.

"I love you too, daddy."

She rested her head against my shoulder, her legs wrapped around my waist.

She was so tiny. I remember bringing her home he first night. I had no idea what I was doing. She was my everything from the moment I held her in my arms for the first time. I’d do anything for Stella.

Stella was safe. She was in my arms.

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling from my eyes. They just kept falling.

I buried my face in my daughter’s hair.

For one terrifying moment I thought they might take Stella away from me. I thought that Amelia had won and she was going to take Stella away from me. The thought alone had nearly broke me.

"Daddy?" Her tiny voice brought me out of my thoughts.

She pulls away from me.

I look at her, her face turns concerned. "Why are you crying? Are you hurt?" she asks.

I kiss the top of her head.

"They’re happy tears bug..." I tell her.

She wipes my tears with her tiny little hands. "Did I do something funny?"

A laugh escaped through the tears. "No."

"Then why?" she asks.

"Because I think we should have your favorite KFC chicken for dinner tonight..."

Her entire face lights up. "Really?" She asks excitedly. S

I nod. "Of course bug. And a milkshake..." I tell her.

She starts excitedly checking off all the things she wants from KFC. She wants, pops, chicken and the nuggets.

I hugged her tighter, for tonight I’ll spoil my daughter. After nearly losing her I wanted to take one day to just watch her be happy.

She giggled. "You’re hugging me to tight daddy..." she complains.

"You’re my bug. I just want to hold you for a bit..." I tell her.

She laughed and kisses my cheek. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you more than anything bug." I whisper out.

She wiggles out of my hold and I place her back on the floor.

She immediately skips over to Carly, to tell her the good news.

"Carly guess what?"

"What?"

"We’re having KFC chicken for supper. Daddy says we can eat it..." she says excitedly.

Carly smiles. "Wow really? Are we being spoilt?" she asks.

Stella giggles. "No silly. Do you eat KFC. Does daddy need to get you something else?" Stella asks.

"I eat KFC don’t worry about me..." Carly says.

I looked at Carly. "Do you mind watching Stella for a few minutes?" I ask her.

She looks at me for a second before she nods. "Yes. Sure I don’t mind..."

I smile. "Thank you..." I say before heading up to my office.

I dialled my lawyer’s number as soon as I was in my office.

He answered on the second ring.

"Good news?" he asks.

"The investigation’s over." I walk over to my sofa and sit. It smelt like Carly.

She must have sit here during the interview.

"And?" he asks.

"They’re leaving Stella in my care."

"Excellent. I told you everything will work out." he sounds excited.

I leaned back my head resting against the wall behind the sofa.

"I want Amelia to lose all her brand deals and roles..." I tell him. "I’m tired to giving into her."

"Do think this is a good idea?" He asks.

"I promised Amelia that no one would remember when I was done with her. This is only a warning. She crossed my bottom line. She needed to know what happens when you cross me." I tell him.

My lawyer didn’t sound surprised, he knew me. "Chase..." he tried but I cut him off.

"She tried to take my daughter." I clenched my jaw. "She filed false allegations against me damn it, dragging Child Protective Services into my home. She bloody put my daughter through what could have been fucking traumatic all to get back at me. Enough is enough!"

"Okay if this is what you want, I’ll get my team work on getting her contracts cancelled."

"This is what I want... I want her fans to see her for who she really is. And I want the court to see what she did to my daughter. I want you to make sure Amelia never gets custody of my daughter."

"Don’t worry she won’t be able to take Stella from you."

I hung up and stared at my office desk in front of me.

I wasn’t doing this for revenge, no this had nothing to do with revenge. This was to protect my daughter. I was going to make sure this woman stayed far away from my daughter.