Chapter 29
Colt
I didn't want to be attracted to her. It was just that simple. I didn't want to see how beautiful she was, and I didn't want to have this haunting feeling in my chest, but it was unavoidable. I didn't know what was going on with her lawyer and Candy, but they were talking seriously with the microphone covered. The judge finally stepped in and said that they had to continue.
It was hard for me to sit back and let the proceedings happened. I was stunned that she looks so upset. Is she really that upset that she couldn’t get my money that easily?
I also found myself studying her figure a little too much. There was I request and child support to be set, even though she didn't even look pregnant yet. If she was pregnant, then she was hiding it behind the rather large shirt that she was wearing. It reminded me of when I first met her again, so many months ago in the Vegas airport and she had been dressed down purposely. It felt like she was doing it again.
I didn't know what was going on, but for the second time, her lawyer asked for recess. We were just getting started and I was starting to be annoyed like the judge was. I didn't understand what was going on and I wanted to know.
“Your honor, if there is a reason for recess, I would like to know what it is.”
He agreed with me and said the same thing.
“I would like to know as well, Miss Canton, why are you so insistent on having recess to talk to your lawyer, even though we've only been here five minutes? You do realize how this works, don't you?”
He was being rather stern, and I could tell that it was only going to get worse if she didn't spill it. I wanted to know just as much, so I found myself at the edge of my chair waiting. It was the first time that I’d heard her speak in a couple of months and I wanted to know what was going on in her head. I was still shocked about this whole thing, so I wanted to know why she was so quick to leave now.
“Your honor, I would rather not discuss this in open court.”
“Well Miss, if you want a few minutes to talk to your lawyer, you are going to have to give me reason.”
She smiled at the judge, but I could see it was forced. Candy was never too good at hiding her true emotions. Something was bothering her and even now, as mad as I was about it all, I hated to see her so upset. I still had one hell of a soft spot for Candy.
“It would seem that whatever was filed on my behalf, included things that I did not agree to. The papers that I was under the impression were going to be filed, had nothing to do with many of the circumstances mentioned here. I'm just a little confused what happened, and I would like my lawyer to tell me what changed and why he did so.”
She was measuring her words and I wished that she would be plainer. It was a little too ambiguous, and it made me hope that she had nothing to do with any of it. It was of course what I wanted to believe, but I had learned a long time ago that believing and actuality were two very different things.
“What circumstances or measure in the filing did you not agree to?”
“Pretty much all of it, except the divorce.”
The judge was a little shocked and I was as well. Candy was making it like she didn't even know that the papers were asking for all of my money, or at least most of it.
“So, you're trying to tell me that you are not asking for alimony, property, money, and child support payments, as well as insurance for your unborn child?”
She was about to say something when her mother tugged on her sleeve and bent over to talk to her in her ear. I don't know what it was that she was saying to her, but whatever it was, Candy wasn't too happy about it.
Candy pulled away and held herself rigid in front of the judge.
“Yes Sir, that is what I'm trying to tell you. I just wanted to divorce him.”
“Are you pregnant Miss?”
That was a question that I wanted answered and I think there were a few people in the room that were very interested in her answer as well. She looked over at me for a moment and then put her head down. I didn’t take that as a good sign. Finally, she nodded her head.
“I'm sorry Miss Canton, but you’re going to have to say it audibly so that the transcriptions can hear you.”
“Yes Sir, I am pregnant.”
The judge sat back in his chair and I could tell that he was at his curious as he was confused. I had to think that there were very few women that would argue against trying to get so much money. I had always known that Candy was different than all the rest, and I was mad at myself for the fact that I’d ever thought differently. I didn't have to look behind me to see that Ralph with smiling, telling me with his eyes that he had told me so. I had to give it to him, he was right.
“So, you are pregnant with his child and you don't want any of his money?”
“I also had a fiancé at the time Sir, so I can't really say if it is his or not. It is a 50/50 chance.”
The judge said that the proceedings were going to have to stop. Candy was the one that was surprised now, and she wanted to know why.
“Well Miss Canton, there is no way that I can let the two of you divorce, when you are pregnant with a child that will possibly be his. I can see now why you want to take this outside and not have this on public record, but I have to tell you that we are going to have to push this date back a little longer. How far along are you?”
“I don't even know yet. I just took a test the other day, three days ago I think, and I haven't been able to get in to see the doctor. I've been really busy.”
“Will you be able to tell who it is when you get a date?”
Candy said that she wasn't sure, and I didn't like the idea that me and Jax were so close together, but it was better to know now where I stood.
“Either way Miss Canton, we're not going to be able to proceed with the divorce until you have had the child and DNA test has been done. It is just the way it is done here Miss and I hope that you understand. I would also suggest that you get better representation.”
The judge was actually being really nice to her and I was thankful for that. I had come in here, wanting to hate Candy, but at the end of the day it was impossible. There was nothing in this world that I wanted to do or say that would hurt her. The idea that she was pregnant with my child, just made that feeling a whole lot stronger. I didn't want anything to ever happen to her. I wanted to protect her.
Judge Callaway looked over at me and apologized for the push back.
“I am fine with a little bit more time with my wife. I never wanted this divorce to begin with.”
Candy had only looked at me the once when she was talking earlier, but after I told the judge that, she looked over at me again, a little confused. She hadn’t seen that one coming.
The judge seemed happy with the turn of events and told us that hopefully he wouldn't see us again.
“I have seen a lot of couples come in and out of this room, but I have never seen a couple that was as civil to each other. Maybe there is hope for you yet, I have seen stranger things in this courtroom, and I wish you the best of luck.”
I smiled and nodded, not saying much of anything. The last ten minutes had pushed my brain to the limit and I was still trying to process it all. It seemed like every time I thought I knew what the hell was going on, a rug was pulled out from underneath me and I was left bewildered. This time, this run in with Candy was no different. She left me broken in her wake.