~Every Step of the Way - Part 1~

SEPTEMBER, 1975…

Peter rang the doorbell for the third time and still there was no answer. He knew Samantha was home, her car was in the driveway. He finally tried the door and found it to be unlocked, so he went in. "Sammi, are you home?" He called. He wandered through the living room and kitchen and then he heard soft crying coming from the family room. "Sammi, is that you?" He walked in and saw her sitting on the floor leaning against the couch with her face buried in her hands. He walked over and sat down next to her, wrapping his arms around her. "Baby, what is it? Are the kids okay?"

She looked up at him, startled at first and then wound her arms tightly around him. "The kids are fine. They're spending the night with Micky and Madison." She took a deep breath, her bottom lip quivering. "My lawyer called today. He said that Mike is suing for full custody of Robbie and Maria."

"He's doing what?!" Peter asked in shock.

"He wants custody of them." The tears started again and she didn't try to stop them. "Oh, Peter, he wants to take them away from me. What am I going to do?"

"It will be alright." He soothed, gently rocking her in his arms. "I promise."

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It was still dark outside when Peter awoke and found Samantha was not next to him. He sleepily walked downstairs wearing only his boxer shorts to find her sitting in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea. "Hey." He yawned. "You okay?"

"I couldn't sleep." Her eyes were red and puffy.

He went to her, wrapping his arms around her. "Worrying isn't going to help."

"I know, but I don't know what else to do." She melted into his arms and giggled when she felt him kissing her neck. "Any ideas?"

"I think I could probably come up with something." He purred turning the chair around and kneeling down in front of her. She was wearing a bathrobe and he opened it to discover she was wearing nothing underneath. He slowly pushed it open, letting it hang off her shoulders as a sultry smile came across his face.

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They lay together afterwards wrapped in each other's arms, both struggling to catch their breath. "I love you, Peter."

"But…" He looked over at her.

She giggled, "But this floor is really uncomfortable. Why don't we go upstairs?"

"I love the way you think." He kissed her softly and then stood up, holding out his hand.

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The first court hearing regarding Robbie and Maria took place a few days later. Mike and Samantha were in attendance, along with their lawyers. Peter was sitting closely behind Samantha. Micky and Madison were also there because they had received a Summons directly from the court. Davy and Diana stayed home to watch all the kids.

Judge Spencer read over the legal documents and listened to the arguments of both parties. He then looked up at the courtroom. "Well, it seems as if we have quite a problem here. Both of you want custody of the children and neither of you believes that the other should have any contact with those children." He took his glasses off and set them aside. "Until this matter can be resolved, the court is going to appoint a guardian for the children." He glanced at the papers and then back at the room. "Would Mr. and Mrs. Dolenz please approach the bench?"

Everyone turned around and watched as Micky and Madison walked up to the front of the courtroom. "Yes, Your Honor?" Micky said.

"I'm appointing both of you as guardians for Robert and Maria for one month." The judge began. "Mr. and Mrs. Nesmith will have visitation according to a schedule you set up. Hopefully, during this month they will be able to come to an agreement. Any questions?"

"Um…no, Your Honor." Madison replied.

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Continue to Part 2
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