DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One for disclaimers, etc.
 

TITLE: Picking Up The Pieces-Chapter Eleven

AUTHOR: Cindy (RkieFan1960@AOL.com
 

SETTING: Dec., 2001 - Jan. 2002
 

SUMMARY: Mike and Jill continue to re-connect while Thomas makes plans with his parent's to attempt to gain custody of his unborn child from Michelle.
 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: There is a reference made in this chapter to the series 'Angel,' created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt. The law firm of Wolfram & Hart is a firm from that series.
 
 

It was late Saturday night. Jill was soundly sleeping when she felt the bed dip and Mike's arms encircle her. She smiled as she rolled toward him. "What're you doing here?" She asked sleepily as he kissed her.
 

"What do you think? I didn't think the kids were ever going to go to sleep," he murmured as his hands explored underneath her nightgown.
 

"Mike, your son is asleep across the hall," Jill protested half-heartedly as Mike continued kissing and caressing her.
 

"Have you ever tried to wake that kid up? We could have a 30-piece orchestra playing in the next room and he wouldn't hear it," he smiled as he helped Jill remove her gown and toss it to the floor.
 

Jill was asleep a few hours later when she felt a finger insistently poking at her shoulder. She slowly opened her eyes, which opened wider when she saw her granddaughter standing beside the bed. "Shelby!" She exclaimed as she grabbed the sheet and pulled it tightly against her as she sat up.
 

"Why are you sleeping without any clothes on and why is Papa here?" Shelby signed, frowning as she observed Mike still soundly sleeping beside her grandmother.
 

"What do you need, Shelby?" Jill asked, ignoring her earlier questions.
 

"I had a bad dream. Can I sleep in here with you?" Shelby asked as Jill reached down for her discarded nightgown while trying to keep herself modestly covered with the sheet.
 

"Shelby, go back to your room. I'll be there in a minute," Jill clumsily signed with one hand.
 

"But, Nana . . . " Shelby began to argue as Jill pointed at the door.
 

"Go! I'll be right behind you," Jill ordered once again as Mike groggily opened his eyes.
 

"What's going on?" Mike asked as he watched Shelby reluctantly leave the room.
 

"She had a bad dream. Let me go put her back to bed," Jill told him as she pulled her gown over her head. She walked next door into Shelby's room to find the little girl sitting in the middle of her floor. "Come on, get back into bed."
 

"Did your nightgown fall off?" Shelby asked as she crawled into bed and Jill covered her.
 

"Don't worry about my nightgown. Where's Hannah?" Jill asked, referring to Shelby's favorite doll.
 

"I think the monsters took her," Shelby signed as tears formed in her eyes.
 

"Shelby, we've talked about this. There aren't any monsters. Here's Hannah," Jill said as she fished the doll from under the bed and laid her beside Shelby before kissing her goodnight.
 

"Michael opened my closet and I think the closet monsters got in," Shelby insisted as Jill sighed before walking over to shut the closet door firmly.
 

"The closet monsters are now locked in where they can't escape. Go to sleep," Jill said firmly as she walked to the door and pulled it partially closed behind her.
 

"So, she believes in the closet monster, too?" Mike asked with an amused expression on his face when Jill came back into the bedroom.
 

"She's a firm believer in all monsters, but especially the closet monster. She wanted to know why I was sleeping without my nightgown and why you were sleeping here," she smiled as Mike groaned.
 

"What did you tell her?" He asked.
 

"Well, she didn't ask about you again, but she was extremely curious about my missing nightgown. I think I evaded the question for now," she grinned.
 

"Speaking of things we've been evading, what did you think about Thomas' bombshell this evening?" He asked as Jill sighed.
 

"Do you think he can do it?" She wondered out loud.
 

"If he can get a good lawyer, he can. One part of me doesn't blame them, while another part of me wants to defend her because she's my daughter. How do you feel about it?" He asked as he looked at Jill.
 

"I think I can understand Thomas' point of view, but I also don't feel like he's giving Michelle a fair chance to prove herself," she told him as he nodded.
 

"Do you want to fight them on the custody issue?" He asked as Jill sat up.
 

"No. A long, drawn-out custody fight isn't going to do anybody any good, especially the baby. Besides, if they're able to win, the baby's not going to be in better hands. Jen's a stay at home mom, so she isn't going to have to worry about day care and possibly abusive nannies. Plus, being best friends of the adoptive grandparents, you know we're going to get to see the baby as often as we like," she grinned.
 

"Are you glad that the Gallagher's didn't fight you for custody of Shelby?" He wanted to know as Jill frowned.
 

"I'm glad they didn't fight me, but it worries me that they're going to pop back into our lives the minute that Troy passes away, demanding to see their granddaughter," she mused as Mike stared at the ceiling.
 

"What have you told her about them?" Mike asked as Jill looked at him.
 

"Nothing. She's too young to understand how complicated her beginnings were. All she knows is that her mother's an angel. I'll explain the rest to her in a few years," she promised Mike as he sighed.
 

"Are you excited about going back to work on Monday?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.
 

"Yeah, it'll be nice to get back," she agreed.
 

The next morning, Mike went back to the trailer before the kids woke up. He was working on files at his computer when Michael walked in and quickly got to the point. "Shelby told me that she found you asleep in mom's bed last night. Is that true?" He accused as Mike looked up from his typing.
 

"Yeah, it's true," Mike answered him honestly.
 

"Are you going to be sleeping in there like you did when I was younger?" Michael asked.
 

"I might be. Does that bother you?" Mike asked his son.
 

"Only if mom and I leave like we did before. If you're going to come back, I don't want you and mom to fight any more," Michael pleaded with his father.
 

"Michael, parents have arguments sometimes, like you get into arguments with Shelby. It doesn't mean that anybody's going to move out of the house. I'm going to try to make things right again, but it's going to take time and you're going to have to trust me," Mike tried to assure his son.
 

"Are you going to get married again?" Michael wanted to know.
 

"I don't know. Right now, we're enjoying each other's company and playing it by ear. You'll understand a lot better when you're older," Mike smiled.
 

<><><><><>
 

The following Monday morning, Thomas, Willie and Jennifer walked into a downtown Los Angeles law firm and took the elevator up to the sixth floor. After giving their names to the receptionist, they took seats to wait to be called into the lawyer's office. Thomas sat nervously flipping through a magazine, feeling uncomfortable in a shirt and tie. He was mentally asking himself if he was doing the right thing when he heard their names called. Taking a deep breath, they followed a law clerk down the hall into a leather and oak decorated office where a tall gray-haired man greeted them at the door. "Mr. and Mrs. Gillis and you must be Thomas. I'm David Bernard. Please come in and have a seat. What seems to be the problem?" He asked solicitously as he sat behind his desk and pulled out a yellow legal pad.
 

"I'm going into the Marines in eleven days. My former fiancé is pregnant with my baby and I'm concerned about the safety of the baby, so I want to see if there's a way I can get custody of the baby along with my parents. They'd be caring for the baby while I'm in boot camp," Thomas explained as Mr. Bernard took notes.
 

"Why do you feel that your child would be in danger?" Mr. Bernard asked.
 

"It's a long story, but in a nut shell, my fiancé has had some problems emotionally. She's also expressed a certain reluctance in the past about having a baby," Thomas said.
 

"Would the mother be financially able to care for a child?" Mr. Bernard asked.
 

"She's a third year surgical resident, which is the other reason I'd like to get custody. She works long hours and I'm afraid the baby would be left in the care of baby-sitters," Thomas said as Willie and Jen nodded.
 

"Where is her family?" Mr. Bernard asked.
 

"They live here in town, but they both work full time, plus her mother is already taking care of two young children. My mother is a stay at home mom and the only child living at home is my younger brother who's 16," Thomas pointed out.
 

"Are her parents aware of your plans?" Mr. Bernard wanted to know.
 

"We've talked to them and they've said they won't oppose our plans," Willie told the attorney.
 

"So, you're on speaking terms with her family?" Mr. Bernard was surprised by this bit of news.
 

"We've been friends for over 20 years," Willie answered as Mr. Bernard wrote on his pad.
 

"I'll try to get us into family court sometime this week, but this is probably going to be a long, drawn-out process," Mr. Bernard pointed out as Thomas nodded.
 

"I know. That's why I wanted my parents involved. I leave for boot camp on the 18th. Can you get us into court before then?" Thomas asked.
 

"Probably. I'll call you with a date. The first hearing is going to be a just cause hearing to give your ex a chance to tell the court why you and your parents shouldn't get her baby. What is her name and address?" Mr. Bernard asked Thomas.
 

"Michelle Danko. Her address is 2517 North Berry in North Hollywood. She's a surgical resident at UCLA Medical Center on the cardiology ward," Thomas said as Bernard nodded.
 

"I'll get us a court date and then we'll serve Ms. Danko with a subpoena. I'll have my clerk call you later today or tomorrow morning," Mr. Bernard stood up, indicating that the meeting was over.
 

Two days later, Michelle was at home when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find a man standing there in a suit and tie. "May I help you?" She asked.
 

"Are you Michelle Danko?" He asked as she nodded. When she confirmed who she was, he thrust an envelope in her hand and started back toward his car.
 

"Excuse me, but what is this?" She shouted at him as he approached his car.
 

"You've been ordered to appear in court. Have a nice day," he smiled as he got into his car and started it.
 

Michelle closed the door and opened the envelope, her eyes widening in disbelief as she read the summons ordering her to appear in family court the following Monday morning. She picked up the phone and dialed her mother's number, but all she got was the answering machine. Dialing her father's cell phone, she got the same response. "I don't believe this!" She slammed the phone down in fury. Needing to vent to somebody, she picked up the phone once again and dialed Mary Kathryn's cell. Fortunately, her sister answered on the third ring. "M-Kat, you're not going to believe this one," she began, calling Mary Kathryn by the name she'd sometimes used when they were younger.
 

"Michelle, what's going on?" Mary Kathryn wanted to know as her agent sighed and rolled his eyes.
 

"Does your family know that you are in practice right now?" The up-tight Frenchman inquired as Mary Kathryn waved her hand at him. "We have no time for crisis!"
 

"Patrick, would you please relax? Go have a cappuccino or something," she ordered him as he stalked off. "Sorry, Michelle. Patrick gets a little ragged out when I'm not practicing 20 hours a day. What's wrong?"
 

"I just got a summons ordering me to appear in court next Monday morning. It seems that my ex-fiancé and his loving parents are going to try to get custody of the baby," she related the story to her sister as Mary Kathryn's eyes got huge.
 

"Oh my God! Have you told mom and daddy?" She asked as Michelle sighed.
 

"I tried, but nobody's home. I don't know what I'm going to do! If they think for an instant that they're getting this kid, they've got another think coming!" She screamed into the phone as Mary Kathryn held it away from her ear.
 

"First thing, Michelle. You'd better take a crash course in Sensitivity 101. If you go into court referring to the baby as 'this kid,' you'll be seeing it every other weekend and on certain holidays. Also, you need to hire a lawyer and fast," Mary Kathryn advised her sister.
 

"How do you expect me to hire a lawyer? I'm barely making ends meet as it is!" Michelle reminded her sister.
 

"You can go to legal aid and they'll get someone for you for free. Besides, daddy probably knows a bunch of lawyers through his work. Maybe he knows someone who owes him a favor," Mary Kathryn suggested.
 

"Maybe I should just go to Wolfram & Hart and hire one of their lawyers. After all, I'm fighting a bunch of demons here!" Michelle screamed, making a reference to the TV show 'Angel' as Mary Kathryn grinned.
 

"Hey, if you go there, make sure you hire Lindsey. He may have a plastic hand, but at least he's cute," Mary Kathryn teased as Michelle fumed.
 

"You're a lot of help!" Michelle told her sister.
 

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you want me to tell you. Did you have any idea that Thomas would pull something like this?" Mary Kathryn asked.
 

"I thought he might try, but I wasn't worried since I knew he was going into the Marines. I knew there was no way he could go into combat with a baby strapped to his back. I guess I'll go over to see daddy and see what he says," she sighed as she said goodbye to her sister and hung up the phone.
 

Jill was having dinner with the kids that night when she heard the doorbell ring. After ordering the kids to stay at the table, she answered the door to find Michelle standing there with the summons clutched in her hand. "Hi, Michelle. Come on in. We were having dinner. Would you like to join us?" Jill asked her oldest daughter as Michelle made her way into the house.
 

"No, I went to the trailer to talk to daddy, but he's not there," Michelle told her mother.
 

"No, he went to Salt Lake City with Trap. He should be back sometime tonight. Would you at least like something to drink?" Jill asked, trying to avoid the explosive argument that she knew was coming. Seeing the envelope clutched in her daughter's hand, she had a feeling she knew why Michelle was there.
 

"Yeah, a glass of water would be great," Michelle sat down on the sofa as Jill went to get the water. "I need to hire a lawyer and I don't know how to go about it," she said loudly so that Jill could hear her from the kitchen.
 

"Why do you need an attorney?" Jill asked nonchalantly. "Michael, why don't you take Shelby up to your daddy's trailer so that I can talk to Michelle in private?"
 

"Can we watch 'Survivor'" He asked as Jill nodded.
 

"As long as you don't try any of the challenges this weekend. Keep an eye on Shelby and don't let her get into anything," Jill warned as the two children left through the carport door, closing it behind them.
 

"You know about this, don't you?" Michelle accused as she waved the summons toward her mother.
 

"I knew it was coming. I just didn't think it would be so soon," Jill admitted as Michelle glared at her.
 

"They told you that they were going to try to take the baby away from me and you didn't warn me?" Michelle screamed at her mother.
 

"No, I didn't warn you and do you want to know why I didn't warn you? Because there's a part of me deep inside that doesn't disagree with them. Michelle, you need to take a close look at yourself. Ever since we adopted you, you have never done one thing because it was something you wanted to do, except for your singing. You went to med school because your daddy thought medicine was a safer choice of career than singing. You moved in with Thomas because it was something he wanted. You were going to marry him because it was something he wanted," Jill continued the litany as Michelle held up her hand.
 

"I broke off the engagement," Michelle reminded her mother.
 

"Yes, you did, but you're pregnant because it was something he wanted. You've been our daughter for almost 16 years and the one thing that you were always insistent upon was you never wanted to have a child," Jill told her as Michelle stared at the floor.
 

"They're making it sound like I'm an awful person. I'm not my birth mother! I think I should at least have the chance to take care of my own baby," Michelle said tearfully as Jill sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders.
 

"I'm off tomorrow. Would you like for me to go with you down to legal aid so you can talk to somebody?" Jill asked as Michelle shook her head.
 

"No, I'll do it on my own. Just tell daddy I stopped by," Michelle said as she got up to leave.
 

"Michelle, you need to start doing things because you want to, not because you want to go along with someone else. I also think it might be a good idea for you to start seeing someone again," Jill suggested as Michelle looked at her.
 

"I told you and daddy when I was 11 years old that I was never seeing another shrink!" Michelle shouted as Jill held her ground.
 

"You might not have a choice. The family court judge will probably order you to see somebody," Jill informed her daughter as Michelle made a face.
 

"And If I don't?" Michelle challenged back.
 

"Then, you'll be seeing your child every other weekend and on holidays," Jill told her.
 

"Now you sound like Mary Kathryn. She made that exact same comment this afternoon when I talked to her," Michelle said as she walked out to her Jeep and got in.
 

The next morning, Michelle walked into the offices of Legal Aid and asked to talk to someone regarding family law. She was directed to a small cubicle that was inhabited by a young blonde woman who to Michelle, looked as if she'd just graduated from high school. The woman stood up as Michelle entered the cubicle.
 

"I'm Chloe Gardner. Please have a seat and we'll get started. What is your name and what seems to be the problem" Ms. Gardner asked as she pulled out a yellow legal pad.
 

"Michelle Danko. I am pregnant with my first child which is due in late August. My ex-boyfriend and his parents have petitioned the court to take custody of the baby," Michelle explained.
 

"Why are they trying to take the baby away from you?" Ms. Gardner asked.
 

"I'm a surgical resident and they're concerned that the baby will be left in the care of nannies and day care. Also, I wasn't exactly overjoyed when I learned that I was pregnant. My boyfriend wanted a baby more than I did. I have to be in court next Monday morning and since I can't afford an attorney, my mother suggested that I come here. Can you help me?" Michelle pleaded.
 

"Why are your ex-boyfriend's parents involved in this?" Ms. Gardner wondered.
 

"He's about to go into the Marines, so his parents are filing for joint custody," Michelle told the lawyer.
 

"Let me get with their attorney and I'll try to arrange for a meeting to see if some kind of an agreement can be reached. Also, more than likely, if this goes through the first hearing on Monday, someone from social services will be assigned to the case and will be talking to both sides of the dispute. From where I'm sitting, you seem stable enough, so I don't really understand what's going on. But, I promise you that I'll do everything in my power to see that you're able to keep your baby," Ms. Gardner promised as she stood up and shook Michelle's hand.
 

The next Monday morning, Michelle walked into the courthouse and almost collided with Thomas and his parents. "Hi," he greeted as he walked up to her.
 

"Hi," she answered back as she saw Ms. Gardner step off the elevator. "I guess I'll see you inside," she told him as she followed her attorney into the courtroom.
 

She sat down beside her attorney on the right side of the courtroom as Thomas sat beside his attorney on the left side as Willie and Jennifer took seats behind them. They all stood as court was called to order and the judge entered the room and sat behind the bench. A tall, no nonsense looking woman in her early to mid-forties, she looked as if she didn't put up with much in her courtroom. "Are all parties present?" She asked her CSO (Court Services Officer) as she looked around the courtroom.
 

"Yes, your honor," he answered solemnly.
 

"Talk to me, Mr. Bernard," the judge ordered Thomas' attorney as he got to his feet.
 

"My client, Thomas Gillis, is about to enter the Marine Corps. He recently learned that his ex-fiancé is pregnant with their child and he is concerned about the safety of his child," Mr. Bernard explained as the judge looked over at Michelle and Ms. Gardner.
 

"How exactly does your client plan on taking care of a baby while he's in the Marines, Mr. Bernard?" The judge asked.
 

"That's where his parents come in, your honor. Mr. And Mrs. Gillis have been married for over 20 years and Mrs. Gillis is a stay at home mother. They have also filed for joint custody of the child," Mr. Bernard informed the judge, who took copious notes.
 

"I see. Call your first witness, Ms. Gardner," the judge told Michelle's attorney.
 

"I call Michelle Danko to the stand," Ms. Gardner intoned as Michelle stood up and flipped her waist length hair over her shoulder as she walked to the stand and was sworn in. "Michelle, how long have you known Mr. Gillis?"
 

"Since I was nine years old," Michelle answered as the judge looked at her.
 

"You grew up together?" The judge asked as Michelle nodded.
 

"My sister and I moved in across the street from his family before we were adopted by the Danko's," Michelle explained.
 

"How long did you live together?" Ms. Gardner asked.
 

"Almost four years. We started dating when I was in my third year at college and we moved in together after I graduated from medical school," Michelle continued in a flat voice.
 

"Were we going to get married?" Ms. Gardner asked.
 

"Thomas proposed to me right before Thanksgiving," Michelle answered.
 

"No further questions, your honor," Ms. Gardner announced as Michelle stared at her in disbelief as Mr. Bernard stood up.
 

"Ms. Danko, what is your medical specialty?" Mr. Bernard began.
 

"I'm a second year cardiology resident," Michelle looked him in the eye as she answered.
 

"That kind of specialty must call for some killer hours," Mr. Bernard wondered out loud as Ms. Gardner objected.
 

"Objection, your honor!" Ms. Gardner shouted.
 

"Sustained. Mr. Bernard, please restrict your comments," the judge warned.
 

"Sorry, your honor. What kind of hours do you work as a cardiology resident, Ms. Danko?" Mr. Bernard asked.
 

"I work 36 hours on duty and 24 hours off," Michelle told him.
 

"How do you propose working those hours and taking care of a baby?"
 

"I don't know. The hospital has day care and I'll hire someone to take care of the baby when I have to work late shifts," Michelle answered.
 

"In reality, you haven't given this matter any thought, have you, Ms. Danko?" Mr. Bernard accused.
 

"You're wrong, Mr. Bernard. I've given this matter nothing but thought. The only reason Mr. Gillis and his parents want this baby is because he's afraid I'm going to abuse our baby the way I was abused growing up," Michelle glared at Thomas and his parents.
 

"No further questions, your honor," Mr. Bernard finished as he sat down.
 

"I really don't understand why this matter came before my court when it should've been handled by a family court mediator. I want both parties to meet with a mediator to see if some kind of agreement can be reached. I also want both parties to go to therapy. I also want someone from CPS to give me a written report in three months," the judge concluded as court was recessed.
 

<><><><><>
 

Three days later, Jill was trying to fix dinner for the kids when their was a knock on the door. "Michael, can you get the door, please?" She shouted as she removed a pan from the stove and emptied the contents into a bowl.
 

"It's some lady who wants to talk to you," Michael told her as he walked back into the kitchen.
 

"Okay. Set the table," Jill ordered him as she walked to the door where a young blonde haired woman dressed impeccably in a tailored red business suit was standing. "May I help you?" Jill asked the woman.
 

"Mrs. Danko, I'm Sylvia Robinson from the Children's Protective Services. I'd like to talk to you about your daughter, Michelle. Do you have a few minutes?" Ms. Robinson asked as Jill sighed.
 

"Please come in. Michael, go up to the trailer and tell your father that dinner will be ready in 20 minutes," Jill shooed him out the door as she led Ms. Robinson into the living room just as Shelby came prancing in.
 

"Would you like to send your daughter out of the room, also?" Ms. Robinson asked as Shelby perched beside Jill on the sofa.
 

"My granddaughter and she's deaf. Shelby, go play in your room," Jill signed to Shelby as the little girl got up and reluctantly returned to her bedroom.
 

"As I'm sure you already know, Michelle's ex-boyfriend and his parents have filed for custody of her baby. I've already talked to Michelle and she really didn't give me any reasons why the Gillis' would want to take the baby. I do understand that she's adopted," Ms. Robinson stated as Jill nodded.
 

"My husband and I adopted Michelle when she was almost 11 years old. Michelle and her sister were horribly abused by their birth parents. She always was adamant about never having children. I guess that's why this is all so hard to comprehend," Jill continued as Ms. Robinson took notes.
 

"Where is Michelle's sister? I'd really like to talk to her," Ms. Robinson commented as Jill stared at her as if she'd suddenly grown a second head.
 

"I thought you said you'd talked to Michelle," Jill reminded the woman.
 

"I did," Ms. Robinson answered back.
 

"Well, Michelle obviously neglected to tell you that her sister died in an automobile accident almost five years ago. I'm raising her daughter," Jill said icily.
 

"Mrs. Danko, I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me. How do you and your husband feel about the possibility of Michelle raising this baby?" Ms. Robinson asked.
 

"If you're asking whether Michelle would abuse the baby, the answer is no. I worry about her raising the baby as a single parent. Michelle is a very sensitive young woman, Ms. Robinson. She just has a tendency to close herself off. It's a defense mechanism," Jill explained as Ms. Robinson nodded.
 

<><><><><>
 

Michelle was walking down the corridor of the hospital when she spotted Thomas approaching her. "What're you doing here?" She asked as she walked up to him.
 

"I just wanted to see you before I leave. I'm flying to North Carolina day after tomorrow," he added as she stared at him. "Michelle, I really want to work this out. The last thing I want to do is take our child away from you."
 

"Then why are you doing it?" She hissed as people walked by.
 

"I don't know. I don't know why I'm doing anything any more," he said in an apologetic tone as he ran a hand through his hair.
 

"What if I try to arrange something so that I won't be raising the baby on my own? Would that make your lawyer and your parents happy?" She asked.
 

"It might, I don't know. Michelle, will you think about something while I'm gone?" He begged.
 

"What?"
 

"I still want us to get married. I love you. I've loved you since I was a stupid, gawky-looking 15-year-old with braces on my teeth. I want us to get married and raise our baby as a family. Will you at least give it some thought while I'm off at basic?" He asked her with the puppy-eyed look that she could never resist.
 

"Yeah, I'll give it some thought. Thomas, whether you and your family believe me or not, I do want this baby. I admit I was a little taken aback at first, but now I can't wait. I lay awake at night and think of who it's going to look like and what we're going to name it," she smiled as he smiled back.
 

"Anything, but Thomas, Jr.," he grinned as she grinned back. "I'll email you from Camp LeJeune. Take care of yourself and the kid."
 

"You, too," she hugged him before he pulled away and walked away toward the elevator.
 

The week after New Year's, Michelle and her attorney, Ms. Gardner met with Willie, Jennifer and Mr. Bernard. "Michelle's come up with a solution that might be amenable to everybody. Michelle, present the Gillis' with your solution."
 

"As you both already know, Lt. Ryker has a spare bedroom in the house he's staying in now. I've talked to my parent's and Lt. Ryker and they suggested that I move in there. Either the lieutenant or my father is always home, so there will be someone there that can take care of the baby. If I agree to that, will you drop this joint custody case? I want a chance to prove that I can take care of my baby. Also, Thomas still wants to get married, which is something I am considering," she finished as Willie looked at Jennifer.
 

"Does Thomas know about this?" Willie asked as Michelle nodded.
 

"I emailed him and he said he was going to email you letting you know that he agrees with my solution," Michelle responded.
 

"As long as he's okay with it, then we're okay with it," Willie told Mr. Bernard.
 

"I'll have an agreement drawn up for you to sign, Ms. Danko," Mr. Bernard agreed as they all stood up to leave.
 

A couple of weeks later, Mike and the guys loaded up a U-Haul with Michelle's possessions and drove out to the Laurel Canyon house. Jill helped her fix up the spare room in the lieutenant's house. "Michelle, are you sure this is what you want to do?" Jill asked Michelle for the twentieth time.
 

"It isn't exactly what I want to do, but it's what I have to do. It's worth it if it'll keep Willie and Jen from trying to take my baby. Besides, Thomas and I are trying to work things out. This is just a temporary solution. It'll be fine, mom. Really," Michelle insisted to her mother.
 

"I just know how upset you are about having to give most of your animals away," Jill told her.
 

"Mom, it's okay. Maybe once Thomas and I get settled somewhere, I can get more animals. At least I know they went to good homes," she sighed as Jill tried to smile.
 

"Come on, let's go get something to eat," Jill insisted as Michelle nodded.
 

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