The next day Serena went with Mark and Ciel to court so Mark would have full custody over her. Serena was placed up on the stand to speak about how she had been treated. The first to go up to her to speak was Noah's lawyer. "So Serena, you've vowed to speak the truth. so you can't go and lie now. How have you honestly been treated around my clients home?"
"Honestly? Like crap-I would lie to the CPS lady just so I didn't go through a foster home. I fear how much more crappy I would be treated. Noah and his family never really made me feel like I was a part of their family. When I would get sick I'd still have to go on throughout my life as if nothing was wrong. But if the others would get sick god forbid Noah's little angels caught a cold. I would be in charge of taking care of them. I'd have to miss school just to take care of them-even though Noah works from home. He could have easily taken care of his own children. I would always get served last and with a forth of what they are given and never allowed to get more than that-birthdays and holidays were out of the question. Not to mention if I needed anything, say new clothes I'd have to get hand me downs from the other girls in that family who are completely different from me." Serena said seriously
"And it is to my recollection that you had a sexual affair with one of his children is that correct?" The lawyer asked
Serena teared up instantly hearing that. "NO THAT'S NOT CORRECT! HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT TO ME!?" She shouted before she began to hyperventilate and hug herself breaking down into tears. "I was raped! Tyler forced himself onto me when Noah and Mitchel were gone from the house! Noah had kicked Justina out of the house for a stupid reason just like he had for Emily and that was all tyler needed to force himself onto me!"
The lawyer rolled his eyes and leaned against the stand. "So you're telling me you've never once tried to seduce him?"
"NO! Do I look like I'd ever do that?!" She asked through her tears
"You're female it's obvious-
"Your honor he's getting off topic, please stop this. She's already been traumatized by her past, so she shouldn't have to relive it." Mark's lawyer stated seriously
"I see no reason for the crass questions, either change your questions or sit your ass down." The judge stated to the lawyer
Noah's lawyer composed himself before he cleared his throat. "I have nothing more to ask."
Mark's lawyer instantly went up to her and gave her a tissue. "That was uncalled for, are you going to be alright Serena?"
"N-No, but thank you for the tissue." She said sadly before she blew her nose.
"So it seems like a DNA test was done. Mark and you have a 99.9% DNA match-before then, had you known he was your father?" The lawyer asked
Serena shook her head. "No, I hadn't. But I did feel as if I was closer to him than to the meanie that adopted me." Serena said sadly
"And you've lived with him for the past few days, yes?" The lawyer asked
"Yes, I have. I wanted to know how much my real father would treat me versus the male who adopted me."
"And how did that fair out for you?"
"I was able to have a better experience with him than around the male who adopted me. I was fed more, I was actually loved and he actually was interested in what I was doing in school. Which the male who adopted me never really cared for." Serena said with a small smile. "I love my papa, I wished I knew he was my papa before now."
Mark held onto his chest where his heart was. It was obvious the words that Serena said melted his heart-unlike with Noah who was glaring at Serena. Without her around him-he'd lose the checks he'd get to support her. Which would mean he wouldn't be able to laze about anymore. Everything that he had gotten because of CPS helping him out with raising Serena would go down the toilet just because she chose to be around Mark instead of him.
Marks lawyer smiled at Serena and leaned against the stand gently. "So it's safe to say you feel safe around your blood father then?"
"Yes! Very safe! He's done a very good job of protecting me and I'm happy for it." Serena said with a smile
"And you've been doing well in school since then haven't you?"
"To be honest I haven't been in school yet since knowing Papa was my papa...it's cause I was told that I needed to wait till after today just to be able to go back cause my brain does the big dumbs a lot. The doctor who looked at me after I was raped told me that because of my medication that I should wait till after today just to go back to school."
"I see, but you're a good student aren't you?"
"Mhm! I get good grades in school-even if math is hard for me to do. I always try my hardest!"
The Lawyer nodded his head. "Good to hear, now compared to the man that adopted you. How has Mark treated you?"
"In what sense are you asking about?"
"I'm asking about any differences between Noah and Mark."
"Well other than the fact that papa feeds me better, shows love and compassion towards me, takes a lot more interest in me and doesn't harm me." Serena said as she used her hands to keep track of what she said. "There isn't much of a difference."
"So with what you've said-has Noah harmed you in the past?"
"Mhm, he has. Whenever I would talk back to him when I was sick just because I wouldn't do what he wanted me to do because I was too dizzy to do so. That and whenever I wouldn't be able to make it to the bathroom to throw up and end up throwing up on the floor because he or one of the others would hold me down." Serena said sadly
The lawyer shook his head and stood up straight. "I have nothing more to ask her."
Serena was able to sit down before Noah was placed onto the stand. His lawyer went up first to talk to him. "So it seems like the woman you adopted is a mental case, you told me she was normal and fine. It doesn't seem like you were truthful to me."
"She usually is normal. The whole incident with Tyler has her mind foggy. That and she's a complete drama queen over things."
The lawyer didn't look amused as he kept his hands behind his back. "I see, so-what Serena said about the abuse she had gotten from you, that was a lie?"
"Yes, I would never ever lay my hand on her!"
"You are aware she was sworn to tell the truth, are you telling me that she broke that sworn oath?"
"Of course she did, I wouldn't ever lie about it."
"Can any of your children vouch for you on that?"
"Yes, all of them can."
The lawyer looked at the judge. "May I inquire with his children on the subject?"
"You may." The judge said with a nod of her head
The lawyer then looked towards Nile, Mitchel, Emily and Justina. "May the four of you please stand up, state your name and age and whether what your father has stated is true or not."
The first to get up was Nile. "Sargent Nile Bates sir, age twenty four. My father's statement is false."
Mitchel then spoke up. "I'm Mitchel Bates. I'm Twenty two years old. The statement that my father has claimed is false"
Emily then got up. "I'm Emily Bates, I'm Eighteen years old. The statement is false."
Justina then got up. "I'm Justina Bates, I'm sixteen years old. The statement dad made is false."
The lawyer then motioned for them to sit down which they did and the lawyer looked at Noah seriously. "Looks like none of your children spoke up upon your behalf. So you have lied to me and to the court. Why would you abuse an ill child?"
"She fakes it half the time, like it should matter or not whether or not she feels a certain way or not. It's not my job to deal with that nonsense."Noah said with a shrug
Mark looked at his brother angered, he couldn't believe how harsh he had treated his poor beloved daughter. But he stayed in his seat, he knew he had to stay calm to get custody of his daughter. The judge looked at the CPS officer. "With what has been presented so far, what is your uptake of the situation?"
The CPS worker got up from where she sat in the back of the court room and she walked forward before she shook her head. "As of now, it is clear to see that Noah Bates is unfit to be known as the caretaker of Serena Bates. I wish to see the house of her blood father since he is now in the picture to be able to make sure that Serena Bates is going to be in a safe environment."
Mark then got up and faced the CPS worker. "As much as I know you wish to do your job, that is not within your job description to do so. As the chief of the police of this county I would never have my own child be in a place that wasn't suited for her." Mark said calmly
"Chief of police huh? So you probably have firearms on you at all times don't you?" The worker asked
"No ma'am I don't. I leave that stuff within my work car or at my office. I wouldn't ever put my daughter in harm's way." Mark said seriously
"So you aren't wearing your firearms on you right now is that correct?"
"Yes ma'am. Even though I am wearing my uniform-I do not have the items that are usually on my belt due to wishing for the safety of my daughter." Mark said seriously
The judge saw what was going on and placed down her gabble. "Miss Vendetti, you are pressing too much into your questions. As of now Mark Bates will have full custody of Serena Bates-as Justina Bates will be placed into foster care due to the lack of care and safety that is within the Noah Bates family household."
Serena happily hugged her father who hugged her back happily. "Papa!"
The CPS worker glared at the chief of police. "I'm not happy that a sweet child like her gets to be around someone so violent. I will be checking up on her in a week's time."
"You'll have to find my address first, which I know you don't have on file. Sarina is my only little angel." Mark said before he looked down to Sarina. "Let's go, did you want to get something to eat before we go home?"
"Yes please!?" She said happily
Ciel followed the duo quietly before he spoke up as they were in the car. "Is the court system here really that messed up?" He asked curiously
"Sadly yes, there are people who will do anything just to prove a point." Mark said with a sigh
"That one lawyer was a big meanie face. I don't like him."
Mark shook his head. "I can't believe my brother was such a * and his lawyer was no better. Why didn't you ever speak up about the abuse he did to you Serena? I could have helped you get out of there. I am a cop. Family or not he could go to jail for abusing you kid."
"I-I didn't know that I could. Sure I trust you and all...but he scares the crap outta me papa." Serena said sadly
Once he got to a red light he looked behind him to where serena was. "Listen Serena, I know things aren't all that good right now. But I am here to make sure you have a some-what safe place to be. If there is ever a time you feel uncomfortable please let me know."
She nodded her head. "Okies, I can do that papa."
Once they got to a local restaurant Mark talked with Serena about what she was going to have to go through when she would meet up with her mother. Ciel could tell that Serena was really worried about seeing her mother at the court date. So he spoke up seeing that Serena wasn't speaking up.
"Mr. Bates, may I suggest you allow your daughter to see the woman before the court date? Just to let her know that you've found Serena. That way it will place Serena's mind at ease when she has to go up against her mother in court?" Ciel asked
Mark hummed out in thought before he nodded his head. "Sure thing, I can arrange that not a problem. Serena would you be alright with that?"