103

MAXINE

I held my breath, waiting for the final verdict. Marie looked at me curiously.

"... Miss Lindsey Davies will have custody of her and Mister Mark Oxborn will continue to pay child support." The judge said, slamming his hammer down twice.

I jumped to my feet, cheering. The people who testified for Lindsey began to clap. I carried Marie and pointed towards her mother as she came towards us, tears in her eyes.

She took Marie from me and kissed her cheek. "I've got you, baby. I've got you." She said and laughed. She looked at me and grabbed my hand. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"It was my pleasure. I'm glad it all worked out." I said.

She suddenly hugged me. I was slow to react but I hugged her back.

"Yay!" Marie cheered.

"Yay!" Her mother replied, laughing. Lindsey received congratulations and I stood aside, waiting for her so we could go home.

As I stood there, Mark pulled me aside. "You bribed him, didn't you? You did just like you said." He said, angrily.

I squared my shoulde