It was Tuesday and I was scared to death. Nick had set me up an appointment with, from what Nick had told me, the best custody lawyer in the nation. If he was so good, why was I scared to death. I looked at the lawyer as he began speaking.

“Okay Ms. Johnson, I understand that you are here because a Mr. Alexander McLean has begun the proceeding to take full legal custody of his son, Alexander Nickolas, from you. Is that correct?” He said as he read from the folder on his desk.

“Yes,” I said. Nick was sitting beside me calmly listening.

“Okay, Mr. Carter,” the lawyer said looking at Nick, “May I ask why you are present?”

“I’m here for Liz. I’m also here to do whatever needs to be done to keep Alex with her.” The lawyer nodded and looked back at me over his glasses.

“I’m assuming that you don’t mind him being here.”

“No, I want him here.” The lawyer nodded again and leaned back in his chair.

“Okay, so from what I’m learning from the documents is that, Alexander, the child in question, was conceived out of wed lock and that Mr. McLean had no knowledge of the child. Is that correct?” I nodded and he continued, “Mr. McLean states that you intentionally kept the child from his knowledge.” I nodded slowly. “May I ask why?” I sighed, God I dreaded this.

“Mr. McLean, Nick and I met for the first time at a bar,” I looked down at my hands that were folded in my lap, I was so embarrassed, “I had no idea what they did for a living. But we spent the night together and I found out 3 months later that I was pregnant. I had no idea how to contact them.”

“I’m taking from what you are telling me that you had sexual intercourse with both?” I felt my face flush red as I nodded, “Is there any chance that Alexander is not Mr. McLean’s? Has a paternity test been given?”

“I received the petition for the test but I have not been contacted with the time for the test.”

“Okay. We will do our own test first. Since Mr. Cater could also be the father, we will test Alexander to him first. If it comes back that Mr. Carter is the father, then all other proceeding will come to a close.” I nodded, but I knew what the test would say. There had never been any doubt in my mind who Alex’s father was. Nick knew it too.

“Okay, Mr. Carter, I will have a paternity test set up for you by tomorrow. I will have my secretary call you and inform you of the time. Now I do not believe that there is anything else we need to talk about until that test comes back. I believe I can have the test back by the end of the week. When we have received the results, I will contact you and then we can set up a follow-up appointment. Now, Ms. Johnson at what number can I contact you?”

“She can be reached at my home number.” Nick answered for me. The lawyer nodded head and circled Nick’s number on the file in front of him. “Thank you Mr. Carter and Ms. Johnson. I will speak with you soon.” The lawyer said as Nick stood. I followed him and we left the lawyers office.

Once in the car Nick turned to me, “I know this is stressful for you, but please take my offer to stay with me.”

“Why didn’t you say something before now?”

“I don’t know. I just assumed you would stay there. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Nick, you know how I feel about taking things from you.”

“Dammit Liz. God, I’m not doing this as a singer, I’m doing this as your friend.” Nick said slamming is hand on the steering wheel.

“Okay, I’ll stay with you. I just hate taking things from people.”

“I know, I know you do. You have never asked me for anything. Let’s go home and see Alex.” Nick had arranged for a friend's daughter to take care of him for the afternoon.

“Okay.” I said as Nick pulled out of the parking lot.