The Offices of Cabot & Associates, Friday Afternoon.

[icecoldfrost]

The finger-shaped bruises from where Winston had grabbed her arm stood out sharply against her pale skin, and her split lip and swollen face also stood testament to Emma's argument with Winston last night. She'd seek out Karla and have them healed after her family was good and gone; she didn't want her younger Sister getting any ideas about retribution.

For now, she wore it as a deliberate mark of rebellion against Winston, almost as a matter of pride, while she waited for the next round to begin. She'd thrown the gauntlet four years ago, and now Winston was calling her bluff.

But for once, Emma had the law on her side. And two very good lawyers who were going to make sure it stayed that way.

Comments

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"He's with me," Alex said, firmly, addressing herself to the older woman. "My firm is entirely professional and I can assure you, what happens in this room is privileged and not fodder for gossip. My client will be meeting with an impartial psychiatrist -- one that is not in your husband's back pocket -- and his recommendation will go before the judge. I expect it to be positive, since as far as I can tell, my client is a rational and intelligent young lady. I called this meeting to notify all of you of the injunction, and to add that I will file for a restraining order if necessary. Are we clear?"

[coldhardfrosts.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid I don't see all the fuss," Hazel admitted, slightly confused. "Emma just needs to come home, and Dr. Upjohn can make her feel better and the voices will go away. Is that so wrong? He helped me so much after my seizure."

[icecoldfrost]

Emma winced internally, feeling guilty - again - for Hazel's condition.

"Mother, he gave you an entire room's worth of 'little helpers' prescriptions because that was easiest," she replied, gently. "That's not making you better, it's narcotizing you until you don't know - or care - about the difference."

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

Alex bit her lip, focusing her attention on the older woman for a moment. Emma seemed to think she was reachable, in some small way. Perhaps she was.

"Mrs. Frost?" she said, her voice equally gentle. "The judge will make sure your daughter is safe, and that her interests are protected. I give you my word."

She wasn't sure the older woman could understand that, or believe it, but maybe some spark would get through.

[coldhardfrosts.livejournal.com]

"A judge? Oh, that's lovely," Hazel replied, brightening up. "Emma's a willful girl. She always has been, in her own way. She's so much like her father that way."

"I apologize for my husband being gruff, Miss Cabot. He loves her best of all, that's why he's so grumpy about all this. If you think a judge will help make things better, than that sounds perfect."

[coldhardfrosts.livejournal.com]

Anger and jealousy rose in Adrienne's face at Hazel's words, and Winston stepped in before his eldest made things ugly.

"I think we're done here, Hazel," Winston said gently, offering his hand to his wife. "We've made it clear to Miss Cabot that we intend to purse our legal rights, and she's made it clear that she objects. You're quite right, dearest, the judge will sort everything out."

He inclined his head towards Emma's lawyer, acknowledging the stalemate. For now. "Miss Cabot. Emma."