Post by adrini on Jan 21, 2014 22:04:13 GMT -5
"Thomas Blake jr. Almost two years old and living in the grotto in central haven. His father, Thomas Blake the first, leaves him with the neighbor most of the time while he works." Adrien clicked to the next slide. "Susan, no last name on record. Informant, how she pays the bills. Otherwise off the books. Not openly abusive so much as uninterested. The young Thomas has some shortfalls in linguistic and emotional development, but nothing too extreme yet."
Jade swallowed and pushed back tears as Roy held her hand tightly.
"Soon, my Jewel." He said softly. "You'll have him back soon." She tried to smile and nodded.
"Legally the father has nothing to stand on. When the relationship failed state and federal law stipulated that any child under a year remained with Its mother. Jade was chased off but that ruling stands. Once we remove the young Thomas from his father custody will be very easy to settle. Di's contacts within the court-" Adrien paused as the room turned to look at the blonde. Di sighed and shook her head.
"Another time, perhaps?" Adrien said with a sigh, those in the room focused. "All confirm that the court has no interest in the boy, for that matter neither does the father. Catman is keeping him out of pure spite. They might mind us raiding territory but once we have the boy out the issue ends. The current plan is a snatch and grab. In and out, clean."
"There is a con?" Oliver asked. "Way not to sound alarms?"
"Roy is the only one among us who has experience with the gang underworld. He can act the part. Di and Jade dress him up, give him a back story. He arrives at Susan's building claiming to pick him up for catman, man sends people all the time for that reason." Diggle looked at the two women, they nodded. "Soon as he gets to the car we fade away, get back here. Press for full custody, shouldn't be hard. That Jade is in a stable relationship will help."
"I don't like that money factors so heavily, but it helps." Di added. "Soon to be married, Roy is a well known member of the executive class, and your residence is significantly better. It should be easy. With the prior violation of court orders especially. But this is your family, Jade. What do you think?"
Jade had to consider for a moment before responding, when she did she sounded cautious.
"I have to try, Blake promised me Tom would be taken care of. This isn't-" She clenched her hand and looked at Roy. "I know how to train you to blend in, but on this end. I don't want the monster near my son again."
"It's a howdy-duty game." Oliver responded. "The more picture perfect you can sell yourself the better your chances. You have a solid income, a wealthy fiancé, a nice home and can offer your son real prospects and support. All that will be considered."
"There is one way to make the picture nicer, but it's your call. I don't know what you need in a wedding." Di smiled gently.
"Isn't that jumping the gun?" Digs looked at the two women, they were sharing the look again.
"I admit I had a nice event in mind. My Jade has been through enough that I want her to have her day. But I'll go with whatever you want." Roy squeezed her hand again.
"Something like Di and Ollie's, but smaller. Can it be done quickly?" Jade said after thinking.
"In days, if you want." Adrien said, sitting down. "If the house and Digs are alright."
"Poor Adrien is getting overwhelmed." Oliver said with a laugh. "If you work with Di and I it can get done by the weekend. Your choices will be limited by the timeframe but that isn't your top concern right now."
"There's a third option." Di added. "Go to the courthouse now and have a full ceremony when you can have your ring-bearer of choice."
"That!" Jade began to smile. "That's perfect."
"Not there quite yet, Oliver." Adrien sighed. "So, courthouse this Saturday. Till then Roy trains for his trip. Weekend after we grab Tom. Add putting a kids room together to your todo list girls. Any other news before we go crazy getting all this done?"
Oliver looked at his wife, who nodded. Diggle laughed to himself and shook his head.
"You are cruel, cruel people." The man said. Adrien looked annoyed. "If there's any exploded brain matter you clean it."
"Not the vacation idea again." Adrien said.
"No, we'll be too busy for that." Oliver said and began to beam. "You just reminded us is all. So long as we're getting one kid room set up we might as well start the second."
"Nurseries can take some time to put together, and the holidays will be here before we know it." Dinah grabbed her husband's hand. "Better to start now."
"Oh dear, a baby." Adrien went white and leaned back in her chair. "Yes, that put me over. Well done, Oliver. On both counts."