A/N: Vote because I'm showing you Hazelee in this chapter!

＊＊＊

＊＊＊

I couldn't stop my leg from bouncing up and down, my teeth gnawing on the inside of my cheek, nearly drawing blood. The voices in my head wouldn't shut up and I felt as though I was on the verge of a panic attack. What if he really does get custody? Half the time I pick up Hazelee from James' she's crying on the floor, waiting for me to pick her up and comfort her.

"Breathe," Billie voiced gently, placing a hand on my thigh stopping my leg from bouncing.

"W-what if," I paused, unable to even finish the sentence.

"Whatever happens in there, I'll be waiting right here. I'm not gonna leave. Everything will be okay," she assured me as she pulled into a parking spot. She turned the engine off, facing her body towards me and picking up both my hands in hers. "How about we go to the beach after this? I know of a private one and I think Hazelee would love it."

"Okay," I nodded, a shaky breath escaping my mouth. Billie pulled me into a hug, calming my nerves. Her arms wrapped around me gave me a moment of peace, until I reluctantly pulled away, getting Hazelee out of her car seat and walking inside the building.

＊＊＊

I held back tears as my hand was wrapped around Hazelee's, walking next to me. I opened up the back seat car door, buckling her in. As soon as I sat down in the passenger seat, I could tell Billie was staring at me, waiting to be informed.

"Let's go to the beach," I mumbled, looking into Billie's eyes, a glossy film covering mine. She simply nodded and started the car without a question. I think she was aware of what happened without me having to tell her.

"Beach?" Hazelee asked from the backseat.

"Yes bubba, we're going to the beach," Billie answered her, placing her hand on my thigh, palm up. I bit my lip, fighting back cries as I interlaced my fingers in hers.

Hazelee is gonna be so confused and afraid when she sees all her belongings in James' house. James will have full custody in three weeks' time. The judge saw that he was still clear of drugs and had enough money to support Hazelee, what the judge didn't see was the inability he had to love and nurture.

As Billie pulled into an abandoned-looking parking lot, I still hadn't said a word. She parked the car, getting out and unbuckling Hazelee for me. She opened up my door, looking at me with sad eyes. "Come Carcar," Hazelee said.

"I think I'm just gonna stay here," I breathed out. Billie nodded, understanding that I needed some time.

"I'll take her to play in the sand for a few minutes and then I'll take you home, yeah?" Billie questioned. I nodded in response and watched the two of them skip off into the sand until I could no longer see them.

Tears were threatening to spill, my lungs refusing to fully expand with each breath. It felt like life was over. If I don't have Hazelee, who do I have? How am I supposed to go on, knowing that Hazelee might be in danger?

My phone buzzed, breaking my thoughts. A photo text from Billie popped up.

you know she loves you so much

She won't love me so much when I abandon her

you aren't abandoning her. she will ALWAYS love you

Can we please go home?

yes love

I set my phone back down, taking a deep breath through my nose and exhaling through my mouth to compose myself as Billie buckles Hazelee in.

＊＊＊

As Billie walks out of Hazelee's room, I stare at the floor, curled up in a ball on the couch. "She's asleep," Billie announces.

I nod my head, the lump that's been in my throat all day begins to sting as I feel the tears fall down my cheeks. I didn't want to cry in front of Billie but I can't hold back the sobs any longer.

"Baby," Billie frowns and I feel her comforting arms wrap around my small body, picking me up and suddenly I'm in her lap, surrounded by a warm vanilla scent.

"It's gonna be okay," she assures me for the thousandth time that day.

"N-no," I sob. The more I try to hold back the cries, the louder they get.

"Shh," Billie rocks me gently, rubbing soft circles on my back as I let it all out. After a few long minutes I've eventually caught my breath and I lift up my head, making eye contact with her.

"When?" She asks simply, using the pad of her thumb to wipe away my tears.

"Three weeks," I sniffle, "h-he has full custody in three w-weeks," I stutter over my words, more tears threatening to fall. She nods her head and I break out of her arms, walking into the kitchen. I can feel her eyes on me as she sits down on a stool at the kitchen island.

I jump onto the counter, practically falling as I open the top cabinet, pulling a pre-rolled joint out of the black backpack. I hop off the counter with a sniffle, opening up a drawer and grabbing a lighter before stepping onto the balcony.

I sit down on a chair, holding the joint to my lips, flicking the lighter and inhaling. I hear Billie's footsteps and the chair across from me creaks as I keep my eyes glued on the city view in front of me.

"I did my research," I start, exhaling the cloud of smoke, "I know you hate drugs."

"It's okay," she says softly and I drift my eyes towards her, "as long as you arent some gang member selling meth or some shit," she chuckles jokingly.

"Yeah," I sigh, lifting the joint back to my lips, my eyes drifting back out to the view. "What do you think will happen to her?" I ask.

"I don't know, but I do know that right now she's asleep peacefully."

＊＊＊

A/N: Thoughts? Predictions?

How are you all doing? Tell me something positive, I'm struggling.

Word count: 1041