Disclaimer: This story, though maybe not in this chapter but in subsequent chapters, will have celebrities in it. I have no knowledge of their sexuality and this is not intended to imply their sexuality. This is all from my own mind.
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox.
Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros.
X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox.
The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.
Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books.
I can hardly believe that this story has lasted as long as it has. When I first started writing I figured it would last a few chapters, at most. Never, in my wildest dreams did I expect it to last 250 chapters. And, if you think about it, this has only been one year in Eric's life. Can you imagine how many more adventures he could have?
I've also had the pleasure of making some new friends along the way. And I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who has read my story, from the first posting of "Tales" to this final chapter of "Judgments". Your emails of support, words of encouragement, and email conversations of things going on in your life have been uplifting and rewarding. To each and every one of you, I dedicate this final chapter in the "Real Dark Knight" saga. Will this continue? Perhaps. But not after a long rest. I do have plans in store, but I would like to take time to rest. There will be another story posted by me entitled "The Shadow". Check back often to the Celebrity section for the continuing adventures of the Real Dark Knight entitled "Return of a Real Dark Knight", which will probably start in a few months. I ask that you continue to support the other stories set in this universe. They are listed below. And, without further ado, I give you chapter 50 of this 250-chapter story encompassing one year in our hero's life...
Chapter 50 Judgment
Lance and I awoke in the morning and showered as we normally do. But this day was different than all the rest. This day would drastically change our lives forever. Today, we were to go before the judge and hear his ruling on whether or not Lance and I would be the legal guardians of Preston and Sarah. Today, we would find out if one of Florida's judges would rule that we can be parents of two children, that we would have a larger family. And this ruling would not affect just us. This ruling would affect countless gay and lesbian couples hoping to adopt children and have the type of family that most heterosexual couples take for granted every day of their lives. This ruling would validate us as citizens of this nation, validate us as equals to heterosexual couples, and strike down the stereotypes of immorality that many people in this country still hold to. Today would be a day of change for this entire country.
But Lance and I weren't thinking about that part so much. We were thinking about the change that would happen in our life. We had so many dreams and one was that we would have children. It was sad that a friend died leaving us these children. But a blessing could come out of it. Indeed a blessing did come out of it. Our lives had already been enriched by having the twins in our lives for the short time they've been here. After today, if the judge ruled in our favor, we would be recognized, legally, as parents.
Lance came out of the bathroom as I buttoned up my shirt. He sighed as he went to the closet and pulled out a white shirt to wear.
"Are you ready?" I asked him as I finished the next to last button.
"As ready as I'll ever be." He pulled out his blue suit and hung it on the hook on the door.
I walked over to him and slid my arms around his waist and hugged him from behind.
"We'll be okay," I said. "We've done all that we can. We let the state go through our records with a fine-tooth comb. There is absolutely no test that we haven't passed. Now it is up to the judge to prove that he and the law have evolved beyond tradition and stereotypes, and the conservative rhetoric that keeps people from basic rights."
"I know, but it is still scary. I feel like I'm going before God and He's going to tell me I'm an unfit human being to parent."
"Hey," I said turning his face to me. I kissed him full on the lips. "This isn't God we're going before. God knows our hearts and our parenting abilities. There is no doubt in my mind that God would allow us to parent. None whatsoever.
"This judge is just a man. He is just as fallible as any other human being."
"Then why does he have the power to affect our lives and the lives of the children. It seems like judges play God everyday."
"You're right. And I don't think there is any judge who takes the job lightly."
I kissed Lance again and grabbed my black suit out of the closet. We finished getting dressed and went downstairs. I brewed some coffee and we drank it while waiting patiently for the time for us to leave.
We pulled up to the curb to throngs of people both supportive and against what Lance and I were about to do.
"Are you ready?" I asked him.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
We got out, Lance came around the car and our hands grasped at one another's. We looked into each other's eyes and took deep breaths. I nodded to him and we headed up the stairs into the courthouse. Our lawyers, Rhondi and April, fought back the reporters and protestors and helped us get inside.
"How are you two doing?" April asked.
"We're scared out of our minds," Lance replied. "I didn't get much sleep at all last night."
"Be prepared for many more when you get these children."
Lance smiled.
I reached over and rubbed his arm.
"You don't have anything to worry about from your end," Rhondi stated. "They could not find anything that would, in any way, disqualify you from being the legal parents of these two children."
"You mean aside from the fact we are both gay?" Lance said.
"We're going to see if the law and the people have grown enough to see the truth about homosexuals. Being gay doesn't make you a bad parent. I know many heterosexuals who make bad parents."
"All we have to do is go in before the judge," April began, "and go over everything we told you about. We'll be summarizing everything about you two, your home life, work life, and so forth. We'll present the data on gay parenting to prove that gay people can and do make good parents. The state will then have their turn to present the data they collected from inspections and observations. The judge will then make a ruling."
"From what you said about this judge, he doesn't seem sympathetic to gay issues."
"That's true. I'm hoping that he won't let personal bias or conservative pressures interfere with the facts that are presented to him."
"We better head in," Rhondi stated.
Our two lawyers escorted us into the courtroom. Justin and Jessica, Chris and Sara, Joey and his fiance, and JC sat behind our seats and they hugged us both.
"We're cheering for you," they said.
"Thanks," we replied and we took our seats at the table. The attorney for the state sat parallel to us and didn't bother looking up at us. My heart sank. The state's attorney obviously believed we weren't fit parents. And she would do all she could to prove that we weren't. Do you know how hard it is to be judged as being "not good enough" by people who don't even know you, by people who classify you into a group because of one characteristic? Do you know the torment and humiliation that one feels when they are classified as with a stereotype that doesn't even fit who the person is as a human being? I felt as if I had done something wrong just for existing by the way the attorney was acting.
April picked up on my feelings and placed her hand on my shoulder. "It will be okay, Eric."
I nodded and gave her the best smile I could muster, which wasn't my best smile at all.
The bailiff entered. "All rise." Once everyone in the courtroom stood, he continued. "Court is now in session. The honorable judge Davis Sloan presiding."
"You may be seated," Judge Sloan said as he took his seat behind the bench. He flipped through the file he carried and then looked up. "Would the lawyers stand, please, and the defendants as well."
Lance and I stood up alongside April and Rhondi.
"I'm sure you were expecting a long and drawn out trial, especially over something as controversial as this case. Two gay men wanting to legally adopt two children in this state is nothing new to the courts. The state has laws against such things. It is the job of the court's to follow said laws to the letter."
"You're honor, if I may," Rhondi said.
"No, you may not. I've reviewed all the documents from the Department of Human Services as well as the recommendations of your case worker. The children have spent time in your care these last few weeks as both a foster parenting situation and to observe your interactions. I do not believe there is anything new you could add to the information already in front of me, so, again, no, you may not."
Rhondi looked obviously flustered by the judge. Sloan exuded his power in the courtroom and everyone felt it, but he never acted out of line. However, the way he was going made me antsy. I could tell Lance was getting frustrated as well. In the past weeks that we've had Sarah and Preston, they grew on us immensely. They became our children. And we could not bear to lose them.
"I've also read the documents and files by the state's attorney, and I must say both make for compelling reading. On one hand, I have the law of the state telling me that gay persons do not have the legal right to adopt children. There really isn't any scientific proof as to why that is, but I am constantly reminded that the law and science have not always gone hand-in-hand.
"On the other hand, I have records of how Mr. Bass and Mr. McCoy have parented the two children, as well as the emotional attachments that have formed between the four individuals. Does the law change those attachments? By all means, no, the law does not.
"Many would look upon this court case as setting precedence if I rule in favor of the defendants, paving the way for all gay persons and couples to adopt children. Laws would be reinforced if I ruled in favor of the state, making it that much harder for gay persons and couples to adopt. A task has been forced upon me by the state in determining this. It is a burden I do not take lightly.
"I do not believe the state of Florida is ready for radical change in the law. When the law was made, the citizens of the state made it clear that was what they wanted. One judge does not have the right to change what the citizens want. Only they have the power to do that. It is my suggestion that groups lobby to place that on an election ballot and allow the citizens of the state of Florida to make that decision.
"It doesn't change what I have to do here. I still have two children who have lost their mother to a heinous crime. And her dying words expressly state she wished for Eric McCoy to care for her children. Going by that request, as well as the information provided by the Department of Human Services, I hereby grant Mr. McCoy legal guardianship over the children in a foster parent capacity."
The courtroom erupted in both cheers and jeers, one side excited that a gay man was given custody of two children, the other side angered for the same reason.
The judge hammered his gavel. "Order in the court!" The people calmed down and he continued. "I want to make clear several points. This ruling does not abolish the law concerning gay persons adopting children. That is a long road ahead for this state. This ruling does mean, Mr. McCoy, that the state will be watching you very closely, as well as that of your^Åpartner. Your conduct will be monitored carefully and your capacity to parent will be under constant evaluation. You have been made, whether you like it or not, a representative of the gay community when it comes to parenting in this state. What you do from here on out could make or break the GLBT's community in obtaining the privileges you want. I suggest you be on your utmost behavior. If not, I have absolutely no hesitation to remove the children from your care. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your honor."
"Very well. This court is adjourned."
The judge hammered his gavel and stood.
"All rise!" the bailiff ordered.
Everyone stood up and Lance and I hugged each other. The guys all rested their hands on us supporting and congratulating us. Rhondi and April hugged us as well.
"We did it!" I said.
"Not just yet," Rhondi replied.
"What do you mean?"
"You have custody of the children, thought it may not be permanent. The judge was right when he said there is a long battle ahead."
"We have to get you permanent custody as well as Lance," Rhondi added. "I assure you, we will not stop until it happens. But that will be our jobs. You and Lance should go home to your children and celebrate."
We thanked Rhondi and April for all their hard work. Then we hugged Jessica, Justin, Chris, Joey, and JC, and then we headed home. We arrived and told Lance's parents what the judge said and they hugged us and congratulated us. Then we went over and picked up Preston and Sarah.
"Sarah!" Lance said holding her up in the air. She looked down at him and giggled.
"Hi, Preston," I said. "It's me, your dad."
The End
Other stories in this universe written by other authors: "Tales of a Superhero Band" "Tales of the New Phoenix" "Tales of a Young Mutant"