Chapter 25 - The final civil orders
Eleven months after I returned home, Eira was still four.
Belladonna’s criminal case was complete except probation.
Her civil claim against me settled.
Atlas dispute settled.
No guardianship existed.
But one issue remained:
Her request to preserve future contact with Eira after probation.
Belladonna had lived with us eighteen months.
Eira had once loved her.
Could Belladonna demand visitation as nonparent?
Her standing was uncertain and fact-specific.
She petitioned narrowly for future therapeutic contact, not custody.
My position:
Not now.
Dr. Moore:
Eira currently did not want contact.
Belladonna remained the person associated with confinement and kidnapping fear.
Court dismissed immediate request without prejudice to any lawful future petition after probation/change in circumstances, emphasizing my parental decision and current safety evidence.
No ordered reunification.
No screened apology letter sequence.
Different ending.
Belladonna could write one statement for the case record, not delivered to Eira unless therapist/parent later approved.
She wrote:
I believed fear would make both Valerian and Eira take danger seriously. I was wrong to create danger in order to prove danger existed.
That was enough.
No forgiveness required.
Then Eira asked me:
“Is Bella coming home?”
“No.”
“Does she live in big house?”
“Not anymore.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere else.”
“Good.”
May you like
Then she went back to coloring.
A child does not need every adult’s address.
