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Thanks for all the positive comments everyone.
It still hasn't entirely sunk in yet - and I'm still slightly reluctant to be optimistic, given that the ex has to "positively promote" the contact between my eldest and me.
I was just amazed that she didn't fight me on anything... I mean, I had to "settle" for 2 extra days in half term instead of 3, but I had purposefully aimed high to give me room to barter. I look at it as "2 days I didn't have before" in any case!
So, we're now on the countdown for December 13th.
My proposals (all accepted) for reintegrating the eldest into contact, involve her attending contact with her sisters for 2 hours in their home town.
Once that's done, the eldest and youngest go back to Mum, and middle child comes back with me for overnight contact.
On 26th December the ex is coming over to town to see her mum, etc (so no driving for me!)
All 3 girls come up to ours for presents etc, and stay with us until 4:30. Then middle child stays until 30th and I take her home.
It's a slow process of introducing the eldest back into contact with me, my partner and family - although we should be in a good place by mid-March.
Unfortunately it also involves reducing contact with the youngest - due to her being non biological and at the mother's request - although the Judge specifically placed a caveat in the Order for me which states that "whilst [youngest] isn't required to attend contact, if she wishes to do so, this must be allowed to occur"... so the grand plan is to get the eldest back on-board, and keep the youngest on-side too hopefully.
As I say, it's early days, I've won a big battle, but for now the war goes on 😉
All the best,
BD.
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