Defending Jacob: The Aftermath Book 1

Digging Deeper

Andy got out of the shower and ready, today they where going to bring Jacob home. Today Andy was positive and happy his son was coming home and safe. Also today was the first time in a long time when he said Jacob was innocent he knew the he completely was, Derek was the killer, but how did he get away with trying to frame Jacob.

Andy came downstairs, he was grabbing a coffee and cereal. When he just saw Laurie starring at him. He notice instantly she had his phone in her hands.

"Andy, I'm sorry for how I have been acting lately, I just wish everything was how it used to be. I love you Andy." Laurie said.

"I love you too Laurie, just we need to get past it all things will get better. Let's go get Jacob that's first step ok." Andy said.

"Ok let me go get something upstairs first." She said

As Laurie was heading up the stairs she turn to look at Andy, he was drinking his coffee. Andy by the way you missed some called I answered it think it was a woman at the realtors office." Laurie said.

Andy just sat there frozen, his heart pounding, hoping Charlotte hadn't called. The thought worried him for her. Andy looked over his entire phone. 

"Shit, tell me she didn't call or text and Laurie answered, threatening her to stay away for me." Andy said under his breath.

He looked over his phone no texts, no calls, Laurie hadn't opened his photos to see the picture he took of Charlotte sleeping peacefully. He noticed a phone call from the real estate office. He was safe and relieved. He and Charlotte where safe for now. He hid the photos of her in a hidden album. He hide her texts, emails and contact as well. He was covering his tracks, he didn't know what Laurie was capable of anymore. His mind went, look what she did to her own son, what would she do to Charlotte.

Laurie came downstairs, Andy felt he needed to be the husband he had always been today. They walked to the car, Andy's own personal hell. He opened the door for Laurie closed it, something he hadn't done since she came home from the hospital. He got in the car and they drove to the hospital, they where bringing Jacob home. Andy was thinking, I need to be the normal guy I was for my family. We where a normal family once. As they drove, they smiled at each other holding hands, Andy did still have love for Laurie, but is heartbreak for what she had done out weighed that love.

"Andy, do you remember when we brought Jacob home as a baby. He was so tiny, he wasn't always the easiest, but he is ours and always will be." Laurie said.

"Ya I remember the first few nights no sleep for those nights." Andy said.

"He might wake at home tonight, or even in the new house. The doctor said he shouldn't go upstairs for a few days." she said.

"I know honey, I'm going to sleep on the couch, and setting up a bed for him in the office for now. I got it all figured out." he said.

"You told me the night before the accident, if I needed sometime away, you loved me but ok with it, is that ok?" she asked.

"What, you want to go away?" he asked.

"Tobi, just thought with all the fighting we are doing, that her and I could go away for a girls week. Andy I need this, I'm remembering a lot more,  I'm not happy with things. I need a break just for 7 days." Laurie told him.

"Ok, let's just get him home today, move tomorrow, settle him in and in a few weeks, sure." Andy said.

"Andy, Tobi and I are going Monday, I'm sorry but I need this break ok, I think it might be good for you too. One less person to stress and take care of at home. I love you I just need this please." she pleaded.

"Monday, ok but I've got a lot with the move to get done. I could use the help, but I understand." he said.

"Maybe you could hire a nurse to help you, I think it might be a good idea anyways for a while." she said. 

"Ok that's a good idea honey, we can ask the doctors about that today." Andy told her.

They got to the hospital, shocked Jacob was already dressed. The doctors told them they could bring him home now. They signed his discharged papers. Within an hour they had a nurse hired. She was going to come by everyday work with Jacob's progress. They where in the car and heading home. Andy and Laurie made smiles at each other chatting, jokes but something was off with them and Jacob saw right through it.

"So we move to Burlington tomorrow mom and dad?" he asked

"Ya buddy you will love the new house, just for a few days you need to stay on a bed in the office ok." Andy told him.

"Mom you going to make big huge dinners again, and we can family moves nights right?" Jacob asked.

"Jake, let us get settle in maybe in a fews weeks, we will do that again when everything is back to normal." Laurie said.

"What do you mean normal mom?" Jake asked.

"I just mean when we have unpacked and settled in the house, it takes time. Jake look I'm going away Monday for a week with Tobi I need the break." She said.

"Mom your going away, why what are you guys keeping from me? You both have been acting weird the last couple weeks." Jake said.

"Geeus Laurie, you didn't need to tell him now." Andy snapped.

"Dad what's going on, are you guys separating or something tell me?" Jake asked.

"No Jake, we love each other, your mom has just been through a lot the past year, so Tobi thought she need a girls vacation, nothing more." Andy said.

Laurie was looking down at her phone, Tobi had texted her. "So you think Andy is cheating, did you tell him about us going away. Don't worry we will do find out if he is lying this week." 

"Who are you texting Laurie?" Andy asked.

"Tobi, just talking about this spa she thinks will help." she said. She lied, she was going to play Andy's game of lying.

"Jake I'll call and text you every day. I'm just going with Tobi and a couple other moms. We didn't do this last year like we would have, so making up for it now." Laurie said.

"Ok Mom, Dad you be there anyways, can we go fishing again?" he asked Andy.

"Sure buddy, Tuesday I got nothing really to planned couple appointments I have to keep. We can have a guys week. Jake you have to rest though and sleep at night. Doctors orders." Andy smiled at him.

They continued the drive home to Newton. It was going to be their last night in that home. Laurie texted Tobi back "ok we are good to dig deep into what my husband is up too." Laurie had a plan if he was talking to another woman she find out who and what he was saying. She needed the truth. She thought it was their last night in the home they once loved. She vowed they would be happy again in the new house too. She would do anything for her family. She was ready to fight a battle. Andy looked over at his wife, he couldn't tell what she was thinking anymore at all. He hope a week away would help her, and that once Jacob was better, she was ok he tell her the entire truth. Including who really killed Ben, she needed to know that so she could move on one day. He didn't know what the future had in store of all of them. What was in store though, he never saw it coming.