Missed Opportunities

Justice

We are at my dad's house in Texas.  I had already called and told him everything. 
R: Hey.  These  are my grand babies.
A: Hey dad.  Hey Jodie
C: Hello.
The kids are running around Jodie and dad is chasing them playing tag. Charlotte is sitting in my lap.  She has fallen asleep. Dad walks over.
With Allen and Andrew.
R: Can they stay the night?  Please.
A: That's fine. We are 2 houses down. I'm going to take mommy home and put her to bed.
Good night, I love you.  Good night daddy goodnight mommy.
A: They called me daddy.
I carry her to our house, up to our room, and lay her down.  I take a shower when I come out she isn't in the bed. 
A: Princess.
I hear her talking.
We made it safe. We are staying in Texas for a little while. The kids stayed with his parents for the night. I sent Jodie a text.  I will make sure they call tomorrow. Love you too Dad.  I go back into our room.
A: How are you sleepy head?
C: I'm so sorry I fell asleep. Dad called to check on us. It woke me up then I could hear you singing in the shower.  I text Jodie to see if I need to get the kids. She said Austin said they could stay the night. I hope that is ok. I told her I had woken up and they were not here. That was fine.
A: You were resting well.
C: I'm just tired.
A: Kirby faxed the papers over.
C: His punishment is what is finally freeing me from him.
A: What?
C: He wouldn't sign until I lost all the baby weight. When I did he said he had taken care of it.  I never saw a birth certificate. He registered them for school. 
A: That is awful.
C: It's over now.  He can sue, but I have enough to have his rights revoked if need be.

Kirby followed procure in a month the boys were legally my children.  We took Ken' s name out of theirs.  Allen Frank Post and  Andrew Rich Post.
We changed our numbers.  Charlotte home schooled the boys and we all went on tour. We had extra security and babysitters.  Then it happened. Ken and Sarah tried to come to a show.  We shut down until the police came and removed them for violating an order of protection. After they left the show went on. I started having James and Alex check the crowds before shows and have them removed before the concert started.  They were arrested everytime.

They did an interview about how we stole his children, and he hadn't seen them in months.

I had Kirby write up a cease and desist order for both of them and the network sighting abuse of minors. They lost momentum quickly.

When we got home we finalized everything.  We had a small cookout. Our families came. 
A: Your last name is officially Post!!
A/A: You're our dad?
A: Yes!  Is that ok?
A/A: YES!

Everyone was excited until Ken came. He rammed his car into the gate. 
A: Alex called the cops. Princess bunker.
She took the kids to the bunker.
Jodie and dad followed.

POV Charlotte

I'm sick of hiding because of what they did to our boys.
C: I'll be right back.  I think I left the stove on. 

I leave the bunker. I see Ken on the CCTV.
I hear James say the police are 7 mins out.
I walk to the gate. Austin grabbed me.

A: Leave.
C: You've put up with enough Austin. All of this is my fault.  You would have a peaceful life if you hadn't seen me that night.
A: Stop. Now.

Austin hugs me.  He picks me up and kisses me. My life is so much better baby, because of you.
Ken starts screaming.

A: I have an idea.  James Alex.
James and Alex stand in front of us. 

He can still see Austin kissing me.

K: Fuck you both I fucking hate you both.

He lunged at us just as the police pulled up.  James and Alex let him through just enough and he hit me. Austin thought he would hit him. They threw him to the ground.  One of them screamed a gun.  He was going to shoot me.

K: If I can't have you no fucking body can.

He was charged this time.

A: princess I'm so sorry.  I never thought he would hit you.
C: Isn't the first time, but it sure as hell is the last.  Not the first time he pulled a gun on me either.
A: What?
C: I have tried to leave before.  I'm sorry I brought all of this to you.
A: Stop talking like that.  This is him.  He did all of this.  Not you.

POV Austin
I text Dad
A: I think Charlotte needs stitches.  The police have Ken they just left. Can you watch the kids?  I'll send the nanny, but I know they might be scared and I would feel better if you stayed until we got back.
R: WTF happened Austin? I'm not leaving until next week.
A: I'll fill you in when we get back.  It was my fault. He hit her.  Her eye looks so bad. 

I had to take her to the ER.  She had to have stitches above her eye. He hit her that hard.  The doctor came out.  After he finished the stitches he wanted an X-ray. Then, they called the ophthalmologist.
D: There is still a lot of swelling.  She will need to wear an eye patch for a few days.  She has an appointment for next week in my office.  She will not tell me what happened.  She isn't really speaking much.
A: Her ex is an abusive asshole. He came here from Tennessee, he hit her, ran our gate over and pulled a gun.  He is in jail now.
D: Ok.  She will need rest and have these filled.
A: Ok Thank you.
He turned and talked to Charlotte low enough to where I couldn't hear him.
C: He has never hit me. My ex did this.
D: Ok.
She didn't talk the whole way home.  By the time we got there the kids were in bed. Dad was waiting up.
A: I'll be back down.
R: That's fine.  I'll be here.
I laid her down in bed. She never woke up.
I go back down stairs.
A: I'm a fucking idiot.
R: What?
A: I thought if I kissed her in front of Ken he would come after me and I could make the charges stick.  He went over James and Alex and hit her. She has stitches in her face. He pulled a gun. He Said if he couldn't have her no one could.
R: Did you have it recorded?
A: Yes and the police saw everything.  She keeps apologizing. I get her to open up then he comes around and she shuts down. I love her so much.
R: For 15 years of her life she was abused. Physically, psychologically, and emotionally. You have been with her for 3 years. It's going to take some time.
A: I understand that. I love her and the more I find out about her the more I love her.
I start to laugh.
R: What's so funny?
A: I can't tell you.
R: It's a sex thing isn't it?
A: Yes.
R: Please don't tell me.  She is the mother of all four of my grandchildren.
A: I love that it worked out and I am their dad now.  He can't overturn it.
R: I am too. 
A: He threatened to shoot her if she left before.
R: I hate him.
A: I do too.  She is afraid of him.