This Kiss

Chapter 101

The weekend seemed to fly by. Josh came by Friday and everything was on point with construction in St. Louis and his company was restarting the barn renovation for Ava starting Monday morning. Natalia had spoken with Andrew in Chicago and, after much debate with Olivia, the grand opening was rescheduled for February first as long as Olivia was feeling up to it. Although she would still have a month or so of recovery left, she should be able to use mainly just her walker and cane for short distances by then and she didn't want to delay any more then absolutely necessary. Ava and Rafe both did well with their half day at work and Emma made it through school with no problems and spent a few hours with her father. An appointment had been set for the entire family to meet with Dr. Boudreau Tuesday afternoon, and Doris had stayed with the family, sleeping with Emma in Olivia and Natalia's bed, for the entire weekend.

It was now a little after seven o'clock Monday morning and the family was preparing for Frank's arraignment at nine. Emma had already had breakfast and gotten on the bus for School with Michael following behind. Olivia and Natalia had showered and Natalia was now cooking breakfast while Olivia and Doris sipped coffee and Rafe and Ava showered and dressed.

Natalia spun from the stove where she was making eggs and glanced at Doris. "So, what can we expect to happen today?"

Doris set down her cup of coffee and cleared her throat. "Nothing major. Frank will be brought in, but don't worry, he'll be restrained. The judge will review the charges and decide on whether or not any bail will be set."

"Do you think that's a possibility?"

"It is, but I highly doubt it. He already violated a restraining order for much less severe charges. I don't believe any judge would be willing to set bail after the events that took place here. Especially since he is an officer and his charges include home invasion with a firearm. I don't think we have anything to worry about." She finished as she took another drink from her mug.

"Mallet and R-Remy are g-going to be t-there right?" Olivia asked.

"Yes. They will both be there. They won't actually testify until the trial, but if the judge attempts to set bail, they can both attest to what occurred here and to the fact he violated his restraining order, and was supposed to turn in his firearm and didn't when he was placed on leave."

"Do you k-know who the j-judge is going to b-be?"

"Judge Anderson."

"Well, th-that's just g-great." Olivia said dejected.

"Olivia, what happened with you and Judge Anderson?" Natalia asked sternly.

"Um, h-he's the judge from P-Phillip's trial. H-he's not very f-fond of me."

Natalia glared at her wife. "I thought you said nothing happened Olivia."

"N-nothing did. H-he just maybe th-thought that I was t-trying to bribe him."

"Really Olivia? Bribing a judge."

"I d-didn't actually b-bribe him."

"It doesn't matter." Doris said. "He's a fair judge, and I know for a fact that he will not stand for an officer abusing his power, and especially not assaulting a woman. He will do his job, no matter how he feels about you personally."

"Well let's hope so." Natalia said, plating the eggs, sausage, and toast she was making and setting it on the table just as Rafe, Ava, and Sam came in to join them.

Once everyone was seated, and grace was said, everyone dug in and Doris moved on to her next topic. "Okay, Olivia, I know you want to play superhero and walk in there today, but I think a wheelchair would be better."