Always Okay | (Adopted By Elizabeth Olsen)

Chapter 50

Word Count: 4878

Lizzie's POV

Today was Monday following the court case and all five of us Olsen's were jittery as we took our seats for the last time. Second row right behind the state's lawyers. The twins were scanning the room anxiously while Trent kept his eyes on his lap. Alexis was nervously fiddling with my rings as I had to stop her scratching. A new habit she had started was scratching the back of her hands and now they were considered dry and almost cracked.

The judge came into the room and we all rose from our seats to acknowledge him. Alexis didn't let go of my hand though, it was like her lifeline at this point.

When it came time to read the verdict I took a deep breath hoping for the best but worrying about the worst-case scenario.

The jury found him guilty on six of the seven charges. They mentioned having a probable cause of the charge with his possible involvement in the sexual assault details but were unable to determine him one hundred percent guilty. And when I turned to look at Alexis that seemed to break her not openly loud or anything but enough that her eyes glasses over and her movements froze. And that simple act broke me. There was a small glimmer of hope this morning in her eyes but that was subsequently squashed. They always tell you to report stuff like this, tell your truth, tell everything, but then when you do tell, what happens when they don't believe you?

She laid everything out, she gave nearly everything she had on Josh to the jury and that still wasn't enough. I know we should be glad he was determined guilty on the other six charges but the one he wasn't will probably stick with us the most.

When the jury finished reading their statement and the judge levied his sentence, we were dismissed. My siblings slowly got up, flipping back in their sunglasses before exiting our row. I waited for Alexis to get up but she seemed frozen.

"Hey, it's over, it's all over now," I nudged her gently. She turned and gave me a sad look, her eyes filled up shed tears. I stood up thinking it'd be best to get her out of here as it was becoming too much, which is when she attacked me with a tight hug.

I bent down to try and console her but she held onto me tightly restricting my movements so I scooped her off the ground. Interlocking my hands beneath her as she moved her arms to lock around my neck. I kissed the side of her head before starting to make my way towards the door.

"Excuse, Ms. Olsen?" A lady stopped us about halfway. I wasn't sure who she was but I do know she sat on the defending side. I looked up at her slowly, waiting for her to continue.

"I just wanted to apologize. I'm sincerely sorry for all the pain and heartbreak my cousin has caused."

"If I had known who you were, Alexis, or what he was doing, I'd do everything in my power to get you home," the lady spoke calmly, and while I missed the entire middle portion of her speech, I knew she meant well.

I flashed her a small smile before continuing on our way out of the courtroom. Alexis nuzzled her face into the crook of my neck. Every so often, as we were walking out, I could hear her soft cries but they were barely audible. I didn't know if they were tears of joy or pain so I just kept trying to reassure her that she was okay and that things will be okay.

While it's unsettling how easily I can lift her and annoying how many people were rudely commenting about me carrying her, the one thing I'm certain of is that she'll always be my little girl regardless of how old or big she gets. And at the moment, I knew that my little girl just needed me and possibly some cuddles, but mainly just the reassurance that I was still with her.

Thankfully we had security with us and they were quick to usher us into the car and back home. Even though multiple NDAs had been filled out and signed, the word was getting out not only about Alexis's case but the Olsens' involvement in it, which brings us to my next worry - announcing her to the world.