This Kiss

Chapter 120

It was Friday the nineteenth before court finally resumed. The jury had finally come to a verdict. It was a relief when Doris finally got the call the previous day just before leaving her office for the farmhouse. She had started to wonder if they were going to end with a hung jury. She shared the news with the Spencer-Rivera family over dinner and everyone was ecstatic that the wait was finally over, however anxious they were about what the verdict would be.

When they arrived at the courthouse, it was to a mad house of reporters and journalist. All screaming at the family for comments. Luckily Phillip had extra guards ready for them and the town closed around them as well. It was especially important since they had agreed to allow Emma to come today. She had been upset about not getting to be there for the entire trial, and from the beginning Natalia, Olivia, and Phillip had agreed that she would be allowed to be present for the verdict and later for sentencing.

As they entered the doors, Rafe, who had carried her in, set Emma onto her feet and moved to make sure his mom was alright. Since her doctor appointment earlier in the week, Olivia had been working on walking more without her cane. Natalia scolded her often for pushing herself to hard, but she wanted to walk into the courtroom with her head held high and no assistance today. She wanted Frank to see that nothing he did to her was lasting, and that she would move forward with her life while he rotted away. At least she hoped the jury found him guilty and sentenced him to life, or close to it.

"Mom, you doing okay?" Rafe asked as he approached her and his Ma.

"I'm good. Thank y-you, son."

Rafe could tell she was still in a little pain when she walked without the aid of her cane, but he let it go and allowed Natalia to take her place next to Olivia, twining their fingers together while he went to walk with his sisters. One hand holding tightly to Emma's and the other arm wrapped around his big sister's shoulders, keeping her close.

When they reached the doors to the court room, Doris and Mel opened them, each holding one side open so the family could walk in together. Most of the town had already filed into their seats and all heads turned as the family entered. Natalia and Olivia locked eyes for a moment, speaking to one another without words, as they did.

Natalia squeezed Olivia's hand and kissed her cheek as they started to walk towards the front. Reaching the front row, they stopped and kissed Ava's cheek before she went to sit beside Phillip. Rafe hugged both his sisters and then stood back so his mothers could speak with Emma.

Olivia carefully knelt down to her daughter's height, with Natalia's help. "Jellybean, I want you t-to tell your daddy if you d-decide you don't want to stay o-okay. Jane is here and s-she will take you home or to the h-hotel if you change your mind about b-being here. Alright?"

Emma nodded. "Okay mommy."

"Are you alright Em?" Natalia asked as she stroked the girls cheek.

"I want to stay, I want to know that he is going to jail, but..." She trailed off, unable to finish.

"But what Em? Y-you can tell us a-anything?" Olivia encouraged her daughter to continue.

"What if...what if he does something bad."

Olivia and Natalia brought their youngest into their arms and held her tight. "Oh Emma." Olivia started. "I p-promise baby, he won't hurt anyone." She pulled back just a little and titled her head towards the bailiff. "See there Em, h-he won't let Frank hurt anyone. A-and look, there are s-several police officers h-here, and your d-daddy's security guards. No o-one is going to hurt anyone while we're here. Okay?"

Emma nodded against her mother's shoulder while Natalia rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Okay." Emma whispered. "Can I sit with you guys?"

"No baby, y-you have to stay with your sister, a-and your daddy and B-Beth, and uncle S-Sam, but We'll be right in front of you."