Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 97

***TRIGGER WARNING- Violence mentions***

"We the jury find the defendant, Damien Grant, guilty of all charges."

The courtroom erupted in noise. Judge Johnston hit the gavel on the sound block. "Order!" Everyone quieted down. She looked to the jury. "Thank you, jury, for your time and services today." Judge Johnston turned to the courtroom. "Ladies and gentlemen, in the case of Andrew Pinkerton and Sara Applegate against Damien Grant, Mr. Grant you are hereby sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for attempted murder. Court adjourned." She rapped the gavel on the sound block again. She stood and gathered her papers and went back to her chambers.

AJ stood and hugged Gwen, then turned and shook Dove's hand. "Thank you for all this."

"My pleasure. You guys have a wonderful day." Dove smiled to AJ and Gwen, then gathered her folders and left the courtroom.

"We did it!" Mira Lynne looked at Cat.

Cat had a huge smile on her face. She sighed in relief. "Yeah, we did. We won't have to worry about him anymore."

They gave each other a hug. Cat knew she could breathe easier now.

Sara looked at the group. "I do want to thank you all for listening to me and believing me. I don't think I could have gotten away from him without your intervening."

"We know what he's capable of, Sara. Thank you for trusting us and coming to us with everything. We couldn't have put him away without your testimony either," Cat reassured her.

Becca looked to Sara. She had been quiet during a lot of this. Being this close to Sara brought up a lot of mixed emotions for her. Sara had been so jealous of her and Nate's friendship, and Becca told Sara there was nothing between them- yet here she is now, dating Nate, because they finally were able to admit their feelings for each other.

Becca felt sorry for Sara with how she had been treated by Damien, and that she had a good guy, but lost him because of her own actions.

At the same time, Becca also had been there through what all Sara put Nate, AJ, and Gwen through. It was hard to feel too bad for her because of that. Sara had put Gwen in the hospital twice, she had put Nate through so much mentally- posting things he would never want out in the world, getting jealous over time he would spend with other women, even when he had no interest in them- it was hard to forgive that.

Becca sighed. At least they wouldn't have to deal with that anymore. "So, do you guys want to go get something to eat?"

Gwen looked to AJ and shrugged. "Sure. What sounds good?" Gwen asked.

"How about pizza?" Nate suggested. He walked over to Becca and kissed her on the head. She leaned in to him.

"That sounds good," Cat said. Mira Lynne nodded as well.

Sara had turned away from the group and was rolling away.

Gwen looked to her husband and had a silent conversation with him. She looked to the others and then motioned to Sara. The group nodded.

"Sara?" Gwen called.

Sara stopped. Slowly, she turned back around. "Yeah?"

Gwen smiled. "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

"Oh, I don't want to impose—" Sara started in.

"Nonsense. You deserve a little celebration too," AJ spoke up. "Like Cat said, you helped us win."

Sara smiled slightly. "Thank you. Where will you be going? I'll meet you there."

"How about Captain Tony's?" Nate suggested.

"That sounds good," AJ said.

"I've never had it. It sounds good though," Cat said.

"Okay, let's go!" AJ said.

They all met up at Captain Tony's and had a great time.

After the meal, they started to head back to their homes. Nate, Gwen, AJ, and Becca stayed behind, talking in the parking lot.

"So, now that everything is over, I am wanting to move back in next week," Nate said.

"That should be fine. We are just going to be finalizing some music and props, we don't have anything major going on," AJ said.

Nate looked down. "I did want to talk to you guys. Once everything is settled back down, and when she wants to, I would like Becca to move in with us. I would move with her, but I figured with RE, it'd be better for us all to be under the same roof."

"That would be awesome! I can't wait!" Gwen was excited to finally have another woman in the house to help corral the guys.

"Becca, how do you feel about that?" AJ looked to Becca.

"I will give it some time before I do, but I would love to move in with you all. I know Nate moving in with me was out of necessity and safety, not because we were ready. The next time we take that step, I want to make sure I'm ready, and he's ready."

"That's a smart idea. I didn't move in until we were married, but I was over here quite a bit of the time. As long as you're ready, you guys do what is comfortable for you," Gwen said.

"Can I tell you something?" Becca turned to Gwen and lowered her voice. The guys were in their own conversation. "I really don't want him to leave. I've loved living with him the past few months. It's been..." Becca smiled, blushing.

"I get it. I really do. But it will be so different when you both know you are ready. I've known Nate for a while now, and I can tell you from an outsider's perspective, he has never been happier than when he's with you. You've seen how he was with some of the other girls- he would never have moved in with them, even if the same things would have gone on. But he did with you. You're different to him. You're special." Gwen beamed.

"It makes me just want to move in straight away. But... I know we need to take our time. Actually date more before we decide to move forward. Like we've said, it was out of necessity that he moved in. It definitely will be weird having him leave though."

"I know. But it'll be that much more meaningful when you do move in together-for real."

Becca sighed, looking at Nate. "You're right. I'll miss him, but we're not ready to take any more steps out of order in our relationship. I want to be able to go on a date with him without worrying about him being hurt afterwards, or without looking over our shoulders for... anyone."

Gwen looked to AJ. He and Nate were talking and laughing, and she smiled. She then looked at her phone.

"I'd hate to break this up, but we'd better head home, Baby. You have medicine to take."

AJ looked at the time on his phone. "Wow, I didn't realize the time. You're right." AJ looked to Nate. "Just let us know if you want help with anything, and we'll be there."

"Will do. You guys go home and get some rest," Nate said.

"You too!" They walked to their respective cars. Gwen looked to AJ once they were settled in the car and grabbed his hand. She smiled to him and kissed his hand. It just warmed her heart to know they were finally free.