Harmony in Emergencies

11

Miranda stood at the window of her women's reproductive clinic, watching the protesters gather outside. Their signs bore messages of condemnation and judgment, but her resolve remained unshaken. She had a plan for The Elena Bailey Memorial Clinic for Reproductive Health and she wasn't about to let some protests halt those plans.

Not bricks thrown into windows, not cars running doctors down, not being doxxed was going to distract her from the mission. She was committed to her work. She understood the risks and accepted the consequences that came with her choice.

However, when the protesters crossed the line and targeted her children,  She had to face the fact that Ben was right. He had voiced his concerns about the safety of their family and the toll that the constant harassment and threats could take on their lives.

While he stood by his wife's side, offering unwavering support and solidarity as the threats escalated and their children became targets, Ben's worries grew more pronounced.

The protesters which Bailey originally described as peaceful had turned violent. They threw a brick through the window, a car ran into the doctors, they doxed her, and now sent her pictures of Tuck at school.
They got a rental home to stay at.

"Boys we have something to tell you" Ben and Miranda sat Joey and Tuck down

"What's going on," Tuck asked

"Is it about the clinic? I heard at school that some crazy stuff is going on there" Joey asked

"Yes. People don't agree with the work your mother is doing and unfortunately, that has made them target...." Ben sighed

"Us," Tuck asked

"They know where we live and where you go to school" Miranda sighed. Her heart broke having to tell her children that they were in danger because of decisions she made. But she stood by the clinic 100% still.

"We've decided to pull you both out of school for now. We'll find another way for you to continue your education until things settle down." Ben added

"For how long" Tuck asked

"This is temporary" Miranda tried to sound reassuring because she didn't know how to answer his question. She thought about what Addison told her about her experience with doxing. 

"So we just aren't going to do school," Tuck asked 

"For your safety, we won't be sending you to school" Ben nodded

"But I'm a senior. What about graduation? What about college?"

Ben reached out to place a comforting hand on Joey's shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Joey. Your safety comes first."

"Okay, Dad" He nodded a look of disappointment on his face

"Look at me. When I told you to join this family, I told you that you were going to finish high school go to college, and come back home and eat Thanksgiving dinner and I meant that Joey" She tilted his head up "So do not let them steal from us"

She turned to Tuck. "They do not get to win"

Tuck sighed heavily. "I just can't believe we're actually doing this."

Joey nodded in agreement, frustration evident in his voice. "It's not fair. Why do we have to leave because of those protesters?"

Ben paused, meeting Joey's gaze "I know it feels unfair, son. This is your stable home and you feel you're being uprooted again but your mom and I need to make sure you're safe."

Miranda nodded. "I wish it didn't have to be like this, but we can't risk your safety. We have to do what's best for our family."

Tuck sighed a sense of resignation in his voice. "I guess it's just another thing we have to deal with because of Mom's job, huh?"