After The Cookies [COMPLETE]

27

After signing the papers like she wanted, the rest of the night went shaky as he had so many questions but deciding against every one in his head. Fatima could tell his mood was off once she slipped the papers in her purse, but hoped that he understood her positioning on the matter. Deciding to trust the process and pray for a good outcome, Zac decided to let the attitude go and focus on what was right in front of him. 

They were currently in the main house watching the Purge movie, Fatima hated scary movies but she also couldn't sleep, tomorrow was the big day. After hearing from Robin earlier in the week, the judge had given a court date for tomorrow which left Fatima lost in her thoughts as she wondered how everything would go. The case they had racked up was pretty solid but it was ultimately not up to her to decide. 

Zac noticed her distanced off at space, they were currently cuddled up together, not purposely but neither one of them wanted to get up and grab the extra blanket in the hall closet so they decided to shimmy their way into a small throw blanket and hope for the best. "You good?" Startling out her thoughts, "Mhm." 

"What's going on for real? If it's about the papers-" 

Cutting him off, "No it's not that. Tomorrow is the court case with Ian and this could decide if he gets released or not." She confessed, he sat up a little bit sensing the seriousness of this. "You don't have to be afraid of him." He replied softly. 

"Not scared of him, scared at what someone who has been locked up like an animal would do. Who knows what he's got planning or anything, and now, we have two kids that are much older." Zac shushed her, pressing his fingers against her lips, she was gonna stress herself out over nothing. 

"You need to relax." He smiled at her, she rolled her eyes, that is always his answer to anything. "I'm just nervous." She let out a deep breath, "This case is literally so important, not to only me, but just in general. And I can't stop thinking about the things that can go wrong with it. What if I mess up? Or the Judge doesn't like my statements?" She began to ramble on as Zac listened to her with both ears opened, he empathized with her on this. He knew just how much was at stake and he wasn't even personally involved. 

"Look at me." He gently grabbed her chin, that movement caused her to stop rambling to look at him. "You are one of the most dedicated and decorated District Attorneys in the state, probably in the world. And if you don't wanna take my word for it, go in that office and look at all the awards and certificates you have won over the years. I know you." He spoke strongly, emphasizing the last sentence. "I know the work you have poured into this case or any case for that matter, you got this." He assured her, his reassurance definitely lifted small butterflies from her stomach but there were still a lot of knots. 

She threw her head back, it rested on the couch cushion as she looked at their black ceiling fan spinning in circles. "But it's so much riding on this and I can't shake this fear." 

"And I understand how much this means to you on a personal level, but remember why you wanted to be a District Attorney right?" Not even giving her the chance to respond, he began to cite exactly what she told him almost 13 years ago when they first met. "To be the voice for the voiceless, to hear the outcries of victims that get overlooked and over-victimized, and to see justice be served to victims, families, and the community. Knowing you were the one who started the movement, and you have baby. You have helped thousands of people, nobody can change that." 

"You remembered that?" She asked looking back at him. "Of course, I remember everything you tell me, even when I play slow and act like I don't." He teased at her. "I've seen you work day in and day out since you found out about the case, you got this." Knowing that Zac was able to see the dedication she was putting in all the while he was going through his stuff gave her another sense of relief.