The day had come that Jayde was supposed to testify against her parents. Anthony had come to give her support and he sat in the gallery. He saw two people that he assumed were her parents. Jayde was on the witness stand and was being asked questions by Rafael. She had been warned that the opposing attorney would be Rita Calhoun and she mentally prepared herself to face the woman who had broken up her marriage.
"Can you tell the court the last encounter you had with the defendants?"
"I was walking back to my office after grabbing something to eat from a vendor. I heard my name and I turned around. I saw the defendants approach me. They asked me what I was doing with my life and I explained that I was working as a forensic psychologist. They told me that I should have chosen law".
"Then what happened?"
"I told them that I had four children from two marriages. They said they heard about the affair. My father said that I should have stayed with you because I was never going to get anyone better and that nobody else would want me".
Rafael tried to remain professional but his heart was broken. Rita objected and the judge overruled it. He looked at the woman he once called his wife. "Then what happened?"
Tears were flowing from her eyes and she wiped them away. "I got upset and I told them to eff off and that they were my parents but they were not my family and that I was tired of them treating me like shit. I then told them that I wanted nothing to do with them and to leave me the eff alone".
After court, they were in his office with Anthony. "Jayde, I am so sorry. I didn't know Rita was going to be the other attorney".
She nodded. "I'm not mad at you, Rafi. I didn't mean to tell the court about the affair".
He sighed. "You had to. You were testifying and I walked you into it".
She nodded as tears were flowing from her eyes again. Rafael came over and gave her a hug. His suit was getting wet with her tears but he didn't care.
"What happens now", Anthony asked him.
"Rita is going to ask Jayde questions", he told him. He looked back at her. "Are you ready to do this?"
She nodded and Anthony came over to her. "You can do this, Jayde. I'll be right there".
"I know. Thank you". She wiped her eyes with a Kleenex.
"How long have you been estranged from the defendants?"
Jayde thought. "Ten years".
"You work with children who have been abused but you never thought of yourself as a victim until you decided to file an order of protection".
"I've learned that abuse comes in different forms and sometimes it's hard for victims to realize they are being abused. I've seen a case where a person was in an abusive marriage but he didn't realize that it was abusive until he got out".
"If it was abuse, as you claim then why didn't you go to the cops or SVU?"
"When I realized it was abuse, I was talking to my ex-husband and he explained that what they were doing was abuse".
Rita looked at Rafael. In her mind, Jayde wanted to strangle Rita. Not because she was the opposing attorney, but because she still held her accountable for breaking up her marriage. The trial took a week and after everything, the judge granted her a restraining order that would take place immediately and would be effective for the next ten years. When it was over, she and Anthony thanked Rafael.
They walked back to his office from the courthouse. Rita called out to Rafael and they turned around. She congratulated him and then looked at Jayde. She went over to her. "I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for breaking up your marriage".
Rafael looked at Jayde. "You had a choice, Rita. I can be professional but I don't know if I can ever forgive or forget". She nodded and walked away.
Rafael came over to her. "You ok?"
Jayde sighed. "I just want to forget that-", she looked at Rita. "Ever happened".
Anthony put his arm around her shoulder. Rafael nodded. "I'm more angry at her and I don't care if it's immature. I've forgiven you a long time ago", she told Rafael.
Rafael nodded. "Lets not talk about her. Do you and Anthony want to get a coffee?"
Jayde looked at Anthony who was smiling. "We can do that", she told him. They walked to the closet coffeehouse. They ordered their coffees then sat down once they received them. "I just wanted to ask you a question. When you were talking about a person who was in an abusive marriage, were you talking about Johnny?"
She nodded. "I didn't want everyone to know that I was talking about him. He still doesn't realize that she abused him".
"She", Rafael asked.
"We don't ever say her name. It's too painful for him so we just don't do it but I think you can guess who I'm talking about".
Rafael nodded. "I get it. I'm sure he appreciates you not telling the whole world".
She nodded. "She verbally and emotionally abused him but he will never admit it. Now you know where I get my stubbornness from".
This made Rafael laugh. He looked at Anthony. "Once you've experienced her stubbornness, you know you've seen the whole Jayde". Anthony laughed. "Have you met the kids yet? I'm just wondering".
Both he and Jayde shook their head. "Not yet. She didn't want to introduce them to me because she didn't want to confuse them".
Rafael smiled. "And I met Steven from the beginning".
"That's because you were Uncle Rafi".
This made Rafael laugh and he nodded. "I remember that. Little Steven. He's still the same except he has a mouth now".
"Yeah, he's his own kid. I don't know where he gets it from. He's embarrassed by me and everything is uncool".
Anthony laughed.
She took a drink of her coffee. "I don't know who's more stubborn, Steven or Kiera. It's weird because the girls always play together nicely and then RJ and Steven are fighting over toys".
Rafael nodded. Anthony laughed. "I grew up with a brother. We were always fighting over something. It's just boys being boys".
"I was an only child so I didn't have anyone to argue with", Rafael said.
"I just had Johnny. He was such a good sport about it though. Now I have Rafael and Sonny to bicker with".
"When is someone not arguing with Carisi. I think the only person who hasn't is Fin".
"That's cause Fin is so chill. He listens and doesn't pick sides. That's why everyone likes him".
At the end of the evening, Rafael said goodbye to Jayde and Anthony. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Jayde nodded. "Oh, yes. We have to talk about the case".
Rafael shook Anthony's hand. "It's nice to see you again. You are free to meet the kids anytime".
"Thank you. I appreciate it". Jayde took his arm and they walked to her apartment.
