What Makes a Family | LT ✔️

Chapter Eleven: Taking the Stand

AUTHOR'S POV

~day of trial~

Finally, it's the day of the trial and by the end of it they'll know if Christian's birth mother of whom they know by name now, Jenna, will be punished and to what extent she'll be punished. As a result, the last two weeks waiting have been extremely unsettling. From the moment Laurent received the call from Ms. Ledoux informing him of her arrest, her subsequent release from jail and her trial being set the Bourgeois home has definitely had its moments of high intensity with only sporadic moments of calmness. Spending time with Christian is always a joy and looking at him and seeing him smile regularly since the first time has taken the exuberance they've felt having him to another level. Just as they said each of them captured that beautiful smile on camera and as also stated they have a picture of it as screen savers on their phones. It's been quite a challenge keeping their minds off of today but Christian makes it easier. They just want to go on with their lives to include him and the desire to keep him is so strong that they find themselves holding him long after he's fallen asleep which only builds the connection. They can also tell Christian is more comfortable with them and whenever he sees one or both of them standing over him from his crib there's excitement in his face and sweet baby gibberish resounds from him. The feeling a sight like that gives them is indescribable. It's past happy. It's even past joy. They just can't explain it...but as much as they didn't want their thoughts consumed by the trial it was inevitable and sadly those precious moments were overshadowed by it. Now that it's here they're afraid of what it might bring. Shortly after Laurent was informed of it Ms. Ledoux called back several days later to tell him that Jenna waived a jury trial and opted for what's known as a bench trial meaning the judge will determine the verdict. This is conflicting for them because on one hand a jury waiver in this case means that she knows what she did was wrong and she doesn't need a jury to find her guilty when she already knows she is which they can appreciate...but on the other hand they wonder if she has something up her sleeve and she's trying to manipulate the court and/or the judge in some way. As determined as she seems to get him back they can't and won't rule out that possibility. They can only hope that if she does have something planned the judge presiding over the case will see right through it and whatever the maximum punishment is she will be sentenced to that...nothing less. It's the afternoon and about an hour before the trial is set to begin so although the morning started out as normal there was an overall aura about it. Laurent's morning run is out of the way and breakfast was cooked...but neither of them could eat very much of it. Conversation was also minimal. The bright side, as it has been every morning, was seeing little man's face first thing. They're dressed and ready to go but they won't be taking Christian. He's still fairly new to the world so taking him out makes him more susceptible to becoming ill so they refrain from that as much as possible...but that's not the only reason they won't take him. They refuse to let Jenna see him so Laurent reached out to Travis to ask him if he knew of anyone that's worked with babies before and who's really good with children that can come in and take care of Christian while they're in court. Travis went above that and arranged for his nurse who took care of Christian while he was in the hospital to come. Once she arrives they will leave for the courthouse. For now, the home is quiet and after taking a few sips of freshly brewed tea Laurent heads for the nursery where Larry is. The door is already wide open so Laurent stands at it with his hands in his pockets as he looks at Larry who's in the rocking chair by the window. He's hunched over, his right elbow is on his knee with his right cheek resting on that hand and he's looking out into the backyard. Laurent walks in but stops next to Christian who's just as happy as can be with his beautiful baby noises being the perfect melody. Laurent extends his hand down and places it on his stomach to give him a light, playful tickle and when Christian responds as he usually does by kicking his legs Laurent smiles and chuckles. He then turns to face Larry and his smile slowly fades as he sees Larry's vulnerable eyes looking up at him so he walks over. Those soft eyes follow Laurent as he does and now standing in front of him Larry is looking up at him with the most innocent face. Laurent cups Larry's right cheek then massages it with his thumb...