Until Proven Innocent

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

AFTER
Cordelia Waters
Sunday May 21, 2016

I've been waiting around the house for hours, pacing back and forth, biting my nails. It's almost three o'clock and I haven't heard from anyone in the past two hours.

After Gerard came over earlier to speak with Weston and me, he left in a hurry without telling me what was going on. Weston locked himself in the bedroom and wouldn't talk to me either. I know something happened. I thought they might have found Emerald. But Weston said that they didn't. I have no idea what to think.

My parents are in the kitchen, working together to prepare a Sunday night dinner for us all. I tried to explain to them that they didn't have to do that, but of course, they insisted. Dad ran out to the grocery store to stalk up the fridge and cupboards. It's been so hectic these past couple of days that food has been the last thing on my mind. I've been barely scraping by, eating soup and bagels whenever I feel my stomach growl. But honestly, how can one even think about food in a time like this?

My mother puts on one of my old aprons and stands in the kitchen, boiling pasta and cutting up vegetables. I'm glad that she's putting the effort in. With everyone here especially. It will be nice to eat together as a family.

Liam is in the other room taking a phone call. He and Colton have been talking and catching up all morning. It gives me hope that they can work things out and perhaps find some common ground once again. These past few years of mutiny have been unbearable on our family. Perhaps today will change that.

Clayton fell asleep watching a movie on the couch with Colton, and Sophie is on the floor putting together a Barbie puzzle. Lianna and Jade sit at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and discussing home décor.

And then there's me, standing here, anxious and falling apart. I can't deny that having everybody together makes me happy, but we're still missing a piece to this puzzle. I need my daughter.

____

When I hear the doorbell, my heart sinks further into my chest. My hands are quivering, and when I bring them together to stop the shaking, I realize that they're ice cold. I stand up and make my way to the front door, praying that it's someone who can tell me what is going on. Everyone else watches as I make my way over.

When I open the door, all of the tension in my body falls to the ground. Am I dreaming? Did I fall asleep on the couch again?

My bottom lip parts from the top and I stand there, stunned. Gerard gives me a small smile and turns to Detective Robbins, who is holding my baby.

I scream for my husband as I fall forward, grabbing Emerald from Detective Robbins. Behind me I hear the sound of doors opening and multiple feet rushing towards me. The tears are streaming down my face and I'm sobbing into Emerald's tiny neck. I hold her tightly. As though if I ease up my grip, she will be taken away from me again.

When I turn around and open my eyes, my entire family stands there, completely awestruck. Weston looks as though he's witnessing a human resurrection. Face pale, eyes wide. The tears come for him, then, as well.

He reaches forward and together we meet and hold Emerald between us, loudly sobbing for everyone to hear. But it doesn't matter that I'm being loud or crying like a fool. I don't care. Not one little bit. Because she's here. She's back. And we're finally together again.

____

Emerald makes her rounds being passed around, receiving hugs and kisses from all of her family. Only six-months old and she already has more love than some people have in their lifetime.

Once my baby is back in my arms, we sit in the living room, talking quietly amongst ourselves. We're all in a state of shock, really. These past few days have felt like a nightmare. A foggy haze of wandering aimlessly. But now my compass is facing north again, and rightfulness has been restored.

I invited Gerard and Detective Robbins – who told me to call her Claire – to come inside and sit with us. The news anchors and TV crews are beginning to pile in our front yard, all yearning for the first footage of the baby's return home, the first interview from the parents. They've commoditized her abduction, monetized our tragedy. I let them wait a while. I don't care what they want right now. All I want is my baby.

Gerard turns to me. "Listen, I just wanted to apologize –"
"Don't," I smile and hold up a hand. "It's fine, really. You were just doing your job."
"I know, but I wasn't fair to you. I treated you like a criminal."
"You had every right to. I understand. I'm just glad that you brought my baby home. I can't thank you enough for that."
Claire turns to me, then, her crystal blue eyes revealing sympathy rather than suspicion. She doesn't say anything, just gives me a small smile. I know that's her way of apologizing as well. But she doesn't need to. She helped bring my baby home and that's all that matters.
It's quiet again, and I can see Gerard looking at Weston, then back at me. He speaks up. "I don't want to interrupt this moment, but do you mind if I speak with the two of you for a moment?"
We look at each other, and I can almost feel the tension and unease. I hand Emerald to my mother and stand slowly.
Once we make our way down the hall and into the office, Gerard closes the door behind us. Our first moment alone since she's returned.
Weston turns to me and I notice he's on the verge of tears.
"What's wrong?" I step closer, bringing my hands to his face.
"I'm so sorry, Cor. I'm so sorry," he starts to cry. "This is all my fault,"
I reach forward and take him into my arms. "What are you talking about? What happened?" I hold him with one arm and stroke his hair with my free hand. I wait patiently as he sobs into my neck, trying to gather himself.
Finally, he looks up and meets my eyes. "I don't even know where to begin."
Gerard speaks up, then. "Why not from the beginning?"