My Heaven And My Hell

A Day in Court 5/19/05

Sitting next to my lawyer Mr Joseph Clark I'm nervous. I feel claustrophobic in a room with so many strangers. It helps Knowing Nikki and yes Donna is sitting behind me.

John sits next to his lawyer with a self assured grin on his face. He's such an asshole what was I thinking. Oh I yeah I wasn't. I was to busy drinking and getting high trying to forget my first mistake to realize I was making another. When I found out I was pregnant I quit everything. It was an eye opening. There wasn't much I liked about him. Then he got pissed at my son for knocking some screws to the ground. He pulled back his hand to hit him. I grabbed my son and took him inside. A few days later when he went to mow lawns. With the help of my family I packed my house and left. I didn't look back. I changed my last name from my married to my maiden. I figured if he looked for me. He would look for McCrey. I even registered my children under Grey at school. My brother took care of selling my house and closing out any accounts so I figured everything was handled. I guess I figured wrong since I'm sitting here looking at the asshole's smug face.

"All rise for the honorable Judge Johnson."

Sitting down he gets right to it.

"I guess we will start with confirming paternity." He takes his time looking at the documents.

I feel sick. What's taking him so long. He finally calls the lawyers forward. They confer for what seems a lifetime to me. I just want this over with. Joe comes back with the biggest grin on his face. Once seated he whispers in my ear. I'm so confused by what he just told me. I turn around and stare at Nikki. He grins a guilty look on his face. I'm not really caring how it happened. I'm so relieved I just want to hug him.

"You goddamn filthy whore!"  Before the guard can intervene John charges for me. He shoves past his lawyer and Joe knocking me to the floor. I should have expected a violent outburst. My ankle is twisted. I can't stand so I curl up to protect my stomach. Donna pulls me out of tbe brawl and helps me limp away to safety. It takes the guard, Nikki, and Noah who had been watching close by to get him to the floor and handcuffed. More guards are called in to remove him kicking and screaming out of the courtroom.

"Case dismissed." The judge says calmly. I'm granting Miss Grey an emergency restraining order. I recommend she file for a permanent one quickly and file assault charges." He stands and walks to his office looking rather disturbed.

"Donna, Jenny are you two ok." I feel Nikki's hands on my cheeks.

"I am but Jenny needs a doctor." Donna says softly. She holds me up keeping me from slipping off the bench. I feel dizzy and sick. The last thing I hear is someone saying call an ambulance.

Nikki's POV

I sit and hold Jenny's hand. She's  asleep. The doctor says her and the babies are fine. She does have a broken ankle and she's bruised in a couple places. He says she will heal. He wants her on bed rest for a couple of weeks and no stress.

I think about the brick through the window. It doesn't take much brain power to realize it was John. I'm glad I had ask Noah to come. Crazy is hard to take down. He gave all of us some good bruises.

Donna had gone for coffee not long ago. She hasn't complained about staying at the hospital for a bit. We all agreed before Jenny had fallen asleep it would be easier to stay at her home then try to keep the horde at our place and it would be easier for Mary. They will release her to come home tomorrow. I'll come and get her. I called her parents they will be here on Saturday to help her. I have a show to play this weekend so Donna has volunteered to stay with her. I just have to hope they don't kill each other.

"Nikki." Jenny whispers sleepily. "I love you."

"I love you too." I whisper back.

"How is Mary yours?" She looks confused.

"You saw Crue in August 99 in Oklahoma City. We were drunk and we had some fun on my bus."

"Oh I woke up next to John the next morning. I thought it was just a dream you and me. I was so sad and disappointed not to find you beside me." She smiles. "I'm so happy Mary is yours.

She drifts off again. I chuckle and kiss her hand. I don't really like the strong pain meds they have her on. I don't like to see her in pain either.

Donna's POV

I can't believe I agreed to this. But Mary is already anxious feeling all the adult stress and her Mama in the hospital. Being in her own home will be easier for her even if it sucks for me. Walking into the home of my husband's mistress and seeing how comfortable he is here is the hardest thing I think I've ever done. It's a strain to keep my cool. The housekeeper greets Nikki with a smile and excepts payment for staying over with the children. She doesn't even acknowledge me as if I needed the reminder I'm on Jenny's turf.

It's late Frankie, Mary, and Elisa are curled up in the recliner asleep . The rest stare worriedly at us from the couch.

"Jenny's ok." Nikki reassures them. "Come on hugs then go to bed.

They are to tired to argue. They come forward and hug us both and head for the upstairs.

"Where does Ryan sleep?" I ask seeing him follow the rest.

"He shares a room with Charlie. He has always had a place here." Nikki comments absently as he gathers Mary and Elisa in his arms.

I pick up Frankie and follow him upstairs. We tuck the girls into their beds. All their bedding is different. I guess they couldn't agree on a theme. But Jenny had made it work.

I follow my husband back downstairs. The house is nice with an open floorplan. From the front entrance to kitchen, dining room, and living room. In the back is the guest bathroom, guestroom and den. French doors leading outside. Nikki opens the French doors to the den. It's not being used as a den. It's a bedroom. His bedroom the furniture is solid and gothic. The bedding is red. There is an antique armoire in the place of the missing closet. A painting of two women embracing graces the wall over the bed. An antique desk sits in one corner. I don't know whether to be pissed or relieved. She's made a home for him to come to. I'm not oblivious to the small touches in this house that are done just for him. At least when he's here they sleep separately at least in appearance for the benefit of my children.

I'm hurt but I don't want fight. I just crawl into bed with my husband. He seems surprised I want to be held, but he doesn't deny me.