Once More With Feeling ZAINTSEE AU

Change in the Weather

Saint was biting his nails, this was officially the longest day of his entire life. He'd drunk his coffee in five minutes and was regretting it already as he was feeling even more jittery than before. Zee was holding his hand and it felt like if he let go Saint would shake away to nothing. Harriet was being really sweet trying to reassure him but he still had 15 minutes to go and Saint wasn't sure he was going to survive that long. "Saint, I know you don't like taking them but I brought some of the pills the Doctor prescribed." Zee said softly. "Do you think you should take one to help you relax a little?" He finished, squeezing Saint's hand.

Saint was seriously tempted, this was a truly horrible feeling. But he worried that if he took it an it relaxed him too much the judge wouldn't believe him and everything would be... Saint took a deep breath and remembered his last session with Lauren. They'd spoken about 'catastrophising thoughts' where everything turned into a worst case scenario in your mind, something Saint had struggled with since the incident. "I will take half of one please Zee." He answered.

In his mind Saint said one of his grounding exercises. "I am here and I am safe. I am holding Zee's hand. The incident that happened is in the past and is over now. I am going to stop worrying about things I can't control and try to focus on things I can." He said trying to control his breathing. Zee passed Saint half of one his tablets and a drink of water and Saint swallowed it  quickly. Today needed to be over already, Saint thought, then he was going to keep on working hard to get better and move on with his life with Zee and Lee.

Zee's phone buzzed with 2 messages and, as they still had a little while, he pulled it out. They were both from Nira. The first one said. "This is LEe the mesage is four Bunny not daddy."
Zee smiled at the message which was clearly written by his son. He gently nudged Saint and showed him the first message and indicating he should open the second one which was clearly intended for him. Saint clicked on the icon and a video popped up of Lee, he pressed play and moved the phone closer to Zee so he could see too.

Lee began to speak. "Hi Uncle Bunny" he said waving. "Nana Nini said you had a big job today and that you was worried." He continued and Saint smiled at how adorable he was. "But you don't have to worry cos me and Daddy will look after you forever now." Lee continued "When I come home I'll give you a big hug and even a kiss on the cheek so don't be worried ok? Nani Nini said I have to go now." He said looking a little sad. "So love you and bye." He said and the video ended. Saint and Zee looked at each other with matching expressions of adoration on their face.

"It's almost time." Harriet said interrupting their moment "I'm sorry for disturbing you but I need to get Saint's microphone on." She said giving an apologetic look to both men. Saint wiped the happy tear that had fallen on his cheek then said, "That's fine, I'm ready to start now." He looked over at Zee and kissed his cheek. "I am going to get through this then we are going home and our family is going to get on with our lives." He said with a genuine smile. "I love you so much Saint and I know you can do this." Zee said bringing Saint's hand to his lips to kiss and this time Saint actually believed him.

The case began and while Saint was still worried he felt as if he would be able to make it through the day which was more than he had before. The judge asked Saint for his version of events and using the techniques he'd learned from Lauren he was able to get out the entire thing in one go. Yes he was crying but he didn't give in or leave anything out. The judge apologised for Saint having to go through that and then moved on to the second witness. Saint listened in horror as this poor man bared his soul about what he had been put through by Matt and found himself crying as he heard how little support he had after the event which is why he didn't come forward sooner.

The next part was the bit that Saint was worrying about the most, being cross examined by Matt's solicitor. "Does the defense have any questions for the witnesses?" The judge asked and Saint held his breath waiting for the response. "No your honour," the solicitor began. "my client has had a change of heart after listening to what he put these poor men through." He continued. "He would like to plead guilty and ask for leniency from yourself with regard to his sentence. Instead of a custodial sentence he asks for counselling instead. He is truly sorry for his actions and believes that with the right support he can become a better man." He finished.

Saint felt the colour drain from him. He was asking to be spared jail? So Matt would go free? Saint felt like he was about to pass out when he heard the judge begin to speak. "While I am glad your client has shown enough decency to not put these two young men through any futher trauma, I am disgusted by his pleas for mercy." The judge said with a stern face. "He showed his victims no mercy even when they begged, yet he has the audacity to asked for something he himself was not willing to grant? Not in my court!" The judge said angrily. "Your client will be imprisoned for a maximum of 4 years, but during this time he will be offered support with his mental health. I sincerely hope he is as disgusted by his actions as everyone else present today is." He finished banging his gavel.

The video feed shut off and Saint sat gaping silently at the screen. He won? Matt was going to be punished and he was going to be safe? He turned to Zee who was absolutely beaming and all but collapsed into his arms. "We're safe Zee!" He said as tears of relief started to flow. "You did it baby!" Zee said hugging him tightly "I am so proud of you!" Harriet left the room for a minute to give them some privacy, knocking a while later to make sure it was ok to come back in. "Today we got the best possible outcome." She informed them. "The defendant will serve a minimum of 2 years before he can apply for parole. Even when he is finally freed there will be a restraining order against him which means if he comes withing 500 metres of you or the other witness he will be arrested." She said smiling. "I am so happy that we got this out come for you, you've been through so much." She finished with a smile. Saint was still crying happy tears, "It's over!" He thought, leaning against Zee. "Thank you Harriet." He said shaking her hand. "We're going home now." He said and led Zee out of the building. They were going home.