view. Jason lets go, but keeps one arm around my waist.
“I’m sorry, Sara. They have her in holding right now. The judge will decide how to proceed when we reconvene after lunch.”
I nod my understanding, wiping the tears away with my hand.
“We’ll be delayed while he makes his decision. I’ll be meeting with him and Edgar in his chambers first, then he’ll want to instruct the jury before he allows everyone in the room.”
“Thanks, Len.”
“You’re welcome.” He nods once. “I’ll see you soon.”
Everyone swarms in as Len saunters down the hall. They ply me with repeated questions of, “Are you okay?” “Do we need to go home?” “What do you want us to do?” It overloads my brain and I can’t think straight. I’m about to scream when Damian says the first words not formed into a question directed at me.
“That was intense.”
“You think?” The question comes out as I glare at him.
Hunter slips his hand into my free hand, squeezes, then lets go.
Arissa slaps Damian’s arm. He holds his hands up. “Sorry, I only meant to lighten things up.”
“I know. I’m sorry too.” I wrap my arms around him. “The rapid fire questions were inundating. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.” I step back next to Jason. “Can we just go get something to eat, please? I need to get out of here.”
An hour later, we wait on the benches outside the courtroom. An hour passes by before Len appears. He scans the hall and joins me in several long strides.
“The judge is adding physical abuse charges. He’s holding her without bail for the duration of the trial. Also, he decided to recess until tomorrow since it’s late and your mother is still screaming in holding. This means I’m going to have to recall you to the stand tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“No matter what happens, you’ve already won.” His smile is infectious. “By the way, I was assigned Manny Valdez’s case. Would you be willing to testify in his trial?”
“Yes,” I reply.
“You’re sure?”
“If I hadn’t fought back, he would’ve raped me. He needs to be in prison where he can’t hurt women.”
He pats my arm as he leaves.
I tell Jason I’m going home with the Jerichos and apprehension overtakes him, despite my assurances.
We reach the parking garage and he places his hands under my jaw before parting ways. His eyes burn with intensity. “I love you, Parker,” he murmurs.
I rest my hands on his forearms. “I love you too. I’ll be okay. Honest. Spend time with your dad.”
He kisses me softly, then draws me into a brief embrace.
Rose pours everyone a glass of lemonade as we gather around the kitchen island. “Can we ask you something, Sara?” she asks, sliding a glass to me.
“Yeah.”
“What do you think about us adopting you?”
My gaze flickers between Rose, Andrew, and Arissa, all grinning from ear to ear. A lump of emotion lodges in my throat.
“I know we never talked about it before, but with your father in prison and your mother on trial we figured it would be easier to pursue now than it was before the trial,” Andrew explains.
“You know we already consider you part of the family. We just want to make it legal,” Rose continues.
“We’d really be sisters!” Arissa beams.
I nod, unable to say anything. They took me in, they got me help, they fought for me when I was taken away, and they stand by me. We’re already family and adoption will make it official. I’ll have a real family. A normal family.
“What? No one wants to adopt me?” Damian asks.
I break out laughing, despite the overwhelming love washing through me. “Better timing.”
“I thought so.” He winks at me.
“We’ll call Gloria tomorrow,” Andrew says.
Arissa squeals and bounds out of her stool, squeezing me in her arms. “I’m going to have a real sister!”
“I’m going to have a better sister,” I state, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
“Was there something on your mind, Sara?” Andrew asks.
“The threat my mother made could be real.”
“She’s in jail now,” Arissa says. “She can’t do anything.”
“If she still has contact with Victoria, there’s no telling what she’ll say to her. They’re so enmeshed that Victoria will accept anything Mother feeds her.”
“And she’s already come after you once,” Rose says, her face blanching.
“Exactly.”
“We’ll talk to Gloria about our options,” Andrew reassures me.
Damian smiles and slaps my back. “It’s a good thing you travel with two bodyguards.”
“Oh, please.” I roll my eyes and grin. “I need to call Jason.”