Chapter Nine

THE DARKNESS OF THE room surrounds her as she burrows further beneath the sheets. In the month since she and Brooks had returned to Carson, she had been spiraling out of control on the inside, but to the naked eye, she seemed like a hollow version of herself. By the way, everyone seems to be walking on eggshells around her Everleigh suspects that she could have gone into acting and saved herself the drama about to unfold. But, then again, Rich would have found a way to destroy her, to rip apart her tiny piece of happiness, a heaven that constantly feels out of reach.

For a short time, she had felt alive, felt like the fissures of herself were healing tight, little patches of loved ones holding her together, then Brent broke the news to her about the deposition. She hadn’t seen it coming, but she suspected had Rich ever been caught she would be asked to testify. Strangely enough, she was less worried about Rich roaming free than having to re-tell her story to people that would look down on her and think things about her that weren’t true. That, to Everleigh, is the worst part about people knowing your dark secrets. Regardless if she was the victim, they would look at her like she did it to herself. That she must have made him act that way to her. It is a pretty common tale and not one Everleigh wants to relive again.

Unfortunately, it seemed she didn’t have a choice. Because when she and Brooks had arrived back at her house, he began to scoop her in his arms, worry etched on his face, as a young messenger walked over to them in the middle of the night, subpoena in hand. If she hadn’t been so lost in herself she may have reveled in Brooks’ reaction to the papers shoved in his chest. Instead, she had wiggled herself free from his strong arms, signed the messenger’s papers, and walked into her house without a word.

She didn’t know what else to do. Everleigh knew that Brooks would think she was allowing Rich to hold power over her again, but it was the opposite. She shut down to keep him from hanging on. If she had nothing left to give, then there was nothing left to take. And she didn’t want to sacrifice another piece of herself to that monster.

Her clothes were stripped from her body that night as she fell into a dreamless slumber, the type of sleep that happens when exhaustion takes over but your mind never turns off. She remembers shutting her eyes, feeling Brooks wrap his body around hers, offering a warm solace for her fears. It hadn’t taken long for her to hear his soft snores beside her ear and she tried to match her breaths with his, anything to help rid her mind of the anxiety coursing through her.

The body next to hers turns in the bed, reaching across to turn off his alarm. She had wanted to push him away, tried with all she could, but Brooks had proved to be determined. Her chest hardens as she waits for him to turn to face her, not wanting him to see the love and desire in her eyes, that sense of need and emotion she knows he can read so apparent in her.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Brooks whispers as he turns over and pulls her into his arms.

A breath of a smile forces its way onto her lips, but it does little to detract from the concern marring his face, the frown pulling down his full lips.

“You’re not getting much sleep,” he explains as he stretches his hand forward and traces the purple-gray shadows under her eyes. His touch is soft, graceful, and her lids close of their own volition.

She tries to sit up in bed, turning her naked back towards Brooks, but he knows better than to let her seal herself away. His strong hand slides down her back, coming to rest on her waist.

“Come here, baby,” he commands in a calm tone, far different than the commands he gave her in bed the night before. He had demanded her to come in a rough, gravely, voice that had her erupting instantly.

She turns her head towards him, her gaze narrowing in where he rests against two pillows, his solid muscled chest exposed, the sheet crumpled just at the line of his hips. But his delectable body does little to detract from the worry pouring from him. Worry for her. Worry for them.

His hand tugs at her waist slightly and she falls back against the bed. Quickly he twists his body so that it hovers above her, his morning erection pressing against her thigh, but he seems to ignore it. Instead, he rests his elbows on each side of her face and brushes his hands through her hair.

“Are you nervous about today?”

Deposition day. The day where a lawyer will tear apart her story bit by bit without any sympathy for what she has gone through, or without any remorse for asking her to relive her horror.

“I am.”

“You know that I will be with you the entire day.”

“Until you’re not,” she lashes out.

“Everleigh, please don’t do this. Charlie pushed it back as far as she could and I have a signed contract. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I will be with you all day today and do the best that I can to get back to you.”

“It’s just that…,” she begins, licking her lips as the vile words leave a disgusting taste in her mouth. “Maybe this is the world telling us that we shouldn’t be together.”

He stares at her for a moment and she braces herself for the hurt and vengeful words to come vomiting from his mouth. In its place, she’s surprised as Brooks’ head rears back in laughter. His chest thumps beneath her palm and his stomach quakes with each chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” she asks as she watches his amusement begin to die down.

His arms snake underneath her body and he pulls her tight, her ability to breath lessened as her chest is crushed against his. His hard length slides between her thighs and she has to stop her body from reacting to its craving.

With shock still oozing in her veins, Everleigh doesn’t have a chance to respond to the tender kiss pressed against her lips before Brooks is pulling back to look down at her again.

“You’re so damn determined to do it all by yourself, Everleigh. I’m here to help you, support you. So is your family. You’re not alone in this and you never will be. So, stop pushing us all away. Stop pushing me away. I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”

A sound resonates from her mouth, but before she can form words Brooks seals his mouth against hers, silencing her thoughts and her heart.  His stiff cock slides against her center as he tilts his hips and she’s surprised to find herself wet and needy.

She groans his name as his tip massages against her swollen clit, her hips bucking at the contact.

“Brooks,” she moans into his mouth as her tongue peeks out to caress the soft skin of his lips as they slide against hers.

“Just let me love you, sweetheart,” he groans as he sheaths himself in a condom he had tucked under his pillow the night before, his teeth pulling apart the aluminum casing faster than she can blink her eyes.

Everleigh bites down on her lower lip as he slides effortlessly inside her, the fullness overwhelming her senses. Even as she wishes to keep herself locked away, Brooks’ touch always evokes something in her, something almost predatory in her appetite for him.

His hands rest on her knees, but slither up her inner thighs, brushing just past her sex. Brooks’ thrusts remain steady and slow as he traces over her curves, his fingers skimming across her abdomen in a quest for the strawberry peeks on her breasts. One of his large hands pinches a nipple between his thumb and forefinger, while the other sneaks back down between her legs and rubs small, tight circles around her pleasure spot.

With his cock sliding in and out of her and his hands bringing forth surges of bliss Everleigh tosses her head back in overwhelming satisfaction.

“There you go, baby.”

Her breath begins to come in pants as his thrusts increase, her body seeking something far out of reach.

“More,” she whimpers. “I need more.”

He moves swiftly, his muscles twisting them in a synchronized dance, as he switches their position. Her body hovers above his as Brooks’ hands rest on her hips, clenching and unclenching her skin.

“Take what you want, Everleigh. Take everything from me.”

As she rocks her body against his solid length, teasing herself as she takes in his expression. The way his eyes shine with passion, adoration, and truth. The truth that he is giving her everything that he is, she only has to take it.

Resting her hands on his chest she lines her body up with his stiffness and buries him deep inside her body. Their gasps fill her bedroom with the noise of their love-making. It’s a noise full of passion, of longing, and of ecstasy. But also, a hint of sadness.

Everleigh uses her body to bring herself towards her release, shifting up and down to take Brooks as far inside her channel as possible.

“Tell me you’re there, baby,” Brooks questions as he trails his hands across her breasts, the bead of sweat rippling down the middle of her chest, easily swiped by his finger.

“I can’t get there,” she cries out as she pounds herself down on his cock. Their movements wild and unfocused as her nails scraps down his chest, her back arching with each shift.

His arms reach out for her waist, gripping her tightly and forcing her to remain still. At a punishing pace, Brooks thrusts his hips upward, impaling his cock into her tight channel. The precious ring looping around the tip of his cock rubbing her sweet spot with every passing.

Feeling the waves beginning to vibrate in her womb she braces her hands on his muscled arms, centering herself in his hold, and lets herself feel for the first time in two weeks.

She shatters with his cock buried deep inside her, his own release pushing him over the crest of the wave into beautiful solitude. Lunging his hand into the hair at the back of her head and yanks her towards him, melding their mouths together. Their tongues slide back and forth against each other, each of them seeming to need to savor the taste of the other. A need to remember this moment.

“Come on. I don’t want us to be late,” Brooks reminds against her mouth as one of his hands sneaks around her body and squeezes one of the globes of her bottom and then swats it playfully.

She yelps against his mouth, jumping back in response.

A glorious white-toothed smile breaks out across his face and she can’ help but mimic his response.

“There it is. I’ve been waiting to see that smile,” he adds as he slides out of her body and off the bed quickly, tugging the condom off at the same time.

He turns back to look at her, his naked body completely open for her to stare. Even now her body reacts to seeing him naked and waiting for her.

“I suppose we’re saving water?” she asks as she slides from the bed to stand before him. His gaze travels her body in appreciation and she feels her cheeks flush at his perusal.

His hand reaches out for hers and Brooks clasps it gently. “Always.”

The car ride to Raleigh passes far too quickly for Everleigh and before she realizes it she is standing in a courthouse waiting to be escorted to a conference room. A fierce looking woman walks towards her and she balks next to Brooks as she stops in front of them. Everleigh takes in the woman’s severe black suit with a red silk blouse peeking through the top of her jacket; her long legs ending at a pair of enviable black stilettos with a red sole. Her hazel eyes and mocha colored skin is highlighted by the short crop of her hair. If Everleigh ever needed someone to mirror when she needed a backbone it is this woman standing before her.

“Everleigh Connelly?” the woman asks briskly as she glances in her gold file folder.

She grips Brooks’ hand as she licks her dry lips. “That’s me.”

The woman smiles radiantly, transforming her entire demeanor, and Everleigh watches as a few of the men walking past stop and do a double-take.

“Wonderful. I’m Sierra Wilson and I will be your lawyer. I’ve spoken with Charleston and Brooks a few times about your case and I really want to help you stand against this man.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know if…” Everleigh begins, but quickly Sierra cuts her off.

“Oh, don’t worry, this is Pro-Bono. I want to help you take this scumbag down.”

“I’m not worried about the money.” And she isn’t, her trust from her grandparents is enough to set her for life, and she joined the pharmacy when it was in the black so she steadily had an income. “I just wasn’t expecting to need a lawyer. I thought I was just here to give a deposition.”

Brooks turns her to face him and she can see his concern over her confusion. “I’m not allowed in there with you, so I wanted someone I could trust to make sure that you were taken care of. And if you’re called to testify it will be good to have Sierra on your side. She’s very well known for her win’s over domestic violence cases.”

Everleigh’s shoulders sag and she rests her head against his chest. “I thought they would at least let you stand at the door.”

“They won’t want me to sway your answers or hold you back. And that’s ok. I’m going to wait with you until the very moment they lead you inside. And Sierra is going to take good care of you.”

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she confesses as she stands back from Brooks and Sierra, her body already gearing for flight. Her eyes go wild as she searches for an escape.

A hand reaches out and grabs her wrist, yanking her back towards the group. “Sweetheart, don’t run. Please. And I think Sierra wants to talk to you.”

Brooks' hand slides down from her wrist to capture hers and she clutches at it as if her life depends on it.

“Come follow me, Everleigh. I want to tell you a story about a woman that thought being beaten was a way of life and how she turned herself around to become an amazing lawyer and advocate for abused women and men.”

Everleigh sits patiently listening to Sierra relive her childhood and how she persevered to become the strong woman that she is today. Sierra preaches to Everleigh how important it is for her to be able to help those who are unable to help themselves and to be able to bring one more abuser and possible murderer to justice.

Brooks and Sierra succeed in keeping Everleigh’s mind away from the deposition, but twenty minutes later Brooks is kissing her as he wishes her luck.

The wood-paneled room isn’t nearly as daunting as Everleigh had expected. Instead, she feels a warmth in the timber-lined space. She follows closely behind Sierra and she approaches the stand where she places a shaking hand on a bible and is sworn under oath. Up until this moment, she hadn’t thought it was real, that she would actually stand here in front of a dozen or so strangers and give them her life story. But as the bailiff asks her to take a seat her memories soar forward.

Two hours later, Everleigh leaves the courthouse mentally drained and exhausted. She knew that the defense attorney would ask questions, trying to paint his client in the best light, but she hadn’t expected to feel so hurt or bare afterward.

She trails behind Sierra as Brooks walks beside her, Everleigh leaning into his side to help her remain standing.

As they reach the front of the courthouse Sierra turns around and addresses them both. “I need to head back to the office, but we’re looking at a court hearing in about a month or so unless Rich takes the plea deal we’ll present. Even with all of the depositions being heard in the next few weeks, I’m certain he’s too stubborn to accept any deals. He still believes he’s innocent.”

Everleigh watches as a conniving smirk expands on Sierra’s face, the kind of smile that has you wondering what secrets she has hidden up her sleeves.

“What do you know?” Everleigh asks curiously.

“My intel tells me that the DNA samples are back from the homicide case of the probable victim in Raleigh. I’m going to guess that those results show your ex as the man in question.”

“Wow, ok,” she adds with a false sound of enthusiasm that she doesn’t feel.

“I’ll be in touch.”

The couple watches as Sierra twirls on her heels, a school of men trailing her in her wake.

Brooks gazes down at her, running a soothing hand down her back. “Do you want to stay the night or drive back to Carson?”

“You fly out tomorrow, right?” she asks, considering how she wants to spend her last night with Brooks. Normally she would jump at the chance to have wild passionate sex with the man she loves, but she has a hungry yearning to sleep wrapped in his arms, remembering the feeling of his tight hold, the false sense of perfection. Because she knows the likelihood of him returning to her is slim, and she has no desire to hold him back from his dreams, even when it means crushing her own.

At his nod she smiles up at him, her arms wrapping around his waist as she says, “Come on, take me back home.”

 

***

 

“CUT,” THE CAMERAMAN SHOUTS from his perch on the bench overlooking the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooks has been in New York City for the past four and a half weeks and he had finally filmed enough shots to fulfill his contract. Charleston has been great, getting all the segments for the medical show and sports squished into the smallest time frame as possible. They would have been done sooner if the Asheville team hadn’t made it to the World Series playoffs and the production crew hadn’t come down with a nasty stomach bug last week.

Once the filming stops and the crew begin to remove the lapel microphone tucked against his tie, the wires hidden beneath his shirt. Brooks begins pushing each button through its matching hole to help open his shirt. The women gathered across the way begin screaming in earnest.

“Look at that fan club,” Charleston jokes as she saunters towards him, but as she witnesses the scowl on his face her bubbly response dies. “You still haven’t heard from her?”

“No. The calls weren’t consistent to begin with, but she’s busy and so am I. I understood. But then I had to tell her that the trip was going to take longer and that stupid photo came out and now I haven’t spoken to her in two weeks. It’s killing me, Charlie. I’m afraid she thinks I’m not coming back to her.”

Brooks’ heart aches thinking about how Everleigh reacted when she saw the tabloid photo of him draped in women. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but the picture appeared worse than it was. He was signing autographs after filming the World Series segment and a bunch of fans crowded around him, two of which decided they wanted what was in his pants. The pictures showed him closing his eyes in frustration as he yelled for security, but the women were both working their way to unzip his pants. He had been furious and threatened to leave, contract be damned, but Charleston had talked him down. He had called Everleigh straight away and she seemed to laugh at his expense, but two weeks later when the picture was released all he heard was the sound of crickets.

The skeptic that she is, Charleston cocks an unconvinced eyebrow in his direction as she rests against the metal railing blocking them from the water. “Seems like you put in a lot of effort to keep her happy. When will it be enough?”

Throwing his long-sleeved Henley over his chest, handing the severe button-downed shirt back to the crew, Brooks turns to return Charlie’s stare. “I would give her the world if she let me. When you love someone that’s just what you do.”

“But what does she do for you? Seems kind of one-sided.”

Brooks searches his friend’s eyes, wondering where her cynical thoughts stem from, who had caused her hurt.

Deciding to give her the honest truth in hope to help her understand Brooks replies, “She gives me herself. And that’s all I’ll ever want.”

Charlie nods as if considering his words. “Well, Casanova, I came over here to let you know that you’re good to go and I’ll be in touch with you about the bi-weekly segments we’ve agreed to and sending the production crews down your way.”

At the thought of returning home to Carson, Brooks practically squeezes the life from Charlie as he swings her into his arms.

“Thank you,” he adds as he places her on her feet and practically sprints to the crew member holding his coat and car keys.

“Oh, and one more thing, Brooks,” Charlie speaks up, halting his movements as he glances at her over his shoulder. “You have about sixteen hours before the trial starts in Raleigh. They pushed it up a week due to Rich breaking his house arrest.”

“Fuck, I don’t…” he begins but Charleston, the wonderful friend that she is, grabs a garment bag from another crew member and places it on his arm. Inside he can see the makings of a sleek dark gray suit. “Thank you, Charlie. Please say that you’ll come and visit. Oh, and wish me luck.”

He doesn’t wait for her response, running towards the parking lot, but as he gets to the asphalt he turns his attention back towards the scene and watches as Charleston stands in the same place, her expression like that of a lost little girl. He wishes that he had time to help her, fix whatever is broken with his friend, but he needs to focus on fixing the thing most important to him – his marriage to Everleigh.

Spending the night packing the hotel room he barely takes a few hours for some shut-eye. Before he knows it, Brooks is tossing the keys to the rental car back to the agent and boarding a plane back to Asheville. Before the flight attendant asks them to stow away electronics he calls Everleigh once more, only getting her voicemail in return. In his rejection, he types out a quick text to her and to Logan, asking his friend if he can pick him up at the airport.

The short two-hour flight whizzes by and soon Brooks feels the wheels of the plane touch down on the tarmac. He tries to be patient, to not push and shove his way past the other passengers but his need to get his bags and run is overwhelming. Finally, he departs the plane and walks briskly towards the baggage claim. His eyes search wildly for Logan, but he is pleasantly surprised to find Avery waiting for him.

Her slim arms wrap around his shoulders as she welcomes him home, the petite woman not appearing as if she had twins roughly six months prior.

“It’s so good to see you. Can I help you with your bags?”

Brooks lets her carry his small travel bag while he fights with the other three.

“Logan is in the car. Nikki’s father and her aunt Andrea are watching all of the kids today so we can go to the trial. The whole town practically shut down to support Everleigh.” She looks over at him as they step outside, but as she sees the glum look on his face she asks, “Does she know that you’re coming?”

“If she would take my calls or read my texts she would.”

Logan steps away from his car and greets Brooks before they all help load his gear into the back of the SUV.

“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. She’s been working like crazy. We haven’t seen her much either.”

Avery smiles brightly as she piles into the backseat between the two babbling babies and he tries his best to return her bright grin, knowing that he fails when his lips burn from pulling too tightly.

Even though he spent the past two hours or so on a plane Brooks eagerly sits through the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Raleigh, listening contently to Avery speaking to Caroline and Everett.

Once they arrive at the courthouse, Avery and Logan each snag a kid from their carriers and hoist them into their arms.

“Do you need to feed them before we go inside?” Logan asks Avery, not noticing how Brooks bobs on the tips of his feet, ready to see Everleigh for the first time in over a month.

“I’ll just hop on over to that small eatery right next door and get them fed if you want to get us seats.”

Brooks makes his move to head inside the building; instead, Logan pulls him back by his elbow and asks him to escort Avery.

“Please, man?”

Wondering why he didn’t want to escort his own wife to help feed their children, Brooks takes Everett from Logan’s arms and walks with Avery next door to a sandwich bistro.

He holds the door for her and a few others, but as he turns to face the restaurant he now understands why Logan had insisted that he come.

His vision grows hazy as he watches Everleigh sip from a white coffee mug while Sierra gestures to some papers lying on the table.

“You could probably go say, ‘hello’,” Avery implies as she nudges him with her elbow, causing Caroline to giggle.

She must recognize the baby’s laugh because Everleigh turns towards the entrance seeking out her niece. Brooks watches as the haunted gaze in her eyes changes to happiness as she pinpoints Avery and Caroline. At first, she doesn’t realize that he stands there holding the other twin, but she does a double take when Everett joins his sister’s giggles and she recognizes his muscular arms holding the baby.

Her plump lips part as she gasps in surprise. The same plump lips he wants to kiss and suck on. God, how he has missed her mouth, her taste, her scent. His feet move on their own accord and before he realizes, he is standing before her, baby in hand, and ready to pull her into his arms.

“Brooks? What…how…” she stutters, her mouth gaping like a fish as she tries to find her words and gather her thoughts. “I mean, what are you doing here?”

Sierra slides out of the booth and reaches for Everett, offering to give them a bit of privacy as she introduces herself to Avery and they walk to the corner table.

“I’ve missed you, Everleigh.”

She glances down at her lap, the coffee in her hands suddenly forgotten. Her guilty expression tugs at his chest and he instantly knows that she has been ignoring him on purpose.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Or at all, he thinks to himself.

Surprisingly, she stands from the table and wraps her arms around his waist and arms that hang limply at his side.

“I’m glad that you’re here.”

As she steps back he narrows his eyes at her. “Really? You could have fooled me.”

“I’m sorry. I know I haven’t been around much.”

“Non-existent is more like it,” he argues.

Everleigh huffs a deep breath and blows it through her mouth as she continues, “Yes, and I’m sorry. I only wanted you to have everything you ever dreamed of. And when that dream started coming true I didn’t want to stand in your way. So, I let you go. I never expected you to come back. What could be better than your dream?”

“You are, Everleigh. There is no dream without you,” he replies as he leans forward and presses his lips against hers in a deep kiss that pours out everything that had been buried inside.

They pull back from each other and Brooks smirks at the dazed expression in her eyes, the milky chocolate colored irises hidden behind enlarged pupils.

“You look really handsome in this suit,” she says as her hand trails up and down the lapel of the gray material.

“Thank you. You can take it off of me later.”

The blush he loves so fiercely grows on her cheeks and travels down the valley of her breasts. He finally takes in her attire, letting his eyes roam up and down her navy-blue form-fitted suit. The color pops against her pale skin and the fuchsia-colored blouse beneath.

“Everleigh, you look stunning.”

Suddenly, Sierra moves beside them, drawing their attention as she mimics pointing to a watch on her wrist.

Everleigh’s back stiffens and Brooks watches as all emotion drains from her body.

He reaches out and takes her hand in his, offering her a piece of himself, a solitude to rely on.

“Hey, we’re all going to be there to support you. Just tell your story and then you’re done. Get your justice, sweetheart.”

“But what if the lawyer tries to twist my words or the jury doesn’t believe me?”

“That’s why Sierra is here. She’ll take care of you. You can do this. I believe in you. We all believe in you.”

Her chest expands as she takes a deep breath and steels her expression, wearing her warrior face proudly.

“You’re right. I can do this. I need to make sure that those other women get their justice.”

Everleigh links her arms into each of the free arms of Sierra and Avery, the women walking out of the café as a unified front as Brooks trails behind them, happily watching as the women sway their hips in unison.

They stop in front of the large wooden doors having made it through the throngs of reporters waiting at the base of the stairs and stare up at the building.

This is it. This is the moment that could make or break his wife’s spirit. The moment that can give her a sliver of her innocence back, a bit of spark that had dulled from her eyes.

Knowing that there is no turning back Brooks opens one of the doors, gesturing with his arm widely, as he says, “Ladies, after you.”

 

THE SNOW FALLS OUTSIDE his office window of the clinic and Brooks leans back in his chair. It has been a month since Everleigh was brought onto the stand to testify. As they had figured, the lawyer tried to twist Everleigh’s statement to bring his client into a better light, but the prosecutor had objected at every turn.

She had been amazing that day, Brooks can vividly remember how she had walked into the courtroom with her head held high, no longer the scared victim from fifteen minutes prior. And when the prosecutor had finished her questioning she had asked Everleigh if she could say anything to her abuser what she would say.

“I would tell that person that they were the weak one. They were the one that fed on the strength of their victim. But I will no longer cower. I will no longer be afraid. They may have stolen everything from me as a girl, but I’ve found my peace with myself and that is a power they can never take from me.

I would tell them that from where I stand my future is just beginning and my past will no longer define me.”

The crowd had roared for her while Rich squirmed in his seat. His woman had returned to full strength and his love for her had rocketed skyward.

They had been sitting in limbo as the trial continued for weeks. The jury had to sift through hundreds of pieces of evidence and listen to testimonies for many of the victims. Rich is being tried for multiple counts of homicide, battery, and impersonating a law enforcer and Sierra had messaged him a week ago that a decision should be coming down in the next few days.

A knock sounds on his door and Brooks looks up to find Dr. Long standing with Joseph and Amy.

“This is a surprise. What can I do for you all?”

Dr. Long turns to exit, smiling brightly as she shuts the door, leaving Brooks with his wife’s parents, which he assumes still didn’t realize that he and Everleigh were married.

“You’re lawyer friend just called to inform us that she is almost here…and she said a verdict will be passed down today at noon.”

Jumping from his chair he begins removing his white coat as he rushes out, “We need to get Everleigh.”

“Yes, we do, son. But first, I want to make sure that you don’t screw this up.”

Joseph’s steady gaze holds Brooks’ and he suddenly feels like a teenager again. And he fully understands how Joseph and Amy were able to keep their children in line growing up.

“What my husband is trying to say is that we know that you’re married and have been for a while. We just want to make sure that you remind her of that because she is going to be overly emotional regardless of the outcome.”

A smile grows on his face as he once again begins to pack up his things.

“Don’t worry. I’m already one step ahead of you,” Brooks adds as he escorts them from the clinic.

The group descends as one into Angie’s diner. From what Brooks can tell Amy had sent out a town text chain letting them know about Sierra’s arrival. The only person notably missing from the crowd is Everleigh. Then suddenly the air shifts around him and his body awakens to her presence. His heart distinctly recognizes its other half when close-by.

Brooks moves away from his conversation with Austin and steps in her direction.

“Sweetheart,” he murmurs into her hair as he wraps her in his arms, needing to absorb some of her quiet strength.

“Is she here yet?” Everleigh inquires as she glances around the space, waving to her family as they stand off to the side.

It had taken a while for Everleigh to let her siblings back into her world as they once had been, but now they were stronger than ever.

Before Brooks has a chance to respond Sierra saunters into the diner on her ridiculously high heels, acting as if she owns the place.

The crowd grows quiet, everyone anticipating the news Sierra brings with her.

“Well, don’t I get a hello or introduction?” she questions with her hands firmly placed on her hips, her dark eyes narrowing at the group.

Taking the lead Brooks introduces, “Sierra, this is everyone in Carson. Everyone, this is Sierra.”

“Well now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Anyway, let’s get this ripped off like a band-aid.” She turns her attention to Everleigh and Everleigh only. “Well, I will have you know that the jury noted how moved they were by your speech. And I hope that your strength is felt by every victim of abuse around the world. That despicable man is going to be spending a very very long time behind prison bars.”

Everleigh gasps beside him, her delicate hand squeezing his with all its might. “So, he was found guilty?”

“On all counts. He’s looking at a 75-year sentencing with no option of parole.”

The crowd expels a collective breath, each person letting the verdict settle deep inside them. The quietness of the room doesn’t last long before the energy bursts forth and everyone begins clapping and cheering. Everleigh is tugged from beside him into the arms of her family, each member passing her to the next. He and Sierra stand together watching as each embrace builds back the innocence that had been lost inside her.

“Thank you, Sierra.”

“It was my pleasure, Dr. McCafferty. Now I believe you should go claim your wife.” With a nudge on his hip, he steps forward and wraps Everleigh into his arms, his favorite place for her.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”

“I can’t believe it, Brooks. It’s over. It’s finally over and I can move on with my life.”

Knowing that this is his chance Brooks descends towards the floor, kneeling on his left leg. Gliding his hand into his pocket, he grabs the ring Tiffany had slipped to him when she arrived and takes it into his fist.

“Everleigh Connelly. The first time we met I knew that you were someone special; you brought out a protectiveness in me that I hadn’t known existed.  You were bright, beautiful, and strong. And I knew that I needed to make you mine. I still feel the same way despite the black eyes you like to give me.  There isn’t anyone else I would rather fight with, or share my life with. I love you more every day and I want a future with you. My dreams only exist with you. So, would you do me the honor of tearing up the annulment papers and being my wife for good?”

“Oh, Brooks,” she responds as he holds up the sparkling antique diamond ring. Her eyes water with unshed tears as she considers his proposal. At first, Brooks fears that she’ll reject him, but then she smiles. The smile that shows every bit of love she has for him. “You crazy man, you actually asked me. You didn’t demand like you usually do. I’d be a damned fool to say no.”

“So, is that a yes?”

With the crowd gathering closer, he can feel their anticipating gazes at his back.

“It’s a thousand yeses. I love you so much, Brooks.”

He slides the ring on her finger, where it will remain for the rest of their lives, and then hauls her into his arms, their connection melding their two bodies into one.

“Are you going to want another wedding?” she asks as she pulls her mouth away from his a hair.

“It’s up to you. I’ll let you decide. Any ideas?”

A look of longing flickers in her eyes and Brooks instantly knows what location she is considering.

“I know just the place.”

“And I think Vegas would be a great honeymoon.”