Chapter 11

 

Micky showed Amber around the house. Twice she got turned around in the mammoth place, but it seemed to tickle Amber. She’d get lost a million times just to hear her laughter again. They ended their tour on the second floor to show her the room that the faeries had set up for her. Micky was almost jealous that she couldn’t sleep in this room.

“I didn’t know what you wanted to do about your sister. She can bunk in here with you, or we have a nice nursery set up just next door to you.” Amber went around the room, her hands linked tightly behind her. “There are some clothes for you as well. Not that many right now—we weren’t sure what sort of things you’d like to wear. There aren’t any shoes either, for the same reason.”

Micky was glad that she had been briefed on what was in the rooms—what Tucker and Hail had taken care of. The room looked beautiful. It hadn’t been done in pinks or too many bright colors. Being five years old, Amber would be making her likes of wallpaper and such on her own. Winnie touched her mind just as she was ready to ask Amber what she wanted.

She hasn’t a clue that the room and the things in it are for her. Don’t tell her that they are, however. Just keep it light. The kid is terrified that you’re going to decide to only take care of her sister, and that she’ll be in the system. Apparently, she’s heard a lot of horror stories about the system, and she doesn’t want to go. Micky asked her what she should do. I think the rest of us girls should come over, load up in cars, and head to the mall. Amber will see you in action and meet the rest of us too. By the way, her faerie is in the room with the two of you. I’d introduce them before we arrive.

All right. Thanks Winnie. She told her she might not be thanking her when they all came over. I’m sure that I can handle you guys. Not that you don’t scare me a bit, but you’re wonderful women.

Sitting on the bed, she asked Amber to come sit by her. When she said that she’d rather not, Micky told her that she understood. Then she put out her hand and Amber’s faerie landed on her hand. With a bow, the tiny creature went to sit on Amber’s leg.

“She won’t hurt you. I don’t know her name, but you can talk to her. You’d think it was hard to hear her, what with her being so small, but you can. Go ahead, ask her who she is.” Amber did as she was told but didn’t seem all that comfortable with her. “Dilly will be with you at all times. There are times when you won’t see her for some reason, but she’ll be watching over you. Mary Anne has one as well. But hers, from what I understand, is older, more practiced at watching over babies.”

“What is it?” Micky told her that she was a faerie. “I don’t believe in them. How are you doing this? Are you trying to trick me?”

“For heaven’s sake, no. We’re trying to make your transition from the hospital to here better for you.” Amber asked her when she was going to leave. “Do you want to leave here? I have no intentions of putting you back in the system. Lucas and I want to be yours and Mary Anne’s parents. If you’ll let us.”

“Nobody wants us.” Micky told her that she did, with all her heart. “Our mom and dad, they never told us they loved us or nothing.”

“I already love you, Amber. The moment that I saw you, I fell right in love with you. And your little sister is as beautiful as you.”

Dilly flittered around Amber until she put out her hand. When she landed there, both of them stared at the other as if they were looking deeply in each other’s souls. Amber didn’t move when Dilly moved to her shoulder, but Micky could tell that she was excited about the faerie.

“What can they do to keep me safe? I don’t think you’re going to hurt me, but what if you did?” Micky started to answer her when the women came into the bedroom with them. Amber stood beside Micky and stared at them. “Who are you?”

“We’re related to you now.” Carson sat down in the chair by the desk while the rest of them sat on the floor. “We’re here to tell you a big secret. And we’re trusting you to never tell anyone what we tell you. All right?”

Amber didn’t answer—she didn’t trust them yet. Micky wasn’t even sure that she trusted her yet. When she asked them what it was they were going to tell her, Carson took her to the window.

“Do you see him?” Micky went to the window as well and saw Cooper in the yard as his dragon. He was a beautiful sight, and he was much larger than any of the other five. “That’s my husband. Would you like to go and meet him? And, so you know, Amber, none of us will ever harm you.”

Amber took Micky’s hand in hers. Micky felt like she’d just gotten over a large hurdle. And when they made their way out into the yard, Cooper had laid down on the grass and didn’t move. He was scary large, and she wasn’t sure this was a good idea.

Amber walked right up to the large dragon and put her hand on his nose. She didn’t move away from him when Cooper showed her his hand. Amber wasted no time in getting to know his body. She touched all his scales, and when he sat up, Amber easily went into his hand so that he could lift her up to his chest.

“I’ve never seen a dragon before. Are there a lot of them?” Amber stepped back when the yard was suddenly filled with dragons. All the brothers were coming to meet the newest addition to the family. “Which one is Lucas?”

Micky took her over to where he was and introduced her to his dragon. “We can’t have children of our own. The only person that has so far is Carson, and we think it’s because she’s the queen of all dragons. Her husband, the larger one, is Cooper.” Amber looked up at her. “This is why we were so happy to have been called to come and get you and your sister. We want you to be our family. Forever.”

The dragons took their other forms then, talking to Amber and answering her questions as she asked them. She didn’t seem the least bit intimidated with them. Nor did she seem to be frightened of them. As they loaded up in the cars to go shopping, Lucas told Amber that he’d keep an eye on her sister, but to have a good time.

The mall wasn’t busy. There were a few mall walkers going around and groups of women just window shopping. Looking at the map, she wondered where the best place was to buy clothing for a five-year-old. Seeing a couple with children that looked to be about her age, Micky took Amber’s hand and they followed them.

“They might be going to the bathroom.” Micky laughed and told her that she needed to go too. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, Ms. Micky. I’m fine with the stuff that we got from the home.”

“They told me that you only got a few shirts, no shorts, and a pair of flip flops. Did you get more later?” Amber told her that she hadn’t. “Well, we need to get you ready for school. And then you’ll need winter clothing in a few months. Also, we can pick up a few summer things that will be on sale this time of the year. I don’t understand that, but I don’t shop all that much.”

The family that they were following did go into a store. But after one look at the bright pinks and glittery clothing in there, she asked Amber if this was something that she’d like to try on. Winnie came up behind them and put her hand on Amber’s shoulder. When she didn’t flinch away as she had the first time, she felt they were making progress.

“I don’t know. It seems kind of frilly, don’t you think?” Winnie agreed with her. “I’d really like a pair of shoes that lace up if you can afford them.”

“We can afford anything that you might like. Within reason. What do you say we have lunch and talk about what you want to wear?” They all thought that was a great idea and found a place where they could sit down. “Amber, order whatever you want. This is your day, and we want to have fun.”

She eyed the menu like it was going to jump on her and strangle her. It occurred to Micky that she was only five and might not understand what she was seeing. Showing her that she was going to have a cheeseburger and fries with a chocolate malt, Amber said she’d have that too. After that, they were getting along fine.

The shopping had turned into a giggle fest. Amber was showing them things that she didn’t want, nor did she want to be out in them, and they laughed with her. The shop that they were in this time was more suited to her. There were jeans that didn’t have sparkles on them. And sweaters and shirts that were plain, and again not full of sparkles.

By the time they were all headed back to their cars, Amber had five bags of clothing, two pairs of tennis shoes, some more flip flops, and boots. She had gotten them for her when she kept eyeing them. All in all, it was a very good day. On the way home, Amber sat in the back and stared out the window. Micky wasn’t sure what to think about how quiet she’d become until they were in the driveway to their house.

“I don’t know why my parents didn’t buy us clothing and stuff. I had to steal money for Mary Anne to have diapers and milk to drink. They’d just go to the back porch and get high.” Micky sat on the end of her car to listen to her. “We didn’t have food a lot of times. Mary Anne was all right because I made sure to bring my milk and stuff home from school for her. And when we didn’t have school, it was hard for us. I don’t think you’ll do that to us, will you?”

“No, never. You and Mary Anne will have the best we can buy for you. You don’t ever have to go hungry again. If you want to get up in the middle of the night because you’re hungry, you go right ahead. I’ll have the cook make sure that there are snacks and sandwiches in the fridge for you.” Amber nodded but didn’t look at her. “Do you believe me? Do you know that we’d never harm you in any way, and that we’d like for you to be our daughters?”

“Yes.” She picked up one of the bags with a large emblem on the front of it. Inside of it were shirts, blouses, as well as underthings. “I’ve never had a friend. But Winnie, she told me that I had them with her and the rest of the ladies. And she told me that I got the best when it came to having people love you. She said that all of them had already fallen in love with us.”

“That’s right. I told you, we want you to stay with us forever. Or until you meet someone that you can love too.” Amber made a face and they both laughed. “We’d better get this stuff inside and see what Lucas was up to while we were gone. How much do you want to bet that he played with your sister the entire time?”

Lucas not only had played with Mary Anne, but he’d rocked her to sleep in the room’s newest rocker. Micky was so excited about having them here. She knew that there would be bumps and hurt feelings, but they’d be a family, and that’s what she wanted more than anything.

~*~

The courthouse was packed. Lucas had thought it might be. Mariam the Second had been in the newspaper lately. Mostly it talked about how she had pleaded guilty to a lot of crimes. This would be closure for a lot of deaths too. He’d heard from Hank, the alpha near them, that she’d confessed to at least ten murders. And since she’d confessed to all of them, the trial wasn’t necessary. Sentencing would be given to her today.

When they were told to rise, he did too. His entire family was there, supporting Micky in this. She had cried a great deal last night, and today when they’d been ready to go. Amber had hugged her so tightly that it made her cry again—this time with happy tears, she’d told them.

Mariam was brought out of the side door. She was still dressed in her coveralls, and her wrists and ankles were cinched together so that it would be impossible for her to escape. Micky was going to testify against her sister if needed, but he didn’t foresee that happening. Lucas knew that was going to cause some trouble.

The attorney that was representing Mariam was sitting two chairs away from his client. He’d heard that she hit him once and had threatened him a few times as well. After she pleaded guilty, however, they said that she’d been a model inmate, not causing any trouble whatsoever. He had an idea why she was doing it, but he kept that to himself. The woman was delusional if she thought she was ever getting out of jail again.

“Ms. Patterson, it is my understanding that you have confessed to your crimes and have been helpful in getting all the information needed to expedite this trial. Is that correct?” Mariam said, “Yes sir,” like she was trying to seem meek. “And it is also here that your mother, who is now in the state prison on other charges, has confessed as well. There are several on here that she has implicated you in, as well as several that you did on your own. Is that also true?”

“Yes, sir. It’s all true. I was wondering if you could tell me what my bail would be. My sister is here, and I’m sure that if you talk to her, she’ll tell you that she’ll pay it. My other sister died recently, and I didn’t get to go to her funeral or see where she’s buried. I have only what Micky says about it.” The judge just looked at Mariam. “Micky is right here. She inherited a great deal of money from our great grandda, and she didn’t share it with any of us. I think she’s spent it all. She’ll be good for the money.”

“Ms. Patterson, you’re not going to have a bail set. You have confessed to several murders, robbery, as well as making and selling methamphetamines. There are also a few areas where you confessed to counterfeiting money.” Mariam said that she had, so she should get special treatment for telling them all that. “You are going to jail. Today. And I’m not here to give you any kind of special treatment, nor will you ever get out of prison after what you’ve done. No bail or bond will ever be set for you.”

“But I can get out soon for good behavior, right? I mean, I’m watching what I say. I’ve not hit anyone while in there.” He mentioned her attorney. “Yes, well, that was before I confessed to things. I’ve been a good person since I did that other. I’d like for you to tell me how long it will be before I can get out.”

“Sit down, Ms. Patterson, and let’s get things going.” The judge looked at Lucas, and Judge Moody asked for Micky to rise. She was so nervous then that he was sure that she was going to break his hand the way that she was holding it. “Mrs. Manning, it says in my report that you and your family are estranged. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Your Honor. I haven’t had anything to do with them since I was a teenager. My mother and two sisters went their own way until they wanted something from me. I never gave in to them except with Beth. She and I talked, and I helped her where I could. My sister is the one that Mariam the Second is referring to. Beth died recently.” He said that he was sorry for her loss. “Thank you. It was too late by the time they found her cancer. But we, my family and I, made sure that she was comfortable in her final days.”

“She has to help me out. She did Bethany. And that’s her name, Micky. How many times do I have to tell you that she’s to go by Bethany?” Mariam was told to sit down and be quiet twice before she did. “I just don’t understand how she can do things for Bethany and not me.”

“Perhaps she came to me asking for forgiveness, and all you’ve ever done is take and take. You even killed the man that I loved because you were pissed off that I got Great Grandda’s estate.” Mariam asked her how much of it she had left. “All of it. And I’ve worked very hard in making more money with it too. My husband and his family and I are adding a new wing to the hospital with the money. All of it. I don’t need it. It’ll be called the Cain Mantle Wing. Great Grandda would have loved that.”

“You’d spend your money on that instead of helping me out? What kind of idiot are you anyway?”

Mariam was told to sit down again, and this time she complied without speaking. The judge just looked around the room at the people there before he spoke again.

“Mariam Mantle Patterson, I’ve given this a great deal of thought. You’ve made my decision much easier by your display here today. No one owes you a thing. And the sooner that you get that through your head, the better off you’ll be.” Mariam said that she was trying. “Yes, well, it’s too little too late, I’m afraid. I sentence you to fifty years in prison for each of the murders that you have committed. And you will serve an additional twenty years for making meth with the intent of distributing it. You will also serve an additional thirty-year sentence for counterfeiting. The total number of years you will serve for your crimes consecutively will be three hundred and forty-three years. You have no option for parole at any time. By confessing your crimes, you have saved yourself from being executed. That is all.”

“Wait, wait, wait. I don’t understand what you are talking about. There isn’t anyone alive that can spend three hundred years in prison. You’ve made a mistake.” The judge stood up and so did Mariam. “You have to make it so I can only spend a few years behind bars. I have a lot of things to do yet. And I can’t do anything in prison.”

“Are you questioning my decision, Ms. Patterson? I’d not say yes if I were you. I can still add years to your sentence.” She told him that she was questioning him, that there wasn’t any way for someone to spend that much time in jail. Mariam said that he was stupid. “I’ll not have you slander this courtroom, young lady. You’d be better off doing what your attorney is telling you. Sit down and shut up. Would you like me to add years to your sentence?”

“Why the hell not? It’s not like I’m going to live long enough to do what you’ve sentenced me to already.” Her attorney tried to get her to sit down and shut up. “You have to be the stupidest man I’ve ever had dealings with. And let me tell you, I’ve seen a lot.”

Mariam was still screaming at the judge when she was taken away. She cursed a long string of words together that he was sure she was making up. When she was out the door, silence in the courtroom sounded loudly to him. Lucas was sure that he could have heard a pin drop.

Then, as if someone had flipped a switch to turn them on, people started leaving the room and heading to the outside, where Mariam would be put in a van and taken away. Lucas held onto Micky, telling her how much he loved her.

“And I love you. How about we gather up a picnic lunch and eat it on the deck while Amber plays in the pool? I’ll hold Mary Anne, and everything will be just as it should be in our home.”

He thought she needed it more than she sounded like she did, and they left the courthouse. They were stopped by security as they left the room they’d been in.

“The judge, he’d like to talk to you for a moment or two. He said that he’d understand if you wanted to go home and wash the stench off of you from this. I would.” The man laughed. “He’s in his chambers. I’ll take you there if you’re willing.”

“Yes, but we have a picnic to plan and go on. If he wants a lot of time, we can’t do it today.” The man, Washington his badge said, told him that he said it would take less than ten minutes. “All right. Do you know what this is about?”

“No, sir. I don’t. But I will tell you that he didn’t look all that happy when he hung up the phone and asked to see you two.”

Well, that was something. Lucas had no idea what he could want, and when Micky said she was willing to listen, Lucas took her hand in his.

Lucas sat down when asked. Micky said that she’d had enough sitting for one day, and he said that he agreed. Then Moody leaned back in his chair and looked at them both. He really didn’t seem like he was too thrilled with this.

“It has been asked of me to talk to you. So please, don’t shoot the messenger on this. I got a call from the prison. Your mother would like to see you.” Micky didn’t move, not even to breathe, it looked like to him. “She has requested that you come to see her, and she promises that it has nothing to do with money or you getting her out. Ms. Mantle said that she’s happy where she is.”

“That’s all she said, that she wants to talk to me?” Judge Moody said that it was. “May I ask how long her term is for prison? I’d like to gauge if I need to have a guard with me when or if I see her.”

“Her sentencing wasn’t done by me, but I can tell you, she’s never getting out. She was sentenced for just over nine hundred years.” Micky sat down then. “She has no chance for parole, and I’m to understand she didn’t ask for something more. Usually inmates ask for a retrial if the sentence is so high. I hope your sister doesn’t figure that out.”

They all three laughed. Lucas had no doubt that it would have been more of a clusterfuck than the one they’d just had. Micky looked at him and he told her that he loved her.

“You’ll go with me?” He said that he’d follow her to the ends of the earth. “You don’t have to go that far, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

Lucas cleared his throat before speaking. He knew this was just about Micky and her mother. But he wanted to make sure that she didn’t come home more depressed than she had been since Beth’s death.

“When we go there, if we do, what sort of setting will we be in? A room? Glass between us? I just want to make sure that I don’t have to shift and hurt the population of the prison for my wife.” Moody laughed again and told him it might be worth it to clear out some of the repeaters. But he told him how they’d talk to her. “All right. So, we’re in a room with her with cameras going. Will there be a guard there?”

“Yes. He’ll be at the ready, I’ve been told.” Lucas knew what that meant—he’d not only have his gun out, but if there was any sort of safety, it wouldn’t be on. “It’s entirely up to you, Lady Manning. I can’t tell you that this would be good for you, closure so to speak, but it might be just that for both of you.”

“All right, I’ll go. Today if that’s possible.” He said that it was, and he’d make the arrangements. “Thank you. I’m hoping that by the end of the day, I can happily wash my hands clean of my family.”

“I do too, my lady. I do too.” Judge Moody picked up his phone again and made the arrangements for them to come up today. It wasn’t a far drive, but it would be stressful. Lucas decided that a limo would be better. That way he could hold her when this was done.