It will only be forever
Chapter 7
Authors note: I am sorry I haven't updated sooner, I have had all my final exams so it has been hard to find time to write. I finish school in a few weeks so I will hopefully be able to update more. Please continue to rate/review and I hope you are enjoying the story
Olivia and Elliot awoke with a startle. They could hear screaming coming from Stephanie's room. They both jumped out of bed and ran down the hallway towards the girl's bedroom. Stephy was crying and screaming in her sleep. Olivia rushed over to her bed and began to rock her gently. Elliot walked into the bathroom and got a cold towel to wipe the sweat away. Olivia was whispering soft things into Stephy ear to try and stop her from screaming.
After a few minutes, Stephy went quiet. She opened her eyes and buried her head deep into her mother's chest. There was now complete silence in the room except for the muffled sound of Stephanie's heavy breathing.
"Stephy baby, what happened?" Olivia moved some of the girl's hair so she could see her face. The little brunette had red puffy eyes and dried tears on her cheeks.
" I was back in that house, back in that room. The door swung open and I tried to get up but I couldn't move." You could hear the panic in her voice; she was struggling to get her words out between sobs.
" I started screaming for help but nobody came. He sat down on my bed. He got on top of me. I couldn't stop him. I couldn't do anything and he…." Stephanie was hysterically crying now and couldn't speak anymore. Olivia felt so helpless and didn't know what to do to make her daughter feel better. Both Elliot and Olivia had though Stephy had been different since she started seeing George. They weren't sure whether it was because she was doing okay or for another reason, they thought it was best not to question her about it. Olivia had a feeling it was because she was shutting them out, not wanting to talk about what had happened to her and how she was currently feeling. Olivia knew Stephy probably felt like she was being a burden and a pain for her parents by talking about it so had chosen not to say anything at all. Elliot knew that was true, he knew Olivia had done the exact same thing after Sealview. She had thought by not talking about it, stopped it from being so real. She soon learned that ignoring it didn't make it go away. The flashbacks of the abuse only made it more real and painful. She had got the help she needed and it wasn't an easy recovery, it had changed her but she pulled through it.
"Why don't I make us some breakfast, Pancakes sound any good?" Elliot bent down at the side of the bed and held Stephy's hand.
"With extra chocolate chips" Stephy smiled a little before wiping her face and sitting up to look around the room. It was 5am and they had a big day ahead. Today was the trial and Stephy knew she would have to stand up in court and talk about everything her father had done to her. Alex had told her that his lawyer would make up theories and ask her questions to make her panic and give the jury reasonable doubt as to what had happened. As long as she tells the truth and answers the question's Alex asks her, she'll be fine.
Olivia could see Stephy was thinking about the trial and was questioning herself as to whether she thought Stephanie was ready for this.
"Stephy, are you ready to do this? You don't have to do this if…" Olivia was cut off.
"Mum please, I have to do this. You said it yourself that you tell victims everyday that keeping it locked inside, doesn't make it go away. Well that's what im doing, im ready to stand up and say what he did was wrong and to say no more."
Olivia couldn't help but smile. "I'm so proud of you, don't ever forget that" She kissed the top of her forehead and pulled her closer to her.
"I love you" Stephy smiled
"I love you too sweetie, now lets go eat some pancakes"
When breakfast was finished Olivia went to check on the twins. They were both awake and Harrison was covering Erica face with his hand like he always did. Liv suddenly felt arms round her waist and couldn't help but smile. She leaned her head back, resting it against Elliot's shoulder. This was one of the rare moments they could just hold each other and forget about the world.
"Liv, you're so beautiful" he began planting kisses down her neck and collarbone.
Olivia turned round to face Elliot and put her arms around his neck. Elliot couldn't help but admire just how beautiful Liv was. Everything about her was perfect in his eyes even if she didn't agree with him. He thought he could melt in her eyes. It made him wonder how it had taken him so long to have finally realised his love for her after so many years of working together. He couldn't even remember not being with her and now they had three kids who they both loved unconditionally.
"She has your eyes" He gestured towards Erica who was pushing Harrison away with her foot.
"And, he has your temper" Liv smiled as Harrison began crying because he was hungry. Olivia picked them both up and sat down in the rocking chair in the corner of the room.
"El, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, what's the matter baby?"
"She will be okay today wont she, Stephy will be okay? The defence is really going to rip into her on the stand and I just don't know if she is ready for all of this?"
"Liv, we have been through this. Stephy is strong, just like you and she will be fine. Alex has talked with her about the trial and they have been through the kind of questions that will get asked. I promise you that we will get through this as a family and after today we can look forward to the wedding and the rest of our lives together"
Olivia has tears in her eyes. She knew Elliot loved her more then anything and if she had any doubts or worries he always knew how to put her at ease. The safeness she felt when around him. She never felt like that around anyone, which was one if the things she first fell in love with all those years ago.
Once the twins were both fed everyone got ready for the trial. Stephy had spoken very little and despite the extra chocolate chips she hadn't eaten much either. Elliot was ready first. He didn't dress like he normally would for a case. He was dressed a lot smarter. He and Olivia both knew they weren't aloud anywhere near this case because the defence attorney would use it in court against them. They didn't want that. Nobody did. All they wanted was justice for Stephy. She deserved that at the very least.
Meanwhile, Olivia was in the bedroom curling the last few strands of hair. She took one last glance in the mirror before heading to her daughter's bedroom. Stephy was gazing out of the window and looking down at the streets below. A few moments passed before she realised her mother was stood in the doorway.
"Are you ready to go? Kathleen will be here any minute to watch the twins."
Stephy didn't speak. She didn't need to; she wrapped her arms around her mother and gave her a little squeeze before heading for the front door.
10 minutes later, Kathleen arrived.
"We shouldn't be to long, we will be home before 5. Our numbers are on the refrigerator if you need anything" Elliot hugged his daughter before closing the door behind them.
The courthouse was busy, filled with people just waiting. Elliot always thought that was the worst part. The waiting. Alex was going over everything with Stephy one last time before they were called in. Olivia and Elliot took their seats at the front row behind Alex and looked on as the Judge entered the room. Jonathan was sat next to his lawyer and turned to smirk at Olivia and Elliot.
"What a son of a bitch!" Elliot whispered to Liv. Olivia didn't speak; instead she grabbed Elliot's hand and moved closer to him.
"Alex Cabot for the people your honour" Alex glanced over at the defendant and felt a wave of anger brush over her. She couldn't help but feel sick at the thought of Jonathan doing all those bad things to Stephy. Stephy was like a niece to her and she was going to make damn sure that Jonathan would pay and Stephy would get her justice.
Opening statements were then given. It felt like hours before Stephy finally took the stand. She looked pale but confident.
"Can you tell your name to the court?" The defence took a glance at the file on the table before he stood and began walking round the room.
"My name is Stephanie Wilson"
"And how old are you?"
"I am 10 years old"
"Old enough to tell lies then?" The defence looked at the girl, waiting eagerly for a response.
"Objection!" Alex responded almost before he had finished his sentence.
"Withdrawn. So Stephanie, have you ever told a lie?"
"Yes" Stephy looked ashamed like she had done something wrong.
" Have you ever told lies about your dad?"
"Yes"
"Do you think lying is a good thing to do?"
"No, it is a bad thing to do" Stephy glanced at Alex who was sat at the desk looking at the jury.
"No further Questions"
"Redirect your honour" Alex stood up and walked towards the stand.
"Stephanie, this is going to be hard to talk about but I need to ask you some questions about what has happened to you. Is that okay?"
"Yes"
"How old were you when your father first hurt you?"
"I was 7"
"What did he do to you?"
"He started off just hitting me and kicking me. It really hurt." Stephy had tears in her eyes but still sat with confidence.
"Then what happened?"
"He began to…"
"It is okay, take your time" Alex smiled at Stephy who lifted her head to look at Olivia and Elliot. Olivia gave her the look that it was okay.
"He began to have sex with me. He would come into my room at night and climb on top of me. He was too heavy for me to overpower and I couldn't do anything to stop him. I begged and pleaded for him to stop but he would just slap me until I stopped talking and crying." She looked at the jury as a tear fell down her face.
"Thank you Stephanie, no further questions"
After more questions the defence finally began to come to a close.
"I just have a few more questions for you" The defence moved closer towards Stephanie who was beginning to get restless.
"How long have been hurting yourself Stephanie?" The court went silent.
"He knew! He knew she was hurting herself and he still did all those things to her?" Liv whispered to Elliot.
" He is a bad person Liv, he will be punished for this. Alex is doing a great job" He kissed her cheek before looking back at Stephanie.
" Since he started hurting me!" Stephanie screamed.
"Why are you still lying Stephanie?"
"Objection!"
"Withdrawn, No further questions."
"I have one last question for you Stephanie, Could you please tell the court why you hurt yourself?" Alex smiled at Stephy, she knew this question would be difficult for her.
Stephy looked at Olivia and Elliot with tears in her eyes before she spoke. "I hurt myself because I can't cope with the things he did to me. It is the only way I can get my emotions out. Thanks to them for loving me and looking after me, I am now getting help with it and I feel safe for the first time in my life."
"Thank you Stephanie, I understand that must have been hard to tell us. No further questions"
Closing statements were given and the jury were sent to decide the result. Olivia and Elliot both smiled at Stephy. They were so proud of her. She had done an amazing job and now the only thing left to do was to wait for the jury to come back with a verdict.
They all went to stand in the lobby and sat waiting for the Jury.
"You did a great job sweetie, we are so proud of you" Both Elliot and Olivia hugged her.
"The jury shouldn't be gone long" Alex smiled before sitting next to Olivia.
30 minutes past before they were all asked to return to the courtroom. Olivia and Elliot sat in the same row as before with Stephy in between them.
"Jury, have you come to a verdict?"
"We have your honour."
"On the account of Child neglect, how do you find the defendant?" The judge looked at Alex who was sat waiting anxiously for the result.
"We find the defendant… guilty"
"And on the charge of rape in the first degree, how do you find the defendant?"
"We find the defendant… guilty"
"Jonathan Wilson you have been found guilty on all charges and are sentence to 22 years in sing sing correctional facility"
"NO! I am not guilty, you little bitch! You better watch out Stephanie, you will pay for this!"
"Get him out my court room!" the judge ordered.
Back in the lobby Elliot thanks Alex.
" We couldn't have done it without you Alex, we can never thank you enough"
"Elliot, I was just doing my job and I would do anything for my niece" Alex pulls Stephy into a tight hug and kisses her forehead.
"Mum, Dad, can auntie Alex come back to our house for dinner? I think we should celebrate the good news"
"Of course she can, we can order Chinese" Olivia smiled at the little brunette. Olivia saw something she hadn't seen since she had first met Stephy. It was a little twinkle in her eye. A twinkle of hope like she knew everything was going to be okay.
"I would love to and guess what? I will pay!" Alex laughed at Stephanie.
"Wow! This really is a special day now" Elliot said winking at his daughter. They all laughed as they walked out of court.
Next chapter will be the wedding, thank you for everyone who is keeping with the story. Will update as soon as I can.
