Chapter Ten

If he hadn't had Rick and Maddy—and Rex, today Drew wasn't sure how he would have coped. For the first time and he hoped the only time in his life, Drew Alister had a panic attack. The newest family member could be a great therapy dog. He had immediately jumped into action. He hoped on to Drew's lap, first leaning up and licking Drew's face then laying across his lap as if he was trying to protect him.

"You're one awesome pup," he said to Rex, scratching behind the dog's ears even as his palms shook. "I'm okay, pal."

Drew knew the origin of his panic attack.

His mother's trial. And of all days it was the day before Veteran's Day.

He wanted to refuse to ever be afraid of her. But if she somehow was found not guilty and she was set free, no one knew what she could or would do. Yes he was afraid for himself but he was more afraid for Maddy—who was completely defenseless and Rick, who was by no means defenseless but was the love of his life and someone who had been through more than enough. He hadn't noticed that Rick had entered the living room and sat next to him until he touched him. Drew jumped.

"It's just us, babe," Rick said softly.

He knew that his husband wasn't okay when he left him in the living room but their daughter to be tended to. Now wearing a clean diaper, she sat on Rick's lap. Seeing her other dad was upset she reached out to him and over her buddy, Rex to hug him.

"Daddy's okay, sweetie," Drew smiled shakily. He kissed Maddy's face, his entire palm covering the back of her little head. "I love you, too."

It was a relatively warm day outside for November tenth. The couple decided that to all take a walk around the block. Rex was getting better on a leash, something he had never experienced because he hadn't left the farm before coming to his new home. Both men laughed when the ice cream truck came by and both Maddy and Rex got excited. The bells weren't ringing as it drove by. It was too early.

"Later, you two," Drew chuckled.

Simone's own ranting and incriminating testimony was what extended her trial to over three hours. The judge found her guilty and despite her lawyer's pleas for probation or house arrest in her home state a tough penalty was given. She rendered sentence on the spot. Simone Alister would have to serve twenty years in prison. Ten of that before being able to apply for parole, she would have to serve half her sentence.

"Regardless of her age, the defendant is a dangerous person. I hope that her son, someone who has selflessly served this country can again find the peace he had with his family before this," the judge stated before Simone was led off.

Drew hadn't realized how much of a weight was on his shoulders with Simone's trial until it was done. The stress had taken a toll on a few things.

"Maybe you'll work on ya tonight," Rick winked at his husband.

"Hmm," Drew said, "looking forward to that."

"Drew and Rick should have a party," TC said.

He and his wife Jordan had been present at the trial. If this was how Drew was treated as a little boy their hearts broke for him. No one deserved to feel that unwanted and unloved. Many who were the same often wanted to do things different when they became parents but couldn't. Drew was one of those was able to turn it around.

Although it was not something Drew wasn't ready for he realized he had confront Simone. Things she did, and how she made him feel as a child were likely going to come in that conversation. She never acknowledge anything her son knew but when he was ready to, there were so many things he needed to get off his chest.

Then once and for all, Simone Alister would be dead to him.

Neither one knew why but on the day she was convicted and sentenced to prison through her lawyer she had issued three separate requests for Drew, Claudia and Rick meet with her.

Each alone.

Rick wanted to go just to give her (Simone didn't have a name to him) a piece of his mind. After that she would cease to exist. Drew was all right with him going. Telling him he knew Rick needed this to put the whole thing to rest as well. Claudia didn't wait to talk about it, period. Neither man pressured her to.