Lies that Destroy

Disclaimer: I do not own Good Luck Charlie

A/N: To the anonymous reviewer...no...Spencer is not coming back in this story.

Chapter 38 (We will be Okay)

The next few days passed very slowly for the Booth family, everyone had been taking time to absorb the news that Bob Duncan had finally been killed. Now all that was left was the trial of Amy Duncan, but it didn't make matters any easier. April still was plagued by nightmares, though they were lessening. PJ was spending a lot more time shrouded in his music, as well as his studies, looking forward to college. He was already jumping into it, taking a summer course with Skyler, he didn't want to wait until August or September rolled around.

April was looking forward to her next year of high school, already she enjoyed the school she was going to. Rick and Mai were awesome, she had a tiny crush on Rick that was developing, and Mai had begun to take notice. She was already teasing her every now and then about it. It was great to have friends like them, though, and already she'd toured New York with them and with Skyler.

She walked from her bedroom and up towards PJ's room, she gazed at the door with a simple smile and a peaceful heart. As she moved over, she knocked on his door and waited as he opened it up. "Hey brother, I was hoping we could talk a little bit?" He nodded and extended his hand for her. When she entered, she saw a textbook propped open on his work desk, with a paper and pen. "Dad has you doing some extra homework?"

"Yep." Their father, along with Mr. and Mrs. Bosca often collaborated to come up with some homework assignments for PJ and Skyler. They would grade the assignments and have PJ correct whatever it was he got wrong. Sometimes they had to give him some step by step help, but he was getting the hang of many things, and would soon be prepared for college. "I'm doing some World History right now, studying right now on the election of President William McKinley. I finished some of the Industrial Era last night."

"Sounds like you're learning a lot." She propped herself onto his bed while he moved over to the desk and looked down at his textbook. "Take a break sometimes. Studying, then doing music constantly isn't helping you much."

He paused and hinted at a playful smirk. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you're pouring everything into that, spend some time with your family. Like, I don't know, your little sister." He looked over at her and laughed. He moved over and sat beside her, letting out a heavy sigh. She put his head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I've been thinking. I can't believe…it's really over. They got him." PJ clicked his tongue and stared at the television across from them, studying his reflection in the blank screen.

"Yeah…yeah they did." He folded his forearms onto his abdomen and leaned his head back against his headboard. "You've been thinking about it still? How are you doing? I know the therapist said not to dwell on it, right?"

"I know. Forgive and let go." It was hard to do that since she knew the memories would always remain. "I don't understand how someone could be so evil. I don't understand how someone could take three children from their families…and fill their heads with so many lives. I don't understand how someone could make someone feel secure, only to have them come to the conclusion…that they were in more danger than they ever thought possible."

PJ didn't say anything, he only lifted his head and gazed at the wall before them. April opened her eyes and let a tear fall from her eyes. She still had that peace inside, but at the same time, she felt numb. "Amy wanted to give us back. She wanted the truth out." April turned onto her side and hugged his chest, sighing as she remained close to her brother. She was thankful that she still had him, that they were safe, and now she wasn't afraid of ever losing him again. "Now she'll be risking life in prison, but you know what? She wasn't half as bad as Bob was." Likely Bob would have received the death sentence if he hadn't been killed.

"Deputy-sorry-Chief Dooley is a hero now. So is Deputy Michael. Has he been made official yet?" PJ shook his head and cleared his throat.

"He's just the Interim Chief of Police right now, but from what I understand with the news reports…many people are calling for him to take office immediately due to his involvement in this case." She could hardly bear to watch the news, it was impressive that he was able to do so. "How are you feeling, April?"

"Scared, but only because we still haven't talked to our therapist about this yet." She laughed in vain and closed her eyes once more. It was hard to note the feelings going on inside, but if she had to, she'd say she was almost euphoric. "I don't have to worry anymore. My nightmares are even going away."

"It'll take some time, but that's a good thing."

"I know I'm safe with our dad, and with my brother. I couldn't ask for anything more…and I wouldn't." Hell, they were even going to see Charlie again, which could only mean they'd still have time to be happy. "I am worried for her, for Charlie, do you think she'll be all right?"

"I don't know. It depends…If Bob never hurt her and Amy took good enough care of her, she probably won't have as bad mental issues that the therapist says she's likely to come out with. It'll be good for her to be back with us and with Dad, because that means she'll be taken care of."

"Right. She deserves to be happy."

"We all do." He hugged her and gave her a protective brotherly smile that warmed her heart and soul. She knew both he, and their father, would never let anything happen to her. "Are you ready to get going to the therapist for today's session?"

"Yes." They were having a session together, the therapist wanted to gauge their reactions together. Plus, it was much easier for her to talk to the therapist with him around, because she felt a lot safer with him. "I love you, Bro."

"I love you too, Sis."

Within the hour, they were sitting in front of their therapist. They were in a small square room with a desk and chair propped up against a window at the back of the room. To the left of the desk was a black recliner that rested against the middle of the wall. The therapist was sitting in the chair with her right leg over her left. She looked to them with a soft smile and gentle brown eyes peering past her wire framed glasses. She had feathery brown hair that swooped out at her chin. PJ and April were sitting in separate leather recliners opposite of her, both were very comfortable.

"How are you today?" Elise Beady asked. "I have seen the news, so…I suspect you're well aware?"

"It's been better than before," PJ started. "Peaceful, actually…it was just a shock when we saw what was going on. That chase was being filmed live, so we saw him fall. When he did, it was like…I don't know. Weightless." Elise slowly nodded her head and looked to April, awaiting her answer.

"I felt kind of numb at first," she admitted. "I couldn't believe it was over. I wanted it to be over, and when his body started jerking on that screen…"

"It was kind of frightening, to be honest."

"Understandable." Elise cleared her throat and leaned back in her seat. "This was a man that you two believed was your father for quite some time. It would affect you in such a manner. Tell me, how do you feel about your real father?"

"He's the best dad," April proclaimed with a joyful attitude. She bounced up in her chair and clapped her hands once. "He's done everything to make sure we're happy, taken care of, and he's adopting our little sister. Well…she's not really our real sister, but, it's close enough."

"Good." She smiled and glanced down at her notes. "I'm glad that you two are doing well, a lot of people would be devastated after seeing something like that on the news."

"I don't know. My brother and I have each other, and we have our dad. With that in the back of my mind, I know things will be okay…I've started making friends, school's going well, and I think I'm actually getting happier."

"There isn't much bad to say at the moment," PJ calmly stated. "I've been working on my studies, and summer school's starting. My girlfriend's there for me, my father's here, and of course, I don't think I'd be in good shape if I didn't at least have my sister with me. I know things will get better. I know things are going to be hard for a while, a long while, but…things get better in time, right?"

"Of course they do," Elise replied. "Keep in touch with your friends, keep your family close, and things get better. I still would like to keep doing our sessions, I know we've been doing two times a week, but if you'd like to take it down to once a week, we can do that." That was the idea of therapy, as things got better, they could always lesson the sessions if they were comfortable with that.

"Maybe…there's still a lot to talk about really." April dusted her pant leg and exhaled softly. She smiled and tilted her head a bit to the left. "You know, my aunt says I could be on Broadway one day! Also, there's this guy I've started to get a crush on…" PJ smirked at her, a sign that she knew he'd start teasing her about this rather soon. She pointed at him, laughing. "You start teasing me, and I'll tease you about Skyler."

"There's nothing you can tease me about with her," he replied jokingly.

"We'll see dear brother, we will see." As their fun banter and exchange went on, Elise watched them with a proud smile.

After the session was over and the two returned home, they were stunned to see a police officer and a man in suit and tie, talking with Henry. They were standing behind a black car. The siblings moved towards them and their father shot a smile their way. "Hey Dad, what's going on?" April asked.

"Hey look," PJ pointed past the car while walking around it. She followed and gasped, her heart shot up in an instant. There was Charlie, standing at Henry's side, her tiny hand was grasping his leg for dear life. She was holding onto a tiny stuffed dog that seemed to be tightly clutched against her chest. "Charlie!"

"Charlie!" Charlie looked over at them and wonder filled her innocent eyes.

"Brother! Sister!" Charlie leapt for joy and ran for them, stretching her arms out. PJ scooped her up in his arms and she hugged his neck. April moved over and wrapped her arms around her and PJ, sandwiching Charlie between the two of them. "I missed you. Safe?"

"Yes, very safe Charlie," April delighted. "You're safe, and so are we."

"Gabe too?"

"Gabe is safe with his real family." Charlie slowly nodded, slightly understanding what was going on. She smiled and moved over to hug April. "We missed you, Charlie."

"I wuv you."

"We love you too. You're going to be really happy here!" There had been a point where she thought she'd never see Charlie again, but those fears were long gone. The only things that would have to happen now would be testifying in Amy's trial, which would be extremely hard, but the therapist did tell them to take it one step at a time. Things would be just fine as long as they didn't overwhelm themselves.

Henry moved over and joined the family hug, wrapping his arms around the three of them. The officer and obvious social worker drove off into the distance. "Things are going to be okay now," he promised, tears in his eyes. "I'll do everything I can to be the best father that I can be for all three of you. I love you, my children."

"Love you too, Dad," April replied. There was not a single trace of coldness left within her, only pure warmth. She never thought for a single minute that things could go so well, but now more than ever, she knew without a doubt, things had a way of working out.

Finally! Charlie's reunited with the Booth family.