AN: So probably a good time to say I have promised a HEA and there will be one... eventually... I apologise in advance but this is where the strange little woman in my head told me to take this story following my writer's block. I've planned 42 chapters for this story, I'm writing 36 at the moment so I've steamed ahead again... that's usually a good sign ;)
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ana sat anxiously with Christian and Carrick outside the office of the prosecutor who would be trying the case against Elena and Eric Lincoln. They had been asked to attend the office to discuss something about the case and Ana was naturally, incredibly anxious. Her knee bounced up and down, despite the anti-anxiety she had popped in her mouth as she left work for this appointment. Carrick was the one who looked the most relaxed, probably because he was in a comfortable place, while he hadn't been able to tell Ana what it was about because he didn't know, he was the one who would understand best what was going on and be able to repeat it to Ana in a way she could understand. It was important that he was there with them.
"Do you think they're dropping the charges?" Ana asked, as this was what worried her the most, that after all this they would just decide to set them both free and never prosecute them for their crimes.
"No." Carrick said immediately. That was definitely not what this was about, he had his suspicions what it was about but he couldn't voice them out of fear of upsetting Ana and then being wrong.
"Miss Steele?" A voice called from the door on the left and all three turned to see Carrie Nichols the prosecutor looking at them.
They stood and followed her into the office, a relatively small room with a desk and a small round table with just enough room for them all to sit around.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" She asked shuffling her files.
"No thank you can you just tell me what this is about?" Ana retorted, failing to mask her frustration and anxiety.
"Of course, I apologise for calling you in like this. I can't imagine how difficult…"
"Enough with the pleasantries." Ana snapped. "Just tell me."
Carrie nodded and sat down, her hands going in front of her, clasping together on the table. Ana reached for Christian's hand under the table and he gave her a gentle squeeze, reminding her that he was there for her.
"We are currently in discussion with Eric Lincoln in regards to a plea deal." Carrie said and Ana looked at Carrick.
"An agreement that if he pleads guilty then he will get a lesser sentence." Carrick explained and Ana turned back to Carrie to hear what else needed to be said.
"We want him to testify, not only against Elena but to also give us the names of the other people in the pictures, the other men and women who hurt you." Carrie explained and Ana shuddered, she remembered the other people, so many faces, voices, smells, and sensations all assaulted her whenever she thought about them. Christian squeezed her hand, he wanted to scream, they couldn't do this, they couldn't bargain over Ana's trauma. However, he knew that Ana had to be the one to make the decisions, to voice her thoughts and feelings around this.
"What's the deal?" Carrick asked when Ana failed to say a thing.
"Thirty years in prison, eligible for parole after twenty, sex offender's registry for life." Carrie replied.
"Thirty years?" Ana asked. "That's ten years for every year her kept me…" bile rose in her throat. "How much does a person normally get for raping a child?"
"Life." Carrick replied.
"Right." Ana nodded. "So if he'd have raped me once and been caught, he'd have had life… he and Elena kept me locked in their basement for three years…" She choked. "Thirty years?"
"I know this is difficult Ana. I truly get that, but him giving us the name of every single other person who ever touched you in that house will mean we can get them all…"
Ana put her head in her hands, this was too much, she couldn't deal with this and she didn't want to either. In her mind, she'd been preparing herself to testify in court, to tell them exactly what they had done to her, Mary had been helping prepare her for that, for being able to just tell her story over again while they stared at her from the corner of the room. Now she was being told, that for a lesser sentence he was willing to admit to it, testify against Elena and provide the names of all the other people who ever touched her…
"Ana…"
"No." Ana said not wanting to listen anymore. "Just give me a minute!"
The room fell silent and while Ana's mind focused on the pros and cons of this, Carrick, Christian and Carrie looked at each other, it was clear that this news had shocked the young woman who had already been through so much.
"There's more isn't there?" Ana said lifting her head as it dawned on her. "You don't need my agreement to do this, I know that, if you want to cut a deal it's your prerogative and you would only call me in here to inform me of the fact… there's more… what is it?"
Carrie swallowed hard, surprised that Ana had worked that out.
"He will only take the deal… if he can see you…"
"Absolutely not." Christian said jumping to his feet. Ana stared at the prosecutor, unable to believe what had just come out of her mouth. Her eyes were wide, her heart raced and pounded hard in her ears. He wanted to see her? Why? It made no sense to her.
Ana calmly rose to her feet and turned and exited the room that felt as though the walls were closing in on her. Christian hurried after her but Carrick didn't, he stayed behind to find out what the hell was going on.
"You should know better than that." He growled.
"It's the only way he'll take the deal and we need those names." Carrie retorted.
"Carrie she's been through enough, this is him playing mind games, victimising her all over again." Carrick snapped, his voice rising as he tried to control his anger.
"Maybe it is, but she's the one in control here." Carrie replied. "She can say no, we'll take him to trial."
Carrick rose to his feet, he was angry with the prosecutor for not giving him the heads up on this, he could have prepared Ana better, made sure she knew she had options, give her time to come to terms with it.
"What's the time scale on this?" Carrick asked.
"Until we walk through the doors on the first day of the trial, which is set to begin the first week of January."
"Great." Carrick replied sarcastically, he didn't want this hanging over his family's head over the holidays but it was clear it would be. "I'll speak to her, get back to you, but next time some professional courtesy and give me the heads up."
"You know I can't do that…"
"You're going to have to if you're going to get her to work with you. She's been through hell and is extremely fragile Carrie. This kind of set back could land with her being unable to testify, she landed up on the psych ward when she realised who Elena was, don't be responsible for putting her back there." He left trying to calm down, he didn't need Christian nor Ana seeing how angry he was with the DA's office for doing this to them because he knew his role now was to support Ana, make sure she understood what she could and couldn't do and the consequences of her own actions.
He found the couple standing wrapped up in each other on the sidewalk. Ana seemed to be calm enough, there was no sign of shaking shoulders and he couldn't hear her sobs as he thought he might have. As he cleared his throat on approach Ana pulled back, there were tears in her eyes but she was fighting them.
"You've got time to think about this." Carrick said and Ana nodded before looking at the ground. "Whatever you choose, we're right beside you."
"Thank you." She said shuffling her foot along the floor. "Uh… I'm going to walk from here… I need… space…" She stuttered before looking at Christian. "I'm not running… I just need alone time… outdoors where I don't feel like the walls are closing in on me."
"Ok." Christian swallowed, he had to trust her. "Luke will shadow you from a distance, make sure you're ok."
"Fine." Ana replied, accepting the compromise. "I'll see you at home." And without another word, she turned on her heels and walked away. Luke looked at his boss and gave him a reassuring nod, Ana would be fine, he'd be watching.
Christian looked at his father who gave him a sad smile, they knew this was hard for Ana, but it was hard on them too. They wanted to protect her, to care for her, to make sure she was ok but they were failing miserably at doing that right now.
"She'll be ok son." Carrick said his hand on Christian's shoulder as Taylor held the door of the SUV open, trying to encourage Christian to get inside, they didn't need to be spotted by anyone outside the DA's office, the media were still showing an interesting in Christian's relationship to Elena Lincoln and they didn't need to add fuel to the fires.
"I know. I'll let you know when she's home." He said and Carrick nodded, appreciating the gesture. "See you."
Carrick watched his son climb in the car and waited on the sidewalk till they pulled away. It was such a challenge for him because as a lawyer he wanted to tell Ana to go and see Eric, it would get them more evidence against Elena and the names of the other abusers but then he needed to protect Ana and his family. Ana had been through so much already, this was another way of torturing her and he didn't want to see her hurt anymore.
Ana walked for miles, the adrenaline pushing her forward. She was aware of Luke behind her but he was giving her enough space that she felt like she was alone. There was nowhere she was aiming for, she was just walking around Seattle hoping that it would calm her racing thoughts a little.
It wasn't until she arrived on Aurora Avenue that she finally stopped. Her eyes scanned the street she was stood on, a street that was so familiar to her. Opposite her a seedy motel she'd been to more than once, a woman already hanging around outside the huge sign in a short skirt waiting for her next john to come along. Ana shivered as memories penetrated her mind of walking the street herself, waiting for the cars to stop, making sure they wanted her for the one thing she was willing to give.
"Luke?" She turned and the bodyguard hurried over as she wrapped her arms around herself. "Do you have my phone?"
"Of course." He had made sure to grab her phone and her wallet from the car. He passed it to her and removed his jacket to wrap around her as she shivered. There was only one person she wanted to talk to right now and she hoped they would be available and picked up.
Hello?
"Grace…" She choked.
Oh Ana… sweetheart what's wrong…
"I can't…" She fought against her emotions, because here on the sidewalk was not where she needed to breakdown.
Ok… it's ok… where are you? Let me come and get you.
"Aurora Avenue… by 96th street…" Ana replied obediently.
Ok darling I'm on my way. Are you on your own?
"No Luke is with me." Ana replied.
Ok, don't move from where you are. I'll be about twenty minutes. Grace said and Ana nodded before ending the call. She pulled Luke's jacket tighter around herself and he stepped closer to her, so she could feel him there. She was fighting her emotions, her breathing was coming in short sharp pants, it was too much…
"It's ok Ana." Luke said pulling her into him, he didn't care about crossing a line right now, she was verging on a panic attack. "Just breathe with me." He told her and she nodded quickly as he held tight around her shoulders.
By the time Grace arrived, Ana's breathing had normalised but Luke still held her as Grace pulled to the curb and climbed out.
"Hey Ana. I'm here." Grace said softly to which Ana lifted her head from Luke's chest in reply, her cheeks were stained with tear tracks, her eyes were bloodshot. "Come on, let's get out of here."
Luke helped put Ana in the car and buckled her in for Grace, it seemed Ana had shut herself down now and it was frightening.
"Are you coming?" Grace asked as Luke shut the door.
"No, I'll go back to Escala and fill Christian and Taylor in. She's safe with you." He said and she nodded in agreement.
"I'm just taking her home to my house." Grace explained. "I'm just glad she called me, what the hell happened with the lawyer?"
"I don't know." Luke shrugged, Ana hadn't said anything to him and he hadn't been in the room.
"It's ok. Get home." Grace said before hurrying around the edge of the car and climbing into the driver seat.
Ana was silent for the entire drive, her mind in overdrive. She wanted to run, that was why she walked, even though she had told Christian she had no intention of running, it was all she had wanted to do in the moment. However, she hadn't and when things had got too much, she did the one thing everyone had been wanting her to do and called someone who made her feel safe. It was the first time in her life she had ever remembered wanting her Mom. She had no memory of Carla and she had only realised when she'd ran through who she could call that when she wanted her Mom it wasn't Carla she felt the need for, it was Grace. Grace wasn't her mother but she was the only mother she knew.
They drove to Bellevue in silence but Ana seemed just a little better when she climbed out of the car without any support and followed Grace into the house. Grace led her through to the lounge and Ana immediately sat on the couch, in the furthest corner from the door.
"Coffee?" Grace asked and Ana nodded, still holding Luke's jacket tight around her. She shivered again. "Cold?" Grace asked and again Ana gave a small but firm nod.
Grace put the electric fire on before heading out into the hallway, she text Christian and Carrick to let them know Ana was there with her and safe, while she got the housekeeper to make them both some coffee. When Grace returned, Ana was crying, silent tears snaking down her cheeks. Slowly, so not to startle her, Grace sat on the couch beside Ana and gently wrapped an arm around her. This was enough, the floodgates finally opened and Ana sobbed like wounded child into Grace's shoulder. Grace said nothing, just held her and ran her fingers through Ana's long brown hair in comfort while she cried, crying was good, crying was a release and it was clear this had been building since before the call from Ana had come.
When she was all cried out, Grace passed her one of the coffees that seemed to have magically appeared on the coffee table, Ana hadn't seen or heard the housekeeper come in, too wrapped up in her own grief to be able to focus on anything else.
"Eric Lincoln wants to see me." Ana said as she stared into her mug. Grace's eyes widened and her head snapped up to Ana who remained looking down. "They've offered him a deal, thirty years with possible parole after twenty, as long as he testifies against Elena and gives up the names of all the other people who came to visit me in the basement and he's said he'll accept if I go and see him."
"Oh Ana…" Grace put her hand gently on the young woman's knee.
"Christian said absolutely not before the news had even sunk in." Ana said taking a deep and shuddering breath as she looked up. "But I think I want to see him Grace…" Her voice shook as she admitted this out loud for the first time.
"It's your choice." Grace reassured her and she nodded before looking into her cup again.
"Things with Eric are complicated." She explained feeling that Grace would be patient with her while she got this off her chest properly for the first time. "I never felt as though… he wanted to hurt me…"
"Ana, darling…"
"Let me finish." She begged and Grace nodded, right now Grace wished Mary was here though, she didn't know what to say or what she could do to help. She reached forward and took Ana's mug from her shaking hands and placed it on the table.
"He never came to see me alone… not like that." Ana explained shivering a little again. "Elena would always tell him exactly what to do to me… she was evil but he… he was always kind especially when she wasn't around… Grace I…"
"You're ok Ana." Grace encouraged when Ana stopped.
"I don't want him to go to prison…" Ana choked and a hand flew to her mouth as if she couldn't believe the words had come out of her mouth.
"Ana?" Grace questioned, wanting the young woman to be open with her.
"I… I feel so … disgusting Grace but… I don't think he ever wanted to hurt me… he was under Elena's spell…" Ana bowed her head again and sniffed, desperately trying to control her tears. Grace was just shocked and she didn't know what to say. "He loved me…and…and…" Grace held her breath as Annie-Rose, the little girl who was kept in a basement appeared before her eyes. "I loved him…"
"He was the only kindness you knew Ana." Grace said gently, so that Ana would know she wasn't being judged on this. "It's completely understandable."
"He raped me Grace, over and over again, he sodomised me… he…did all manner of unspeakable things to me…but I loved him so much…" She broke again and all Grace could do was slip the mug out of her hands and let her have this moment, have her emotions, but Grace knew the clock was ticking and she would need to call Mary soon because otherwise, she could see things going south very quickly. "I'm disgusting."
"No." Grace said taking Ana's hands in her own. "No, you're not disgusting Ana, what you went through, what they put you through…"
"There were times…" Ana sniffled and took a deep breath as she tried to regain her composure, she'd started now, she didn't want to stop because these were things she'd never admitted to anyone before, not Mary nor Grace and she finally felt able to say them and she didn't want to lose it. "…He'd come to the basement alone, he'd call me little baby… I'd reach for him… I would…put my hands on his pants and work his belt… he never stopped me… but he didn't force me either…"
"Ok… it's ok Ana, it was all you knew, it's ok."
"No it's not!" Ana screamed pushing Grace's hands away from her. "I…I…I…" She was shaking violently now, her hands out in front of her stopping Grace from coming anywhere near her out of fear she'd lash out. "It's disgusting… I'm disgusting…I… I… I can't do this…" She grabbed at her own biceps and squeezed, her nails digging into her skin through the jacket.
"Ana… please darling… don't hurt yourself." Grace said gently putting her hands on Ana's. "I won't pretend to understand sweetheart… but don't do this to yourself… please…"
"I'm sorry." Ana said dropping her head to her knees and Grace quickly put her hand gently on Ana's head and ran her fingers through her hair.
"I think I should call Mary." Grace said gently and Ana nodded, not lifting her head. "Will you be ok for a minute?" She asked and Ana nodded again. Grace didn't want to leave her, but she was worried about Ana, this wasn't like Montesano but it wasn't far off. She couldn't imagine what was going through Ana's mind, was it like Stockholm Syndrome? It was the only thing that made sense to Grace but she didn't know enough about it to be able to help in any way.
Of course, the moment Grace told Mary what was going on, Mary said she was on her way freeing Grace to go back to Ana who she found kneeling on the floor her head bowed. Luke's jacket had been discarded and deep red scratch marks covered Ana's biceps. Grace's heart broke as she knelt down in front of Ana unsure what to do or say to help her. Instead, she just stroked the young woman's hair, reassuring her without words that she was there for her. Ana just breathed, desperately trying to reign in everything she was feeling but it was like someone had cranked her emotions up so high and she couldn't focus on one over another. Why did he have to do this to her?
The housekeeper showed Mary in, Ana hadn't moved a muscle in half an hour. It hurt Mary to see Ana like this yet again, things had been progressing so well.
"Ana…" Mary came to her knees beside Grace but Ana didn't respond to the shrink's voice, she was muttering quietly to herself, words that were inaudible to the two older women. Grace and Mary's eyes met, this was a huge backwards step for Ana. "Ana it's ok. I promise you, everything you're feeling is ok."
"I'm disgusting." She said lifting her head, her hands going to her biceps again where she squeezed until she drew blood. Mary's hands were immediately on her own.
"Please don't do that… it's ok I'm here." She said. "And you're not disgusting Ana, it's Stockholm syndrome, it's completely normal when taking into account everything you went through." Ana choked and reached for Grace who took the little girl into her arms because that's what Ana was right now, she was that little girl from the basement reliving it all over and over again in her mind. Grace cradled her in arms like an infant while she cried, her head buried in Grace's chest.
"It's ok, I've got you, you're safe my darling." Grace whispered as she rocked Ana gently, stopping only to kiss her head.
"I'm going to need to take her in again." Mary said softly and Grace looked at her, heartbroken, this couldn't be happening, not again. "Stockholm isn't recognised as a condition but we have therapeutic techniques that can help but... she's hurting herself...escalate this is going to do, just like Montesano."
Grace's tears fell into Ana's hair, this just wasn't fair. Why was it at every single turn Ana had, things seemed to get worse.
"Stockholm at it's worst comes with… high risk of suicide." Mary continued knowing Grace was listening to her. "She's hurting herself…" She added pulling Ana's hand from her face where she'd once again dug her nails into her skin and torn at it. "Grace. I know it's not what anyone wants but it's what she needs."
"I know." Grace said quietly. "I just… she's our girl." Grace choked.
"She is and I'm going to get her better Grace but I can't do that if she kills herself." Mary replied trying not to get frustrated with Grace who was just being a concerned parent. "Please let me help her." Mary begged. Grace nodded, Mary had got Ana back once, if anyone could do it again it would be Mary.
"Ana, baby girl, we need to get you to the hospital." Grace said gently.
"No!" Ana shouted already pulling out of Grace's arms violently. She rushed to the corner of the room and wrapped herself up in the smallest ball she could. Mary stopped Grace from approaching her.
"In my car, my bag is on the backseat. I'm taking her in, with or without her consent." She said handing her car keys over to Grace. Grace nodded and hurried out the room.
"Ana… you're ok… you're safe." Mary said approaching slowly hoping she wouldn't startle Ana again.
"I'm not mad…" Ana choked. "Please Mary… I'm not mad…"
"No I know, sweetheart I know." She said her hands beside her head to show she wasn't a threat to Ana. "I'm just really worried about you right now."
"I can't live like this anymore…" Ana cried once again her hands were at her arms, scratching away, breaking the skin.
"I'm not expecting you to." Mary replied coming just a step closer.
"Then let me go." Ana begged. "Please…"
"I can't do that." Mary replied as Grace came back with the bag. Ana saw her opportunity when Mary glanced at Grace and on her hands and knees Ana started her rush for the door. Mary and Grace both reacted together and as they grabbed Ana she lashed out, desperate to escape.
"No, you're safe Ana, you're safe." Mary said as both Grace and Mary pinned her to the ground.
"Get off me!" She screamed using every ounce of energy she had to flail against them but even in her adrenaline-fuelled state, they were stronger. "Get off me you bastards!" She screamed.
"You're safe Ana, you're safe we've got you." Mary continued as she lay on top of Ana, still pinning her to the ground.
"I'll never be safe… not from myself… let me go…" She begged.
"You will, we'll keep you safe, we'll protect you I promise Ana, please. Let me help you, give me one more chance." Mary cooed, hoping she'd calm Ana down just enough. "Grace, in my bag, there's a dosage of Haloperidol and a needle can you get it ready for me please." Mary was fighting her own tears now as Ana continued to struggle against her despite the fact she was tiring, it was only a matter of time before she found her energy again.
Grace did as she was asked, crawling back across the room to the bag where she found the vile, wrapped in its plastic still, along with the needles. It took her only seconds to prepare the dosage before handing it to Mary who was still battling against Ana.
"Pin her legs." Mary said as she moved to straddle Ana, her back towards Ana's head as she pinned Ana's arms to her side with her knees. "This shouldn't be enough to knock her out." Mary said as she pulled Ana's pants down just enough to expose her buttocks. "But enough to calm her down."
Grace just nodded as Mary injected the drugs into Ana, on feeling the needle Ana's attempts to escape became quite erratic again and Mary had to use all her strength not to be bucked off Ana's back. She managed to spin herself around and put her weight on Ana's shoulders to keep her down.
"I promise you're safe, trust me." She whispered into Ana's ear. "I won't hurt you. I'm here to help."
The minutes passed, Ana's fighting became less and less until she seemed to just give up completely and Mary climbed from Ana's back which allowed Grace to release Ana's legs. The two women looked at each other, tears in both their eyes as Grace pulled Ana into her lap, she was awake, but she wasn't moving, she'd just switched off and the light had gone from her eyes.
"I'm going to need to get her to Harborview." Mary said as she looked at Ana who lay motionless now on the floor.
"It's going to be a lot longer this time isn't it?"
"I think so." Mary nodded. "I'm taking her in this time, it's not her choice, she won't be discharged until she's no longer a risk to herself and others." Grace bit back a sob at Mary's words. "Do you think a residential facility is still on the cards?"
"Of course, whatever she needs." Grace replied, even if Christian wouldn't take care of it, she and Carrick would.
"If I can get her to the emergency ward this evening, I think if we can get her to agree to an inpatient residential, I used to work at a place here in Seattle for young people age thirteen to twenty-six. I think she'd benefit a lot more from that than being in Harborview on a long-term basis on the wards."
"But that will mean you won't be her primary anymore." Grace said as she sat down beside Ana and gently pulled her head into her lap, thankful when Ana curled into her.
"I'll be her discharge practitioner, so I'll still be involved just more indirectly." Mary explained. "But we need to go now."
"Ok." Grace said looking down at the still little girl in her lap. "Did you hear that An, we're going to go to the hospital now ok?"
"Ok." She whispered, too tired and defeated to fight against it.
Mary and Grace helped Ana to her feet and Grace grabbed the blanket off the back of the chair to wrap around Ana's shoulders before they took her to the car. Mary opened the door and Grace helped Ana in without resistance before Grace climbed in beside her and held around her. She was whimpering softly, like a wounded animal.
They drove in silence into Seattle, the only break in the noise was when Mary phoned ahead to the emergency room to get them ready to meet her at the entrance. Grace held it together, despite the need to cry her eyes out over what she had experienced and had to see Ana experience tonight, she would cry later, when she knew Ana was safe.
They pulled up outside the hospital to a pair of doctors waiting for them. Mary climbed out and opened the door on Grace's side so Grace could get out first, then they worked together to get Ana who was now non-responsive but reasonably cooperative, into the wheelchair.
"I'll come and see you first thing tomorrow." Grace said as they strapped Ana into the chair, restricting her arm movements. "I promise." She said stroking her hand down Ana's cheek.
"Don't bother… I don't deserve you." Ana replied and Grace bit back a sob at her words. She leaned forward and kissed Ana's head before stepping back so that they could take her away.
"I'll take care of her." Mary said.
"I don't know what we'd do without you." Grace said as she embraced the psychiatrist.
"You'll never have to know." Mary smiled. "She'll be ok. We'll monitor her overnight and if she stays like this. We'll see about getting her transferred in the next couple of days. I'm just praying there's a bed available."
"Go, I'll call someone to come and pick me up." Grace said knowing Mary needed to get after Ana. "And thank you."
"I'll see you tomorrow." Mary said before chasing after her patient.
Grace called Jason Taylor to come and collect her, she knew Carrick was likely at work and she needed to go and see Christian anyway. She wasn't waiting ten minutes when Taylor pulled up and Christian climbed out of the back of the SUV.
"What the hell happened?" He asked knowing that there was only one reason his mother had asked to be picked up from Harborview.
"She's ok." Grace said immediately.
"Ok? Ok? So ok she's back in the mental hospital? Mom what the hell happened, Luke said she was fine when he left her with you." He was pulling at his hair, his own anxiety and frustration getting on top of him.
"Let's get in the car…"
"I want to see her."
"They won't let you son. She's been committed this time, against her will." Grace said and tears stung at Christian's eyes hearing this. "Come on, get in the car and I'll explain everything to you."
Once in the car, Taylor set off for Escala and Grace told Christian about how Ana had been at the house, how she'd spoken about her feelings towards Eric Lincoln and how she'd felt about herself. It was clear to the pair of them that Eric requesting to see Ana had bought all these feelings she'd buried so deep in her psych to the forefront of her mind and it was what had caused this latest psychotic break.
"We're going to have to let her get better this time aren't we." Christian said, it wasn't a question but Grace nodded in agreement. "You said Mary's going to find out about this place for her?"
"A residential setting for young people who have been through trauma." Grace said. "It will be for the best, I don't think once a week therapy is enough Christian."
"I agree." He sighed. "I just want her to be ok Mom but I feel like I'm responsible for destroying her piece by piece… if she'd never met me…"
"Don't do this to yourself, the one thing she is certain about in all of this is how much she loves you and how much you love her. Don't give up on her son."
"I won't." He vowed.