"She's not happy."

Lou and Mitch were standing out on the porch early the next morning after Quinn and Georgie had gone into town. Georgie had made some vague excuse about an errand, and Lou had figured she'd let it go. Besides, they'd be back soon anyways.

Mitch sighed, walking over to stand beside his wife on the porch. "Yeah, but Lou, that doesn't mean that she would…"

"I don't know, you know. But grief changes people. And right now, she's drowning in it."

Mitch looked at her for a moment, unsure of what to say. "I'm not saying you're wrong, but I think that this time, it was an accident."

"What do you mean, 'this time?'"

It took a moment for Mitch to register he'd let something slip. "Nothing. No, that's not—"

"Did something happen?"

"No. It didn't," said Mitch, making sure to limit his words. That way, he knew he would be able to keep his emotions in check, too.

Lou wasn't sure what to make of his comment. She wanted to ask, but she figured it was probably nothing. And if it was something, she probably didn't want to know about it. Lou exhaled in frustration and turned to look in front of her. "What do you think I should do? Do I talk to her?"

Mitch thought about it. "I wouldn't. I mean, it would only alienate her. Maybe for now…just keep an eye on her. I'll do the same."

"You really think this was an accident?"

"Yeah, I do. By the sound of her screaming, it could only have taken her by surprise."

Lou shut her eyes tight. "I'm beginning to think that getting involved with the trial isn't the best idea. No wonder she spilled all that water on herself, her mind must have been so consumed."

"We still have time to think about this."

Lou could hear Georgie's voice inside her head. I just don't want us to lose each other over this. "Yeah, maybe. Do you think I'm making a mistake?"

"No, I don't."

"You seemed hesitant earlier."

"I was, but I was only worried for you. To tell you the truth, I think this is a good idea. It'll help Georgie gain her ground, realize that none of this was her fault."

"You think she blames herself," said Lou plainly, turning to him.

"It's obvious, isn't it?"

"Painfully so. She says she took Katie away from me." Lou's voice was getting tighter. Her throat felt heavy and she just needed someone to catch her. To have all the hard conversations for her, to be there for her family when she was unable to. But Lou knew that, at the end of the day, it would have to be her—she would have to do all the fixing. "I don't know how she can think that, and say it. It just makes me want to—" she broke off, halting her train of thought. She could feel his gaze on her.

"I think that, deep down, she knows she couldn't have done anything to change the outcome. That she did everything she could. But…being the one that survived is never easy. Trust me, I know."

Lou's eyes flitted up to Mitch.

"When Zach took his own life, I knew that I couldn't have done anything to stop him. Because I tried my best to be there for him, Lou. I really did. But losing him, and having to eventually come back home and face our parents, I couldn't bear it. It was on me, and it'll always be on me. I know it's not nearly the same with Georgie, because she was just dropping her sister off at a playdate, but the feelings are the same. She's mad, helpless, she feels like she's been cheated."

Lou was quiet for a few moments. "It must have been nightmarish for you."

"Yeah, it was. Still is sometimes. He was my brother, my best friend. When I lost him, I just didn't know how to be anymore."

"I know the feeling," Lou said in a heavy voice.

"I think Georgie does, too. I think the best thing for her right now is for us to be patient with her. Let her know we're on her side. Because right now, I think she's more alone than ever."

Lou nodded in agreement.

Mitch observed her for a moment, and then decided to wrap her in a hug. He couldn't just stand there, he had to let her know he was there for her. As his arms went around her, he kissed her hair. "I love you."

Lou hugged him back as tight as she could. "I love you, too."

Georgie returned home later that day. Lou was at the sink, getting ready to make lunch. She saw her daughter drive into the yard.

Wait, what? Georgie was driving herself. Quinn was nowhere to be seen, and Georgie was in a whole other vehicle. Lou had a feeling she'd seen it before…but where?

When Georgie entered the house, Lou immediately greeted her. "Georgie, honey…"

"Mom, hey."

Lou nodded, trying to figure out how she would come at this. She finished drying her hands on the cloth and moved forward. "What is that outside?"

"I just bought it."

Lou laughed in disbelief. "Isn't that Mallory's old Volkswagen?" She asked her, trying to remember.

"Yup…" Georgie answered hesitantly. "And now it's mine."

Lou didn't want to upset her, but this was also her worst fear realized. She had to say something.

Georgie noticed her mother struggling with this. She exhaled. "What? What is it?"

"Have you seen the size of it? It's smaller than your old one…"

"Mom, it's a good car. You need to trust me on this, okay?"

Lou so wanted to be okay with this, but the fear was gnawing at her. "You—why would you go out and buy that thing without asking me first?"

"When was I supposed to ask you? There's so much going on, you're barely here!"

"Oh, I'm here, alright. Enough to be able to tell you that we've had this conversation before."

Georgie half-turned away from her mother, dropping her keys on the table. "Yeah, we have had this conversation before. But it's different this time. It'll only be me riding in this thing."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lou demanded from her.

"I'm not putting anyone in any danger this time. That's what I'm trying to say."

"Except yourself. That's what you mean."

"No! That's ridiculous! I got this car because…I like the colour!" She laughed a little at the absurdity of her own comment. "I just…I need a car, you know that, right? To get into town, to do whatever it is I need to do. I mean, what if there's an emergency?"

Lou walked a little closer, making sure to tread carefully. Georgie was like a delicate bird who would swoop away the minute things started to get dangerous. "All I'm trying to say is that we could have gone to the dealership. Gotten you a truck, something sturdy to keep you safe out on the road."

"Okay, but I talked to Mallory about buying this car off of her years ago, and I finally decided to go through with it. What do you want me to do now, return it?"

Lou skipped a beat before answering yes.

"You can't be serious."

Lou shrugged.

"I can't just return it. What will they think of me?"

"I'll explain the situation to them. It'll be just fine."

"There is no situation." Georgie's frustration was building by the minute, but she was holding her own. "Mom, would you just let this go?"

"You're returning the car. End of discussion."

"And if I don't?"

Lou stopped, half-laughing in disbelief. "You're serious?"

"I'm not returning it, okay? Whatever issues you have with it, you're just going to have to deal with them. This isn't my problem. I'm fine with it, I got a good deal on it, and—"

"Georgie, please."

She realized that maybe this was more than just about her making a large purchase without talking to her mother first. The pleading in Lou's voice made it apparent.

"So, honey, you're telling me that you bought this car because of how great the colour is, right? It's got nothing to do with the fact that it's a really old model? That its engine has probably been sitting idle for months, if not years."

"Mom, what are you even trying to say? I don't…"

"You know what, you can have my truck, and I'll take your car. I don't have much use for it nowadays, so you're free to take it."

"Mom, we're not switching. You're keeping your truck. And I'm keeping this Volkswagen. Since I'm the one who bought it."

Seeing how small and nervous her daughter looked, Mitch's words came back to Lou.

I think the best thing for her right now is for us to be patient with her. Let her know we're on her side.

Lou looked toward her daughter, who was waiting on her response. "Okay, you win."

"Wait, what?" Georgie hadn't expected Lou to give in so easily. "You're serious?"

"Just promise me that you'll tell us if there's something that needs fixing. Keep a spare tire in the trunk, extra fuel. Just be careful."

Georgie's lips parted. She wasn't sure what to say.

"Promise me."

"I promise." After a pause, "Thank you."

"I only want what's best for you. You know that."

Georgie nodded. "Yeah. I do."

The lawyer had made somewhat of a surprise visit to the ranch house. He had called Lou on his way, and Lou had had to call Mitch home, as well as gather Georgie from upstairs.

Now, the lawyer was seated at the round table in the seat nearest to the stove. Across from him sat Georgie. Lou and Mitch stood by the fridge, hovering near Georgie.

He began by telling them that the trial was beginning in a couple of weeks, that they had called him in the nick of time. Then he got to the matter at hand.

"I did some digging, and as it turns out, Parker's father was the one who instigated Georgie's arrest. His close friend was one of the arresting officers on duty that night."

The muscles in Mitch's face were tight as he listened in. When he locked eyes with Lou, he saw that she was equally as tense. He gave her a small tip of the head, trying to reassure her.

"There's something that I need to know, though, before I investigate further." He turned his attention to Georgie. "Can you tell me if something happened to you while you were in custody?"

Georgie straightened a little. "What…what do you mean?"

"If you were mistreated. Perhaps verbally, or even physically."

Georgie had kept the truth from her family for so long about this, that she herself had begun to believe it was a lie. But she knew that if she didn't speak up now, it would hurt their case. She exhaled. "Yes. I was. Physically, I mean."

Even though Lou had suspected it for weeks, hearing it now. from Georgie herself, it wasn't easy.

Mitch quickly placed a hand on Lou's shoulder to try to keep her grounded.

Lou turned to look up at him, a crazed look in her eye.

Georgie refused to turn to look at her mother. She just hoped that this wouldn't upset her too much. Besides, it was in the past. It couldn't hurt them, right?

The lawyer spoke up. "Could you elaborate on that?"

Georgie was tongue-tied. "Oh, well, I don't exactly…you know, I don't…"

The man nodded. "No, I understand. Maybe you can pay me a visit at the office, and we can iron out the details."

Georgie exhaled, relieved. "Okay."

He continued. "There is one other thing. Georgie, you were adopted into this family, is that correct?"

Georgie had seen this one coming, but it didn't sting any less. "Yes. Over ten years ago."

Mitch took a step forward. "Why…why does that matter?"

"It matters because the defence will try to twist the story around. Change the narrative, so to speak. You have to understand, they will try to get under your skin." He directed the last part at Georgie. "And you'll have to remember to stay calm and composed."

Georgie simply nodded. She didn't know what else to say at that point.

Mitch spoke again. "They can really do that? I mean, the case is cut and dry. There's a massive amount of evidence against him."

"There is. But the Andersons have a lot of money, a lot of say in how this case may or may not go. Even without saying much, they have a lot of influence."

"What could this mean for us? Could they…could they try to pin it on Georgie?" Mitch asked.

"No, but it may mean their son could get a lighter sentence. He could appeal to you for leniency."

"But that's ridiculous!" Mitch insisted.

"I agree. Which is why we're going to do everything we can to make sure that that doesn't happen."

Georgie zoned out at this point. She was too exhausted to continue listening.

After that, the lawyer didn't stay long. He simply mentioned that he'd get in touch with the family soon, and that his assistant would set up a time for Georgie to meet him at his office.

Once he had left, the house fell quiet. Mitch saw the lawyer to the door, and once he'd gone, Mitch turned around, taking in the scene. His eyes travelled over to Lou, who looked so pale that Mitch thought she was going to pass out.

Georgie noted how absurd the silence was. "Somebody say something."

"Georgie, honey," said Lou in a thin voice.

She half-turned to her mother. "Years of building our love and trust in one another…it was all for nothing. Our relationship's been reduced to this one focal point. All anybody's going to see is that I was…" Georgie trailed off, her tears getting the best of her. "That I was adopted," she finally was able to get out in a low voice.

Lou rushed forward, bringing her arms around Georgie's shoulders. Lou could feel her daughter's trembling form. "All those years weren't for nothing, okay? You're my daughter, you always will be."

"But, Mom…"

Lou hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. "I don't care how you came into my life. I just care that you did. I need you to understand that."

"I'm just really, really tired," said Georgie.

Lou felt nausea building up, but she powered through. She had to. "I know, I know," she said, closing her eyes. She leaned her face on her daughter's hair, and inhaled deeply. "I'm right here."

As awful as this was, as horrible as Lou felt, she was thankful that she could hold onto Georgie. Love her. Protect her.

Lou felt like Georgie's mother again, she was beginning to feel like herself again.