Chapter 59
(Phoebe's POV)
"There has not been one instance where James has been involved in disturbance in the prison," Stanly Peirson, Jame's Lawyer says.
"My client also helped Pete Sars, his cellmate, enroll in the church club turning him away from the drugs he was selling," Mr. Moore's lawyer goes on and on. I fight the eyeroll. Pete Sars. Why is that a familiar name.
We have pleaded our case about why we do not think he should make bail. Nathan went on the stand and told a heartbreaking story. I was sobbing, Noel was sobbing, Berkeley was straightfaced as Cole held her. I am very worried about Berkeley. Noel also went on the stand.
I know seeing James was hard for Noel, Berk and Nathan. He is in an orange jumpsuit. He is thinner and has stubble on his chin. They haven't seen him since the night he got arrested. Berkeley cried in Cole's shoulder when her dad walked out. Nathan just looked angrier.
I am holding Nathan's hand so tightly. Teddy looks worried as he jots notes down. Kevin is also here in support. I look at Nathan and he is straightfaced. God I pray that he does not make bail.
"We will recess in 20 minutes," The judge says. I look at Teddy and he gives me a nod. We walk out into the marble hallways. I keep a hold of Nathan's hand.
We stand in a circle and no one says anything. "If he makes bail I am pushing a permanent restraining order for all members of the family," Teddy says and I nod.
"He looked awful," Noel says sadly. Nathan walks over and wraps his arms around her. Cole has a hold on Berk.
"Thank you again, Teddy. You have been nothing short of amazing," Noel says and I nod. He really has.
"Of course, Noel. I am happy to be able to help," Teddy says.
"I need to use the restroom before we go back in," Berkeley says.
"I'll come with you," I offer. She starts walking and I follow her. I walk next to her and try to read her expression.
"How are you, really?" I ask her. We turn down the hall and she shrugs.
"Fine, it just feels wrong," she says. I am not sure what she means by that.
"I know he did bad things, but he is still my dad. He raised me and loved me so well. Fighting for him to stay in jail feels wrong," she says and I nod. Her voice cracks but she takes a deep breath as we go into the bathroom.
"I can't imagine what you are feeling, Berk. I am so sorry you have to go through this. I know it is hard to see your family hurting," I say and she nods.
We both use the restroom and wash our hands. Outside the bathroom I give her a hug as best as I can with my bump in the way. She pulls back and gives me a small smile.
"I'll be fine, Phoebe," she says and I nod.
"I know you will, but that doesn't mean that I am not going to play big sister and check up on you all the time," I say and she smiles sadly.
"Let's go do this," Berk says and we walk back to our waiting area. I sit next to Nathan.
"How did she seem?" Nathan asks in my ear.
"She is having a hard time, but she told me she will be okay," I say and Nathan looks at me nervously.
"We will just keep checking in on her, how are you doing," I ask him. He shrugs.
"If he makes bail," Nathan starts and shakes his head.
"We will get through this together," I say and Nathan kisses my head. The baby kicks my ribs and I gasp.
"Breathe," Nathan says and massages my side. He has grown accustomed to what my gasps and groans mean at this point in the pregnancy. This burn doesn't go away as quickly as it usually does.
"Ow," I say and try to stretch it out. Then there comes a pain that shoots through my back and low abdomen.
"Oh my god, ow," I say and Nathan jumps off the bench bending in front of me. I grip his hands tightly and try to breath through it.
"I think I am having a contraction," I say. Berk, Cole and Teddy and Noel are all over here now too.
"Did your water break?" Nathan asks he moves between my legs.
"No," I say through gritted teeth.
"It is a braxton hicks contraction, Bee," Nathan says and moves so he is massaging my back. Oh. Perks of having a doctor husband.
"What is that?" Teddy asks leaning down near me. The pain is slowly subsiding.
"It is a practice contraction. It is preparing the body for real ones," I am gripping Nathan's hand so tightly.
"Those don't hold a candle to real ones," Noel says and fear fills my body. That hurt horribly. I can't imagine real ones.
"Really mom," Berk says.
"Oh shoot, I am sorry. Phoebe I had two really big babies," She tries to recover but the damage is done. I am scared to give birth. Nathan shoots his mom a look.
"Do we need a medical care or an ambulance?" a worker from the courthouse comes out of their office.
"I am fine," I say. Nathan nods and kisses my head. He continues rubbing my back like we learned in the birthing class we took.
"Court Case 153 is now back in session," that is Mr. Moore's case. Everyone's face drops. A decision has been made. We walk back in. Nathan is taking some of my weight as he helps me walk.
We sit down and I say a silent prayer. "All rise," I stand and Nathan has his hand around me.
"James Moore has been granted bail, one year of probation and there will be restraining orders placed for Nathan Michael Moore, Berkeley Rose Moore, Noel Krist-" the noise fades out as my stomach drops. He was granted bail. Meaning he is able to walk freely.
I feel tears well in my eyes. I turn to Nathan. He wraps both arms around me and holds me tightly. "I am so sorry," I say as my voice cracks. He doesn't say anything he just holds me.
I make eye contact with James. He looks down at my stomach and his eyes widen. There is a look of sadness. I don't feel bad. Not even for a second.
We clear the courtroom. Noel is crying quietly. Teddy hugs her and apologizes. She tells him not to apologize. This system is so corrupt. Nathan steps away from me and approaches Berkeley. She shakes her head at him. Cole is standing at her side.
"I have to go," Berkeley says and turns walking away from everyone. Nathan goes to follow her but she says stop.
"Babe," I say and reach for Nathan's arm. Berkeley needs time. I know that she is upset because of how everyone is acting when James made bail. If Nathan heard that he would be pissed.
"Bubs," Teddy says and hugs me.
"I am sorry," I say and Teddy shakes his head.
"I got them all restraining orders. I am going to talk about more options today," he says and looks pissed.
"Thank you Teddy," I say and give him another hug. I check the time and see this ran over. We are due to pick up Henry soon. I shoot my mom a text and let her know what is happening.
After we all bid each other goodbye we walk to the car. I am in a Navy blue maternity shift dress. I also managed to get heels on because lord knows how. Nathan opens the car door for me and I get in. He gets in the driver's side and sighs.
"We are going to be okay," I say. "Talk to me," I push him.
"I just can't believe he made bail. As I sit there telling that story he coudn't even look at me, Phoebe. He is a fuck," Nathan says and I nod rubbing his back.
"We have a restraining order, and new security," I say. The new security is not something I enjoy. I miss Sawyer, but I keep my mouth closed.
"If he comes anywhere near us I will kill him," Nathan says and I don't doubt that.
"We should be celebrating," he says and I look at him confused.
"You are almost a month away from having this baby, we should be celebrating the pregnancy and each other. Not dealing with my shit," Nathan says.
"Your shit is my shit and vice versa. I have had my fair share of things too, Nate. There is no one I would rather do this with, and besides we have a whole month to celebrate," I say and Nathan leans over kissing me.
"I am proud of you, Nathan," I say.
"And I love you, Bee," He says and I smile. He means the absolute world to me.
"Do you think Henry will be scared to see me?" Nathan asks. We pull up to my parents house. Henry hasn't seen Nathan since he yelled at him in the gym. There is a real hint of sadness in his voice.
"Baby, he was asking for you all day last night and this morning," I say. Nathan went over to Noel's early this morning to take her to court.
"I can't believe I yelled at him," Nathan says and shakes his head. I grab his hand and look at him.
"Nathan, you have so much going on. You snapped and that is okay. I know you and I know you didn't mean to. Kids are forgiving and resilient. Henry will be fine," I say and Nate nods. I know I didn't convince him.
We walk into my parents house. They have been so helpful with Henry recently. I can't even begin to describe how lucky we are. I see my mom helping Henry ice cookies. I smile as my dad is sitting watching them.
"Mommy, look," Henry says and I walk around the counter. My parents still smile every time he calls me mommy.
"Wow buddy, look at that," I smile. The baby kicks and I know it is because I am hungry. I pick up a cookie and take a bite. The baby kicks my ribs this time and I hold in a gasp rubbing my side.
"MMM these are so yummy," I say and Henry claps looking at my mom. He is so freaking cute.
"Daddy, try," Henry says and holds one out to Nate. Nate takes a bite and hams it up for Henry.
"Oh my goodness, we need to start selling these right now. These are the best cookies I have ever had in my entire life," Nathan says and Henry is over the moon about that. He continues icing as my parents talk to us.
"How did it go?" My mom asks.
"He made bail," Nathan says and their faces fall.
"We have restraining orders, but it is still a hard pill to swallow," Nathan says. My dad pats Nathan on the back and hugs him.
"If you need anything at all, I know Taylor set up security, but anything else we are here," My mom says.
"Absolutely, I will have Taylor send over security for the outside of the house," my dad says and I nod. My mom hugs me then Nathan. This is so hard.
Another braxton hicks contraction hits and I bend over groaning. Nathan is instantly at my side massaging my back and reminding me to breath.
"Phoebe, what's going on? Do I need to call 911," I shake my head unable to talk as the pain wraps around my uterus and back.
"She is having braxton hicks contractions," Nathan says. I try to breathe through it.
"Oh sweetheart," My mom says and is on my other side rubbing my back. I am in so much pain.
We say goodbye to my parents and head home. Henry is singing in the car and making us laugh. When we get home we go into the kitchen. Henry is bouncing off the walls excited about chick fil a for dinner. It was a moment of weakness when he was crying saying goodbye to his Bubs.
"Henry, can I talk to you?" Nathan asks. Henry looks at me and I smile.
"I bad?" Henry asks.
"No buddy, can we talk on the couch?" Nathan asks.
Henry sits and I stay in the kitchen listening. "Henry, daddy was bad last night," Nathan says and I smile.
"I am sorry that I yelled in the gym," Nathan says. "I was having a big feeling and I felt frustrated," Nathan says and Henry is looking at him quietly.
"Mad and sad," Henry says and Nathan nods.
"I was feeling mad and sad. Daddy is so sorry that he yelled at you," Nathan says and is rubbing Henry's hand.
"It's Otay, daddy," Henry says and snuggles into Nathan's side. The sight makes me all but cry.
"Can you forgive me?" Nathan asks.
"Yep, and now we do all betta hugs," Henry says and stands up on the couch flinging himself at Nathan. I smile and watch the sweet interaction.
"I love you buddy," Nathan says.
"I love you moon and stars," Henry says trying to tell him he loves him more than the moon and stars.
Another contraction comes through and I groan grabbing the counter. This one is intense. I bend over trying to breath. Oh my god this hurts. Nathan hurries over to me and starts massaging my back.
"Breathe, baby," He says and Henry runs over.
"Mama is okay, Hen" Nathan assures him. All I can focus on is how much pain I am in. I try to breathe, but it hurts so bad.
"Ow, Nathan," I cry out holding his hand.
"Baby, breathe," he says again. I take a couple deep breaths.
After the contraction passes I stand up. Oh it hurt so bad. "Jeez," I say and look at Henry.
"Jeez," Henry mimics me. I laugh and rub his head.
Nathan takes Henry outside and I sit on the patio swing reflecting. Today was hard. The next couple of weeks are also going to be hard. Something is bothering me about today's trial.
A name that was said. Jame's lawyer talked about his cellmate. Pete Sars. I know that name but I can't put my finger on why. All of a sudden it hits me. I rush inside and grab my phone.
"Mrs. Moore is everything okay?" Logan, our new security, asks.
I don't respond as I dial Taylor's number quickly. "Phoebe, what's going on?" Taylor asks.
"Who was the car registered to that hit, Sawyer?" I ask.
"Phoebe, I know this has been hard on you," he starts to say.
"Taylor, what is the name," I ask again. He sighs and I hear paperwork shuffling around.
"Peter Sars," he says and my stomach drops to my feet.
"Phoebe? Are you there?" Taylor says after a minute of silence.
"Yes, you need to come over here now and Teddy and my dad. Oh my god," I say as the tears stream down my face.
"Phoebe, what is going on?" Taylor asks.
"Please," I cry.
"Okay," Taylor says and hangs up.
Nathan comes in with Henry on his shoulders. When he sees me crying his face falls. "Bee, what's going on?" Nathan asks.
"Henry, can you go get your IPAD and play on the couch?" Nathan asks him.
"Yes, tank you," Henry jumps up and down excited. We only let him play IPAD as a reward.
"Bee, baby what is going on?" Nathan asks me.
"Pete Sars, is who the car that killed Sawyer is registered to," I tell him. The pad of his thumb swipes away my tears.
"Right," He says, not getting it.
"Pete Sars is who your dad's lawyer said was your dad's cellmate. Remember he said he got him into the church," Nathan's face falls.
"Taylor is on his way," I say and as I do they burst through the door.
"What is going on?" My dad demands.
Nathan holds me and explains. Taylor and my dad look at each other. "We need to call the police," my dad says and I nod.
"Where is Henry?" My mom asks.
"On the couch playing with his Ipad," I say and she nods going over to him.
My dad is on the phone and I look up at Nathan. He kisses my head and holds me tightly. "I am sorry, baby," he says and I shake my head.
"Do not apologize," I say and he frowns.
The next couple of hours are a frenzy of police interviews and detectives coming in. I am watching everything around me like it is happening in slow motion.
Next thing I know a gush of fluid filld my pants. I look down and see clear liquid. Oh my god.
"My water broke," I say and every freezes turning to me.