May 16th, 2019
Since the evening of the Glee season nine wrap party where they found out Becca was the person behind those sleazy text messages to Heather, Ryan had been warned by Heather about what was going on and Becca was placed on a two-week unpaid leave until they figured out what to do and the disciplinary action that they wanted to take with her. Ryan was not impressed, to say the least, especially with a new cast member who should be exemplifying superior behavior at the opportunity to be on a hit television show.
Heather and Naya were furious that Becca went to such extreme lengths to try and be with Naya simply because she liked her, not to mention she accused Heather of all people, of cheating. Naya knew there was no way her wife would do that to her, it was her mind and past that triggered all her feelings and made the situation so difficult.
Over the past two weeks, Heather was insanely protective and continuously reassured her wife. On the good side of things, Naya had been inseminated last week when it was determined that the hormone levels were at the ideal levels from the two weeks of injections she had done prior, and so Naya had been inseminated eight days ago. They would have to wait another week before they could take a test to find if Naya was carrying their second child. Heather was of course, over the moon regardless if nothing was set-in-stone set.
Today was the big important day both Heather and Naya had been dreading but they were also anxiously awaiting this day because they wanted to see this sorry excuse for a human being put behind steel bars for the rest of his existence. If Heather had anything to do with it she would just toss him into the ocean and let the sharks have fun but apparently the law doesn't work like that...go figure.
The Rivera's and Morris' arrived the evening before around 6:00 pm and were going to be staying the weekend. Lea was so gracious and offered her place for everyone to stay since it was more protected. Paparazzi and reporters wouldn't be allowed past the neighborhood entrance, much less outside Lea's house. Heather and Naya occasionally would peek on their phones to view their security system live feeds which already shows media and paparazzi outside their driveway gate thinking they were still home and were waiting for them to leave for court. Those sorry souls had no idea they'd be waiting for a long time since nobody was home. Their friends were also staying at Lea's house for the weekend since the next three days were sure to be a media frenzy until some other celebrity did something stupid and they found something else to focus all their energy on. They ordered a limo service to take them to the courthouse altogether so they weren't taking a million vehicles. One less thing they had to deal with the better.
Mychal, Nickayla, and Ashley were staying with Sophia at Lea's house and were going to watch the trial on their phones or iPads since it was being broadcasted for being such a high-profile public case. Heather and Naya didn't want them streaming it on the big tv for Sophia to see because they didn't know what was going to be said and that was not entertainment for a little girl. Let's stick to cartoons and princess movies. Fans had already been camped outside the courthouse since late last night holding up signs that said, lock him up, throw away the key, justice for Heya and so many other encouraging words of support. The fans were incredible but the attention and media circus around such a painful couple of events for this family was a lot to take in. This man tormented them.
"How are you holding up kiddo?" Andrew asked his daughter who was grabbing a cup of coffee in the kitchen. All the other guys minus Chris were in there talking amongst themselves and paused to give her a mixture of sympathetic looks, shoulder squeezes, and pats on the back. They all knew how hard this was going to be on their friends. Heather turned around, sighed deeply, and shrugged her shoulders.
"I have no idea how I am, all I know is that I have to be there for my wife because reliving this day will be a thousand times harder for her. We have to look at the very man who kidnapped our daughter, appeared back in our lives, and nearly killed my wife." Heather mumbled in disbelief. She shook her head to rid away of the emotions before she ended up breaking down even thinking back to the events this man caused. This man nearly everything away from Heather, twice!
"You are an incredible wife Heather." Antonio asserts as he walks over to the coffee pot to refill his cup. He was in a sleek black suit looking very polished and professional. I guess he was the leading cardiac surgeon at a major US hospital so it's likely he would know how to dress extremely well.
"Thank you Antonio but I sure as hell don't feel like a good wife when the two times I fucked up are the two times that nearly cost me, my wife and daughter," Heather mumbled as the men shook their heads. This guilt had come up many times with Heather and no matter what anybody said, nobody could get through that it was not her fault.
Heather had dressed in a fitted light grey suit that was tailored to fit a woman's body perfectly. It fit her like a glove and wasn't boxy or baggy. She paired it with a light sage green colored silk blouse with a drape cowl neckline and her gold bar necklace that had her wife and child's name on it in elegant script. Her hair was straight and pulled back in a ponytail. Heather was so much more comfortable in suits than dresses and everyone could see this.
"Don't say that Hemo, you would move mountains for those two girls and everyone here knows that." Chris let out looking polished himself in black slacks and a white button-up shirt.
"I second Chris! Nobody loves those two girls as you do so stop beating yourself up." Harry said and Heather let out a small smile.
"As they said, this was caused by a mad man who was targeting her. Luckily your wife is a complete badass and made it through this." Chord said and they all nodded.
"Thanks, guys, I appreciate you all. I'm going to go up and see if my wife needs any help getting ready." Heather says taking her coffee cup out of the kitchen with her and walking up the steps to Lea's master bedroom.
She could already hear a bunch of voices coming from the room and of course, that's where she found all of the women and Chris.
Heather peeked her head inside and found Naya, Susan, Yolanda, Ashley, Nickayla, Diana, Lea, Amber, Jenna, Chris, Melissa, Vanessa, and Sophia in their bedroom watching and talking to Naya while she curled her long hair in Lea's master bathroom that was connected to the bedroom. Naya had the door wide open so she could see and talk to everybody.
"My wife better be dressed you animals," Heather exclaimed as she slithered through the door opening and everyone snorted and huffed at the blonde.
"Butt naked honey," Naya shouted back from the bathroom and Heather rolled her eyes as she walked in playfully peeking around the corner to see that her wife, was in fact, completely dressed.
"Poor Chris..." Nickayla mumbled and Heather playfully slapped her sister's head making Chris chuckle and shake his head.
"Not funny!" Heather whined teasingly and Naya rolled her eyes and rubbed her head.
"Wow, sis you clean up good." Ashley complimented and Heather smiled.
"Thanks!" Heather smiled looking down and twisting the chain of her necklace so it was hanging correctly.
"Heather, you look amazing!" Amber smiles before Naya hollers from the bathroom.
"Eyes off my woman, Wheezy!" Naya shouted as she pointed the curling iron threateningly at Amber.
"Oh no...run," Sophia mumbles flatly and completely void of any inflection. Everyone bursts out in laughter and holds their stomachs trying to catch their breath. Sophia had the perfect combination of Heather and Naya's wit.
Naya leaned back as she curled another section of hair and scowled at her daughter.
"Soph, aren't you scared of my wrath?" Naya argued and whined all at the same time making the crowd in the room chuckle in amusement.
Sophia looks up from where she was sitting cross-legged on the bed with almost everyone else in the room. Yolanda and Susan we're sitting on the bench on the bench at the foot of the bed with their cup of coffee.
"Those thingys you hang on the door?" Sophia responds innocently making everyone laugh.
"No, little love, that's a wreath. It means aren't you super scared of mami when she's being all Snixxy..." Heather clarified as Sophia's mouth formed an O shape and nodded.
"Yeah, mami...super scared" Sophia hums through a yawn making several of the girls fall back on the bed with laughter, two of which are their sisters. Bitches. Naya sends a glare to every single one of them but it was useless now.
A few minutes later Naya was just finishing up her hair and putting on a little mascara. Everyone is still casually talking in the bedroom.
"I hope this guy gets what he deserves..." Heather murmurs and steps into the bathroom and kisses Naya on the back of her head after she set the curling iron down on the counter and switched it off and unplugs it. Naya fluffs out her hair, smiling at the reflection of her wife in the mirror.
"Mhmm, baby look at you. You look hot." Naya whispered as Heather wrapped her arms around her wife and discretely caressed her belly before laying her arms across her wife's waist. Naya smiles knowingly and turns her head to the side and kisses her cheek before whispering into her ear.
"Soon, baby." Naya smiled with a hopeful tone to her voice. Heather nodded and was so amazed by Naya's body. The fact that Naya could possibly be carrying their second child right now was so remarkable and inspiring.
Naya turns in her wife's arms and they kiss passionately and hear Ashley from the other room.
"Oh gross! Ya think they know where still here?" Ashley whispers.
"They always do this... I just run!" Sophia shrieks and Nickayla, Ashley, and Sophia run out of the room dramatically making the other women laugh and shake their heads.
"It would have been nice to give birth to at least one normal child..." Susan sighs and Heather pretends to be offended.
"Don't you just know how to give excellent morning pep talks..." Heather replied monotonously. Naya and Yolanda laugh along with the other girls.
"What if it doesn't go the way we hope?" Naya blurted out making everyone turn to look at her. They were now standing by the bed where Yolanda and Susan and their friends were sitting on and around.
Heather moved to stand behind her wife and place her arms over her stomach in a secretly protective manner that nobody would have picked up on. Their family was also in the dark about them even thinking about or trying for another baby. It was a hard road sometimes and they wanted it to be for just the two of them.
"There's no possible way It couldn't from how I see things. My love, this man has a wrap sheet longer than our daughter's Christmas list." Heather explained and the room lets out a small giggle. "He kidnapped our daughter, stalked us, hit you while he was speeding in his car, and nearly killed you before fleeing the accident... not to mention escaping jail. This man will get good prison time if this judge has any moral compass." Heather reassures. Susan and Yolanda nod in agreeance.
"Listen to your wife honey," Yolanda says smiling at Heather. She was an incredible wife.
"I know, well at least I hope I do." Naya sighs. Heather wraps her wife in a tight embrace before taking a step back and just now taking in her gorgeous outfit.
Naya was wearing classic black trousers that were fitted to perfection and tailored like Heather's. It wasn't too often she opted for pants instead of a dress but this was court and she wanted to keep it modest and respectful without worrying if her dress was too high or low. Keep it classy but fabulous, Chris' words not hers...She paired it with a blush, rose gold-colored blouse that was a flowy silk fabric with a higher neckline which she tucked into her fitted sleek paints. She paired it with her gold bar necklace that displayed Heather and Sophia's names on it in addition to some small gold hoop earrings. Her hair was down to her lower back in thick gorgeous waves and her makeup was light and minimalistic.
"Wow, my love, you are beautiful. How on earth did I get so lucky?" Heather spoke softly and both Yolanda and Susan smiled at the two girls that were more in love now than on their wedding day if that was even possible. Naya smiled and kisses her wife by leaning up on her tiptoes since she was a good six inches shorter than Heather.
"Mhmm, thank you, baby, I love you so much." Naya smiles.
"I love you more," Heather says.
Linda was meeting them at the courthouse and everybody was waiting downstairs. Elliott and John were the first to offer their assistance free of charge to escort them to the courthouse since they knew this would be mayhem. Heather and Naya were so appreciative of both of them and it made them feel so much better having them there. Elliott and John had arrived about twenty minutes prior and were in the kitchen chatting with the guys when the girl's group came down the stairs. Sophia had been begging her moms the last two days and this morning about coming with them. Heather and Naya knew there was no way in hell they were allowing their daughter inside that building. God only knows what would come up during the proceedings and they wanted her as far away from that guy as humanly possible. Naya and Heather had a strict talk earlier with their siblings that Sophia is not to leave this house and nobody is to come over while their gone.
They were all getting ready to leave the house except for Mychal, Nickayla, Ashley, and Sophia. They were all just getting on their shoes. Heather opted for a pair of fancy flats while Naya grabbed a pair of nude heels. Most of the girls ditched their purses and left them home since the courthouse would make them scan and remove the contents anyway. All they needed was an ID and their phone so that's all they brought.
"Mami, momma?" Sophia said and she swept the floor in front of her with her big toe as she slid her little socked foot back and forth.
"Yeah, baby girl?" Naya answered looking back at her daughter who looked like she had something to say.
"Even if the bad guy with pictures on his arms doesn't get in super big trouble, thank you for being my mommies," Sophia whispered shyly but loud enough for everyone to her. They all wanted to break down and cry at the genuine affection Sophia had for her mommies. Naya and Heather froze before they both sank to the floor in front of her and Sophia wraps an arm around each of their necks.
"My little love, there is no greater gift in the world than being your mommies. Not one single thing. We love you so much and we will do the best we can and talk to the judge, okay, beautiful?" Heather said softly as she kissed her daughter's cheek that was pressed against her own. Naya looked at Heather and then back to Sophia who smiled lightly and nodded. Naya's heart felt like it was going to explode every time she heard her wife speak to their daughter.
"I love you mommies. Thank you for being the bestest mommies in the whole wide world." Sophia said kissing both of her moms on the cheek as her grandparents, uncles, and aunts all looked down lovingly at the beautiful little girl who always said such profound yet amazingly simple things. Antonio peeked at his watch and looked down at the girls.
"Alright, ladies, we better go since I presume there's going to be quite the chaos the closer we get to the courthouse..." Antonio says and they all nod. Mychal scoops up Sophia and they all wave to the group as they walk out the door, Sophia blowing her mom's kisses making them send her some back and smiling before closing the door.
"Ready for this?" Heather asked and Naya sighed deeply.
"I don't have a choice. I don't want to see that man ever again and I have no idea what's coming but I have to do this for that little girl and this future boy or girl, well, cross our fingers there is a baby." Naya sighs quickly resting her hand on her belly discreetly before removing it. Heather hugged her wife and placed a kiss on her forehead before they walk to the large waiting limo SUV service.
Heather's mind was a jumbled mess of emotions so she can't even fathom what Naya must be going through. This guy left her wife to die on the road, for lack of a better term and put her daughter through months of hell that still affect her in different ways. Heather had to block that out just for now because the more she thought back to each of those events, the angrier she became.
Heather was already visualizing the pure chaos this would be since it's all this been on the news, especially locally the past week. The fact that Glee was such a popular show, this involved two of the main actresses, and surrounded an unfathomable case was a field day for the media. Thousands of relentless paparazzi and news networks would be waiting to get a peek at the couple to see what reactions they have as they walked to the courthouse. Heather and Naya we're extremely private people so the paparazzi rarely got anything from them and when they did it was like they struck gold. The girls were always so careful and discreet whenever they were out even with the cast, especially whenever they had their daughter with them.
This had turned into the trial of the year for the media. Heather was extremely bitter about this because this wasn't for everyone's leisurely entertainment, this was her family and their life!
Linda was representing them and was the lawyer they've worked with since becoming a couple. Whether it was contracts, paparazzi, or fan issues, any legal negotiations or matters were handled by her. Linda was also the one that was brought in when before Sophia was born to have the staff sign a non-disclosure privacy contract.
Linda was extremely adamant that the couple press charges once again and demand a retrial. Since this latest case involved a nearly fatal car accident as well as the safety and security of a minor child, the judge ordered this case to be moved up. Trials involving minors were ways moved to the high priority list. Much of the time, the person on trial is let go until their court date and put on house arrest or has an ankle monitor, however, this man had already escaped jail and was long from being done serving his twenty-year prison sentence for kidnapping their daughter. He wasn't going anywhere. That man would be locked up for at least fifteen more years not including whatever is added to his sentence from his latest stunt that nearly cost Naya her life.
The second the limo SUV pulls up to the courthouse, pandemonium erupts and flashes were blinding all of them even through the dark tinted windows of the limo. The older adults were taken back that this was the life these kids had to deal with, of course, today was a much more exaggerated version but, nonetheless, this was their life.
Heather was in complete defensive mode and wasn't messing around. The paparazzi and media are being held back by metal barriers and police officers were lining the concrete steps up to the large courthouse.
One by one they started exiting the SUV, the older four getting out first with John, followed by their friends. The barriers were nearly flipped over as police tried to control the media and fans. Heather wrapped an arm around Naya while also holding her hand as she led her up the staircase as Elliott walked by them.
Heather!
Naya!
Any comments about the outcome you want?!
Where's is Sophia?!
Heather was beyond annoyed at the insistent questions and was breathing a sigh of relief when they entered the courthouse and shut the solid heavy doors blocking the uproar that was occurring outside. Heather still had her arm around her wife's lower back protectively.
"My God! That was ridiculous!" Darren says smoothing out his clothes.
"For real!" Lea replied catching her breath.
"You alright girls?" Antonio asked and they both nodded.
"Yeah. I've got my wife and all of you with me. Seriously, you didn't have to come and yet you did. You're the greatest friends." Naya said and opened their arms to hug all of them in one big bear hug. She motions for Heather to join and wraps her left arm around her wife. They are all in one big group hug when they hear several familiar voices off to the side.
"About time you showed up," Zach says and everyone whips their heads around and disconnects from the group hug to see Ryan, Zach, Matt, Dot-Marie, Jayma, and Jane all sitting and standing around one of the bench seats that are lining the hallway.
"Wha..." Naya mutters
"What are you guys doing here?!" Heather says with a smile as the older cast members stand and walk over.
"We are family. We stand behind you." Ryan says and everyone gives grateful hugs and the parents spend some time talking and thanking Ryan for how wonderful he's been with the girls during the accident and recovery as well as allowing Sophia to be on set with the girls.
"Hey, I love that kid. She's my best cast member." Ryan says.
"Not a cast member!" Naya pointed out.
"Rude," Kevin says
"Tell us how you really feel Ry," Amber says
"I can believe it..." Susan says with a shrug making Ryan and the older cast chuckle.
"Thanks, Ma." Heather sighs shaking her head.
"Just keeping it real," Susan shrugs making the younger cast roll their eyes just as Linda comes out of the courtroom and smiles at the large group.
They all separate and greet their lawyer. Linda was extremely confident and reassuring that everything would go their way. This guy didn't have much of a leg to stand on and screwed up way too many times.
They all headed into the courtroom and looked around the room familiarizing themselves with the space. The kidnapper and hit and run driver were not yet in the courtroom and wouldn't be brought in by guards until the trial started since he's a current prisoner. Vanessa paused and tapped both Heather and Naya's shoulders when she spots Becca looking at her phone waiting for the trial to begin in the last row of the courtroom. Naya and Heather turn around and their eyes widen in shock and they are both furious that she had the balls to show up here. What was the going to try and do, prove and come across the media and the huge crowds outside that she's this incredible friend who came here for moral support?!
Heather was trying hard not the launch at this woman and start pulling her straight blonde hair out in chunks but she didn't feel like ending up in an orange jumpsuit today, she would much rather snuggle with her wife and daughter tonight which is why she's refraining from going on the attack mode even though she really wanted to. Ryan also didn't look thrilled and was very confused as to why she would be there.
"Please tell me you're not seeing what I'm seeing..." Heather growled and everyone cringed,
"I don't know what the hell she is going here but we have to ignore her baby, what else can we do." Naya sighed rubbing her forehead. She didn't need that bitch here today.
"If she touches my wife I swear I'll..." Heather starts and Harry jumps in before she runs her mouth and gets herself in trouble.
"Hemo, don't say that here, we're actually in a courtroom around people you don't want to be throwing threats around. Ignore her for now. Most likely she's just being nosy." Harry encouraged. Heather took a deep breath and nodded knowing that was the right thing to do. That didn't make it easy though.
The friends and parents took their seats in the long row directly behind Linda, Heather, and Naya. The courtroom was divided into two sides with long wooden oak pew benches on both.
Linda was chatting with her clients just before the trial going over last-minute situations and scenarios she wanted them to be ready for if the defense attorney would go after them which he was likely to do. As they were talking, the guy is brought in through the side door behind the bench where the judge sits during the trial proceedings. Naya tenses like a board and Heather instantly grabs her hand and kisses her knuckles. Heather and Naya can't see it but every single one of their friends and family behind them is glaring at this guy.
"I'm right here," Heather assures and Naya nods as she exhales a very shaky breath. Heather kept her arm protectively around Naya as they waited for the judge. Naya was shaking. This man had traumatized her and her daughter, nearly killing her. Seeing this man's face and the smugness as if there wasn't a single ounce of remorse in his body was so unsettling it made Naya feel sick.
Naya focused on keeping her breathing steady as she played with her wife's hands to remind her that she was right there along with the entire group of people behind her. Guards were watching his every move, she was safe.
Heather handed Naya a bottled water and had her take some slow sips as she rubbed her wife's back. Susan and Yolanda were sitting directly behind the girls and squeezed both of their shoulders trying to silently show the girls that they are all there for them.
"I love you so much, my love. We've got this." Heather spoke softly but with confidence as she laced her fingers between Naya's and brought them up to her lips and kissed them tenderly. There is nothing more Naya needed to hear at that moment than her wife's soothing voice and loving words.
"We are all here for you, Mija and Heather. Remember that." Antonio says and the girls twist their heads around to see their friends smiling and nodding back. This was family. They were so lucky. However, they were still troubled and confused at why Becca thought it would be a good idea to show up here. In what universe would she ever assume that was a good idea?!
The kidnapper's name was David they had learned through this trial process and as soon as he was seated from them in the pew across the center aisle, the look he gave the girls was so full of hate and disdain, as if they were the ones that fucked up his life. Nice try.
On the opposite side of the courtroom on the wooden oak benches were an older couple who Naya could only assume are his parents based on their age, another looked like a grandfather figure, and a younger male adult around twenty-five or so that was probably a sibling. Naya was looking at these four other individuals that would steal glances at them every so often with faces they couldn't decipher. Sometimes they would seem sympathetic like they felt bad their son caused all of this and other times their glances seemed anger-driven as if they were blaming Naya and Heather for their son's actions that caused them to land up here.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Samuel Hughes." The bailiff calls and the courtroom rises as the judge enters and walks up to the podium hitting the gavel to signal the beginning of the trial proceedings.
Linda was a shark in the courtroom, the girls were not expecting this but she completely dominated with her strong authoritative voice as she gave the judge their opening statement of the events four years prior that led to their daughter's kidnapping, his escape from prison, breaking and entering into the girl's private residence, the threatening and taunting calls and of course the near-fatal hit and run accident that sent Naya to the hospital for days which included emergency surgery. Linda kept speaking and informing the jury of all of the reasons why they would find this man guilty.
The defense attorney took his turn to speak and defend his client who had caused hell for Heather, Naya, and their daughter. This man couldn't actually be defending this man who doesn't seem to have a sympathetic bone in his entire body.
Heather and Naya for the most part blocked everything out because hearing someone defend this man would be excruciating and insulting to anyone's intelligence. This man was essentially defending a kidnapper and attempted murderer. Heather kept wondering if this middle-aged man actually believes what he was saying and that his client was innocent, or if he just took the case for the attention and money knowing it was a high-profile trial.
The proceedings continued and Antonio was called to the stand to explain her injuries since he met her in the ER as soon as she arrived as well as the lead trauma doctor on call the afternoon that Naya was brought in. The young blonde doctor in his late thirties described and handed the bailiff, who then passed them to the judge, photo documentation of the graphic injuries and life-threatening emergency surgery Naya had to have upon arrival at the hospital. The photos were then projected in digital form on a flat-screen tv for the courtroom and jury to view.
The trauma doctor went on to explain the extensive injuries Naya endured along with the force of the impact that had to have occurred for the patient to sustain these kinds of injuries. In the graphic detail, the four older adults and cast were all holding hands and cringing at the hell and horror Naya must have gone through.
Several minutes later Heather was called to the stand and went over the events from that day including the timeline of events and the call she received from the police station at the same time that the paramedics called about Naya which made her miss the information about David (kidnapper) having escaped prison. Naya watched proudly as she saw her wife's protective nature come out and defend her until the last moment.
Linda asked a continuation of questions while Heather was on the stand. Heather watched her family nod and encourage her throughout the entire thing. Heather did catch a glance back at Becca who stared emotionless at her. it wasn't an I'm sorry glance that's for damn sure. Heather opted to ignore it, for now. She focused on her stunning wife who had been through hell and so much danger at the hands of this man. She was bound and determined to make David pay for what he did.
"Please explain to the court how the actions of David have impacted you and your family over the past four years since the first incident involving your daughter," Linda asked
"This man has left a scar on my family that will never go away. After the kidnapping three years ago my daughter became scared of new people that she never was scared of before. Her bubbly demeanor was ripped from her. She had nightmares and was so attached to my wife, me, and our close-knit family and friends." Heather said before pausing and glancing at her family and friends who are wiping tears. "I still don't know what they did with her on the beach while we weren't with her.." Heather started and was interrupted by the defense attorney.
"Objection, speculation!" the defense attorney called and the judge overruled.
"Please continue, Mrs. Rivera Morris..." Judge Samuel Hughes states earning a nod from Heather.
"When he got the twenty years with no chance of parole we were relieved that this man would be no longer be a threat to our child...that was until the absolute unthinkable happened and I got the call that my wife had been in a near-fatal car accident. The details weren't told to me other than it was serious and to get to the hospital. I was on set at work with all of my friends and daughter. We immediately rushed to the hospital and my wife's father, Antonio was on staff that night and was with her trying to calm her down. It was terrible." Heather breathes out being reminded of that horrible day and wipes a tear from her eye. Naya was given a tissue on the pew and the box was continuing to be passed around as most of the girls were tearing up.
"Heather, can you please explain the text messages you received," Linda asked and Heather nodded.
"The first call came when we were in the hospital after my wife's emergency surgery to repair her damaged lung. It was on March 10th. The call was strange and I remember a man's voice saying my name as a question as if they were trying to confirm it was me. My wife was listening because I had put it on speakerphone. It was just a lot of rustling around before the line went head." Heather remembered. "Our daughter was asleep in between us during the call and I recall my wife being scared to death." Heather shook her head and mouthed thank you to the judge who held out a box of tissues before reaching in to pluck one out of the box to dry her eyes.
"What about the second call?" Linda asked.
Heather took a deep breath and continued.
"The second call came in the following day, March 11th. Everyone was in the room that's sitting behind my wife right now." Heather said while pointing to the benches motioning to her friends and family. "I told everyone to be quiet while I put it on speakerphone and had someone take a video of my phone and the recording so we could send it to the officers that were helping us. I remember my wife being scared to death." Heather said and Naya brought the tissue up to her eyes as their mothers leaned forward on the bench and had a hand resting on her shoulders to help her stay calm since her wife wasn't beside her. "I remember saying hello and then the person saying my name back, again as a question, like he was trying to verify it was me. I asked what he wanted and then we heard him say that my wife ruined his car and then the line went head." Heather explained.
"You're honor, we have these recordings on file if you would like to hear those and verify what my client has said thus far," Linda spoke. Judge Hughes immediately nods motioning to the speaker. Linda plugs in the recording and plays the first recording for the judge and jury. Once the first one had ended she plays the second one for the judge and jury and the courtroom listens verifying everything that was said by Heather.
After Heather had answered several more questions and taken her seat back next to Naya, Linda had whispered that to seal the jury and make them understand the maliciousness of the accident and the seriousness of the accident, they needed to bring forth all they had as evidence. If they wanted this scumbag behind bars and stay there, they would need to break out every possible thing they had, which included the video footage which has yet to be seen by anyone aside from the police department. Heather, Naya, their family, nor friends have seen the crash footage, only heard about it.
Heather and Naya could already hear their parents shuttering and choking up at the thought of seeing Naya being smashed into like that which they had only heard about up until now.
Linda stood from the bench bedside her clients and looked over at both of them who were frozen, neither of them knew they'd have to watch this. Linda had kept this in her back pocket but this defense attorney was ruthless and Linda needed to seal the deal for her clients. "We have to," Linda whispered before looking up at the judge and jury. "Your honor, I demand the jury and court to witness evidence number eighteen which contains video footage of the accident involving the two parties of this case. This video was released to this court by the Los Angeles County police department. This video is untouched by myself or any member of this case and should be handed to you by the police directly." Linda explained and the bailiff went over to the desk where photos and other evidence were placed and picked up an envelope that had been opened for security purposes prior to the trial but had not been touched by anyone aside from the police department to prevent tampering or editing in any form. The bailiff hands the disc containing the footage to the judge who makes a note before handing it back to the bailiff with a nod and instruction him to turn off the lights in the room and play the video on the large flat screen that was mounted to the corner of the room where it could be seen by everyone.
Everyone on Naya's side of the bench took a deep breath as the footage played. Right now it was simply video footage of the quiet but busy intersection. The four older adults were already clutching each other, Susan and Yolanda were already overwhelmed and it was still a quiet and seemingly normal afternoon on the video footage.
Every single one of their friends was holding each other's hands and they watched the footage. Ryan had his hands covering his mouth and elbows on his knees as he leaned forward in anticipation.
Heather wrapped her arm around Naya's back, keeping their PDA to a minimum in the courtroom but also needing to comfort her wife right now.
The video continued to play and all of the sudden they see Naya's black Mercedes drive down the street and the bottom of the screen has the police clocking her in at 35 mph in a 35 mph zone. The courtroom continued to watch as Naya approached the intersection and the jury was leaning in studying the evidence footage.
Naya squeezed her eyes shut as the white pickup came into view and was approaching the intersection from the left side. The police info scrolled at the bottom had the white Ford F150 pickup truck clocked in at 51 mph in a 35 mph speed limit zone.
Heather gasped as she watched the footage she had only heard about but had never seen. Naya squinted leaving her eyes open slightly as she felt traumatized to see this footage. Heather was trying to damn hardest to keep it together until her eyes met the video screen and for the first time saw the impact of the accident and David smashing into her wife at full speed plus nearly 20 mph past the designated limit. Susan and Yolanda let out a shriek before covering their mouths and being held by their husbands who had an equally hard time watching. Amber, Jayma, Dot, Diana, Vanessa, Melissa, Jenna, Jane, and Lea all broke out in uncontrollable tears as they watched the Mercedes violently flip multiple times until it turned into nothing but a mangled bundle of metal. How any person could have survived that is a miracle in itself.
The guys were holding Vanessa, Jenna, Melissa, Amber, Diana, and Lea as they let out heart-wrenching sobs seeing the pure hell that their friend went through that day. Ryan covered his face when the Mercedes slammed into the pole and came to a halt knowing Naya was inside with a big piece of metal in her abdomen.
The screams from pedestrians and onlookers sounded throughout the video and Naya wiped her eyes as she silently sobbed, realizing after seeing the footage, just how devastating this was. When it was happening it was all adrenaline and blinding pain, but seeing it now from the outside looking in was like looking at her worst nightmare.
Heather was holding her wife protectively and securely. Her eyes wanted to look away from this horrible footage but she couldn't force herself to disconnect her gaze from the video. She was finally getting the chance to watch and see what she has only heard about but seeing exactly what her wife went through was breaking her heart into a million pieces.
"You're safe now, my love. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." Heather cried out semi-quietly as she held her wife impossibly close. After they watched her car flip multiple times before smashing into the light pole people were seen trying to come and help but couldn't open the doors.
The next footage was the ambulance arriving and watching them try to pry open any of the doors but wouldn't. Loud cries from the girls behind them here heard at the vision of seeing a firefighter running back to the vehicle with a saw or otherwise known as the jaws of life.
Heather caught Naya as she slumped and fell against her sobbing at the memory of the excruciating pain and feeling of this happening. Heather looked back at her family and friends as she hung on to her wife with everything she had. Her friends and family were emotional, a complete mess. "I've got you, my love," Heather spoke and kissed her lips.
When the video stopped there were still photos that popped up of the crash, Naya in the car bloodied and severely injured in the mangled mess that used to be a luxury G-Wagon. Linda pressed pause on the footage and Heather unwrapped her arm from around her wife and crossed her arms over the table and sobbed. Seeing Naya like that was too much and the guilt she felt as her wife for not protecting her and holding her at that moment was way too much. Naya wipes her eyes and rubs her back.
"Would you all like a ten-minute recess?" Judge Hughes asked and Naya nodded to Linda who then relayed the request to the judge.
"If your honor will allow, that will give my clients some time to process the last piece of evidence before we move on," Linda asked and the judge nodded and called a ten-minute recess before hitting the gavel against the wooden desk and standing to go through the judge's entrance and exit the room.
Heather allowed herself to break down before leaning up and holding her arms out for Naya who sank into her embrace and breathed in the comforting vanilla scent of her blonde wife.
"You are not to blame for this. This accident was not your fault, Heather. Not even a little bit. It's okay baby." Naya cried as the hugged her wife and comforted her. Heather couldn't believe she was the one that was sobbing uncontrollably right now. Shouldn't it be the other way around?!
"I should have driven you if I felt so uncomfortable or pleaded for you to stay. I knew in my heart something bad was going to happen and I didn't listen! It almost cost me the love of my life!" Heather cried out and rubbed her eyes as her voice trembled with emotion.
"Heather, you may have had a weird feeling all day but this...you couldn't have never known and I won't allow you to do this to yourself!" Naya said as she turned to see her dad and Andrew holding her mother and Susan as they sobbed while the cast was clutching each other tightly.
The eight jurors watched as the entire right side of the benches huddled in a group hug as they cried. It was such a beautiful, touching moment. Heather's guilt was heartbreaking, the parent's sheer horror of seeing their daughter and daughter-in-law go through that was enough to drain their eyes of all tears but they had to go remain as stoic as possible during the trial.
After the trial resumed, Naya took the stand to explain her injuries and trauma from the accident as Linda presented photo evidence as she spoke and medical records to support any claims her client made. After Naya spoke, the judge called David to the stand to defend his actions, question his escape from prison, as well as request any defense from his attorney that he wasn't guilty or didn't do any of the things that were presented thus far.
Approximately an hour later after the jury had been presented with all of the evidence, the judge had a lot to review along with the jury after the testimonies throughout the morning and afternoon. He announced they will go into deliberations and departed the bench with the jury without any indication of how long deliberations would be.
"Oh my God, Mija! My girl!" Yolanda cried as everyone stood and she embraced Naya with all the strength she possessed as Naya hugged her back tightly. Susan and Andrew pulled their daughter into a hug before more hugs were shared amongst the group.
"Seriously, you guys, your support and you being there for us means so much..." Heather says looking at Matt, Jayma, Jane, Ryan, Zach, John, Elliot, Dot- Marie standing next to them.
"Of course! You are like our kids, there's no way we wouldn't be here!" Matt spoke making them smile and mouth their appreciation before Naya spoke up.
"Ugh, I'm so nervous!" Naya said as Heather reached around her back and kissed her temple.
"I don't think you ladies have anything to worry about. We had pretty solid evidence. I've been on trial with this judge many times, she's extremely straightforward and very much a no-nonsense person. I don't see David having much of a chance here." Linda explained earning hopeful nods from the group. "Get out of this room and into the hallway or common space at least. These four walls are driving you all crazy. Grab some tea or coffee and I will come and grab you all when the judge calls to continue with sentencing.
"Thanks so much, Linda. You were incredible." Naya spoke sincerely and Linda nodded and patted her shoulder.
"It's what I'm here for. Now go try to unwind even a little bit. My guess, based on past experience with this judge we are probably looking close to an hour." Linda said and they all nodded and walked out of the courtroom passing Becca as they left. She didn't say or do anything except scowl back.
"Naya... We knew the accident was horrible but seeing that was..." Chris sighed rubbing his face with his hands.
"The worst thing I've ever seen..." Melissa sighed wiping a tear. Naya walks over to them and holds out her arms.
"Hey. I'm alright. It's a miracle I walked away from that but you all were always there for me and were by my side through everything. Not only me, but you were there for my wife and baby girl too, in so many ways, many more than I can begin to thank you for." Naya said as she wrapped the two in a hug before she heard the unmistakable sound of her daughter calling for her. Naya whips her head around extremely confused but calms when she sees Heather tap her shoulder and point to the phone.
"Hi, my Mija! How's my sweet girl?!" Naya asks and everyone smiles hearing the little girl on speakerphone.
"I'm good. Me and Mickey just had a whipped cream fight!" I just got a bath because I was sticky but it was super fun!" Sophia said and for the first time since this morning, they were all able to laugh.
"Oh God, were we wrong to have them babysit..." Heather groans looking over to Naya and the others with a smile. being actors and actresses, they were supposed to be the entertainers but Sophia, Ashley, and Nickayla were like three toddlers in a cupcake factory...
"I'm having fun..." Sophia says nonchalantly making the group giggle because nobody was asking if she was having fun. They knew she was based on the madness happening at their house.
"Oh, whatever. The child is alive, isn't she?" Nickayla huffed and Naya looked at Heather with an, are you serious look on her face.
"Gee, thank you for keeping our child alive, Nick," Heather sighs shaking her head.
"You're welcome," Nickayla replies, taking the compliment. Heather, Naya, and the rest of the group shake their heads.
"Is that the sole requirement for babysitters nowadays, just keeping my grandchild alive? You know back when I was a kid..." Susan goes on and Ashley interrupts.
"Ma! Nobody cares, we all know you climbed mount Everest every morning to get to school, and road on the back of wooden carriages pulled by donkeys...everyone's heard the stories..." Ashley groans and everyone looks at the phone wondering what hell kind of episode of Little House on the Prairie she just watched...
"How old do you think I am...?" Susan asks offended.
"ANYWAY!" Antonio says before they go off the rails as conversations are known to do with his youngest daughters.
"Abuelo, it's Sophia Elizabeth Rivera Morris," Sophia says as if she is being coaxed into saying what she's saying.
Everyone has amused faces from the way Sophia just spoke and introduced herself formally.
"Oh, well hello Sophia!" Andrew says and Sophia breaks character.
"Hi, Grandpa! Ow!... I mean Hello." Sophia says and everyone quirks their eyebrows wondering what the hell is going on.
"Sophia, baby what's going on?" Heather asked curiously.
"I am here to...what's the word again?" Sophia says questioningly making everyone look at each other completely amused, they hear some whispering before Sophia goes on to talk. "Oh yeah, plead our case. We want tacos." Sophia says and the friends standing behind Heather and Naya as they hold the phone out snort out a collective laugh and cover their mouths.
"You guys can't leave the house, remember," Naya says sternly.
"Can we have it delivered?" Ashley asks hopefully
"No, you may not," Heather says not wanting anyone going to Lea's house without her or the rest of them there.
"But we might actually starve, tell them, Soph..." Nickayla says and Naya speaks up immediately.
"Stop coaxing my four-year-old to do your dirty work! No tacos, there is food there to tide you guys over until dinner." Naya said shaking her head as Heather kisses her temple and the grandparents look on wondering who raised these kids. Oh right...
"Way to treat the help..." Ashley says
"Momma?" Sophia says. She must have stolen the phone back because they heard a muffled, hey! from the background. Heather smiles at her sweet girl's voice and Naya smiles at her wife.
"Yes, my little love?" Heather asked holding her wife around the waist.
"This is super fun with Kiki, Ashley, and Mickey but it's super-duper hard watching Kiki and Ashley. Me and Mickey are really tired and need a nap..." Sophia mumbles while letting out a yawn and everyone laughs because that's such a Sophia thing to say. Heather composes herself and removes her face from Naya's shoulder to reply to her daughter.
"You can take a nap, beautiful, you aren't watching them, they're supposed to be watching you. Go lay on the couch with your uncle, sweetheart. Grab your bunny and blankie and take a nap. They'll be fine." Heather replies looking at Yolanda and Susan who shake their heads.
"Ok. Momma, Mami?" Sophia says making Naya and Heather look at the phone.
"Yes, baby girl?" Naya responded
"Can you go somewhere secret where nobody can hear? I have a secret..." Sophia whispers and Heather and Naya almost just tell her to just say what she's going to say and lie that they are somewhere secret but they couldn't do that to her so they give their family and friends a look before walking into the bathroom down the hall. They made sure the group knew where they were in case the judge came back.
"Okay baby girl, we went in the bathroom. Are you okay?" Naya asked and Heather leaned against the counter right next to her wife.
"I'm okay. Are you sure your alone and not just teasing me?" Sophia asks and the girls nod before remembering she can't see them.
"Yes, we promise you, baby girl. Nobody is with us. Where are you, honey?" Heather asked curiously making Naya look up at her wife wondering the same thing.
"I'm with all the food in the kitchen," Sophia whispered hilariously only so her moms could hear. Those three assholes watching their daughter better start wondering where she is very soon... how long can a child you are supposedly watching be in the pantry before you notice she's gone?
"What's your secret baby girl?" Naya asked.
"Is my baby brother or sister, okay?" Sophia asked and Naya's hands went to her stomach while Heather wrapped around her wife. They stared at the phone. The fact that Sophia made a big deal to make sure they were both alone so she could check on her baby sibling that they don't even know is in there yet was the sweetest thing in the world.
"I think they're doing okay baby girl. You're so thoughtful for asking about the baby and making sure it's a secret." Heather says and they hear Sophia sigh.
"I miss you momma, mami, and baby," Sophia says and Naya wipes a tear. This damn day is so overwhelming, now adding Sophia's complete sweetness to the mix was just what they needed.
"We all miss you, Mija, you go take a nap baby girl but not in the pantry, go on the couch with Mychal and make sure they can find you," Naya says sweetly.
"Okay. I am sleepy, can I say something to my baby brother or sister before I go? Pretty please?" Sophia begged and Heather kissed Naya's shoulder and moved her hands across her flat belly.
"Of course, you can, Mija," Naya says and Sophia signed
"Mami, you gotta put the phone so the baby can hear me..." Sophia says as if it were obvious and just assumed her moms were still holding the phone close to their faces, which they indeed were doing. Naya looked at Heather before placing the phone down by her stomach but faced it upwards so they could still hear since Sophia was whispering.
"I love you, baby brother or sister. Do you know how to take a nap? You should go to sleep too. All you do is close your eyes and dream of colorful unicorns with glitter in their hair. Maybe we will have the same dream and then we can talk about what we saw tonight! Oh yay, I can't wait!" Sophia says with a yawn. Naya and Heather are looking at each other like they are witnessing the sweetest most private moment between their two kids and that thought alone is just more than they can handle. "Okay baby, I gotta go sleep because momma and mami say we can't sleep in the pantry. I don't know why because it seems like a really fun place to sleep, but I'll see you soon. I love you" Sophia says before they hear the pantry door open. Heather and Naya's hearts are about to combust with love. That was the sweetest damn thing they've ever heard and it happened on a day when they really needed a break from the stress and intensity of the situation. Leave it to Sophia.
"Oh, Mija, you are the sweetest little girl. You will be the bestest big sister or brother. You're really wishing for this hard aren't you?" Naya asks and Sophia answers discreetly since she's no longer in the pantry.
"I am mami. So much wishing." Sophia says before yawning again.
"Sophia honey, are you with Mychal now?" Heather asks and Sophia mumbles a yes. "Okay baby girl, go take your nap. We will all be back soon, okay?" Heather says and hears nothing on the other end. She lifts the phone to make sure it's still connected, which it is.
"Hey ladies?" Mychal speaks into the phone surprising both of the girls.
"Hey Mike," Heather says
"She passed out," Mychal responds with a soft giggle, and ten seconds later they get a picture message of Sophia laying face down on the sofa with her head bent to the wide and her blanket over the top of her, and her bunny in her hand that's hanging straight off the couch. Her poor bunny was being held by the neck danging for dear life.
Incoming Mychal: The bunny is safe, I moved him. No dead rabbits in this house...
The girls laugh before saying their goodbyes after another minute and heading back out to join everyone else.
About forty minutes later, everyone was back in their original seats in the courtroom as the trial deliberations were about to be given.
Naya and Heather were a nervous wreck and hated the thought of him not getting more jail time after all the crap he has pulled with their family. Their friends and family were also on pins and needles wondering if there would soon be an end to this nightmare.
"All rise for the honorable judge, Samuel Hughes." the bailiff exclaimed making the courtroom rise as the judge sits down the courtroom is seated again for another minute as the judge puts on his reading glasses and goes through all the information before turning to the jury.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Samuel Hughes asks turning towards the group of four men and four women.
"Yes, your honor, we have." the male juror said, now standing.
Heather grabs Naya's hand tightly as the rest of their family and friends do the same behind them. Each and every one of them is holding their breath. Naya sucks in a deep breath as her hand rests on her stomach.
"Will the defendant and his attorney please rise?" Mr. Peterson, you may read the verdict.
"We, the jury, find the defendant, David Tobin, guilty of the charge of fleeing prison, guilty of the charge of possession of a stolen vehicle, guilty of the charge of stalking, guilty of the charge of trespassing, guilty of the charge of breaking and entering, guilty of the charge of hit and run and leaving the scene of the accident, and guilty of the charge of attempted murder with a motorized vehicle.
Heather, Naya, Linda, and the rest of their friends and family behind them all let out a collective sigh that he's been found guilty on all charges.
"The jury had spoken and the defendant has been found guilty. Based on your previous convictions that have still not been served, and the seriousness of this new conviction that nearly resulted in a fatality..." Judge Hughes states as Heather tightens her grip on her wife's hand while rubbing her knuckles, I hereby sentence David Tobin to life in prison with the possibility of parole after fifty years and not a moment sooner," The judge continued and sobs could be heard from Naya and the girls behind her as the took in the verdict. Heather was beyond thrilled but something else caught her attention...
"The remainder of your sentence will be carried out in a maximum-security prison due to your prior conviction of fleeing from where you are currently serving your sentence." Judge Samuel Hughes states before he speaks a moment longer and as soon as the judge hits the gavel and walks out of the room he lunges for Naya but is stopped by the two large security guards in uniform. Heather was already standing protectively in front of her wife ready to take this guy down if she needed to.
"You ruined my life!" David yelled. Antonio, Andrew, and the rest of the men were ready to step on if they needed to. Yolanda, Susan, and the girls let out a terrified shriek when he lunged at Naya since she didn't notice him coming right away, but by the time she did look over, Heather was already standing in front of her.
Heather looks confused yet the snarl on her face and the way her chest is puffing up and down has everyone slightly confused, even after they just happened, this reaction seemed different.
"What is your name?" Heather snarls looking deep into his eyes. Naya and the others are confused as hell. They were way too caught up in the moment to have noticed. Heather is sick of waiting so she takes on step forward as Andrew and Antonio move with her to make sure she doesn't do anything here and asks him one more time.
"What is your full name?" Heather spats viciously and everyone looks at her. Naya holding her right arm with both of hers while scrunching her eyebrows.
He stays silent and Heather whips her head around to Becca who is still sitting in the back of the courtroom.
"Becca!" Heather yells and she groans walking over. Everyone is baffled at what the hell is going on. Ryan and the older cast have their arms crossed trying to stay away as much as possible but Heather clearly knows something. "Becca, who is this?!" Heather growls and looks between David and Becca. Naya looks between the two as well before Becca throws her arms up in defeat and annoyance.
"He's my brother!" Becca confessed.