Rick and Lee both stood up as the jury was about to state the verdict and the nerves in Rick started to flare.

" On the sole count of the indiatment murder in the first degree how do you find." Judge Donnelly asked

" On the charge of murder in the first degree, we of the jury find the defendant Richard Webber guilty."

" Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the city of Port Charles thanks you for your service. You are excused."

The jury cleared out while everyone was in shock by the verdict and Lee had to do his best to keep Rick calm as much as possible

" Lee, they actually came back with a guilty verdict…. How am I supposed to just remain calm…. Especially as they think I actually could hurt and take Lesley's life… I love Lesley, she had always come first to me."

" Rick, I'm going to start the appeal paperwork as soon as possible. Right now we have to worry about the sentencing and what it most likely could be."

The judge came back from Chambers shortly after taking a few moments to get a clear thought. " This case, like any other homicide case, has been a difficult case to deal with and my heart goes out to the family of the victim. Doctor Richard Webber, do you understand that given the nature of your heinous acts you have been found guilty of this crime in which that has been brought against you and I can by law under the New York statute sentence you up to 15 years to life in prison for this crime as I also can place you up to death row for a period of 3 years?."

" Yes your honor I do understand."

" Your honor if I may, address the court, the victim's mother has a victim impact statement she would like to make." ADA Barba requested

" You may proceed counselor."

Jessie made sure her statement of impact was accurate to a tee as things so far in Rick's plan to keep Lesley safe was working but Jessie also found it hard to think about how could be if this was regarding her biological daughter.

" I want to thank the court for allowing me to stand here today to address the man that ended the life of my only remaining child who was once lost before but found after 31 years of torture for my husband and I. Lesley was a mother, a friend, a doctor, but most importantly she was a daughter…. She was my daughter and now you've taken her from her family, and from me. On the day that she and you reconnected and decided to remarry I was happy and excited because she was happy. It's been 1 month and 2 days since I learned that my only remaining child was murdered and was never seen again and every day as a parent I have to live with the burden of thinking that there was a way that I could have saved her from the nightmare that I didn't want for her. What makes this even more difficult for me to say it's that Rick you became like a son to me the day that Lesley was married to you and since the weeks that I have gotten to know you until this very moment. I have lost all sense of who you are compared to who I thought you were and now I don't know how to make of it. As a mother I hope you're punished to the fullest extent so not only I can rest easy at night but my baby can finally be at rest knowing that her killer is locked up. Thank you." Jessie stepped away to sit back down

" Richard Webber, will you please rise as I give the sentence of your case..." judge Donnelly started to say.

" Richards Webber you have been found guilty in the eyes of the law of murder in the first degree. Therefore I sentence you to life in prison with no parole….. this court is adjourned." the judge slammed her gravel as she stood up to head to chambers

Lee started on the appeal paperwork right away as Joe came back into town with who it really was that was threatening Rick's family but got the shocking news from Lee that they actually got a verdict back unexpectedly.

" How exactly could they have found Rick guilty? When he wasn't even around the house at the time of her alleged disappearance." Joe asked

" This is where we're at Joe now it's in the appealing court to hopefully overturn this."

" It may not have to go to that…." Joe suggested

" Why…. What are you thinking Joe.."

" I may have found the person who sent that letter to Jessie and I don't think it was meant for her I think it was meant for Ruby."

" I don't understand why that would have to do with the case of someone going after Lesley though."

" Think about this, Lee Rick and Lesley will always consider Ruby as family and the mob knows that because of Luke and his past ties with them and Frank Smith."

" I did alittle digging on the case of when Frank Smith lost his only child. Turns out she was never killed."

" So this was a set up the whole time and Frank Smith was just out to get rid of Rick's family."

" Except Luke took the opportunity to take out Frank Smith… I think it's been the daughter this whole time."

Lee and Joe went to head to the FBI to give them what they discovered meanwhile before they did so they dropped Jessie off at the unmark cottage where Rick kept Lesley hidden so Jessie be there incase Lesley needed something and later they resolved the matter where Rick was set free and his record remained clean of any criminal finding after the FBI was able to track down where Smith had his daughter hide the whole time.

" Rick, you can head home…. But first I think it's time that you go to Lesley and make it right in regards to this whole situation because she wasn't thrilled about this and she was upset with both Jessie and I that we let this charade go on."

" I'm just glad and relieved that Lesley will be safe and sound once and for all and she won't have to look over her shoulder and I won't have to question her safety ever again."

Rick went out to the hidden cottage where Jessie was waiting for Rick to arrive to resolve things with Lesley before he took her home.

" Jessie you have put up one hell of a performance and I wanna thank you for helping me with this…."

" Lesley is my daughter blood or not I'd do anything I can to help protect her. You go inside… You both have alot to talk about before you guys go home."

Rick went inside where Lesley was on the couch waiting to see him. " I think I will give you both some time to talk." Jessie commented as she stepped outside.

" Lesley before you..." Rick started when Lesley interrupted " How could you put your freedom at risk…. Rick, you know this could've gone the other way and what would you have wanted me to explain to the kids once they were older… do you know that had this been real, our children would be without either of their parents and god only knows if the kids would even be together."

" Lesley I have thought a great deal on what you would've faced had the outcome not gone as planned…. If I hurt you I'm sorry that's the last thing I wanted to do…. The main thing is we smoked out who was gonna try to come after you or anyone else in our family and thanks to Joe's work and the people I had behind me on this, you and our family are safe."

" Rick, you are the only man who's ever gone to extreme lengths to keep me safe and I will forever love you for it. But I've told you before that I don't want you putting yourself at risk for me when I need you… I've lost enough and I don't want to lose you too."

" C'mere little bug…." Rick pulled Lesley into a hug even though she was still alittle upset with him

" No one's ever gonna come after you or the kids again… You are officially safe little bug…. I'm gonna take you home first thing in the morning."

" You are still in trouble Richard Webber and you will be for a long time…. But I'm blessed that I have you in my life."

Lesley kissed Rick before she was ready to go lay down for the night. Of course Rick didn't forget his obligation to make sure her medical needs were met from her medication and her oxygen supply.

" Lesley… here's your meds as always." Rick made sure Lesley's nasal cannula was on. " You get some rest." Rick kissed Lesley on the forehead.

" Rick, aren't you coming to bed?" Lesley asked

" You know I will. I'm just gonna take some time to think for alittle bit but I won't take too long. I want you to rest and get some sleep." Rick kissed Lesley when she hugged him but didn't let go.

Rick took alittle time while sitting on the porch to think about what he just put himself through and the biggest risk he ever took in his life. He knew Lesley was gonna be mad and upset with him and that was the last thing that he thought about. Going inside, Rick changed and slid into bed beside Lesley so come morning he could take her home though he thought it would be that simple until he was up after about an hour from one of his absolute worst nightmares he ever thought he had.

" Rick wake up…. Richard wake up." Lesley shook Rick until he shot up again

" I'm sorry… I guess I woke you up."

" Rick it wasn't you…. It was your kicking that woke me up… Rick, what is it? You are pale and you look terrified."

" It's nothing sweetheart..." Rick tried to deflect the question on hand and Lesley immediately said " Don't do that Rick…. Don't pretend it doesn't matter because it does..."

" Lesley, I just don't want to keep thinking about it. To think if you were actually taken from me and they accused me and had me put away… I don't want to think about that ever again."

" Hey you went to extreme lengths for me and the kids… and while you're still in trouble for it….. we are all safe now and nothing will change that."

" I love you Lesley…. I love you very much. I will never let anything out anyone ever hurt you again."

Rick and Lesley went back to sleep for the rest of the night so come early morning Rick would be able to take Lesley home after they would go to pick up the kids from Monica and Alan's and they could spend some time together as a family before they all get back to a normal routine with school and work but before Rick could do that he had to make sure everything was set for his surprise for Lesley.

" Is everything set up?" Rick asked, " Good thank you, that's all I wanted to hear, we will be there soon."

" We who?... Richard Webber, what are you up to now?" Lesley gave Rick the raised brow look and pointed her finger at him.

" I'm not gonna tell you that…. Because it's a surprise for you. But what I will tell you is that you will love it and I'm doing this because like to the kids you are very very special to me."

Rick took Lesley home and walked her in through the door so she wouldn't trip from not being able to see from the blindfold.

" Can I take it off now Rick?" Lesley asked.

" You can now Les." Rick answered when he stepped back to the side next to the mayor of the city.

" Wh-What…. Ri-Rick when did you have any time to do…. You did this all just for me?"

When all Rick did was hold out his hand, Lesley couldn't keep up with holding the tears back when she reached to grab his hand.

" We will have to talk about this later but I love you Rick so much." Lesley whispered towards Rick.

Throughout the party, Lesley had a good time with their friends but continued to see that Rick was alittle withdrawn which was a look she came to know quite well and excused herself to go talk to him by the french doors

" Rick? Are you alright?" Lesley walked up and laid a hand on Rick's shoulder.

" Yeah I'm okay… You look absolutely beautiful." Rick turned around.

" You don't look bad yourself." Lesley smiled.

" I'm proud to have you at my side."

Everyone enjoyed the rest of the party before Lesley was asleep and Riley was just about asleep so Rick put him up to bed and later carried Lesley upstairs after everyone left but as usual he made sure Lesley took her meds and her oxygen was one before he joined her for the night.

Over the next few weeks after everything started to go back to normal Lesley started to get into a normal routine with her work as well as she had alot of planning ahead of her as Rick's birthday was coming up and she wanted the evening to be special just for him.

" Jesslyn could you help me with getting this set up for your Dad… I want things to be perfect for tonight."

" You think Dad suspects anything?" Jesslyn asked when she grabbed the heavy box from Lesley

" No…. No he doesn't and you are too say nothing and you tell your sister the same thing… With everything this family has been through, this is the first birthday that your father doesn't have to worry about our family's safety so I want everything to be perfect."

" Well I talked to Aunt Jessie and I set up the idea that me, Genesis and Riley could spend the night at her house so for Dad's birthday, you guys could spend it together without worrying about us."

" Snoopi that is thoughtful but it wasn't necessary, we want you to be with us. Jesslyn is there something wrong?"

" It's nothing momma I just thought that you and Dad deserve a night together alone for a change…"

"Jesslyn you know I am not gonna buy that… Talk to me sweetheart…. Tell me what's wrong." Lesley insisted.

" I don't want Dad to go to prison…." Jesslyn blurted out

" Jesslyn baby, your father isn't gonna go to prison….. where did you get that silly and crazy idea from?" Lesley asked while trying not to sound shocked

" I heard Dr Hardy talking with Uncle Lee…. About how it would be up to an appeal.. and how that would be the only option he could do to help dad and to get his conviction overturned." Jesslyn explained

" Jesslyn sweetheart I want you to listen to me…. Your Dad had to take a big risk to keep us safe. And when our friend Mr Kelly came through with his part of the deal that meant that everything was over… your dad has no legal convictions or problems. So he isn't gonna go anywhere anytime soon." Lesley did her best to comfort Jesslyn before she had to leave for school. " Now you get to school… and I'll see you later. I love you "

Jesslyn and her sister left for school and before Lesley wanted to finish what she started to surprise Rick later, she decided to call Jessie at the hospital and told her to tell Rick she'd be there soon to pick a bone with him that she's wanted to pick for awhile.

" Jessie, all I know is the kids are confused and they're afraid that Rick will go to jail for his little charade that he pulled."

" Well that won't happen as everything was of fake material and testimony and all… I'll have Rick paged to your office as soon as you come in." Jessie commented and hung up and pushed Rick to the main desk.

Rick backtracked to the main lobby to see what was needed as he had alot of work ahead of him that he couldn't do while his charade had taken place and with perfect timing Lesley just happened to walk in as Rick walked up and his answer was given when Lesley grabbed his collar to drag him to her office as she was upset about the obvious and Rick had a feeling he

knew what she was upset about but he couldn't find the words to say something as she was about to speak out about what her issue with him was about and her concern for Jesslyn

" I don't think I even need to say it because I can see you know why I am here on my day off no less….. Richard our daughter is so distraught it took me nearly a half an hour to calm and assure her that you were not gonna be going anywhere. She is that frightened and upset that you could be taken off to jail for your little charade that you pulled in the efforts to keep the kids and myself safe." Lesley expressed

" Lesley my intention was not to scare or traumatize the kids and with everything going on I haven't had the chance to sit the girls down to explain and deal with the situation. Later this evening that's what I was planning to do." Rick responded.

" Rick I don't want to make it seem or look like im not grateful because I am blessed for the family I have with you. You risked your life and freedom for me and no man, not Cameron, nor Joel or even brian has ever got that length for me. But you should've thought things through on the level of what it would do for the girls."

" You're right Lesley I should have thought it through more carefully and had explained it to the girls better… I guess because everything was just moving fast, I didn't have the chance to really sit the girls down to explain the full picture through." Rick sat down in the chair beside Lesley's desk.

" Rick….. Are you really alright?" Lesley asked

" I just keep thinking about the nightmare from the other night and how I found you and then later on they pointed the finger at me and charged me with your murder…. Lesley if that was to actually be reality I don't think I could live."

" Rick, talk to me please. I see what it's doing to you and I don't like it especially because you wake up at night after I wake you up from your kicking and from the muttering that you do in your sleep." Lesley tried and insisted for Rick to open up about his recent nightmare that he started to have.

Rick and Lesley must have talked for over an hour but Lesley reached for the phone to have both Steve and Gail paged to her office when Rick all of the sudden shut down and didn't want to go into it further and Lesley knew that not talking about it would only hurt him in the long run and she knew she had to act fast like he's always done for her and later moved back to his side until Steve and Gail had gotten to her office.

" Gail i've tried everything I can think of… he just…. He's just shut down. It's like the nightmare threatens him enough that it keeps him from really talking about it and I did get him to start opening up to me. What am I supposed to do?" Lesley looked to Gail for support and advice

" Let me see if I can assess of the core to the issue…. But if I had to guess, the shock and the drama along with the plans he had to pull off from everything he put at risk to protect you has finally come back to catch up with him. He was in spite of there being little to no evidence to the fake case he was convicted. I would think that he would like anyone else would have the after effects from the ordeal. My advice to you is to be patient with him, give him encouragement when you think he needs it and just give a shoulder when he may need one because right now it could be difficult for him to work through." Gail answered Lesley's question and went in to try to talk to Rick for alittle bit.

" I worry about him, Steve. I really do sometimes especially when he goes making risky choices in regards to the kids and I. Don't get me wrong he's a blessing to me with the lengths he's gone over the last few years but he scares me with the risks he takes." Lesley opens up to Steve in the hallway.

" Lesley, I'm just happy to see you and the kids safe. Rick yes took the biggest risk of his life and he was nearly sent to prison for life, but he chose to take that risk because he loves you. The biggest task now is to help him get through what he has to get through and then we all can truly move on with our lives. How are the kids managing through this?" Steve asked while responding to Lesley's concern.

" Jesslyn is terrified and upset because she thinks that Rick is gonna be taken away from her and that's actually why I had come over here on my day off because I wanted to discuss this particular bone with him and then we got to talking about anything else up until he just shut down on me and then I called for you and Gail." Lesley answered while trying not to worry about Rick as she had to wait for alittle bit out in the hallway.

~~~

" Gail I don't want to talk and think about what could be the worst time of my life if it were to become reality okay…. Lesley means everything to me and if it were reality that she were to be gone and I blamed for it… I might as well just shoot myself." Rick stood up and looked towards the window.

" Rick, you have a lot of people that are standing behind you, Lesley especially. We would never let anybody hold you responsible for anything that was to happen to Lesley because nothing will. Lesley is safe as the kids are. Give yourself credit where it's due and give yourself some time to process what you put yourself through. You took a huge incredible risk for Lesley and her safety and that's not something that you've ever done before for anyone other than her."

Gail and Rick must have talked for an hour before Gail stood up and walked out of Lesley's office with Rick right behind him. Seeing that Rick was okay for the time being, Steve ordered him to take 2 weeks off and told him to rest while spending time with his family and Lesley waited until they got into the car to talk alittle bit and she apologized for picking the bone that at the time she felt she had to when he interrupted " Don't say you're sorry Lesley because you

were right, I should have thought things through in regards to the kids before going through with it. If anyone is to blame and should be apologizing it's me… Lesley I am sorry that I made a risky move the way I did. I only wanted to protect you and our kids….. If anything were to happen to any of you it would kill me."

" Rick, you did what you felt you had to do and I understand that. And if roles were different I think I would have done the same because you and our children are absolutely everything to me… I love you Rick. I love you very much and without you, I don't think I could go on." Lesley reached to hug Rick before starting the car to go home.

" You are a true blessing, Lesley. I thank god everyday that I have you by my side." Rick commented

Pulling up to the house, Rick had no idea what Lesley had in store for Rick as it was also his birthday and to Rick's surprise, in spite with all of the drama and things everyone had to worry about doing, Lesley hadn't forgotten what the date was and made Rick be the one to wear the blindfold this time as he was always the one to make her wear it.

" Rick, are you ready?" Lesley asked while teasing him alittle bit

" I wish you would let me take this off so I could see where i'm walking" Rick answered with a smile

Lesley reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Rick before he could say anything else " Rick you talk too much."

" But seriously my love, are you ready for your surprise?"

Lesley took Rick into the house l and gave him the surprise of his life where some of his old college friends had come into town from out of state to surprise him

" Webber you old son of a bitch it is really great to see you again brother." Tony called out

" Anthony Jackson, is this really you? My god it's been how long since I last saw you after what 25 years?" Rick answered when he shook his friend's hand.

" Yeah it's been about that long brother. You have not changed one bit man and your wife is gorgeous by the way you're a lucky man." Tony commented

Rick and his old friend must have talked almost the whole time as the party started to die down and Lesley was asleep which was normal as Rick knew it but his old friend Tony started to get concerned that something was wrong until Rick explained her situation with her medical condition and her medication.

" Lesley has struggled for awhile with her health but she's been doing well over the last couple of years since her last medical scare so i'm very happy that she's doing well."

" I'm gonna head out Richard it's a long drive back tomorrow you have a good rest of the night and listen brother… keep in touch will you? Let's not wait another 25 years before we get together again." Tony gave Rick a hug and started to head out but Rick walked him out as he did generally with anyone that was over at the house.

Rick carried Lesley up to bed but made sure like usual that she took her medications and that her oxygen was on. " Mhm…." Lesley scooted closer into Rick.

" Sweetheart…. You have to take your medication and there's something that I would like to say to you about tonight." Rick said softly as he sat at her side with her meds and a glass of water.

" I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday surprise….. I was proud to do it for you and I would do it again for you just to see you smile." Lesley smiled and sat up to give Rick a kiss. " Happy birthday my love…. I love you so much." Lesley kissed Rick again.

" Lesley I love you beyond words you are very very special and I will always love you." Rick gave Lesley a kiss and made sure her oxygen was working and later went to sleep with Lesley at his side.

Over the next 2 months, Lesley and Rick continued their normal schedules as the kids were in school and Riley was in daycare while they were working…. After a couple hours, Lesley had to take a few minutes to herself as she suddenly wasn't feeling good but didn't wanna make a fuss out of it as things were going well and soon the twins had their birthday coming up and Lesley wanted that day to be as perfect as possible as the girls were about to turn 14 and they were soon gonna be starting high school and Riley was gonna be starting pre k.

" Jessie i'm okay really it's just a headache and i'll be going home soon anyway." Lesley commented as Jessie spoke up about what she has noticed lately.

" Lesley, i'm only asking because i'm concerned and I don't want something coming up that would land you as a patient again. When was the last time you saw Dr. Jerry Richards?" Jessie asked with a serious look.

" I spoke to him not too long ago and he said everything was fine. Jessie really it's just a head cold so I am gonna head home and rest…" Lesley answered and turned around when she went to sign out and leave " Hey Jessie?" Lesley called

" Yeah?" Jessie replied.

" Thanks for looking out for me." Lesley hugged Jessie and left to head home so she could get some rest.

Alittle later in the evening Rick had finally gotten home so that way he had time to spend with the kids before it was time for them to go to bed and he wanted to see if Lesley was okay because she had checked out of work alittle early and was concerned so he wanted to check that she was alright but saw that she was in the bathroom throwing up.

" Lesley? Are you alright?" Rick scooted fast to her side.

" I'm alright…. I think I caught the stomach bug that's going around…" Lesley answered and reached for Rick to help her up

" I want you to get in bed and just rest. I don't want you up and around."

" Are you gonna put the kids to bed?" Lesley asked as Rick helped her to lay down

" Alice is already ahead of me… Rick climbed into bed to lay with Lesley.

" Would you stay with me? I hate when i'm alone and you're not here." Lesley reached out to Rick's hand.

" Course i'm gonna stay here…. Why else would I want to come lay in bed for…. C'mere little bug." Rick pulled Lesley closer after he made sure her oxygen was working right.

Rick and Lesley slept for the night and continued to go on with their normal lives with the kids and their work with their colleagues but as time continued to pass Lesley continued to notice that she was bruising more than usual and she was continuing to lose weight which bothered her and had Rick concerned as always but he didn't want to keep pushing the issue incase it was nothing. Shortly after the following week Lesley had gotten everything set up for the twins' birthday party as they were turning 14 and Lesley wanted everything to go perfectly.

" Happy Birthday to my 2 beautiful girls." Lesley said as the girls were coming down the stairs for breakfast.

" Morning Momma…" Jesslyn gave Lesley and Rick a hug and a kiss.

" I can't believe my girls are 14 now." Lesley said through a couple tears. " We love you too mom… you don't have to cry. We are still your 2 little girls.. That will never change, not even when we're old like dad and we have our own kids."

" Hey i'm not old, happy Birthday girls…." Rick hugged both of the girls as they sat down.

" What are your plans for today?" Rick asked

" Well we have school so we can't really do anything but we will come home later to just spend today at home."

" Why don't you girls just stay home today and we can spend the day together while your dad has to go to the hospital to do his rounds and a few consultations with Monica and Dr. cunningham.?" Lesley asked

" If that's okay with you I guess we can blow off school…. I'd rather spend my birthday with you anyway." Jesslyn commented.

Later in the evening Rick surprised the girls with their traditional birthday dinner out to dino's and later everyone went to bed as everyone was tired and Lesley really wasn't feeling good naturally as she didn't eat much but Rick made sure she took her medications and that her oxygen was on before they went to bed.

" Goodnight Rick…" Lesley whispered as she laid her head on his shoulder.

" Goodnight little bug…. I love you." Rick kissed Lesley on the head as they both fell asleep for the night.