Chapter Seventeen: We've Got Each Other
A/N: Sorry it took so long! I've been so busy, and it's spring vacation. Hope you like it…
"Guilty," the woman proudly stated. Manny let out a huge sigh.
"We did it Paige!" she yelled as she hugged her. Everyone who had been there to support Manny and Paige were congratulating them. Manny got hugs from everyone, including Mr. Radditch, who then looked over at Mr. Oleander, completely disgusted.
"Order!" the judge shouted. "There is still a matter of sentencing." Then entire courtroom was silent. Mr. Oleander was slumped over the table. "Look at me, Oleander!" he ordered. "For the statutory rape charge, you are sentenced to 3 years in prison. And, for the rape of Ms. Santos, you will serve 5 years. That is a total of 8 years of incarceration. The court is now dismissed," he finished. Mr. Oleander was handcuffed and led away by two Court Marshals. "Congratulations Ms. Santos," the judge said to Manny.
"Sir, may I ask you a question?" she asked him.
"Of course you can. Approach the bench," he said, chuckling.
"Would it be possible for me to get a restraining order against Craig Manning?" she asked him. "I know he wasn't charged with anything, but he did rape me. I'm just afraid he'll try to hurt me or my baby. I can't take that chance."
"Yes, you will be able to get one," he told her. As he explained everything to her, Jason and Heather were talking with Spike and Snake on the other side of the room.
"I cannot believe that Craig wasn't convicted. That really pisses me off," Jason said.
"Well, at least we can be grateful that Mr. Oleander was put away for awhile. Let's just hope that baby isn't his," Spike pointed out.
"But we know that Paige's baby is his," Snake commented sadly. "I have talked with Mr. Radditch and because of the circumstances; Paige won't be getting kicked out of school."
"You know what really makes me mad," Heather stated.
"What?" Jason asked her.
"I called Manny's parents this morning to remind them of the trial date, and they didn't show up. It's like they don't even care about her anymore."
"We're her family now," Jason told her. "She doesn't need people who treat her like that."
"We will always be here to help too," Snake said. Right then, Manny walked up.
"Can we go now?" she asked.
"Of course we can," Spike said. "Let's go out and celebrate. All of us."
Manny put one arm around Paige, and another around Emma, and they led the way out of the courtroom. "Paige, I still can't believe that you're pregnant too," she stated.
"Me neither," Paige said.
"I don't understand though," Emma said. "I thought you said that you broke up with Mr. Oleander for another guy. "
"I did. I was going to do a really horrible thing," Paige told them. "I was going to go back out with Spinner, get him to have sex with me, and try to pass the baby off as his. But I'm really glad that I didn't. I do still like him, I just can't imagine hurting him if he found out he wasn't the baby's father. And he'd probably find out eventually; everyone would have."
"Well, we are celebrating now, so we don't have to think about any of this for the rest of the night," Manny told her. "Let's go." The three girls, Chris, JT, all of their parents (including Jason and Heather, but not Manny's parents), Mr. Radditch, and even the three lawyers went out to dinner to celebrate Mr. Oleander's conviction.
That night, Emma and Paige slept over Manny's. The next day was Sunday, and Jason and Heather took Manny to file for a restraining order against Craig. He was not allowed to come within ten feet of Manny at any time, including at school. If he violated the order, he could be fined or sent to prison.
"Manny! Wake up or you'll be late for school!" Heather yelled from the top of the basement stairs. It was Monday morning, the worst day of the week. Manny and Paige were both a month along, but weren't showing yet. They both still had morning sickness, but Paige's was not as bad as Manny's.
"Ugh, I don't want to get up," Manny yelled back.
"You have to. You're not missing any more school!"
"Fine! I'm up!" Manny yelled again. She rolled over, opened her eyes, and smiled. "Hey babe, wake up. It's time for school," she said as she poked Chris. He opened his eyes and smiled back, putting his arms around her.
"Good morning," he said, kissing her on the top of the head. They both got up and went upstairs for breakfast. Jason and the kids were all sleeping since he had the day off.
"Hey Chris, I spoke to your mother last night and your father will be bringing the rest of your stuff over after school today," she told him. "I'm going to work early today, so I'll see you two later." After a long discussion on Saturday night, Chris' parents had agreed to let him move in with Manny. He said that he wanted to be there for her entire pregnancy, whether he was the father or not.
"What do you say we minimize the use of water this morning?" Manny playfully asked Chris. A huge grin spread across his face.
"But of course," he replied. "Let's go." He grabbed her hand and led her upstairs to the bathroom where they took a shower together.
"I don't want to get fat," Manny pouted while Chris lathered her back with soap and washed it off. He put his arms around her and pulled her close to him, hugging her. She had her back to him.
"You will be beautiful, no matter what. Now stop complaining and wash my back," he said. Manny laughed and spun around to kiss him. "Or we could just do this." He kissed her back. Manny reached around him and turned the water off. They stood that way for a few minutes, their naked bodies clung together, dripping wet. "As much as I'd love to do this all day, we have to go before we're late," Chris commented.
"Yeah, I guess so," Manny responded. They dried themselves off, and put towels on. When they emerged from the bathroom, Jason was walking by, on his way downstairs.
"Whoa. I don't even wanna know," he said, laughing. Manny and Chris went down to their room and got dressed. They said goodbye to Jason and Chris drove them to school. They ended up arriving ten minutes early, giving them enough time to stop by their lockers.
"Hey Emma!" Manny squealed.
"As much as I love my best friend being so happy, why are you in such a good mood thismorning?" she asked.
"We took a shower together," Manny answered, motioning towards Chris. Emma rolled her eyes and turned back to her locker, shoving a book into it. "Look who it is. He better keep on walking," Manny said, causing Emma to shut her locker and look. Craig stopped right at Emma's locker, waving a piece of paper in her face.
"What's this?" he asked, angrily.
"It's a copy of the restraining order that you're violating right now. I took the liberty of taping it to your locker this morning, just to remind you. Move along Craig, or I'll have to call the police," Emma said as she glared at him. He ignored her, however, and turned around to face Manny. Chris saw what was happening and began to walk across the hall.
"How is my baby?" he asked, placing his hand on Manny's stomach. She ripped his hand off.
"It's not yours," she spat.
"You don't know that for sure, do you?" he asked and grinned. He reached over to touch her stomach again and Chris intercepted his hand.
"Go away now," Chris said, forcefully.
"Oh like I'm really scared of you. What are you going to do, punch me again?" Craig mocked him.
"That's not such a bad idea," he said, drawing back his fist.
"Mr. Hawkins, there will be none of that in my school," Mr. Radditch said as he walked up. "Put your fist down," he ordered. Chris obeyed and dropped his arm. Craig smirked behind the principal's back. "And Craig, I suggest you get to class before I decide to call the police," he said, turning around to face him. It was now Chris' turn to smirk. Once Craig walked away, Mr. Radditch spoke again. "I advise you three to go to homeroom as well. Don't be late," he added as he walked off.
"Hey," Paige said as she tapped Manny on the shoulder. No one had seen her coming over to them.
"I'll meet you in homeroom," Manny said to Chris. "See you in Chemistry Em," she added, and then turned back to Paige. "Hey I was going to ask you if you wanted to come over after school and help Chris and I arrange our room so all of his stuff can fit."
"Sure," Paige said, and then burst into tears.
"What's wrong? If you don't want to, you really don't have to," Manny said.
"It's not that. Oh Manny, why does everything have to go so wrong? I told Hazel this morning that I had to quit Spirit Squad because I'm pregnant. She flipped out because I hadn't told her first, and she found out about the trial and everything. She's really mad because I didn't talk to her about any of this. Now we're not even friends anymore," she cried. "I feel stupid, but I don't have anyone to support me, you know? You have Chris, and Emma, and everyone. But I don't," she finished.
"You have your parents, and you have me," Manny pointed out. "I won't abandon you Paige."
"Well, my dad's going back to the states tomorrow. I was really surprised that he flew out for the trial and everything. But I guess I do still have my mom. And you. Thanks Manny." She hugged her and said goodbye as she walked off to her own homeroom. Both girls new that school was not going to be easy from now on, but they'd somehow get through it.
Well, that's it for now! I know the chapter's not that long, but it's only to fill in before better things happen.
