The next morning Hunter got up and started the coffee.
Rosie was asleep with the blanket over her head. Hunter shook his head and smiled. Once coffee was ready he poured a cup.
"Rose. Time to wake up." He said
"Bite me." She mumbled.
Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"I'm not getting up." Rosie mumbled
"We have to get out of here in forty-five minutes. And I know how long it takes you to get ready. So get up." He said
"No." Rosie said grumpily.
Hunter took a breath. "Rosie. Lets not start this day off this way. I know you are nervous, but you need to be there. And you do not want to be late. You agreed to do this for your friend."
"Yeah the friend that sat on the other side of the court room against me when I was in court." Rosie said
"Fuck" Hunter mouthed. He didn't know that she was still hurting from that. "But you told me that even though she was on that side she didn't purposely try to hurt you. My guess is she was forced to be up there. Have you two not talked about that?"
"No. We haven't." Rosie said
Hunter poured her a cup of coffee and added the cream in it that she liked before going and sitting on the bed and gently pulling the blanket down uncovering her face. "Sit up please." He said
Rosie did so and she took the coffee that he handed her and sipped it.
"I wish you had talked to her about it before today. But you agreed to this. You need to be the bigger person. And I -know that has to be hard. But by doing this it will show that you are not letting the things that have been done to you keep you from doing the right thing. You saw Lexi be hurt by Stan Lowery. Regardless of what your friendship is with any one in that situation you need to do the right thing." Hunter said
Rosie nodded. "I know. It just is hard. The last time I was in the court room with these people they hurt me."
"I know. I'm so sorry you had to go thought that. But you are strong. You are brave and you are kind. You can and you will do this." Hunter said
Rosie nodded and continued to drink her coffee.
"Now. Get up. And get ready. If I have to be a hard ass to get you there on time I will. But I don't want to have to do that." Hunter said
"Okay." Rosie said
Hunter got up and went to continue getting himself ready.
Rosie got up and went to the bathroom and started to get ready. When they were both ready. Hunter looked at her. "You're ready?"
"Yes." Rosie said
They went out to the car that Hunter had rented and started the drive. "Anything you need to talk about before we get there?"
Rosie shook her head.
"You sure?" Hunter asked
"You know how I'm feeling already. Talking about it anymore isn't going to change that." Rosie said
"Okay." Hunter said "Remember that you are very loved. And you are doing the right thing."
"I know." Rosie said.
They got to the court house and parked before going inside. Rosie and Hunter were pulled into a room with the lawyer.
"Just making sure you are ready." The lawyer said
"As ready as I am going to be." Rosie said
"I am letting you know the opposing counsel got transcripts from the court case involving you and the people who kidnapped you. I have seen them, and I think I know what they are planning to use against you. Do you know?" The lawyer asked
Rosie groaned. "Yes." she said
"What exactly happened?" The lawyer asked
"Paige was smirking at me, and I may have mouthed that she was a bitch. Than the following day Paige mouthed that they were going to win. I may have scratched the side of my head with a certain finger." Rosie said
"May have?" The lawyer asked
"Okay. I did." Rosie said
The lawyer sighed. "Should have been told that."
"I didn't think it was relevant." Rosie said
"Anything that they know that can make you look back is relevant." The lawyer said
"Okay. Sorry." Rosie said
"Anything I should know about that you haven't told me?" The lawyer asked
"No. Nothing that makes me look bad. But Paige look bad." Rosie said
"What?" The lawyer asked
Rosie told him about the texts that Paige and her cousin had been sending.
"Okay. Thank you. I can use that." The lawyer said
Rosie nodded.
The three of them left the room and went into the court room and sat down where they needed to, and the court case started.
When it came time for Rosie on the stand she went up and did what she needed to. The opposing lawyer went at her hard, but she kept herself as calm as possible. She was clearly upset but she answered all the questions honestly. And yes what happened between her and Paige in court last time was brought up. The last few questions hit her a little hard.
"Why would Stan abuse Miss Bender and not you?" The lawyer asked
"He has never spoken to me about it, so I don't know what his motives were to abuse Lexi and not me" Rosie said
"No one has ever told you why he supposedly didn't abuse you and picked Miss Bender?" The lawyer asked
"I have been told by someone who he told his reasoning to apparently, but I cant definitively say that is his reasoning. Because I didn't hear it. And my limited understand of the law would mean it would be hearsay." Rosie said. It hurt her a little because Lexi had told her once that the reasoning that Mr. Lowery had told her was because Rosie was ugly and fat that she wasn't worth the special treatment. Rosie was glad that she didn't have to go through what Lexi did for all those years, but she thought the world of Mr. Lowery when she was younger till she knew what he was doing and that it was wrong.
The judge raised an eyebrow impressed with the sixteen-year-old and her knowledge. "She is correct. Next question."
"Who told you what was said?" The lawyer asked
Rosie took a breath. "Lexi."
The lawyer said he was done, and Rosie was released off the stand. She went and sat down.
And Lexi was called to the stand, and it was her turn and sure enough she was asked what Mr. Lowery had said his reasons were. And Lexi had to say it. It hurt Rosie to have those things said. And to be honest she was pretty sure that was the reason her anorexia was triggered the first time. And why when her body was commented on again it retriggered it. Hunter could tell his daughter was hurting and he put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it.
At the end of the day the judge sent everyone out so he could make his decision. Everyone went outside to the court yard in front of the courthouse.
Lexi went to Rosie. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Rosie said
"I want to be sure that the things I had to say didn't trigger anything?" Lexi said
"Lexi I'm fine." Rosie said abit snippy
Lexi nodded. "Okay. I'm sorry…" She said turning to go.
"Lexi. No. I'm sorry." Rosie said
Lexi turned back around.
"I'm really okay. I'm not going to let the words of a pedophile affect me." Rosie said. "Are you okay?"
Lexi nodded. "Its hard when everything you have ever said or done can be used against you."
Rosie nodded. "Yeah. They really look for the worst fodder for the fire."
"Have to admit I didn't know exactly what had happened between you and Paige in your court case." Lexi said trying not to smirk.
Rosie put her face in her hand and shook her head. "Yeah. That was bad."
"You didn't get away with that did you?" Lexi asked
"Ha. Not a chance. My uncle saw it both times. First time he warned me not to do it again. Second time wasn't as lucky." Rosie said
Lexi nodded. "You're lucky you have this large family. Even people who aren't blood related. Who are there for you and don't throw you away as soon as you go against what they believe."
"Hey. I went through losing -everything and -everyone I knew. You still have your parents. I was taken from the whole world I knew and thrown into this family that I didn't know." Rosie said
Lexi looked down and nodded. "I'm so sorry I was part of that."
Rosie shrugged. "It is what it is."
Lexi let out a breath. "Still have some work to do to fix this. I will do whatever it takes." Lexi said
Rosie nodded. "I appreciate that. And you are my friend yes. I do want to be friends. But its going to take a lot of time and I don't know what else to get us back to what we were."
"I get that." Lexi said
"But I do want you to get the justice you deserve because regardless of where we are in our friendship what was done to you is -not okay and I will always help people fight to get justice for things done to them." Rosie said
Lexi nodded. "Thank you."
Rosie could see Paige was staring at them across the walkway and she started mouthing nasty thing to Rosie.
Lexi saw Rosie was looking away and rolling her eyes. Lexi went to look where she was looking but Rosie put her hands on her arms to keep Lexi from looking.
"Nope. Nothing to see. Trust me." Rosie said
Lexi stopped and looked at Rosie and took a breath. "Paige?"
"Don't worry about it." Rosie said
Hunter saw what was happening and went over. "Rosie you don't look over there either."
Rosie looked up at her Papa.
"Okay. Well um Lexi this is my papa. Papa this is Lexi." Rosie said
"Nice to meet you." Lexi said smiling and shaking his hand.
"Good to meet you too." Hunter said, "You two okay?"
"Loaded question papa." Rosie said
Lexi's parents came over and more introductions were had.
Rosie's eyes drifted when she was thinking and saw Paige mouth a derogatory term about same sex couples. She took a breath. Lexi knew that look in Rosie's eyes she knew that look. She saw it when someone had been mean to her at school and it took three people to hold Rosie back from defending her friend.
Lexi put her hands on Rosie's shoulders. "Don't know what you saw, but I know that look. Don't."
"What happened?" Hunter asked
"Those eyes. Last time I saw Rosie that pissed. Someone said something mean to me in school and it took me, Paige, and another person to hold Rosie back." Lexi said.
"Don't say her fucking name." Rosie said
"Rosie. Do we need to go for a walk?" Hunter asked
Rosie shook her head.
"Than you need to stay here. Don't move." Hunter said
Rosie nodded.
"And watch what you say." Hunter said
Rosie nodded and let out a breath. "Sorry."
"Yes. I noticed when you were at my place your vocab has we will go with grown." Mr. Bender said
Rosie cringed. "Was it that bad? I thought I was more careful…"
"Rosie Bianca." Hunter said
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be swearing." Rosie said
Lexi chuckled. "Well. It was definitely more than I have ever heard you swear."
"Okay. But I didn't swear when I lived here… At all. I would be six feet under ground if I did." Rosie said
"It wasn't as bad as I have heard other teenagers swear." Mrs. Bender said. "But it was a fair amount."
Rosie nodded. Not daring to look anyone in the eyes. "I'm sorry. I will be better about that."
Hunter shook his head. He knew it was because Dave was to laxed about it.
They were told it was time to head back inside and they went inside, and Lexi got her justice to the full extent.
Rosie heard Paige crying and she did feel bad. She was losing her dad for many years. She couldn't imagine. None of this was Paige's fault. She wanted to do the right thing, but she didn't know what that was.
Lexi looked at her parents. "Paige didn't do anything wrong… This wasn't her fault."
"We know." Mr. Bender said.
"How can I help her?" Lexi asked
"You cant." Mrs. Bender said
"Lexi. I know what her dad did isn't her fault. And yeah I get she is hurting because she just lost her dad. And I admit that if it was me I would be hurting big time. But Paige. She isn't innocent in hurting people. She sent me texts a few days ago. About you. I told the lawyer I guess he didn't think it was necessary to bring them up. But she was saying nasty things about both you and me. And today out there I kept you from seeing the things she was mouthing." Rosie said
Lexi nodded.
"She made her choices to throw me under the bus and try and make me look bad. She and her parent tried to make it so that my dad lost custody of me." Rosie said
"Yeah. But she wasn't the only one…." Lexi said
"But you apologized. Your parents apologized. Paige and her parents aren't sorry. They would do it again in a heartbeat. When we were really little before Paige came along. We were friends with all the others in the congregation that were close in age with us. You remember that right" Rosie asked
Lexi nodded.
"They stopped hanging out with us because Paige was mean to them. She was only nice to us because we basically worshipped her because she was the blond perfect girl. With 'perfect' parents. And their family was so 'perfect' and had such a high standing in the congregation. We turned into jerks. We stuck our noses up at everyone else because we were all the 'perfect examples of prefect Jehovah's witness families' but look what was really happening behind the scene with Paige and her parents. And me and the Longs. And yes you have good parents who are good people. But Paige and I didn't but from the outside it looked like we were the perfect daughter of the person parents. But those other girls saw the real us. We were so mean to them…" Rosie said. "And yes -we choose to do that. But because Paige put in our heads that we better than everyone else. Paige is not a good person. And when we hung out with her neither were we." Rosie said
Lexi let out a breath and nodded. "I know… I just."
"You have a big heart. And you want to fix this because you want things to be the way they were. But that will never be the case." Rosie said
"I'm just happy we are moving so I don't have to see her everyday at school." Lexi said
"Where are you moving?" Rosie asked
"Just outside LA." Lexi said
"That's cool." Rosie said
Lexi nodded and smiled. "I want to get into acting. I found an agent. My parents are so on board and supportive. I will be finishing highschool online."
"That is so cool." Rosie said. "When you get famous you will need to get me in a movie as an extra."
Lexi chuckled. "Deal."
They hugged tight.
"You should go to university in California." Lexi said
"Maybe. Depends on where I get in." Rosie said with a smile.
"Your plan is university?" Mrs. Bender asked
"Yes. Studying journalism and law." Rosie said
"Lofty goals. I like it." Mr. Bender said
Rosie smiled
"How do you and Dave feel about her going far away to university?" Mr. Bender asked Hunter
"If he had his way. She would go locally and live at home." Hunter said. "And me too honestly."
"I have always known what I wanted to study. And my top choice has always been Harvard. Partly because I wanted to get far away from the Longs. But also it is a top school." Rosie said. "But I will be applying lots of places and see where I get in. I will go to the best school that accepts me. Wherever that is." Rosie said
Hunter smiled and nodded. "Your dad and I just want you to get the best education you can. We will support wherever you go."
"I know. And I get why you want me to stay close to home. It definitely will be harder for me to leave you guys than it would have the Long's." Rosie said
"Well come on. We are going out for dinner and would like to treat you two." Mr. Bender said
"Would love to join you for dinner but no need to pay for us." Hunter said.
"I insist." Mr. Bender said.
"You two came out here to support our daughter. Least we can do." Mrs. Bender said
"Its what friends do." Hunter said.
Rosie and Lexi smirked at each other. Didn't matter who it was parents always argued who was paying.
They all headed out and went to a restaurant and had dinner.
Rosie's phone went off with a text and she sighed. She screen shotted it and sent it to the police captain telling him who it was and who had texted her. It was a text from Paige threatening to kill herself if she didn't talk to her and forgive her. She didn't want Paige to come to harm but she wasn't going to indulge her in talking to her, so she did what she needed to without talking to Paige. Paige had obviously changed her number so she could text Rosie.
"Everything okay?" Hunter asked her.
"I'll tell you later." She said
Hunter nodded. "Okay."
Rosie put her phone away and enjoyed her meal. When they were done Hunter caved and let Mr. Bender pay before they headed out.
Lexi and Rosie hugged again.
"We are leaving early in the morning. So once you are settled and you can, you should come visit. Maybe you and Becca can come visit together sometime too." Rosie said
Lexi smiled. "I would love that."
Everyone said bye and went their separate ways.
In the car on the way to the hotel. Rosie looked at her phone and saw that the Captain had responded that it would be handled and thanked her for doing the right thing.
"So. Um. At the restaurant. I got a text. Said it was Paige. She must have changed numbers. But said she was going to kill herself if I didn't talk to her and forgive her. I screen shotted it and sent it to Captain Franklin. He said he would handle it. I did not respond to Paige." Rosie said
"Okay. You handled that right. Proud of you." Hunter said
Rosie smiled abit.
"Also proud of how well you handled yourself in court today. I just need to know what Paige said that had Lexi worried about your reaction." Hunter said
"Thank you. And um. Mouthing nasty things." Rosie said
"She was doing that a lot. It must have been something very specific to make you go from being able to ignore it to needing to be calmed down." Hunter said
Rosie shrugged
"Wasn't when she made a comment about the family was it?" Hunter asked
Rosie sighed.
"Yeah. That seemed to be what lined up." Hunter said "You can not. Let peoples comments about your dad and I get to you. We can handle it. Not your fight." Hunter said
"Yes sir." Rosie said
"I'm not angry with you. You're not in trouble." Hunter said "I understand to want to stand up for the people we love. You think I liked seeing the things she was mouthing about you? Of course I didn't. But violence wont help anything."
"Yes sir." Rosie said
"Rose. Come on. I'm not upset with you." Hunter said
"Those comments were not just about you and dad. She knows I'm not straight. They were to me too. I don't even know if she really knows who you are." Rosie said.
Hunter nodded. "Okay. But still violence is not the answer."
"And I never said I was going to hurt her. Yes it made me very angry. And yes in the past when I got that angry I reacted with violence in mind. So Lexi seeing that I get. But like Lexi said it took three people to hold me back before. If I wanted to get past Lexi I would have." Rosie said. "I didn't even try."
"Okay. You're right." Hunter said, "I'm sorry I assumed." He said
"Its forgiven." Rosie said
"And I'm not angry but we do need to talk about the swearing. I know dad has let you swear as long as its not at people and its not every other word. But its been a lot lately. I'm not saying you cant swear. But read the room. Don't swear in front of people you know would have a problem with it." Hunter said
"I know. I'll work on it." Rosie said. "I think it comes out more when I'm not at home right now because I try not to swear in front of the little kids." Rosie said
"I have noticed that you don't around them. And I appreciate that. But you know Lexi's parents. Even I can tell they are people you don't swear around and you grew up in that house every other weekend." Hunter said
Rosie nodded.
"Were you trying to prove a point by doing it?" Hunter asked
Rosie looked out the window. "Maybe."
"You went to the prisons to forgive the people who spent years abusing you. And yet you are holding on to grudges to people who have apologized? And who genuinely care about you." Hunter asked
"I think its harder for me to forgive them because they were kind to me most of the time. The Long's never were." Rosie said
"If you are going to be around them especially in their home that they have invited you into. You need to be respectful." Hunter said
"Understood." Rosie said
They got back to the hotel. "If I find out you haven't been respectful in someone else's home you will be in serious trouble." Hunter said
"Yes sir. Fully understood." Rosie said
"Good." He said
They went inside and got ready for bed. Dave called just before they got into bed.
"Hey Dave. How's it going? You're on speaker." Hunter answered putting it on speaker
"Long day what about you? How did it work out?" Dave asked
"He is going to prison for the full sentence possible. Rosie did great on the stand even when she was being gone at hard." Hunter said
"Proud of you Rose. No issues with anything?" Dave asked
"Paige was mouthing things outside the court house while we were waiting for the judges decisions, but I didn't react." Rosie said
"She did get pretty upset about something that was said. And I guess Lexi saw a look in her eyes that in the in the past led to three people having to hold Rosie back. But Lexi just told her not to and Rosie stayed put. But it was evident she was upset." Hunter said
"Glad to hear you kept yourself in check." Dave said, "Anything else I should know about?"
"Couple things." Hunter said
Rosie sighed and told him about yesterday and going to the look out. "I promise I wasn't running. Just needed space. But I should have told him exactly where I was going."
"Okay. Yes you should have but I'm guessing its been discussed." Hunter said
"Yes." Hunter said "But the other thing is what I think is more important for you to know. But has also been heavily discussed." Hunter said before telling Dave, but he could tell by the look on Rosie's face she wasn't going to do it.
"Rosie Bianca Rossi. We have discussed this. Many times. I allow it when it is kept to a minimum." Dave said
"Yes sir." Rosie said
"And you know what her parents are like, and you still did that in their home? That they invited you into?" Dave lectured
She was basically receiving the same lecture twice.
"Yes sir." Rosie said
"There is no excuse." Dave said clear in his voice he was angry
"No sir." Rosie said her voice cracking
"Dave. I think she gets the point." Hunter said he could tell he was angry, and he knew he needed to calm his fiancé. He had never heard him angry with Rosie like this.
"I don't want to hear you did this again. Am I clear?" Dave asked still angry
"Yes sir." Rosie said her voice so small.
"Rosie. You want to go get some ice for the room?" Hunter asked quickly to get her out of the room
Rosie nodded and went to do so.
"Dave. What the hell was that?" Hunter asked clearly not happy
"What?" Dave said
"You just went at her the way the lawyer for the opposing side did today." Hunter said
Dave sighed. "I was to hard on her."
"Yes." Hunter said.
"I'll talk to her when were all home." Dave said sadly.
"No you will not make her wait. The look on her face. She's terrified of you now." Hunter said, "What the hell happened?"
"Dealt with a teenager today. Who didn't know how to respect anyone. I just finished telling the team my girls would never act like that…" Dave said
"What Rosie did was disrespectful yes. But was it anything compared to this teenager?" Hunter asked
"No. Not at all. But I just. I let myself think if I didn't get stern it would lead to that." Dave said clear in his voice he knew he messed up
"I'm sorry you had a hard day." Hunter said "But that is not a reason to talk to our daughter like that."
"I know. You're right. I messed up. I'll talk to her when she is back in the room." Dave said
Rosie came back in the room with the ice.
"Thank you Rosie." Hunter said
Rosie nodded and smiled abit.
"Rose." Dave said
"Yes?" She said voice shaky
"I'm really sorry. I over reacted. Had a hard day and it wasn't fair or right of me to take it out on you. I will never react like that again with you. I know that based on your past you probably are scared of me right now. You are not in trouble with me at all. I'm not angry. What can I do to show you that I mean that?" Dave asked
"I- I don't know." She said voice still small
"Come sit." Hunter said softly.
Rosie went and sat next to him. Hunter put an arm around her.
"When you get back why don't we go rock climbing together I went a couple times with your mom, and I would love to spend the time with you relearning." Dave said
"Really?" Rosie asked a small smile on her face
"Yes." Dave said
"Okay. I'd like that." Rosie said
"I love you Rosie. That has not changed." Dave said
"Love you too." Rosie said
"I think we are all pretty tired. A good night sleep is needed for all." Hunter said
"Yes." Dave said
"Are you done your case?" Rosie asked
"Done for today." Dave said
"Kay. Night dad." Rosie said
"Good night Bambina. Good night Hunt."
"Good night Dave." Hunter said before they hung up.
"You okay?" Hunter asked Rosie
"Yeah." Rosie said.
They both got ready for bed and went to bed.
Dave sat on the bed at home head in his hands. He had told himself he would never be the kind of parent who reacted that way regardless of what had been done. And after everything Rosie had been through he just acted so poorly. He had some serious making up to do. He got ready for bed but didn't sleep much.