Court hearing day

During the court hearing, there were a lot of emotions going around in the room. I can see that Penny is very distressed, not to mention seriously scared. We have been watching Robbie at the resort, and he has been keeping his hawk eyes on Penny most of the time, which is really creepy. Luckily he did not approach her because the family has been around Penny all the time.

I wonder if he is onto us with the court hearing, probably not since he is still at the resort. He is a toxic, obnoxious, narcissistic asshole. I did told mom, Lisa, and Amanda to keep an eye on him while we are here. Jamie is sitting next to me, he came with us because of the meeting Ron has with Roger after the hearing. Johnny is sitting at my other side, holding my hand while he is looking at Penny.

Since Jamie is staying in Penny's old cabin, the two brothers have been spending a lot of time together. I have watched them getting to know each other, getting closer too. They are getting along so good, that it even has made Ron to open up to Jamie. I can foresee that one day they will be close as well. I am really proud of my man, and really happy that our family has grown a little bigger.

"So, jury, could you make a decision about this case?"
"We have, your honor."
"Let's hear what you think."
"The evidence is clear, the witnesses are clear too, we also can see how much it does to miss Johnson."
"Go on."
"We declare Robbie Gould to be guilty of stalking, harassing, and attempted murder."
"All right, that means the cops will get a warrant to arrest him and he will then go to court to hear what sentence he is going to get."

The judge takes his hammer when Roger stands up. The judge looks at him from over his glasses.

"Your honor?"
"Yes?"
"Will we hear what sentence he will get?"
"You will, all the evidence plus the recorded witnesses are going to the judge who will decide how long he will get."
"Thank you, your honor."

The judge nods and Roger sits down again with a nod.

"I declare this hearing has ended."

And with that he hammers on the table and lays the hammer down.

I think we deserve some kind of celebration today. Let us hope that the cops will soon come to the resort to arrest that asshole, so he can be locked up in prison for years. I see Penny collapsing, Johnny quickly went to her and lifts her up on his arms. She shakes a little while he grabs him. Reality must have hit her real hard, realizing that she has no stalker no more.

"Shh. Shh. Everything will be alright, from now on things will only get better for you."

She holds him tightly. I go to them and look at her face with a smile. She is crying her heart out as she lays her head against Johnny's chest. I am sure everything will be better for her. She looks at me and tries to smile as well.

"Thank you so much, Baby."
"I'll do anything for family."
"You've saved my life."
"Not only me, Penny, everyone who loves you did."

She lifts her head up to look at Johnny who smiles at her. She grabs him tightly again and he gives her a kiss on her head. Billy came closer and Penny reaches out to him. I watch him smiling as Johnny puts her down on her feet, she hugs Billy tightly as well. Roger is watching us with a smile. I turn to him, and went to him.

"Thank you so much, Roger."
"You know I can't say no to you, right?"

I chuckle about that, and he keeps smiling. I give him a short hug.

A little background, Roger is a very dear friend of dad, they know each other since middle school, eventually when Roger graduated from Harvard, he became my family's personal lawyer besides the full-time job he has at the biggest law firm. He met his wife when he was still studying at Harvard, but since her parents were so strict, and not wanting their daughter to marry Roger, they decided to elope. His wife, Mary, had a lot of trouble in her personal life, so I helped her, I made sure she got all the help she needed and when I became an entrepreneur, she was among the first ones I hired. She is my solicitor's assistant, learning herself to become one too eventually.

"We're even now."
"With what you did for my wife? I'm not even close to even, Baby."
"Come on, you can't keep doing my cases for free all the time. I don't want you to feel like you owe me."
"I can, and I will. Baby, you made our lives easier, and more comfortable, I will forever be in your debt."

I roll my eyes, shaking my head a little while I smile. He chuckles about my expression. Ron came to us and smiles. I look at him and give him a kiss on his cheek. He chuckles as he looks from me to Roger.

"Mr. Castle."
"Call me Ron."
"Ron, call me Roger. Shall we have the meeting?"
"You mind if my son's half-brother is joining us?"
"No, but why would he join us?"
"He's a big part in this whole case, and he has turned sides, I think you'll find him of big use for the case."

I look at Jamie and sign at him to come closer. He hesitated a little when he came slowly closer. I smile and lay my hand on his back as I look at Roger who looks at Jamie.

"I heard you want to help?"
"Yes, very much."
"All right, you two, follow me. And Baby?"
"Yes?"
"I treat you on dinner one day soon."
"You don't have to, you know that."
"Fine, you're stubborn anyway."
"I know."

He chuckles and we shake hands. Ron looks at me and then gives me a kiss on my head. I smile at him and then look at Jamie who quickly gives me a hug. I watch them following Roger to a meeting room. Johnny came to me and smiles. I look at him and give him a kiss.

"Is dad and Jamie having a meeting with your lawyer?"
"Yes, we'll be hearing later how the meeting went. Can we go? I'm hungry."
"Of course, let's go."
"Will your dad and your brother be all right with getting back to Kellerman's?"
"Yes, dad has his driver with him, remember?"
"Oh yes, I guess I got used to you driving me around now."

I stuck my tongue out to him and he chuckles. He turns to Billy and Penny and waves at them to go.

Johnny parks the car at the staff cabins, he quickly steps out and helps me stepping out, and Penny as well. I smile as I give him a kiss. Amanda runs to us, and we see her worried expression.

"What's going on?"
"It's Lisa."
"What happened?"

She looks at Johnny now, who starts to frown.

"Your mother came into the restaurant during lunch. I told Lisa who she is, and Lisa took the opportunity…"

I lay my hand on her back, rubbing a bit, letting her catch her breath, she must have ran really hard. I am getting worried about Lisa.

"Where is she now?"
"I don't know, Lisa told me not to worry, but your mother took her with her into her car and drove off. I don't know what to do, I'm worried she will hurt Lisa."

I look at Johnny, and I can see him getting worried as well. Penny lays her free hand over her mouth. I remember the plan we have been making at the dinner party.

"I'm sure she'll be hurting Lisa when she discovers Jamie has chosen our side."

Johnny looks at Billy when he said that, and his frown went deeper, besides, I see him getting angry as well. Same for Billy, who is angry as well.

"You mean?"
"I think Billy is right. We need to negotiate with your mother to see what she really wants, and what she's planning on doing with Lisa."
"How did she got onto the resort? She's not a guest here."

We look at Penny and I inhale deeply. Only people who stay here for their holiday are allowed to be at the resort, that is why we did not told Max that Jamie is staying here as well, and Jamie is not going anywhere else on the resort, he eats with us every day in our cabin. We had told him only to go outside his cabin for doing his needs, showering and coming to our cabin.

"She's staying in a hotel nearby, I bet she went back there with Lisa."
"No, I don't think she would do that, it would take too much notice."

Johnny growls out of frustrations now. I take my phone out and call Roger.

"Baby?"
"Roger, we've got a little situation."
"What situation?"
"Ron's ex-wife was here at the resort, and she took Lisa with her."
"That's not good, have you any idea where she could be going to?"
"No, we only know from Jamie that she's staying in a hotel nearby. Amanda was there when she came and took Lisa away. Lisa said not to worry, but we don't know what that woman is up to."

I hear some mumbling in the background and then chairs that are moving.

"Baby?"
"Hey, Ron."
"Can I speak to my son, please?"
"Of course."

I give Johnny my phone, who takes it as he looks at my face. I went to Penny and Billy for a hug. Amanda stands next to Johnny, trying not to cry.

"Dad?"
"Son, I just heard what has happened to Lisa."
"Yeah, but we're not sure yet if she'll get hurt or not."
"Knowing your mother, I'm pretty sure when she discovers that Jamie is with me, choosing our side, she will do harm to Lisa. Does Jake and Marge know that Lisa is gone?"

Amanda hears Ron, she shakes her head no and starts to shake now. She has no clue what to explain to mom and dad, and she is scared too. Johnny sees her reaction and lays his arm around her to sooth her a little. I look at her and went closer to take her hands, she sniffs as she looks at me.

"No, they don't know, I'll tell them together with Amanda, I'll tell Leo and Lizzy too."
"Good, and please tell them to try not to look for Lisa, I've got a pretty good idea of where she has taken Lisa."
"Where, dad?"
"I can't tell you that, son, I don't want you to look for Lisa, okay? Stay with Baby, protect her and the rest as well. They will need you, besides, Robbie is still there, so you need to stay anyway."

Johnny closes his eyes as he inhales deeply. Then he let the air go out slow and nods. I can see he is trying to push the anger, and frustrations, away. I know he wants to find Lisa, but maybe it is now time to let the authorities do this.

"Son?"
"Okay, dad, I will stay here, but please make sure that Lisa can be found."
"She will be."

Johnny gives me my phone back and I look at the screen. I see the call has ended and put it back in my pocket. Amanda is getting more worried.

"We need to go to your parents, Baby, and tell them what happened."
"Of course."
"Amanda, you're coming with us."
"What if they will kill me? I was right there, and I have let her go."
"It will be fine, I promise."

I smile as I hug her, I look at Billy and Penny. Billy sees my expression.

"I'll stay with Pen, to be sure she's safe."
"Don't you need to work, Billy?"
"I got the day off, let's have a nice walk, Pen, it would do you good, even on those crutches."

Penny chuckles about it and looks at her cast. Then she inhales deeply, and after saying goodbye to us, she walks slowly away with Billy.

"Let's go to my parents."

Johnny nods and lays his arm around my waist. Amanda walks next to me in silence. I really wonder why Lisa went willingly with Johnny's mother, I know we had a plan, but I had thought that this has finally changed after Jamie choosing our side. We forgot that we have not told her that the plan has changed. I start to feel guilty about this.

"We didn't told Lisa about the changes of the plan."
"What do you mean, Baby?"

I look at Amanda and inhale deeply.

"We got Jamie to be on our side."
"Jamie?"
"Yes, my brother."
"The one that punched your father?"
"Yes, he's with dad at Baby's lawyer now, opening up a case."
"Lisa thought this was a good opportunity to start the plan, she told me so when we saw your mother coming inside the restaurant."

We walk up the stairs and Johnny knocks on the door. I see pops opening the door, he smiles when he sees us, and he let us come inside.

"Where's Lissy?"
"That's why we're here."
"What do you mean?"

I look from pops to my parents and then at nana.

"Johnny's mother came to the resort."
"When?"

I see nana standing up, she went to Amanda to hug her. Pops inhales deeply and sits down next to dad, who is frowning as he is watching us with his watchful eye. Pops lays his hand on dad's shoulder.

"During lunch. Amanda, you want to tell the story?"

Amanda inhales deeply and looks down. Nana rubs her back a little.

"Amanda?"

She looks up with teary eyes, she sees dad's stern expression, she gets scared. Mom is standing up and went to her as well.

"I'm so scared you'll be angry with me."
"Why would we be angry with you?"
"Because Lisa has disappeared with Johnny's mother."
"Where to?"

Dad wanted to stand up, but pops keeps him sitting down. I can see dad getting frustrated. I guess he blames Amanda for not holding Lisa back.

"Dad, you can't blame this on Amanda. Lisa went on with the plan we had made at the dinner party that Saturday. She didn't know about Jamie, and that the plan had changed."
"What do you mean? Jamie?"
"Who's Jamie?"

Pops and dad asking the same question at the same time. Oh yes, I forgot, it is only Billy, Penny, and Ron who know about Jamie. Johnny and I have been really lacking to give the rest information too. I look at Johnny, and he sees my face. I can see he is thinking the same thing as I am.

"Johnny's brother, I talked to Ron yesterday, and he has told me about Jamie."

We look at mom, Johnny inhales deeply.

"It's our fault, we should have informed everyone about the changes."
"It's not your fault, Baby, Lissy wanted to do this anyway."
"But why?"
"Because she wanted to show you that she has changed, she wanted to do something good for once."
"But she didn't had to do this, Marge."

Mom looks at dad, and gives him a nod.

"It was something we couldn't talk out of her head anyway."
"Johnny, do you know where your mother went to with Lissy?"

Johnny looks at pops and shakes his head, he puts his hands in his pockets.

"Dad seems to have an idea, but he didn't want to tell me. He said I'm needed here, to protect you all."
"How did the court hearing go?"
"It was positive, the judge has written out a warrant to arrest Robbie, so the cops will be here soon."
"Good, I'm glad to hear that."

Mom went to the cupboard, and takes a bottle of Scotch, and a couple of glasses. Johnny went to sit down, and mom offered him a glass as well. I look at nana, who is smiling at me and Amanda.

"You want to tell the news? I think this is a good moment."

Dad heard her and he looks at me as well. I inhale deeply as I see nana's nod and smile. She grabs my hand and squeezes a little.

"What's going on, pumpkin?"

I turn a little and hold my hands in front of me while I smile at him. I see his frown appearing. I see mom starting to smile more, Amanda starts to smile as well. Pops is getting curious. Johnny inhales deeply, waiting for the lecture that will come any moment.

"Dad, I'm pregnant."

Dad jumps up, I see his expression, but I did not move while I keep looking at his face. Hmm, I just realize that I got this from dad because I see him sighing deeply and then turning his head to look at Johnny who is looking down, not daring to see dad's expression.

"What did I told you?"
"I know, dad, and it's our own fault."
"You bet it is."
"But we're going to keep it."
"You're only seventeen, and you still need to go to college."
"I'm taking a sabbatical year from college."
"Baby…"

Mom takes dad's hand. He looks at her and stops talking. He sees her smile and sighs deeply.

"They know what they're doing, Jake."
"Why are you not mad?"
"Because I know that our daughter will be a wonderful mother, and Johnny will be a great father."

Johnny stands up and came to me. I grab him and he hugs me. I know dad is disappointed, but he clearly is the only one. Pops stands up and I see his smile.

"I'm looking forward to becoming a great-grandfather."

I giggle a little about it. Johnny chuckles as he looks at pops. He starts to smile again.

"And nana and I are so happy that you're with Johnny, he's the best for you, we've always known."
"How can you all not see how life changing this will be for my daughter?"

I let Johnny go and went to dad. He looks at my face, and I grab him into a hug. He sighs deeply as he hugs me back. I know he cannot resist a hug from me anyway.

"I'm sure you'll be the best grandfather my kids will ever have. Please, dad, we want this."
"I know I can't talk you out of this, and you're mature enough to know what you're doing, but it's just, you're still so young, you should enjoy your life. I just want you to enjoy your youth."
"I'm enjoying life, dad, I do all the things I love to do. I'm an entrepreneur already, I earn my own money, I got the best boyfriend in this world, and we're going to buy a house after we get back home from Kellerman's. We're going to be a family. All my dreams are coming through, I don't need to party and go out."

Dad push me back, he keeps looking at my face. I guess he is just scared of losing his little girl. We had this conversation so many times already. Then he sighs and looks at Johnny who has put his hands in his pockets now. Dad looks back at me.

"You need help?"
"We'll be fine, dad, I just want you to be there, okay?"
"Okay."

I smile a little wider about that. I can see he is trying to accept the things as they are now. He is watching me closely, I giggle a little, he is so typical.

"You want to do a checkup, dad? I can see you're doing it already."
"I just want to be sure you're alright."
"We still need to go to a doctor. I only did a few tests before we got here."
"Let me check."

I nod with a smile. We sit down on the couch, and dad starts to do a checkup. Johnny got hugs and kisses from the rest. He smiles as he is happy that I told dad about it.