Chapter 91
Olivia called Rafe and Ava on the way to have them meet up at the station. They arrived quickly and went inside to talk with Remy.
"So." Remy started. "You wanna fill me in on exactly what is going on?" He asked a little agitated.
"I'm sorry Remy. I couldn't tell you what we were doing or it could have been called entrapment." Olivia said. "We needed you to hear Frank admit to the assault on Natalia so you could arrest him. If we pressed charges he was going to press charges on Rafe and we couldn't risk our son ending up back in prison for violating his parole."
"What happened with Rafe that could warrant that?"
"Doris is on her way with the reports and pictures of what happened. It was before Christmas. Doris, Jamanda, Blake and Frank were at the house to discuss wedding plans. Frank asked to speak with Natalia and it all kind of snow balled from there."
Just as Olivia was finishing, Doris came in and walked over to them slightly out of breath. "Hey, I got everything." She handed a file and a SD card to Remy. "These are statements from the Spencer-Rivera family from the night in question. You will also find photos of Natalia's injuries and the SD is the recording of their statements. There is also written reports of the harassment they have been dealing with since last January. As well as a recording of Frank bribing them not to press charges. You shouldn't need anything further from them and if you do you can call myself or Olivia."
Natalia handed him her phone. "I also have a recording of our conversation earlier."
"Alright, I'll have one of the techs transfer it to a SD card and get your phone back to you in a few minutes. I need to look over all of this. Can you all just hang for a few while I read through this? That way if I need anything else we can get it all taken care of now. I would also like to apologize on behave of the Springfield Police Department. It seems our Chief of Police has been abusing his power. I'm so sorry he put your family through this Natalia."
"It's okay Remy. What Frank did has nothing to do with you or anyone else." Natalia assured him.
Remy nodded and went to give her phone to one of the techs and then sat at his desk to review the file. Doris and the Spencer-Rivera clan went to sit in some chairs while they waited for Remy to review everything. After a few minutes, Olivia excused herself saying she needed the restroom.
Olivia walked to the back where the holding cells where, her heels clicking all the way. She went straight up to the cell Frank was in. "Hey there Frankie. How ya doing?"
"Fuck you Olivia. I know this was all you. Natalia would never do something this underhanded. She's not like you."
"You're right, this was my idea. However, if you hadn't noticed, Natalia's the one that called you, she's the one that met you, she's the one that recorded the conversation, and this time, she's the one that kneed you in the balls. That wasn't me Frank."
"I know you forced her to do this. I don't know what you have on her, but I know she wouldn't do this to me. She wanted to talk about us. She said that while we were there. But you just had to mess it up again didn't you. You couldn't stand that she was going to leave you for me."
Olivia laughed an evil laugh. "Are you really that delusional Frank? She didn't want to talk about the two of you. Did you not just hear me? She recorded that conversation. She was there to make you admit everything you've done to her, to our family."
"No, I don't believe that. She only did that after you got involved."
"Frank, I wasn't even around. She recorded beginning to end. Why would she do that if she was there to talk about giving you a chance? My wife wants nothing to do with you. She wants you out of our lives and I gave her a way to do that. It's over Frank."
"Oh, we'll just see about that. I can still press charges on you and Rafe for aggravated assault and battery against an officer. You think she'll really stay with you if you're the reason her son gets sent back to prison?"
"Here's the thing Frank, it won't be my fault, it will be yours. Another thing you did to hurt her. Not to mention, Doris has the recording of you bribing us not to press charges. Do you really want that added to the assault and harassment charges you are already facing?"
"You really are a fucking bitch, you know that?"
"Yes, I do. Have a nice day Frankie. I'm gonna go home, with my wife." She smiled wickedly and sauntered back to her family.
Frank sat there on the metal bench and stewed. He needed to find a way to get out of this. There was no way he was letting Olivia win. He wouldn't go to jail and Natalia would be his. One way or another, he would make certain of it.
Olivia made her way back to her clan just as Remy was coming over to talk with them. She took the seat next to Natalia and grabbed her hand, kissing the back of it before looking up a Remy expectantly.
"Alright. Everything seems to be in order. I'm not sure how much some of this will help your case." Remy said.
"What does that mean?" Natalia asked.
"Well, unfortunately, when pressing harassment charges, you have to show that everything was unwanted and that you didn't like having him around. When this all started, you remained friends with him. You went to his grandson's christening, you didn't refuse his being Rafe's mentor, which technically he still is. You were with him of your own will on several occurrences"
"I'm confused Remy. Just because we didn't abandoned the entire Cooper family and we wanted Rafe out of jail so we didn't protest the mentorship, you're saying we have no case." Olivia asked.
"No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that there may not be enough for harassment. The aggravated assault is going to be your best chance. I'll file harassment too, and I don't know, maybe something will come of it. That will be up to a judge. I also suggest you contact Rafe's parole officer and file to change his mentor. I'd be happy to do that or I'm sure Mallet would. The less connecting your family willingly to Frank, the better."
"Okay, yeah, we'll do that when we leave here. Could you go with us so maybe we can change you to Rafe's mentor today and not have any hold ups. Bring the reports against Frank to show his parole officer."
"Yeah, of course. As soon as we're done here."
"Thank you Remy." Rafe said.
"Sure man. I know this is hard on your family and you shouldn't have to be tied to Frank."
"We're filing to get Rafe cleared of all the charges since he was a minor and Jeffery wrote a letter recommending it before Rafe was even released. We're hoping that with the fact he was a model inmate and has completely turned his life around since being release, that a judge will go for it, but it's gonna take time." Doris told him.
"I think that's great. I do feel Rafe should be able to put this all behind him."
"Thanks man." Rafe said with a small smile. He didn't know Olivia and Doris were planning that. He glanced at his mom who leaned over and said they would talk at home.
"I'm also having Mel file a restraining order for our entire family. I don't want him anywhere near us should the judge not rule for jail time." Olivia informed him.
"That's good cause uh," he paused. "I know you're not gonna like this, but um, Frank is going to get out on bail at some point."
"Wait a minute, who's making that call?" Doris asked.
"Mallet. He said he would be the stand in Chief of Police until this got sorted out since he's the highest-ranking officer."
"That may be true, but it needs to be cleared with me first."
"Do you want me to get Mallet for you? I know since he and Dinah came back things have been tense with him and Frank, so I don't think there will be any bias from him on this case, and he said the bail is just proper procedure."
"Yes, please go and get him. I'll speak with him and decide if he will indeed be the stand in police chief. I think you have everything you need from the Spencer-Rivera's."
"Uh, yeah. I'll file all of this and grab Mallet and then we can go to the Parole board."
"Thank Remy." Olivia said as he walked away. Then she looked to her friend. "You really think Mallet can be unbiased with this?"
"Considering the many things that have happen between him in the Cooper's, I think if there is any bias, it will be on your side, but I'm gonna go talk to him and make certain before I announce who will be the temporary police chief until this is over and I assign a new one."
"When will you officially fire Frank?"
"At the moment it's a waiting game. If nothing comes of this, I don't have a whole lot of cause. But, I have a feeling he'll be off the force very soon. Too much has happen for any judge to just ignore it. Not to mention the review board won't allow a man like him to stay on as Police Chief, if at all. It'll be okay."
"Thank you Doris. You have no idea how much this means to me." Olivia stood and hugged her friend.
"Yes, thank you Doris." Natalia hugged her as well.
"It's my pleasure."
Remy came back with Mallet and left with the Spencer-River's. Doris took Mallet into Frank's office so she could determine if he was fit for the job.
Olivia sent Ava back to work and had Sam go with her to take Rafe's truck back to the house. She planned on picking up Emma and taking her family home after talking with the parole board. She figured Ava could meet them there after finishing up anything urgent at the hotel.
Natalia, Olivia, Rafe, and Remy walked into the parole office and waited to speak with Rafe's parole officer. After a twenty-minute wait, the man finally brought them back to his office.
"So, what can I do for you Mr. Rivera?" He asked.
"It's Spencer-Rivera sir. I believe I submitted the name change. But uh, I'm here to file for a change of mentor."
"Why is that? Frank Cooper is the chief of police and a fine man. He's the perfect mentor for you."
"Well, uh…"
"Frank Cooper is currently in jail for harassment and aggravated assault." Olivia offered.
"And who might you be?"
"Olivia Spencer-Rivera. I'm Rafe's step-mother."
"It's my understanding that Mr. Spencer-Rivera's father is deceased."
"He is. I'm married to his mother." She said, putting an arm around Natalia's waist who couldn't help but smile. Olivia would have thought the last name would have spelled that out for him.
"Olivia and I were married on New Year's in Iowa and had a ceremony here." Natalia told him.
"I see. Regardless of what's happening with Mr. Cooper, as part of Mr. Spencer-Rivera's release, he has to have a male mentor."
"I'm willing to fill that role." Remy said.
"And who are you?"
"Remy Boudreau Sir. I'm an officer at Springfield PD."
"And you're willing to be a mentor to Mr. Spencer-Rivera?"
"Yes sir. Rafe's a good kid. He's completely turned his life around since his release and I would be proud to be his mentor."
"Well, I can't just assign him a new mentor, it has to go through the parole board."
"I'm aware of that sir. I brought the file with the charges being filed against Frank Cooper with me so that you may submit it to the board as proof that he's not fit to remain as Rafe's mentor. The charges are for harassment and aggravated assault against Natalia Spencer-Rivera."
The man raised an eyebrow towards Natalia. "I'm sorry to hear that Ms. Rivera."
"Mrs. Spencer-Rivera but Thank you." Natalia said. "I was worried about Frank being his mentor from the beginning. He had been trying to make me leave Olivia and be with him for a while."
"Then why didn't you speak up when he offered?"
"I was so focused on getting my son home that I wasn't really thinking. I never thought Frank was capable of this though."
"I understand. I need Mr. Spencer-Rivera to fill out these forms." He handed Rafe a few papers and a pen. "Then I can send this to the board. Mr. Spencer-Rivera will have to appear before them when they make the final decision."
Olivia glanced at Natalia and then back to the officer. "Is it possible to file for Rafe to be free of a mentor?"
"I'm not sure there's much of a chance of that happening given his case and the judge's ruling."
"But is it possible? Rafe has become the executive assistant to the general manager at The Beacon hotel. He has his own apartment in the basement of our family home. He hasn't been in any trouble. His mother is now married and he has embraced myself and my two daughters as his family."
"We can ask, but I just don't think it will happen. We can file both sets of papers and see what the board says. I understand that with your union to his mother and his job you feel that he no longer needs a mentor, but the fact is, the judge felt he needed a male role model in his life. His mother's commitment to another female doesn't fill that role."
"I understand. If we could just please file both forms. I truly feel that a mentor is no longer necessary for Rafe. He's done everything the courts have asked and he meets with you every week."
"He has, and I have seen a tremendous change in Mr. Spencer-Rivera over the last few months. If it was up to me I would allow it and I will make that fact known to the board, however, it's their decision and they usually rule whatever the judge originally said. He only has a little over a year and a half left of his parole and Mr. Boudreau seems a fine man to mentor Rafe for the remainder of his parole."
"Thank you sir." Remy said.
Rafe had filled out both forms and placed them on the desk. "Is that all you need from me sir?"
"Yes. I'll file these this afternoon and be in touch with a date and time for you to stand before the review board for their ruling on this change."
"Thank you sir."
Natalia and Olivia thanked him and shook his hand before they all headed out. Once in the parking lot, Natalia turned to face Remy. "Thank you Remy. I really appreciate you doing this for us."
"It's no problem. Rafe's a good man."
"Thanks man." Rafe said.
"Alright. I'm gonna head back to the station. Let me know when the review board meeting is and I'll be there."
"Okay. Thanks again." Remy nodded at them and headed to his car. The three Spencer-Rivera's headed to pick up Emma from school. It was a little early, but they felt like all being together for the evening. Olivia called Ava to see when she would be home and asked her to pick up dinner from Tower's on the way.
Once they were home, the three adults went to change into more comfortable clothes and then Olivia and Natalia wanted to speak with Emma. As they finished changing, they all met back in the living room. Sam had been home for a little while and was in the kitchen making Emma an afternoon snack. Rafe sat in the wicker chair with Emma on his lap and Olivia and Natalia sat on the couch across from them.
"Alright Jellybean, Ma and I want to talk to you about these dreams you've been having. You want to tell us about them?"
Emma snuggled further into her brother and shook her head. Rafe lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. "Come on munchkin, you know you can tell mom and Ma anything, and me too. What are you dreaming about that's scaring you?"
Emma looked down at her hands that were fidgeting in her lap. Olivia and Natalia both moved from the couch to kneel in front of Emma and Rafe. Olivia placed one hand over Emma's and rubbed her other hand down her back. "It's okay Jellybean. You told us before that they were about Frank, and him hurting one of us or taking Ma away. Is that what happened last night?"
Emma nodded and gazed at her mother with tears in her eyes. "I keep seeing him yelling at the wedding and saying bad things, but then, instead of daddy and uncle Bill, and Uncle Josh taking him away, he takes Ma away and we never see her again." She was sobbing when she finished and burrowed into Rafe. Olivia tried to take her but she refused to move from her brother's lap.
Natalia wrapped her arms around her as best she could with Rafe cuddling her and Olivia trying to give her comfort. "Emma, Frank's not gonna hurt me honey. I promise."
"How do you know?" She sobbed out.
"Because. Frank is in jail now. He can't hurt any of us anymore."
Emma lifted her head and looked at her Ma. "He is? But how, he's a policeman. Won't he just let himself go?"
Natalia attempted to bring Emma into her lap and she allowed it. Natalia hugged her close and wiped her tears. "Oh, my sweet girl. I know it's hard to understand. He can't just let himself out. Everyone has to pay for their crimes, even policemen. What Frank has been doing was very wrong. He won't be able to leave the jail."
"Are you sure?"
Natalia glanced at Olivia over Emma's head. She wasn't sure what to say, it was very likely that Frank was going to get out on bail until the trial and they still couldn't be sure that he would end up in jail for the things he had done.
Olivia placed her hand over Natalia's on Emma's back and took over. "Em, Frank might be able to get out for a little while, until it's time for him to see a judge, like daddy did."
"But then he could hurt Ma." She started crying again.
"No baby, we filed what's called a restraining order. It means Frank can't come anywhere near any of us or they will take him back to jail and he will have to stay there until his trial. He won't be bothering any of us anymore."
"You promise?"
"I promise that nobody is going to hurt our family. Okay baby?"
"Okay. Can I go have my snack now?" She perked up a little after hearing that Frank couldn't come around their family any more.
Olivia chuckled. Her daughter could always be soothed with food. "Sure baby. Uncle Sam is waiting for you in the kitchen."
Emma hopped up and ran off. Rafe smiled down at his moms. "Can I go have a snack too? Please." He smiled, knowing his childish behavior would lighten his mothers' moods.
"Yes my son, go have a snack." Olivia told him half laughing.
After Ava returned home and the family enjoyed dinner together, they all retired to the living room to play a few games before Emma had to go to bed. As soon as she was down for the night, Rafe asked Olivia to explain what Doris was talking about at the station earlier. The two sat at the kitchen table while Natalia and Sam filled Ava in on what she had missed in the living room.
"Mom, when did you and Doris decide to file to have me acquitted of my charges?"
"We discussed it when we were talking about the options we had for Frank. I didn't want to do anything to risk you going back to prison. We have a deal with Frank, which we didn't violate today, but he's an ass, and not the good man everyone thinks he is. If we have already filed for your charges to be dropped when Frank goes to trial, it will make it harder for him to get you sent back. Not to mention I don't think you should have this floating above your head for the rest of your life. It was a stupid mistake you made at seventeen after a tragic event occurred in your life."
Rafe just starred at her for a moment before launching himself into her arms and hugging her tight. "Thank you mom. Thank you so much."
Olivia hugged him back just as tight before pulling back. "You're welcome son. We don't know if this is going to happen or not, but Mel and Doris are working together to see what they can do. Beth has even offered to assist. No one believes you should have to live with this forever. Everyone makes mistakes."
"I know it's not a guarantee, but just knowing you don't think I should have to carry it around with me means so much."
"I love you Rafe. I have done far worse things than that, I just didn't have Doris Wolfe using my mistakes to help her career at the time."
"Yeah, she used to be pretty awful huh?"
"She was, but then again, so was I. We have helped each other. Although I blame your Ma for most of my dramatic change, Doris had a hand in it too."
"I can see that. Ashley says she's a totally different person."
"You and Ashley have been talking a lot lately. How's that going?"
Rafe blushed a little and looked down at the table. "Uh, good. I like talking to her. She's easy to talk to and we have a lot in common. Besides the whole 'my mom's gay' thing. I really like her."
"Good. I'm glad. Ashley is a good kid."
"She's actually thinking of coming back here after this semester and transferring to Springfield university. She said she likes it there and all, and being with Daisy is nice, but she really wants to get to know her mom now. And as crazy as it sounds, she said she actually misses Springfield."
"I can understand that. Our town may be small, but there is always some sort of drama or another going on. Never a dull moment."
Rafe laughed. "Yeah, that's true. Well, uh, if it's okay, I think I'm gonna head to bed, it's been a long day."
"Of course, bub. I'm ready to head there myself."
The two headed to the living room. Rafe hugged and kissed both of his moms and his sister and bid his uncle good night before going down to his apartment. Olivia and Natalia said they were headed to bed as well and left Ava and Sam in the living room to talk.
Once they were in bed, Natalia snuggled up to Olivia and lay her head on her chest. "I am so glad today is over. It's been such a long emotional day."
"Yes it has. I am so proud of you. I know it was very difficult for you to do that today, but I'm glad you did. We shouldn't have to worry about Frank Cooper anymore. We have so many exciting things happening in our life right now, it's nice that we can enjoy them and not have to always be looking over our shoulder for him."
Natalia sighed. "Yeah. I am excited to go to St. Louis. From what we saw in pictures it looked like it could be really good for us."
"I know. It's nice to focus on the exciting things in our life."
"I agree. I hope Emma doesn't have any more bad dreams now that Frank is locked up."
"Me too. I love you Mrs. Spencer-Rivera."
"I love you too." Natalia pushed herself up so she could kiss her wife. The two locked in an emotional kiss. This kiss was charged with everything they had gone through. It was for the hope that they were finally reaching the light at the end of the tunnel and looking forward to all the wonderful things that lay ahead for their family.