Chapter 117
The Spencer-Rivera family, with Sam and Doris, all sat at the kitchen table in the farmhouse. They had picked up dinner from Company and had just finished eating. The kids quickly stood and cleared the table, setting the dishes in the sink to be washed. Emma kissed her mommies and then ran off to watch some television before bed.
Ava sat back beside her mother and cleared her throat. "So, do you think Mariana's testimony's gonna make a really big difference in the case?"
"I'm not sure it will make a huge difference, but it definitely didn't hurt. Especially since Frank had an illegal tap on her phone, not to mention everything we heard on the phone call. It's evident that Frank truly has an obsession with Natalia. One that has only grown over time." Doris answered.
"Can't you add the illegal tap and like, I don't know, invasion of privacy or something to his charges?"
"Separate from this case, yes. However, if Marina claims she knew about the tap and gave consent, even if only verbally, the charges won't stick. Mallet is going to talk her about it. If she's just going to defend him again, there's no point in taking up the courts time."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
Doris reached a hand to Ava. "Don't worry, there is plenty of evidence against Frank, and Marina's testimony will go a long way with the jury. I promise, he won't get away with this." She squeezed Ava's hand once more before releasing it.
"Thanks Doris." Ava stood from the table and kissed both of her mothers and Doris on their cheeks before moving to the sink to start the dishes with Rafe following.
Olivia smiled sadly at her children and then turned to face her friend. "So, I was th-thinking, why don't y-you go and spend some time w-with Jamanda tonight."
"Oh, that's alright Olivia, Emma is going to be getting into bed soon, we both know it's better if I'm here."
"True, h-however, tonight I have something pl-planned for her, and my o-other babies."
Natalia gave her a quizzical look. "Care to share my love?"
Olivia shook her head. "Nope." She gave Natalia a quick kiss on her pouting lips and then refocused on Doris. "So, you c-can have a few h-hours with your w-woman, and…" She turned to face her brother. "Sam, y-you can have a n-night away as w-well if you want."
"You trying to get rid of me Livvie?" Sam joked.
"Never. I j-just want you to g-get away from all o-of this. Even if j-just for a couple h-hours."
"Livvie, I want to be here for you and for your family. I'm fine."
"I k-know Sammie and I'm v-very grateful, I j-just really think a c-couple of hours away will b-be good for you."
Before Sam could protest further, Doris grabbed his arm and spoke. "Come on Sam, how about you and I meet up with Jamanda and possibly a couple of Olivia's exes at Farley's and cut loose for a few hours."
Sam eyed the mayor and then his sister. He didn't really want to leave, but maybe Olivia was right, maybe a couple hours out of the house and away from the court room would be good for him. Not to mention it would give the family some time without anyone else in the house. "Alright madam mayor, let's do it."
Doris smiled and kissed Olivia's cheek as she stood. "We'll be back in a bit. You guys enjoy some family time. I'll let Emma know I'm leaving for a bit but that I'll be back." With that, she went into the living room to explain to Emma she was leaving and then she and Sam headed out the door.
Once Olivia heard the door shut behind them, she started to stand from her seat, Natalia immediately standing to help her lover. "Thank you b-baby." Olivia kissed her wife and then turned her head to face her two eldest. "How are t-the dishes coming?"
"Just about done, Rafe is drying the last one." Ava answered. "Why?"
Olivia waited until Rafe had dried the last plate and put it away. Then she reached out for him. Rafe quickly came to her side and helped her to walk towards the hall that led to the room her and Natalia were staying in for the time being. Natalia at her other side and Ava following behind them. Just before reaching the room, Olivia stopped. She looked back at Ava. "Could you go a-and get you s-sister please."
Ava nodded and walked to the living room, coming back only a couple minutes later with Emma.
"What are we doing mommy?" Emma inquired.
Olivia reached a handout to cup her youngest daughter's cheek. "We, my s-sweet girl, are g-going to have a f-family night, in my and m-ma's bed."
"We are?" Emma asked, her eyes big and bright at the thought.
"We are." Olivia confirmed. "Could y-you do mommy a b-big favor and open t-the door please."
Emma quickly turned and opened the door to the bedroom. A squeal of delight escaped her lips as she looked in. Rafe and Ava stood behind her with open mouths while Natalia pulled Olivia closer against her side and kissed her cheek, smiling wide.
The room had been transformed while they were in court. Two queen size beds sat side by side, stretching from one wall to the other with a wedge placed in the crack separating the beds to make it look more like one huge bed. At the foot of the bed there was a table piled with movies and snacks. There was a mini fridge where once a chair had sat that was full of drinks and a microwave sat on top of it so they could make popcorn. Their dresser now sat under the television and the room had barely any space to move around, but Olivia thought it was perfect. Greg had completely outdone himself. She would thank him in the morning and make sure a large bonus was added to his next paycheck.
"Are we g-gonna go in, o-or are we just go-going to just stand here?" Olivia asked with a smile in her voice.
All three kids quickly launched themselves onto the bed. Natalia helped her wife into the room and got her settled on the bed. Easing her back to lean against the padded bookshelf headboard. Handing her the bottle of water from the shelf behind her head as well as her pills before getting comfortable next to her.
"This is amazing my love. How did you do it?"
"Greg." Was the simple reply.
"Mommy, this is the biggest bed ever."
"It is, i-isn't it Jellybean."
"Yeah, mom, this is awesome." Rafe added with Ava nodding along with him.
"I'm glad you l-like it. I thought m-maybe we could all h-have a movie night and sl-sleep in here together."
"Are you sure mom? I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'm fine R-Rafe. As long as w-we are careful, I'll b-be fine. That's why I-I'm over here with my i-injured side against the w-wall."
"You mean it mommy. We can stay in your bed tonight?"
"Yes Jellybean. W-we can all stay in h-here."
"Yay!" Emma shouted as she moved to hug her mother.
"Alright." Natalia started. "Why don't you three go and get into your pajama's, while mom and I do the same. Then we can all pick out a movie and settle in for the night. We still have school and court tomorrow."
Three "okays'" were heard as the kids scampered off the bed and headed to ready themselves for a night with the moms.
Once the door shut behind their children, Natalia turned to her wife with a wide smile. "I can't believe you did this." She kissed her wife sweetly and then pulled back. "I love you honey."
"I love y-you too. I got the i-idea while we were l-lying in bed with a-all of them at Ph-Phillip's. We have gotten s-so close as a family, and I t-think we need some of t-that back now. So, I c-called Greg and asked him to f-find a way for the kids to be a-able to be in bed with us w-without accidently hurting me. I h-had no idea it would b-be like this though. He w-went above and beyond w-with this."
Natalia smiled at her. "I would have to agree. It's wonderful. And I like that he got a mini fridge and microwave so we wouldn't have to leave the room for drinks and snacks. He thought of everything."
"Yeah h-he did." Olivia agreed as she pulled on Natalia's hand to get her closer for a gentle kiss.
"Okay, we need to get ready for bed before the kids get back, and I think only one movie. It's been an exhausting day and we have another long one coming tomorrow."
"I agree. I b-bet at least Emma is asleep b-before even one movie is o-over, if not all of us."
"I would guess you to be correct with that assumption."
Natalia helped Olivia scoot to the edge of the bed and quickly assisted her in getting into a sleep shirt and shorts before doing the same for herself. Once they were both changed, Natalia inserted herself between Olivia's legs that were hanging off the bed and kissed her deeply and sensually. Olivia's hands gripped at Natalia's hips as Natalia's threaded through silky tresses. The two kissed long and slow until they heard the sounds of footsteps coming down the hall. Breathing hard the two broke apart, leaning their foreheads together.
Natalia leaned in for one more chaste kiss as a knock sounded at the door. She hollered for the kids to come in as she climbed on the bed and helped ease Olivia back to her spot and lay down next to her. Once she noticed her children were not joining them, she looked up and realized what they were wanting. Without a word, she kissed her wife one more time and scoot to the other side of the bed. As soon as Natalia vacated her spot beside Olivia, Rafe took his place beside his mom with Ava beside him and Emma snuggled into their ma.
Olivia placed an arm around Rafe and chuckled. "Uh, guys?"
"Yeah mom." Rafe said, looking up at her.
"Who's g-gonna put in the m-movie?"
They all giggled as Natalia slid off the bed and went to the stack of movies. She didn't ask what to put in, just grabbed one she knew they would all like and popped it into the DVD player, taking the remote with her, as well as the tv remote, and setting them on the book self of the headboard as she got comfortable again.
The family all snuggled in and enjoyed a long overdue movie night together. As predicted, Emma was sound asleep before the movie was even half over, Ava, Rafe, and Olivia following closely behind. Natalia smiled over at her family as she wrapped her arms tighter around Emma. As crazy as their life was right now, Natalia took the time to thank God for this moment and appreciate this small amount of worry-free time with her family, as well as the fact that Emma was sleeping peacefully for the moment.
Not long after Natalia had drifted off to sleep with a happy smile on her face, Doris and Sam returned to the quiet home. After checking upstairs for Emma and not finding her, or Ava, in their rooms, Doris returned to the kitchen and asked Sam if he would check Rafe's apartment for the girls while she went to check on Natalia and Olivia.
Peaking in the door of Olivia and Natalia's room, a smile broke across the mayor's face. There was Olivia with Rafe carefully cuddled into her good side, Olivia's hand securely on his back. Ava was snuggled close against her brother's back. She was pretty sure the three of them where all almost completely on one of the two beds while Emma and Natalia shared the other. Emma was completely spread out with her hand across Natalia's face, a foot nudging against Ava's back, and her other leg thrown over one of Natalia's. Natalia was on her back with one hand holding Emma's upper arm and the other tucked behind her own head.
Doris quickly grabbed her phone from her pocket and snapped a picture. Hearing Sam come up behind her, she motioned for him to be quiet. Sam approached the room and looked in over the mayors shoulder. He smiled at his sister and her family. It was nice to see them cuddled up together again. He knew they had been missing their movie nights and was happy to see they had gotten one this evening. Slipping into the room, he quietly turned off the tv and silently shut the door as he exited. He and Doris bid each other good night at the top of the stairs as Sam went into his room and Doris to Emma's.
The following morning, the family woke with smiles on their faces. They had enjoyed their time together, the kids especially enjoying spending the night in their moms bed again. It was the first night that all five of them had slept through till morning nightmare free. Natalia looked over at her family as Emma snuggled deeper against her. Rafe, although awake, still has his eyes closed as he held Olivia as tight as he could without hurting her. She almost laughed when she looked at Ava who seemed to be stretching herself as much as possible so she could touch both Rafe and Emma with one hand and one foot each. As a giggle escaped, Emma finally made it known that she was awake and smiled up at her Ma. Natalia knew all of them were awake, except for perhaps her wife, who most likely was awake and waiting for their children to leave so she could get her all-important five more minutes.
Natalia tickled Emma's sides and rejoiced in the sound of her laughter. Soon Ava and Rafe had joined in the tickle fest before being sent to dress for the day while she woke her wife, who they all knew was faking sleep. Once the kids were out the door, Natalia scoot closer to her wife and took her in her arms kissing the top of her head.
Olivia sighed contentedly as she threw an arm over her wife and then winced at the pain she'd been holding in until their kids were out of the room. Natalia quickly sat up and grabbed Olivia's pill bottle from above their heads. She untwisted the cap and poured one into her hand, proceeding to do the same with all of Olivia's heart medications before coaxing her wife into a seated position and handing the pills and a bottle of water to her.
Olivia gratefully swallowed the medicine, drinking half of the water bottle with them. "Thank you." She said, voice still thick with sleep.
Natalia smiled and placed a kiss to Olivia's temple as she took the water bottle from her hand and twisted the lid back on. "Of course, my love." She kissed her again, this time on the lips, and then went to get out of bed only to be stopped by a hand on her arm.
"I didn't g-get my five min-minutes." Olivia pouted.
Natalia looked into the beautiful green eyes of her love and melted a little. As much as she knew they really should get up and start getting ready for another long day, she just couldn't resist those pouty lips and sad eyes. She repositioned herself to lay down on her side and waited for Olivia to lower herself back to the mattress and into her arms. Once Olivia was snug against her front, Natalia wrapped her arms around her love and peppered her forehead with kisses. Reveling in the feeling of her wife safe in her arms.
"I love you Olivia. So much."
"Mmm. I love y-you too baby. With all m-my heart." Olivia kissed Natalia's chest softly and closed her eyes, trying desperately to hold onto this moment before heading into closing arguments at the trial.
After dropping Emma at school, everyone filed into the courtroom and took their usual seats. Today was going to be another difficult one. It was time for closing arguments and then the judge would give jury instruction and send them for deliberation before the final verdict.
Doris looked over to her friend and reached for the hand not being held by Natalia. "Okay, so the defense will go first, then Mel and me. I need you to stay calm, no matter what Carter says. Can you do that?" She asked, looking from Olivia to Rafe, knowing the two would both have a difficult time listening to whatever lies Mr. Carter was going to try and sell. She had watched the two of them barely contain themselves throughout the trial and the last thing they needed was for one or both of them to explode here at the end.
Olivia and Rafe both nodded as the judge entered and called court to order. Once Frank was brought it, Judge Anderson asked the defense to begin with his closing argument.
Eric stood and glanced at the prosecution table with a sneer before stepping to stand in front of the jury. He walked from one end of the jury box to the other, sizing them up, trying to decide which of them he thought would buy any part of Frank's story so he could attempt to play on their weakness. Clearing his throat, he began.
"Ladies and gentleman of the jury, we have heard two versions of the night of January sixteenth two thousand and ten throughout these proceedings. One of them is the truth, the facts of the events in question. The other is nothing more than a story. One built on lies and manipulations. Frank Cooper is the chief of police in this fine town. He has worked hard to build his career and care for his family. He is known for being a good man, always willing to help in any way he can. He did just that with Mrs. Natalia Spencer-Rivera. Beginning not long after she came to Springfield. He has been a good friend to her, and to her son. Gone above and beyond to help mother and son. When her husband died he was there for her in any way she needed. When her son was released from prison, he volunteered to be his mentor. Along with countless other acts of generosity. He did these things expecting nothing more than friendship in return.
When he saw his friend becoming close with an unsavory woman, a woman who has hurt many members of this community, he sought once again to help her. To save her from the sure pain this woman would cause her. He admits that some of his means to do so where incorrect, however, sometimes the end result truly does justify the means. When my client saw that he could not sway Natalia Spencer-Rivera away from Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera, he chose to except it. To allow Natalia to make her own mistakes. As much as it hurt him to know that the day would eventually come when Natalia would be hurt by this tycoon of a woman, who has hurt so many others. He knew all he could do was be there for her when it finally happen. He went to the Spencer-Rivera home last month, not to start a fight, but to try and save his friendship with Natalia, even being willing to be friends with Olivia, a woman who once broke his heart.
He admits that waiting in the bedroom was, perhaps, not the best idea, but he stands by his reason for being there. He only wanted to try and mend the broken friendships between himself and Mrs. and Mrs. Spencer-Rivera. He cannot and should not be sent to prison for doing nothing more than defend himself when Olivia Spencer-Rivera, once again, showed the woman she is and attacked my client, trying to grab his gun and threatening to shoot him with it. No matter the wrongs committed by Frank Cooper when he illegally entered that home and chose to wait in the master bedroom, he still has a right to defend himself when being attacked. I ask each of you to look at the two people we are dealing with. Look at what you have learned about who they are and how they conduct themselves and ask yourselves two simple questions. Which one of these two people would be more willing to lie under oath? Which of these people stands for truth and justice, and which one always seems to find a way around it?"
Mr. carter retook his seat, he, and Frank both feeling as though there was no way they could lose after that closing argument.
Judge Anderson looked down to Doris and Mel. "Is the prosecution ready?"
Mel stood with her head held high, back straight, shoulders back. "Yes your honor." Although Doris really wanted to make the final argument for her friends, it was decided that Mel would be better for it. Although she has known Olivia much longer then Doris, and has been her attorney for many years, their friendship had not been established throughout the trial as Doris and Olivia's had.
Mel walked to stand in front on the jury, unlike Mr. Carter, she chose to stand in the dead center as a teacher or college professor would, instead of pace back and forth in front of them. It showed more confidence in her statements. Appeared more that she was merely stating facts instead of spinning a tale. She ran her hands down the front of her skirt and then locked eyes with the woman in front of her for a moment before scanning the jury, locking eyes with several members as she looked from one to the next, making them know she had no lies to tell.
"Ladies and gentle of the jury, I stand before you with no stories to tell or twisted half-truths, but with only the facts of a night that brought a strong and loving family to their knees. My clients are many things. Rafael Spencer-Rivera is a young man trying to do nothing more than be a good son and brother, and to make a life for himself, working his way up in the family business. Has he made mistakes, yes, as all of us have, however, he has worked harder than most to change his ways in a very short span of time. Natalia Spencer-Rivera, a god-fearing catholic woman, raised a son on her own for most of his life, worked tirelessly to provide for him, has done nothing more than fall in love with someone, who although isn't perfect, is perfect for her. Then there's Olivia Spencer-Rivera. Olivia is so many things. A businesswoman, a stock holder, a strong powerful woman in this community, and above all, a loving and devoted wife and mother.
These three, along with the two other members of their family have worked tirelessly and against tough odds, to build their family. They have faced many adversities in the small amount of time since becoming a family. Many of them at the hand of none other than defendant, Frank Cooper Jr. Not only has this family had to overcome their difference among one another, due to their complicated past, they have faced trial after trial from a man they thought was their friend. First with him lying to a young man while he sat behind bars, unable to see for himself weather or not what he was being told was true and believed Mr. Cooper because he thought he was his friend. Then, Natalia was subjected to him repeatedly refusing to listen when she told him she didn't want more then friendship from him. Mr. Cooper going as far as kissing her without permission and trapping her in a room. That's before he proposed out of nowhere and then lied to her son's parole board about a wedding between he and Natalia that she never agreed to. Going forward he constantly tried to use Olivia Spencer-Rivera's past against her to make her leave Natalia. Then, in December, Mr. Cooper held Natalia against her will, leaving a handprint sized bruise on her arm. This all happening before he interrupted their wedding to try and convince Natalia that she should not be with Olivia once again. Bringing up painful memories from Olivia's past in front of a great majority of the community, including her nine-year-old daughter.
None of this, however, even touches what occurred on that fateful January night. You have been shown evidence of the injuries Olivia Spencer-Rivera was given that night. Heard testimony from not only herself and her son, but also from several members of the Springfield Police Department, her doctor, and her families therapist. The defense wants you to believe that Olivia attacked Mr. Cooper that night, that she fought for his gun and that's why he caused her such injuries, but I ask you, how is that even possible? How is it possible that Rafael Spencer-Rivera was completely unaware of a fifteen-minute-long fight happening after more than one trip upstairs placing him just outside the door where said fight was taking place? How is it possible the Olivia sustained so many injuries while Mr. Cooper only had a broken nose that he obtained in front of several others so it couldn't have happen during the fight?
If Frank Cooper was only defending himself, then why was there a dresser blocking entry into that room? Why did Rafael and detective Mallet enter that room to find Mr. Cooper holding an unconscious Olivia with a gun to her head? Why did he aim the gun at young Rafael and try and make him help get Olivia out of the house and to his car? And why, if Frank Cooper had only good intentions, was there a box under his bed full of pictures of the Spencer-Rivera family? Why did it contain a pair of Natalia Spencer-Rivera's under garments and locks of her hair? I'll tell you why, because Mr. Cooper did not enter that home with the intention of repairing his broken relationship with anybody. He went there to do what he had been heard saying he would. He was going to save Natalia from Olivia, no matter how he had to do it.
Mr. Cooper would like you to believe that he is the victim in all of this. That Olivia Spencer-Rivera is unworthy of anyone's love. That her past should have made her into nothing more than a cruel and unlovable human being. But that's not what I see. I see a woman who has fought tooth and nail to overcome her past, to make herself into a better person, not for herself, but for her wife, and her children. Her children. They are the real victims here. Yes, Olivia sustained many injuries, and I do not discount her as a victim, however, her children, three innocents in all of this, are truly the victims.
A young man can't sleep without being plagued by nightmares. Repeatedly seeing the woman, he thinks of as a mother, beaten and almost killed. Filled with guilt no one should ever have to bare. Feeling as if somehow this is all his fault, that he didn't protect his mom when she needed him. A young woman, rattled to the core at the prospect of losing her mother after only knowing her for a short while. Then, there's a nine-year-old girl, too afraid to even sleep without someone else in her bed. Woken nightly by terrors in her dreams. Constantly fearing one or both of her mother's will be hurt or taken away from her. Frank Cooper did more than cause Olivia Spencer-Rivera four broken ribs, a severe concussion, two head wounds, and speech loss, he placed wounds on an entire family. He took away their sense of security. Frank Cooper is a man who swore to protect the members of this community, and he not only failed at his job, but he also set out to deliberately hurt Olivia Spencer-Rivera, leaving more than scars that heal in his wake.
I ask you not to choose one human over another. I ask you not to compare these two people against one another. I ask only that you look at the facts, at the evidence you have been given, and choose to ensure justice is served and that no one else ever has to suffer at the hands of an obviously troubled man. Thank you."
Mel turned on her heel and walked back to sit in her chair. She had noticed tears glistening in several members of the juries eyes and knew she had made them all think. As she turned, she saw almost the entire courtroom was wiping at their eyes, the Spencer-Rivera family among them, as they clung to one another.
The judge swallowed the lump his throat and addressed the jury. "At this time, I will read to you the duties that are bestowed upon you." Judge Anderson went on to read the Jury instructions. Starting with their basic instructions and continuing to Jurors' Duties, Presumption of Innocence, Burden of Proof, Reasonable Doubt, Evidence Defined, Consideration of Evidence, Direct and Circumstantial Evidence, Credibility of witnesses, Number of Witness, Lawyers' Objections, Elements of Offence, Agreement, Definitions of each offence, On or About, Separate Consideration: Single Defendant Charged with Multiply Crimes, Jury Room Deliberations, Experiments, Research, and Investigation, Unanimous Verdict, Duty to Deliberate, Punishment, Verdict Form, Verdict limited to Charges against a Defendant, and finally, Court has no Opinion.
Once he was finished, he dismissed the jury from the courtroom, and called court to order stating court would resume the following morning at nine am presuming a verdict had been reached.
Olivia and Natalia embraced for long moments. Relieved to be done with the main part of the trial. Now it was just a waiting game. Olivia slid her hand to the back of Natalia's neck and pulled her in for a heart stopping kiss. One meant to convey all of the love and gratitude she held for the woman. As emotions started to overwhelm them, they pulled back and locked eyes, silently speaking to one another's hearts before diving back in for another loving kiss as their two eldest children wrapped their arms around their mother's, ignoring the fact that their lips were still locked together.