Thank you all for reading, your kind words, and views. Special thanks to Jjingo (for allowing me the use of her OC Abraham) as well as to bamafan2016 for their constant support.
Chapter 15
Once Hendricks realized he was not going to escape the Barkley's or the law in Stockton, he decided the best thing he could do would be confess. Everything. He didn't know much about the counterfeit operation Elliot Thatcher had been running but he had been the muscle behind many other crimes ordered by Thatcher. As an insurance policy, Hendricks had kept copious notes on each job he'd been given, details not known publicly but only to those in law enforcement which verified the information was accurate.
Elliot Thatcher was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and his immunity deal revoked. Cal Andrews, the Secret Service Agent who worked with Frank Monroe was also indicted when Elliot Thatcher gave information to the authorities about his involvement in his son's murder, hoping to cut a deal. Cal, knowing he was to be arrested soon, decided to take the easy way out and ended his own life.
It was a brisk and cold day that all the Barkley's boarded the Barkley private car and headed to San Francisco. John Hampton joined them, finally healed enough from his injuries to head back home. During his time at the Barkley ranch, he and Audra became acquainted, and both decided to spend more time together. Jarrod was not sure what to think about it all at first, but he saw the gleam in his sister's eyes and the look of love from John. Should the two decide they wanted their relationship to continue, Jarrod would give his blessing.
While they all could have stayed at Jarrod's townhouse, it would have been too crowded so Jarrod reserved rooms at the finest hotel in the city. Once Becca finished testifying, they would enjoy the city as a family and spend a few days relaxing after being cooped up on the ranch for the last several months.
The night before she was to testify, Becca was feeling nervous. Jarrod noticed but didn't say anything to her until they had returned to their suite. Emma and Vi were read to and put into bed in the next room, then the couple turned in.
"Elliot isn't going to get out of this," Jarrod said quietly. Becca had been hanging up her dress and looked at Jarrod in surprise. She took a deep breath and released it slowly.
"I know. And I know I shouldn't be nervous but I am. No, not nervous, Jarrod I'm terrified. I haven't had to face him since just after Adam's death."
Jarrod walked over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. He felt her tremble.
"I feel weak. Cowardly even because I was hoping the prosecution wouldn't need me," she said softly. She pushed back to look at Jarrod. "Do you think less of me for feeling that way?"
Jarrod bent down and kissed Becca. He picked her up and placed her on the bed, covering her body with his own. They took their time enjoying one another, Jarrod masterfully bringing Becca to the brink over and over, teasing her until she begged him for the release she knew was coming.
Becca held Jarrod close, loving the feel of having him on top of her, feeling his arms securely around her. Both were trying to catch their breath.
Jarrod softly kissed Becca's lips, then her neck, nipping her earlobe. He then put his hands on either side of her face so she'd look at him.
"Becca, you are not weak. You are one of the strongest women I've ever met. And you are brave in the most important ways with me," Jarrod said and he again began his ministrations which allowed Becca to find her fulfillment once again with Jarrod finding his moments later.
After, the two held one another, eager for the next day to be over so they could continue with their lives.
The next morning at breakfast, Becca did little more than pick at her food. All of the adults noticed but no one said anything about it.
Victoria and Heath would stay with Emma and Vi while the rest went to the courthouse for Becca's testimony. Before they left, Victoria pulled Becca aside.
"I know what you are about to do is terrifying," the Barkley Matriarch said, "I also know you can do it. You can confront Elliot Thatcher with confidence and know you have our support."
Becca smiled and the women embraced. Victoria took Emma's hand and shouldered Vi as they walked toward the lift. Jarrod had stepped out to hail a hack, everyone moving toward the front door of the hotel. Heath touched Becca's arm to hold her back for a moment.
"I'm proud of you, Becca. You've had a rough road but you're doing one of the most courageous things I've ever seen. Don't you worry about Emma and Vi. They'll be safe."
Becca nodded and embraced her brother in law. "Thank you, Heath."
Jarrod, Becca, Nick, John, and Audra all climbed into the hack. There wasn't much conversation during the ride. When they arrived at the courthouse, Jarrod, John, and Audra exited first. Jarrod asked Nick and Becca to wait until he could confirm the group could go straight into the building without delay.
Becca played with the string on her purse wrapping it and unwrapping it from around her finger. Nick watched her for a moment and decided to say something.
"I can't thank you enough, Becca," he said quietly. Becca looked at him questioningly.
"Whatever for, Nick?"
"For how you've made Jarrod so happy. You and Emma. That first night he brought you two home, I could see the light in his eyes. For the first time in a long while, he looked genuinely happy. That was because of the two of you. And then adding Vi…I don't know if Jarrod will ever come off that mountaintop."
Becca reached out and squeezed Nick's hand. "He's made me happy too."
"I just wish I weren't so scared," Becca continued softly, sitting back against her seat. "I feel like a coward because I want to run away."
"Listen here, Becca. You can be scared and you have every right. What Elliot Thatcher did and tried to do was enough to make even grown men cower. But you are not a coward. And you say to him what you need to. We'll be there with you."
Jarrod opened the door to the hack and reached for Becca. She stepped down and he wrapped a protective arm around her waist.
The group moved inside and several hours later, Becca was finished with her testimony. Jarrod knew no end to his pride as he watched her answer questions with confidence. Even when Elliot's attorney tried to confuse her she looked at Jarrod, took a deep breath, and eloquently stated the facts. Jarrod watched the jury's faces and knew they believed her without any doubt.
When court was dismissed for the day, Becca asked Jarrod to arrange for her to see Elliot face to face. While he didn't think it was a good idea, he did as she asked, knowing she needed this closure.
Jarrod, Nick, and Becca all walked toward the cell block in the courthouse where prisoners were held while waiting transportation back to the prison. Elliot stood when he saw Becca and verbally attacked her. It was all Jarrod and Nick could do not to reach through the bars and throttle the man.
Becca stood steadfast, staring the man in the eyes. She wasn't sure what she was going to say to him until he mentioned Adam.
"Because of you and that weak son of mine, everything is ruined!"
Becca stepped forward, her eyes flashing.
"Your son was anything but weak. He was kind, and loving, and what you saw as weakness was one of his greatest strengths. He wanted to do the right thing and was willing to do whatever he could to protect us and bring you to justice. You're the weak one because you couldn't handle knowing your son thought less of you. That he was ashamed to be your son."
Elliot reached out to try and grab Becca. Jarrod and Nick moved as one toward the man and both knew some satisfaction when Elliot flinched.
Becca squared her shoulders. She cast one last look of contempt toward her former father in law and walked away. She couldn't help but smile to herself. She was a Barkley, and she knew whatever else happened in her life she could face it with the force of her family behind her.
Epilogue
Elliot Thatcher was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life in prison. Hendricks, because of his testimony, was given a lighter sentence than his former boss but wouldn't see life outside of the prison walls for decades.
The Barkley's returned to Stockton and life continued. Several months after Elliot's conviction, Jarrod received a letter from Elliot's attorney. The Thatcher holdings were being liquidated and since Emma was an heir, she would be entitled to the money. Jarrod showed the letter to Becca.
"No. I want no part of that man and that includes his money. Do we have to take it, Jarrod?" she asked.
"No, my love. We don't. But I wanted you to know about it."
"Let his lawyer know it can all be auctioned off to charity or something. I don't even want to think about it any longer," she said adamantly.
The next week, Jarrod was in San Francisco for a few days for an upcoming case. He'd thought a lot about what Becca had said and didn't want to go against her wishes. However, he also remembered her being sad that Emma didn't remember Adam. Jarrod contacted the Thatcher lawyer and asked to go through the house before the auction was to be held that weekend to find any personal mementoes for Emma. The lawyer agreed, meeting Jarrod at the Thatcher mansion and giving him a key.
"Take your time. Whatever you take, write it down so we can mark it off the list for the auction," the pudgy man said. He then left Jarrod on his own.
Jarrod looked at the list he'd been handed. He knew Becca wouldn't care about any of the artwork, furniture, or guns. He went room to room and found in a closet a large portrait of Becca and Adam on their wedding day. Becca looked stunning. Jarrod saw she was wearing a pair of pearl drop earrings as well as a strand of pearls. He glanced at the list and saw those items were mentioned. He thought perhaps Emma would enjoy having those one day.
After spending several hours in the house, Jarrod felt some disappointment. He was looking for something specific but was thinking the pearls would be all he would take. He walked into the study again and something caught his eye. Behind a clock on the shelf was a small picture frame. Jarrod pulled it out and realized he was looking at a picture of Adam when he was young. Probably before he finished school. While Emma had Becca's dark hair and eyes, the rest of her features resembled her father. Jarrod wrote on the list what he had taken and left.
Jarrod entered the house late at night. He knew everyone would be asleep so he quietly made his way up the stairs. He checked on Emma and Vi, giving each a light kiss. He then went to his and Becca's room. He was surprised to see the light burning and Becca still awake. She had been reading and when Jarrod opened the door, she couldn't help but smile at him.
"Welcome home," she said as she wrapped her arms around him. The two enjoyed one another thoroughly before falling asleep.
The next morning, as Becca nursed Vi, Jarrod told her about visiting the house. While Becca still wanted nothing from the Thatcher mansion, she was grateful Jarrod had the forethought of getting something for Emma. The pearls were placed in Becca's jewelry box for Emma when she was old enough to wear them.
When Jarrod showed Becca the picture of Adam, she smiled through her tears, giving Jarrod a kiss, thanking him for his thoughtfulness.
Emma came running into their room, eager to start her day. She squealed with delight that Jarrod had arrived home and he held her in his arms. They sat down at the small dressing table with a mirror and Jarrod pulled out the photograph of Adam.
"Emma, do you remember who this is?" he asked. Emma looked at the picture, her held tilting to the side. She shook her head slightly.
"This is your father, Adam," he said quietly. He held up the photo in front of the mirror. "See how you two look a lot alike? You already know what your Pappy looks like, but I wanted you to always remember what your father looks like too."
Becca put her hand on her mouth to stifle the small sob that threatened to escape. Vi had finished eating and was placed in the small crib left in her parents' room. Emma smiled and gave Jarrod a kiss on his cheek. She took the picture and ran to her room to put it on her dresser.
"Jarrod Barkley, you never cease to amaze me," she said as she wrapped her arms around him. Jarrod kissed her deeply. Both knew they'd be interrupted soon but neither cared.
Jarrod had one more thing for Becca. While in San Francisco he'd visited his friend Abraham to get a wedding ring for Becca. He opened the box and Becca gasped at the beautiful amethyst ring he placed on her finger.
"With this ring, I give you my heart," he said softly. They looked one another in the eye as he continued. "From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. May my arms be your home."
The two kissed and were interrupted by Emma's laughter as she ran down the hallway into their room. Jarrod picked her up and Becca went to retrieve Vi. The four walked down to eat breakfast, thankful they were together as a family.
The End.