Chapter 7

It was May and it had been a long 3 months waiting for the trial. Kim had adjusted well and therapy sessions were less these days. Noah was growing so much. They had visits with Beth, but Amanda and Kim were both pretty distant. Even Noah had a hard time bonding, she was like a stranger to him.

Amanda dropped the pancake on the floor because she was in a daydream, "Shit!" Amanda had been following the trial and listening to Fin and Olivia talk. The trial worried her.

Olivia walked in and Kim's eyes were wide "Ohhhhh mama! That's a dollar in the jar." Olivia laughed and kissed her head and then Noah's. That was the rule, anytime a bad word was said, a dollar went in. The jar was pretty full, all from Amanda. "Morning mommy!" Noah giggled and closed his hands, "Bye bye." It was his favorite thing to say, because they would fawn over him and copy him.

Olivia rubbed his brown hair, "Not yet baby." Amanda was nervous. "It's ok, I'll give you a dollar back." Olivia winked at her and kissed her lips. Kim covered her eyes with one hand and Noah's with her other hand causing him to squeal. "Kim, cut it out." Kim giggled and that made Noah copy her.

Kim was supposed to be asleep, but she had a stomach bug and burst in their door after throwing up her dinner. Thank goodness they were only kissing, but it made them put a label on the relationship. They didn't mind, but they didn't want to rush things.

Kim had lots of questions. That turned into a therapy session. Turns out she didn't just have a bug. All of the worry was causing anxiety and it physically made her sick. Olivia and Amanda were together and became mommy and mama. That came out of nowhere one morning. The counselor mentioned it was just her way of saying she loved her family.

They upgraded to a bigger apartment. They were both allowed to break the lease since they were staying in the building and paying more. Amanda turned off the stove after putting the last pancakes on the plate. "Liv, what if he gets away with it and comes after us like Angel?" The trial wasn't perfect, some of the girls were so afraid of Johnny D. They wouldn't tell the truth on the stand. The trial was up and down, but the new ADA was doing his best. He was a young hot shot, but Dominick Carisi had guts.

Olivia smiled, "Don't worry. I want you to have fun today. And whatever you do, don't curse on the field trip." Olivia winked and Amanda smiled. "Kim, grab your lunch, you don't need your book bag. It's field trip day!" Amanda and Kim headed out, they had to go early.

Olivia waited for Lucy. "Hey Liv! Hey Noah!" Noah giggled. Lucy was so good with both of the kids. She reminded her that Amanda had Kim so her and Noah were free to hang out. Lucy thought the park sounded like fun.

Olivia sat in between Fin and Nick. Cragen was on the end. Ariel stepped up and took her oath. She explained in graphic detail that she was kidnapped by Selena and Timmer then sent to work for Johnny, "He held me prisoner, just like the other girls. I don't know why they're lying for him. They must be scared." She looked him right in the eye, she wasn't scared he beat that out of her. A few more girls took the stand, even Ellie Porter got clean and wanted to help. Turns out she was pregnant with his child. Olivia froze, because that meant Noah would have another sibling.

At the break the squad talked to Carisi. "One more person to go and then, we'll see how it plays out." That person was Beth Rollins. Olivia only hoped she wouldn't screw it up. She didn't tell Amanda, but Olivia didn't have much faith in her.

Carisi stepped out and back in quickly, "Olivia, a word." Olivia stepped out. "Beth wants to see you." They spoke before she went in and Carisi thought she was ready.

Olivia walked in the empty room, "Hey Beth. How are you feeling?" Beth looked good. She was really worn down from Johnny. Every time she saw her, she thought she was healing.

Beth hugged her and Olivia was a little surprised. "I never did the right thing by Amanda or Kim, even though with Kim I tried. And Noah, gosh, I hate Johnny for what he did to me, but I sure love that little boy." Olivia knew that Johnny raped Beth too. She told Olivia the story. She was on the pill and before she could take it one morning he slapped her and raped her repeatedly for giving dinner to a kidnapped girl. It was all wrong, Beth was a victim like others. "Whatever happens today, please promise me that you will do what I didn't, take care of my babies."

Olivia looked at her confused, "Beth, it's going to be ok. Amanda and I are ready to help you be a part of this family." Beth looked at her and laughed, but it was true. Counseling helped everyone and Amanda talked with her about getting an even bigger place and inviting Beth to stay. Beth smiled, "When Amanda left and disappeared, I prayed that she would forgive me. When she wouldn't take my money, I did two things." She had Olivia's attention and she was so serious. "One, this is my investor's name." She handed her an envelope with a card on top. "He has money to help you and Amanda raise Noah and Kim. It's in Amanda's name. He also will work with my lawyer to get you my life insurance."

Olivia stopped her, "Beth, wait! What's this about? Do you need to tell me anything?" Beth saw her worry, she couldn't tell her that Johnny got to her weeks ago. He told her she wouldn't make it out of court alive.

So instead, she lied, "It's my turn to live for me. When this is over, I just want to do my own thing. The kids love you both. I know they will be ok." Olivia didn't believe it. Carisi came in with her lawyer and said it was time.

Beth stepped up and Carisi asked her questions, Beth was a star. The defense would counter and try to make her look bad. Johnny smirked as she spoke, "He's a horrible man and he raped me and other young girls repeatedly." Behind him several women stood up and yelled that she was lying. Things quickly spiraled out of control as the judge yelled "Order! One more outburst I will clear this gallery."

When someone told the judge to shut up she told the officers to get them out. As the officers moved to take out the girls, Johnny flipped the table and grabbed the court officer's gun and held him at gunpoint. Nick and Olivia drew their guns, while Fin and Cragen helped innocent people get out. Nick yelled "Drop the gun and let him go." Johnny smiled and pointed it at Beth and shot her, causing Nick to shoot him in return.

Nick fired a fatal shot to his chest and Johnny D died on the courtroom floor. Olivia watched as Beth was carried out on a stretcher. She called Lucy first to give her the news, but Amanda already made it home. She didn't have to tell her to calm down, Amanda was too calm already. "Fin, is coming now. He'll bring you to the hospital. I'm on my way."

Olivia got there shortly before Amanda, but she had to wait because she wasn't family. Once Amanda got there they explained everything. Beth was shot in the abdomen and the bullet hit an artery. "She lost a lot of blood but she is a fighter." She had a lot of vascular damage but they stopped the bleeding for now. "She is still in surgery and there is a risk of sepsis and organ failure. If she makes it through the next few hours, it's a positive. If she has any more family who should be here, you should get them here now."

Amanda felt like she had been punched, she was finally ready to move on for Noah and Kim, "Liv! Kim?" Olivia saw it in her face, Noah wouldn't know, but Kim would be different.

Olivia thought about it and she knew Amanda would follow her lead. "I can have Lucy bring her, but we've got to keep it together for her." Amanda agreed.

They all sat in the quiet area, Olivia and Amanda told Kim her mom was hurt and very sick. Tears filled her blue eyes, "Is she going to die?" Olivia rubbed her back, "I don't know baby." Kim jumped in her arms. "Kim, I talked to her today and you know what she told me?" Kim wiped her eyes and waited. "She told me that she loved you and Noah and Amanda so much." That made Kim smile. "She was happy that you and me and Amanda and Noah were all together. She loved that you were happy." Kim hopped down and played with Noah.

Amanda looked at her, "Was that true?" Olivia nodded and said she wouldn't lie. She didn't want to lie to Amanda. "I think Beth knew something that we didn't. She said she put things in place for you all."

Amanda was about to ask more when the doctor came in. "She pulled through surgery. She's in the ICU and will be in and out because of anesthesia." Olivia asked if they could see her and the doctors agreed.

Amanda went in and stayed in for a while before finally coming out. "She told me that she talked to you. She wanted to see Kim but…" Kim was asleep on Olivia's lap. "I think it's best not to. What do you think?" Olivia agreed. They heard the machines and saw nurses run. Beth who was pretty clear 20 minutes ago was speaking in gibberish and running a fever. They rolled her out, back to surgery.