Chapter Two-Hundred and Fifty-Seven

Clarissa gripped Sara's hand as they entered the prison, anger rising in her chest with every step they took. "I swear, if she says anything about hurting John or pretending to care about him. I will be sitting in a cell for murder."

Sara shook her head, looking up as they entered the room where Beverly was waiting for them. "You would kill my baby then."

Beverly smiled at the women, placing her hand over her tiny baby bump. "Thank you…" She reached for Clarissa's hands, hurt flashing in her eyes when she pulled away. "Clarissa, I never meant for all of this to happen… I didn't even want to leave Chicago. Jacob knocked me out and kidnapped me as well. I tried to help Johnny-"

"Bullshit!" Clarissa snapped, looking over at her friend as she squeezed her hand. "I saw the whip marks on his back, every bruise and crack in his skin. You did nothing for him."

Sara placed a hand on Beverly's, smiling at her with a kindness that she was so unused to. "You couldn't help him, could you?"

Beverly nodded, wiping her tears from her cheeks. "I didn't want Jacob to kill this baby. I wanted more for them. I've seen where John's limits lie, I knew that Jacob would stop at the first scream or when he passed out. I knew he would recover." She took a shuttering breath, forcing herself to continue. "I didn't expect Jake to shoot him."

Sara smiled, letting Clarissa stand and pace around the room. "I want to adopt your child." She moved to sit next to the woman, holding her close as Beverly guided her hand to touch her belly. "Asher and I want to give them a good home. And we also want to run a few names by you."

Beverly's head shot up, shocked that they would allow her to help pick a name. "You want me to help name them?"

Sara bobbed her head, letting Clarissa join them again when she'd calmed down a little. "Has Mama Bear Clare gone into hibernation?" She asked, laughing at the look the redhead gave her. "Here's a list we made up of all the names, boy names on this side, and girl ones on this one."

Beverly looked over the list, taking comfort in the two women by her side as she learned to adjust to this pregnancy while in prison, where compassion was nearly unheard of. "I like Diana, and Nathan." She smiled, shocked when Clarissa's hand rested on her own.

"John was asking about you this morning." She sighed, hating that she was actually telling her this. "He wants to thank you… for helping get them out of there."

Sara brushed Beverly's hair back from her neck, placing a photo of John and Phoebe together on the table. "We've gotten you limited visitation days twice a week."

Beverly let a sob of joy escape her, hugging the two women as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Thank you!"

Claire rested against John's shoulder, munching on the popcorn they'd bought as they watched the movie. "This is nice." She whispered, sipping on the coke that they'd decided to share. "Just me and you for a while."

He nodded, kissing her head as he watched his first movie on the big-screen. "Yeah." He patted his hand on her arm, enjoying her being so close after their time apart. "I think this is our first real date."

She thought for a moment, thinking back all the months they'd been together. "I guess so." She looked up at him, locking her lips with his as he leaned toward her. She could taste the butter from their popcorn on his lips, the sweetness of the soda, all mixing with his natural flavor that was unique to only him.