Chapter Fifty Three:
"Turn it off!" Jon laughed as Brooklyn covered her eyes.
"Brook, you wanted to watch it."
"I changed my mind!" Jon shook his head and exited out of YouTube before closing the laptop completely.
"Alright, you can open your eyes now." Brooklyn slowly pulled her hands away from her face. Seeing the computer was closed, she dropped them in her lap.
"What was that?" Jon chuckled.
"A death match. I told you that you wouldn't be able to handle it."
"I was fine until he pushed you through all the glass! I mean, how many stitches did you need from that light bulb."
"Not a lot babe. Maybe nine or ten." Brooklyn's eyes widened.
"Nine or ten! That's it? Your whole head was bleeding and you only needed nine or ten?" Jon nodded.
"It wasn't as bad as it looked." Brooklyn shook her head.
"Who did I marry?" Jon laughed.
"The King of the death match." Brooklyn giggled as the doorbell rang. She got up and brushed her clothes off before going over to the door. Opening it, she saw Sarah standing there, her briefcase and files in hand.
"Hey Sarah, come in." Sarah smiled and stepped in. She was coming over today since it was a few days now until they went to court and Sarah was coming over with them to review everything.
"Hey Brook. Where's Jon?"
"Right here" he said, walking over to them.
"Thanks for coming over Sarah."
"Its no problem. We gotta get you guys ready. Where are the babies?"
"Upstairs napping. We had a long night last night." The twins had decided to blow past getting up four or five times and went right to seven. Jon wasn't really feeling the effects of it since he had a past history of rarely sleeping but Brooklyn was having a little trouble. Her concealer had become her best friend today.
"Aw, my poor god babies. Bet you guys have been having a lot of coffee."
"Ew, no" Brooklyn said, making the two laugh. Jon might have been a coffee fan but Brooklyn certainly wasn't.
"I was kidding Brook. So, should we go talk?" They nodded and walked to the dining room to sit. Brooklyn and Jon sat next to each other while Sarah sat across from them.
"So where do we start" Jon asked as Sarah placed all the papers and her phone on the table.
"Well, my boss got word from the judge assigned to the case and unfortunately you all will have to be present throughout the hearing." Brooklyn and Jon both tensed, him more than her. She reached over and grabbed his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"I have, however, spoken to the judge personally along with the lawyer assigned to Scott's defense and we've all reached an agreement to which, on the day of the trial, they won't be near you guys. There will be security between you guys so they won't be able to talk to you or anyone whose giving a character witness."
"Didn't know they could do that" Jon said. Brooklyn and Sarah both nodded.
"Jon trust me. Sarah knows every single play in the book. She's dealt with every last one of them."
"Yea, trust me Jon. I have done everything to make sure they have no contact with you guys at the trial." Jon nodded and kept his grip on Brooklyn's hand.
Sarah opened her briefcase and pulled out all her other papers including copies of the TPO, court records, witness statements as well as Brooklyn's hospital records from the baby shower and from when the twins were born.
"Alright, so first both Scott's lawyers and myself will outline our cases to the judge with simple statements and facts. We will then present our cases and evidence to support our claims. I'll have to bring up the instances where Scott and the woman had caused unwanted stress for you both as well as showing when they sent you to the hospital Brook." Brooklyn nodded, feeling Jon's grip tighten on her hand slightly.
"What about the witness statements or whatever they are." Sarah laughed.
"Wait, I was just getting to that. The judge will want witness statements, that's where your dad, Joe, Sami, Drake, my dad, and Colby will come in."
"What will happen with those?"
"The judge will call them up to the stand one by one. They'll swear in and everything then go into detail about what they saw and what happened."
"So what, like they do on tv?" Sarah and Brooklyn both giggled.
"Yeah pretty much. Then Scott's lawyer will get to ask them questions. There also might be a little problem." Jon and Brooklyn looked at her.
"What problem" he asked.
"When Colby gives his statement, Scott's lawyer might focus his attention on the fact that Colby might be withholding information because he was pursuing a relationship with me." Both scowled.
"That's bullshit" Jon exclaimed before continuing.
"Around the time of the baby shower Brook hadn't even introduced you guys!" Brooklyn placed his hand on his arm.
"Relax babe" she whispered, rubbing comforting circles on his arm.
"I know Jon, but Colby and I were talking and technically seeing each other when Scott showed up to the arena with his copy og the TPO. They could say he is holding information because he wants to help me."
"Does Colby know" Brooklyn asked as she continued to rub his arm. Sarah nodded.
"Yeah. I told him when he went over his witness statements and he's arriving this afternoon so I can prep him too."
"So what happens after all that" Brooklyn asked.
"You guys will give your statements. You'll be asked about when you saw her in Cincinnati, the online stalking, when she showed up with Scott on the UK tour, then of course the baby shower and when Scott confronted you and you went into labor."
Both nodded at Sarah. Brooklyn looked at her best friend, sensing there was something else that needed to be said.
"There's something else, isn't there" Brooklyn pressed.
"The um, the judge will want to know everything about her. Including your childhood Jon." Brooklyn's eyes widened. She turned and looked at Jon, who was stone faced. Anyone that knew Jon knew that he hated to talk about his childhood. Even Brooklyn didn't know everything and now he had to spill everything in front of his friends, family, and a judge.
"I know it's hard so if there's some things that you don't want to talk about then you can have someone else speak for you. I'm sure Brook, Sami, Drake, or I can if you feel uncomfortable" she said, trying to ease his anger.
"But it'll probably be better coming from him, won't it" Brooklyn asked.
"It probably would but like I said, if you feel uncomfortable then someone else can step it." Brooklyn nodded.
"What would they want to know" Jon said, breaking his silence. Sarah cleared her throat.
"Everything. What your childhood was like, everything she did or didn't do. They'll also want to know about the alcohol abuse and that fact she'd only contact you for money." Jon just nodded before getting up and walking out of the room. Brooklyn sighed and turned back to Sarah.
"Is there anything else?"
"No not really, we went over everything. Is he okay?" Brooklyn sighed again and ran a hand through her brown hair.
"I don't know. He hates talking about his childhood. Even I don't know everything. Is there any possibility that they won't need to get into all that? Can't they just grant us one on what has happened recently?"
"Its possible but to make sure we have a air tight solid case, Jon testifying would give us the upper hand."
"I'll see what I can do." Sarah nodded and checked her watch.
"I have to go. Colby should be landing soon and I said I'd pick him up." Brooklyn nodded and helped her pack up before going to the front door.
"Call me later, let me know if he wants someone else." Brooklyn nodded and hugged her best friend.
"I will. Bye Sarah."
"Bye Brook." Brooklyn waved as she walked out of the house. Closing the door, she turned around and went to the living room. Not seeing Jon, she looked in the kitchen finding nothing. She checked the gym, nothing.
Sighing, she walked upstairs to her and Jon's room but all she saw was Moxley laying in his bed. Walking to the nursery, she stopped when she saw Jon sitting in the rocking chair, staring at the cribs.
"Hey" she said softly as to not startle him or the twins. She quietly walked over to him and stood next to him.
It was quiet for a few minutes. Brooklyn wasn't going to press him to talk about something if he didn't want to.
"Did Sarah leave" he asked, breaking the silence.
"Yea, she said she had to go pick up Colby from the airport. Are you okay?"
Jon sighed.
"I'll be fine. I'll do what I have to, to make sure they're away from us." Brooklyn nodded and sat on the arm of the chair, placing her arm across the back.
"I know but I know you don't like to talk about your childhood. Maybe Sami or Drake could?"
Jon shook his head.
"No you heard Sarah, it needs to come from me and it will." Brooklyn just nodded, knowing there would be no changing his mind but maybe this is what Jon needed. Maybe he needed to let it all out to move on.
"Okay. I'll be right there with you through the whole thing." Jon nodded and placed his hand on her thigh.
"I don't want the babies there."
"I know. Grandma said she would come over and watch them along with the girls and our cousins. Ashley, Ric, and Noelle said they could come to help her since they want to be here for us." Jon nodded as they both looked back at the cribs.
"Do you want to know" he asked as he rocked them back and forth.
"Know what?"
"What it was like." Brooklyn's eyes widened a little. She cleared her throat a little.
"That depends, do you want me to know?" Jon shrugged.
"I mean you will find out anyway, I just thought I'd tell you so its not so much of a shock." Brooklyn nodded.
"Okay. I'm all ears."
"Not here, lets go to our room." She nodded again and stood up before he did. He grabbed her hand and led them out of the nursery and to their bedroom.
By the end of Jon's story, Brooklyn was in near tears as she lunged at him to hug him. She felt terrible for him and everything he had to go through because of that woman.
"I am so sorry" she said, as he kept her to him.
"Don't be. It made me who I am today." Brooklyn shook her head as she buried it in his chest. She couldn't believe what he had gone through. Stealing food from school just so he was sure he had food to eat. Having to have constant worry about whether his mother would fly off the handle at him for no reason. Everything he had gone through, made Brooklyn hate the woman that much more.
"Is there anything else" she asked.
"Nothing but the occasional beating here and there." Brooklyn's eyes widened as she pulled her head back to look at him.
"She beat you?" Jon saw her eyes start to water again. This is why he was hesitant to tell her. Brooklyn had a habit of taking everyone's problems on as her own to try and help them, but he was not going to let her do that with him. No, this were his problems to deal with and his alone.
"Don't Brook, don't cry. Again. Yes, she would beat me sometimes. Always would start from some little thing and when I tried to tell the truth, she wouldn't believe me and it would end with me on the floor and her telling me I would never amount to anything and I would be a scumbag like my father. But, you can't tell anyone about this part." Brooklyn furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why not?"
"Because its bad enough I'll get pity from everyone for the rest of the story. I'll never be left alone if they find out she used to hit me."
"No one will pity you Jon."
"Yes they will. You are." Brooklyn's eyes widened a little as Jon looked down at his lap. He was right, she was pitying him and everything he had gone through. She knew Jon hated nothing more than to be pitied.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jon shrugged. Brooklyn crawled over and straddled his lap. She cupped his face and pulled it up so their eyes met.
"You have got to be the strongest man I have ever met."
"Brook" he started but she cut him off.
"No listen to me. Jon, you have been through so much in your life. Stuff, that I can't even imagine what I would do if it had happened to me but you overcame all of it. You left home and found something you loved to do and now you are working for the biggest wrestling company in the United States. Even after every degrading thing she said to you, every beating, you still came out on top. It takes a strong man to do that Jon. You didn't let her words define you. You are one hell of a man, you are an incredible worker, an amazing husband, and an even more amazing father. I can't not even begin to tell you how proud I am of you."
She could see his eyes starting to glisten which made hers start. He had never had anyone tell him they were proud of him.
"Do you mean it?" Brooklyn nodded.
"With all my heart. And now, now you are finally getting the chance to close the book on her forever."
"Not forever, Sarah did say we might have to renew it ever few years." Brooklyn cracked a little smile.
"You know what I mean." Jon nodded and wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you." Brooklyn smiled and kissed hims softly.
"I love you too. Thank you for telling me."
"Thank you for not judging me."
"I would never judge you. Unless you started acting like Colby then maybe." She got the reaction she was looking for when he chuckled a little.
"I promise that won't happen." Brooklyn smiled as Jon lent up and kissed her again. When they pulled away, Jon rubbed her nose with his making her smile. They stayed that way for a little bit before Brooklyn got an idea to help him relax.
"Here, come with me" she said, getting off the bed and pulling on his hand. Jon stood up and followed her to the bathroom.
"What are we doing?"
"Taking a bath" she said, letting go of his hand and opening on of the drawers of the sink to pull out her Epsom Salts.
"What are those?"
"Epsom salts, they're for baths. It will help relax you and stuff. I take them all the time." Jon watched as she started the water and poured some in before walking over to him.
"Ready?" Jon nodded and they stripped out of their clothes before heading over. Jon got in first and sat down before helping Brooklyn in who then sat between his legs and lent his back against him. Jon sighed as the hot water soothed him a little. He wrapped his arms around his girl and laid his head against hers.
Brooklyn rubbed his legs soothingly.
"Feeling relaxed?"
"Yea, what are these called again." Brooklyn smiled.
"Epsom salts. I keep them in the second drawer for future reference."
"I'm not gonna use them, I was just wondering." Brooklyn smirked.
"Okay. Sure." Jon rolled his eyes and tickled her sides, making her giggle. She laid her head against his as he kissed her cheek.
"How is it that you can calm me down just by doing something small?" Brooklyn smiled.
"Because you we love each other and calm each other down."
"I've never had to calm you down."
"Lies. Remember when Brad and Nick died my hair purple." Jon smirked.
"Oh yea! We had sex." Brooklyn giggled.
"Yea but did I want to at first?"
"No."
"No, but then you calmed me down and we got it on." She did a little dance making Jon laugh.
"I can't wait till we can get it on again."
"Five more weeks and hey, you're doing good right not." Jon thought about it for a minute. He was doing good. He wasn't even hard.
"I guess you're right." Brooklyn smiled and moved her head to kiss him softly. Jon pulled her as close as possible, deepening the kiss. Brooklyn moaned and raised her hands to cup his cheeks. Despite his good behavior, Jon felt himself getting hard. But as soon as he felt it, they heard the crying of the babies.
"Damn it" he said when they broke apart, breathing hard. Brooklyn smiled and moved to let the tub out.
"Come on babe. Duty calls." He chuckled and they got out and dried off. In a hurry to get to them, they just wrapped their towels around them and walked to the nursery.
"Oh my babies. Mommy and daddy are here" she cooed as she walked in, the twins screaming and crying. Brooklyn picked up Amelia and J.J. They both changed their diapers before Brooklyn sat in the rocking chair. She pulled her towel down a little and held Amelia on one side as Jon put J.J on the other.
"Always hungry like your daddy" she cooed at them, making Jon roll his eyes.
"I'm not always hungry."
"Tell that to our fridge." He rolled his eyes again, making her giggle. Once the twins were finished the burped them before walking back to their bedroom.
"You can change first babe." Brooklyn nodded and kissed the babies heads before going to the closet. She quickly changed into skinny jeans and a plain black shirt before going back out. She was just heading to the door of the closet when she heard Jon talking.
"Daddy promises to keep those two crazy people away from you guys and mommy. You guys are never going to experience what I did. I'm going to give you and mommy the life you guys deserve." Brooklyn smiled sadly and wiped her stray tears away before heading back out to them.
/*/
Sarah looked around the terminal. Colby's flight had gotten in fifteen minutes ago and she hadn't seen him.
"Looking for me" she heard behind her. She jumped in shock as she turned around, seeing a smiling Colby behind her.
"How did you do that? I've been waiting here the whole time." Colby laughed as they headed over to baggage.
"Because you were at the wrong one. I said gate five, not four."
"Not uh, you texted me four!" He shook his head.
"No I didn't." Sarah rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone before checking the message her sent her.
"This is what you sent me. Hey, we get in at two, I'll be at gate-oh." She stopped when she saw it did indeed say gate five and not four.
"Oh what" he asked with a smirk.
"It said five" she mumbled.
"I'm sorry, what did you say" he said, cupping his hear like he couldn't hear. Sarah rolled her eyes.
"It said five. You were right." Colby smirked proudly and wrapped an arm around her as she grumbled.
"Don't worry sweetheart, you'll get used to it." Sarah rolled her eyes and pinched his side making him laugh. They grabbed his bags before Sarah led them out to her car.
"So how did the meeting with Brooklyn and Jon go" he asked once they started the drive to Sarah's apartment.
"It was okay. I had to tell Jon that he was going to have to tell the judge about his childhood and everything that happened and he didn't look to thrilled."
"I'm not surprised, he hates talking about stuff like that. Especially because he doesn't want to be pitied." Sarah nodded.
"I know. Brook said she was going to talk to him. I told them that I would see if he didn't want to talk about it that maybe you, Sami, Joe, or Drake might want to but it would be better if it came from Jon."
"Well if there is one person that could convince him of anything, its Brooklyn."
"I swear they are soul mates."
"Every one does." Sarah laughed. Soon they pulled up to the parking garage for Sarah's building. She punched in her code and the barriers lifted. She drove in and parked in her spot before they got out.
"Alright I'm gonna warn you. My dog will probably jump on you and bark a lot." Colby laughed as he grabbed his bags and they started their walk into the building.
"I didn't know you had a dog." Sarah nodded as they walked to the elevator.
"Yup a husky puppy. He's my baby." Colby laughed. After a few minutes, they made it to Sarah's floor and she led them to her apartment. Unlocking, she walked in, smiling when the little puppy ran to meet her.
When he noticed Colby, he started barking.
"Shh Thor, he is a friend." Colby laughed as he picked the little dog up and let him sniff Colby.
"I think he smells Kevin on me." Sarah smiled. Soon Thor's sniffs turned into licks and he was fine.
"Sup big man" Colby said, scratching his head.
"How old is he?"
"He just turned one last month. Here come in." She moved and let Colby walk further into the apartment. He smiled it was actually quite nice. Big living room and just off that was the kitchen and small dining room table.
"Whoa, nice place you got here." Sarah smiled as she closed the door.
"Thanks. Here, I'll show you my room." Still carrying Thor, she led Colby down the small hallway and to her bedroom. She had a king sized bed with purple sheets, a bathroom attached and small walk in closet.
"You can put your bags right there" she said, pointing in front of the closet. Colby wheeled his bags over and placed them down before looking around. He saw a picture sitting on her tv stand and walked over to pick it up.
"This you" he asked, looking at the little blonde haired girl who was in a pink ballerina outfit. Sarah smiled and nodded.
"Yea. When I was seven, mom got me into ballet. I stuck with it for four weeks before I stopped going." Colby laughed and put the picture back down. He saw another one of her and her siblings.
"How come only one of you has red hair."
"Cheyenne got mom's hair. Poor kid." Colby laughed and turned away from the pictures and walked over to her.
"I have my papers out in the kitchen on what we have to go over." Colby nodded.
"Can it wait. I thought we could just spend sometime together." Sarah smiled.
"Okay." Colby smiled and bent down to press his lips against her for the first time in three days. Before Sarah could kiss back, Thor started barking again. Sarah laughed as Colby scowled.
"I thought we were friends." Sarah laughed again.
"He'll come around to you."
"I know."
"I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to Thor." Colby scowled again, making her laugh again.
"I'm teasing."
"And here I was, going to offer to take you to dinner." Sarah tried to stop laughing.
"That's fine. I can always cook myself." Colby chuckled and wrapped his arms around you.
"No I'll still take you. If not, I'm sure you'll tell your dad and then I will be six feet under in the woods." Sarah giggled.
"Probably. Wanna go on a walk. Its actually nice out today." Colby nodded. They both put on their coats and Sarah grabbed Thor's leash before they left. They held hands their entire walk and Colby couldn't help the smile that formed on his face.
The only thing that would make their walk better was if he had Kevin with him. He missed his little pup but he knew his brother was taking good care of him.
Sarah eventually led them to a little park and both walked over to sit on the swings as they watched some kids having a snow ball fight on the soccer field.
"Are you excited about court?" Sarah looked over at him.
"Yea. I always get a little excitement from being up there and presenting cases. Its like no other feeling when you get someone sent away or exonerated." Colby smiled. And he thought he had passion for his job.
"So do you think they will care we are together?" Sarah shrugged.
"I don't know. I wouldn't. The more likely scenario about you with holding information or lying is because you're Jon's best friend, not my boyfriend. But they might think you might just do it so I win."
"What kind of things will I be asked?"
"Just about what happened at the baby shower. If you knew about the online stalking and anything Jon might of said about his mother in the past. I think this is gonna be a little tougher then my other cases."
"How so?"
"I mean there are so many things that could happen. They could say that I'm biased because Brook and I are best friends."
"And" Colby pressed, sensing there was something else. Sarah sighed.
"And, Jon and Brooklyn are depending on me. They trust me in getting them this order and if I don't, I will feel terrible."
"Why wouldn't you? I know you'll do a kick ass job."
"Really?"
"Hell yea. There is no doubt in my mind that you will do everything you can to protect them and the babies. You will do great, I know it."
Sarah smiled and leaned over to kiss him softly.
"Thank you."
"Anything for my girl." Sarah blushed and kissed his cheek before looking back out at the field. She just hoped he was right and she was able to kick ass and get Brooklyn and Jon what they wanted.