Saving Ma
Summary: After Frank proposed to Natalia, Rafe Ave and Emma team up to help their moms.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and I do not make any profit from this.
Chapter 60
Miguel was the first to come through the doors. He looked around the courtroom and sneered at Natalia and Olivia. He searched the faces and frowned when he didn't see his wife. He had told her to be there when he called her the night before and she said she would but she was not.
Allan was next, he looked cool and confident on the outside. His eyes gave away the fear that he held. He looked around and noticed his family all surrounding the Spencer's. He was not happy, even his sister Alex sat with them.
Frank came in last and gasps were heard. No one but the clan had seen him since his arrest and even then, bandages covered his face. The right side of his face was badly burned and drooped slightly. His ear was burned and misshapen and part of his hair no longer grew. His eye had also been damaged and he was blind in that eye now.
To Rafe and Ava, he looked like the monster they saw him to be. To Olivia, he could look worse and she would be ok with it. To Natalia, she tried to have remorse for injuring him so badly but she couldn't find it. This man had tried to destroy her family, kill her wife and two of her babies and endangering her others. She couldn't find it in her to feel anything but justified at her actions. She'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant protecting her family.
Olivia leaned over where only Natalia and the kids could hear her. "Remind us never to piss you off when you're cooking."
The kids stifled a giggle and Natalia playfully slapped her trying not to laugh. "Stop it or I'll do worse to you."
Olivia smirked, "Is that so?"
Natalia smiled and leaned into her ear. "Yes that's so. I'll stop doing that thing you like that I do with my tongue." She nipped her ear and sat back up.
Olivia gasped, "Hey, I was just joking, no need for that." The kids stifled another laugh, barely and Natalia just pat her leg and leaned into her.
Olivia smiled and wrapped an arm around her. She was about to say something else when the doors opened and Marisol came in. Miguel smiled at the sight of her until she walked over to Natalia. Rafe and Ava slid down the bench so she could sit next to Natalia. She then turned into her for a hug.
They had talked several times on the phone and had plans to spend time together while she was in town. Miguel was furious seeing them together and went to stand only to be pushed back down by his lawyer, who then whispered into his ear to calm and not make things worse.
About that time the bailiff called them to rise and Olivia's smile could not have been bigger. "Please be seated, I'm Judge Anthony Watkins and I will be hearing the peoples case against Frank Achilles Cooper Jr., Miguel Jose Rivera, and Allan James Spaulding. The charges are as such…"
As he reads off all the charges for each of them Olivia and Natalia share a look. They couldn't have been any luckier in the judge assigned to this case. He was a no nonsense judge who took no crap, and had been one of the families biggest supporter after meeting him during Rafe's hearing. They smiled at each other and turned back to give their attention up front.
Judge Watkins finished reading the charges and looked up. "How do you plead?" Both Allan and Miguel pled not guilty and Frank gave way to a temporary insanity plea. Olivia scoffed, "He's insane alright." She whispered in to Natalia's ear. Natalia just leaned into her for comfort. She hated being in this room with these men.
Judge Watkins moved to hear opening statements. Miguel's lawyer stood first stating that he was just a concerned father trying to look out for the best interests of his son after he was taken from him. Basically it was a load of crap and the DA and Mel would not have a problem proving him guilty,
Allan's Lawyer was next stating that he had just got caught up trying to help his grandson and had nothing to do with any of it. Also crap, they had all the evidence they needed for him as well. They were not worried.
Frank's lawyer stood and started spouting off who he was a pillar of the community, a decorated officer and all around good guy. He was the jilted lover, he was distraught and in a moment of insanity lost all sense of right and wrong. He didn't know what he was doing. They had psychiatrist statements that he was not in his right mind at the time. This might be a little trickier but they had the evidence on their side.
The DA stood and looked to the jury. "I want to tell you a story. A mom is sitting at home, caring for two of her children who are sick. Her 7 month old son who is teething and feverish. Her 11 year old son who is vomiting and feverish as well. She's in her kitchen, making homemade chicken soup, hoping that her son will be able to eat it and keep it down. There's a knock on the door and she opens it to find someone she once trusted with a gun trained on her. She tries to close it quickly but he is stronger and pushed his way in. He threatens her children and makes her write a note to her wife, telling her she is leaving and doesn't want to be with her or their family anymore. He then makes her leave her baby, sick and crying in his bed. Threating both children if she doesn't comply and forcing her and her older son out the door."
He paused for effect. "Now, she is slightly comforted in the fact that her wife had texted not long before that she was on her way, so she thought her baby would be ok. What she didn't know was that he had set a bomb in her wife's car and that it had exploded with her wife close to it, sending her to the hospital. Their oldest two children going with her. Thankfully not getting in their own cars because he had set bombs in those as well…"
As he went over the events of that day Natalia lay her head on Olivia's shoulder and tears streamed down her face. She had come so close to losing everything that day.
Olivia pulled a tissue out of her purse and dried her eyes holding her close. She didn't like hearing all of this rehashed either and it was going to be told over and over. They would have to be strong and take comfort in the fact that when this was all over they would be safe.
As the DA was winding down they looked to Ava and Rafe who were as affected by this as they were. They shifted in their seats and brought them both to sit in between them, Rafe burrowed in to Olivia and Ava was holding on to Natalia like a life line. Olivia rubbed his back with one hand and Ava's with the other. Natalia did the same. None of this went unnoticed by the Judge or jury.
Once the DA finished, Judge Watkins call recess for the day and ordered them all back at 9:00 in the morning. They removed the three defendants, then the rest of the courthouse started to empty. Olivia and Natalia stayed where they were holding their babies while the room cleared out. Marisol sitting beside them just watching them.
Phillip came up and put a hand on Olivia's shoulder. "Everything ok?"
Olivia nodded. "Yea, it's just hard to hear it all again. We're ok."
He nodded, "Ok. We are heading out. I'm going to pick up Mateo and Emma as planned from camp. We are going to towers for dinner then I will bring them back to you."
Natalia smiled. "Thank you Phillip. I know they love spending time with you."
He nodded, kissed both Ava and Rafe on the head then left with his crew in tow.
After everyone but them was gone Olivia lifted Rafe's head. "Why don't we get out of here, get Natalio, Ash, and Whitney and grab some dinner somewhere."
He nodded kissing her cheek and stood. Ava held on for a moment more than kissed Natalia and Olivia then joined Rafe in the isle. Natalia and Olivia turned to address Marisol. "Mama, would you like to join my family for dinner or would you like us to drop you at the hotel?"
Marisol stood and smiled. "I would very much like to dine with you and your family."
Natalia nodded taking Olivia's arm and led them out.
They called Ashley, Whitney and Jane on the way back to the Beacon. Marisol had checked in before heading to the courthouse and went to freshen up while Natalia and Olivia gathered the rest of their clan.
They decided to go to the Italian restaurant on Main, they really didn't want to answer questions from Buzz or Marina about Frank's appearance. Ashely and Ava took her car since they had planned on staying at her place tonight.
After they settled at the table and ordered, Marisol looked to Natalia. "Thank you for getting me the room to stay in while I am here. I don't drive anymore and wouldn't have been able to be here for the trial otherwise."
Natalia smile. "It was not problem, I'm just happy to see you."
Marisol looked to Natalio who was sitting between Natalia and Ava. "He looks so much like you and Josie. He's so beautiful."
"Yes he is." Natalio was trying to climb out to get to her so she took him out. As soon as he was in her arms he reached for Olivia.
Olivia chuckled taking him. "There's mommy's baby. Did you miss me today?"
Natalio grabbed her face placing a drool covered kiss to her lips. Then babbled to her. "Mama, mama."
Natalia laughed, "I think that's a yes."
Marisol watched them intently. "I mean no disrespect but may I ask a question?" Natalia turned to her nodding and Marisol took a breath. "How did you reconcile your faith with your relationship?"
Natalia smiled slightly. "My faith was never a question for me, my church was. So, I changed churches. I could not stay in a church that did not understand that all forms of love are a gift from God. We go to an Episcopal church now."
Marisol smiled. "Could I go with you if I am still here on Sunday? I think I would like to go to your church."
"Of course mama, you are more than welcome to join us."
Marisol looked around the table. "You did good for yourself mija. You have a beautiful family, and a good business. Not that it should mean much to you, but I am proud of you."
Natalia wiped a tear from her eyes, "Thank you mama, it does means a lot to me."
Their food arrived and they just talked. Marisol asked questions to all of them about their lives and the family business. The kids asked questions about their ma when she was little and questions about Marisol herself.
When dinner was over they headed back to the hotel saying good bye to Ashley and Ava for the night. They arrived at the Beacon and said goodnight to Marisol, put Natalio to bed and settled in for the night themselves.
Natalia came out of the bathroom to find Olivia already under the covers. She smiled turning off the lights and climbed in beside her, curling into her side. "Mmm, this feels so good. I'm so exhausted."
Olivia kissed her head. "I know, me too. Today was intense and unfortunately it's only going to get worse before it gets better."
Natalia sighed. "Yes but once it's all over we can move on and just be, and right now I just want to sleep and deal with all that stuff tomorrow."
Olivia hummed her agreement and shifted to kiss her thoroughly. "Good night baby."
Natalia nipped her lip then snuggled in. "Good night querida."
Tomorrow would be the real start to the trial and they would all have to testify at some point, but tonight they were content just to be in each other's arms.
