Chapter 22:

Toby's POV:

It's been 2 months since Georgia arrived at our house. We had an amazing time in New- York, and she's settled in well at school. I'm now about to drop the kids at school.

Georgia: Toby, can I go to my friends house after school?

Toby: Yes, make sure you sort out how your gonna get home.

Georgia: Thanks, could you pick me up?

Toby: I can't, I'm doing overtime at work today, maybe Spencer can.

Georgia: Ok.

I drop them all off at school and then drive to work. I'm working through some cases when my cell phone starts ringing.

Toby: Hello?

School: Hello, is this Toby?

Toby: Yes, can I ask who I'm speaking to?

School: The receptionist if Rosewood Middle School.

Toby: Ok. Why are you calling me?

School: We was wondering if Georgia Mackenzie Rolland was with you?

Toby: No, why would she be with me? Wait, has something happened?

School: She skipped her first 2 classes today.

Toby: Well, she seemed normal this morning. She asked me if she could go to a friends house after school. I said yes.

School: Toby, I think you should meet us at the hospital.

Toby: Why?

School: I've just been told that Georgia was found in the bathroom, unconscious. I think she's badly injured.

Toby: What? Is she ok?

Spencer's POV:

Im notified by my husband that our niece is in the hospital after being attacked in the school bathroom. Me and him are sitting in her room, in the two chairs, either side of her bed.

Spencer: Who could of done this to her?

Toby: I don't know, but when I find out, they are gonna be in trouble.

Spencer: That's right.

Toby: Hey, she's waking up!

Spencer: Georgia, can you hear me?

Georgia: Mom?

Spencer: No, not mom sweetie. Your auntie Spencer.

Georgia: Oh, what happened?

Spencer: You don't remember?

Georgia: Wait, I do!

Spencer: What?

Georgia: Well, before my first class, I went to the bathroom. When I was washing my hands, three girls cam in. They cornered me and started to kick and punch me. Then one of them grabbed me by my hair to the toilet and flushed my head. I think I was then dragged again to the sink and had my head hit a few time in the edge.

Toby: Sounds brutal.

Spencer: Who are these girls?

Georgia: Their names are Shelly, Katy and Ruby.

Spencer: Are they in your class?

Georgia: Yes.

Toby: How long has this been going on?

Georgia: What do you mean?

Toby: The bullying? This is bullying Georgia and something needs to be done!

Toby's POV:

We wait a further 3 hours before the police come in to speak to us. Georgia is sleeping, but we know some facts.

Officer 1: Has she mentioned who was bullying her?

Toby: Yes, she said their names were Shelly, Katy and Ruby.

Officer 1: And do you know how long it's been going on?

Spencer: She said its started about a week after starting at the school.

Officer 2: Ok. Thank you. We are going to talk to her principal and we will go from there.

Toby: Will they be punished for attempted murder?

Officer 2: I don't think they meant to almost kill her.

Toby: Really? What if she never woke up, what if it was a whole lot more serious.

Officer 2: We will talk to the girls and their parents. Something is going to be done about this. Weather it's that they get a sentence or they get excluded from school.

Spencer: Ok.

The officers leave and then I go and picked the kids up. I take them home and then Toby comes home after another hour.

Spencer: Is there any change?

Toby: She's feeling better. The doctor said she is gonna be discharged in a couple of days. Thank god there is no damage to her brain. Just bruising to her skull.

Spencer: That's good. I'm gonna make up a bag for her and take it down tomorrow.

Toby: Ok. She asked for her phone charger as well.

Spencer: I'll put that in first.

Spencer goes upstairs whilst I make dinner for the kids. She comes back down with a blue and black small duffle bag. We eat dinner and then she quickly takes it down to the hospital. When she gets back, the kids are asleep and I'm in the shower. When I finally get into my pyjamas, Spencer is asleep in her clothes, with her shoes still on.

Toby: Spencer, you can't sleep in your clothes.

Spencer: I'm tired.

Spencer's POV:

I wake up the next day. I asked Hanna if I could have the day off so I could stay at the hospital with Georgia, and she granted me permission.

Doctor: Georgia has recovered very quickly. Quicker than expected.

Spencer: Her mother must be watching over her.

Doctor: Yes.

Georgia: Spencer, could I have some water please?

I get Georgia a cup of water from the machine as she slowly wakes and sits up.

Georgia: Thank you.

She takes a sip and puts it on the table.

Spencer: How you feeling?

Georgia: Much better. Actually, I feel like I'm ready to go home.

Doctor: Well, by the looks of your records, you are ready to go home.

Georgia: Great.

Doctor: I'll just go and get the discharge papers.

I help Georgia change into her own clothes. By the time we are finished, the doctor comes back with the papers. I sign them and we head home.

Georgia: Spencer, when can I return to school?

Spencer: Now, you are my responsibility. But, I'm not gonna keep you from your education. So, you can return whenever you feel ready.

Georgia: Can I go back tomorrow?

Spencer: If you really want to, like I said, I'm not going to keep you from your education.

Georgia: Thanks. Spencer, can I talk to you?

Spencer: Of course.

Georgia sits with me on the couch.

Georgia: This is gonna sound crazy, but, when I was sleeping, my mom came to see me.

Toby's POV:

I arrive home with my children. As soon as I walk through the door, I see my wife and niece sleeping. I decide to wake them up.

Spencer: Hey.

Toby: Hey, how's Georgia?

Spencer: She's fine.

Georgia: What?

Spencer: It's ok, your fine.

Georgia: Oh. I'm gonna have a bath, is that ok?

Spencer: You live here, you don't have to ask.

Georgia: Sorry, I forgot.

Spencer: Call me if you need anything.

Georgia goes up stairs and I sit with Spencer in the couch.

Toby: So how have you been?

Spencer: I've been great.

Toby: Right, I'm gonna go have a shower and then I'll start dinner.

Spencer: No, you've had a hard day at work, I'll cook.

Toby: Ok, what will you cook?

Spencer: Do you remember the first ever meal I cooked for you?

Toby: I don't recall.

Spencer: Mac and cheese of course!

Toby: Right, I remember that you burnt it and we had to go and buy one

Spencer: Yeah, whatever!

Georgia: Spencer, could you get me a towel please, I forgot to pick one up?

Spencer: Just a second.