Chapter 29.

Note- I'm sorry this took so long to update! This story has really taken more research than I intended, and it's been hard to find the right words. I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies in the trial. Enjoy!

Callie

The air conditioning in the courtroom was too high; my bare arms were covered with goosebumps. I rubbed them discretely, trying to warm up. Stef saw me from the corner of her eye, and slipped her arm around me.

I'd already given my testimony. They had moved on to questioning Sophia. She looked so small up there, like a doll, almost.

"Did you ever try to tell anyone about the abuse?" The ADA asked her.

Sophia shook her head. "No."

"Never?" he asked.

"No," she said again. "I thought about telling my teacher once, but I changed my mind."

I looked down into my lap, sadly. I remembered Sophia's teacher from our last school, Mrs. Luna. She was really nice, and Sophia loved her. I knew how she felt. There were times when I wanted to reach out to anyone I thought I could trust, but in the end, I didn't.

"Why did you change your mind?" he asked her.

"I was too scared," she said softly.

"What were you scared of, exactly?" he asked.

"I- I was scared that she wouldn't believe me," she told him. "I was worried she would call Brian and he'd hurt me and Callie." Her chin quivered. Don't cry, I silently urged. Don't cry.

"Did anyone ever ask you to hide what was going on?" he continued.

Sophia shrunk back in her seat. "Yes, my sister," she admitted. "She was afraid we would get separated."

"Did you ever think it would be better to take that risk than to go on living with your foster father?"

"I-" Sophia gave me a desperate look. Her face crumpled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "I-"

I looked up at Stef, and Stef shook her head no, as if she could read my thoughts. Then I looked back at my little sister's tear-stained face. She needed me. Without giving it another thought, I tried to get up and go to her. But Stef grabbed my arm. "Callie," she whispered, giving me a sharp look. "Sit down."

Begrudgingly, I sat back down, mad at her. Finally, someone handed Sophia a tissue, and she used to it dry her eyes. After a minute, she started to calm down.

"Miss Jacob," said the ADA, looking up from his notes. "Are you able to answer the question now?"

Sophia nodded. "Nothing could be worse than losing my sister. Callie and I have always gotten through the bad things together. If we didn't have each other, we wouldn't have anything."

After Sophia was questioned, there was a recess, and the court broke up. Stef grabbed my hand and stood up. "Honey, come in the hall with me. We need to talk."

"Fine," I said, following her. She lead me to a bench near a vending machine, and I sat down. She sat next to me and took my hands between hers. "Honey, what were you thinking in there?" she asked, looking me in the eye. "Did you forget what we talked about before we went in?"

"I'm sorry," I said, swallowing against a lump in my throat. "I just... he was making her cry. She needed me."

Stef sighed. "I know, honey. You're very protective of the people you love. I'm the very same way. But disrupting the court could have cost us everything we've worked for. You don't want to piss off the judge."

"I'm sorry," I apologized again. My eyes stung and my face was hot. "I won't do it again."

"I know you wont," she said, giving me a small smile. "And luckily, there was no harm done. Just remember that sometimes, it's better to let Sophia work things out on her own. She's old enough to advocate for herself, and she did. She's growing up, love."

"It's hard," I said softly. "To let go."

"I know it is," Stef nodded. "It's hard for me to. When it comes to you kids, I'm a total Mama Tiger. I never want to see my babies get hurt. But I can't protect you kids from everything. And you can't protect Sophia from everything, either."

"I know," I said.

She held her arms out for me. "Can I have a hug?"

I smiled, and let her take me in her arms.

"I love you, baby," she said, planting a kiss on top of my head.

"I love you too, mom," I told her. "Can I go find Sophia now?"

"Of course," she said.

Sophia was standing in the hall with Lena and the other kids. When she saw me, she came to me and hugged me. "Are you mad at me?" she asked.

"Why would I be mad at you?" I asked, brushing back her hair.

"Because I told on you when he asked me if anyone ever made me hide what was going on," she said.

I shook my head. "I'm not mad, Soph. You were under oath to tell the truth." I felt a surge of guilt. "Is that why you were crying up there?"

She looked down at her shoes. "Yes," she admitted. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I reassured her, pulling her back in a hug. "It's my fault."

"You were just trying to keep us together..." she said.

I nodded. "I thought I was doing the right thing then. But we don't have to lie anymore."

The recess ended, and Mike was called to the stand. His testimony was business-like; he stated the facts, plain and simple. After he was finished, Brian's next door neighbor testified. I never even knew she noticed us when we were living there, but I guess she did. Then Lindsey testified. I admired the way she spoke; she was confident in her words. She didn't doubt herself or what she went through. I wished I could speak that way, too. But I knew it must have taken her years to get there.

At last it was Laura's turn to speak. I was most nervous about what she had to say. I took a deep breath as she went to the stand.

The judge asked her to raise her right hand. "Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?"

"Yes, Your Honor," she said, holding her hand up. Then she began her testimony. She told about her marriage, Lindsey's childhood, the abuse they went through. And finally, she told about how she brought us home, and the night she abandoned us. Part of me still hated her for it, and part of me felt sorry for her. She looked even smaller and younger than Sophia up there.

"Was there ever more than one occasion when your husband caused you to fear for your life?" he asked her.

"Yes, Your Honor," she said.

He nodded. "Do you believe that your husband was capable of causing severe injury, even death, to your foster daughters?"

She hesitated for a moment. "Yes. I do, Your Honor. He could become very violent when he was drunk."

"Did you ever hear your husband threaten to harm your foster daughters?"

"Yes," she admitted.

"I see," he said. "Do you feel that it was reasonable for Sophia to believe she had no choice but to kill Mr. Bowen to protect herself and her sister from immediate danger?"

Laura took a small breath. "Yes, Your Honor. I think- I think Sophia did the right thing."

"You do realize that you've admitted to endangering these children who were in your care?" he asked solemnly. "And that you may face criminal charges?"

Laura's blue eyes filled with tears. "Yes," she nodded, wiping her tears away. "I do."

"Thank you for your help," he said. "You may be seated."

The jury deliberated for what seemed like an eternity. And then, at long last, the judge announced, "I have everything I need to make my decision."

I sat up straighter, wiping my sweaty hands on the skirt of my dress. This was it. I turned to look at my moms. Lena reached across Stef's lap to squeeze my hand, and Stef put her arm around me.

"Sophia," said the judge said, looking down at her. "I want to apologize you and your sister on behalf of the state of California."

I sucked in my breath; I could hear my blood pounding in my ears. Why on earth would he need to apologize to us unless he was about to deliver bad news? I looked over at Stef, but her face was unreadable.

"You and Callie were victims," he said. "The system is broken, and unfortunately, it's the children involved who suffer most. The foster system failed you by placing you with an unfit family, a placement that endangered you. I am sorry."

"Th- thank you, Your Honor," said Sophia.

"You're welcome," he said. He looked out at the court. "I've reviewed the evidence and testimonies presented today, and I believe that Sophia Jacob's actions were reasonable and excusable. I rule the death of Brian Bowen, a justifiable homicide. Court is dismissed."

Insure of how to react, I turned to Stef. "Is that good?"

"It's very good," she nodded, with tears in her eyes. "We won!"

Sophia came to meet us, and Stef and Lena grabbed both of us in a hug. "I can't believe it's finally over," my sister sobbed.

"But it is," said Stef. "You're safe now, honey."

Lena nodded, smiling. "And now we can just focus on your adoption."

To Be Continued- They did it! Yay! The worst is over. The rest of the story will cover the girls' road to adoption, learning to love and trust, and how they grow as part of the family and deal with their scars. Please keep reading and reviewing! Thanks!