Trudy had to go back to prison when they judged Faith to be out of danger. That was really hard as well for all of them. They had to tell the girls Trudy would be going back.
"Don't go. We will miss you Mommy."
"I don't want to go but I don't have a choice. And I want you to think of me and know I'm thinking of you and that I love you all very much and will be back as soon as I can.
Adrian and Trudy cried their last night together when they were alone. Rickover might not expected that the other judges would give Trudy a temporary release on compassionate grounds after the attack on Faith and that might make him more angry. And they knew he would try anything.
Hope understood the most and she understood the bad man was keeping their mom from them.
"You and uncle Leland are going to catch him right?"
"Yes Hope. We are going to make sure he can't hurt anyone else."
The girls were escorted to school and back and Leland had some officers posted at their house. What had happened would not happen again.
For several reasons, not the least of which was because of what happened to Faith, Trudy was taken off death row and put in the honor block. The other judges were convinced of her innocence but Judge Joseph Rusel pointed out that girls would be in more danger if Trudy continued to be free.
When Adrian and her parents went to visit Trudy later that day Scarlet told them that she was no longer there.
"What do you mean," Marsha demanded, her heart pounding in fear, "What happened to her."
"She's in honor block," Scarlet said.
Adrian let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Can we see her," Dwight asked.
"Of course," Scarlet replied, "Any time in the Honor Block."
She led them downstairs and knocked on the down to Trudy's apartment like cell.
"Who is it," Trudy asked.
"You have some visiters," Scarlet said.
Trudy opened the door and saw Scarlet with Adrian and her parents. She hugged them tightly. It had only been 10 hours but she'd missed them like crazy."
They spent the time of the visit talking about their future plans.
Trudy said "I'm almost afraid to hope that this might really be over soon."
She entwined her hand with Adrian.
Adrian admitted, "I get that."
"We all do." Dwight added.
Marsha agreed.
"But for the babies I have to hope."
In some ways they were very lucky.
Honor block was like an apartment complex. Each cell was designed like an apartment with a TV Computer and facilities. There were other benefits there too. It gave Adrian an idea.
"Honey," he said, "I have to go now. I'll be back tonight and I'll have a surprise for you."
Trudy smiled. He kissed her goodbye.
That night he brought the girls with him. They rode the elevator down rather then taking the stairs because Faith was blind after the attack.
"Daddy," Hope asked, "Is mommy okay?"
Adrian smiled.
"She'll be okay," he promised.
When they got to Trudy's cell Hope took Faith's hand and led her to the door.
"Faith," Hope said, "Why don't you knock?"
Faith knocked gently on the door. Marsha opened the door. Her parents had stayed with her that whole afternoon.
"Grandma? Where's mommy," Bella asked.
Marsha laughed.
"She'll be out in a minute. She's just using the bathroom."
A few seconds later Trudy came out.
"Honey come to the door," Marsha said, "There's a surprise for you."
Trudy walked over to the door.
"What is it mom," she asked.
All the girls came into the cell.
"Girls. Oh my girls …"
Trudy couldn't say anything else. She had to swallow her tears .
"Don't be sad momma." Ava pleaded.
"I'm not sad at all, baby. I'm just so happy to see you all."
It was later in the evening but there was still some sun. It was the time of year when the sun was gaining strength and the days were getting a little bit longer. So they went to the garden that was tended by the inmates.
They were able to sit out for an hour and visit. The children ran and played on the grass for a little while. Then Marsha, who loved to garden herself, taught the girls the names of some of the plants that were starting to come up.
The girls wanted to stay close to their mother, as if they were afraid she would disappear.
All too soon it was getting dark.
They knew there would be more times like these.
"We have to go now," Adrian said gently, "We'll be back tomorrow."
"Why do we have to go daddy," Faith asked.
"It's getting dark," Adrian explained.
Faith sighed.
"It's always dark for me," she said.
Hope wrapped her arms around her sister.
"You'll be able to see again," she promised.
"You're sister is right," Adrian said, "The doctor is going to fix your eyes in a couple of weeks."
"Will you be there?" Faith asked.
"We'll all be there," Dwight promised.
Faith paused.
"Am I still ugly," she asked, "From the scars? I know I probably won't be pretty anymore but will I ever not be ugly after the doctors fix me?"
"Who told you that you're ugly," Hope asked, "You're my beautiful little sister."
"And you're smart and kind and brave"
Faith smiled as widely as she could and held herself a little higher.
They had a peaceful drive. The younger girls fell asleep in the back of the car. Adrian carried them in and tucked them in. The older girls got ready for bed.
Once everyone was asleep Adrian did his usual rounds to tidy and clean the house. He ensured they were locked in. He noticed the police car outside and driving by at regular intervals.
That felt safe.
After that he changed into pajamas, brushed his teeth and went to bed.
He fell right asleep and slept soundly for the first time in a long while.