Amanda took a deep breath. Prepping herself to tell Olivia what she and Bray had talked about. Noah had made his way back upstairs and they went back to playing their video games.
"Olivia the pain my son feels it just kills me. Olivia, he's not supposed to go through any of this. I'm his mother, I'm supposed to shield him from it."
She took another deep breath, this was just hitting her so hard. Maybe even worse cause she wasn't alone and she had Olivia there listening to everything, being there but she didn't want to overwhelm her either even though she was completely overwhelmed herself.
Olivia looked at Amanda and spoke gently before Amanda could start speaking again. "Sweetheart, first off you are doing the best you can. Brayden's feelings are natural. Honey he's processing all of this. You in no way shape or form failed him. You gave him the opportunity to vent. You didn't hold any judgement to his feelings and you heard him out. You understood him. Amanda that meant the world to him and yes I know that. It's a mother's intuition."
Amanda looked at her, then slowly hung her head. Olivia gently tipped her chin up. "Amanda you have been there for him. You have not abandoned him. You heard him out and are taking his feelings into consideration. You are the loving parent. You are doing the right thing sweetie." Amanda squeezed her hand. "Thank you Liv. He did ask me to not have a trial."
Olivia cocked her head a little. "Okay. Whatever is best for Brayden is what we do Manda. There's nothing wrong with that."
Amanda looked at Liv once more with the soft eyes. "Liv, so Brayden wants to let Derek have the easiest way out possible. He doesn't want anything to do with him. But he does want to confront him and say his peace. I told him I would call the lawyer back in the am. I want that asshole to suffer I really do, but not at the expense of my son and anymore trauma to him. But I would like your opinion whatever it might be. Do you think this is the right thing to do?"
Olivia placed her other hand atop of Amanda's that was currently atop of hers. "I think it's the right thing to do. Amanda you are listening to your son. You are taking everything into consideration biggest being his feelings. I can definitly get it arranged for him to have the one on one obviously with you in the room, at the courthouse or at the jail. I want whatever is going to benefit Bray more as well as you. I want whatever is the least stressful for the both of you."
Amanda took her hand and hugged Olivia. "Thank you for just being here Olivia. Thank you for letting Noah be here for Brayden." Olivia smiled. "There is nowhere else I'd rather be Amanda. But hey since the boys are upstairs hanging out, wanna relax and watch a movie?"
Amanda looked at her again with the soft eyes. "Umm... Does this include a cuddle? I shouldn't ask, but I..." Olivia smiled. "You don't have to be leary to ask. Yes, we can cuddle. It would be nice. It's what you need, and I want that and need that myself."
They laid on the couch and cuddled watching a movie. This was the first time everything felt right in a long time. Amanda felt safe in the moment that they were in. Her son was up in his room with his best friend finally acting like a teenager and having fun. The laughs and playful taunts letting her know that he was slowly on his way towards healing.
Liv was enjoying just cuddling with Amanda. It felt so good and so right. She text their ADA about what Brayden wanted. He told them that he would get in touch and set it up. Telling her to tell Amanda not to worry about anything and Brayden would get the closure that he needs and with the least trauma done to him. She relaxed once more with Amanda in her arms. The boys had wandered down for drinks and snacks and just smiled when they saw their moms. Brayden was really happy.
"Finally, normalcy. It took a while but finally this is the most normal things have been in the longest time."