Several months later Allison and Asher walked into the court room with their lawyer. Owen and Teddy were coming for moral support while Annie hung out with the kids.
The judge called the courtroom to order.
"Ms McFarland," the judge prompted Allison and Asher's lawyer, "what are your clients asking for."
"Mr. and Dr. Blouin are pressing criminal charges and requesting a protective order for them selves and their children against Renee Blouin," Alex said.
"Anything else," the judge asked.
"Yes," Alex replied, "they are also suing for defamation of character, fallse allegations and slander."
"This was all submitted prior," the judge confirmed.
"Yes your honour," Alex confirmed.
"And your evidence," the judge asked.
"Was submitted three months ago," Alex replied.
"Mr Jones how does your client respond," the judge asked.
"Ms Blouin denies all charges," Mr Jones replied, "she is innocent."
"We have additional charges from the state," the judge said, "Mr Leung?"
"The state is charging Renee Blouin with child abuse and assault," Mr Leung added.
"Mr Jones how does your client respond," the judge asked.
"Not guilty," Mr Jones replied.
The next several hours had the lawyers going back and forth getting the formalities over with and reviewing the evidence submitted by both sides. Nothing surprised ALlison or Asher who had seen what Renee's side was submitting.
"Dr Blouin," the judge called when it was Allison's turn to be questioned, the judge had decided she would go first.
Allison stood and calmly walked to the stand. She kept her cool as her own lawyer, the one for the state of Washington and for Renee grilled her trying to trick her. Allison was used to misleading questions and stressful situations.
"Dr Blouin can you describe the events leading to the attack," the lawyer for the state asked.
"I entered the patients room to check on him knowing his parents were not present and wanting to provide reassurance to him," Allison responded, "when I found Renee Blouin in the room. I followed protocol and asked her to leave the patients room.
Things took a turn when it was Renee's turn.
"I did nothing wrong," Renne stated before anyone asked her a question, "I'm being punished for being a Christian."
"Ms Blouin," the judge scolded.
"Allison is nothing but a slut who ruined my brother's life," Renee shouted.
"Renee," Mark called from the gallery, "be quiet."
"Out of order," the judge yelled, banging his gavel.
Over three gruelling days they went back and forth before the judge went into his chambers to make his final decision.
"Dr Blouin, Mr Blouin," the judge addressed Allison and Asher first, "I am dropping all of the counter suits against the two of you. I am also granting a permanent protective order against Renee Blouin that extends to your two children Everly and Andrew as well as any future children you to choose to have. I do have to put an end date on it for the system to accept it, it expires in 100 years, it expires April 4, 2144."
"Thank you your honour," Allison replied.
"Thank you," Asher agreed.
"Ms Blouin," the judge stated, "I have found you guilty of all charges. The court will reconvene tomorrow for sentencing. You will be facing significant jail time"
Under the table Allison squeezed Asher's hand.
"No," Renee yelled, "you can't. You can't let them not be punished."
"Ms. Blouin," the judge scolded.
"But," Renee tried.
"You were tried," the judge replied, "that is my decision."
"We will appeal," Renee's lawyer said.
"That is your right but it will take years and you will not be released tonight," the judge said, "Dr Blouin, Mr. Blouin you are free to go."
Alex nodded and they followed her out of the court room.
"So that went our way," Alex replied, "your sister appealing is likely but we prepared for this. She's unlikely to win an appeal but it's her right to have one."
"What happens now to Renee," Allison asked.
"She'll be held in county jail over night and then tomorrow when we return for sentencing she will immediately be transferred to the appropriate institution," Alex explained.
"So we won't see her again," Asher confirmed.
"Yes," Alex assured.
"Is there a chance she can be released," Allison asked.
"Not with out the appeal and she'll be held in jail for that process," Alex explained.
"So we'll see you in the morning," Asher replied.
"Yes," Alex assured, "Asher Allison, do not answer any calls from Mark or anyone on Renee's team. Go home and get some rest. The worst is over."
Asher and Allison held hands as they walked to the car.
"She's going to jail," Asher said as soon as he started the engine.
"She's being punished," Allison agreed, "she can't hurt another child."
"She can't hurt you," Asher replied, "your still doing physio on your hand."
"A couple more weeks it's just hospital protocol," Allison assured, "I've been back in the OR for a couple weeks. Rebuilding but I'll be okay I've gotten to focus on my research."
"Allie," Asher sighed.
"It's over," Allison said, "we can't dwell on it Ash. It's done."
"My dad," Asher asked.
"We stay no contact," Allison assured, "we don't have to have contact with him."
"My mom," Asher asked.
"I don't know," Allison replied, "she's inconsistent. What do you want to do?"
"I still don't trust her with the kids," Asher replied.
"I agree," Allison answered.
The drove the rest of the way home in silence.
Everly met them at the door, "is it over?"
"We go back tomorrow to hear what the punishment for auntie Renee is," Asher replied.
"Do I go to that," Everly asked, "Will my wheelchair fit?"
"No you are not going," Allison replied, "it is not a place for kids and you have school. Ev we are protecting you. I know you want to hear because you remember Renee and what she did to you but I don't want you to hear the way she talks to people. You have to trust dad and I as the adults to keep you safe and this is keeping your emotions and your mental health safe."
"But she broke your arm and dad had to help with my shower," Everly whined.
"I know you prefer me to do it when you need help," Allison agreed, "but you hardly need help with the new bench. You needed help because you had a bath in the jetted tub in our bathroom and can't get in and out alone. That was a choice. You could have used your tub that you can access alone or the hot tub that you have equipment to use."
"I started dinner," Everly said, "we need to figure out the stove and my chair."
"You have crutches, a cane, and a walker," Asher replied, "we have one section of lowered counter for you to roll under and the microwave is at chair height for you. You are capable of standing with out a support and cooking your chair is a preference. We would fully adapt everything if your chair was a need but it's a preference. The kitchen is the only part of the house that's not great in your chair."
"What would it take to fix it," Everly asked.
"Taking it completely out and rebuilding it," Allison replied, "dad and I don't have the money for that right now. It's all custom cabinets and countertop custom appliances it will be a couple hundred grand. Ev your mobility is good and it's always improving. You work in the kitchen on your counter or on the table, the things you use most are accessible to you independently. You can get to the microwave, kettle, toaster and air fryer in your chair. I don't really want you cooking on the stove or in the oven without an adult in the kitchen."
"I want to use the big mixer," Everly said, "and bake like grandma."
"Then we can move it to your counter when you need it," Asher replied.
"But," Everly tried to argue.
"We're not doing this now," Allison replied, "you are 12 you don't need to be making full meals. I will help you with the stove and I do not want you using the stove or oven when there's not an adult here."
"Why do you always want me to use my crutches," Everly asked.
"Because the world isn't as accessible in your chair," Allison replied, "I know it's harder and you get tired. I know you use them at school all day and in home ec.
"I just don't want to do it at home," Everly said, "I'm tired."
"I know you get tired," Allison agreed, "let me change thenI'll finish dinner. What did you start?"
"Auntie Annie helped," Everly said, "she was giving Andy a bath he had an accident."
"Potty training is tough," Asher replied, "you had your fair share of accidents."
"Until like first grade," Everly whined.
"Kids learn it at a different paces," Allison replied.
"He already walks better than I do," Everly whined, "my little brother can run and I can't."
"I know it's hard," Allison said pushing the wheel chair towards the kitchen.
"Mom," Everly complained.
"Okay I won't push you," Allison replied, "we will figure this out. We talked that there will be physical things that you can't do that Andy will be able to and you have things you can do that Andy can't. You both will have your own talents."
"But I want to run," Everly said.
"Then let's talk to physio," Allison replied, "see what we can do there and do the work outs. Everly if you want to."
"Will you do them with me," Everly asked.
"When I'm not at work," Allison replied.
"How much longer before you're not working like this," Everly asked.
"I have 20 months left for residency," Allison replied, "then I have to do a fellowship for a year. You'll be starting ninth when I finish. As a fellow I'll work a more predictable schedule, less evenings and weekends then as an attending I'll set my own schedule and do one weekend every month. Once a month is nothing."
"Can you put the chicken in the frying pan," Everly asked when they got into the kitchen.
"I'm frying the chunks," Allison asked.
"Yes just stirfry I have the rice in the rice cooker ready to turn on," Everly said.
At that moment Annie came into the kitchen, "Ev I can finish with you. Allie go get changed and relax."
"Thanks Nee," Allison smiled, "how were they?"
"Great since I picked them up from school and daycare," Annie smiled, "how did it go?"
"Sentencing tomorrow," Allison replied, "then it's done."
"So she's been charged and convicted," Annie confirmed.
"Yes," Allison replied, "she can't affect us anymore."
"I wish I had the strength when it happened to me to do what you did," Annie said, "mama wanted me to but mom and dad didn't."
"Isn't grandma your mom," Everly asked.
"Yes but grandma was very young and single when I was born in 1990 and it was a very different time," Annie replied, " I was adopted as a newborn only about an hour old. you know my dad as uncle Dan and his ex wife passed a few years ago. Leslie was my mom. Dan and Leslie raised me. I didn't grow up with grandma. I didn't meet her until I was 19."
"Why," Everly asked.
"Because she thought it was best for me at the time to go to Dan and Leslie and be with Uncle Chris and Auntie Jessica," Annie replied, "Jessica passed 20 years ago."
"What happened," Everly asked, "to your sister. Mom you never said you had another sister."
"Jessica was Annie and Chris's sister not mine," Allison replied.
"She had brain cancer and it metastasized to her heart and lungs and I couldn't operate neither could mama, Maggie, Christina or Nathan. There was nothing that could be done," Annie replied, "I miss my little sister. The one I grew up with."
"Can I have a little sister," Everly asked.
"Maybe," Allison laughed, "nee don't put ideas in her head."
"I'm going to get dinner on the stove then go see Heather," Annie replied.
"Thanks for everything Nee," Allison hugged her older sister.
"Always." Annie assured.