Page 30 of Adventures in Spring

“We do. Our department is really small, but I could find a position for you if you want to join us.”

“We’ll definitely have to talk more about this after we take care of my sister’s case.”

“I’ll be here for as long as I’m needed.” Salvatore nods.

“We need to get going to the courthouse. The judge sent a message to everyone. He wants to speak to the twins before we present our cases,” Lorenzo says as he’s looking at his phone.

“Are we all allowed to be in the courtroom?” my dad asks.

“Yes. All of you can be there. In fact I was going to ask everyone to come. Showing that Emiko has such a huge supportive family shows that if she really was abusing the twins, someone would notice.”

“I keep hoping that they’ll give up and drop this. I can’t believe this is where we’re at,” Kentaro says.

“I don’t thinkanyof us can believe it,” our mom says.

We all agree as we help clean up and grab our things to head to the courthouse.

“I also wanted to say that I think some of you should take the stand. Mr. and Mrs. Yamaguchi, Kentaro, Tadashi and Rhett. The judge needs to hear from all of you. I’m going to ask you about when Seth applied for emancipation and how he lived with you. You’ll be able to tell the judge how you felt about all that. The judge needs to know how tight-knit your family is. And how much you embraced Seth.”

* * *

After we check in, we wait for the judge to call Kaito and Miyuki in. Lorenzo has kept his word and he will be in the room with them. The only part I don’t like is that the Summerses’ lawyer will be there too. And they are both allowed to ask the twins questions.

When they’re finally called in, they both give me a hug.

“I love you both so much. Remember. Tell the truth. There’s no need to lie about anything.”

“We will, Mommy. I love you,” Kaito says as he hugs me tighter.

“We will tell the judge the truth, Mommy. I love you,” Miyuki says hugging me.

I watch them walk away and I wipe away the tears that are falling. I hate that the Summerses are putting my babies through this. Who the fuck do they think they are? I can see them sitting with Seth’s two sisters and two brothers.

“Is that their whole family?” Francesco asks me quietly.

“Yes. Seth was the baby.”

“They all look like assholes.”

I snort and turn my head.

“Did you just snort?” Kentaro asks.

“No.”

“Liar.” Tadashi snickers.

I love my brothers, this is how they were when we were kids. Always trying to make me feel better through humor. I miss them so much, but hearing Tadashi say he’s considering moving back? I love that. I love Wintervale, and I don’t want to leave. Unless it’s something that Rhett and I decide together. But I’d never ask him to leave his family.

It feels like we’ve been waiting forever. Finally Lorenzo comes out with the twins and they’re sobbing. They both run to Rhett and he scoops them up in his arms and holds them. It probably should make me sad that they didn’t come to me. But it doesn’t, I love that they find comfort in his arms. Before I can ask them if they’re okay, we all get called into the courtroom.

We all sit down, my family behind Lorenzo and me. We’re sitting at the table together.

“I think we got a good and fair judge. He was very concerned about what the Summerses told the twins. They told him everything. And they told him about losing their dad and how happy they are with Rhett,” Lorenzo whispers to me.

“What about this witness they talked about before?” I ask.

“I still don’t know who it is and they’re being allowed to bring this person in. They said it was for their safety that it’s being kept a secret. But after they’ve been questioned, we’ll have a recess, and I can get some questions together.”

---