Page 98 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“So,” Hannah starts after a few minutes of quiet conversation. She hasn’t taken a bite yet, and I can feel the nervous energy radiating off of her. I slip my hand over and squeeze her forearm. Throwing me a grateful smile, she continues. “The baby’s name is Everett.”
Nebula hisses in a breath beside me, but I focus on my sister. She’s blushing so furiously she looks like a strawberry.
“Everett Wilson.”
Foster looks dumbfounded, teary eyes trained on Hannah from across the table. Shepherd nods, somehow expecting this news. “Good.”
“Y-you’re not upset?” Hannah stammers, her brows furrowed. Yeah, that tracks. Her husband was a real asshole, so dealing with genuinely good people is something she will have to get used to.
“No. We’ll get Kaitlin’s name changed too, as soon as the divorce goes through.” Shepherd takes another bite, moving on like he isn’t blowing my sister’s world apart with his acceptance.
“Foster?” She questions, turning her attention to him next.
“Everett was Foster’s brother’s name,” Nebula whispers against my ear. “The one who was killed by anti-designation purists.”
Oh.Oh.
Foster’s chair scrapes against their floor as he shoves to his feet. He rounds the table and slams his lips to my sister’s, kissingher like his life depends on it. It is Hannah’s turn to look shocked when he pulls away. “It’s perfect. I love it, and I love you.”
“Kaity has kisses too?” My niece asks with a pout. We all laugh as Foster presses a sloppy kiss to her forehead, making the little girl giggle.
Hannah smiles down at her plate, still a little lost from how overwhelming all of these changes are for her. She’s in good hands, so I leave her to soak everything in. One day she’ll figure it out and then she can find the happily ever after she deserves.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
One Month Later
Now Playing: Our Love- Coheed and Cambria
The past several weeks of Pastor Montgomery’s trial have been hell on our girl. We were all surprised by how swiftly everything has progressed. With both teams pushing, and the entire world watching, the presiding judge has made this trial a priority.
Omen’s birth father’s legal team has spent the entire ordeal trying to drag her through the mud. They’ve dug into her childhood, trying to make her seem complicit in the church’s vile actions. When that failed, they turned to her fleeing New Hampshire and hiding with the DAU.
Which was foolish. In a trial where the defendant is being charged with crimes against omegas–including the omega being examined–why would you try to defame a witness for escaping the very crime you are saying never occurred in the first place?
“Ready, babygirl?” Nebula asks as Titan steers our car into the parking lot closest to the courthouse. We had to pass the front of the building to get here, and there is already a media circus outside. Frazzled nervousness consumes her bond. “We’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“I know… it’s just a lot. They’ve been deliberating for two days. What if they decide he isn’t guilty?” She chews on her lip as she glances out the window.
Nex smiles, reaching up to free the abused flesh. His thumb caresses her jaw and he leans in so their noses are nearly touching.
“I know. We will deal with that outcome if it happens. I’ve spent so long hoping this day would come, I-I don’t want to have to go back to living in fear.”
“You won’t,” Nebula promises. “You were alone before, but now you have us. No matter what happens when we walk in there, he can’t reach you. Not ever again.”
Titan opens his door and climbs out, stretching before pulling Nexus’ door open too. “Come on, firefly, let’s head over. Together.”
“Okay,” she whispers, slipping her hand into his. I scramble out behind them, taking her other hand in mine. With the four of us surrounding her, she’s protected. She’s whole.
It’s easy to tell which side of the trial the congregating reporters align with based on how they address our girl. The ones calling out to her as Sarah Montgomery are the ones we avoid the most. If they can’t even get her name right, they don’t deserve a second of her time.
Hannah and Shepherd are waiting inside. Foster has stayed at home with Kaitlin and Everett throughout the trial, giving Hannah the opportunity to be here with her sister. She also took to the stand to testify against the Pastor, which showed all of us how deeply she’s been working for the DAU over the years.
“Whatever happens, we can handle it,” Hannah tells Omen, wrapping her in a hug. They walk into the courtroom together, heads held high. They’re the picture of strength, of survival. This is the type of picture I see often in Omen’s collections from protests. If it wasn’t for the ban on photography, I would capture this moment for her. To remind her how badass she can be.
Sitting on the hard wooden bench, we all wait impatiently as they bring the court to order. The judge takes his seat and calls in the jury. I don’t think a single person in this room is breathing as they file in. The presiding juror stands when called upon, opening a sheet of paper.
This is it. The moment of truth.
