Corey's POV

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I grumbled as I read the latest report from Officer Kline.

"Solnechnyy svet, what's wrong?" Raven asked, placing a kiss on my forehead.

I threw the report on the table, "This." Raven's face darkened as he read the documents.

"Eto der'mo! Kak oni mogut govorit', chto ona zamuzhem za etim ublyudkom? On byl poddelan, zapisi dokazyvayut eto! YA, blyad', ub'yu yego! (This is horseshit! How can they say she is married to that bastard? It was forged, the tapes prove it! I'll fucking kill him!), he raged.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "I'm beginning to think the Academy is behind all of this. Maybe they own the judge in the case or some of the cops?" I was beginning to think this disaster would never end. She'd been devastated to learn about her mother's murder, then seemed to improve at the thought of the wedding, but then we had to postpone because of the forged documents. The courts wouldn't even let her get a divorce until the legal matters had been resolved. So she and the rest of us were caught in a type of limbo.

"We need to tell her," Raven said finally. I nodded and we walked toward the front room. I smiled when I saw Marissa with tinsel in her hair as she threw some at Gabe and Luke. "Malen'kaya shalun'ya, why are you decorating Gabe and Luke?"

She stopped and looked at us innocently, "Um, would you believe the bag exploded?"

Raven chuckled, "Neyt, love."

She crawled over toward us with a bag in her hand, then giggled. I saw the look in her eyes and ducked behind Raven as she threw a handful of silver tinsel at his head. "Now, you're a Yule tree, Bear!" she tittered, rolling on the floor with laughter. He playfully growled and dropped to the floor, tickling her until she begged, "Mercy, mercy, oh damn, gotta pee!" She quickly scurried out of the room as we all laughed.

"I'm guessing you didn't fucking come to help decorate," Gabe said, cleaning up fallen tinsel. I shook my head. "I'll grab the others," he said and left the room.

After a few minutes, the room was filled with our family and Marissa sat in Sean's lap, sipping a cup of cider. "Okay, what now?" she asked bluntly. I stammered. "No one calls a family meeting for good news anymore," she sighed, "It's all drama and stupid police stuff, so don't sugar-coat it, DM."

"The cops claim the marriage is valid and won't go forward," I said, putting the paperwork on the table. She drew in a sharp breath and stared at the pages, but didn't touch them. "Marissa, are you okay?"

Her eyes snapped up. They were cold, closed off. "What is the status of my father's case?"

"He and Chloe have been charged in your mother's death, but no charges have been made in New York concerning your kidnapping or rape," Axel explained.

"When does their trial start?"

"January third," he replied.

"Then I guess we are headed to Texas," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Sweetheart, are you sure that's a good idea?" Sean asked, his hand going to her stomach.

She bristled, "I'm pregnant, not terminally ill, Sean. I need to see this through. I may not be able to get justice for myself, but by the gods, I'll see that my mother gets hers." She looked at all of us, "I need your expertise, gentlemen. I no longer have control of my company, but I do have my name to fall back on. I need to issue a press release about the change of hands at G&R. My clients should be aware that I've been shut out. Then I need to set up shop somewhere else for now. Corey, you need to pull all of the footage from the past eight years at the company - all audio, video, anything. Your contract was with me and Winston. Jackson has no right to those files. Then I want you to lock it down. The only reason they should be opened is for a court order and even that I'll fight unless it helps my case. Owen, I need your family to file suit for breach of contract. You stipulated that I must be involved in the day-to-day of the contract, and now that can't happen. Kota, you need to check all the financials since I've been gone and then double-check them. If you find so much as one penny missing, seek embezzlement charges against the firm unilaterally - that gets both Jackson and my father." She gave her list of requests without even breaking a sweat or raising her voice. I'm a fucking powerdom, but right now I'm intimidated by her.

"Remind me to never piss her off," North told Silas.

"True, but it's hot as hell," he replied.

She threw a pillow at them. "Oh hush, you have nothing to worry about. I'm just sick of being behind in this fucked up game. If the police won't fight for me, then I'll do what I do best and ruin all of them in the courts. If I win any judgments, those can trigger criminal investigations."

"Spitfire, I can talk to my media girl. She's great with press work, we've used her for years, known her longer, right Kota?" he grinned. I was confused and so was the rest of my family, while the Blackbournes just grinned.

"Yeah, I guess it's way past due to introduce them," Kota said with a blush.

Marissa raised her eyebrows, "Please tell me I'm not meeting a long-lost mistress because, at that point, I'm using the knives Bear has hidden in his waistband."

Raven padded his waist, "How did you know?"

She laughed, "The stitching is off near the belt loop, Bear, and the color of the thread is different. Honestly, I'm surprised Gabe missed it."

"I'm not looking at the Russian's fucking belt loops," Gabe groaned. "And Jess isn't an ex, she's Kota's little sister. She lives in Vermont with her wife, Trish. She's done our media work since fucking elementary school before we even wanted media. One time she fucking nailed North. Posted pictures of him in a fucking bright pink tutu when he teased her about her fucked up haircut. It was fucking priceless!"

Marissa let out a giggle-snort, "I want those pictures." North groaned audibly. "Okay, so I'm thinking we need to find a place to rent during the trial. There's no way to know how long we'll be there and I don't like the idea of living out of a suitcase in a hotel. I realize you all still have companies to run and can't be there all the time, but could we figure out a schedule?"

"I can take a leave of absence," Sean said, "I haven't taken my vacation days for about four years. I'll ask Dr. Torres for a referral as well. We'll need to keep up with your prenatal appointments."

"I can come up with a schedule so at least four of us are there all the time, love," Kota said. "Axel, can you get us copies of the police reports from Texas? I think the more prepared we are, the better it is. Not to mention, Marissa will know far better than us what to look for. Corey, we might need copies of all the New York files as well."

"I've already started a file," I said.

"Sean, did the officers get a copy of the tox panel?" Marissa asked.

"Yes, Dr. Torres provided them with everything - photos, blood work, and the rape kit," Sean replied. "Why, what are you thinking, sweetheart?"

"I'm thinking those results need to be forwarded to the Texas prosecuting attorney as well. If we can establish a link between the drugs used on me and my mother, then it creates a connection between Chloe and Jackson. It casts him as a possible suspect in her murder as well. He'll have to surface to defend himself either in person or through an attorney." She laughed, "I can file for a writ of habeas corpus to demand an annulment or divorce and he can be served in court - either in person or through his attorney. Then we wait to see if he responds or defaults. Failure to respond places him in default and I win."

I sat there in awe listening to her. I swear her mind was beautiful. The way she zeroed in on what needed to be done and explained it so that we could understand was amazing.

"Are you ready for all of this to hit the press?" Victor asked her. "I'm not trying to discourage you, but until now, it's stayed mostly in Texas news. If you go public, this will cause a media frenzy and you can't hide the pregnancy much longer. Are you ready for this?"

"Like you said, I can't hide it much longer. Better to get in front of it before the media tries to claim Jackson is the father. Maybe that is the first announcement we should make, is the engagement and my pregnancy?" She said, looking to us for input.

Gabe handed her his laptop, "Jess just sent this. I've been texting her while we talked. Seems you two think the fuck alike because she suggested announcing the engagement and pending birth first as well." He cleared his throat, "The only clarification she needs is who is getting married, um, uh, is it all of us to Marissa or um, well fuck - are we marrying the Toma family as well?"

I hadn't thought about that. Is that something we wanted? I mean, not all of us were interested in each other sexually, were we? "I'm not sure, what does everyone want to do?" I asked.

Marc grinned, "I'm okay with marrying them. I mean, I'm not having sex with all of them, but that doesn't really matter does it?"

"Well, you're having sex with two of us," North laughed, and Marc blushed. "I think, unless anyone is uncomfortable with it, we should make it all fifteen of us. Like Marc said, it isn't about sex, it's about being family."

"Does anyone have any objections to extending the ceremony to all of us exchanging vows?" Axel asked. Heads shook around the room. "Well, that answers that question. What's next?"

Gabe typed away then spoke, "Okay, here's the final copy. If we approve of it, Jess will have it hit the public tonight."

Oil heiress and acclaimed lawyer, Marissa Ryland, the Blackbourne Family (Owen Blackbourne, Dr. Sean Green, Kota Lee, Nathan Griffen, Lucian Taylor, Gabriel Coleman, Victor Morgan, North Taylor, Silas Korba), and the Toma Family (Axel Toma, Corey Henshaw, Raven Ravenstahl, Brandon Henshaw, Marc Wieland) announce their engagement. Ms. Ryland made her relationship with the fourteen men public at her law firm's Halloween party and now wishes to share the good news that they are all officially engaged. Additionally, the families are pleased to announce that Ms. Ryland and Dr. Green are expecting their first child in late May. Wedding details will be released soon.

"It's simple and to the point. I like it," Marissa grinned. "Well, my loves, shall we cause a stir?"

"Fuck yeah," Gabriel said and we all agreed. "Done!" he grinned as he sent our reply to Jess. "She said she'll call tomorrow to talk with you about a press conference for the law firm. She wants to dig and make sure Jackson and your father didn't release any statements."

"Okay, now that all that's settled, I'm pulling the pregnancy craving card. Luke, I need hot chocolate," Marissa said in an exaggerated tone.

"Ris," North groaned.

"North if you say one word, I'll cut you off until after this baby is born. We need hot chocolate and cheesy Christmas movies now," she growled.

He instantly shut his mouth and grabbed the remote to look for movies. Luke burst out laughing, "Be right back, sugar." Not long after, he came back in with Victor helping him carry mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of sugar cookies in various shapes. "Your wish is my command, my love," he said in a horrible British accent that made her giggle.

She made it through almost an entire movie before falling asleep across Raven's lap. I lifted her up in my arms and we headed to our room. Since the attack, she had slept with one or more of us each night. Most nights she had nightmares and would wake in a confused state. Once she had dug and scratched her arms so much that Sean had to bandage them. During her waking hours, she was putting up a great front most of the time, but it all crumbled in her sleep. Victor had caught her reciting the fucking propaganda they'd feed her one night in her sleep. He'd recorded it and played it back for all of us the next day. She'd only done it once more since then. Dr. Torres had set her up with a therapist and she'd been attending sessions twice a week. Despite lots of kissing and cuddling, she hadn't been able to be intimate with any of us since the attack.

I held her while Raven undressed her, then put her into one of his T-shirts. Placing her between us, we climbed under the covers and tried to sleep. I woke to Marissa mumbling in her sleep. "I'm a needy whore," she said under her breath, her chest rising and falling quickly. I tried to gently wake her, and she repeated the phrase as her hands clenched around my arms, her nails digging in hard.

"Marissa," I said, trying to free my arms, but she held on tight. "Marissa, you need to wake up now," I said louder. She whimpered and let go, but didn't wake up. By now, Raven had woken up and was watching her closely. She rolled close to his chest and spoke softly, "Wives obey their husbands. Bad wives stay in the cage." I'd reached over and started recording. "Fater says be a good wife, open wide - just like old times, no, please, no." She began thrashing, pushing her hands out as if trying to push someone away.

"Marissa, wake up now," Raven told her, trying to secure her arms. "You're safe, malen'kaya shalun'ya. He can't hurt you anymore. Wake up now." She gasped and opened her eyes wide, but didn't seem to really see us.

"I'm getting Axel," I told him and quickly ran out of the room. When the two of us returned, my heart broke. Raven had her in his arms as she sobbed, still crying out and screaming, her eyes staring at something we couldn't see. I heard footsteps as the rest came running. I heard Sean whimper next to me. I knew how he felt. We were all worried about her, but also about the stress this was putting on the baby.

We watched as Raven began to rock her, his deep voice filling the room as he sang to her. Her body relaxed and eventually went limp in his embrace, "I know it's hard malen'kaya shalun'ya, but keep fighting. You're so strong, my love," he whispered, still rocking her now sleeping form. Sean and Axel gingerly stepped into the room. Sean checked her pulse as Axel rearranged the pillows she'd thrown around in her struggles, then helped Raven place her in the bed. He looked exhausted and terrified as if one wrong move would break her. I know for my family the fear of her losing the baby was almost all-consuming.

Sean lay next to her, holding her hand while Raven and I lay behind her while Gabe silently turned our floor into a giant palette and everyone began to settle in for the night.  

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