It's been a week since we returned home from Miami and my leg has stopped hurting. It aches when I walk too much but climbing stairs to my bedroom and going about my daily routine is something that is no longer hindered.

I put on a plain navy blue dress and a pair of matching flats before quickly straightening my hair. Today the court will announce its final punishment for Hamish and his accomplices, the shooter was also caught two days ago.

Since its Friday, Seb's at school but mom and dad let me stay home for the week. Something that I'm truly grateful for. I don't feel safe enough to leave the house alone just yet. I did go in to court on Wednesday with dad to testify to the claim that the culprits had in fact plans of hurting my father.

Hamish had initially denied this but after my statement he caved and admitted, realizing that he was cornered one way or another.

Mom and dad are waiting for me at the foot of the stairs.

"Bunny, you don't have to come with us." Dad reminds me as I descend the stairs.

"I'll drive myself crazy if I don't." I tell him.

"Let's go then." Dad says and starts towards the front door.

Mom takes my hand and we walk out of the house together. There is our own car and then two big black cars also parked in the circular driveway. I remember heavy security from when I was little and it stopped after a few years but seeing guards in heavy force again, sends shivers down my back.

Mom must've felt my hand shiver because she leans in and kisses my head, "Everything is okay."

I nod as I get into the backseat of the waiting car. Dad gets into the driver's seat and mom next to him. I look out the window as we drive towards the court house. When we finally arrive, thankfully there are no reporters of any sort.

Since everything happened at night and very few people know about it, Aaron Limited's management was able to easily keep it from the press. So, appearance wise this is just like any regular court hearing and nothing to do with one of the richest families in the world.

Dad parks the car and we all step out. Mom and I take the lead as we walk towards the stairs that will lead us into the building. I tug my coat closer to my body as we walk in through the doors. I'm listening to mom and dad talk when my eyes land on another person waiting in the lobby.

"Ben!" I exclaim as I run up to him and throw my arms around his neck.

"Hey." I hear him say, as he tightens his arms around me.

"Thank you for being here." I say as I pull away slightly, my arms still wrapped around his neck and his wrapped around my waist. It's his dad's hearing, after all.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." He smiles and then kisses me.

"Okay." I hear dad say and we sprint apart. Shit.

Dad has his eyebrows raised but mom is smiling.

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron." Ben says, sheepishly.

"Hi Ben." Mom pats his arm as she walks past him.

"Are you two coming?" Dad asks and starts to follow mom but not before he sneakily winks at me.

I groan and bury my face in Ben's shoulder. Ben takes my hand and leads me towards the courtroom where mom and dad went in. The lawyers are already there before us and so is the rest of the legal team. Once we're seated, the guilty are brought in.

I feel Ben tense next to me when Hamish walks in. I reach out and place a hand on his leg to let him know that I'm right here and he does the same for me. We take comfort in each other's presence as I hear my captor get sentenced to twenty years in prison and Ben hears his father's punishment.

When the judge announces the end of the session, I look to Ben to find him staring straight ahead at his father who is being led out of the room but a Police officer.

"Ben." I whisper, rubbing his arm.

He shakes his head as if he's pulling himself out of a stance, "I shouldn't feel sorry for him."

"It's okay. He's still your father." I say.

Ben scoffs, "Yeah, some father. Kidnapper would be more accurate."

I wrap an arm around his and rest my head on his shoulder as we watch the courtroom empty and dad talks to his lawyers at the front of the room. Suddenly, there's another pair of arms wrapped around the two us.

"Ben, come home for lunch with us?" Mom says, letting go and sitting down next to me.

"Please." I look at Ben just as he looks at me and then looks to mom, "Sure. Thank you."

Mom smiles and pats his arm before getting up when I ask, "Mom, is it okay if I ride with Ben?"

She thinks about it for a second and then nods. "But you'll still have one security car tailing you."

"That's alright." I say and she leaves to inform dad.

Once everything has been sorted out, we all leave for home together. Mom and dad in their car and I ride with Ben. Sebastian is waiting for us at home. We catch him up while lunch is laid out and then mom and dad join us.

"Ready for the game tomorrow?" Seb looks at Ben.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Ben nods.

"What game?" I ask.

"Hello! Earth to Hazel." Seb waves his hand at me as Ben adds, "Tomorrow's the soccer final between Rushmore and Westbridge."

"For real?!" I exclaim, "How did I forget?!"

"Well, you haven't exactly had the most conventional last week." Mom reminds me and I laugh in spite of myself. "True."

"Is it a home game?" I ask, looking at the boys.

"Yup." Ben nods.

"Oh my gosh!" I squeal, clapping my hands and the falter, "Wait, today must've been the final practice. Ben did you skip practice to be at court?"

He looks up from his plate, "Two hours really aren't going to do anything for my game."

"I second that." Sebastian adds.

I sigh and look at my boyfriend. I want to kiss him but I've already displayed enough PDA in front of mom and dad for one day so I hold myself back.

After lunch, mom and dad leave for their offices and Sebastian heads out to meet his teammates for ice-cream. I insist that Ben go too but he refuses to budge on his decision to stay with me. I am guilty of feeling relieved when he does indeed stay back.

I go to my bathroom to change into something more comfortable and when I walk back into my room, I find Ben sprawled across my bed. Unable to hold myself in check any longer, I climb onto his lap and straddle his waist as I lean down and kiss him.

I feel his hands move into my hair just as mine move into his. My hands move to the hem of his shirt and before I realize it, I've tugged it over his head. I pull away from him shocked at my actions as my eyes move down to his strong body. His stomach and chest are proof of his athletic background. I meet his eyes again as I feel my cheeks warm.

He sits up with me still in his lap and gently kisses me. I close my eyes and touch my forehead to his as we both catch our breath.

Soccer match chapter is next! :)

-T