Jessica's POV

I'm i'm the kitchen trying to get Duncan to eat his breakfast and he's decided today of all days to be a little nightmare for me. "Duncan will you please just eat your breakfast. I don't have time for this today" I plead with him. "you have a busy day?" He asks and I nod "extremely busy and very important. So can you eat your breakfast so I can get you ready for daycare?"

"nope" he smirks knocking his bowl of cereals all over the floor. "we should be getting the verdict today" Carson says completely ignoring Duncan. "she could still win" I point out and he shakes his head. "she had no chance. Especially after the evidence you gave" he smiles. "I hate you two" Duncan frowns at Carson "and I hate you too" He smiles at him then turns back to his newspaper "Carson! You can't say that to a baby!" I snap. "well maybe of you spanked him more he wouldn't be such a little brat"

"he's two! he's just going through a phase and I do spank him" I frown. "why don't you go and play with your toys?" I turn to Duncan and he leaves the room and I hear him running up the stairs.

"it's not a phase. He's the spawn of Michael and Ocean that's what it is" he scoffs. "you know your not exactly perfect yourself! Your pretty much sold your own daughter to a peadophile!" I snap in a hushed tone so Duncan doesn't hear. "and you sold her out in court so you can keep her antichrist of a child and to save yourself being homeless" he whispers in neutral tone. I don't say anything knowing he's right. I'm just as bad as he is. I sold out my own daughter for my own personal gain. My thoughts are broken when  Duncan comes back into the room and starts tapping my arm. "what is it sweetie?" I smile. "mommy hates you too" he smiles then turns running out of the room.

I go upstairs and Duncan is sitting on his bedroom floor playing with his Legos and I walk over and sit beside him on the floor and he continues building looking away from me. "Duncan why do you say such mean things?"

"because you let a bad man hurt mommy and took me away from my mommy and daddy"

"that's not what happened. Sweetie I don't know what they told you, but your mommy and daddy aren't the people you think. They've done alot of bad things and your daddy is one of those people that hurt mommy not me"

"your who hurts her... daddy's really sorry for hitting mommy and made things right that's why she still loves him and they put the bad things they did right"

"they told you about that? And daddy actually said he hit mommy?" I asked confused that they tell a two year old such adult things. "they never tell lies or keep secrets"

"everybody keeps secrets and tells lies sometimes" I explain softly. "but they don't lie to hurt people" he mumbles. I'm about to speak and he gets up and walks away before I get the chance.

*

Michael's POV

I'm i'm my bedroom getting ready to go to court and LaToya comes in. "is Ocean gonna be ok today? She doesn't seem right" She says worriedly. "why what did she do?"

"nothing. She's just sitting blankly in the kitchen holding Nevaeh. I tried to go near her and she just tensed up and and she looked terrified"

"it's all this stress of the trial and Jessica and stuff" I sigh sitting on the edge of the bed and she sits beside me. "well the trials almost over. You should be getting the verdict today. So that's one thing" she tries to reassure me. "if she loses this case, it could break her" I croak trying not to get upset "we're all gonna be here no matter what ok? We have to try and stay positive" she smiles through pursed lips pulling me in for a hug.

After my talk with LaToya I go downstairs and Ocean so still in the kitchen, holding Nevaeh tightly. "baby, we have to go soon" I say softly. "I can't. I can't let them near her" she shakes her head. "why don't I stay here with her" LaToya suggests and she shakes her head. "they might get in"

"she'll make sure all the doors and windows are locked so nobody can get in" I reassure her "and I'll call you to let you know she's ok"

"n-no you can't plug anything in while we're gone! they'll see her an know your alone" Ocean stutters "she won't plug anything in, she promises don't you?" I turn to LaToya and she nods "I promise" She's hesitant at first, but I manage to convince her that Nevaeh will be safe while we're gone.

Before we leave Randy pulls me to one side. "our you sure she'll be ok? If the courts see she not good right now..."

"they won't" I cut him off. "she's not gonna have to take the stand today and Kyle said she doesn't have to give anymore evidence. "trust me. I've managed to hide it when it's been way worst than this" I reassure him. "I really hope everything goes right today" he sighs. "it will... Ocean's gonna get her justice today. One way or another"

"what do you mean?" He looks at me confused. "are you ready to go baby?" I smile at Ocean as she walks into the room "what did you mean.. One..."

"c'mon we gotta go" I cut him off again getting ready to leave

******

Ocean's POV

We're at the court house waiting to go inside and my nerves seem to be getting worst by the second. "it's almost time" I hear Kathrine from behind me and I jump quickly turning around. "sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you" she says softly. "it's fine. I was just thinking"

"it's going to be ok" she smiles slightly. I'm about to speak and I see my mother walking in with my dad and Sherri. They glance over at me then turn away. "just ignore them" Michael says coming over to me. "I'm just gonna go to the bathroom" I mutter walking away.

I walk into the restroom and stand and wait and as predicted my mother walks in shortly after "I um.. I spoke to Duncan this morning and he told that Michael admitted to him... "I knew you'd follow me in here" I say coldly cutting her off "there's a whole bunch of people out there, so if your planning on attacking me..."

"why would I do that? So you could tell our social worker that I went crazy and hit you and get our visits taken away... Again?" I shrug. "I know how much you must hate me right now but I didn't come in here to argue or fight with you. I..."

"no you don't" I cut her off " you have no idea!" She's about to speak when the door opens and Michael walks in. "baby, come on we have to go inside now" I take his hand and we go to leave when Michael stops and turns back to my mother. "you know we forgave you for taking DJ?"

"you do?" She looks at him confused "we we're kids and we we're in a really bad place. And in a way we're actually thankful you took care of him and kept him safe" he adds. She's about to speak but I cut her off. "but everything you've done since then.... Keeping him away from us and from his sister. Making are lives a misery and now this and the lies you told.. We can never forgive you for that. And if James wins this case, then you can explain to next little girl he abuses that you were the one that let that disgusting peadophile walk away free... All just to spite your own daughter" she doesn't say anything and Michael and I walk out to join the rest of our family.

********

LaToya's POV

"your such a good little girl!" I smile at Nevaeh as she wipes her bib arcross her face where she dribbled some of her spaghetti. Then she smiles the most adorable smile at me. "I have to admit. Your mommy and daddy makes the most beautiful and well behaved babies" I coo at her picking her up out of her high chair. And take her into the living room.

I hear the front door unlocking. "mamma! Dadda!" Nevaeh squeals as she sees everybody walking into the living room. "hi princess" Joseph smiles at her through pursed lips taking her from me. "where are they?" I ask confused "upstairs" mother sighs then nobody says anything. "how could this have happened" I sigh knowing by the looks on they faces what the verdict was. "they said there's not enough evidence and I they think she's being coaxed into making the story up" Randy explains. "that's ridiculous! Why would she make it up!?" I frown shaking my head in disbelief. "I'm gonna go and talk to them"

"if they don't want to talk about it. don't push them, just let them know you their if they need you" Joseph says and I nod going upstairs.

I go to their room and Ocean is lay on the bed sobbing and Michael is lay behind her with arms wrapped around her "only me" I whisper tapping on the door and Michael looks over and smiles through pursed lips and I go over to them and sit on the end of the bed. "do you wanna talk about it?" I mouth to Michael and he shakes his head slightly. "Nevaeh ate all her lunch. Even wiped her own face with her bib" I tell them changing the topic."she hates mess. I think she gets that from her aunt Toy" Michael chuckles slightly under his breath then turns back to Ocean and she's scratching at her arm with a blank expression "Sssh... Baby, it ok just relax" Michael says softly moving her hand away and she looks at him confused then at her arm seeing a small amount of blood. "I'm sorry" she mumbles as Michael takes a shirt that's on the floor and wipes it across her arm. "it's fine. It's all gone now" he smiles at her. "maybe we should call the doctor" I suggest "I don't need a doctor" Ocean shakes her head. "no, but I'll be taping mittens to your hands if you don't quit scratching" Michael chuckles kissing her forehead and she smiles slightly,

"lunch is ready!" She calls from downstairs and they both get out of bed. Ocean walks out first and I place my hand on Michael's forearm pulling him back. "what the hell was that!?" Frown talking in a hushed tone. "it was nothing, she just got a little agitated is all" Michael shrugs. "scratching your arm until it bleeds isn't a little bit agitated!"

"she didn't mean to make it bleed, she didn't even notice she was doing it?"

"which is a problem" I say sternly. "today was a tough day for her, but give her a few days to relax and calm down from it all and she'll be fine"

****

Jessica's POV

"your foods getting cold" Carson says bringing me from my thoughts. "I'm not hungry" I mumble "it's done now and we can all move on" he shrugs. "before the verdict her and Michael said they forgave me for taking Duncan"

"and you believe them?" Sherri raises an eyebrow at me "it's possible" I shrug "it's possible they were just saying it to make you feel guilty. Which they were. Do you really think they forgive you for taking their kid" Carson scoffs. I don't say anything knowing deep down he's right. After everything I've done and the lies of told of course they wanted me to feel guilty about what I said in court. Not that they had to say those things. I already feel awful about what I said. "they'll get over it" Sherri says bringing me from my thoughts "she's got a new family and a new child now. They'll probably just mope around for a few days then get on with their lives. Just like we have to do" she adds.

****

Joseph's POV

it's getting late and everybody has already gone to bed and I'm sitting on the sofa flicking through the channels not really paying attention. Nobody's really spoken about what happened today. We're all still in shock about the whole thing and I can't imagine what that poor girl is going through and after what Michael told me about Ocean's bi polar, I'm really worried what this is going to do to her health. "Joesph!" Randy says rushing down the stairs. "Michael gone"

"what do you mean he's gone? Gone where?" I frown confused "I don't know. I went into their room to check if they were ok and Ocean was asleep but Michael's gone" he says worriedly and I can sense he's hiding something. "has he said something to you?" He shakes his head and I know by the look on his face he's lying. "if you know where he is then.."

"I don't know I swear. He never told me" he cuts me off "but he's clearly told you something"

"he um.. He said somthing this morning. He said Ocean was gonna get her justice today one way or another. I asked him what..."

"and you wait until the middle of the night when he's already snuck out to tell me!?" I snap on a hushed tone so nobody hears us. "did he give you any kind of clue what he meant by that or where he was gonna go?"

"no.. I'm really sorry" Randy mumbles "I try calling Michael's cell phone and it goes straight to voicemail

****

Mollie's POV

I go round to Franks house and he opens the door with a huge smile on his face. "let me guess.. She lost the case"

"yup! Just came back from Robert's place and he told me they completely broke down and Michael was flipping out in court when they said the verdict. they almost arrested him at one point" I chuckle "which means they'll probably need a little something to cheer them both up pretty soon and a trusted friends shoulder to cry on" he smirks at me. "could you imagine if she would have won?" I roll my eyes at the thought "didn't need too. I always knew she was gonna lose"

"it could have gone either way" I shrug "luckily it went on our favour" I smile."luck had nothing to do with it"

"what do you mean?" I look at him confused "I paid Jury" he shrugs "same way Michael would have lost his case, untill that dumb ass uncle of his went and confessed everything on tape

**********

Joseph's POV

it's now 2am and Michael still isn't back. Randy fell asleep on the sofa waiting for him and I've been wondering around downstairs nervously. I haven't called the police because there's nothing they'd be able to do. He's 20 years old and left the house willingingly.

30 minutes go by and I hear somebody moving around slightly upstairs and I go to see where it's coming from.

I get upstairs and hear the taps running in the bathroom. I knock on the door and a few moments later Michael is comes out. "where the fuck have you been!?" I snap in a hushed tone so nobody hears. "here" he shrugs innocently "where have you been?" I ask again "I just needed some time alone"

"to do what?"

"nothing, just walk around"

"those aren't the clothes you were wearing earlier" I look at him suspiciously "sure they are" he shrugs "I'm gonna go bed it's really late" I'm about to speak when his bedroom door open and Ocean walks out. "what are you doing out here?" She asks Michael, sleepily "nothing, we were just talking. C'mon let's go back to sleep" he smiles at her then goes in his room closing the door behind them.

I go into the bathroom and start looking around, knowing full well Michael wasn't wearing those clothes earlier. I open the cupboard where we keep all the clean towels and after moving them all out of the way I find a sports back hidden right at the back. I open it up and find the clothes Michael was wearing earlier inside and there all covered in blood.