The bang of the gavel sent shockwaves throughout the courtroom. Where before there had been anticipatory silence, the final judgement broke the tension. Low excited murmurs filled the air even as the judge rose from his chair and slipped from the room.

The press were having a field day and why wouldn't they? There had been much speculation about what had happened that day in his home. Nick's arsenal of lawyers and PR experts were good, too good. Only limited information had been leaked about the true events during the months preceding the trial. Yet, even his deep pockets had been unable to prevent their presence in the courtroom. They knew everything now and no doubt it would be splashed over every media site within the hour.

Nick spared the vultures a quick glance before shaking his head and refocusing his attention on the only one who mattered. He had been forced to sit away from Betsy for the majority of the proceedings. He could only offer his support from a distance. It had hurt. She had recounted each and every painful detail of her ordeal and lost herself in those nightmares once more and all he had done was watch.

Out of the corner of his eye, Nick registered the police officers hooking an arm under that of the jumpsuit clad woman. They hauled her up on to her feet and marched her back towards the concealed door in the wooden panelling. Nick knew it eventually led down to the court cells. The woman was unmoved by her impending sentence. She hadn't screamed. She hadn't cried. She hadn't even tried to defend herself. All she had done was smile and wave at the press throughout the proceedings. In her broken mind, she was actually enjoying her five minutes of fame. Nick took some small comfort in the fact that those delusions would be broken pretty quickly when she was back within a cell.

Betsy stood at the front of the courtroom. As her attacker was marched past her, she had abruptly stood from her seat. For a second her legs threatened to give out beneath her. Nick watched as she thrust out her hands and clutched on to the desk in front of her for support while her eyes followed every move of the woman who still tormented her sleep.

Forcing his way out of the spectators stand, Nick battled against the current of people leaving the court room. People cursed at his back as he forced his way through but Nick didn't even spare them a glance. He didn't care about their opinions of him. He was focused only on her.

With her hair drawn back into a sleek bun and her body encased in a formal black suit, she looked so different to the woman he had first met. Nick, dare he even admit it to himself, preferred her raggedy jeans and loose top know. She just looked uncomfortable. Her face was drawn and her shoulders were hunched as if weighted down.

As soon as she was close enough, Nick placed a hand on her shoulder. Betsy jumped at the unexpected contact, her body physically jolting aware from the touch. Nick snatched back his hand.

"Don't panic, it's just me." Nick murmured calmly, watching as she closed her eyes and slowly forced her body to release the tension muscle by muscle.

It brought a physical pain in his chest every time she reacted in such a way. It was reflexive. He knew it would take time to heal from the ordeal. The incident hadn't taken much time but the effects would likely be felt for years to come. She may never fully get over it. Still, Nick vowed to himself that he would do everything and everything he could to make sure that she was safe and happy. It was the best that he could do.

Turning her head, Betsy's lips wavered into a shaky smile. "I'm sorry."

"None of that, you have nothing to be sorry for." Nick replied. Then, opening his arms, Nick needed no other words as a moment later she was burrowing into his chest. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she held on to him tightly. Uncaring that some of the press were still very much in the room, Nick closed his eyes and rested his cheek on top of her head.

"It's all over now," Nick soothed.

Her body trembled in his hold at the sound of his voice. He didn't need to see her face to know that she was crying. He could feel the damp patches forming on his shirt as she nuzzled her face into the fabric. She breathed deeply, her body slowly relaxing into his hold as she did so.

Stroking a comforting hand down her back, Nick pressed a kiss to her hair. "You did so well today. I'm so proud of you."

Betsy laughed, pulling away from his chest as she did so. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks were wet from her tears. Yet there was a lightness to her frame which hadn't been there for a while. "Proud of me? I did nothing."

"Don't put yourself down." Nick chastised, using his fingertips to gently dry her cheeks. "You did an amazing job. Not many people have the strength to do what you did today and nothing you say is going to change that."

"Yes, sir." She retorted before reaching out and threading her fingers through his. "Now, can we get out of here? I just want to see the kids."

Nick squeezed her hand in response. "I think we can do that."

**

The pair arrived back at the Davenport Estate nearly two hours later with little fanfare. The press had hounded them as the exited the courthouse all the way to his waiting car. The lights from the cameras had been blinding. The questions screamed at them from every direction were a relentless torrent which only stopped when the car pulled away from the curb. Fortunately Nick's reputation meant none of the press were willing to chase his vehicle through the city. It was a small reprieve but one he would savour.

The car stopped on the drive but neither made an attempt to leave. Reaching across the space between them, Nick pulled Betsy's hand away from her mouth where she had been nibbling on her nails. He squeezed her hand before lifting it and pressing a kiss to the back.

"What are you worrying over? You've already done the hand part."

Betsy sighed and dropped her chin to her chest. "I know I'm being stupid. I know. It's just speaking about it all again today and knowing the truth is out there for everyone to read." Betsy lifted her eyes and stroked her thumb against his. "I can't even explain it. I'm so relieved it's over and she's been put away. Yet a part of me is just waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"There is no other shoe to be dropped." Nick replied before pressing another kiss to her hand. "I can't promise you that nothing bad will ever happen in our lives. As much as I pretend to be in control of everything, there are some things even I cannot predict and control. What I can promise you is that there are a lot of people in the house who love you and want you to be happy. I can also promise you that I love you, right here and right now, and I will do everything I can to make you happy."

Betsy's face, which had been frowning just moments before, smoothed out as a wide smile took its place. Using their joined hands, Betsy pulled him closer and drew him into a sweet chaste kiss. A single kiss that was filled with so much meaning. Nick threaded his fingers into her hair and lingered for as long as he could.

Finally, he broke the kiss but made no attempt to move away. Instead he pressed his forehead to hers. Being this close, he could see every fleck and strand of colour in her eyes. He could watch as emotions flitted across her mind one after the other as they were written so clearly upon her face. He tilted his head a fraction so that his nose brushed against hers.

"Thank you." He murmured, watching as a frown formed between her brows.

"For what?"

"For tripping into my life."

Betsy laughed before kissing his stubble covered chin. "You're such a softie." When Nick opened his mouth to protest, she cupped his cheek with her free hand and stroked her thumb against his skin. "But you're my softie."

Nick turned his head and pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand. "Only yours." He murmured before pulling away. "Let's get inside. Everyone is waiting inside for us."

As if on cue, the Nick's door was opened. His driver held the door open as the pair exited before closing it softly behind them. Nodding his head in thanks, Nick took Betsy's hand. The front door was wrenched open before he could reach the handle. Two small bodies hurtled through the doorway and barrelled straight in them.

Slightly winded from the impact, Nick patted his daughter on the head. Then with a chuckle, he nudged her back towards the door. Nick guided his family back inside. Betsy had been distracted by the excited babble of his son. Yet as soon as she lifted her head she gasped. Nick used their entwined hands to pull her closer to his side even as she blinked back tears at the sight before her.

The entrance hall was filled with people. People who loved and cared for the wonderful woman at his side. Claire, Lee, and their children stood front and centre. Then there were so many others. There was what seemed to be the entire Giannopoulos family, his in-laws, Mrs Reed and her husband. Even Betsy's ex-father in law was there to greet them, his kind face offering her a supportive smile.

"I can't believe you're all here." Betsy choked out, pressing a hand to her lips as she fought back her emotions.

"Of course we're here. We wouldn't be anywhere else." Claire replied, stepping forwards and hugging her sister tightly. She pressed a kiss to Betsy's forehead and stepped back. "We love you, you silly woman."

Several people nodded their agreement causing the woman at his side to choke out a happy sob. Nick squeezed her hand and smiled down at the top of her blonde head. He could see that her composure was quickly slipping away.

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." Nick reassured her, even as she tightened her fingers around his.

"I know I don't. But I want to." Betsy murmured softly, wiping at the tear which had broken free and now rolled down her cheek. She released a shaky breath. "Thank you all so much for being here today and supporting me. When I first met Nick, I never would have imagined that by knowing him I would also gain a group of friends. No - not friends - an extended family. I wasn't in a good place when I first came here. As you know, I had been through some tough times. Today was another of those and I can't even explain how much it means to me that you are here. I feel so very fortunate to know you all."

Markos sniffled and pressed his hand over his heart. "Elizabeth, you're making an old man cry." He declared dramatically earning giggles from the children. He then levelled his kind eyes upon her. "We love you too."

The moment broken, the group began to talk and chatter. The rest of the afternoon was filled with laughter, good food, and great company. The children played. The adults talked. And finally, as evening pressed in, they gathered in the lounge.

Nick leaned back into the padded sofa cushions surrounded by his children and his family. He felt as if he was the truly lucky one. He had been going through the motions for years – focused only on work and providing a future for his children. Now he was living and it was all because of one woman.

Watching as Betsy sprawled on the floor, quickly buried under a pile of Giannopoulos children, Nick knew that she was it. They were still in the dating stage but he knew with certainty that she was the one he wanted. If he had his way, this would just be the first night of many. Nick had never imagined getting remarried but now all he wanted was to show his commitment to the woman who had taken over his life. To show off to the world that she was his and he was hers.

Nick smiled as she glanced over him, feeling his heart skip in response to the emotion in her gaze. The shadows which continued to haunt her had been banished and for the first time he saw only happiness in her eyes.

"Love you," he mouthed, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes took on the special gleam she reserved just for him.

She blew a kiss in response. And then the children called her name and she became distracted with them once more. She glowed as she engaged in the childish games. She was a natural. And though she couldn't carry her own children, Nick knew that no matter which way a child came into her life, she would be an amazing mother. She already was to Tommy and Delilah.

Nick knew Betsy wasn't quite ready for the full commitment. She loved him but she wasn't quite ready for marriage. There was a little bit of fear which held her back. It didn't matter. Nick was happy to wait because she was worth it and so much more. Besides, as soon as she gave the signal that she was ready to take that next step, he would be ready.

After all, the ring tucked safely in his wallet would be there waiting.