AUTHOR'S POV     

It's the day before the trial of Julian Ramos. Larry and Laurent have done all they can to mentally prepare for this day as it isn't just about the recording, they will also have to see him. Laurent has also been struggling with being so close to him. He tries not to think about it but the closer it gets to the trial day the more it pops up in his mind. He got sick to his stomach when Brunet initially told him and each thought of it brings that same feeling so he has to force his mind to think about something else or do something to take his mind off of it whether it's spending time with the kids or the love of his life. Neither of them have been able to get what detective Brunet said about Ramos being the textbook definition of a psychopath out of their mind and more than likely won't be affected by the trial, particularly when the prosecution is informing the court of just how sinister he is. Being convicted then going to prison for life won't bother him in the least or perhaps the ruling may be a sentence to death for his crime but he won't be affected by that either. To have such lack of remorse is unfathomable...the depth of evil within him is also and therefore justice must prevail. After speaking to Erin, Laurent opted to come home as it was enough being in the same room and sitting across from her listening to her apology then asking for forgiveness. He gets upset as if she actually believes she deserves it. Detective Brunet called him as agreed to inform him of her sentence. Laurent became a bit agitated when he was told that the maximum of five years in prison turned into serving one year in prison and the remaining years on very strict probation. According to the judge, it was her deep remorse that she felt for her callous actions towards Laurent in addition to her spotless record that Brunet mentioned. He became less agitated when he's reminded of his previous statement to detective Brunet in that she will still receive punishment and while he initially wanted her to remain a student during the time of her sexual advances towards him he knows that this will be on her permanent record which will make it extremely difficult for her to become a student at another major university. He doesn't feel bad for his feelings regarding that at all as what she did was reprehensible and she will never understand the magnitude of all he's endured as a result. Now that she's suffering the consequences of her actions he doesn't have to think anything of it any longer and his focus is on more important things...primarily his family and for the last week they've spent time with one another while trying to remain strong as a unit in preparation for tomorrow. When Laurent woke up this morning he had a bad headache and though he had breakfast with his family he told his love that he was going back to the bedroom for rest. It's almost their customary lunch time and while Mama and Larry are in the kitchen preparing their meal Emma is cleaning her room. She makes sure that all of her toys are off the floor and placed in the toy chest. Her stuffed animals are placed on her bed in the order she likes them. She heads for the kitchen and Larry's back is turned when he hears that sweet voice saying, "I'm finished cleaning my room papa" so he turns around...

Larry: *smile* "Oki my love. You can watch cartoons if you want but first will you take your papa some water"?

Emma: *smile* "Yes"! 

Larry chuckles then walks over to the fridge to open it for her. She scans the contents of it before setting her eyes on the bottled water then grabs one...

Larry: "And tell your papa that lunch will be ready soon, oki"?

Emma: "Oki", she replies sweetly. 

She then turns around and the patter of her tiny feet take off for her papas bedroom. Larry then hears mama who's slicing away on some vegetables...

Mama: *smile* "She's a sweet little helper". 

Larry: *smile* "Yeah she is". 

Silence briefly falls before they hear Ayden waking up but he hasn't been sleeping long so Larry figures he just needs to be changed then rocked back to sleep. Emma has arrived at their bedroom and Laurent's eyes are on the TV as he's watching a rerun of a sitcom. He sees Emma out of his peripheral standing at the doorway so he turns to look at her...

Laurent: *smile* "Hi princess". 

Emma: *smile* "Hi papa"!

Laurent: *smile* "Is that water for me"?

Emma: *smile* "Yes"!

Emma then runs forward and now next to the bed she hands him the cold beverage. He sweetly thanks her as he takes it then twists the cap off to take a sip. He belts out a refreshed sigh then looks back at her...

Emma: *smile* "Papa said that lunch will be ready soon". 

Laurent: *smile* "Oki my love". 

Laurent takes another sip but a longer one this time as Emma looks on and when he's done...

Emma: "You feel better papa"?

Laurent: *smile* "Not yet princess but this water will help me". 

Emma smiles as she nods then Laurent gives her another sweet smile before taking another sip. He then tilts his head to the side and rubs his forehead as his headache appears to feel the same to Emma who sweetly asks...

Emma: "Papa? If I draw you a picture, will that help you feel better"?

Laurent: *smile* "A picture from my princess will make papa feel a lot better".  

Emma: *smile* "Yeah"?!

Laurent: *chuckles* "Yeah". 

Emma: *smile* "Papa said I can watch cartoons because I cleaned my room but I'm going to draw your picture so I'll be back, oki"?  

Laurent: *smile* "Oki bebe. I can't wait to see it". 

There's an adorable excitement in Emma's eyes and after her papa told her he can't wait to see it she smiles wider then turns around to bolt out of the room. That gave Laurent another chuckle but also warms his heart as he loves to see her so excited about being able to make her papa's headache go away. Minutes later Larry comes into the room with a bright smile on his face...

Laurent: *smile* "What is it bebe"?

Larry: *smile* "I saw Emma smiling and running to her room. What's that for"?

Laurent: *chuckles* "She asked if drawing a picture will make me feel better so she's excited".  

Larry: *smile* "She's so cute". 

Laurent: *smile* "She is". *pause* "Everything going oki"? 

Larry: "Yeah. Lunch will be ready soon baby". 

Laurent: "Good because the bread you're baking smells amazing". 

Larry: "It's almost done and I'll bring your lunch to you". 

Laurent: "Thank you my love". 

Larry smiles then bends over to drop his mouth to Laurent's lips and after a soft kiss he whispers, "welcome" against them. He raises up then turns around to head for the kitchen but stops to turn back and wink then leaves. Larry arrives at the kitchen just as mama is pulling the bread out of the oven and it's perfection. He goes to check on Emma to let it cool a bit and when he's at her room he stands at the doorway watching their little girl sitting at her small desk as she draws her papa's picture. Emma feels his presence so she looks up...

Emma: *smile* "Hi papa"!

Larry: *smile* "Hey my love. I see you're drawing". 

Emma: *smile* "Yeah! It's for papa". 

Larry: *chuckles* "Well I think it's very sweet that you're making this for him princess".

Emma: "Thank you papa". 

Larry: "Welcome baby. I'll let you finish now". 

Emma happily continues her art and since the freshly baked bread should be cool enough to handle Larry makes his way back to the kitchen. The pasta salad consisting of fresh, crisp vegetables with an adequate amount of a refreshing Italian dressing is ready so Larry begins building Laurent's favorite sandwich. With his plate now on a tray along with a glass of juice he picks it up and begins walking towards the bedroom. He walks past Emma's room and notices she's no longer inside then faintly hears her voice in their bedroom so he smiles and keeps walking ready to see Laurent's reaction to her masterpiece. He arrives at the doorway and she's climbing on the bed so he made it just in time. With that sweet smile she says, "here papa". Laurent gently takes the drawing from her hands and the moment he lays eyes on it he's floored. She drew their home complete with the fenced backyard. She also drew the sun and clouds along with a bird soaring plus colorful flowers blooming from the ground...

Laurent: *smile* "Wow my love. This is amazing and it makes me feel so much better. You're not only my beautiful princess, you're also very talented".   

Emma: *smile* "Thank you papa". 

Laurent: *kisses forehead* "Welcome bebe", he whispers. 

Laurent and Emma eventually feel Larry's presence so they look up. Laurent tells him that he has to see this so Larry pushes forward. Now next to his love and their little love he looks down...

Larry: *smile* "Wow princess. You did such a great job. This is really beautiful". 

Emma: *smile* "Thank you papa". 

Larry: "Welcome my love and I'm going to put it on the wall over the bed so we will always see it". 

Emma: *smile* "Yay"! 

Larry: *chuckles* "Lunch is ready baby and grandmere is making your plate so go to the kitchen, oki"?

Emma: "Yes papa", she replies sweetly. 

Emma gives Laurent a kiss then gets down from the bed to head in Larry's direction where she stops to give him a kiss too and they smiles as they watche her happily take off down the hall. He then turns to his love and places the tray on his lap...

Larry: "Here baby". 

Laurent: "This looks so good. Thank you my love". 

Larry: *smile* "Welcome". *pause* "She's so happy that you love the picture". 

Laurent: *chuckles* "I do and I love to see her happy". 

Larry: *smile* "Me too". *pause* "Well I'm going to have lunch with her. Do you need anything else baby"?

Laurent: "I'm oki bebe. Thank you". 

Larry: "Welcome and I want you to stay in bed so I'll come back to get the tray". 

Laurent smiles and winks so Larry bends down to give him another kiss then leaves him to his eat. During lunch he listens to Emma's adorable chatter like the loving father he is and finds himself smiling all throughout. Now that he's gotten more sleep Ayden is up and he's in his high chair as mama feeds him. Afterward, Emma retreats to the couch to watch cartoons while Larry goes to he and Laurent's bedroom to retrieve the tray. He goes back to spend some time with him as well and was pleased to hear that Laurent's headache has finally subsided. They watched TV together and as much as they wanted to avoid discussing the trial tomorrow their nervousness just wouldn't allow it. They ultimately agree that the recording is out of their control and while it will utterly crush them to hear they also know that the judge won't show any mercy on Ramos. With that, they're able to enjoy the rest of the day with their babies, mama and each other. Laughter is heard and it's always a warm sight to see when Emma and Ayden are together. Smiling and having fun with each other. Evening fell and hours after having dinner it was time to get the kids ready for bed. Laurent is sitting on the floor next to Emma's bed reading her a bedtime story. Upon finishing he slowly closes the book then turns his head to look at her. He smiles and is about to tell her goodnight when she asks...

Emma: "Papa? Is Kaylee having fun in heaven"?

When Emma said, "papa" he was certainly expecting a question. Perhaps about something she heard in the story but he wasn't at all expecting this. He's quiet for nearly a full minute before he can reply and when he does his voice is a bit shaky as he fights to hold back his emotions...

Laurent: "I'm sure she is having a lot of fun princess and she's bringing joy to everyone up there just like she brought joy to all of us".

Emma: "I miss her", she replies softly. 

Laurent: "I know you do bebe. She loved being your sister and you loved being hers". *pause* "If you start to feel sad just remember that it's oki to feel sad because Kaylee is a very special part of you and your papas are always here for you, oki"?

Emma: "Oki". *pause* "I love you papa". 

Laurent: "Oh I love you too princess", he whispers.  

Laurent raises his hand to smooth the top of her hair then gives her a forehead kiss. After sweetly whispering goodnight Emma closes those sweet eyes and Laurent stands up to walk towards the door. He turns back to give her one more adoring look then shuts off the light and leaves her to rest. For a moment all he can do is stand in place as his conversation with Emma about her big sister pulls at his heart strings. He then feels a sting in his eyes so he takes his hands to rub his face in an attempt to pull himself together. He eventually pushes forward and on the way to the bedroom he walks by Ayden's room. He doesn't see Larry rocking him so he knows that Ayden is sound asleep and Larry is in the bedroom waiting for him. It's quiet behind that door which means Larry doesn't care for watching TV as his mind is on being in court in just a matter of hours. The instant he walks inside Larry's head turns in his direction. The sadness behind those gorgeous brown eyes is enough to make Laurent's heart sink. Before he gets ready for bed he walks over to lay next to him. Larry is completely vulnerable as he looks up at his love so Laurent begins a gentle stroke to his cheek. He ultimately whispers that it will be ok and that this is all to get their little girl justice. Laurent then tells him that he's going to get ready for bed but will do so quickly so he can hold him. He's probably never moved faster and Larry is in his arms in no time. They rest in the soft silence and Laurent can feel his loves body relax so soon after they're finally able to get some sleep...

~next day~ 

Larry and Laurent didn't have much of an appetite this morning so they just ate a few pieces of fruit. They agreed to take an Uber as the outcome of the court proceedings is uncertain but what is certain is that it has a high likelihood of leaving them too emotional for either of them to drive home. On the way Larry delicately rested his head on Laurent's shoulder as he felt the sporadic yet gentle kisses from his love on his forehead. They didn't completely alleviate his nerves but just as they always do they brought him comfort. Now they're standing outside of the courtroom and Laurent has sent a text to detective Brunet to tell them they've arrived per their agreement since Brunet told him he would arrive early with the prosecutor. Moments later the doors to the main courtroom fling open and out he walks. He spots them instantly and as he's walking towards them he can feel their nerves even from a distance as well as seeing it in their faces...

Brunet: "Hi guys". 

Laurent: "Hey detective". 

Larry: "Hi". *pause* "We're really nervous". 

Brunet: "I understand but I've been talking to the prosecutor and she seems confident that it's an open and shut case". 

Laurent: "Is Ramos in there"?

Brunet: "Not yet. The guards will be bringing him in any minute and we better get inside too. The trial will be starting very soon". 

Laurent nods then looks over at his love whose eyes are reading hesitancy of going inside. Laurent takes a hold of his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze then they look at Brunet. He assures them again that though it will be hard victory will be won in the end. With that additional assurance Larry takes in a breath and after slowly blowing it out they follow him inside. As expected they see several journalists and cameras in place ready to get exclusive footage of the most talked about trial this city has seen in a while. Their focus shifts and they see the defense attorney as well as the prosecutor sitting at their respective tables so the three of them walk forward and take a seat on the front row. The entire courtroom is so quiet yet they can feel the energy all around. With the journalists, it's an eagerness to get their story. With the prosecutor there's angst as if she's ready to nail this scum to the wall. They pick up the same energy she has with detective Brunet. Suddenly the side door flings open and clad in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs on is Julian Ramos. His curly black hair damaged and oily. His goatee patchy and rough. His eyes void of any remorse and he even appears to be annoyed by the proceedings today even though he's the reason behind it. Larry and Laurent feel an anger rising within them and they're nearly a second away from jumping over the wall that separates the court goers and court officials to attack him for taking their little girl's life. Detective Brunet certainly understands their feelings as he's jacked Ramos up himself...but he lightly raises his hand as if to urge them to remain as calm as they can. The look in their eyes suggests that it isn't easy but they comply. Courtroom protocol is followed which includes standing for the judge then his opening statement. He then asks the defense what her client wishes to plea. The court isn't prepared for the tactic the defense will attempt...

Defense: "Your honor, my client will plead not guilty by reason of diminished capacity...."

As the defense attorney continues to state her case Larry and Laurent are heavily confused about where she's going with this plea so they turn to detective Brunet who explains in a soft voice...

Brunet: "Diminished capacity is a psychological term. It doesn't mean that he was insane but his thought process was 'off' which prevented him from knowing the difference between right and wrong. It's something defense attorneys use to remove premeditation and obtain a conviction for a lesser crime such as manslaughter instead of murder".

Laurent: "That's ridiculous. She can't let them get away with this". 

Brunet is about to respond when they notice that the prosecutor has quickly interjected...

Le Roux: "The prosecution rejects this, your honor. The defendant was more than aware of his actions. From the time he woke up that morning he set out to commit a crime. Therefore, this crime was calculated. He abducted the victim from her school with a fatal intention which happened hours later". 

Defense: "Your honor, the prosecution is grasping at straws and there is no evidence to suggest that the victim died hours after the abduction. This was a moment of compulsion triggered by the physical as well as the emotional factors of my client and that's what prevented him from fully comprehending the nature of his crime. That is the premise of diminished capacity". 

Le Roux: "Your honor, I would like to submit as Exhibit A the autopsy report. The medical examiner always notates an estimated time of death and I would like to draw the court's attention to the large window of time between the abduction and the recorded time of death. This shows that the defendant had the intention of torturing the young victim before taking her life". 

Defense: "I object, your honor. There is no evidence or documentation in any reporting that the child was tortured beforehand. It is pure speculation from counselor and I move to strike that statement from these proceedings". 

*brief pause*

Judge: "I have to agree with the defense. I need evidence presented that proves premeditation". 

Ms. Le Roux immediately turns her head around to connect with detective Brunet who has an inkling as to why. She then turns back to address the judge...

Le Roux: "Your honor, I would like to request a brief recess. I need to confer with the detective on the case". 

Judge: "Very well. This court is recessed for thirty minutes". *slams gavel* 

Detective Brunet promptly stands up as he requests that Larry and Laurent join him. It isn't until they're outside of the courtroom that she pulls him away to speak to only him. Larry and Laurent don't have a good feeling about this and the longer they talk their nerves increase. Eventually he comes back over...

Brunet: "The prosecutor thinks that the defense has a good chance with the diminished capacity argument. The only thing that would sway the judge in agreeing with first degree murder is listening to the recording". 

Larry's head drops in despair as Laurent's eyes close while blowing out a sigh of despair. They were so hoping this wouldn't be necessary...but if it means a life sentence then he wants her to do what's necessary so he slowly opens his eyes then nods at the detective... 

Brunet: "You and your husband can stay out here if you wish and you will still have the chance to give your impact statements afterwards". 

Laurent thinks for a moment then slowly turns to his love who asks...

Larry: "What are you thinking baby"?

Laurent: "I think I need to see his face while he's listening to what he did to her. If it will be too much for you I understand". 

Larry: "No, I'll go with you". 

Laurent gently nods and they join hands again. They look at the detective and nod in sync so Brunet leads the way back inside...

*****

Court is back in session and after Ms. Le Roux enters the recording as Exhibit B every single person in the courtroom hears the gut wrenching confession of this unimaginable crime. Larry and Laurent's emotions are steadily building and understandably it's primarily profound sadness as they are now listening to what they've tried so hard to avoid. They weren't aware of the sick shrine Ramos made for her that included the pictures he took right before he snatched her and when they heard that Larry had to clasp his hand on his mouth to prevent from belting out a cry. Then they hear something that will cut even deeper...

Ramos: "I didn't plan on killing her right away. I was going to keep her locked in the room for a while. I liked the control I had over her but she kept crying for her papas to help her. I was hearing it over and over again. A few times I yelled at her to shut up and she did but it wouldn't last for very long. I got tired of hearing it so I grabbed the duck tape then went to the room. She was sitting on the floor against the wall and when I got closer she started crying for her damn papas again so I cut a piece of tape then bent down to put it over her mouth. That's when she bit me and I went blank with rage".

Larry and Laurent are beside themselves in emotions. The pain of knowing their angel was calling for them is indescribable. Larry not only had a dream that she did but because of the strong bond they had he knew she would. The recording eventually ends and there isn't a person in the courtroom who isn't deeply affected by what they heard. It became more than too much for Larry and Laurent. With his hand still covering his mouth Larry leaps from his seat then makes a dash for the double doors to exit. Laurent's face is also pouring with tears and seconds later he's on his feet and heading for the exit. Detective Brunet, the prosecutor and even the judge are looking in their direction feeling deep sympathy for them. Le Roux and detective Brunet turn around when they hear the solemn voice of the judge...

Judge: "I think this is enough for today. Court will reconvene in two days at noon where victim impact statements will be given". *slams gavel* "Adjourned". 

Detective Brunet is the first out of his seat to bolt for the exit to search for them. He doesn't have to search far and his heart instantly drops because just a short distance away they've embraced each other as the tears they cry are relentless... 

----------------------------- 

A/N: The court proceedings is why this update was later than I anticipated. I knew it would be a struggle to write so I've been pacing myself. Please share your thoughts and I'll reply soon. Love you guys. ❤️