Page 30 of Holly's Valentine Vow

We all stand until the judge is in place, then are directed to sit back down, while Myra and her attorney remain standing. “Myra McAffee, you’ve been charged with hit-and-run, attempted murder, serious bodily injury due to an automobile accident, and fleeing the scene without rendering aid. How do you plead?” the judge asks.

“Guilty, Your Honor,” Myra says, her voice low.

“Mrs. McAfee, after reviewing the police report, as well as all the scene photos and additional information provided by the injured party’s attorney, I find your actions to be heinous and egregious. Furthermore, the fact that you have continually delayed these proceedings due to your unwillingness to own up to your guilt does not weigh in your favor whatsoever. The injured party has lifelong issues related to the damages you caused and as such, while your attorney has requested leniency due to your age and the fact this is your first offense, I cannot in good conscience even consider that at all. Therefore, I’m giving you the maximum sentence of twenty-five years to life, with the possibility of parole after you’ve served at least twenty years.”

Myra starts to splutter in protest, but quickly shuts up at the judge’s glare. He continues and says, “You’ll be transported back to the local jail until you’re moved to prison. It is the hope of thiscourt that during your time there you think about your actions and strive to become a better person. Court is adjourned.” He strikes his gavel on the desk then stands, which has all of us hastily getting to our feet as he leaves through the door behind his bench.

“Well, this first part was kind of sucky, but at least we’re on to a good rest of the day,” Rebel says, which has Myra turning in our direction.

Since I’m standing, it’s impossible to miss the fact that I’m heavily pregnant. Not only that, but Samuel is on one side of me, Rebel is on the other, and Pappy’s next to him. Grammy has the girls out in the hallway since we’re going to another courtroom to finalize the girls’ adoption today as well.

“What in the world? I always knew you were a slut,” Myra hisses as her attorney tries to get her to shut up. “And you,” she continues, glaring at Samuel,” you always did favor her more than your own son!”

Samuel shakes his head in shocked denial and even though I suspect he wants to say something to refute her words, instead he places his hand on my lower back and leans in to whisper, “Let’s go, sweetheart. She’s got nothing to say that I wanna hear.”

“I love you, Samuel, I hope you know that,” I reply. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d race over to Myra and pound her face in for how she’s always treated Samuel, as well as what she did to Rebel. Unfortunately, the further along in this pregnancy I am, the more protective Rebel is, so I doubt I’d even get close enough to spit on her. More’s the pity.

“Yeah, we’ve got two little girls who are waiting outside,” Rebel says. “Then a party at the clubhouse, of course.”

Rolling my eyes, I allow the three men to surround me as we leave the courtroom, Myra’s unhappy shrieks as she fights against being removed ringing in our ears. What just happened can now be relegated to the past; it’s time to look forward to our future.

“Mina and Ruby Barnes, will you two step forward?” the female judge asks.

I watch as Mina and Ruby take their places next to Rebel, who has already answered the few questions Judge Claussen asked him. Each girl grabs one of his hands and I have to swallow back my tears when I see how gentle he is with each of them.

“Mina, I’ve heard Mr. Sherman explain why he wants to adopt you and your sister, Ruby. How do you feel about what he said?” Judge Claussen questions.

Mina, my precocious, impressionable, loving little girl looks at the judge and says, “He’s already our daddy, Mrs. Judge. Me and Ruby love him because he plays with us, and he takes care of us and our mommy. This just means we aren’t illegal anymore.”

Soft laughter surrounds me as I watch the judge hold back her obvious amusement at my daughter’s words. “What about you, Ruby?” she finally manages to ask.

“He gives me piggyback rides and when he had his wheelchair, we got rides then, too,” Ruby admits. “I don’t like being illegal, though. Are you going to fix that for me and my sissy?”

“I think I can do that for both of you young ladies. Now, a lot of what’s on these papers in front of me is a bunch of legal words that most adults don’t understand, but what it means is that from today, you’ll be known as Mina and Ruby Sherman. Congratulations, Mr. Sherman, you have two bouncing little girls to love and take care of!”

I’m sure this isn’t normal courtroom behavior, but the brothers let out a round of cheers as Rebel scoops up both girls in his strong, capable arms, his smile so wide he looks like his face is going to split. Over the noise, the judge motions for quiet and everyone turns their attention back to her.

“It also looks like congratulations are in order for a new baby for you and your wife, Mr. Sherman,” Judge Claussen advises. “May y’all have a long and happy life.”

“We’re having a baby brudder!” Ruby exclaims, clapping her hands. “Me and Mina are gonna help Mama take care of him.”

I shake my head as laughter bubbles out of my mouth and tears flow down my face. “Thank you,” I mouth to the judge, who merely smiles at me. “Girls, are we ready to go party at the clubhouse?” I ask as Rebel makes his way to my side, both girls hanging on him like they’re spider monkeys or something.

I worried when they first started doing that after he was completely cast-free, but he promised he’d never allow them to be hurt, and they’ve been so starved for good affection from a father figure, I finally relented.

“Let’s head out to the clubhouse,” he murmurs against my lips. “Seems the club girls and your grandmother have been in cahoots about some things.”

My brow raises at his words; while the club girls are pretty chill for the most part, I can’t understand in what world my grammy and them would have anything to collaborate over. Guess I’m about to find out.

Rebel

“You and the girls did well, Esther,” I say, my arm going around Holly’s grandmother. When we got here, we found out that today was a dual-purpose party. The first part, of course, was to celebrate Mina and Ruby legally becoming my daughters, but the second part was a baby shower for Holly.

“While I don’t claim to understand why they’d willingly choose their lives, they’re good girls, Rebel,” she says, patting my hand. “Plus, I know Holly doesn’t really have a lot of friends per se thanks to her previous life before you came along. You’ve given her a bigger family and Paul and I couldn’t be more thankful that you decided to approach her in the grocery store.”

“She and the girls are my world,” I reply, my voice husky with emotion. “Before she came along, I had my brothers but little else since my life before was definitely not one to write home about. Now, I have y’all, Samuel, Holly, Mina, Ruby, our little man coming soon,andmy brothers. I’d say it’s been a win-win for both of us, wouldn’t you?”

“Absolutely. Now, I think maybe some of the rest of the boys might find their one, don’t you?” she asks, looking pointedly at where Ash is arguing with one of the waitresses from the club’s bar.

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