in the middle of starting over

Sophie: She stayed still when the car came to a stop and her dad had to open the door for her but she managed to make her way inside, heading towards the back with her dad right behind her, in search of Brad.

Brad: Brad had talked with Jeff, but even then it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy for him to not be in survival mode. When the door opened, he stood back. He had tried to rush Jamie a couple of times and ended up opening his stitches. But the moment that he saw the red hair he relaxed a little bit but he was still huddled up in the corner. “I thought I could do it.”

Sophie: She moved through the back, hurrying over to Brad when she saw him. "Hey..." She crouched beside him, reaching out. "I know.. it's okay. Come on, we should go, okay?"

Charlie: He hovered in the doorway, glancing out to the restaurant and then back through the back, fiddling with his car keys. "Come on, bud." He said. "Should I pull the car up round the back or can you walk through?"

Brad: Brad knew they weren’t down there and some days he was perfectly fine. Others like today was a bad day and he thought he could handle it. Be his old self because his sister needed him. When she reached for him, he took her hand. “We should.” He agreed with her. “I can walk.”

Charlie: "Alright, come on.." He said gently, turning to lead the way back out through the restaurant.

Sophie: She bit her lip and wrapped her arms around him. "Let's go, okay.."

Brad: Brad wrapped an arm around her. No one understood. They were trying. But Sophie he knew would get it. "Okay.." He held her close to him as they walked out back through the restaurant. Eli just gave him a nod.

Charlie: He unlocked the car and opened the back door as Sophie and Brad came out, so they could climb in.

Sophie: She was grateful that her dad was here and she paused to let Brad get into the car first.

Brad: Brad climbed in, and the moment that Sophie was in the car, he laid his head in her lap. “I’m sorry about this, Mr. Baker.”

Charlie: He got into the car and shook his head, glancing over his shoulder. "Hey, no, it's alright.. no apology necessary."

Sophie: She looked over at him with a soft sigh. She felt bad that today hadn't gone how he'd hoped it might. She brushed her fingers through his hair as the car started moving, her dad heading back towards their house and the safety of her attic.

Brad: Brad also hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep the previous night. Not that he was going to admit that to anyone. Not even Sophie. But she probably knew. Her fingers were comforting and he closed his eyes.

Sophie: She sighed, wishing she could magically make all of this go away. Sophie hated that it was so difficult to just adjust back to life. It didn't seem fair and she was already tired of it. When they car stopped, she got out and reached for Brad's hand. "Come on.."

Charlie: He drove quietly, not really sure anything he could say would be of use anyway. Finally reaching the house again, he cut the engine and got out of the car, fiddling with his keys on the way up to the front door, eyeing the two of them carefully. "Need anything? Drink? Food?" 

Brad: When he felt the car stop he jumped a little bit. But the moment that he heard Sophie’s voice he relaxed some. Feeling her take his hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze and got out with her. Looking over at Charlie for a moment. “Maybe some food. Not a lot cause Sophie and Jocelyn have to eat too..” it was a habit for him to give them the most food. “Sorry..” He apologized after he realized what he said. 

Sophie: She glanced up when Brad spoke, biting her lip slightly and wrapping an arm around him. “I’ll get it dad, it’s fine.”

Charlie: Charlie looked over at Brad when he spoke and it honestly made him feel quite sad. “Don’t be sorry.” He sighed softly, looking over at Sophie. “Okay.” He watched her let go of Brad and move towards the kitchen though he had a feeling Brad wouldn’t want her to leave. “It’s alright. Why don’t you go on upstairs and wait? Have a lie down..”

Brad: Brad’s own arms went around Sophie. He was just used to things being a certain way since being down there. And taking care of them was one of those. Looking over at Charlie once Sophie let him go. He nodded his head a little bit. “Is Joce up there?”

Charlie: He shook his head. "No... she's at Andie's." He told him. She was with the other kids, she'd wanted to go with everyone and Sophie had said she could. "She should be getting dropped back off in about an hour or so."

Sophie: She hurried to grab some food, not wanting to take too long but she also knew she didn't *have* to rush because there wasn't much need to be quick to survive anymore.

Charlie: He nodded. "Yeah, I know.." He didn't think any amount of preparation could probably truly prepare her for the reality of it actually happening. He couldn't imagine having to leave Ruby and the kids without any say in the matter and he felt for her. "I'm really sorry, kiddo." He sighed, briefly wondering if Michael had heard yet. If he cared. "I know it'll feel like such a long time but you'll be back with us before you know it.." He tried to be positive for her.

Emma: Emma didn’t want to leave her family. But she she wasn’t given a choice. At least it was better than life. “I just don’t want to do this but I know I have to.” At this point she didn’t care if Michael heard or not. He wasn’t her father and never would be. “I know, I know. And I’ll be home in time for Christmas..” But still it wasn’t the same.

Charlie: "I know you don't." He sighed, wishing he could make it better for her but he knew he couldn't really do anything. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her close. "Exactly... home for Christmas. You'll be alright, I know it."

Emma: “What if it changes me, dad?” Emma questioned, softly before hugging him back. “I know I just have to focus on that.” She pulled away a moment later. “Thank you for being here and bring them by.”

Charlie: He shook his head. "Hey, no... come on." He tried to soothe her but he knew there was only so much he could do and he didn't know, at the end of the day, what would happen. "Listen, it might... it's a whole other place, a whole different world... but you'll still be you. And maybe you can find yourself again even if it does happen." He sighed softly, kissing the top of her head. "Of course." He smiled at her. "You know I'm here, whenever you need."

Emma: None of them knew what would happen to her in there. Especially with a Victoria and Freya in there with her. “Dad, you don’t know that. I’ve done a lot of stuff. Look what I did to him and I was apart of an underground fight club.” That might be news to Charlie hell her own mother didn’t know. She had lied to them about the random bruises that she had been getting after Imogen and her split and she had first gotten with Nina. “I feel like I don’t even know myself half the time.” She leaned into him now. “I know, dad. I know it’s just you got so much going on with Sophie being back.”

Charlie: "You were part of what?" Charlie gave her a look and then shook his head. "Look... I know what you did. What you did doesn't make you a bad person. I believe that. He was the rotten one. He pushed you to it." He paused. "He deserved it." Charlie didn't always like to say that about people but men like Duncan and Tim got what they deserved. He sighed, his arm around her as she leaned into him. "Come on... that doesn't mean I don't have time for you. Ever." He told her.

Emma: “An underground fight club. Umm—it was after Imogen and a little bit before Nina. I stopped though when she asked me to.” Emma wasn’t going to say where though. Listening to him, she knew he was right. “He deserved worse then me just beating him with a crowbar and my hands.” The redhead continued to lean into him. “I know I just know you have a lot going on.”

Charlie: He gave her a little look but he wasn't mad at her or anything, it was just worrying. Not something you'd want your daughter involved in. "Yeah." He honestly hated what happened to her but he also was grateful in some ways that she wasn't one of the many women who were killed after the fact, like he'd told Ruby many years ago. "Yeah... But I can handle a lot."

Emma: Emma shrugged a little bit. It had helped her in the past when she needed it. "Yeah." Honestly she hated this too but she did get her babies out of it. And she loved them despite them being part of him. "I know but who do you turn to--wait never mind. She has blonde hair, older and was deemed dead for bit." She joked lightly. If Brooke had been there, she probably would have found it funny too.

Charlie: He chuckled. "Yeah. Brooke is a good listener, believe it or not. For a dead woman." He joked. "So is Ruby. Look, I'm okay. I just worry about everything else and right now I'm worried about you." Charlie was also worried about Sophie but he didn't want her to think she was suddenly second best, or had been a replacement while he thought Sophie was dead and was being cast off now she wasn't.

Emma: Emma chuckled a little bit, looking over at him. "I think that is who Immy gets it from." Imogen, she had to see her before she went inside. "It's always good to have a partner that listens. Nina is the same way." Honestly she wouldn't blame Charlie if he just wanted to focus on Sophie. "I love you, dad. But I can totally handle myself." She didn't want him to worry too much about her.

Charlie: He smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah, I think you're right." Imogen did seem like a good listener when a friend needed her. "That's good." He said about Nina. "Hey, when you're back.. we should arrange a dinner." He wanted her to know they were making plans, that she wouldn't be forgotten in there. "I know you can." He told her, chuckling a little because by god did he know that. "But it's kind of my job to worry." He knew he might not technically be her real father but after all the time before they'd found out about Mike, he'd felt like it and he still did, and he wished he hadn't missed out on so many years with her. "I love you too, sweetheart." He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. "You got this."

Emma: "They are good friends to have." And more but she wasn't about to bring that up. "Yeah, Nina is my rock I just worry about her taking on too much. I hired her some help." Hearing her mention a dinner, she nodded her head a little bit. "Yeah, okay. Maybe I can make it. Have you guys over here. "Promise you I'll take care of myself." At least she hoped so. "I know you worry, but I'll be fine." She had to believe that but she was also ready to fight if need be. Michael wasn't her father and never would be. DNA be damned. She leaned into him and nodded her head a little bit. "Right. I do."

Charlie: He hugged her for another few moments and then let go. Charlie stayed a while but then time passed and he had to be off. "Alright, I'm sorry, but I gotta get going." He sighed, turning to get the kids gathered up so he could head out. "Just remember you do got this, kiddo." 

Eric: Eric shook Brendan's hand before placing his hand on the small of Imogen's back. "I'm here if you need to leave at anytime. I've got you." He whispered to her, kissing her head gently.

Brendan: He shook Eric's hand as well. It was what they did, being Matthews men. "Well she seems like she is a friendly. Which is good thing I think." Looking over at Charlie, he gave him a nod. It always seemed like there was tension between them because of Lydia. But they were in each other's lives and not just because of Lydia but because of Josie and Emma.

Elliot: "I'm here." Elliot came up to the group, wrapping an arm around Nina to hug her. "I'm here for support not as a cop today." Which was true, he was there for that. He knew how much his daughter loved her wife and plus Emma was family.

Emma: Emma looked over at Brianne and took her hand gently. "It's going to be okay." She told her softly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Looking over at Steve for a moment. "Yeah, I think we are ready." No matter what today brought, she knew that she did the right thing. Killing him. And she didn't regret that at all and never would.

Steve: Steve nodded his head a little bit. "Okay, so as discussed. We will have our opening statements, Charlie they will probably call you first and then they will call the officers that responded, and then Nina, now they might ask if you believe Emma married you this way you couldn't testify against her, now Imogen they will bring up your past relationship with Emma, why did you guys break up and things like that. They might even bring in Lauren and Noelle. Which brings us to Douglas Hannah, who not only hit Emma but her wife as well, it works in our favor cause he has already confessed the Hale's hired him to take care of their problem. Then that brings us to you Bri, if you are up for it.  And then there is Martin Hale, he was the biggest key in this case cause of his DNA that matches the twins." Steve told all of them as they moved inside. "Emma your statement will be last and I'm going to try everything in my powers to make sure you go home to your family."

Charlie: He nodded, hating to even think of that night because he got so angry and he didn't think it was fair Emma had to relive it... but of course he was going to be here and do what he had to.

Nina: She leaned into Elliot, needing to feel the comfort. She hated this and she hoped that Steve would be able to do it... that Emma would come home.

Brianne: She looked over at Emma, trying for a slight smile. "I hope so." Hopefully Emma was right and it would all be okay. She knew this was harder for Emma but she was having a hard time knowing what she was here for. She listened to Steve as he talked and she nodded. "I can do it." She said.

Emma: Emma leaned into Charlie for a moment before moving to walk with everyone else. Looking over at Brianne. "I believe in you." She told her, before taking Nina's hand again.  "I love you." She told her softly. No matter what happened today, she needed Nina to know that and believe that.  Moving into the courthouse and into the room that the proceeding would be at. Emma took a seat where Steve told her to do so. When they judge came in, they all stood up and then sat down. The judge looked around for a moment after sitting down. "I do not need or want this case to turn into a spectacle. I will have anyone thrown out that causes a scene. We are here to determined the fate of Mrs. Everet-Williamson for the murder of Duncan Hale and rape of Mrs. Everett-Williamson by Duncan Hale. We have Mrs. Emma Everett-Williamson present and Mr. Steve Bates representing her. For the Hales, we have Mrs. Victoria Hale present and Mr. Scott Glass representing her and the family. Opening statements."

Steve: Steve listened to the opening statement by this Scott Glass person, he wasn't sure how good of a lawyer he was because he had never heard of him. But he was a big deal in Liverpool and apparently was friends with the Hale's, which is why he took the case. Considering that they didn't have any money now. Thanks to Brendan. After he was finished, Steve stood up and moved into the center of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, your honor, my client Mrs. Emma Everett-Williamson may not be innocent of these charges against her, she is an outstanding citizen, a protective mother and loving wife. But she acted out of fear and self defense one night. My client didn't act out of malice, she didn't actively seek out Duncan Hale in any way like they want you believe.  My client was afraid that Duncan Hale would attack her again or worse. She was not only protecting herself but her children as well. When the Hale's found out she was pregnant, they sent that man right there." He pointed over to Douglas for a moment. "To either hurt Emma and cause her to lose the babies or kill all three of them. My client, Emma Everett-Williamson was acting out of fear and protection just like any parent would. Thank you." He moved to sit down next to Emma again. They called Charlie up and after the other lawyer was finished, Steve stood up and moved into the center of the room again. "Mr. Baker, can you take us through your day all the way up until finding my client, your daughter in that alleyway."

Charlie: He felt a bit less uncomfortable with eyes on him nowadays, more like himself again, but this was definitely an uncomfortable situation. "Well, I was working. I was supposed to meet her for dinner, with Nina. I would have met her at the centre but she wanted to walk so I waited. She didn't turn up on time. Then more time passed and I thought maybe she's gotten caught up with work or something..or maybe she had lost track of time. So I started walking. I figured I'd meet her coming along the path... I assumed we'd just meet in the middle." He cleared his throat and glanced down, shaking his head. "It had snowed pretty badly, it was dark. I didn't see her. There weren't any lights on at the centre so I turned back again. I heard crying, I think. I don't really remember." He dug his nails into his palm, looking up over the room, finding his gaze on Victoria somehow. "She was lying there in the alley. All roughed up. Some disgusting bas--... someone had clearly hurt her." He turned back to Steve. "I picked her up and I carried her away."

Steve: Steve listened to him. "I see." He glanced over at Emma for a moment, seeing Nina's hand on her shoulder and her own over hers. "When you found Mrs. Everett-Williamson, you took her right into the hospital correct?" He glanced back to Charlie. "And the did the doctors confirm that she had been attacked, and raped by someone? Where you there when she talked to police? If so can you describe how my client was at that time?" He questioned, knowing how hard these questions must be. "I'm sorry, if these questions are rough for you, Mr. Baker. I really am."

Charlie: He shifted uncomfortably, hating to have to relive this so god knows how Emma felt. He nodded. "Yes, I did." He said, crossing his arms. "The doctors did confirm it." It had been quite obvious and he was feeling the anger come back just thinking about it. He was the same when it came to Ruby, this was one thing that just took over him completely with anger. "Yeah, I was there. She was clearly... distressed. In shock. Hurt." Charlie frowned.

Steve: "I would like to bring to the courts attentions exhibits A, B, C and D. Exhibit A is copies Emma Everett-Williamson hospital record from that night." He handed some copies to the judge and juries. "Exhibit B, C, and D are the photos that officers Darren Walker and Bianca Averina took." He glanced over at Charlie. "One last question Mr. Baker, do you think that if Duncan Hale was still alive, he would go after your daughter again?"

Charlie: Charlie looked back at Steve and nodded without hesitation. "I have no doubt in my mind that Duncan Hale would have gone after her again if he was still alive. I believe that he wouldn't ever have stopped."