Baby Doll(70)

But he was here, and he was… f*cking perfect. Tiny pink toes. Tiny pink fingers. Those miniature fingernails. Bright gray eyes like Wes’s and a tuft of blond hair. Abby was like a crazy person, crying uncontrollably. They weren’t lying when they said hormones made you spin out of control. She was a mess.

Her mom came by, oohing and aahing over her grandson, but she’d left with Lily and Sky, promising to return in the morning. Abby was secretly relieved when they were gone. She wanted more time alone with her baby.

That wasn’t entirely true. She wanted time alone with Wes and their baby. He hadn’t left her side, and at the moment, he was sitting on the bed beside her, his arm touching hers, as they stared down at their son. She couldn’t believe she’d ever considered giving her baby away. The thought of him being gone for even a second was impossible to consider. The thought of anything ever happening to him was, well, it was the most terrifying thing she could imagine.

“What should we call him?” Wes asked, gently rubbing Abby’s back.

She instinctively leaned into his touch. Her back was aching and the slow, repetitive motion soothed her.

“I was thinking David Joseph. After our fathers.”

Wes stared at the infant, his tiny hands clenched in fists. He gently kissed the baby, as if blessing him.

“David Joseph it is.”

Abby imagined how proud her own father would have been. He’d have marched up and down the halls, telling his colleagues, each nurse and doctor he passed, about his grandson, taking endless photos and posting them for his entire social network to see. He’d have loved being a grandfather. Abby closed her eyes, fighting back the sadness that had washed over her. Wes leaned in closer.

“I want David to have what I didn’t have. I want him to have a family. We can do it, Abby. I know we can. We can move away from all the shit and the pain and the sadness that Rick Hanson caused, and we can be happy.”

David began to wail, as if in agreement. She turned to Wes, staring at him, searching and seeing what she had missed all these years. She had been so blind, ignoring his devotion, his complete and total devotion. He loved her. Why had she never noticed it? He loved her. Abby leaned over and kissed him. It was crazy, but maybe he was right. Maybe they could be happy. I tried everything else, she thought, why the hell not try this?





CHAPTER FORTY


LILY


Let’s hire a f*cking firing squad and call it a day,” Abby said.

Lily gave her sister a stern look. Shut it. Abby didn’t even bother to look contrite. When it came to Rick Hanson, Abby refused to hold her tongue.

They were sitting in District Attorney Elijah Foster’s office, Eve on one side, Abby on the other. Wes had agreed to watch the kids, but Lily was starting to think that was a mistake.

“Abs, give it a rest, and let him speak.”

Frustrated, Abby shifted in her seat but kept her mouth shut.

Elijah was a quiet man with a powerful presence. Almost six foot three with a bald head, he reminded Lily a bit of Mr. Clean. He was actually a former Notre Dame linebacker and All-American. His college playing instilled in him a furious desire to win. But his gentle nature and sweet demeanor calmed Lily every time she met with him. She’d talked a lot with Elijah over the last six months. He said the most important thing was that she know exactly how Rick’s case was progressing. Rick’s lawyers kept filing ridiculous motions. All stalling tactics, Elijah had reassured her, but it meant that the case continued to drag on. But today Elijah had called them to his office because he had big news.

“After a lot of back and forth, Rick Hanson has agreed to forgo a trial and accept a deal of life in prison without parole. He’s accepted the plea, which means a trial isn’t necessary. Even with a great deal of evidence, going to trial has its risks. Not to mention Rick’s cult status and the media’s obsession with this case. But this isn’t my call, Lily. The decision is yours. I’ve already spoken with Bree and Shaina’s families, but I won’t accept his plea unless it’s unanimous.”

“Fuck him. Why is he calling the shots? Doesn’t anybody think it’s weird that he’s finally deciding to take the plea? Why? It doesn’t make sense.”

Lily ignored Abby’s outburst, busy contemplating what it would mean to accept a deal. How it would feel to know that he was locked away for good.

“He’ll never get out, right?” she asked.

“Not until he draws his last breath.”

Lily turned to Eve. “What do you think, Mom?”

“I think you’ve got to do what’s right for you, Lily. We’ll support you, no matter what.”

“I don’t have to testify?” Lily asked. “I won’t have to get up on the stand and talk about what he did to me?”

“No. You can make a victim impact statement at the sentencing if you wish, but it’s not required.”

Lily’s decision was made. “Life in prison is good.”

Abby exhaled loudly, and Lily took her sister’s hand. “It’s good, Abby. He’ll spend the rest of his life in a cage. It’s exactly what he deserves.”

Lily turned back to Elijah.

“What’s next?”

“I’ll meet with Hanson’s lawyer, and we’ll let them know we’ve accepted the deal. Then the judge will schedule the sentencing. Hopefully things will move quickly from there.”