Page 76 of Forged Forever

All three are dressed impeccably and sit quietly beside Joseph Sr. without greeting him or looking at anyone. I feel bad for them, honestly. Not enough that I don’t think they should pay for taking Jake, but who knows what was really said between the family. If Erin believes I’m the cause of everything, her kids would believe her and want to get their brother to safety, which is away from me. How much should they pay if they were only doing what their stepmother wanted? If they believed they were saving Jake?

“Sentencing will begin with Colette, followed by Joseph and Erin. Colette please stand,” Judge Crombie says.

She stands as her brother takes her right hand in his. “Colette Thompson, you admitted to the abduction of Jake Miller and were a willing participant. The court sentences you to three years in a juvenile detention facility, where you will attend mandatory therapy. You can serve this time in New York, near your family. You have 24 hours before you are required to turn yourself in.”

I watch a tear drop onto Colette’s cheek as she returns to her seat. Her brother gives her a hug as the judge asks him to stand.

“Joseph Thompson, you also admitted to abducting Jake Miller, as well as threatening and drugging him. Because of your age, this court tried you as an adult. With this come harsher penalties. The court sentences you to 10 years in prison with mandatory therapy. Because of your family’s influence in New York, the court will immediately send you to a federal penitentiary in this state.”

Joseph’s face goes white as Colette cries, covering her mouth with her hand to keep quiet. Joseph Sr. places his shaking hands on the top of the table and takes a large inhale. Erin still appears stoic among her distraught family.

“Erin Thompson, please stand,” Judge Crombie says next. I place my arm on Ray’s in support as he goes rigid beside me. Part of me wonders if he’s still in love with her. Either way, this is extremely difficult for him.

“Based on the trial and mental health evaluation, you are remanded to a high security mental health facility in South Carolina for 10 years. By the grace of your son, Jake, you are not being sent to federal prison.”

Erin glances over at Jake as her eyes fill with sadness before she turns back towards the judge.

“I will remind all three of you that you may not contact Jake Miller or Ray Miller from this point forward. Bailiff, please take Erin and Joseph back into custody.”

Both go quietly back through the door as Colette’s cries turn to sobs and Joseph Sr. pulls her to his side and talks quietly with her.

“This court is adjourned.” Judge Crombie hits her gavel and stands to leave the courtroom.

We all stand, and Jake turns towards me. I open my arms as he leans across the wooden barricade to hug me. “Doing okay, handsome?” I whisper in his ear.

“Surprisingly okay, Sum. I feel bad for them.”

“Me too.” I give him one last squeeze and then step back so he can hug Ray. They embrace as Ray releases a shaky breath.

We file out of the courtroom, and the guys congratulate Jake and thank Mr. MacLeod. He leaves us immediately with a smile, having a meeting back at the office.

We decide to meet up after lunch at my house to hang out, so the guys disperse, and Nick offers to take me home so Dad can go to work.

After working on the flower beds, we shower, and I make Nick and me lunch. The guys arrive shortly after, and Bay and E help me in the garden while Seb, Alex, Jake, and Nick lounge around the deck.

It’s a relaxing afternoon where we just chill. Jake told me Ray called his therapist as soon as they got home, and they talked for a few hours, and he seemed better afterwards. Jake also called Cameron, but he's genuinely doing well.

Troy and Dad get the grill going when they come home, and E and I make sides. After dinner, everyone goes home except Jake. Since Ray is at group therapy this evening, Jake stays until later in the evening, and then I drive him home.

Chapter 44

Before we know it, it’s graduation day. The school is having the ceremony outside on Friday afternoon, and Seb and I swung by yesterday to check out the setup. There were chairs inside the track for students and teachers, and a stage was built across from the stands. Fabrics in our school colors adorned the stands and the stage.

We were each given two invitations for family to attend. Since Alex and E only needed one between them, the extras went to Nick, Sue, Sarah, and Jake. I really needed one more, but we couldn’t find another. Ray wasn’t bothered because he would attend Jake’s graduation the following year. Who would've thought that the girl who lost all her family a few years ago would need the most invitations?

The school named Alex valedictorian because he topped our class in marks. No surprise there.

Sue arrived yesterday evening for the big event. We had a nice dinner on the back patio, and I walked her around the gardens.

We all decided to get ready at our homes today with our families. It’s supposed to be scorching today, near 100 degrees with a blue, cloudless sky, so I decided on a simple sundress for underneath my robes and comfortable sandals.

I wake up to streamers and balloons all around the house, including my bedroom, that Dad put up after I went to bed. He’s a very proud papa today and has been snapping pics all morning. After throwing a robe over my pajamas, I find Sue in the kitchen making her famous waffles for breakfast. "Morning, Sue," I smile.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Have a seat for breakfast."

We enjoy a delicious breakfast at the table, and then I load the dishwasher.

A knock at the door has Dad jogging over to answer. Sarah walks inside, looking stunning in a linen dress. She and Dad are absolutely adorable together. It’s the first time I’ve seen them interact, and Dad is grinning non-stop. Sarah is slipping not so secret glances at him as she hugs me and Sue. Sarah's staying the entire weekend here at the house with Dad since the guys and I are going to Alex’s beach house for a few days.