Chapter 222
"Hey there," the new officer greeted Jessica with a smile. I wish this had been the officer than Jake was here for.
Him and the officer exchanged a few pleasantries before they got to talking about the bail, and he took Jessica to where he could pay it. Carla was now fully awake and came over to where I was now standing. She wore a smile.
"Can we kiss through the bars again?? It was kind of iconic," she asked, and I chuckled.
"You're so weird," I replied, leaning down a bit as she got up on her tip toes and closed her lips on mine. I reached out and held her hands as our lips moved, not wanting to risk getting my blood anywhere else on her.
"Okay you two, you lovebirds can officially move that to another location," the officer joked as him and Jessica came back in, and Carla blushed, slightly embarrassed. I felt something in me lift as he unlocked the cell door and let me out. Carla went to hug me, but then realized she'd probably hurt me and stopped short. I pulled her in for a hug anyway.
"Thanks," I said to Jessica, planning on thanking him again later when we weren't still in the station.
"Of course, bro," he replied, shrugging it off.
"What the hell is on your fingers?" I asked, noticing the blue on his nails that my sister obviously painted.
"My new look, do you like it?," He joked, and I laughed a little.
"Okay, so I will give you back your stuff and we can discuss your custody situation a bit, and then I'll send you out," the officer told me, and Jessica's expression fell. He must have just realized that this whole thing jeopardized my custody of Jake and Layla. His eyes locked with mine, wide, but I just turned back to the officer and nodded.
Carla and Jessica left to wait outside the door for me while I got my wallet and everything back.
"So they're your siblings?" He asked me when he pulled out my file. I nodded.
"And your parents..?"
"Dead. I'm their only family," I told him straightforward, and he drew in a breath.
"I'm sorry," he said, and I attempted to shrug it off.
"It's okay."
"No it's not, but it takes a strong person to act like it is. I respect that," he said and finished giving my stuff back. "Listen, I'm confident that you won't be serving any time. You'll have to do some community service and other things I'm sure- but I'm not sure exactly what. You'll be finding out within the next few days," he told me, glancing over my file.
"And what about custody?" I asked, sounding a little more nervous than I thought I would. He looked like he didn't want to meet my eyes as he looked back up at me.
"It's hard to say," he told me, and I let out a shaky breath.
"I can't lose them," I said, and he nodded. Not again..
"They might try and put them in the system, but I'll vouch for you to keep full custody."
"Why?" I asked, not understanding his hospitality.
"Because I find that often times the people that end up in here are the ones that don't really deserve it. You beat up a guy- so what? You know? I mean almost everyone has, you just did it in a public setting. I certainly don't think you should lose your siblings over that," he told me and I stared back at him with gratitude.
"I'd suggest having those tough conversations just incase it doesn't go your way, but don't give up hope or anything," he added, closing my file again and walking to put it away.
"I'm not very good at that," I commented, somewhat lightheartedly.
"I think you're stronger than you think," he looked at my file one more time before putting it in the drawer and shutting it, "Asmodeus Stewart."
"Thank you," was all I could really say as he led me back to the door.
"Of course, and hey- you were great company and all but please never see me again," he smiled, "I get it, some people really do deserve to have their asses handed to them... but don't give them the power to get you in here, take your money, and threaten your family. Alright?" He gave me one more look.
"Alright," I repeated, and walked out.
When the five of us got back in the house, Jake went off to his room before I could say anything to him. I couldn't take the look that had been on his face when he saw me in the cell. It broke my heart. Layla and Carla went into the kitchen, and I turned to Jessica.
"Thank you. Really. I know that was a lot of money and I appreciate it," I told him, and he smiled.
"I am your sugar daddy, remember?" He joked.
"Not anymore, exactly," I reminded him of his homeless situation.
"Well it just so happens that I'm eighty thousand dollars richer than I was earlier today- when I had zero dollars," he said, and I immediately did a double take.
"Are you drunk?" I asked, utterly confused.
"Long story, I'll fill you in later," he said and joined the three of them in the kitchen.
I started walking to the bathroom, but paused to look over at Jake's room. The door was slightly open. With a sigh, I made my way over to it.
He was sitting on the side of his bed,and a single tear had fallen down his face before he looked up at me, eyes wide. I paused.
"Hey buddy," I said, and he kept looking at me. After a few moments, I walked over and sat down on the edge of his bed next to him.