Chapter 32

"Better than when you had your goons drag me in here." Roger said, glaring at Josiah but his tone staying civil.

"That is good." Rossalyn said and looked at Josiah for help since she wasn't sure what to say to her brother.

"We're glad to hear that." Josiah said, leaning forward toward Roger with his elbows braced on his knees and hands clasped around Rossalyn's hand which he had kept, forcing her to lean foward as well. "Tell us what has been going on the last few months with you."

"I've had therapy everyday. I've been left to myself except for the therapy sessions and some time every day to get air outside though it has to be when no one else is out there like I'm some inmate." Roger said bitterly.

"The things you did, what you put your sister, wife and children through required punishment." Josiah said sharply.

"Well have I been punished enough, yet?" Roger demanded just as sharply.

"Sarah isn't quite ready to let you come home, so you're going to be staying here for another 90 days. For that time, you'll be allowed to be out with the other rehab patients. You'll be allowed some visitors, though only approved ones. Sarah and us will be here twice a week for therapy sessions. Though, those sessions will mainly be for Rossalyn and Sarah's benefits. After 90 days, you'll be allowed to leave the center. But whether or not you're allowed to go home to your wife and kids depends on how hard you work in therapy with her." Josiah informed him.

"When can I see them?" Roger's tone instantly lightened and Rossalyn seen hope in his eyes instantly.

"They're going to be here in a few minutes. We told her we'd see you first and if you hadn't changed at least a little, we'd let her know. She didn't want to come, and when we talked her into it, she didn't want to bring the kids, but she decided to against her better judgement." Josiah said.

"I miss them so much." Roger said softly.

Rossalyn's heart ached at the pain she seen in her brother. She had hoped that he felt that way, at least for his wife and kids if not for her. He hadn't seemed happy to see her at all, though she wasn't surprised since he blamed her for getting thrown in there against his will. She hoped that with the news that he'd be seeing his wife and kids for the first time in three months and at least get visitation for therapy sessions twice a week with Sarah would kick him into gear and get him out of the defensive mode he was currently wallowing in. She let out a silent breath of relief.

"We're going to step out and wait for them in the parking lot. We will let her know that you've made some good progress and that we think seeing her and the kids will benefit you a lot. How long she stays is up to her. When she says she is ready to leave, you do not fight her or beg her to stay. If we find out you did, you'll go right back to the way the last 90 days have went." Josiah warned him as he stood from the couch and pulled Rossalyn with him.

"I understand. I just really want to see them. Even if for a minute." Roger said happily and stood as well.

"Good, they'll visit you in the visitation hall. We will see you next week." Josiah said and looked at Rossalyn giving her the chance to say something and when she shook her head, they moved toward the door, but Roger's voice stopped them.

"I'm sorry, Ross." Roger's voice came out a little choked and for the first time ever sounding sincere.

"Just get better. That is all I ask." Rossalyn said then let Josiah lead her from the room.

Josiah and Rossalyn walked out of the rehab center to find Sarah and the kids waiting for them in the first gazeebo they came to. Rossalyn smiled at them as the kids ran out to greet her, almost knocking her over in their excitement to see their aunt. Sarah caught up a few seconds later as Rossalyn and Josiah each took one of the twins up in their arms to hug.

"How is he?" Sarah asked hesitantly, as if she didn't really want to know but needed to know like she needed oxygen.

"He's good. He's doing much better and he really misses you and the kids. I'm not convinced he is ready to come home and do right, but I am convinced he's ready to put the work in that he needs to do to get to that." Rossalyn said gently.

"You think so?" Sarah asked, though she sounded hopeful.

"Yeah, he blames us for his isolation for the last few months. He's been treated much like an inmate, though this is the most luxurious prison I could ever imagine." Josiah said and rolled his eyes.

"Why don't you take the kids in and let them see their father. You are in complete control of how long you stay. He's been informed of the consequences of making a scene if you want to leave quickly." Rossalyn assured her as she set her squirming niece down to the ground.

"I will. Thank you guys." Sarah said then hugged them both before taking the little hands of her kids.

Josiah and Rossalyn turned to watch her lead the kids inside to see their father. It was one of the things that was the hardest about the whole situation. She wanted to just take everything away and make it better but she couldn't. She wanted to be there to be a buffer for them, but she couldn't do that either. She had to let Sarah handle Roger however she seemed fit. It was their marriage and their family, not hers. If, after everything the next few months was done, Sarah didn't want to stay married to Roger, there was nothing Rossalyn could do to change that. Though she could say she did everything she could to try to prevent them splitting up without shoving Roger down Sarah's throat. She was under no disillusionment that Roger hadn't earned a divorce should the time come for it.

"Are you ready to go home?" Josiah asked gently as he watched Rossalyn watching the rehab center long after Sarah had taken the kids inside to see Roger.

"Yes, I don't see any reason to wait here. Hopefully everything will go good and she'll be in there with him for a while." Rossalyn said and took Josiah's hand.

They reached the SUV and climbed inside about the time that Josiah's phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and frowned at the screen before answering in a curt tone. The conversation was short but the way Josiah tensed immediately made Rossalyn nervous.

"Tell them we will be there in a hour and a half. We just left the rehab center." Josiah's tone was clipped and sounded angry.

"What is it?" Rossalyn asked nervously.

"George is asking for a meet at the club." Josiah said as he was shooting texts off to several different people.

"And you're going to meet up with him after he tried to have you killed?" Rossalyn's voice was shrill with shock and anger.

"Oh, honey, he'll be on my terf. We've went back and forth and back again so many times over the years. We've met several times, even went to the same events. He's not stupid enough to come on my terf and openly attempt to assassinate me. He might send someone to try to do it for him, but he wouldn't be present. Courtesy dictates unless I have good reason to not meet him, I give him the meeting." Josiah told her and patted her knee reassuringly.

"Him being a dick is obviously not good enough reason." Rossalyn huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest in irritation.

"Nah, because it would be fair for him to accuse me of the same. I'm really only nice to you and my family. I didn't get my nickname by accident sweetheart. Remember that." Josiah warned her then returned to sending off the texts that would have his men waiting in force at the club for him.