Burning It Down, All the Way to Bat Country

Time Elapse: Friday May 28th

Matt’s POV

It was 2:30 in the morning and I was wide awake. Today was the day we found out if Trinity would stay with us or not. As the possibility of losing my daughter raced through my head, I found sleep would be impossible. I snapped my gaze to the door as it opened slowly and Trinity’s head poked through, an apologetic look crossing her face, she obviously thought she had woken me up. I shook my head and motioned for her to come in; she closed the door behind her and padded over to the bed, curling up into my lap under the covers. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as she cuddled in and got comfortable. I knew she was sixteen, but she was my baby girl, and the fact that she could be taken away from me terrified me.

“I’m scared daddy,” she whispered, finally allowing herself to feel the fear that had been threatening to overtake her for the past few weeks. She hadn’t let herself think about it, and besides our appointments with Daniel, she hadn’t spoken of it either. I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back, trying to lull her to sleep,

“I know sweetheart.” I couldn’t promise her that things would be ok, I wouldn’t make a promise that I didn’t know for sure I could keep. All I could was hold her and hope. I pressed a soft kiss to her head again before shifting her off my lap and over to my side, lying down so she could cuddle against me again. I knew she was trying to reassure herself that everything would turn out fine, but she wouldn’t delude herself. I softly rubbed her back and hummed ‘Dear God’, hoping to make her fall asleep. I smiled to myself as I felt her breathing deepen and even out, signaling her fall into dreamland. I finally let my heavy eyelids close, falling into the blessed oblivion of sleep.

I woke up to flash going off and a camera clicking. I cracked open an eye to glare at whoever had the damn evil thing, and was met with the sight of Lynnie grinning like a damn fool, holding something behind her back,
“What the hell Lynn, its only 9:30 in the god damn morning. It’s too fucking early for pictures.” I grumbled, trying to go back to sleep.

“I know that, but we have to be in LA for court by one, and everyone needs to get ready so you need to get up. As for the picture, the father daughter moment was just too damn cute to pass up; you’ll thank me for it later.” She said smugly, skipping out of the room. I groaned and gently dislodged both Steph and Trinity, who had somehow managed to squeeze me in between them, and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom for a shower. Twenty minutes later and I was getting out, wrapping a towel around my hip as I walked into my room to get dressed. I grimaced as I pulled the inconspicuous black garment bag out of my closet. I hated the damn suit that was protected inside. I had told Steph that I didn’t need the protective bag, I wouldn’t mind if the suit got eaten by moths.

All I got in response to my perfectly innocent statement was a glare that would’ve frozen hell. After glaring at the offending object for a good twenty minutes, I quickly got dressed and did my hair, then walked downstairs to find everyone else. We were all going today, and by all, I mean Avenged, Forgotten Memories, Evan, Mitch and the girls. Everyone was dressed up, and Lynnie had even re dyed her hair to its natural deep black color. I smiled as I observed the kids who had become a very large part of my life in a few short weeks. Trinity didn’t see them as friends or band members; they were her brothers and sisters, and I could tell that she was falling in love with Mitch, which honestly scared the shit out of me. I glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall and saw it was almost noon, I can’t believe it took me that long to get ready.

“Alright, is everyone ready to go?” I asked, everyone nodded and stood up, and I noticed Trinity was wearing those flat black boots she loved so much. AS we walked to the car I dropped back to walk with her,
“Why do you like those boots so much?” I asked her as we were getting in the truck.
“Because you picked them out.” She said simply, biting her lip and buckling up. I smiled as I started the truck and began the drive to the courthouse in LA, arriving about forty minutes later. As we walked up to the steps of the courthouse, I thought about what had gone down over the last few weeks. We’d had social workers coming to the house to interview everyone, the huge amount of press, the hours of agonizing over every little detail of the case with Daniel, and the countless hours of stress and worry, it all came down to this day. We would be able to state our case and the judge would make his choice. We walked into the stale courtroom that had been assigned to us and split up, Daniel, Trinity and I going to the table in the front, alongside the Ashlands and their pathetic looking lawyer, while everyone else sat behind us. I felt like I was on a TV show as the Bailiff walked out in his stupid uniform,

“All rise for the honorable Judge Whitmore.”

Trinity’s POV

I was sitting next to my dad in one of the deeply uncomfortable chairs in the courthouse when Daniel called my name,
“I call Trinity Sanders to the witness stand.” I stood up and smoothed my skirt nervously, quickly walking over to the little booth like thing and placing my hand on the Bible,
“Please state your full name for the record.”
“Trinity Rose Sanders.”
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?”
“I do.”
“Please be seated.” I sat down, smoothing my skirt again. Nervous habit I guess. Derek and Jennifer’s greasy lawyer stood up before speaking to me in a nasally voice,

“Alright Ms. Sanders, it says here that you have a signed document that states you are legally allowed to choose your own guardian, is that correct?”
“Yes sir, signed and dated by my birth parents, and witnessed by a third party attorney.”
“Tell us why you feel you would be unsafe in your parent’s home.”

“First of all, Matt Sanders is my parent now, and second, Jennifer was my step mother, my birth mother died when I was ten. My father always blamed me for my mother’s death, and told me so frequently during the years that followed. Derek hit me the first time after he married Jennifer, about four months after the accident. After that, the violence escalated into daily beatings, making me do all the chores, and severe emotional abuse. I was…” I paused and took a deep breath; this part of the story was the hardest to say out loud.

“I was thirteen the first time Derek raped me; and fifteen the last time it happened. I met Matt about 5 months ago, he figured out what was happening with me a few weeks after meeting me and gave me his number and told me to call him if I ever needed help. A few days later Derek and Jennifer gave me a beating that would have killed me if they hadn’t gotten bored of it. They threw the papers at me and left the house, I read them and called Matt, he came and picked me up immediately and took me to his house. The next day we went to the lawyer’s office and got all the adoption paperwork signed, notarized, and filed. I would be unsafe in Derek and Jennifer’s home because I have already been in life threatening danger while in that environment.” I concluded my story with a nod, waiting for the next question. It appeared that he didn’t have one though,
“Thank you your Honor, no further questions.”
“Thank you counsel, Ms. Sanders, you may return to your seat.” The judge said, nodding in my direction. I got up and scurried back to sit with my dad, grabbing his hand for support.

“Do you have proof of the alleged abuse?” The judge directed the question Daniel, who nodded and pulled out a stack of photos and my old, worn out journal.
“We do Your Honor. We would like to present date stamped photographic evidence of the physical abuse, and a journal written by Ms. Sanders documenting the emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of Derek and Jennifer Ashland.” The bailiff came forward and took the photos and notebook, walking them over to the judge. The judge looked at the pictures and read through a few pages of the journal before setting everything before him and looking up.

“Mr. Ashland, as a father, you have failed spectacularly. The fact that you would treat your daughter, your own flesh and blood in such a manner appalls me. I see here that you had a history of violent behavior before you married your first wife, and it appears history is repeating itself. I will not allow an innocent child to be placed within your custody; Trinity Rose Sanders will remain with Matthew Charles Sander. Your son Tyler will also be placed with the closest blood relative as I do not think he is safe in his current place of residence. Furthermore, Derek James Ashland and Jennifer Lynn Ashland will be brought into custody on the charges of child rape, assault and battery, child abuse, and endangering the welfare of a minor. Mr. Sanders, you are free to take your daughter and go, I wish you all the best.” He finished and we all stood with him as he walked through a door behind his little stand thing. I was still in shock as we left the courtroom. We were in the parking lot before I broke out of my trance, practically tackling my dad in a hug, burying my face in his chest,
“Daddy, I get to stay.” He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head, holding me as close as he could.
“I know baby, I know.”