A mistake repeated more than once is a decision.

- Paulo Coelho.

-Maggie-

"We find the defendant, guilty." I opened my eyes and shot my head up, a huge weight lifting off my shoulders. Luke turned to me and grinned. "We did it baby. We won." I let out a relieved laugh as the room filled with whispers. Judge Hansen hit her gavel twice to silence the room, speaking with the lady who made the announcement quietly. As they separated Judge Hansen cleared her throat.

"Mr. Tarrant. You will be sent to jail with a lifetime sentence, no parole, for the rape of ten victims and the cause of two of those victim's death. Your verdict has been given, and now this trial is officially dismissed. Good day, everyone." She hit her gavel once more before standing up and leaving. The security guards handcuffed Walter Tarrant, taking him away. We all stood up and I instantly hugged Luke, tears already spilling out of my eyes. "Luke we actually won." I said, stating the obvious.

He laughed and pulled away just a bit to look at me. "I told you we would. And not just that instead of ten years he got a lifetime sentence with no parole. Now you'll definitely be safe." I nodded just as Sarah pulled me from him to give me a hug.

"Maggie I'm so happy right now." She stated. I laughed and hugged her tightly. "You've been the best sister ever Sarah. God I love you so much." She pulled away and wiped away her own tears. "I love you too. Now go get your baby. Mom and dad are only going to let you hold him just this once, but you have to cradle him, not balance him on your hip." I nodded my head and walked to mom and dad, giving the, a bright smile.

"Oh my baby." Mom pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back. "I'm so proud of you for going up there honey. You did good." Dad did the same, telling me he loved me and me telling him I loved him too. Unfortunately Graham was asleep in his stroller, so I couldn't grab him right now, but I opted for Luke's parents, giving them each a hug. "Congratulations Maggie, we're really happy for you sweetheart." Hannah said.

"Your family is invited for dinner tonight to celebrate. We can all hang out for the first time while we're at it and get to know each other." Thomas chimed in. I smiled and nodded my head. "We would love that, thank you for being here. I really appreciate it." I told them. Finally, I went up to Jordan. "Jordan, thank you so much. If it weren't for you we probably wouldn't have won this trial." I said. He smiled and gave me a side hug.

"Hey, don't worry about it kiddo, I'm glad everything turned out the way it should've. Besides, this was my way of showing I'm grateful for you dating my nephew. I actually testified against Thalia's dad on her behalf when she died, knowing he was the main reason she took her life. Unfortunately, we didn't win the case then and it really put Luke down. You've cheered him up though somehow and I respect for that." I smiled and looked at Luke as he talked with Miranda and Sarah. "He's done the same for me. I have no idea what I did to deserve someone as great as him." Jordan shrugged and grabbed his suitcase.

"That's the thing main thing people wonder when they're in love. Now, let's go celebrate. I'm hungry." I laughed as we walked of to join the group, a smile lingering on my lips as Jordan's words made me realize something. I'm in love with Lucas Banfield.

***

As Luke and I drove to his house, following his parents and mine on the way, he held my hand in one of his.

"Hey, so my grandma bought me a plane ticket to go visit her, one extra to bring someone. How would you like to go to England for a whole week of Spring break?" He asked. I smiled and turned my attention from the window to him.

"That sounds perfect. I'd have to ask my parents first though. Would she mind if I bring Graham?" I asked. Luke shook his head. "Of course not. She loves babies. You'll love her. I just apologize in advance if she says anything inappropriate. Grandma is very blunt I guess you could say." I let out a laugh.

"Sounds like she could be best friends with Sarah." Luke groaned and shook his head.

"I pray to God that those two never meet. They'd be like Key and Peele." We both laughed at that, somehow agreeing.

Dinner went great, we all laughed and shared moments together. Sarah managed to forgive Saskia and they had a lot in common as well with Miranda so that's a new friendship to ready to begin. My parents really hit it off with Hannah, Thomas and Jordan which was good. And I got to hold Graham on my lap the whole time. Eventually it was time for dessert. "Jordan, could you go get the cake and some plates please?" Hannah asked. He nodded and stood up. "Of course."

Sarah stood up as well. "Oh, I'll help. It'd be bad if you balance those two things at once. You could drop the cake and ruin the whole night." She joked. Jordan rolled his eyes and smirked. "Yeah whatever. I made this celebration happen, I can't ruin it." He told her. Sarah shrugged as they walked to the kitchen. "Touché." Luke looked at me and leaned in to whisper in my ear as everyone continued their conversations.

"I bet they'll date one day." He said. I widened my eyes and looked at him. "Sarah and Jordan?" Luke nodded and I shook my head.

"No way. I don't think Sarah likes age gaps. Besides, Jordan is always going with the law. Sarah is underage so he wouldn't even think twice about it." I reasoned. Although Luke sort of had a point, they were hitting it off and I'll admit it, they would be a cute couple. Not that I'd say it out loud though.

"She'll turn eighteen soon though. As for the age gap thing, they're only five years apart. It's not that bad." I laughed and looked at him.

"Okay, let's make a deal. If five years from now or they aren't dating, I win. If they do start dating in five years, or less, you win. Winner gets to have a full day doing whatever they want." Luke nodded his head. "We have a deal Brown."

"Let's see who wins Banfield." As if on cue, Sarah and Jordan came with the plates and the cake, getting ready to serve it. I smiled as I looked at everyone smiling and talking, debating on who gets the biggest piece of chocolate cake. It was nice to see them having a good time.

*******

Dinner ended eventually and now Luke and I are standing by my car at the school parking lot so I could drive home. "I don't know why I couldn't just drive you home and drive with you to school tomorrow morning. You shouldn't be driving alone at this time." Luke said. I rolled my eyes, looping my arms around his neck as we hugged each other. "I'll be fine. I live close by and if anything happens you'll be the first I'll call. I really got to go though. I have to be home before eleven since it's a school night." I said. Luke nodded his head. "Same here. I don't want to let you go yet though."

I smiled and decided to tease him, faking a frown. "Hmm, I never knew you were the clingy type. It sort of makes you less appealing Luke." He quirked an eyebrow and leaned forward, kissing me before I had a chance to react. Once again I found myself kissing him back, savoring the moment. "It doesn't seem like I'm less appealing." He said once we pulled away. I hit his chest and laughed. "You did that on purpose, I hate you." He shook his head.

"No way. You love me." I found myself nodding my head with my eyes closed as I rested my head on his chest. "I do." I whispered. For some reason I wasn't afraid that he heard me. It was the truth and I felt comfortable saying it. Luke tightened his arms around me and kissed my forehead. "I love you too Maggie." And just like that I felt like nothing could make this night any better. With one more kiss, we separated our ways and I drove home with a huge smile on my face. When I got home all the lights were off, so I tip-toed upstairs after locking the door and checked in on Graham before I started to get ready for bed. He slept peacefully in his crib and I smiled.

My life wasn't perfect, but with everyone that I love supporting me right now it sure seemed like it. And now that we won the trial, I know I'll be able to start a completely different story with a certain someone. A new start with plenty more chapters to fill.

Sarah was right, my life sort of is like those in books. I got my happy ending.

*********