The weeks leading up to the trial were too painful to put into words. The sleepless nights. The anxious evenings waiting around for an update, praying to god it was good news. The exhaustion combined with the looming fear of unexpected twists and turns were almost unbearable and if it wasn't for this little girl they all loved so dearly they would have broken down already.

On the morning of the trial Vanessa sat in bed rubbing up and down Lin's shoulders, trying to ease the stress out of them. It was a hopeless task.

"Trust me, that's not gonna work." He said. Vanessa sighed. His neck and shoulders had been tensed up and hurting for the past couple of weeks.

"I swear to god we might need a doctor after this." She replied sarcastically. He chuckled, but more because he felt obliged to than because he felt in the mood for jokes. Their usual joking around had been feeling forced lately. What on earth was there to joke about?

"We should get dressed. My dad will be here in an hour to pick the kids up." He sighed, before getting up. Their kids really didn't need to be around their stressed out parents.

After they were all dressed up and Luis had picked the kids up they went over to Sara's place. They hugged and kissed and held each other, trying to find the courage to get through the day. After a few minutes Camilla arrived too.

"Everything is ready. If we leave now we'll be nice on time. How are we feeling?" She asked. It was a hopeless question. The three adults looked around the room wondering who was going to answer that.

"We're alright." I finally sighed. Camilla nodded. We briefly went through some last minute details before getting in a cab headed towards the courthouse.

Inside everyone nervously stood around in a private room. We got some instructions, but I don't think any of us really listened, the stress was too overwhelming. Camilla would guide us through though, we trusted her. I felt both terrified and exhausted and I could sense myself zoning out just like the last time I was in court.

Before I knew it we were seated and the judge opened the court meeting. Formalities were exchanged and Sara was called up to speak first. Vanessa and I gave her an encouraging smile. She sighed deeply before getting up and walking towards the speaking table.

"Ms. Thomas?" Spoke the judge. "According to my papers you have been here before?"

"Yes, your honor." She answered politely, her voice sounding nervous.

"Were you comfortable with the arrangement made that day?" He continued.

"At that time, yes. I mean I was a bit nervous about it, but everything seemed to be going well."

"Did you ever notice any signs of abuse indicating the unsafe conditions your daughter was in." He did his best to sound supportive, but everyone knew how painful this was for Sara.

"No sir." She said, sounding almost shameful.

He continued to ask her several questions about her relationship with both Evie and Steve. After the judge finished she came to sit next to me and Vanessa again. I was called up next. After all the formalities the judge asked his first question.

"Mister Miranda. You were the first person to find out about the abuse that was taking place, is that correct?"

"Yes sir. Evie told me herself." I answered him.

"Could you share the details of the conversation?"

I sighed, dreading this. I started explaining what happened. After I got through the entire story, I looked over my shoulder and could see Vanessa's encouraging smile. The judge asked some more questions and I answered them as honest as possible. After my testimony came a short break. Sara, Vanessa and I stood together when Camilla approached us.

"How is everyone holding up?" She asked, probably knowing the answer.

"As good as possible I think." Answered Vanessa. We all nodded in agreement. After a few minutes we were called back and the trial continued. They discussed the audio tape of Evie's testimony. Thank god they didn't play the tape, Sara wouldn't have handled that, but everyone had heard the tape beforehand and everyone had a copy of the transcript. We didn't feel the need to read through it, we were there after all, so the 3 papers were stacked up in front of us.

Lastly came Steve's testimony. Sara tensed up as he walked toward the judge, I gently put my hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.

There was no way we would lose this case. Steve didn't have much to say for himself. There was no point in denying what had happened, so he just came up with some sloppy excuses, claiming it was all a misunderstanding and he wanted a more, as he called it "intimate" relationship with his daughter. My stomach turned upside down and I had to hold on to the chair I was sitting on to keep myself from throwing up.

When Steve's testimony finally ended the judge announced another break where he would decide what was going to happen.

After a half hour of anxious waiting we were called back and the judge spoke up. He went through some formalities before getting to what we had been waiting for.

"Ladies and gentlemen the court sentences Steve Johnson to 10 years in prison for child molestation and sexual abuse. Court adjourned."

He banged his gavel on the table and Sara cried out from happiness. I started shaking from adrenaline and couldn't hold the tears back. For years we had lived in the shadow of this man and his actions and now that was finally over.

Sara was finally free from him. Finally.