"Mommy I don't want you to" Elise whined, her head on a pillow, her legs dangling off the side of the bed. She'd been moping around for the last half an hour as Lexie tried to get ready to leave but this was the first time she'd said a word.

Lexie stopped riffling through her clothes and walked over to the bed clad. "Elise"

Elise lifted her head and she saw the pout on her lips.

"Hey, what's that face for?"

"I don't want you to" She mumbled again.

"You don't want me to what?" Lexie knelt on the floor and held Elise's hands.

"I don't want you and Daddy to go" She frowned, looking at the floor.

Lexie smiled softly. "Baby we'll be back by evening"

"But what if you're not?" She asked theoretically.

"We will be. I promise. We'll be back to tuck you up in bed"

Elise didn't look at all convinced. "Where're you going? Why can't I come?"

Lexie exhaled heavily and tugged the child onto her lap. "We're going to court"

"What's court?" Elise fiddled contemplatively with Lexie's necklace.

"It's where you go to sort out all sorts of things. Like if someone does something bad and they broke the law they have to go to court and the judge decides what their punishment should be" Lexie attempted to describe it in a way that Elise could understand.

"I didn't have to go to court when I drew on the wall when I was little"

Lexie smiled and threaded her fingers through Elise's hair. "No because that's not serious sweetie"

"Did you and Daddy do something really bad?"

"No baby-"

"My classmate's mom and dad went to court because they're getting a divorce. Are you getting a divorce?" Her eyes grew big and Lexie quickly shook her head.

"Of course not. Elise, me and your Dad will never, ever get a divorce" Lexie promised.

"Never" Mark's voice echoed from the doorway, he crossed the room and sat down on the floor next to his wife and child and smiled.

"Why do you have to go to court then?" Elise interrupted, still confused.

"Well" Mark's eyes trailed back to the inquisitive pair of eyes looking up at him. "Because someone that did something bad has to go to jail and me and mommy have to go and tell the judge what we know"

"The bad man that hurt mommy?"

"That's right" They tried to keep Elise in the dark but she was far from naive. "We want him to go to jail"

"I want him to go to jail forever and ever"

"And I'm going to make sure that happens" Mark promised.

"And we'll be back by evening and you can spend the day with Harriet. She's coming over today right? Wouldn't you like that?" Lexie coaxed. Elise nodded hesitantly.

"You promise?"

"I promise we'll be back" Lexie vowed, leaving a lingering kiss on her daughter's small head. "Now go downstairs and check if your brother isn't driving Nanny Jill mad"

Elise nodded more surely this time and scrambled from Lexie's lap.

"Hey, where's my kiss?" Mark stuck his lip out and gestured to his cheek and a wide smile formed on Elise's face and she laughed.

"Sorry Daddy" She kissed him quickly. "I love you" she announced before hurrying out of the room.

"You think she'll be okay?"

"Of course" Mark said positively.

Lexie nodded "I better get some clothes on" She shifted to get up.

"Hey" Mark complained and poked his cheek as he'd done with Elise.

She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically but slouched over and pressed her lips to where his finger had just been.

"How're you holding up?" He asked seriously.

She tilted her head to the side and shrugged a shoulder. "I'm okay. It's just weird, seeing all of those pictures on the papers"

Of all the days, today was the day that the images of David Hall's fortress, Lexie's prison had been printed. Police had found the location with the help of Frank Sommers. Lexie had already looked at the investigators photographs to confirm. She also knew that they'd found Sally's body buried in the woodland backing off of the plot of land. Seeing the bold, unsparing black and white images of the grave staring off of the news sheets did nothing to quench her turning stomach. She felt relief. She did. She felt that she could let go, to be at peace with the knowledge that Sally had now had a proper funeral with her immediate family, in her home town.

"You know you don't have to go?"

"I do have to" She stated absolutely.

He understood and he kind of loved the determination that was quick to fill her eyes.

"I'm scared though" She suddenly confided. "Grace says I should tell you when I'm scared"

Mark's hand tentatively tucking her hair behind her ear.

She'd been seeing someone, Grace Miller, a therapist, for almost two months now. It had been her decision completely. Yes, Mark had mentioned it several times but one day she just announced out of nowhere that she was going to see someone, or shrink (as Lexie so fondly referred to her). She was the best there was, Mark thought so anyhow, he so frequently thought of her as God sent, he was constantly noticing Lexie doing and saying things that just twelve weeks ago he'd never have been able to comprehend her doing again.

"I know" He held her hands in his. "But you don't need to be. After today it's over and you're not going to be alone Lex. I'm not going anywhere, Derek and Meredith, even your little sister Molly, they'll all gonna be there"

"I'm not sure I want them there"

"I know you think that now, but, they're your family, they're supporting you. You need them there"

She knew he was right.

"I just want today to be over"

"It will be soon"

"I should get dressed"

His hands lightly held her hips. "I didn't get my kiss yet" His childish pout returned, putting a little amused smile on her face. She indulged him, thankful for his sneaky distraction. She was no longer thinking about what would happen today, even if it was for just a moment. She pressed her lips to his. They'd been doing this more lately. It was natural, it was slowly returning to how it use to be. It wasn't awkward and she was constantly amazed by how much she enjoyed doing these things, she craved it, she craved him.

"Can I get dress now?" She murmured, her brow kinked.

"I don't know, I'm kinda liking this look" He ran his hands up her sides and she looked down at herself judgmentally.

"You do?" She challenged insecurely.

"I do" He blatantly let his gaze run down her. Her ribs no longer jutted out, she'd returned to a normal healthy weight and she was glowing, she really was. He swallowed thickly "You're so beautiful" He muttered adoringly and she smiled because she felt it when he looked at her like that.

She kissed him again, kissed him until he pulled away panting.

"Okay, you- you have to get dressed, otherwise I'm not going to be able to stop"

She bit her lip, blushing. "Okay" She ruffled his hair. "We'll finish this later" She whispered hesitantly. His head jerked up in surprise and he was quick to note her smiling face.

Happy definitely looked good on her.

She looked right back for a lingering moment, observing his grin.

Happy definitely looked good on him.

Meredith persistently ran her hand down the length of her slacks, ensuring there were no creases. She was restless. Derek actively took her unsettled fingers in his hand. "Stop fussing Mer" He knew she didn't care what she looked like. He knew she wasn't being vain, that she was simply anxious but her movements were only working in agitating Molly.

"Do you think I should call them?" Molly asked in concern.

"They'll be here any minute"

Indeed, a moment later there was a commotion out front of the court house.

All three heads peered down the steps to the grand foyer.

Flashes from the unrelenting cameras blinked furiously and then the doors opened and there was a hum of shouting voices.

Mark and Lexie emerged through the sea of people and then the doors were closed once more, the merciless media locked out.

The married couple took a moment to recover from the onslaught before progressing up the steps to be greeted by three familiar faces.

Mark was right. She did need them here.

Mer slid her hand into hers. "You ready to do this Lexie?"

Lexie answered with a little smile.

"That smile looks good on you" Molly amended.

"It feels good. I'm glad you're here"

"I wouldn't be anywhere else, I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me the most" Lexie hug her little sister.

"It's okay Molly. I understand. What's important is you're here now" Lexie assured her.

Lexie realized that she wouldn't have to live in the past. That was one thing she'd learned pretty quick. What was done was done and couldn't be changed, but the future, the future was theirs.

"Er, excuse me" Another man's presence suddenly harvested all of their attention. "I'm, I-"

"No, we're not interested" Mark cut off shortly, flinging a protective arm in front of Lexie .

"But-"

"I said-"

"Mark" Lexie rested her hand on his chest, stopping him from shouting. They'd been approached more than a few times outside being asked most personal questions by the media and Mark had had enough. But this man was different, Lexie could see that.

"I'm sorry, I know today's difficult but I-I"

"Who are you?" Mark asked with a sigh.

"I'm Robert. You're Lexie right? You're the last person to see my mother?"

Mark's hardened eyes filled with sympathy and Lexie just nodded glumly.

This man had Sally's eyes, Sally's kind eyes and Lexie's fingers unconsciously clutched at Mark's suit.

Mark rubbed her back, his eyes not leaving the man. "I'm sorry, we've been hassled since we got here. I, I didn't mean to snap"

"I completely understand"

"I'm so, so sorry" Lexie blurted suddenly.

Robert shook his head kindly. "Please don't apologize, I know none of this is your fault. I'm so sorry for everything you've been through"

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your mom. She, she delivered our son, she looked after me and..." Lexie trailed off. "She was wonderful and I.." Mark held her tighter as her voice became more hoarse.

"Lexie you don't have to talk about this, not here" He said gently.

"You don't" Robert agreed.

"I want to. She, she promised me she would get me out of there and she did. She gave me Nathan and she gave me strength"

Robert smiled tearfully, sincerely touched. "I didn't want to upset you, I know you've been through so much I just, I wanted to know, I need to know- Was, was it quick? Did she suffer?" It was something that had plagued him.

Lexie swallowed. "She didn't suffer" She'd been so thankful that it had been quick. It had been perhaps more traumatic for her, to loose her so quickly but she was thankful that Sally hadn't suffered.

Lexie slipped from Mark's arms and stepped forward, abruptly hugging the man. "I'm sorry"

Startled, Robert didn't immediately respond, but slowly let his arms slide round her slight frame.

"Thank you. I'm glad she had someone with her"

Lexie pulled back and awkwardly reached around her neck, unfastening her necklace and holding out the locket. "This was Sally's"

Robert studied the silver pendent and smiled at the familiar object. "She used to wear this all the time" He noted, fingering the shiny surface. "You should keep it" He said suddenly, forcing it back into her hand.

"No" Lexie shook her head adamantly. "It's yours"

"She would've wanted you to have it. Please"

Lexie smiled, a small appreciative smile. "Thank you"

"She's with us today. I know it. She'll be in there with you. You're gonna be okay" Robert stated positively.

"You okay?" Mark questioned.

"Uhuh. Can, can we go in now?"

Meredith nodded assertively, leading the way.

Lexie wasn't scared, not anymore.

David Hall stood before a full court.

He was beyond outraged. He couldn't believe things had gone this far. He couldn't believe that these people were all so delusional, that they couldn't see his perspective.

It had been a long day. She'd been on the stand. She'd spoken. She'd vowed to tell the truth and nothing but the truth but he was certain she'd done nothing of the sort. He'd let her know at one point. He'd gone ballistic from his spot. He'd shouted vile things at her. She'd shuddered in her seat but looked him dead in the eye, unblinking and he immediately stopped shouting, stunned into silence because she wasn't the submissive girl he'd turned her into, she was strong, she was a warrior.

When it had come to his turn he had told the truth, every bit of it. He'd told them how she'd come away with him. That she loved him. That he'd never ever hurt her or forced her to do anything she didn't want to.

His gaze drifted to her for the millionth time, his heart aching in his chest. She was currently sitting on the far right with him next to her side. He'd taken in every bit of her the second she'd stepped into the grand room. She was smartly dressed in a black dress like she was attending a funeral. He supposed she was in a way because his confidence had dwindled in the last few weeks and he was pretty sure things weren't going to work out in his favor.

"All rise"

His hand cuffs clanked against each other as he rose from his seat, his eyes didn't leave her, not once.

She met his eyes. He could almost feel the heavy breath leaving her lips. Feel the relief seeping through her.

The judge sentencing David Hall to life in prison with no parole.

There were no gasps of surprise. Instead, a buzz drifted through the stalls as people whispered in satisfaction.

Her eyes fluttered away from him and that would be the last time he ever had the privilege of seeing those eyes. She was gone. She was wrapped up in the man beside her. The man hugging her.

Mark hadn't heard anything so wonderful. He'd known in his head, he'd known that he could expect a verdict such as this. Given all the evidence. Given everything the police had established over the last months, this trial had had a sure outcome but he'd not allowed himself, neither of them had allowed themselves to think that David Hall would be sentenced to a life in prison, there was this little fear niggling constantly at the back of their minds, fearing that he'd be able to talk himself out of everything he'd done, that he'd have someone get him out of there.

He didn't.

It was over.

They won.

Lexie had won. She'd stood before this room and answered question after question. They'd been hard, especially when David's lawyer started to verbally attack her, when David had gone crazy and the guards had to hold him back, but she stood strong and Mark had never been so proud.

"You did it" He whispered.

"We did it"

"One more broccoli Elise Sloan" Nanny Jill urged while feeding another spoonful of dinner into Nathan's open mouth.

Elise's eyes trailed away from the back door to her plate. "Do I have to?"

Nanny Jill nodded and Elise reluctantly stabbed her fork into one of the many remaining broccoli. The Nanny knew why she wasn't interested in her dinner, she knew the child was eager to see her parents and although she'd managed to keep the two children entertained for the day, the six year-old was getting anxious about her mom and dad's whereabouts regardless of the amount of times she'd reassured her that they'd be home soon.

"Elise" Jill said softly. Elise looked up with a pout with the expectation that she was going to be instructed to eat some more. "Look who's here"

Elise's head swiveled. "You're home!" She grinned in surprise.

"Didn't we promise we'd be back for bedtime" Lexie laughed.

Elise scrambled from her chair, her little arms going round both her parents. "Me and Nanny made cup cakes and they're so yummy and then me and Nathan decorated them" She informed them excitedly.

Mark effortlessly lifted her up while Lexie greeted Jill and fussed over a jabbering Nathan.

"Is the bad man in jail now?"

Mark smiled. "Yes honey. It's over now"

"There you are" Mark walked onto the living room with two glasses of wine in hand.

"Sorry" Lexie pulled the blanket draped over her shoulders, tighter around herself. "Are they asleep?"

"Nathan is, Elise was fighting sleep" Mark chuckled, sitting down next to her. She shifted close to him as he set the two glasses down on the small table.

"Thank you"

"You okay?"

"I'm perfect" She smiled.

"Yes you are" He agreed sincerely and she swatted him playfully. "I've got something I wanted to give you" Mark said bashfully and Lexie stilled, looking up at him questioningly.

"What is it?" She urged.

He laced his hand over hers. "I love you"

"I love you" she husked back, the anxiety built in her eyes as she stared into his nervous face. "Mark you're scaring me, what is it?"

"Don't be scared" He smiled, shaking his head vigorously. She rubbed his closed fist, her thumb running over his knuckles.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong" He uncurled his fingers and she looked down into his palm, she looked down at the small glint of a ring, her ring, her wedding ring. "Don't freak out. The police gave me this the other day. You don't have to wear it but I thought you should have it, I mean you don't have to, I just-"

"Mark" She looked up at him through her long lashes and her eyes sparkled with tears. "Of course I want it" She held her hand out and he hesitantly, carefully slid the ring over her ring finger back into it's rightful place. "Thank you"

He cupped her face and kissed her slowly, tentatively, lovingly. "I love you so much"

"Mamma Dadda"

Their heads slowly drifted apart at the little squeal, their eyes averting to the little boy. Nathan tottered forward in his yellow pyjamas and his hair's a wild mess.

"How did you get out of your cot mister" Lexie asked in surprise as Mark lifted him onto his lap. Elise's head peered the door, silently answering her question. "Oh, I see" Lexie raised her brow.

"We couldn't sleep" Elise announced in defense.

"We or you?" Mark questioned.

"We" She tip toed across the living room and gleefully sat herself down on the couch.

Mark and Lexie exchanged a look, they both knew they should probably scold their daughter for waking her little brother and setting him free from his cot but they couldn't find it within themselves.

"Seeing as today's a special day" Mark paused and Lexie naturally finished.

"You can stay down here for a little while, just this once"

Elise grinned toothily, tucking her feet beneath her and snuggling down next to her mother.

Nathan was already back asleep in his Daddy's arms and it took not even ten minutes for Elise to join him in slumber. They didn't take their children back to bed though, they sat, basking in the warmth of their small bodies against them and their small shallow breaths.

"I think I might want to go back to work"

Mark held her hand. "Yeah?"

"Is that okay?"

"Lexie it's more than okay, you don't need to ask permission. Whatever you want"

She smiled at him. "What do you want Mark?"

"I have everything I've always wanted, right here"

Lexie smiled. "This is nice" She sipped her wine and lent her head on his shoulder, contentment alleviating all the pain and heartache they'd endured. "I dreamed of nights like this. Just the four of us" She muttered absently.

"You don't have to dream it anymore"

"Yeah" She agreed softly. "I'm living it"

Let me know what you think..