Epilogue

It took two days tops for the doctors to release Kenna and little Gabe. Both were a picture of health. Gabe was eating like his Daddy did when he was small and making sure that he had his meal every three hours whether Mama and Daddy were ready for him to eat or not. Unlike with many of the older grandchildren, Gramma and Grampa would not be keeping Gabe. As much as they would have loved too, they'd had their share of that for the four months that they kept Jordan's kids.

David and Brie made it to the different stores in town for the Black Friday sales so that they could make sure that all of their grandchildren got something special for Hanukkah. Their children, they figured, were all adults and could worry about themselves. As long as the grandchildren had Hanukkah gifts, they didn't care.

Right before the holiday season, David got interesting news from his stock broker. All of the stocks that he regularly were all climbing rapidly and paying out big. After talking briefly about how to invest his money and what to do with the stocks that were paying out big, they continued with their holiday preparations.

Hanukkah was its usual chaos as David and Brie watched their children chase children of their own. They could help but spend their nights reminiscing about spending their Hanukkahs breaking up fights and the like. Now they were watching the very children that were always fighting get along like the best of friends and breaking up their children from fighting. Oh sweet irony, they thought. Sweet irony indeed.

---------------

After the holidays once the New Year rolled around, everyone started to trickle home. David and Brie had a new trip they wanted to plan. After she'd seen this last country, they were done with their globetrotting. It was high time for them to get still and stay that way to the best of their abilities. Being in their 70's, they knew that it was high time to slow down. Hospital visits at their ages were especially no fun.

The kids were all reenrolled in school. They were excites to get back to their friends. They were a year ahead of all of their friends, but their parents decided that the reinforcement of the material that they had been learning would do them good.

Jordan was all over Malachai and the boys to get back into the studio. She had some shit she needed to get off of her chest and the only way to do that was to get back into the studio and make music. They were all for it.

Life for Jake and Jeremiah returned to normal. Jake resumed seeing patients regularly at the practice that he'd all but abandoned for the better part of a year. Jeremiah was right back to enlightening the minds of young adults.  He had been looking forward to teaching philosophy and theology again.

Maddie, Jona, Delilah and Damien were back at their clinic full time.  Their clients were all happy to see them all again.  It was nice to finally be back in the full swing of things; to have a busy schedule again.  Better that then sitting around the house all the time.

Life was bliss again.  Life was quiet.  Life was peaceful.  Nothing could ruin that peace.

---------------

Davina’s allocution was set for after the New Year began.  She’d decided to take the plea.  Fifteen to thirty sounded better to her than fifteen to life.  She knew what the evidence against her was.  The most damning would be the testimony of the young man she helped to raise.  He hated her and she knew it.  She also knew that he wouldn’t lie.  So, she decided to plead guilty to assault with a deadly weapon rather than go to trial on assault and battery on a minor child.

The judge that drew the case knew about what had happened in the family court.  He’d read the transcripts from what happened when the defense moved to have them excluded from evidence.  It hadn’t worked.

Judge Mason called the court to order and looked over at the defense table.  “Mr. Riley, I take it that your client has decided to agree to a plea?”

“Yes, your Honor.”  He and Davina stood.

“On the sole count on the indictment, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, how do you plead, Ms. Kealoah?”

“Guilty, your Honor.”

“You may allocate when ready.”

Davina took a deep breath and looked at the judge.  “There were many times over the ten years that I was married to Jordan Draiman that I did, in fact, beat the children- Levi in particular.  I would whip him with belts, wooden spoon handles, the wire handles of fly swatters, and worse than anything was the time that I whipped him with a bamboo cane.  I do regret doing what I have done, and I deserve every bit of the time that I’m getting.  I deserve worse to be truthful.”

The judge looked at Davina.  “That is sufficient with the court.”  He looked at the Prosecutor.  “Do you have any objections?”

Sydney Osbourne stood and shook her head.  “No, your honor.  It satisfies the prosecution.”

The judge nodded.  “Alright.  Well then, Davina Michelle Kealoah, you are hereby sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison with a possibility of parole after 20 years imprisonment.  You are to be remanded to the custody of the Colorado Women’s Correctional Center in Pueblo.  We are now adjourned.  Officers, please escort Ms. Kealoah back to county.”

The court officers took Davina into custody and led her out of the courtroom.  She was about to bet more than what she deserved for the next fifteen years… if the other inmates allowed her to live that long.

---------------

One afternoon in February while Reckless Disregard was in the studio recording, they had a visitor.  A tall, athletically built man in a cheap suit was standing in the mixing booth as Jordan was laying down vocals for the cover that they were putting on the record, “What You Do To Me”, originally written and performed by Straight Line Stitch.  She looked at Malachai- who was messing tinkering with the switches and got his attention.  “Hey fucker, look over your shoulder.  I’m coming out.”

Malachai looked up to see what Jordan was talking about as she was talking about.  “Hello.  How can I help you?” he asked the tall stranger.

“Hi.  I’m J. Eric Masterson.  I’m the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and I’m here to speak with Jordan.”

Jordan had just come through the door when she heard him say Director of the FBI and that he wanted to speak to her.  “I’m Jordan.  You are?”

He turned to see her standing behind him.  “Director J. Eric Masterson; FBI.  You’re Jordan Draiman?”

“I am.  What can I do for you, Director Masterson?”

He extended his hand.  “I wanted to shake the hand of the woman that took out Porter Jessop Grissom.  He was our #1 with a bullet, no pun intended.”

She chuckled a little.  “Number one with a bullet.  I like that.  What was that song from back in the day?  ‘We’re going down, down in an earlier round and sugar we’re going down swinging.  I’ll be your #1 with a bullet, a loaded God complex, cock it and pull it’?”

“It was called, ‘Sugar, We’re Going Down’”, Malachai said.  “I can’t remember who sang it.”

She took the FBI Director’s extended hand.  “It really wasn’t planned that way, Director Masterson.  I just gave the man what he deserved.”

“And from what Morbus tells me, it was pretty.  He wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry with pride from what he said.”

“Did he tell you what I did to the man?”

“Oh yeah.  He said that you shot him in the head after torturing him for a while.  The CIA could learn a lot from you.”

She laughed and shook her head.  “If you say so, Director.  Now, I appreciate you coming by, but we’re in the middle of recording a new record.  I really need to get back in the recording booth.”

“I understand.  Again, thank you for doing such a service to the country and saving the tax payers several hundred thousand in funds to hunt that bastard and his organization down.”

“If you say so, Director.”  Jordan turned on her heels and walked back into the booth.  “Whenever you’re ready Malachai.  I wanna redo that chorus.  It sounded a little flat on playback.”

“You got it Jord.  Gimme just a sec to tinker with something in here and it’s all you.”

Director Masterson walked away as the two Draiman siblings started working.  He passed the blonde Moyer boy and the black haired drummer.  Dynamic bunch of kids, he thought that it walked back out to his car.  Just as dynamic as Disturbed.  They’ve changed the course of history, much like their fathers before them.  I wonder if their children will be as influential.

For that, only time would be able to tell.

THE END

Chapter 58

Finally, it was Thanksgiving day. Homestead was filled with the smell of turkey and different pies as the children all arrived for the family meal. They knew that Hanukkah would begin in about a week. They would all be spending a great deal of time in the area.  Skyler and Kaylian would even be joining them for dinner, much like the years previous since Jeremiah and Jona got married.

Jessi's husband wasn't able to make it out for Thanksgiving. He would however be out for the Festival of Light. He was looking forward to another holiday with the Draiman family. When he and Jessi married his parents disowned him. She wasn't Jewish enough for them, even though she spoke Hebrew was well as they did. Jessi didn't care and neither did David. All that mattered to them is that they loved each other.

Abigayle was getting to be so big. No one could believe that she was six months old by that time. But, little Abby and little Rina were the apples of everyone's eyes. They were truly the centers of attention. Anytime a grandparent was available they were being taken from whomever was holding them so that Gramma or Grampa could spoil the hell out of them.

Finally, the babies were fed their lunch and everyone was called to the table. "It's time to eat", Jake announced. "Everyone to the dining room please."

Once everyone had gathered, they were all seated. James helped Kenna into room and into her chair. David sat at the head of the table with his wife at his right hand. Jake and Delilah sat at his left and everyone else just sat wherever they could. 

When everyone was still and quiet, David looked over everyone in the room and smiled. "Surely you'll all forgive me for not standing this year. My joints just won't let me right now." That got him a laugh. "Glad I could amuse everyone today. Now, I look out over the tables this afternoon and I see many things. I see new faces. I see missing faces. I see familiar faces. To the new ones, welcome to the monstrosity that is the Draiman clan. To the ones that are missing that we wish were here, we hope to see you soon. As for those that are missing that we don't particularly miss, good riddance to you. We wish you the best. Now, usually we'd go to the table and have everyone give one thing that they're thankful for but there are just too damn many of us to do that now, so Mom and I will then we'll eat. Does that sound like a fair exchange?" The kids and grandkids that were old enough and capable all nodded. "Baby, why don't you go first?"

Brie smiled and looked at the room full. "I am grateful to have been able to get up another day to all of your smiling faces, to be surrounded by the people I love and who love me, and to know that all of my children and grandchildren are safe."

David nodded. "I don't think I could say that any better. I think I'll add to it that we're both thankful for all of the new additions to the family, the new babies and the new adults. And I can't help but wonder, James and Kenna, when we're going to see your new one. Sometime this year I hope."

"Any time now, Dad. Could be today, could be next week. Whenever he's ready."

"So anytime now?"

"Yep. Anytime now."

"Sounds good. Now, shall we carve one of these turkeys and start eating?"

---------------

After dinner, the children who needed naps took them and those that didn't quietly played in the playroom.  The three oldest kept an eye on their younger siblings and cousins.  There weren’t a lot of them that weren’t still young enough to have to take a nap, so it wasn’t too big a task.

David and Brie both sat back and watched the hustle and bustle with smiles.  It wasn’t every day that they got to watch everyone scurry about after a meal.  They usually came in once a day and didn’t stick around long.  They wanted their children to live their own lives without having to feel like they were having to keep an eye on Mom and Dad; or like Mom and Dad were keeping an eye on them.

Once things were settled, Kenna made a face that said she was in a little bit of pain.  James was right at her side.  “Is everything ok, baby?” he asked as he got her sitting down.

“Yeah… no”, she said.  “I’ve been having some pain in my stomach off and on all day.”

James knew he was out of his depth.  He looked to Jake.  “What do I do, bro?”

Jake sighed and went into doctor mode.  “How often are you having the pains?”

“It’s sporadic.  Lasting for odd periods of time”, Kenna responded.

“Do they seem like they’re trying to become regular?”

“They’re becoming stronger, but not really more regular.”

“If you feel this sudden gush of fluid between your legs, let someone know and we’ll get you to the hospital.”

She nodded.  “What does that mean?”

“It means that you’re going into full blown labor”, Brie interjected.

“Yeah, that”, Jake chuckled and looked at his mother.  “The midwife never died did she?”

Brie laughed.  “Nope.  I couldn’t help myself.”

“You wanna finish the explanation?”

“Sure.”  She looked at Kenna.  “The gush is your water breaking.  Usually- and this is how it happened for me, I can’t speak for the rest of the woman in the house- they’ll get stronger and more frequent once your water does break.”

Kenna nodded.  “And you said it will be a sudden gush.  I won’t have any warning?”

“Doubtful.  When I had Jake and Jordan it was pretty sudden.  I had a weird pain while I was in the shower and went to get out.  As I was wrapping the towel around myself there was a gush and I looked down as the amniotic fluid hit the floor.  I screamed for David and he came running.”

“How did you manage only J and M names?” Kylely asked.

“Purely by accident”, David and Brie asked.  “At first there was just Malachai.  Then Jacob and Jordan.  Then Madison.  As we were expecting the twins, we were talking about names with the surrogate and Meagan and Makayla came up, and that’s when we realized that we’d established a pattern.  James and Jeremiah caught us by surprise and we scrambled for names”, David continued.

“How could you two not be prepared for us?” Jeremiah asked.

“We were told throughout Natalie’s pregnancy with you that it was only the two girls.”

“Then how did you end up with quads rather than twins?” Meagan asked.

“The boys decided to hide behind the two of you girls”, Brie said with a nod.

Kenna was sitting and listening to the family stories an tried to ignore the pain.  It wasn’t an easy task, especially when it felt like her body was trying to rip in half from the inside out.  She took deep breaths trying to get through the pain.  It was all she could do not to cry as the pain became stronger and more regular.  She tapped James on the knee to whisper in his ear that she needed help up so that she could stretch her legs.  As he helped her to her feet, there as a sudden gush and everyone heard the sound of liquid hitting the hard wood floor and Persian rug under their feet.  “I’m so sorry, Jake.”

“That’s what a rug cleaner is for”, he said with a chuckle.  “James, go pull your car around front.  I’ve got this.”

“Mom, Dad, please come with us”, James and Kenna asked in unison.

David and Brie exchanged a look and shrugged.  “Ok.  Good thing we wore jackets in from the cottage.  You go get the car, Mom and I’ll drive you to the hospital.  We’ll sit in the waiting room unless you want us in the room.”

“We can make that decision on the way.  I’ll go get car”, James said, trying not to freak out.

“I’ll run up and get the bag for you”, Delilah said and took off.

“Go get the car, James”, Brie said in a sing- song voice.

He nodded a little rapidly.  “Yeah, that’s right.  Car.”  He still didn’t move

“Your mother and I aren’t getting any younger so why don’t you just give me your keys and we’ll go pull the car around and you can sit with your wife”, David said with a chuckle as he shrugged into his jacket.

James pulled his keys out of his pocket.  “You’ll have to deactivate the alarm.”

“I figured as much.  How long has it been sitting in the garage?”  David took the keys and he and Brie went out to the garage.  “He froze”, David laughed as he hit the alarm button to turn it off.

“He’s in shock.  Remember, this is the first of his children that he’s actually gotten to be present for the birth.  Hunter he adopted and there was a restraining order against Kim for the last three months of her pregnancy with the twins”, she said with a smile.  “Once he gets past the shock, he’ll be fine.”

“I know.  I just hope the shock is over soon”, David said and opened the passenger front door to James’s SUV.  “If it isn’t, he’s not going to be any good to Kenna.”

“I don’t remember you going into shock with either of the pregnancies I carried to term.”

“I did briefly with Jake and Jordan, but it was quickly pushed to the side with the fact that you needed me.”  Once the doors were closed and the driver’s seat was adjusted to accommodate for the fact that David was shorter than James by 5in. they pulled away and up to the front door.  Kenna was loaded into the backseat carefully by James, Jake, and Jeremiah, and finally, they were off for the birth of the newest addition to the Draiman family.

---------------

Once they were at the hospital James and Kenna went straight up the delivery room while David and Brie checked her in after James left her information with them. Afterward they were shown up to the delivery room. "Oooowwwww!" Kenna screamed. "This hurts!"

"I know baby. Just breathe."

"When you experience this kind of pain, I'll tell you to just breathe."

David and Brie paused outside the room. "Do we really want to go in there?" Brie laughed. "I don't want to get roped into playing labor coach again like I did for Jessi."

"We did tell him that we'd wait in the waiting room."

"OH GOD THIS HURTS!" Kenna cried in pain.

"We should probably get in there", he chuckled. "She may kill our son if we don't."

"Then let's get in the room so that she doesn't behead the boy."

They walked in and James was opening and closing his hand over and over again, trying to get feeling back in it. "Baby, no need to try to break my hand. I kinda need it."

"I'm sorry, Jay. It hurts so badly", Kenna said a little sadly.

"It comes with the territory", Brie said from the door. "Child birth is a positive feedback system, unlike getting a cold or something like that."

"Would it be ok for me to get up and walk around? I don't think that I can sit her much longer."

"I don't see the harm in it. It certainly can't hurt with labor progression."

They got Kenna up and walking around, doing laps around the delivery ward. The first time a contraction hot while they were walking through the halls, Brie instructed James in what to do to help her through it and comfort her. James looked at his father. "Dad, how did you manage to do this through two pregnancies?"

"It wasn't the pregnancies that were difficult or even the labors. It was the fact that I had to pace a space the size of two of those hospital rooms with your mother over and over. It got rather repetitive after a while, especially the second time around", David said with a shrug.

"Well, we were dealing with a unique situation at that point and I did tend to pace a lot", Brie responded.

"What was going on?" the doctor asked as she approached.

"My brother had been arrested and was being tried by the Utopians for treason."

"Yikes. Not fun." The doctor looked at Kenna and James. "Why don't we get her into bed and check her?"

James nodded and they took Kenna back to the room. "What's the news doc?"

"She's getting close. I'm gonna say another few hours." She looked at the young woman I her care. "If you would like and epidural now would be the time to ask."

Kenna loomed at Brie. "Is it ok?"

"Sweetie, you're the one in labor. You're the one having the baby. If you want the drugs then get them. Don't let me stop you. There are times when they're needed and more than welcome", was Brie's response.

Kenna then looked at James. "What do you think?"

"I echo my mother. If that's what you want, then do it."

Her eyes wondered back to the OB/GYN. "Give me the drugs."

"Alright. I'll have the anesthesiologist come in to a bit." And with that she left.

Brie looked impressed. "She seems decent."

"She is", Kenna said. "Much better than the guy I saw back in Chicago. He was a tool."

"There are some people that go into medicine that just shouldn't do so", David said. "Apparently this guy was one of them."

---------------

It was early in the morning on the day after thanksgiving. "Ok," the doctor said, "let's see what's going on." She ducked underneath the sheets and checked Kenna's progress. The baby was crowning. "Let's get ready to push. He's crowning."

The nurses flooded into the room and started getting things ready. The doctor looked at James. "You wouldn't want to catch, would you Daddy?"

James smiled from ear to ear. "Are you kidding me?! Yes I want to catch." He looked at his parents. "Do you mind holding her feet so that I can catch my son?"

They both shook their heads and smiled. "Get a gown and some gloves on so that you can catch your boy", David said.

"As long as you're doing something productive, we don't mind", Brie said with a smile.

James dressed out and go into position. When it was time to push, David and Brie lifted Kenna's feet into the air and she pushed with everything she had. It took a few pushes and a little work on James's part, but it finally happened. They finally had a little boy. In all his bloody glory, James held him up for everyone to see. "We have a boy", he said with a smile.

"Congratulations, son", David and Brie said in unison.

James handed the messy munchkin to his Mama once his airways were cleared and the child screamed for the first time. They were both grinning from ear to ear. "Well Daddy, did you want to do the honors and give your boy a name?" Kenna asked James as tears started to roll down her cheeks.

James reached up and wiped his eyes with a shaking breath. "Welcome to planet Earth, Gabriel William Draiman."

Chapter 57

Thanksgiving crept up on everyone. The kids all got their requests for pies into their before she and Kaylian went shopping. They got strange looks at the store much like Jake, Jeremiah, and David had when they bought four 30lbs turkeys. "What do you need all of these baking supplies for?" the cashier asked as they checked out.

"I have a rather big family", Brie laughed as she and Kaylian unloaded their cart.

"How big is big?"

"Well, I'm the mother of ten, nine of them are either married or have a significant other. They've all given my husband and me a grand total of 25 grandchildren and one on the way for 26."

"There was an older gentleman in here a few weeks ago that told that same story. The two with him said that they were his sons."

"That was probably my husband. Did either of the boys argue with the man about who was paying for it all?"

"They both kept telling him to let one of the two of them pay for it. Finally, he stopped arguing and the shorter one with glasses paid."

Brie laughed. "Those were my boys. They're always trying to convince us to let them pay for things. The taller one with glasses insisted that I bring his credit card so that we our bank account wasn't depleted any further. Am I going to use it though? Not without him here. If he's so worried then he can have the money transferred from his account to ours ."

"That works", the manager said as she walked passed. She looked at Brie. "Haven't seen you in here in a while, Mrs. Draiman. Where have you been?"

"Israel. Mr. Draiman and I moved there about 5 1/2 years ago."

"No wonder we don't see you. You aren't even in the country anymore." The cashier was told to move so that the manager could take over the transaction. "Do you still have your preferred members card?"

"No. I haven't needed it in five years."

"You know what? Don't even worry about it." The girl pulled her own card out and scanned it. "That takes care of that." She gave Brie the total and Brie handed her the credit card. "Denise, you really didn't have to do that."

"It was my pleasure, Mrs. Draiman. Tell Mr. Draiman I still think he's a sexy devil, even if he is old enough to be my grandfather."

Brie laughed hysterically as she and Kaylian started to walk off. "I'll let him know." One of the store sackers followed them out and loaded the trunk of Jake's Porsche. Once they were in the car and on their way home, Brie looked at Kaylian. "They're unbelievable in there aren't they?"

"They're all a great bunch of kids. Has she always flirted with David when you two would go in there?"

"Oh yeah. She started working in there right as the guys were planning their final show. It was honestly right about six years ago because we were buying things for Thanksgiving dinner. She got in her line and when he finished putting the groceries on the belt, she started flirting hard. He looked at her and said, 'Child, how old are you ? She said, 'I'm about 15.' He responded, 'Girl, I am old enough to be your grandfather. My oldest grandchildren are around your age'."

Kaylian laughed. "That sounds like David. So, have you gotten either him or Jake to back off on the forced breaks every few pies?"

"Nope. They're both worried about my back. If I over work it they don't want me in the hospital. I have Spondylosis in my lower spine. That was what the surgery was for.  It was to correct a fusion of L4 and L5.”

“OUCH!”  Kaylian said and subconsciously rubbed her lower back.  “I can’t say I blame them for making you take breaks then.”

“To be perfectly honest with you, it’s why I haven’t been doing any cooking for the holidays the last several years.  I understand that they don’t want me to overdo it, but what I’m saying is that they need to trust me to know when enough is enough.  That’s what I keep arguing with David.  He’s being a hard head and not listening.”

Kaylian laughed.  “Isn’t that always the case, though?”

Brie chuckled and nodded.  “In my case, yeah.  It usually is.”

---------------

As soon as Jacob, James, and Jeremiah had the bags in for the women, Kaylian and Brie were baking fools.  David decided that he was going to sit and play supervisor.  “After this one, baby, I think you need to sit down and take a break”, he said as she rolled out the homemade pie crust she insisted on making.

She blew a lock of hair out of her face.  “David, I love you but I’m fine.”

“You’re overdoing it.  Take a break.”

“I’m not overdoing it.  I know when I’m overdoing it.”

He sighed.  “Can you just humor me please and sit down after you make that damn pie?”

She laughed.  “David, how long do I have until Thanksgiving?”

“A week.”

“And how many pies do I have to make?”

“Thirty some odd.”

“Even with Kaylian helping me, there’s not much of a chance in getting them all done in time if I’m taking a break every five pies.  I’d like to get them all done over the next few says so that you and the boys can worry about marinating the turkeys and stuff like that before I take over the kitchen the day before to make Challah and bake these damn pies, which I will be sitting down quite regularly during.”

“So, you had a plan to begin with?”

“When don’t I have a plan, Michael?  Seriously.  You act as though you haven’t been with me for nearly forty years.”

He laughed.  “Well, how the fuck was I supposed to know?”

“Uh… you could have asked.  Instead when Jake decided to say to me, ‘You’re sitting down every five or six pies’, you just jumped and back him.  I know when I’m pushing myself too far and I know when I need to stop.  That’s what I’ve been trying to impress upon you and your son for the past two weeks.”

“Hey, you helped.”

“Well, when you two start in on me about not pushing myself too hard, he’s yours.  When he’s after you about doing stupid shit, he’s mine.”

He laughed and sighed.  “Fine, but if I suspect that you’re pushing yourself too hard and too far to prove a point, I’m gonna sic Jake on you.”

“I ain’t afraid of Jake.”

“You ain’t afraid of who?” Jake asked as he walked in.

“You.  Last time I checked, I was your parent, not the other way around.”

“How many pies have you done?”

“Four.  Kaylian and I are working on a new batch of dough and once that’s done, I’m going to sit down.  Don’t like it, get over it.  I know my body and I know my limits.”

Jake looked at his mother crookedly.  “I seem to recall a certain woman at about 60 having to have a vertebral separation done because her two of her Lumbar vertebrae were fusing together.  Now, Mom, as much as I love you, I don’t want to go through that again nor do I want you to have to go through it again.”

“Jake, I don’t see myself living long enough to have to undergo another spinal surgery and if I do, I probably won’t live through it.”

“Are you saying that your fighting spirit has given out?”

“No.  I’m saying, Jacob, that it’s a highly dangerous and delicate procedure, and at my age the chances of surviving something like that are slim.  Anyway, no Ortho in their right mind would cut my back open again to do that procedure at my age.  I’m 70, Jacob.  I heal just a lot slower than I did when I was 58.”

“All I ask is that you sit if you start hurting, Mom.  I don’t want you in the hospital.”

“Me either, Brie”, David chimed in.

“And I will sit down when I need to.  And you two say that I worry too much.”

“Mom, I always worry about you and Dad.  You’re getting older and we never know when we’re going to lose you; either of you.  I just want you to be careful so that we don’t lose you before your due time.”

“And just when do you think that will be?” David asked.

“Hopefully when you’re both centurions and have gotten to witness the births of several great- grandchildren; maybe even a great- great- grandchild or two.”

David and Brie laughed.  “You have high expectations of us, don’t you?” Brie said.

“Yes, I do.  I would really like you both to live long enough to see Miri and Ira graduate high school.  That’s why I want you both to take it easy.”

“Jacob, I hate to break it to you but once we’re called home we’re called home.  We count every morning that we wake up to all of your smiling faces a blessing.  Maybe instead of trying to keep us around as long as you can, you should leave it to fate and count every day that you see our faces or hear our voices as a blessing.  Now, if you’ll both do me the tremendous favor of getting the hell out of the kitchen so that I can prep these pies without the peanut gallery, I’d extremely appreciate it.”

David and Jacob both exchanged a look and David stood.  They both walked out and left Brie and Kaylian to make their pies.

---------------

“How did it go, Jord?” Reece asked when Jordan came in from her appointment.  He asked the same question every week when she came in.

“Good.  We explored a few new things today.  We talked about my resentment toward Dad for his order for everyone to gather at homestead and that I couldn’t leave the house without an escort and my misunderstanding of the order.  And if I hadn’t disobeyed I wouldn’t have a rod in my leg, but if I hadn’t the PSUS would still be operational.”

“That was in the news not long ago, wasn’t it?”

“Yep.  The information made it to the FBI and they started arresting people once the US attorney started filing charges for treason.  The plan was to forcibly take to country over again and eradicate anyone who spoke out against them.  I was actually first on the list.  There was information that Marc found that the FBI ‘tripped over and found’.  There are so many charges being leveled against everyone that is still breathing and loyal to the cause that it’s not funny.  None of them are going to be able to keep their heads above water.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I’m glad that it’s done.  I don’t have to deal with it.  From what I understand from Morbus, the Director of the FBI wants to shake my hand.”

“So, the FBI knows that you killed this man and they don’t want to arrest you?”

“Nope.  They want to commend me.”

“That’s crazy.”

“I know.  All I want to do is just kinda hide under a rock and recover from this.”

“Given any thought to going back into the studio?”

“After the holidays, maybe.  I’m gonna ride some asses to get back into the studio.  We’ll have two albums of material to take on the road at one time.”

“What kind of tour are we looking at for that?”

“Hell if I know.  Depends on James and Justin with the label.  Hopefully they’ll book us some good dates and venues.  They’ve been doing well since Dad and Uncle Danny turned things over to them.”

“So, over all, do you think that this therapist is helping?”

“Overall?  Yeah.  She’s helping me a lot.  I’m getting in touch with issues I didn’t even know I had.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“Yeah, I supposed it is.”

---------------

The holidays were closing in and Davina was still in jail. She had no idea when her trial was going to be. Her parents kept their promise and visited her daily to keep her spirits up while they were out trying to get the money together to bond her out. They were hoping to have the money together by Christmas.

Meanwhile, the firm that handled the custody dispute between her and Jordan also handled her defense. They were on retainer so they really had no choice. They weren't even sure if they were going to have much of a defense considering the evidence that had been provided to the defense by the Draiman's guard. There were even pictures of the wounds on Levi's back when they were fresh.

The prosecutor, Sydney Osbourne, was feeling generous and decided to pay Davina a visit before Thanksgiving. "Hi Davina. I take it you know who I am."

"Yeah. You're the bitch trying to lock me up for the rest of my life. What do you want?"

"I'm actually here to offer you a deal. We know that if Levi Draiman takes the stand you're toast. His testimony combined with Morbus and the jury will lock you up and throw away the key."

Carson Riley, Davina's attorney, spoke. "What are you offering? "

"Assault with a deadly, 15 to 30. It's either that or we proceed to trial and we ask for life."

"How about assault on a minor, 5 years. She's out in two."

"Mr. Riley, your client maliciously beat a nine year old with a cane. A child that belongs to her now ex- wife. Five years hardly seems like it's enough. Fifteen to thirty or trial. You don't get a better deal than that. Take your time and think about it. But keep in mind that either way around it, the inmates are going to have so much fun with you. They don't like it when you hurt a child. Many of them are mothers themselves."

"So you're going to lock me up for fifteen to thirty? I might not make it out alive", Davina shouted.

"Ms. Kealoah, any way around it, you're going to be someone's girlfriend or punching bag. I just want you to realize that. I need an answer by the end of the day or we prepare to go to trial. I really would like to spare little Levi the trauma or having to testify in open court. That's the only reason that I'm offering this plea. Personally, I'd love to see you buried under the prison. No woman should subject a child to the abuse you subjected your own children to and get to see the light of day. And you'll be lucky if they have the forethought to put you in PC." With that, Sydney Osbourne called to the guard so that she could leave. She was confident that she would be hearing from them by the end of the day. Fifteen to thirty was better than life. Better than life by far.

Chapter 56

Time passed and Jordan fell into a comfortable routine and slowly, she and Reece slowly settled back- or in Reece's case into- Jordan's house. All of her brother and sisters that still lived in the area all started to trickle to their own homes and the ones that lived away went with to stay. Jake finally had his house back for the most part. He was glad to have his home mostly to himself again.

Jordan got the name and number of a good therapist that was more than willing to help her out and keep it to herself the things that Jordan had done. Jordan would sit in her office and tell her about the nightmares she would have and how she would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. "What's the most vivid part of the dream?" Dr. Glorya Denton asked during one of their sessions.

"It's more what I'm feeling as I'm doing it. As I have the gun in his face and I'm emptying the clip into it, I feel this overwhelming sense of pure hatred. The things he did to me were evil. I know that be deserved to die. Hell the director of the FBI even shook my hand and told me that

I did a public service to my country. But, I didn't do it to serve my country. I did it because he beat me with a 2x4. He knocked teeth out of my mouth", she said as tears started to pour from her eyes.

"What did you feel as he was doing those things to you?"

"I felt helpless. He had me tied to a wall."

Dr. Denton handed her tissues and continued. "Tell me about the rescue. Who pulled you out?"

"Jake. He was the first face I saw when the swelling went down. He talked me through everything he did. We he set my broken femur I did my best not to scream. He actually had to cut my eyes open to let off the pressure from the blood."

"How often do you feel the pain of your injuries?"

"Every day; several times a day. I hate taking medication, but I've been taking painkillers like candy the last few months."

"Could the fact that you wear high heels all the time be a part of that pain?"

"No. It's actually the only time I don't feel the pain. At least the pain in my calf."

"And what happened to your calf?"

"He shattered my fibula. I have titanium rod in my calf that will never come out."

"Do you understand the anatomy of why your leg doesn't hurt when you’re wearing heels?"

"My mother was a massage therapist and my twin brother is a doctor. I know why. It's because the heels have chronically shortened my calf’s gastrocs and solei muscles."

The doctor smiled. "Having a Massage therapist for a mother taught you a lot."

"More than I want to admit sometimes."  She sighed. "My mother is the strongest woman I know. I marvel at her strength every day."

"Why?"

"She was just so strong with Dad being who he was, and when me and Malachai started recording and touring. She didn't seem to mind staying home with us kids while Dad was away though we all know she wanted to tour with him. She just stayed and made sure that we were taken care of."

"What about your father?"

"He's an outstanding man. He and my mother raised ten children. When Mom had to have back surgery several years ago, Dad was right there next to her.  He stayed there in the hospital with her and slept in a recliner in her room. He refused to leave her side. I look at them and think, 'I want something like that'. I want a woman who will stick with me the way my parents stick with each other."

"And with your recent divorce you're wondering if that's ever gonna happen for you."

"Sometimes. Others I just sit back and look at my kids and ask if I want to put myself through that again." She looked at the doctor. "How did we go from my nightmares, to the time I spent with Grissom, to the rescue, to my parents, to my failed attempt at a marriage?"

"For the most part, I just let you direct the conversation. You brought us to the destination."

"So, do you have a treatment plan?"

"I'm not going to lay one out. I'm just going to give you a sounding board to talk about what's bothering you and give you the tools to deal with the things that need it."

"Really? No wonder Jake said he thought I'd like you."

"When your brother told me that you needed me to work with you, I jumped at the chance. I was actually excited to work with you. Not because of your name or who your family is, but because you have a unique set of issues because of who you are and who your family is.  I can imagine that growing up the child of a rock star presented its own challenges.  And seeing as you and Jake were born at the beginning of the Utopian Occupation you two, as well as your older brother Malachai witnessed from your perspectives had to have been huge.”

“They were.  Jake and I were one or two when our Uncle was arrested and imprisoned by the Utopians. We were about three when he made his big escape.  Mom got shot when we were four and that was the night after the first big rally.  We were six when then Lake Tenkiller Rally went down, seven on the rally tour and eight when it all went ended.”

“Your childhoods were huge.  I’m sure that there are still a lot of deep rooted fears and issues that maybe never got dealt with that maybe I can help you cope with.  Jake seems pretty well adjusted, but sitting here with you I see a lot of different things.”

“What do you see?”

“Fear, anger, anxiety, confusion, resentment maybe.”

“Who do I resent?”

“I don’t know.  Who do you resent?”

“No one that I can think of.”

“Well, we’ll explore that in later sessions, won’t we?”

---------------

“Jake, that therapist is top notch.  She didn’t give me pills.  She gave me a breathing exercise that reminded me of the one that Delilah did with me the other night”, Jordan said as spoke with Jake over the phone while driving home.

“I told you she was good.  Now, I’m not going to say that there aren’t times when psychotropic drugs aren’t necessary- and I’m sure that Mom will agree- but I don’t honestly feel that yours is one of those cases.  Now, that’s not my professional opinion because I’m not a psychiatrist or psychologist.  It’s my personal opinion as a medical professional that had to take psych in med school and your brother and the other person that was in the womb with you.”

She laughed.  “You’re never going to let me live that one down, are you?”

“You’re never going to let me live it down so why should I let you live it down.”

“Touché.”  They were silent for a moment, then she changed the subject.  “So, how are Mom and Dad doing?”

“They’re good.  I’m trying to convince them to come in from that little cottage they have out there but they’re being stubborn.”

“Why won’t they come in?”

“Because they enjoy the privacy.  ‘It’s not that we don’t love you and love the kids, but we like having our peace and quiet.  It’s why we live outside of town in Israel as well’, is what Mom said to me the last time I suggested it.”

“I bet she and Dad are keeping Maddie and Delilah busy though.”

“More like just Delilah.  Maddie still can’t get over that fool phobia of seeing Mom and Dad naked in anyway.  And considering that Dad rarely walked around the house shirtless I guess the thought of seeing Dad’s bare hairy chest gives our little sister the heebee- jibees.”

“She really needs to grow up.  I mean, she looks at Colton’s chest.”

“Colton’s not very hairy.  He’s actually pretty smooth.  Guess it’s the native blood.”

“Oh well.  Guess Maddie will never get over it.  So, what’s the plan for Thanksgiving?”

“We’re going to do the huge birds.  And I mean they’re huge.  Dad, ‘Miah, and I went out and bought four 30lb. turkeys the other day.  Mom is insisting that she be able to get into the kitchen and baking a little something- well, a LOT of a little something.  Probably pies.  She said if you want a certain pie get your order in soon because she and Kaylian are going to go to the store and get everything they need to get for the baking soon.  Thankfully, I’m not going to let Mom stay in the for hours on end and neither is Delilah.  She will take breaks and Dad’s backing me on it.  She pouted, but she’ll be fine.  All I’m asking is that everyone bring their favorite side dish.  It will make the cooking easier on the women here.”

“Alright.  I’ll chit chat with Reece about it, and I’ll let Marc and Mercedes know to do something.”

“Do that.  I’m gonna call Malachai and Maddie and let them know to let the siblings staying with them all now the same.”

“Who all is staying there?”

“Other than those that live here, just James and Kenna.  He’s making something that Uncle Danny made him when he first moved out there to Chicago.”  He kinda chuckled.  “I kinda miss him.”

“Me too.  I should really make a point to go up and see him some time; Uncle Mikey too.  Lord only knows when those two are going to leave us.”

“No kidding.”  He sighed.  “Well, I’ll see you again soon, sis.  I’ve got to go help my wife with dinner.”

“What’s for dinner in the Jacob Draiman household?”

“Chili.  She wanted something to warm everyone’s bones and stick to their ribcages.  Mom and Dad asked that she not make it as mild as she could manage.”

“Yum.  I might come steal some, but then again Reece decided to cook tonight.  I’m excited and terrified all at the same time.”

“Best of luck to you.  Now, I have four hungry, grumpy kids to help their Mama feed- and that’s just mine.  Let’s not forget that Hunter, Hannah, Josie, and Mattie are all here as well.”

“Good luck to you as well, bro.  Bye.”  When they hung up, Jordan felt an odd sense of peace.  Just hang in there, Jordan, she heard a familiar male voice say.  It took me years to find my soul mate.  You’ll find yours too.  And who knows, you may have more than one.

She smiled.  Thanks Uncle Matt, that means the world.

---------------

Kenna Draiman was miserable.  She’d been put on bed rest by the OB that had taken over her case while she and James were in Colorado.  She was almost ready to pop.  It was only a question of when at this point.  She’d passed the 9 month mark a week previous.  “I know you want to move around, but apparently James here makes big babies”, the doctor joked.

“So, can I eat Thanksgiving dinner with the family?”

“Meals are the only time I really want you moving around.  That and to bathe.”

James laughed.  “My sister in law makes a mean Texas style chili.  Should I have her kick it up to throw her into labor?”

“No”, the woman laughed.  “Let’s not do that.  I’m sure that your little boy will be here when he’s ready.  Go on ahead and carefully get dressed and set up an appointment for next week and we’ll see if you make it that long.”

“Thanks Doc”, Kenna said.  She carefully sat up and looked at James.  “When is this going to be over?”

“Soon, baby.  I know it.”  He helped her off the exam table and grinned.  “You know what would be epic?”

“What?”

“If you went into labor after Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Or during?”

“No.  After.  I don’t want my entire family to flood the hospital as we wait for you to have the baby during Thanksgiving dinner.  I know they would, but I’m sure that neither of us wants to ruin what might possibly one of the last Thanksgivings we spend with my parents.”

“Have you put any thought into what you want to name this fat child of yours?” Kenna asked.

“I got to name my girls”, he laughed.  “I was actually wondering what your thoughts might be.”

“Is there a member of your family that you’d like to honor?”

“Well, we kinda have that with Ira.  His middle name is Benjamin after our father’s brother.”

“What is Uncle Ben’s middle name?”

“I believe it’s Gabriel.”

“Gabriel it is, then.  Gabriel… what though?”

“Didn’t you say your grandfather’s name was William or something?”

“Yeah.  Gabriel William Draiman?”

James laughed heartily.  “It has a ring to it.”

“Ok.  That will be our son’s name.  Gabriel William Draiman.”

­---------------

Brie busied herself puttering around the little cottage cleaning and dusting.  She needed something to do because sitting in the little house all day was about to get on her last nerve.  “David?” she said as she cleaned.

“Yeah, baby?”

“I think after we go home, we should plan another trip.  Not for the immediate future, but for the near future.”

He nodded slowly.  “Where do you want to go that we haven’t been to a million times?”

“We’ve seen South America.”

“Yeah.”

“We’re seen China.”

“Yeah, twice.”

“We been to Australia a million times.”

“Yeah.”

“Russia is too cold.”

“For sure.”

“Where haven’t we gone?”

“We haven’t done an extended stay in India.”

“And we haven’t been to Cambodia.”

“I want to see you in Henna again.”

“David, really?  I’m seventy years old and I’m actually starting to get wrinkles.”

“You’ve aged gracefully so far.”

“How much longer do you think that’s going to last?”

“I don’t know.  What do you think?”

“I think I want to go somewhere in Asia.  We can do an extended stay in India at a later date.”

He laughed.  “Circled right back around to the original topic.  I hate it when you do that sometimes.  It means I can’t win.”

“And you’re not going to win this one.  I want to go to Cambodia.”

He chuckled.  “I’ll think about it.  That’s the best you’re gonna get.”

She gave him a satisfied smile.  “That’s fine because in the end, you’ll give me exactly what I want.”

Chapter 55

As the Draiman family walked out of the courthouse they were swarmed by the press. Jordan picked Jasmine up rand put her on her hip. "Jordan, what was the judge's decision and what are your feelings on it?"

"Judge Haskins determined that I'm the better parent for the kid and awarded me full custody. I'm elated. I'm beyond elated. I can honestly say that I'm the happiest girl in the world right now."

"Any advice for young couples headed down this road?"

"Don't get married to begin with and if you do, get thorough background checks", she laughed and everyone laughed with her. "No, seriously though, this is not a path I would have chosen if things weren't already on the down turn. If you’re having marital problems- and this goes for all couples, not just gay couples or straight couples, all couples- get counseling. Find out what your demons are and get the tools to deal with them."

"Would you have followed your own advice?"

"If my now ex-wife hadn't been abusing my kids and trying to convince anyone that would listen that my family's nothing but a bunch of privileged, brutish thugs."

"We take it that didn't go over very well."

"No, not at all."

The reporters spotted David and decided to ask him his feelings on what's happened. "David, how do you and your wife feel about what's happened?"

"We're just happy that our family is going to remain in one piece. Jordan's been through a lot the last few months and we're both proud if her strength."

"What do the two of you plan to do now that this is over?"

"We'll probably stick around until the holidays are over then go home to Israel and start planning a new trip", Brie said with a smile. "We're just going to roll the dice and see what happens."

"Jordan, any plans to celebrate your legal victory today?"

"I'm sure that we'll figure out a way to party it up when we get home. I mean, we are Draiman's, aren't we?" she laughed. "Now, if you'll excuse us, my son wants to show me the pictures from his diving trip and my daughter wants to show me all the pretty new clothes Gramma bought her while they were staying with my parents", she said as she adjusted the way she was carrying Jasmine, grabbed Levi's hand and headed down the step toward the cars.

"Jordan, we saw your ex escorted out of the courthouse in handcuffs. What are your thoughts?"

"I'm sure that Judge Haskins had a good reason for that. For my ex-wife to be brought out of the courthouse in matching silver bracelets there has to be a valid reason. What it is, I can't say nor do I want to speculate. It's not my problem."

It didn't take long to get all of the Draiman's into the assorted vehicles that they'd arrived in and once they were all loaded up they were gone.

---------------

Jordan sat on the couch with her kids on either side of her as Levi showed her the pictures of his diving trip. As he flipped to the picture of the huge manta ray he'd snapped a picture of as it swam below them, her phone started ringing. She didn't recognize the number but answered it anyway after asking the kids to hold on long enough for her to take the call. She answered it and walked toward the kitchen. "Hello?"

"You have a collect call from the El Paso county jail. Do you accept the call?"

She sighed as she responded. "Yes." When the call connected she sucked in a deep breath. "Hello?"

"Jordan? I need help", she heard Davina say on the other line.

"I missed the part where that's my problem."

"You know I'd never hurt Levi."

"Bitch please. Just tell me what you want."

"I need a million dollars to bond out."

"Call a bondsman. I hear that Lyssa Chapman is great."

"I can't. Cash only bond."

"Again, how is this my problem?"

"You're the only person I know with that kind of money."

"Seriously?"

"Jordan, ten years..."

"You know? You can rot in hell for all I care. After everything you've done you have the chutzpah to call and ask ME to bond you out? Here's a quarter, call someone who cares." She hung up.

"What was that about?" David asked from the table.

"That dumb hooker actually had the chutzpah to call me and ask me to bond her ass out", she said with a laugh of disbelief.

"Why can't she call a bondsman?" Brie asked as she made a herself a pot of tea.

"It's a cash only bond."

They both laughed. "That's justice", David said. "Any idea why?"

"She didn’t say, I suspect that it’s because she’s a flight risk.”  She grabbed one of the handmade beef pot stickers off of the rack where they were cooling.  “Her parents being here means that they’ll try to smuggle her back to Hawaii.”

“And if she skips they’d send the Chapman family after her”, Brie added with a laugh.

“Which is why I why I suggested Lyssa Chapman.  Lyssa hates women who beat kids.”

“That she does.”  Brie smiled.  “Why don’t you go back out and talk with your kids, Jordan.  They’ve missed you insanely.”

“And I’ve missed them.”  She kissed both of her parents on the cheek.  “Thank you both for everything; taking the kids, being here when I woke up after killing Grissom, being there for me today.  It means a lot.”

“Jordan, you’re our daughter.  It’s what we do”, Brie said.

David nodded in agreement.  “Exactly.  And, we’ll do it for each of you until the day we die.”

---------------

After all of the kids, and that meant all of them, were in bed the adults all sat around and had a drink.  Levi and Jasmine were settled into bedrooms with their cousins.  They all sat and discussed the events of the day, updating those who weren’t in court with the family that day on what happened that day.  “Honest to God, that’s what the judge said”, Jordan laughed as she told everyone about what the judge said when she gave her decision.

“She seriously told her that she had no idea how you had put up with her for ten years”, Mercedes said with a laugh.

“Yeah, she said that”, Jake and Delilah said in unison.

“I can’t believe exactly how much she lied”, David said with a shake of his head.

Brie laughed.  “Baby, girls lie too.”

“I’m not saying that girls don’t lie too.  I mean, after we moved out to Israel I could tell there was a change in her.  But I didn’t think she was that crazy.”

“Well, Dad”, Marc said, “I think that all of us that moved away had the wool pretty thoroughly pulled over our eyes.”

“Well, I didn’t like the thought of dragging anyone else into my marital problems”, Jordan said.  “Maybe I should have and this would have been resolved a lot sooner.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Jordan”, Brie said to her oldest daughter.  “Baby girl, there is nothing you can do about your ex being a psycho.  Sometimes it takes a minute to find your soul mate.  I mean, look at your father and me.  Dad was pushing 40 when I met him and I wasn’t far behind him.  We spent most of our adult lives looking for each other.”

“Speaking of the two of you”, James chimed in to change the subject, “now that we have you in the same country and you can’t worm your way out of answering the question, will you tell us about the time you shared that woman?”

Both David and Brie laughed.  “That has really been eating at you, hasn’t it James?” David asked.

“Yes, it has.  It’s been driving me crazy to be frank with you.”

“Who’s telling the story?” Brie asked.

“You tell it.  You’re better at telling these things than I am for some reason.”

Brie laughed and looked around the room at their children and children in law.  “Well, as you can probably imagine it was practically a lifetime ago.  It was before Jessi and Marc were born.  We’d asked Karyn and Trevor to come up from their little place and watch you all.  A long lost friend of mine looked me up and asked me if Dad and I would be interested in going to a party with her.  She neglected to tell me that it was a swingers party.  Well, when we got there and found out what was going on, we debated on whether to stick around or to bolt.  After a good thirty minutes of discussing the prospect together we decided to stick around and see what the night had to offer.  Your father and I were both approached separately but we would decline, citing that we would only play together.  Finally, the golden moment came.  This girl in her late thirties came to us and told us that she didn’t want one or the other, she wanted to play with both.  She’d spent the entire night scoping us out and studying us to see if we would be the kind of couple she’d want to get to know- if only for a night.  Her name was Naomi.  We talked for about an hour.  She recognized your father- but who didn’t at that point?  She didn’t care that he was the Voice.  She even said as much.  ‘I don’t care that you were the Voice of the Resistance, big boy.  I just wanna know how well you use all of the equipment at your disposal’, she said.  Well, after talking about her likes and dislikes and talking about how things were going to go down- because you really have to negotiate these kinds of things for them to work properly- we brought her home.  In the room that Jacob and Delilah now call theirs, Dad and I shared our first and only woman and it went on until the late hours of the morning.  We paused long enough to let her get a quick nap and to take you kids to school before we came back and partied with her just a little longer.”

“When did she finally go home?” Meagan asked.

“Not long before we picked the older kids up from school and you and the other three that share your birthday from nursery school”, David laughed.

“I think she left as we were picking vehicles”, Brie laughed and laid her head on her husband’s shoulder.

“I think you’re right”, he laughed as well.

“So, if you partied all day with the woman, it had to be good, right?” Marc laughed.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” they laughed in unison.

“Well, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say, now that we know the story we kinda wanna know the details”, Jake retorted.  His siblings all echoed him.

The matriarch and patriarch of the family exchanged a look.  “Should we?” she asked.

“Nah.  Let’s just let them continue to wonder how fun that night was and we can go to bed.  This day has been a roller coaster and I’m ready for it to end and to curl up with you for the night”, he responded then turned to the kids.  “We’ll see you all in the morning.  We’re rather tired.  Jordan, congratulations.  We’re very happy for you and proud of you.  Be sure to get that number from Jake for that therapist.”

“I will, Daddy.  Thanks for everything again.  To both of you.”

“You’re welcome Jordan”, they said.  “Good night.  We’ll see you all in the morning.  It will be nice to have our house to ourselves for the first time in months”, David said as they walked away.

“It will be.  Maybe we can…” Brie said and whispered in his ear.

“Maybe.  It will be nice to see if we’re not too old for that.”

Once their parents were gone, the kids all looked at each other and laughed.  “Wow.  Those two… never cease to amaze me”, Maddie laughed.

“They are pretty fucking awesome”, Marc laughed.  “Do you guys realize how lucky we are to call them our parents?”

“I don’t think we’ll ever really and truly understand just how lucky we all are that David and Brie Draiman are our parents”, Jake said with a sigh.  “That is something I sincerely doubt that we’ll ever truly grasp the concept of.”

---------------

Davina was lying in her cot in the El Paso County Jail wondering if her parents would ever be able to get together the money to get her out of that hell.  All she wanted was to get out.  She didn’t care that she would never see her little girl again.  She didn’t care that her marriage of ten years was now officially over.  All she cared about was the fact that the woman she was sharing a cell with was eyeballing her like she was going to be her new girlfriend.  That was not something that Davina was looking forward to and would avoid it if she could.  The woman had tried to start up conversation with her but she ignored it.  She didn’t want to get too cozy with anyone if she could help it.

Her father promised that they would stay in town and visit every day until they had the money to get her out.  But, then they had to find the money to pay for her defense.  She knew that they couldn’t afford it and would probably end up with a public defender.

How did it come to this?, she asked herself.  How the hell did I end up in this position?  I had everything.  I had a woman that loved me, two beautiful kids, money, jewels, designer clothes, a big house… everything.  And somehow, it slipped through my fingers.  And, now, Jordan hates me and won’t even loan me the money to get out.  Where did I go wrong?

That was a question that Davina Kealoah had not answer for.

Chapter 54

They continued with questioning the different witnesses until lunch. The judge asked her questions after the attorneys finished asking their questions. It was a rather nerve wracking day. The one time she nearly held either of the attorneys in contempt was when David Draiman took the stand. Jordan's attorney asked his questions and allowed the 73 year old man to explain his answers thoroughly before moving on. David was as well-spoken and eloquent as the judge remembered him to be not only during the other times he'd been in her courtroom but of when he was still and active recording artist and touring. Anytime Disturbed played in Denver she was sure to be there. When Jordan's attorney finished his questions Davina's stood and started asking questions. "Mr. Draiman, are you aware of your daughter's temper?"

"Yes I am."

"Have you ever seen your daughter get physically violent?"

"No, but", David started.

"Yes or no, Mr. Draiman."

"Councilor", the judge said sternly, "it would behoove you to let the man finish speaking. First warning. Anymore and I'll have to hold you in contempt."

David looked at the judge. "Thank you, your Honor", he said and looked back at Davina's attorney. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, no I haven't ever seen my daughter get physically violent, but there have been times when she has come close."

"Can you gives us an example?"

"As Disturbed was planning our final show, one of the other..."

"And what did you do?"

"I wasn't finished and I was getting to what I did about It because it's part of the story", David responded quaintly.

"Final warning, Mr. Andrews", the judge said. "Do not interrupt this man again."

"Again, one of the other vocalists was having abandonment issues because I'd lost contact with the band. I was the founding member of Intoxication Records that signed them. The girl called Jordan a cheat behind her back. I had the rest of the band remove her from my home before I even told Jordan about what was said because I knew that it would upset her to be called a cheat. It upset me that she was called one. Jordan admitted to me that had she seen the young woman in question she probably would have become physically violent because it upset her that much. The next day I let Jordan verbally voice her grievances on the condition that she kept her hands to herself."

"And did she?"

"Yes she did. She'd had time to settle down after hearing the accusation."

"What about with my client? Has she ever become physical toward her?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"Why don't you know?"

Jordan's attorney jumped to his feet and shouted. "Objection. He's badgering a 73 year old man."

"Sustained", the judge said. "Mr. Andrews, you're on thin ice."

David looked the judge. "May I address the young man?" he asked.

"Be my guest, Mr. Draiman."

David looked at Davina attorney. "Young man, I'm not as young as I used to be and I'm the father of ten. As much as I hate to admit it, things tend to fall through the cracks. And, as of five years ago, my wife and I no longer live in the US. That, and the fact that all of my children are very private people about their home lives is how I don't know. Now, I'm not a very patient man and my temper has only seemed to get shorter over the years. Jordan gets her temper from me. All of my children that have tempers do. And with all of these hot heads that grew up under my roof, none of us get physically violent unless provoked. I'm not saying that Jordan has ever hit Davina and I'm not saying that it hasn't happened but if it has I’m sure that Davina gave her a perfectly good reason."

"And what would you classify as a good reason?"

"That's not for me to say. That's up to Jordan's logic."

"Are you avoiding answering the question, Mr. Draiman?"

"No. I'm giving the answer to the best of my ability."

"Your Honor, please instruct the witness to answer."

The judge sighed. "No. I'm instructing you to back the hell off of the man. He's answered your question a couple times over and can't give you any further insight. Move on or sit your ass down. That thin ice you're on is starting to crack and if you act this way when you question his wife, I will hold you in contempt. I'm not sure if you're aware, but contempt in my court is $2,000 for the first count and $2,500 for each subsequent count. Push me and you're pocket book will feel my wrath."

"But your honor", he said.

"Do I hear $2,000?"

"Nothing further", he said and made his way over to sit down.

The judge looked at David. "Mr. Draiman, I have one question for you. During the time that you and your wife have had Levi and Jasmine in your custody, have either of them expressed fear of either Jordan or Davina?"

"Levi, not really but Jasmine did express fear of Davina."

"Thank you for you candor, Mr. Draiman. You may step down."

David stood and went back to where he had been sitting with Morbus, his wife, and his grandchildren. Brie looked up at him and sighed. "I really don't think he'll be able to hold his tongue with me", she whispered.

"If he doesn't then he'll be hauled away for contempt", David whispered to her. "The judge obviously isn't falling for any of Davina's antics. I'm sure that he'll feel it if he decides to get rude with you."

---------------

It wasn’t a case of dejavu, thankfully.  Ryan Andrews didn’t feel like making his firm pay for contempt charges. Brie kept her answers short sweet and to the point.  “Mrs.  Draiman, is it true that when your husband was touring that you wanted to travel with him?” Andrews asked Brie after Greg had finished questioning her.

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Is it true that you wanted to tour with him because you enjoy the spot light?”

“No.  I can’t stand the limelight.  I just wanted to share the experience with him.”

“So, why didn’t you tour with him?”

“Because we have ten children and it would have been unfair to them to pull them out of school and their individual activities.”

“That being said, do you disapprove of pulling my client pulling Levi and Jasmine out of school so that they could tour with Jordan?”

“Yes I do.”

“Why?”

“Because they have friends at school that they would like to hang out with too.  Davina pulling Levi and Jasmine away from their friends is unfair to them.”

“Even though they’re not involved in activities?”

“Even though.  And if she’d leave them in school and stay home with them rather than drag them all over the country and the globe they could get involved in different activities.”

“And you know that either of the children wants to do that how?”

“My husband and I did have custody of them in Israel for about three or four months.  They tend to have a lot of time to talk during that space.”

“Which one was it?”

“Young man, I am 70 years old.  How the hell am I supposed to remember?  My memory tends to get a little foggy and days run together every now and then.  I’m guessing it’s been closer to four months.”

“Has Jasmine expressed an interest in getting involved in activities?”

“Yes.”

“What has she expressed interest in doing?”

“She has several cousins that are in acting and dance lessons.  She wants to get involved in that as well as voice lessons.  She is a little drama princess much like her mother was when she was her age and like a lot of her aunts were at five years old.”

“And Jordan would be willing to do that?”

“Objection”, Greg called.  “Calls for speculation on Mrs. Draiman’s behalf.”

“Sustained”, the judge said.  “Watch your step, Mr. Andrews.”

“I have nothing else for this witness”, Andrews said.

The judge looked at  Brie.  “Mrs. Draiman.  My questions for you is these; it’s been entered into evidence that you and your husband spent a good deal of money on Levi and Jasmine while they were in Israel with you.  First, if Jordan had been Jasmine’s biological mother, would that have changed anything?  And would you do the same for all of your other grandchildren?”

“To answer the first question, no.  Jasmine is our granddaughter no matter who her biological mother is.  She calls Jordan ‘mama’ and that’s all that matters.  The fact that Davina is her mother doesn’t change that.  My husband and I both adore Jasmine.  She’s an angel.  And to answer your second question, yes.  We don’t love any one grandchild more than the others just like we don’t love anyone child more than the others.  We have a total of 25 grandchildren now and we would drop 15 G’s on each and every one of them and not bat an eye.”

The judge nodded.  “Thank you, Mrs. Draiman.  You may step down.”

---------------

Jordan finally took the stand and told the story of how she and Davina would fight all the time around time for her to go on tour.  She talked about the many times she suspected that Davina was cheating but she never had any proof.  “I’m not the kind of person to make accusations without proof.  IF I had had proof that Davina was cheating on me, or that she had beaten my son the way she had because he wasn’t going to let her beat my daughter, then she would have been gone a very long time ago”, she’d said at one point.

Davina’s attorney stood and applauded as he walked toward Jordan where she sat on the stand as soon as Greg was done questioning her.  “Quite a stunning performance.”

“It wasn’t an act.  I may have been a drama princess when I was younger, and I may have tendencies to get diva like, but I’m not acting.”

And it went on.  Ryan Andrews tried to discredit everything that Jordan said by twisting her words to make Davina look like the victim.  Jordan was having none of that.  She would correct him and did so sternly on several occasions, asking that the judge to have to court reporter read everything back to her from when she was examined by her own attorney.  After all was said and done, everyone’s cellphones were returned to them and they were all dismissed for an hour and for lunch.  David and Brie asked permission for Levi and Jasmine to be able to eat lunch with the family.  The judge considered it carefully.  “Mr. and Mrs. Draiman, I know that I can trust the two of you not to try to influence either of the children and to keep any of your children from trying to influence them.  As long as there is no discussion about the proceedings at the table I have no problem with them eating lunch with their mother and aunts and uncles.”

“Thank you, your Honor”, David said.

“Objection”, Ryan Andrews said.  “My client has been kept from her child for the past four months and would like to eat with her daughter.”

“Mr. Andrews, I know that I can trust Mr. and Mrs. Draiman no to allow conversation about the proceedings at the table.  I however do not know that I can trust your clients family and judging by the shameless display they put on for the press this morning I’m inclined to think that they can’t be trusted.  Remember, ladies and gentlemen, the gag still stands.  This session is not to be discussed outside of this courtroom or my chambers.  For those who don’t understand, don’t talk about what happened in here outside of here.  Like the old saying goes, ‘What happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas’.  What happens inside this courtroom, stays in this courtroom.  Now, we’re adjourned for an hour and a half for lunch.  Be here or be locked out and remember if you get locked out you’re not to speak about what’s been going on in here.  Enjoy your lunch, ladies and gentleman.”  The judge banged her gavel and walked away.

At lunch, Jordan was so happy she was nearly in tears.  She had her babies and she could see and speak to them.  That’s what she needed to make her day just a little better.  What would make all of the hell that she’d been through over the last few months worthwhile was if the judge gave her full custody of both kids.  She knew she’d get to keep Levi.  It was Jasmine that was up in the air.  But, she didn’t think about that.  She focused on the stories that her kids were telling.  Levi recounted his diving trip and promised to show his Mama the pictures when they got home.  Jasmine told her about the shopping trip and even did a little spin to show off the dress she was wearing that Gramma had let her pick out when they were shopping.  All Jordan could do was smile for an hour and a half.

Once court got back underway, the judge allowed Davina’s attorney to start to present his case.  Her friends, brother, sisters, and parents all spoke and each of them was made a fool of by Greg Feingold.  He threw their owns words back in their faces when they would testify inconsistently and remind them all that they were under oath.

Finally, Davina took the stand.  She sat and told her sob story about how Jordan was abusive, the Draiman boys were all brutish thugs, and the girls were all catty bitches who were push overs for men.  She said that she feared for Jasmine because of this fact.  She didn’t want her daughter to be a push over.  She wanted her daughter to be strong and independent.

Once her attorney was finished, she wiped her eyes as Jordan’s attorney got up and handed her a tissue.  “It sounds like you’ve been through quite an ordeal, Ms. Kealoah.”

“I have been”, she sniffled.

“Do you have any proof?”

“What?”

“Proof.  You know, something to substantiate your story.  Pictures of bruises, police reports, video of any of the alleged fights you say you’ve seen any of the Draiman’s have with their spouses?  Do you have any proof?”

“Well no.”

“You never called the police after Jordan allegedly beat you?”

“The Draiman’s are a powerful family.  I was afraid of the repercussions.”

The judge interjected.  “Forgive me, Mr. Feingold.”  She looked at Davina.  “Ms. Kealoah, repeat that for me.”

“I was afraid of the repercussions of calling the police because the Draiman family is so powerful.”

“To quote a dear idol of mine, ‘Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining’.  If you’re going to make such allegations, you have to have proof.  Jordan brought witnesses for all of her stories and Morbus had photos on his phone of you having several illicit affairs behind Jordan’s back.  You can’t come into this courtroom and say that you’re afraid for your daughter and the influence that the Draiman’s will on her without proof and witnesses for your allegations.  Even the mighty can be brought low.”

“I don’t have anything.”

The judge shook her head and looked at Greg.  “Do you have anything else, Mr. Feingold?”

“No, your Honor.  I’m finished with the witness.”

The judge sighed.  “We’re going to adjourn for about fifteen minutes so that I can consider all of the testimony given today and make my decision.”  She banged the gavel and walked away.

Jordan turned and looked at her brothers and sisters who were all there to support her and smiled.  “So, how are you feeling?” Jake asked her.

“I’m going home with my babies and she’s just going home.”

“Are you going to break your silence after this is over and speak to the press about what’s happened in here today?” Marc asked.

“Just about my relief to have this part of my nightmare over.”

“It’s nice to finally see you smile”, Delilah said softly.  “And I l know that our kids will be happy to see their closest playmates back too.”

“And I’ll be so happy to give that back to them.”

---------------

Judge Melody Haskins sat in her chambers and debated.  She didn’t debate the facts of the case.  Those were quite obvious.  The abusive one was Davina Kealoah not Jordan Draiman.  What her Honor sat and debated was whether or not to have Davina arrested in open court in front of two innocent children or to wait until the Draiman family was celebrating their win and the Kealoah’s were on their way out.

She picked up a her office phone and made a couple of phone calls.  There was to be a Special Victims Unit waiting outside of the courtroom while she rendered her decision so that they could arrest Davina Michelle Kealoah for assault on a minor child for the abuse she subjected Levi Draiman to. 

Once everything was said and done, she walked back out and her bailiff called the court back to order.  “Please be seated.”  Once everyone was sitting, she began.  “Before I state my decision, I’m going to say this.  There are a lot more and worse things that I was told by young Levi while in chambers with him alone that are beyond appalling.  I will not be stating them in open court because, Ms. Draiman, I know your family and I know your father’s temper.  If your temper is anything like his, you will flip and turn quite violent and I really don’t to see you arrested for assault in my courtroom. They will however be in my decision and the decree.  That being said, Ms. Kealoah, I am repulsed that you would think to come into my court and blatantly lie to me.  You couldn’t tell the truth if your life depended on it.  You’re a selfish, manipulative person who doesn’t deserve to be trusted with anyone else’s future.  Furthermore, how Ms. Draiman put up with you for a decade is beyond me.  I find that Jordan Hannah Draiman is the more fit parent for the minor child Jasmine Nichelle Draiman and hereby strip Davina Michelle Kealoah of her parental rights to the afore mentioned child.  The gag is hereby lifted.  It is so ordered and this court is adjourned.”

Jordan laughed happily as tears started to roll down her cheeks.  Both of her children ran to her from the back of the courtroom where they had been sitting with their grandparents and threw their arms around their Mama’s neck as they cried tears of joy along with her.

Davina and her family started to make their way out of the building.  As the courtroom doors opened, Jordan looked up in enough time to see two plain clothes detectives approach Davina to place her in handcuffs.  She was being arrested for the things that she’d done to the children.  Jordan couldn’t help but think in the back of her mind, THAT is poetic justice.