Chapter 6
The next few weeks were a blur of court dates, doctor's appointments, and NICU visits.
Grace grew stronger every day.
She gained weight. She came off the oxygen. She learned to bottle-feed.
The doctors said she was a fighter.
Just like her mother.
Just like her grandmother.
Ryan was indicted on two counts: assault causing bodily injury to a pregnant person, and felony domestic violence.
He pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer argued that Ryan was a "devoted family man" who had been "provoked" by my "emotional instability" during pregnancy.
It was disgusting.
But it was also expected.
What we didn't expect was the subpoena.
Three weeks after Ryan's indictment, Diane was served.
The district attorney wanted to question her about the night of the assault.
But we both knew what they really wanted.
Ryan had talked.
"They're going to ask me about the fire," Diane said, her hands trembling as she held the subpoena.
Sarah was with us in the waiting room of Grace's pediatrician's office.
"They will," she confirmed. "Ryan has given them a statement. He's alleging that Diane confessed to him about killing her husband. The DA has to investigate. It's protocol."
"What happens now?" I asked.
"Diane will need her own lawyer," Sarah said. "I can recommend someone. A good defense attorney. Someone who understands battered woman syndrome."
"I can't afford a lawyer," Diane whispered. "My savings... I used most of it to help with the hospital bills."
"I'll pay for it," I said immediately.
"Emily, no—"
"Yes," I interrupted. "You saved my life. You saved Grace. This is the least I can do."
Sarah nodded.
"I know someone. She's expensive, but she's the best. I'll call her today."
Diane looked at the subpoena in her hands.
"I'm going to lose everything, aren't I?" she said softly. "My home. my freedom. My granddaughter."
"You're not going to lose Grace," I said. "No matter what happens, you are her grandmother. And I will make sure she knows you. She will know the woman who saved her life."
Diane looked at me, tears in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered.
The interview with the DA was brutal.
I sat in the waiting room while Diane and her new lawyer, Margaret, went inside.
Two hours later, they came out.
Diane looked exhausted.
Margaret looked grim.
"How did it go?" I asked.
"They asked about the fire," Margaret said. "Diane invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Which is the right move. But it means the DA will keep digging."
"Will they find anything?"
Margaret sighed.
"Fifteen years is a long time. Evidence degrades. Witnesses move away or die. But Ryan's testimony is specific. He gave them details about the night of the fire that only someone with knowledge would know. The DA is taking it seriously."
She looked at Diane.
"We need to prepare for the possibility of charges."
Diane nodded slowly.
"I understand."
That night, we brought Grace home.
She was five pounds, four ounces now. Tiny, but perfect.
Diane had moved in with me to help.
Ryan's house was in my name—premarital property that I'd kept separate. Diane had sold her own house in Houston and was staying with me indefinitely.
We sat on the couch that night, watching Grace sleep in her bassinet.
"She's so beautiful," Diane whispered.
"She is."
"Emily, if I'm charged... if I have to go to trial... I need you to be prepared. For the possibility that I might lose."
I looked at her.
"I won't let that happen."
"You can't promise that."
"Then I'll fight with you. Every step of the way. And if the worst happens... I'll bring Grace to see you. Every week. She'll know you. She'll love you."
Diane reached out and touched Grace's tiny hand through the bassinet.
"I love you, Emily," she said. "You and Grace. You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I love you too, Diane."
And in that quiet moment, with Grace sleeping peacefully between us, I knew.
We had already won.
May you like
Because we had each other.
And nothing Ryan could do would ever take that away.
