"Members of the jury, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty of attempted murder?"

All eyes in the courtroom flit from the judge to the lead jury member, who has been selected to speak on the behalves of the rest of the members. Levi's eyes fix on the small group; his brows furrow in anticipation of the answer.

"We find the defendant ... guilty, Your Honour."

George pumps his fist in relief at the news, whispering a tiny, "Yes!"

The judge nods in acknowledgement, before continuing. "And do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty of high culpability threat with a weapon?"

"We find the defendant ... guilty, Your Honour."

Levi wants nothing more than to jump up in jubilation at this result, but he knows he hasn't quite won the battle yet. He turns his head to find George in the public gallery; when he does so, they both flash subtle smiles to each other. Levi decides, at last, to take a glance at Mackenzie — who hasn't reacted to any of the words from the jury at all. Part of him feels bad for Mackenzie — not for what he did to him; but rather, that life became so lonely and desperate for him, that his logic dictated he must turn to crime in order to gain attention from someone.

"Thank you. Please be seated," the judge demands, before addressing the entire room. "There will be a sentencing hearing held at a later date, to be confirmed. This hearing is adjourned."

As the spectators and witnesses begin to exit the vicinity, George can't help but observe Mackenzie as he is taken back down to where he is being held. Mackenzie locks eyes on George only momentarily; but he gives a remorseful look just long enough for George to catch it.

Once George has arrived outside the court, he presses his back to the wall to wait for his husband. He pulls out his phone from his pocket, unlocking it to find he has unread messages from various family members and friends. The majority are well wishes for the trial; and one is from Penny, who has kindly taken on the school run for the men since they've been in London.

Hope today pans out in your favour. Kids are doing fine with Daniel and I. Let me know asap what happens. Love you both so much! xx

Hey Gogos, hope Levi does ok today, keep us informed, love Mel x

Hope the bastard gets what he deserves today, such a piece of work!! Keep us updated, Steph

Hey Yog, how did today go? Just wanted to check in on you. Nancy sends her love. Let me know when you're out of the courtroom mate. Andy x

"What a result, hey?" Levi's voice pulls George away from his phone. "Guilty of both charges."

"It's wonderful," George answers, bringing Levi in for a hug. "And I'm so proud of you for how you handled yourself in there. You were fantastic."

"I feel like I got a bit too emotional," Levi comments, his mind already ticking overtime in regards to the 'what could have been'. "I suppose it doesn't matter. We got what we went for. Now we just have to wait to see what sentence he gets."

"If it's anything other than prison, there's something wrong with the world," George snipes. "He shouldn't be allowed to walk free and risk hurting someone else — or worse."

"No, you're right," Levi agrees. "But I guess we cross that bridge when we get to it. We should head back to Goring and pick the kids up from Mum's. It feels as though she sees them more than we see them, these days."

"It's like you say — one catastrophe after another," George chuckles. "But yes, let's head home."

• • •

"Hey, George ... I had a text from Esme's dad. You remember Marcus?" Levi turns his phone around to show George the message from their new friend. "He's asked if he can come over to ours with Esme. He said he needs to talk to us about something."

"What? Tonight?" George cocks an eyebrow, puzzled at the request.

"Yeah," Levi responds. "Should I text him and say they can come over?"

"Yeah, that's fine." George leans forward in his seat, to read the phone screen over Levi's shoulder. "Do you think he's found out we decided to press charges for what his missus did to me at the meeting?"

"It could be about that," Levi evaluates. "I mean, we didn't really discuss it with him much."

"Maybe we should have," George frowns, resting his chin on his hand in contemplation. "It is his wife after all. Even if they've split up."

"He was the one who begged us to press charges in the first place," Levi reminds him. "Because he didn't want Esme around the toxicity."

"True." George grabs his tea mug from the coffee table in front of him, taking a quick sip to rid the dryness in his throat. "It could be a nice opportunity for Kieran and Esme to actually become friends. Now we know she isn't entirely to blame for the bullying, it may be a basis for a nice little friendship."

"You could be onto something there." Levi concludes his text response back to Marcus, before locking his phone. "I've given him our address. He'll probably get here in the next half an hour."

"I suppose we better tell the kids we'll have visitors," George decides, replacing his mug on the table so that he can hoist himself up off the sofa. "And maybe make the place look a little more presentable."

Levi chuckles gently, leaping into action to declutter the living room to an acceptable level before the guests arrive.

• • •

"Sorry for coming here at such short notice," Marcus apologises, once he enters the house. "Uh, Levi, your mum told me after school that you were both in London today at a court hearing. Did it go alright, whatever it was?"

"As "alright" as it could have gone," Levi replies honestly. "It's not really something we can talk about a lot in front of little ears. But yes, it went alright ... thank you."

"That's good." Marcus averts his eyes to his daughter, nudging her lightly. "Sweetheart, why don't you go and say hello to Kieran and Gemma?"

"Okay, Daddy." The little girl makes a beeline for the staircase, before disappearing out of sight and earshot of the three men.

"Did you want a drink or anything?" George offers. "We've got biscuits?"

"Oh, no, thank you," Marcus declines graciously. "Um, can we just have a conversation about something? Is the living room good?"

"Of course." Levi gestures with his hand in the direction of the living room, inviting Marcus in to sit down. "Take a seat anywhere. Well, apart from the corner seat on the sofa. That's George's territory."

"It is indeed," George laughs. "Free reign of anywhere else, though."

"Thank you." Marcus smiles, choosing to sit in one of the armchairs instead. "So, uh, I'm not exactly sure where to start with all this. A lot has happened since the meeting with the school."

"I think we both know what's going to get mentioned, already," Levi comments. "And we know we probably should have told you that George was planning to go ahead with it, but—"

"Oh, I can't thank you enough for doing that," Marcus intercepts, seemingly breathless from joy. "It's made life so much easier, now that you've chosen to press charges against Tanya. She deserved it anyway. I told you that after the meeting."

"S-So I'm guessing the school told you about it?" George enquires. "Seeing as we had to get the CCTV footage from the headteacher's office."

"Actually, no," Marcus corrects him. "Uh, you could say it was a bit of a shock really. We weren't exactly expecting the police to show up at the house at four o'clock in the afternoon on a weeknight. They arrested her just after I got home from collecting Esme from school yesterday."

"Shit," Levi gasps. "They act fast, don't they?"

"Evidently so," Marcus agrees. "Um, basically, they've taken her to the station to be questioned. But because they literally have the footage of the incident clear as day ... they're prosecuting her immediately. She couldn't deny it. She even pled guilty to what she did. And they're going to sentence her some point soon."

"Wow. She was the last person I was expecting to plead guilty to a hate crime," George says. "But thank god she did, I guess."

"She couldn't exactly wriggle out of what she did. There was literal evidence showing her committing the crime," Marcus points out. "So she was stuck either way. She probably figured that she'd get a lower sentence by just pleading guilty immediately. But part of me hopes she gets jailed for a nice, long time."

"So what happens to you and Esme?" Levi questions. "Do you have to have some kind of custody battle if she gets out?"

"Well, after what happened at the meeting ... social services consider Tanya to be a danger to our daughter. You know, with the physical assault. The verbal abuse. The mind games." Marcus gives a mellow smile, pleased with the outcome of his situation. "So, that certainly works in my favour. Esme's been placed with me permanently. Meaning that even if Tanya is released from custody, she can't touch me. I'm considering a restraining order so she can't hurt me, at least."

"Just do whatever is best for you and your daughter," George advises him. "That little girl's safety is the main thing that matters. And — sorry if this is insensitive to ask — but what about your criminal record? Does that not affect things at all?"

"Well, because what I did was way back in the eighties ... and my record has been clean since, it doesn't affect me having custody of Esme, no," Marcus explains. "But because Tanya has only just committed her crime, of course it doesn't look so great on her."

"I see." George unconsciously starts to fiddle with the corner of a cushion, as a means of eradicating his urge to fidget. "That's something at least. She needs at least one stable parent."

"It doesn't mean Tanya won't be able to see Esme at all, I guess," Marcus elaborates. "But I think if she wants to see her, it'll have to be supervised. And only at agreed times. I'm not one-hundred percent sure about everything yet. It's still early days."

"That's understandable," Levi assures him. "But how are you coping with everything? I know it's a lot of stuff coming at you, all at once."

Marcus hesitates, unsure as to how to answer the question that has been put to him. "Uh, well," he starts, trying to find the right words. "It's not been so easy, of course. Life has changed a little too much this last few weeks. I've gone from having a stable household with a wife and daughter ... to being a separated man waiting on his own apartment, so that he can start a new life with just his baby girl."

"It's a lot to take in," George states. "Anyone would be overwhelmed at all that going on."

"Enough about me, though," Marcus dismisses, swatting the air with his hand. "What about you guys? What happened today, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well, it's a long story. So I'll try to shorten it as best as I can," Levi answers. "Basically, not long back we went to London for a weekend trip. We met a guy there who seemed a little obsessed with me. Turns out, he stalked me for twenty-four hours, and then lured me to his hotel room to try it on with me. I rejected his advances and he didn't take it well, so he pulled a knife on me. Luckily, George intervened with a hotel receptionist, and the guy got arrested. Today was the trial."

"Shit, man." Despite the ordeal Marcus has just described, even he is floored by Levi's story. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. That must have shaken you up."

"I'm currently in therapy to try and learn to cope with it," Levi informs him. "It's not been easy. But I've got George and the kids; as well as family and friends. I'll get there in the end."

"Well, I'm glad." Marcus gives Levi a genuine smile; one almost of solidarity in the face of their own respective personal struggles. "I think in the end, all of us will get through the shit life is throwing at us."

"Daddy! Daddy!" The sound of Gemma's voice fills the staircase, as the lively eight-year-old bounds down the stairs from her bedroom. "Kieran's got a new girlfriend!"

The three men laugh at the expense of their children, watching as Gemma enters the room; the two seven-year-olds follow shortly behind her, trying to shut her up in embarrassment.

"She's not my girlfriend, Gem!" Kieran shrieks bashfully. "She is just my friend!"

"Kieran and Esme sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Gemma sings disparagingly. "First comes love! Then comes marriage! Then comes—"

"Shut up, Gem!" Kieran reaches his arm out, thumping his sister on the shoulder in protest to her mocking.

"Ow!" Gemma cries out, tears forming in her eyes. "That hurt, Kieran!"

"Okay! Alright!" George springs up, separating the aggravated children. "This isn't how we treat each other, is it, now?" His attention turns to Gemma first. "Gem, in future, don't tease your brother. But you, young man ... " He flits his gaze to his son, "You know far better than to hit people. That is absolutely not how I raised you. Say sorry to her this instant."

"Sorry," Kieran apologises, barely louder than a murmur.

"What was that?" George presses, prompting the boy to speak louder.

"I'm sorry, Gemma," Kieran repeats, audibly this time. "I won't hit you again."

"Good. Now Gem, apologise to Kieran and Esme for teasing them, please," Levi demands softly.

"Sorry Kieran. Sorry Esme," Gemma answers sheepishly. "I know you're not really boyfriend and girlfriend."

"It's okay," Esme smiles. "You're my friend as well, Gemma."

"And you're my friend, too," Gemma returns sweetly.

"I'm glad we've settled that," Marcus snickers. "But perhaps that's our cue to leave you all to it. It's getting late, now. The kids have school in the morning."

"Yeah, true," Levi comments.

The three men and the children all head to the front door, to say their goodbyes to one another. Once Marcus and Esme have left, George and Levi get to work on the kids' night routine. After a long, gruelling day, all they wish to do is relax and de-stress.

• • •

Chapter twenty-nine! Hope you enjoyed. xx