Almost Easy

Chapter Ninety-Five:

The past few months have been long and exhausting, but I wouldn’t change them for anything. So much has changed, but so many things are still the same.

Derek confessed to his crimes and is being locked away for fifteen years. It doesn’t sound like much considering what he did, but at least he’ll be out of my life for the time-being. He admitted to rape and aggravated assault. Since he confessed, the judge was lenient with his punishment. I’m sure that something that Doug’s attorney relayed had something to do with Derek confessing, but I wasn’t about to ask. I’m sure that I’m better off not knowing the hairy details. I doubt that Derek would have even gotten fifteen years, if it wasn’t for the severity of my injuries.

Soon after Derek was prosecuted, my mother went to trial. She was found guilty. Of course, she didn’t admit to a thing. She was sentenced with child negligence, conspiracy to commit a crime, withholding information, assault and for breaking my protective order against her. Her sentence is longer than Derek’s, since she refused to cooperate and tried to cuss out the judge.

As soon as she was thrown in jail, Doug set out on adopting me, officially. I mean, technically, I’ll be eighteen soon. So, it probably doesn’t make that much, but to actually being a Baker, is amazing. It didn’t take long for the judge to rule Doug my legal guardian, or to change my last name. Knowing that Lynn is stripped of her parental rights is a good feeling.

It seems like things are looking up for everyone. Matt and Samantha are still together and going strong. It’s nice seeing him happy. He really does deserve it. I can’t remember ever seeing him as happy as he is when he is with her. He even introduced Johnny to Samantha’s cousin, who is visiting in town for a couple of weeks.

Zacky and Tiffany are still an item. Truth is I like having Tiffany around. She’s a good friend and I think she and Zacky are both good influences on each other. Things are running a lot more smoothly, now that Zacky isn’t afraid to use his words to tell her just how he feels.

Jimmy and Hayden are deliriously in love. Sure, we might still give them crap for their disgustingly cute public displays of affection, but there’s no doubt in my mind that we don’t all secretly love it. They are my OTP.

Holland, Hayden and Oliver decided to make living in California permanent. Doug assured them that they could move in with us and that it wasn’t a problem, since we were lacking space or funds.

Doug and Holland have made it clear to everyone, including themselves that they don’t want to rush things or their relationship. That didn’t stop Doug from proposing or Holland from accepting. They both want a long engagement and decided not to pick a wedding date, just yet. When it happens, it happens and I couldn’t be happier for them. I think that they both found their missing halves in each other. I swear that they are soul mates.

I decided that I wanted to go to college close by and that I didn’t want to be away from everyone. It’s hard just thinking about leaving everyone, after everything that went down. Hayden and Oliver decided to transfer out here, so we’ll all be going to school together.

I go to therapy four times a week and sometimes, it still doesn’t feel like it’s enough. I’ve made a little bit of progress, but by no means am I better. It’s still a challenge to take things one day at a time. I think that it’s something that I’m going to struggle with for a long time.

Brian has been true to his word and has been as patient as ever. I don’t think that I could even put into words how much I appreciate him. I’ve never loved anyone the way that I love him. I know that he’ll do his damnedest to keep his promise. There’s not a doubt in my mind that we can try to make for forever, together. I know it won’t be easy and I don’t need it to be. When it’s real, you have to fight for it. For once in my life, I know that I’m fighting for someone who is willing to fight for me back. It’s a good feeling.

All in all, despite still healing, everything is looking up and for the first time it seems like everything is gonna be alright.

Notes

Alright, you beautiful people, this is it! I've had some requests for a sequel, but for now, I'm gonna say that it's not likely. It may happen in the unforeseeable future, but I just can't see it happening right now.

I have some other stories that I'm working on. Avenged Sevenfold-wise, Welcome to My World is going to be writing focus and will be updated next week.

Thank you all, so much, for sticking with this beast of a story with me! I can't believe it's actually finished.

Reviews? Hugs? Rotten tomatoes?

Love and hugs,
Katie