She didn't look up as the courtroom emptied. Natalie stroked her hair. "I'll take you home." "The kids--" "We'll handle the paperwork." "They'll fight you. They'll win." "Probably. Don't think about it right now." Meredith nodded. Samson helped her to her feet and held the gate open. Natalie pulled Meredith into her arms and held her, helpless to stop the sobs, only able to buffer them with her body and hold Meredith up. # The press waited just outside the courthouse. Meredith held Natalie's elbow, despite Natalie's limp, despite the fact that if Meredith leaned on Natalie too hard, Natalie might collapse. "Ms. Jameison, do you have a statement?" "Ms. Jameison, are you going to appeal?" "Merry, do you think justice was served, when a family has lost their son?" "What are you going to tell your children?" Meredith was wan as Natalie pushed through the crowd toward the waiting car. Samson waved at the press, trying to get their attention turned toward him. "I'll make a brief statement." People took pictures and followed Natalie and Meredith until they were in the backseat of the car.
