"Almost ready babe?" Chris calls from our bedroom. I'm currently hiding in our closet, I've been dressed and ready for twenty minutes already. He steps into the small space and finds me.

"I guess," I mutter.

"I know this is uncomfortable but I think it will be really good for you to see this end," he tells me, tucking some hair behind my ear. It's been a couple months since I`ve last seen Hope. I had to use crutches for a couple weeks after the stabbing but I'm walking on my own now. Unfortunately I have been experiencing some nightmares about Hope and Chris is convinced that going to her sentencing hearing today will help me find closure and start moving forward.

Pulling into the courthouse parking lot my heart rate picks up. I already can't wait to leave. I clutch his hand as we walk closer to the building trying to control my breathing.

"It'll be over soon, I promise." He whispers to me.

Once we enter the courtroom I find his parents immediately. I was happy to see that they were sitting behind the prosecution and not where Hope is going to sit. Ms Racheal and Mr Bob both smile softly at us as we sit down.

"Hey sweetheart," Ms Racheal s says as I take a seat next to her. She kisses my cheek and I can tell she's been crying already.

"How are you this morning?" I ask.

"We’re ok, she has to face the consequences of her own actions," Mr Bob answers for her. I offer a small smile back and nod my head a little. I have just a moment to lean back into Chris until the side door opens and someone steps out.

"All rise," the bailiff calls to us all. As we stand the judge enters the room and takes his seat, followed out by Hope in handcuffs. Her hair is a mess and her jumpsuit is washing her out making her look pale. She notices us instantly and seeing us all sitting together her eyes go dark. She manages to walk the rest of the way and sit down in her seat without looking away from us. The hearing itself is pretty straightforward, given everything she has done is documented and she was only allowed to serve time in the hospital before based on her good behavior there.

"I'm ordering you to serve the rest of your thirty year sentence in state prison, you will be eligible for parole after fifteen years." The judge says as he bangs his gravel. Ms Racheal whimpers and starts to cry quietly, Mr Bob tightens his hold around her shoulder. I closed my eyes and let out the breath I've been holding, hearing that she will be locked away for the foreseeable future is a huge relief, Chris was right, this is taking a small weight off my chest.

Just as Hope stands to be led away back to prison she turns to us and makes a lunge for me. I reared back into my seat just as Chris jumped in front of me and Ms Racheal screams. With her arms still raised above her head like she wanted to hit me she's grabbed by two officers and pulled back.

"I hate you!! You'll pay for this one day Larkin! You ruined me!" She screams at me. The police are pulling her toward the exit.

"You stole everything from me! I hate you!" She yells as she's pulled behind a closed door. Ms Racheal is sobbing next to me now and Chris is pulling me out of my seat and into his arms.

"Are you ok? I'm sorry, maybe we shouldn't have come," He says with his head down.

"I think it's ok honestly, it was good to see it end." I said quietly, I mean it too. I don't feel instantly better but I know she will be away from us and seeing her in handcuffs helped a little too.

Leaving the courthouse I feel lighter than I have since I found out about the affair. I thought that finally being divorced would be what made me feel free but it was this. Part of me will always be devastated over the loss of my friendship with Hope. She was family. I leaned on her when I had nothing. The other part of me could not be happier that I will hopefully never see her again. The entire thing makes me so sad. It's crazy how I am a completely different person than I was just a year ago. I have a new baby, house, husband and friends but It will take a long time to completely move past who I used to be and how quickly I got here.

I know they say everything happens for a reason and it's true. I do feel like I was always supposed to end up with Chris. I can't imagine being without him now, I would feel incomplete, He's everything I can't be and everything me and the kids need. I am excited to see where we are in another year once we have all had a chance to settle and put some space between us and this entire ordeal.

"I love you,” Chris kisses my head.

"I love you more, let's go home." I say back. As we get out onto the road Chris turns us toward our home, where our children and the rest of our lives wait for us.

Just as we were pulling into the driveway Eric texted me. We have been doing ok lately, we have a couple of child swaps under our belts and he has been completely civil since we finalized the divorce.

Eric: I heard about Hope this morning. I just wanted to make sure you guys are doing ok. Tell the boys I said hey

Larkin: Thanks, glad to have it behind us.

I looked over at Chris and smiled a true genuine smile. I can't wait for what's next for us now. He wants to have one more baby and if we're gonna do it, it has to be soon then I'm finished. I reach over and take his hand before we get out of the car.

"Ready?" He asks me.

"Ready"' I reply still smiling.