This is one shot. It takes place after Theresa and the others get back from the Crane compound. From there the story is an AU. Read and enjoy, also, I don't own and make no money.
-Passions-
Theresa was stunned. What she knew of the law, Ethan couldn't get the charges dropped without her consent. Only Alistair can do that. She had a feeling that now they were back, Gwen would at least stand trial. After telling Ethan to leave, she calls the new attorney that her new job can afford her. She hadn't told Ethan that she was now working for Alistair. The job came with a hefty paycheck and she could work from home, only going in for meetings and the such. She briefly converses with Jordans her new attorney, he tells her that he has already contacted the D.A. and told him that they are ready to proceed. The D.A. refused to drop the charges and they also got evidence that showed Rebecca bribed the judge in Ethan Martin's custody case. They were looking into charges on that case.
While Theresa was bracing for the fight to come, Ethan arrived back at the mansion. He was greeted with the sight of Gwen and Rebecca being lead out in handcuffs. Stopping an officer, Ethan asks, "What's going on here?" "We have warrants for their arrests, issued today," says the officer. "Warrants, what warrants, the charges were dropped," says a confused Ethan. "D.A. has a fugitive warrant for Mrs. Winthrop and just filed charges against Mrs. Crane. We have to take them to the station and book them," replies one of the officers. They then ask Ethan to move aside and proceed to take Gwen and Rebecca to the waiting squad cars. Soon they were both on their way to the police station. Ivy steps up to Ethan and says, "Theresa must of repressed charges against Gwen and somehow gotten charges pressed against Rebecca. You can't let her get away with this." "I told her that if she went and repressed charges I would take custody of Jane from her. She must've call the D.A. after I left and forced the D.A.'s hand," says an angry Ethan. He told his mother that he had to get down to the station and get Gwen and Rebecca out of jail.
Shortly thereafter, Ethan arrived at the stationhouse. He went in search of his father, Sam. "Dad, I thought the D.A. dropped all the charges, what's going on," Ethan says to him. With a weary sigh, Sam replies back, "The D.A. refused to drop the charges and now they say they have proof that Rebecca aided Gwen with running from custody." Swiping his hand through his hair, Ethan, too, sighs and states, "Can I at least get them bailed out so they won't have to spend the night in jail." Just as he was saying this, the D.A., one Jacob Spencer, walked in. Seeing him, Ethan walks over and says, "Jacob, you…" Just as he was saying this Spencer interrupted by saying, "Do not call me Jacob, we are not friends. First, I never said that the charges against your wife would be dropped. Secondly, they will face arraignment tomorrow. The judge will decide on bail then, you are free to file for a show cause hearing. That is your only options." With that the D.A. asks for a moment of Chief Bennett's time. They walk over to the side of the bullpen to talk. Not wanting to wait to see his wife Ethan attempts to see his wife, only to be told he would have to wait until they were finished with booking process. Not even using the fact his father was chief of police could get him in to see his wife at that moment. Settling into a hard plastic chair, Ethan waited to see his wife. What he didn't see is that he would be waiting all night.
-Passions-
Theresa was at the courthouse bright and early, along with her attorney. They were there to file for custody of Jane. They wanted to get a jump on Ethan, his threat still on the forefront their minds. As Theresa, and her attorney went to the clerk's office to file the papers, Ethan walked in to the courthouse. He spent a sleepless night waiting to see Gwen. It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning, when the booking was finally finished, that Ethan was finally able to see his wife. As he walked towards the courtroom where Rebecca and Gwen were going to be arraignment, he spies Theresa with someone he didn't recognize, walking through the halls and towards the clerk's office. Wanting to speak to her and tell her to drop the charges, Ethan looks at his watch and saw that he needed to hurry to the court room for the arraignment. Walking, really practically running, Ethan arrived at the courtroom #4 just in time. Walking in as their case was called. Ethan walked up to the podium and told the judge that he was representing his wife and mother-in-law. The judge asked for their pleas, and they said not guilty. Then the D.A. said, "Your honor, both defendants are a grave flightrisk. They both have the means and money to flee the jurisdiction. Mrs. Winthrop has already proven this once, we request that you remand them to custody to await their trials." "Your honor, my wife and her mother are not flight risks and will remain in the jurisdiction of this court. We request ROR," says Ethan. The judge looks at the parties before him, and took in all of the facts written in the folder before him. He comes to a decision, saying, "I find that the defendants are a flight risk and will be remanded to custody pending trial. So order, call the next case."
With that the judge bangs his gavel and Gwen and Rebecca are escorted back to the holding cell to await their transport back to jail. Gwen look imploring at Ethan, begging him to do something. Wearily, Ethan turns to go leaves the courthouse. Going back to the mansion, he went up to his room and laid down. Ivy was concerned.
Where was Gwen and Rebecca, they should have come back with him. As she started up the stairs when there was a knock on the door. Crossing to the front door, Ivy opened it and saw an young man on the front steps. "Is Ethan Winthrop here," he asks. Turning to a passing maid, she has her go and get her son. A bleary eyed Ethan made his way down the stairs after the maid woke him up. Seeing someone he doesn't recognize, Ethan approaches the door. "Are you Ethan Winthrop," states the young man. "Yes," a confused Ethan says. "You've been served," the young man says handing Ethan a large envelope. Realizing that the man was a process server, Ethan takes the papers. Closing the door after the man left, Ivy turned to Ethan asking what are they about. Ethan, having read through the papers, says "Theresa is suing for full custody of Jane. She has already filed and gotten temporary custody pending a hearing." "She can't do that can she," asks an furious Ivy, thinking how dare she. Ethan groans and tells his mother that he needs to get a few hours sleep and then he will get right on Gwen and Rebecca's case as well as file his own motion for custody. With that Ethan walked back upstairs with the custody papers. Ivy was left downstairs silently vowing that Theresa would lose everything.
-Passions-
It had been a week since the return from the compound. Gwen and Rebecca were still in the Harmony Jail pending trial. Ethan has gotten a show cause hearing in this time. It was the day of the hearing. Theresa and Ethan came face to face for the first time in a week. Ethan was confident that Gwen and Rebecca would be released as the charges would get dropped. The hearing was called and the judge came out. Only instead of Rebecca's friend, Judge Reilly, it was another judge, one Erin Mitchell. This caused Rebecca to go pale. She hoped that this judge will see that her and Gwen were the wronged parties. Regaining her previous confidence. Rebecca look around and spotted Theresa. Sending her an evil look when their eyes meet. So did Gwen. But Theresa just remained as confident that the hearing will go the way of the truth. Ethan started the hearing.
"Your honor, my client was under the influence of powerful drugs when this happened and her mother only tried to keep her safe. I ask that you drop these ridiculous charges and let them go home to their families," said Ethan confidently. The D.A. didn't even have to ask as the judge, looking up from her reading, saw the illegalities of this case. She states, "Mr. Winthrop, you know that you can't represent your wife or her mother, don't you?" "I am confused your honor, why can't I," asks Ethan not liking where this was going. "You are one of the victims father, this is a major conflict of interest. I ask that you recuse yourself. As for cause, there is plenty to sustain a case against both defendants. With that said I find that the show cause order, that the prosecution has enough to go to trial. Mr. Winthrop I deny your requet," saying that the judge set the trial date and advise Gwen to seek other representation. Rebecca and Gwen were lead away to return to the Harmony Jail. Ethan was dumbfounded. As he walked out, two officers walked up to him and asked if he was Ethan Winthrop. Saying yes, Ethan finds himself handcuffed on an arrest warrant. It seem that the custody and adoption of Ethan Martin Crane was illegal. Escorted out and to the jail, Ethan wondered where his life went wrong.
Theresa left the courtroom and saw Ethan getting arrested. Her attorney followed her and broke the news that Ethan, Gwen and Rebecca were getting kidnapping charges place against them for the illegal adoption of Ethan Martin. Knowing this is going to cause her more trouble, Theresa walks to her car and leaves for her home. There she is greeted of the sight of her son and daughter gathered in the living room.
-Passions-
Ethan finally arrived back at the mansion, after being arraigned, Ethan found his mother waiting in the front parlor. Having heard him come in, she met him at the bottom of the stairs. Asking where had he been, Ethan replied that he was arrested and was told that he could not represent Gwen or Rebecca. Ivy asked about the custody case over Jane, Ivy asked if the arrest would effect the outcome of who gets Jane. Ethan was unsure, if there is enough evidence then Theresa could easily get full sole custody. With that a weary Ethan bids his mother good night and heads to his and Gwen's room to get some sleep. Ivy watched with a sense of foreboding. She just knew that things were going to get worse. She too headed to her room in the mansion.
At the Lopez-Fitzgerald's house, Theresa was going over some contracts as she watched Fox play with Jane and Ethan Martin. A smile came to her face as she saw what a good father he would make. The children tiring, Fox and Theresa put both children to bed and went back to the living room. Fox asked how the hearing went. She told him all about it and Ethan's arrest afterwards. She just hoped that things go well at the custody hearing the next day. With that Fox left for the mansion, and Theresa retired to her bedroom.
Soon it was the next day. The day of Jane's custody hearing. Ethan arrived late while Theresa was on time. The judge, Jonathan Reyonlds, allows Theresa to go first since she had filed the custody suit. Ethan, with everything going on, forget to file his own suit against Theresa. Theresa's attorney started out by outlining the fact that both Ethan and his wife were pending trial on criminal charges. Then he went on to tell the courts that Ethan even try to blackmail his client into dropping charges or she would lose her daughter. That Theresa had a job, childcare and a home for her daughter. Then it was Ethan's turn. He started with saying that the criminal charges against him and his wife would end with them being found not guilty. Then he went on to say that Theresa wasn't fit to raise Jane. That she was a danger. At this Jordans, said that the only dangerous one was Ethan's wife, Gwen. Ethan and Jordans went back and forth like this for 15 minutes. Finally the judge had enough, Reyonlds said he had heard enough. That it was clear that both Ethan and Gwen were, at that moment, the ones who weren't fit at this time. So he was giving custody to the child's mother, Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. He stated Ethan is allowed only supervised visitation. He went on to say that this will be revisited in six months.
With that said Ethan, Theresa and Jordans all left the courtroom. Ethan tried to get Theresa to talk to him, to see reason. Theresa just ignored him and walked right past. Ethan, feeling defeated, went to the appointment to see an attorney friend of his. He was trying to see if his friend, Michael Eckert, would represent Him, Gwen, and Rebecca. Arriving at Eckert's office he is shown in and gets down to business. Eckert says he will but that they have an up hill climb. The evidence was overwhelming. Ethan left and returned to the mansion. There he told his mother what happened at the courthouse. As he was doing this, Eckert went to the jail to see Rebecca and Gwen.
-Passions-
The weeks past and Gwen and Rebecca's trial started. The D.A. outlined the case and though interrupted, said that they had proof that the defendants were a danger to society and that they didn't care who they hurt. With that said, it was Eckert's turn. He tried to paint Gwen and Rebecca in a sympethic light. Several times during his opening, the D.A. objected and most were sustained. Then the D.A. began calling witnesses. He first called Fox Crane, who gave an accurate account of what he witnessed that day. Then the D.A. called Dr. Martin, a toxicologist, to give testimony on the drugs that were in Gwen's system at the time of the attempted murder. There were none. This was objected to. Then for count of kidnapping of Ethan Martin, the D.A. called the CPS worker and then judge Reilly. All told of bribery and blackmail by Rebecca Crane and her daughter. Then it was Theresa's turn. She told of being blamed for the death of Sarah, to which the D.A. gave evidence of that night, and the taking of her son. Then she went on to say that once Gwen found out that Jane was hers, Gwen has determined to get her out of the picture. Eckert tried to paint Theresa in an unfavorable light, but was objected to and had to admit defeat. The trial lasted for 7 days, then it went to the jury. The jury was out for four hours, then they signaled to the bailiff that they had come to a decision. Soon, everyone was back in the court room to her the verdict. "Foreman, please read you verdict," said the judge. "In the case of Gwen Winthrop, one count one through five, we find the defendant guilty. On counts six and seven, we find the defendant guilty" states the jury foreman. "And in the case of Rebecca Crane, what say you," the judge then asks. The foreman reads, "On counts one through five, we find the defendant guilty. On six through nine, we find the defendant guilty," with that said the judge bang his gavel as there was a roar in the crowds, with Gwen and Rebecca screaming the loudest. "The defendants are remanded til the sentencing hearing, tomorrow at nine am," with that the judge dismissed the courtroom and Gwen and Rebecca were escorted out still dumbfounded at the fact they were convicted. Ethan was stunned. What would happen when he goes to trial. Theresa was standing at the back of the courtroom. Feeling like karma happened to Gwen and Rebecca.
At the sentencing the next day, Gwen was given a total of 105 years, to be served consecutively. Rebecca was given 110 years to be served consecutively as well. This caused Rebecca and Gwen to become faint. The next week it would be Ethan's trial.
-Passions-
It had been a week since Rebecca and Gwen were convicted and sentenced to prison. It was now time for Ethan's Trial. In a repeat of the previous trial, Ethan was too found guilty and sentence to 60 years in prison.
Sam heard, the day of Ethan's sentencing that the D.A. was looking into other activities by Rebecca. It seemed that Rebecca was committing some kind of fraud. It was to early in the investigation to bring any charges yet.
The next few months would prove that seasons always change and with it bring heartache and smiles.
Next story takes place six months after Ethan's sentencing. Rebecca has one more ace up her sleeve and uses it. Stay tuned for what that is. Also will Ethan and the ladies get out of prison. Will Gwen and Ethan finally get Jane. Wait and see.