YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline

CHAPTER 1: PROLOGUE

"Ms Swan, do you have anything to add before the court passes sentence?"

"Yes, your Honor. I would like to request the court to temper mercy in this case. The death sentence holds no appeal for me as a form of vengeance, getting even like 'an eye for an eye', or that is what you deserve. What I want is for him to live every day with the knowledge that he murdered my mother and to have that fact torture him until hell freezes over as he looks around his surroundings.

"In time I am hoping that I can find forgiveness in my heart for what he did, but, at the moment, I can't. Looking around I see what this is doing not only to my family, but, to his, the hell that his actions have tossed all of us into. Not only has he murdered another person, but, he has stolen from all of us. Stolen time his family could be spending with him. Stolen time my mother could have had with me at my graduation from college, starting a new career, getting engaged and married, being there to hold her grandchildren and possibly, her great grandchildren. That he has stolen from my family and at the same time it could be said that he stole that from his family as well.

"I will pray for you, even though, at the moment I have to force myself to do it. For it is really hard for me to believe that you planned the action you took just to try and get even with my father. Some day maybe you will find peace, but, only you will be able to seek it." With that being said Isabella Marie Swan took the seat next to her father while the judge begins to speak.

"Edward Anthony Cullen, a jury of your peers has found you to be guilty of the charge of murder in the first degree. It is the duty of this court to pass sentence upon you in accordance of the laws in the State of Washington. So, therefore, you will be removed to the State Correctional Facility where on a date and time chosen by them be put to death for the murder of Renee Marie Swan. May God have mercy upon your soul."

Two screams and loud wailing could be heard from the other side of the courtroom where his mother and sister sat. Edward heard them; in fact, he acutely could hear every sound made in the courtroom. It was surreal. He hadn't been able to prove his innocence. And the judge had just sentenced him to death.

The officers that had escorted him over from the jail were waiting to put the cuffs back on him to escort him back to jail. He was acting in a daze. How could this happen? Why? Tears falling he looked back at his family with hopelessness showing in his features to see the terror on his mother's and sister's faces, a determination upon his father's face and the horror reflected upon the faces of his friends who all have stood by him and given him moral support all through this ordeal.

Being led out through a side door from the courtroom Edward was taken down a hallway in which he was not even paying any attention due to his shock. Suddenly he realized that he was being ushered into a conference like room and left after removing the handcuffs with the door closed. But, it wasn't long before his unconscious questions were answered. The door opened to admit his family.

Upon seeing Edward, both his mother, Esme, and his sister, Alice ran over to throw their arms around him while trying to contain their sobbing. Edward wrapped his arms around them with the tears still falling from his own eyes, trying to give them some comfort.

"Edward, we don't have long, but, your attorney was able to get us this time for a visit. He will be here shortly so we can discuss options for getting this wrong righted."

"Dad, you never asked and for that I am grateful, but, let me state for the record that I didn't do this. I would never do something like this. Many a time, I acted foolishly, but, never would I murder someone."

"I know, son, you don't have to tell me that. I raised you and I know the kind of person you are." Carlisle Cullen told his son.

"We need to have some kind of plan in place to get you freed. But, we need for your attorney to tell us what our options are at this point so we are all working together. And, I am telling you now not to give up hope, because you will be proven innocent. Believe that, my boy."

Edward was thankful to have a family that believed in him with unwavering steadfastness. It gave him hope for going towards a future free of this burden. But, his heart was heavy, as it has been from the beginning, for the Swan family and their loss. He did have a hard time understanding how Isabella could believe that he would do something like that to her mother. But, trauma can cause different reactions to different people. He knew that much from having a doctor as a father.

While they all wait for the attorney each individual in the room begins to reflect back to before all of the horror began. To a time where they were a family like any other with all of the ups and downs, arguments and laughter, the joys and the sorrows, but, the love that all had for each other.

A/N: What happened to put Edward in this set of circumstances? Why would everyone believe that he committed murder? What would Bella testify against him? What was led to him being tried and sentenced to death? Will his family be able to find the truth and get him freed?

I will be updating once a week on this story and hope that you enjoy it.

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