A/N: Okay before you start reading this chapter keep in mind that I know nothing about court and stuff other then what I have seen on TV, and that's not a lot. So if this horribly off and nothing like real court then PLEASE don't hold it against me. Read on. ^_^
Chapter 10
Today was the day. The day that would determine how long James will stay in prison. I hope desperately that he rots in that hell hole. I really wished they would give him a life sentence but I wasn't foolish enough to believe that he would get life just for ' abuse and rape' for it was considered a tiny case and he was a first time offender. He probably only get from five to ten years in federal prison. I'd take it though over just letting him go free. Of course I knew that Rose would do everything in her power not to let that happen.
I had hardly slept last night and I was nervously sipping my coffee, something I knew would make me jittery later. Rosalie had planned my outfit for me. She wanted something that would show off my skin. By doing this the judge could get a look at my bruises and scars. Rose had growled and began cursing when she saw them herself but of course I didn't blame her. I growled when I was twelve and discovered that Royce and some other dirty bastards gang raped my big sister. It amazed me how she jumped back from it even when it took some years. She is so strong and I admire her for that.
Sighing I put on the short sleeve v-neck blouse and a knee length skirt. I brushed my hair down to look more formal and I looked in the mirror. This really did show off my faded scars and yellowing bruises. The door creaked open quietly and I couldn't help but stare at Bella. She had on a blue button down blouse that hugged her curves and slacks that made her legs seem endless. Her naturally wavy hair cascaded around her face perfectly.
" Earth to Alice?" Bella said a bit amused.
" Oh hi Bella, you look nice." Bella was coming along to serve as a witness since she had seen me after I had gotten beaten.
Bella stepped closer to me and hesitantly touched one of my scars. Then her fingers lightly brushed over all of them.. I looked at her and she seemed to be in deep thought as she her fingers traced my healed wounds. Then finally she spoke.
" He has hurt you so much Alice..." her voice quivered and her eyes finally rested on mine and I saw that they were glassy with unshed tears. My heart thudded painfully in my chest. I hated seeing Bella cry.
" It's okay Bella I'm here, he won't hurt me again." I soothed as I tenderly wiped the fallen tears away from her cheeks.
" Your damn right he won't." she growled angrily, her eyes narrowing to angry slits, hands clenching into fists.
I simply just nodded and placed a soft tender kiss on her lips. She smiled and I smiled back at her. The doorbell rang and I went to answer the door, knowing it was Rose. Bella followed me. I looked through the peep hole and then opened the door.
" Are you two ready?" she asked. She smiled softly.I nodded and grabbed Bella's hand and she gave mine a gentle squeeze. Rosalie looked down at our interlocked hands and smiled. "'Bout time."
Our jaws dropped. She knew. " Close your mouths before you swallow a bug. You two have had this bond since high school. It was only a matter of time." she said before simply shrugging and heading down to her red convertible.
We got in the car and Rosalie began driving to the courthouse.
As we drew nearer and nearer I became more and more tense. Bella began massaging my tense shoulders and whispering soothing words in my ear. It worked until we were right in the parking lot of the court house. My stomach churned and I became queasy. I quickly got out of the car and went over to the grass just in case my breakfast wanted to come back up. My hand rested on my stomach as I hunched over. Bella was by my side in an instant. I threw up and she rubbed soothing circles on my back.
Rose came over. "Ali are you going to be okay? Your pale and clammy. Do you need some water?" She asked as she pulled out a bottle from her purse. I nodded and opened the bottle and took a few sips. Once I felt like I wouldn't throw up again I let her know I was okay.
My heart thudded painfully in my chest as we walked into the court house, then our designated court room. We entered the court room and took a seat at the table. I looked at the other table that James would be sitting at with his lawyer. It was only maybe seven feet away.
Rose and I took a seat at the table and Bella took a seat on the witness bench behind us.
Then behind us a door opened and in walked walked a guy in a grey suit and then my ex fiancee in a orange had dark bags under his eyes, but they only seemed to make him seem more intimidating. He still had that same sadistic glint in his eye...and that smirk. Thankfully his hands were cuffed and a prison guard had a tight grip on his arm. He looked at me and winked and at that exact moment a shiver went down my spine.
Then there was was Bella's voice soothing me, her lips danced on the crook of my neck. There was a loud growl and James stood up. " Don't touch her! That bitch is my property.
A dangerous fire was lit, and you could see it in Bella's eyes. " She isn't a bitch or your property you sick fuck! She is my girlfriend!" She yelled at him, but kept her place on the bench.
My heart swelled. Her girlfriend. She thought of me as her girlfriend.
" Mary Alice I didn't know you liked cunts." he sneered. I said nothing to him. The door opened again and in came my family, my back bone. With them here and their support I knew I could make it through this trial. My family was evidently trying to kill James with glares and if you could he would be long dead. Not that I would mind. I would rather make his death slow and painful though. I'd get revenge for the countless beatings he inflicted on me.
" All rise for Judge Turner." The voice snapped me out of my thoughts and Rose pulled me up to stand.
I watched as a hard faced woman in a black gown come out the door and took a seat at the stand. I couldn't help but get nervous.
" You may be seated." she said.
We all sat down and I watched her shuffle around with some papers and put her glasses on.
"We are here for the trial of James Hunter, whom has been charged with domestic abuse and sexual assault on his fiancee Mary Alice Cullen. The defendant's lawyer will be Tom Harris and the plaintiff lawyer will be Rosalie Cullen. We will hear out the defendant first."
James's lawyer stood up and began to speak. What argument could they put up when it was obvious with all of the evidence?
" Judge Turner. My client James Hunter is not guilty. This does not mean that he hasn't roughed up his fiancee a little, but it was under the influence of alcohol, and was fearful of his fiancee having an affair with someone at her job due to the late hours she would come home at. The night of the incident and nine one one call he did nothing but yell at her and raise his voice a bit."
" What the fuck are you playing at?" Bella yelled angrily to my surprise.
" Silence!" the Judge yelled sharply.
I turned around quickly and stopped Bella just when she was about to say something else. " Shhhh honey it's okay. Just calm down. I need you to just hold in your anger for me okay? I need you here. I don't want you to get kicked out for being uncontrolled. Wait until after the trial okay?" I asked her, gently turning her face towards me. She simply huffed and muttered and "Okay". I giggled softly at her childishness.
I turned back around and nodded for them to continue.
" Yes, now like I was saying. James has told me that all of their sexual happenings were completely pleasurable for both of them and that Miss Cullen was not forced into anything." he finished and then sat down.
"Now the plaintiff." The judge said.
Rose stood up. " Your honor my client Mary Alice Brandon was simply a victim to Mr. Hunter's horrible sadistic ways. He mistreated and forced her into having sex with him on many occasions. He in fact did beat Ms. Cullen while he was drunk, but she has informed me that he beat her when he was completely sober also. I have many pictures of my clients bruises, but you can see those on her for yourself and we have hospital records, along with witness Isabella Swan who was there shortly after Mr. Hunter's last attack on my client and saw her battered state for herself."
The judge nodded. " Present your evidence please."
Rose grabbed a manilla folder from her brief case and place it on the judges stand. The judge took a minute to review the evidence before looking up at James and his lawyer.
" I've noticed that these hospital records are not at the same same hospital, but in fact from many different hospitals. Do you have anything to say about that Mr. Harris?" the Judge asked, glaring in his direction.
" Uh, no your honor I don't." the lawyer looked a bit dumbfounded.
It basically went down hill from there. Either James's lawyer was not a good one or James failed to give a lot of information to the poor lawyer. After about thirty minutes the judge declared a thirty minute recess while the jury deliberated in a room in the back. As I walked out James and his lawyer seemed to be having a heated discussion. I quickly exited the court room and breathed in deeply.
" Are you okay Alice?" Rosalie asked me when she exited the courtroom with Bella behind her.
" Yea I'm fine." I assured.
" Are you hungry?" she asked as she pulled out a sandwich from her bag.
I was going to say no, but then my stomach growled loudly giving me away. Rose giggled and handed me the sandwich before bulling out one for Bella and herself. We pretty much ate in silence. I took my time eating the sandwich, looking around the court house, trying to avoid thinking about James at all cost. Soon the recess was over and we went back into the court room and took the seats we had before.
The judge came out of a door to the right and took a seat at her stand. The jury came out of the door to the right in a line and took there seats. One guy laid a piece of paper on the stand before taking his seat with the rest of the jury. This was it.
" The Jury finds the defendant guilty of all charges." the judge said.
It took a moment for me to actually comprehend what the judge said. He is going to jail...he can't hurt me anymore. Then there was commotion.
" You bastard you said you could get me off!" James yelled at his lawyer before punching him. The guy fell to the floor covering his nose.
" Officer restrain him!" the judge yelled. The officer grabbed him, but all to quickly James pulled out the from the officer's belt and two shots were fired. I felt them fly past me. The officer tackled James to the ground trying desperately to restrain him but failing miserably. I saw my huge brother run past me and helped the officer restrain James.
Then there was two cries of pain. I quickly turned around and saw my mother clutching her shoulder. My family was gathered around her, but someone was absent. Where's Bella?
" Ali" The pain filled whimper of my name sliced through my heart and there was another sharp pain in my stomach. I somehow ignored the pain and focused on the body of my lover on the ground in front of was clutching her lower stomach right where her scar was but there was blood gushing past her hand despite her desperately trying to cover the bleeding.
" Bella!"
Authors Note: I'm sorry for the cliffie and the very late update. I guess you deserve a bit of an explanation. I was in the hospital for some weeks and I've been pretty depressed about my life in general so I hardly thought about my little story here. Not to mention I've been busy with work. Now since summer is here I will most likely have a bit more free time on my hands so I will try and update more frequently. I know I kinda suck and I probably don't deserve reviews, but could you leave some please? Love you guys and gals. :3
~secrets87