After following them to the side room they were in before and retaking their seats at the table, the solicitor spoke.
"So, Mr Scott has changed his plea"
"He's pled guilty?" Alice asked,
The male nodded "Yes, apparently he made the decision in the court after your testimony"
"He was going to plead guilty all along wasn't he?" Lucy asked, she was quite surprised by the news.
"I don't know" He answered. "I shouldn't say this, but, I know his type of criminal. It probably was his intention all along"
"I know him" Lucy told him. "So what charges as he admitted to?"
"Well, as we know, he was only being retried on the assault charges, but in exchange for his plea change, he's asking for three of the five sexual assault charges to be dropped"
"Just three of them?" Lucy asked,
"Yes, he's admitting to the one that occurred on the night of the GBH charge and the one resulting in your pregnancy, basically he's admitting to the ones where there is forensic evidence"
To Alice the final revelation came as a surprise, it didn't shock her, but it was an unpleasant thought that her nephew's birth was the result of such a difficult ordeal. Without saying a word Lucy took hold of Alice's hand, obviously this statement came as a difficult reminder.
Suzanne spoke up "What we need Lucy is your permission to drop these charges"
Lucy nodded, not hesitating "Do it"
"You can take some time to think about this" Suzanne reminded her.
Lucy looked at Alice, who squeezed her hand reassuringly "This is your decision Lucy" Alice told her.
"Do it" Lucy repeated "If it means he will definitely be charged, Do it"
"I will" He told her, "We will be back in court in 5 minutes, I just need to tell the judge"
Lucy looked back at Alice, tears in her eyes but instead of allowing herself to cry she took a deep breath and regained her composure. "I suppose we should go back for the verdict" she said.
"You don't have to" Suzanne told her.
"No I want to" Lucy objected "I need to see this through".
Lucy still had a hold of Alice's hand, and kept a hold of it as they returned to the courtroom and sat waiting for the plea to be finalised and case to be closed.
...
Everyone in the room stood as the judge re-entered the courtroom. He sat down before instructing the room to do the same, he then began addressing the room.
"I must take the time to thank the jury for their service. Since a plea deal has been reached, you are all now dismissed. Please follow the court officer who will guide you out. Once again we thank you for your time and attention to this case." The people of the jury followed his instructions. After they had left the room became silent again.
"Mr Jonathon Paul Anthony Smith" He addressed the defendant, who stood up with his solicitor. "On the charges of Grievous Bodily Harm and two counts of Sexual Assault, how do you now plead?"
"Guilty" he spoke.
Lucy sighed with relieve, she let go of Alice's hand and rubbed her forehead with both hands.
"As this is a retrial, you will now be returned to prison and will continue on your original sentences. For the three charges of sexual assault that have been dropped as part of this plea deal, those sentences will be retracted from your time of imprisonment. I must repeat to you that all of your sentences are to be served continuously, and as you are currently on license for the charge of possession of indecent images of children your time of imprisonment will include the 5 years left to serve for this crime. Do you understand?"
"Yes" Jon answered, he looked over at Lucy, not saying a word, his previous smirk and attitude had now disappeared. His eyes still showed a furry towards Lucy but he did not say a word.
"Well then, I'm instructing you to now leave the courtroom, willingly with the court officers."
To Lucy's surprise, Jon did as he was told. The court officers handcuffed him to the cells without any resistance.
The judge dismissed the court and it began to empty, the judge left the court in the direction of the judge's chambers.
The prosecution solicitor walked up to Lucy and Alice.
"Thank you" Lucy told him with relief.
"It's just my job" he replied. "It's a tad unconventional but the judge has asked if he can see you in his chambers"
"Ok" Lucy was confused.
"Want me to come with you?" Alice offered.
"No it's ok, wait here with Suzanne" Lucy told her. "I'll meet you in the entrance"
"I'll show you the way" The solicitor offered.
...
"It's just in here" He told her as he knocked on the door.
"Come in" a voice said through the wood.
The solicitor opened the door and led Lucy inside. The judge sat at a desk, he indicated with his hand that Lucy should sit down on a chair in front of it.
"Thank you Ted" The judge told the solicitor, who turned to Lucy.
"Good Luck with everything Miss Collins" he shook her hand.
"You too" Lucy told him. "Thanks for everything"
He nodded before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Lucy turned her attention to the judge with a confused expression on her face. This hadn't happened last time.
"You must be wondering why I've asked you to speak with me" he began. Lucy nodded, he continued "I wanted to speak to you about your son"
"Oh" Lucy was unsure of what to say.
"What is his name?" The judge asked, making conversation.
"Alex, sir" Lucy told him, she pulled out the picture from her pocket and showed the judge "he's nearly three"
"He's gorgeous and please call me David" the judge told her, loosing his professionalism. He turned around a photo frame, inside was a woman, who looked to be a few years older than Lucy holding a infant. "This is my daughter, Fiona and my granddaughter Emma"
"They're beautiful" Lucy told him.
He placed the photo back on his desk. "I hear you're considering moving to South Africa"
"Yes, my sister lives out there, with my niece and nephew."
"I want to offer you some advice, not just as one parent to another but as a law practitioner as well"
"Ok" Lucy's confusion returned.
"Is Mr Smith on Alex's birth certificate?" He asked, Lucy nodded. David pulled out a business card before continuing "My daughter is a family lawyer, I would like to recommend you speak to her about removing his parental rights and responsibilities over Alex, I know it's not the correct procedure but I've spoken to her about your case, she's confident there's not a family court judge in this country that would refuse to do this. I explained your circumstances, she's willing to meet with you tomorrow afternoon to start the process."
Lucy took the card. "Thank you"
"When are you thinking of leaving the country?" He asked.
"Well, I'm not sure if we are moving, but I'm planning on going back for a few weeks anyway" she told him.
"It can take a while for legal aid to come through, but don't worry about that, I've arranged with Fiona for her not to charge you"
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked, surprised.
"100%" David told her. "You've been through a lot, in my opinion, it's about time you can move on and get on with your lives"
"Thank you so much"
"It's no problem" he stood and walked around the table to shake her hand and see her out the door. "Just give her a text to confirm, she's in court today so won't be able to answer straight away"
"I will" Lucy promised. "Thank you"
Alice was stood chatting to Suzanne and Lucy returned from her conversation with the judge. She spotted the two women talking and headed over to them.
"Everything ok?" Alice asked.
"Yes fine, I'll explain later" Lucy told her.
"Well, I best be going" Suzanne spoke "it's been a pleasure working with you both, I just wish it was under better circumstances"
"Thank you" Lucy told her.
Suzanne gave Lucy a quick hug and shook Alice's hand. "I wish you the best with the future"
...
"You too" Lucy replied, they watched her leave. As she watched Suzanne leave her gaze fell on Jon's parents with Jill and Peter. "I should probably hear them out"
"You don't have to" Alice reminded,
"I kind of do really" she paused "They're my son's grandparents. Will you come with me?"
"You don't need to ask"
"Let's get this over with then" she said before bravely walked towards the couple.
"Thank you for this Lucy" Peter told her. Lucy didn't speak.
"I know this has been incredible hard for you love" Jill spoke.
"With all respect. You don't know the half of it Jill" Lucy was defensive.
Jill looked to the floor "I can't apologise enough for what my son has put you through"
"You told me I was lying Jill! And Peter, you defended his actions" Lucy accused, the hurt evident in her tone.
"We're truly sorry" Jill told her. She looked at her husband, "aren't we Pete?" He nodded.
"What do you want then?" Alice asked, defending Lucy.
Peter pulled out an envelope and handed it to Lucy, confused she opened it up, inside was a cheque for a large amount of money. "I can't accept this Peter, no amount of money will fix this"
He held his hand to stop her. "It's not for that, this is the amount that Jon would have to pay in child support until Alex is 18, we want him to have the best live"
"We don't need charity" Lucy object handing the paper back.
"Love, we insist you take it, if you don't want to spend it yourself, open a savings account, save it for when Alex goes to university"
Lucy decided not to argue "I will", she put the paper in her jacket pocket, "this doesn't fix or change anything though"
"We know" Jill told her "I know it's a lot to ask, but we would really like to have a relationship with our grandson"
The younger woman sighed "I don't know if that's wise"
"But he's our grandson Lucy" Peter objected.
She cut him off "I don't want to be the one who makes you decide between your son and Alex, but"
"You can't allow us to have both" Jill finished, a saddened expression on her face. Lucy nodded. "I hear you're moving out of the country?" The older woman asked.
"That's not you're business" Alice defended.
"Alice, it's ok" Lucy stopped her, "I'm unsure, but it's more than likely, if anything I'm definitely leaving Glasgow"
"I think you should go" Jill told her, she placed a comforting hand on Lucy's arm, who pulled away from the action.
"Jill" Peter objected.
"No Pete, our son has ruined her and Alex's lives, let them have the chance to rebuild it"
Peter nodded sadly.
"Thank you" Lucy told them.
"Can we see him? Before you leave?" Peter asked.
"I don't know if that's a good idea" Alice interjected.
"Alice, I know you're trying to help, but let me handle this, please" Lucy told her. She faced Peter, "You have my number, we will sort it for you to see him. But they'll be rules"
Jill smiled in relief "Thank you, this is"
Lucy stopped her "you don't mention this to Jon, you don't mention him to Alex"
Both of them nodded. "Anything else?" Peter asked.
"No photos go to Jon"
"That's a given" Peter replied, dryly.
Lucy pulled out the photo of Alex from her pocked and handed it to Jill "it's the only one I have on me"
Jill held it close, treasuring it. "Thank you"
After saying quick goodbyes to Peter and Jill, Alice and Lucy began the journey back to the hotel to pick up their bags. Now the court case was over, Lucy could go back to her house.
"You didn't have to do that" Alice remarked as they walked down the street.
"They were good grandparents Al" Lucy recalled "I owe them this much"
Alice placed her arm around her younger sister. "You did great today Lu"
"Thanks" Lucy leaned into Alice's side "I'm just glad it's finally over"
A/N: I would like to say thanks to two amazing people who have been messaging me and have showed me support with this fic, you both know who you are and it means a lot to me, so thank you. Love, Nat x