TITLE: Life Is a Rollercoaster
RATING: PG-13/ R in places
AUTHOR/S: Hannah
FIC DISCLAIMER: This story is for entertainment purposes only. Any link to real characters is purely fictional. Any reference to Take That or their families, and any event, location that may fit their real locations or connection between them and the fictional characters is purely coincidental. The copyright for this story and their own characters belong to the author. Please do not steal/copy or use them without express permission of the writer.
SETTING: Anywhere and everywhere
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Jason Orange (of Take That fame) is my true love and stories about him are one of the best types of story. I just hope you like it. This is the sequel to my story, Once Upon A Dream. I must apologise profusely to all of my wonderful readers for the lack of updates and the short chapter here. I've just not been in a writing mood for this particular story however, I have had quite a lot of writing practice since I last updated the story so I'm hoping you may see an improvement in the quality of the writing. I may even redo all chapters on both stories to improve them all. However, I may even take down both stories and adapt them into novel form if I am able to find a publisher willing to take me on. Watch this space! Also, I'll try to get the story finished asap as I know you've all been waiting extremely patiently!
Chapter 20 – This Could Be (One Of) The Greatest Day(s) Of My Life
3 months later
"The evidence that has been presented before us is undeniable proof of Danielle James's involvement in all of the crimes committed against Miss Williams, Mr Orange and their family. Therefore, this jury find Miss James guilty of all charges."
Though I knew this was coming, I couldn't hide my shock at the sentence the judge read out to the court. 7 years alone for Dylan's kidnapping and the harm that was caused to him. Then add in the attempted murder of Jay by shooting him and my own attempted murder by running me down, glee bubbled within as I heard the total number of years over and over again in my head.
"She won't bother us for at least another 12 years!" my voice came quietly as memories of the numerous meetings we'd had with the police and our solicitor over the last few months that had led to this point with the most prominent of these meetings sticking vividly in my mind.
"I would like to thank you for coming in on such short notice, Miss Williams, but we've been working hard on the leads you've given to us and we're pleased to say that officers have been dispatched to the last known address for Danielle James to arrest her," DCI Thomas explained to us. I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing.
"Are you actually serious? You mean you've got enough evidence to find her guilty at trial?!" I heard the giddiness in my voice at the prospect of what DCI Thomas's words could mean. I felt Jay give my hand an encouraging squeeze as the DCI continued to speak.
"Professionally speaking, I can't say if she will be found guilty when it comes to the trial, but off the record, I'd say there's plenty here to build an excellent case and she'll get a good few years behind bars." He gave us a very encouraging smile before looking down to Dylan, still fast asleep in his buggy. "I'm just sorry she involved your son but she got off with that one at the time." I shook my head with a smile as I rested a hand on my ever expanding stomach.
"Please don't worry, DCI Thomas. One of the culprits at that time was apprehended which is what matters and now she's highly likely to follow the same fate," I responded before glancing up into the piercing blue hues of my fiancé.
"Hannah's right but we can never think you enough for all your help, DCI Thomas. You've honestly been amazing. Your whole team have," Jay said, reaching out a hand to shake the DCI's. The DCI took Jason's hand but raised the other in a very nonchalant way.
"It was nothing. That's what we're here to do, Mr Orange. I'm just sorry it's taken such drastic measures to come to this point but I'll do my best to make sure she doesn't make bail again," came the reply.
I watched as Danielle was handcuffed and led from the courtroom, her crestfallen face glaring toward Jay and I. It still hadn't sunk in about the sentence she'd been handed and I'd not moved from my seat. I turned slowly to look at Jason and saw a similar reaction in him. As he caught my eye, he suddenly engulfed me in his arms, his abundant happiness clear to see. I giggled loudly but looked down slightly embarrassed as I saw one of the security officers looking towards us disapprovingly.
"I think we're best getting out of here to celebrate. Plus we need to go and tell everyone," I whispered, trying to stifle my giggles. I heard Jay snort.
"Come on then, babes!" He took my hand and almost dragged me from the courtroom in his exuberance to enjoy the fact she was finally gone from our lives.
"Here's to the future!"
I raised my glass of lemonade to chink against the glasses of my friends and my mum. As soon as we'd stepped foot outside of the courts, both Jay and I were on the phone to our nearest and dearest to tell them the amazing news. We'd all agreed to meet at the penthouse for a celebratory drink and also to celebrate together before the following day when the men and women would separate off for the day/night before Kelly and Howard's wedding.
"You two must be getting nervous now, eh?" Markie asked, a glance given to both of our friends. I saw the hint of a blush creep into Kelly's cheeks as Doug chuckled.
"Nah, not a chance of that, mate! I'm counting down the hours til I make this one Mrs Donald!" was the response given and I sighed at how sweet it was.
"You really are a sweetheart when you want to be, aren't you, Doug?" I asked, as I rested my head on Jay's shoulder. "You're very lucky, Kel, but remember, as it's always been, he gives you hell, let me know and I'll sort him!" I watched Kelly's grin widen.
"Han, he already knows not to give me hell. He's already seen my wrath!" Kelly stated and I lifted my head with a smirk towards Howard, a tint of red seen gracing Howard's defined cheeks.
"Oh do spill, Doug! You must have pissed her off big time if you've already seen the full wrath!" I chuckled deeply before taking a sip of my lemonade. I saw out of the corner of my eye that my mum had slipped her phone from her pocket and was texting. I saw the smile curling slightly round her lips and I knew it was Tom she was texting. Though it was still quite soon after my dad's passing, it was nice to see mum not denying herself the chance at happiness again. I know my dad would never have wanted her to live her life alone and he'd be encouraging her to go for it with Tom. She'd not told anyone else about him yet as it was still early days but I was so elated for her. The warmth of her happiness radiated out of her as I started to listen to Howard explaining his misdemeanour for Kelly's wrath to be displayed.
"It wasn't all that bad..." I watched him falter at Kelly's stare. "Ok, so maybe it was a bit bad. I was trying to be the good partner and make her breakfast in bed just after the twins had been born and I was blending her a smoothie except I didn't put the lid on the blender properly and it went everywhere." I could see Charlie, Emma and Dawn shaking with silent giggles and the smirks present on Gary, Markie and Mike's faces as I looked up to the smirk on Jay's face.
"I tried cleaning it all up but it somehow had got on the blind in the kitchen and it stained. It was the new blind too and it couldn't be saved so it needed to be replaced. Kel wasn't too pleased about it..." He trailed off and we all started chuckling as How smiled at his almost-wife and she glared back at him.
"It was not funny and you bloody well know it!" Kelly retorted, slapping him playfully on the arm. I smirked again as I snuggled back into Jay's arms, giving my mum a knowing look as she put her phone away, her smile rather pronounced at me. I sighed happily. My life was extremely good right now and I was far too excited for the weekend and the impending nuptials of my best friend and her lover.