Let's have a time jump, shall we? And fulfil one of my lovely friend Poppy's requests in the process… And also, P.S. posting another chapter for you guys as I have to be up at work for 6:30am tomorrow morning so won't have time to post. Enjoy!

JUSTIN'S POV:

Today marked day one of Dad's court case and I was struggling to hold it together. Standing up from mine and Tiffany's bed where I'd been sat staring at the floor for the past God knows how long, I forced a smile onto my face as she shut the door behind her…

"I made you a cup of tea." she informed me

"Thanks." I replied "I'm gonna get in the shower."

"Justin…" she sighed, taking a hold of my hand as I made my way past her

"Hmm?" I questioned

"I'm struggling too, just so you know." she admitted, smiling at me weakly

Dropping my hand, she made her way over to her wardrobe and began to look through it for something to wear. Watching her for a couple of minutes more, I left the room, shutting the door behind me…

TIFFANY'S POV:

"Mum, where's Justin?" I asked as I made my way out of the ladies toilets not long after we'd arrived at court

"I don't know, love. One minute he was here, the next he'd disappeared." she informed me

"How long do you think we have before we're called in?" I questioned

"Not long, fifteen minutes maybe." she replied "I'll try and delay it as long as I can."

"Thanks." I stated, smiling at her warmly "I'll be as quick as I can."

JUSTIN'S POV:

I sat on a bench outside the court with my head in my hands, sighing contentedly as I felt the familiar touch of Tiffany's hand on my back…

"So this is where you got to…" she proclaimed

"It was stifling in there. I felt as though I couldn't breathe." I informed her

"It's okay." she assured me as I lifted my head and turned to her "We're all feeling that way out today."

"What am I meant to say when I'm called to give evidence?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her

"Exactly what he did to you." she informed me "That he started beating you when you were 12…"

"And when they ask about you?" I questioned

"That depends, what do you want to say?" she inquired

"I'll think of something." I replied, smiling at her warmly

"Charming…" she chuckled as she moved closer to me "We've got each other, that's what matters."

I nodded my head in agreement and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into me, her head moving to rest on my shoulder…

TIFFANY'S POV:

"Is he okay?" Mum questioned as Justin was led to the stand to give evidence

"We're about to find out." I informed her

"Can you state your name for the court please?" the judge asked

"Justin Fitzgerald." he informed them

"And your relation to the defendant?" he questioned

"He's my Dad." he replied

JUSTIN'S POV:

"Mr. Fitzgerald, can you describe to the court the nature of your relationship with your father?" my lawyer inquired

"Good, most of the time." I informed him "He was happy for the most part of his marriage to my Mum, but he had a short fuse."

"Did he ever snap?" he questioned

"More than once," I replied "more so as I got older and he felt as though I could take it."

"How do you mean, take it?" he asked

"His beatings." I informed him "They started when I was 12. He was telling me off and I gave him some lip so I got a slap."

"A slap where, Mr. Fitzgerald?" he questioned

"On the arm," I replied, swallowing a lump in my throat "and then as I got older our relationship turned sour. And then Mum moved us here, my brother and me, to be with my Dad when she had to go into rehab…"

"Did the relationship get better or worse?" he inquired

"Worse," I admitted "I hated his partner, Allie, and I made her life a living hell! One day when we were in school Dad found out about something I'd done which I'm not proud of and threatened to hit me, and put me in the cooler for the day."

"Okay…" he replied "You said in your police statement that your father gave you a black eye because of your relationship with his partner's daughter, a Miss. Tiffany Westbrook, is that true?"

"Yes." I informed him "Tiffany was in hospital after a fire started at the school, and Dad realised my feelings for her. One day when he and Allie returned from the hospital he stormed into my room and asked me what I'd done to upset her. I was an idiot back then, so I riled him. I told him that I'd told her how I felt about her and kissed her, and then told her nothing could happen between us and left. He was worried something would happen between Tiffany and I and spoil his relationship with Allie and the family unit that was going on, and so he punched me and told me I had to stay away from her."

"But you didn't, did you?" he questioned

"At first yes, but being in such close proximity to her killed me." I admitted "Not long after we made our relationship official but kept it a secret because we knew my Dad would freak!"

"What happened when the relationship came to light?" he asked

"More than just our relationship came to light that night. Allie also found out that Dad had a violent nature and told him she was leaving him. He didn't take that very well and when she went to leave, there was a scuffle and she tripped and fell, being knocked unconscious in the process." I explained

"And what has happened since that night?" he inquired "Has your father made contact?"

"No," I replied "he came to the school once though, and had been drinking and driving, but he didn't get near us as the police were called."

"No further questions, your Honour. Thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald." he stated

TIFFANY'S POV:

Day one in court was over. Making my way into mine and Justin's bedroom, I saw him laid on our bed, staring up at the ceiling. Shutting the door behind me, I kicked off my shoes as I reached the bed and climbed on and moved over to him, resting my head on his chest, snuggling further into his embrace as his arm wrapped around me…

"I'm proud of you…" I informed him

"You are?" he asked

"Yeah," I replied "you did well today. It can't have been easy for you reliving everything."

"It wasn't." he admitted "But I got through it, thanks to you."

I turned onto my stomach and looked at him, moving my hand to run through his hair… "You could've done it, even if I hadn't of been there."

"I don't think I could've," he informed me "you not only make me a better person but you make me strong too."

I smiled at him warmly and leant up, pressing my lips to his softly… "Today made me realise something…"

"Yeah, what was that?" he asked

"I don't wanna say," I admitted "because I don't think you'll say it back."

"If it's I love you, which I'm pretty sure it is, I will." he informed me

"What?" I questioned

"I realised it when you told Dad and Allie about us," he admitted "I was so proud of you in that moment and I just thought "wow, I'm in love with her". I know it was probably too soon, but I couldn't help it."

"Well I suppose it's a good thing you love me, because I love you." I informed him

He smiled at me warmly and cupped my cheek in his hand, pressing his lips against mine…

Day one of the court case = done! What else lies ahead? And Justin and Tiffany have said the L word, all together now… AWE!