Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading this fanfic. I update between Mondays at 8 AM to Tuesdays at 11 PM CT at the latest.
Thank you JaelSarjenka, Tanner Clark, and rikkijohnson89 for the reviews! I do love to hear what you readers think of my writing.
Disclaimer that all of the Twilight universe characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, though Mina/Lily and her family are similarly structured to my own but not majorly based on my family. I hope you enjoy!
*PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
~Monday, March 28th, 2005: Forks, Washington
The morning was chilly, but that didn't bother Lily as she got dressed. Pulling on a simple navy-blue dress and a black blazer, she wasn't surprised to see Carlisle in a matching outfit of a navy-blue button-up and black slacks and coat. Stepping into her black heels, she took hold of Carlisle's hand tightly as she tried to steel herself for the day.
Today was the day of sentencing. Jonathan Stone, as they learned his real name to be, decided to plead guilty to all the charges against him. No one was sure why he did so, especially when only weeks before he was maintaining his innocence. But it meant that there wouldn't have to be a trail at all. Now everyone would be there, including Mina's family.
Carlisle led her downstairs to find all the other Cullens dressed similarly to Lily and Carlisle. They all had either suits or dresses in navy-blue and black, all solemn looks on their faces.
"Time to go," Lily said, heading to the car with a determined look on her face.
The car ride was silent, no music filling the car. The half-hour ride to the court house was a rainy one, the rain tapping lightly against the windshield. A dreary day for a sentencing.
When they finally got there and parked, Lily didn't leave her seat. She could only stare at the front entrance helplessly.
"Lily?" Carlisle asked softly, taking her shaking hand in his.
"I can't do it, Carlisle. They'll be here," she whispered. Her throat felt thick from unshed tears and tension. Carlisle was quick to take her into his arms.
"You're not alone. You have us. You have me," he said lovingly, leaning her chin up with his finger to look into her eyes. "It will all be over soon."
Nodding, she kissed him softly before exiting the car. Being one of the first ones there, they were quickly identified and processed to be in attendance before they made their way to the room. The room was bare white walls, the judge's stand as the center focus of the room. There were podiums and tables in the front. The rest of the room was isle upon isle, reminding Lily of the small church she used to go to.
They decided to sit further in the back, not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves. But Lily was still able to see where Jonathan would sit. She would also be able to see her family when they came in. And just as she thought this, her family entered the room.
The first to walk in were her parents: Chaz and Sophie Woods. Her father and mother hadn't changed much in the seven years since she'd been gone, but worry had slightly aged them. Her mother's hair was almost completely salt-and-peppered, though it had been well on its way when they were little. Her hair was in the same curly style to her shoulders that Mina had adored on her. She was in a black dress and coat, but a yellow rose was pinned to her coat. Her father was in all black as well.
Her older sisters, Molly and Mia, also wore black dresses, though their hair was pin straight. Molly always had such long lovely hair, so it surprised Lily to find it to her chin. Mia had always had fun haircuts, though today her hair was in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Each of her sisters had a man with them, which she was surprised to find the classic golden bands on their fingers. A part of Lily broke at the thought of missing so much of her family's life.
Lily frowned when she didn't see Milo, but she figured he could be late like he always was.
And then there were her little brothers. Of everyone, they were the most changed. They had been in their early teens when she died, so to see them in their early twenties was something else. Miko was a tall handsome young man in a black button-up and slacks. A beautiful young woman was with him, looking quite pregnant in her flowing black dress. She had strawberry blond hair, paler skin than the Woods, and bright blue eyes. The baby of the family, Manny, was much like Miko in that he was tall and handsome. But he was much leaner than Miko, and his hair curly instead of straight. He also had a young woman with him, much shorter than he with black curly hair to her ribs and brown eyes. She wore a black skirt and dark blue blouse.
Something that made her tear up even more was the fact that they all wore yellow roses on their shirts or coats. She knew it was deliberate, for they were the same shade of yellow that she adored. Her mother caught sight of the Cullens and Lily but didn't say anything as they made their way to the middle section of the room.
Carlisle held onto Lily's hands once he noticed them clenching the bottom of her dress nervously as she tried not to look too long at her family.
It wasn't long before the other families began to file in, the amount of people surprising Lily and the other Cullens. Then again, when the list of victims was this long, it wasn't so surprising after all. Most were in black, some already in tears. Lily noticed no children were present, but she figured it was for the better considering the circumstances of the case.
There was light chatter, but that was silenced when the door opened and Jonathan Stone was led to the front of the room. Everyone held their breath as officers were stationed besides the shackled man. His brunette hair was ruffled, his eyes showing that he was tired and worn. This was not the predatory man she remembered trying to kill her.
She didn't have much time to think more of it as the judge entered the room. The judge was an older woman, a stern but collected look on her face as she made her way to her position.
"All rise," the Bailiff announced. "This court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Strauss presiding."
"Considering the severity and impact of these crimes, do any members of the families of the victims present have any words to say to Jonathan Stone before the sentencing commences?" the judge asked the room. The air was heavy, thick with silence as one woman slowly stood up.
Her mother slowly but confidently walked up to the podium. She pulled out a paper before pulling the microphone closer to her, since she was slightly shorter.
"Jonathan Stone. I am Sofia Woods, but to Mina I was always 'Mommy.' I never knew your name before we received the call that you had been arrested. You took one of the most precious things from me. You took away my baby girl. My beautiful Mina. She had hopes and dreams. You took those from her. What made her the first of a long list of ruined lives and destruction, I will never know. But you do."
There was a pause before tears began to fall from her eyes.
"Mina had a twin brother, Milo. Milo and Mina were the closest any siblings could be; they were each other's other half. I couldn't see Milo without seeing Mina. Milo knew that and left us, traveled the world. If I had known what I know now, I would have seen him more as a blessing than a heartache. Milo… Milo died in a car crash only a month before you were arrested."
At those words, Lily felt like her whole world stopped. Milo… he… he couldn't have… Carlisle held her hand tightly, his heart breaking as he saw the tears that could not stop flowing from her eyes. He could feel her heart breaking and he felt so helpless.
"He never knew who you were while he was alive, but wherever he is now, I can only hope he knows now and is happily with Mina once again."
"I am only happy to know that you are off the streets. As much as I could easily hate you and wish for your death, I know it wouldn't be what Mina wanted. Mina treasured every life, even feeling horrible when people would kill a pesky fly or a bug. She was gentle and sweet, every bit of loving as a child filled with happiness.
"So no, I do not wish death or hate to you. But I do hope while you are locked away until the day you die that you change. Pleading guilty made things a lot easier for us, and I can only hope you plead guilty because you feel genuinely guilty for all of the lives you took. Stories that were left unfinished. Families that will never be. Any of those girls could've been a mother, could have been in love or found love. But we will never know now. And that is the hardest part of all for us.
"Jonathan Stone, after today I will never have to worry about what really happened to Mina. We may not be able to forget you, for every memory or thought of Mina is now tainted with knowing who you are and that you took her from us. But we will try our hardest to remember Mina as she was: a bright and shining ray of love and goodness."
Sofia stopped, not wiping her tears as she stepped down from the podium. She made her way down the aisle and to the rest of the Woods family.
"Is there anyone else who would like to say a few words?" Judge Strauss asked. "In that case, will the defendant please rise. Jonathan Lee Stone, in consideration of the crimes for which you now stand committed, you are sentenced by order of the court as follows.
You are charged with murder in the second degree and mutilation of Carmina Woods. You are committed to the Washington State Penitentiary for the term of your natural life without the possibility of parole.
You are charged with murder in the first degree and mutilation of Melissa Ann Jones. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous account.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Dorothy Mae Winters. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Jordan Smith. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Catherine Silva. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Karen Desiree Malloy. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Jennifer Henderson. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Agatha Garcia. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Sofia Martinez. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Martha Moon. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Josephine Marie Lee. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Sara Anne Perkins. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Tabitha Woode. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Elizabeth Tipton. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Raina Mae Silvestre. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Alexandra McAdden. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Victoria Marie Waters. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Annie Olive Anderson. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Rosanne Moore. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with murder in the first degree, rape, and mutilation of Winifred Covington. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on the previous accounts.
You are charged with the attempted murder in the first degree of Lily Jude McCarty. You are punished by imprisonment to the Washington State Penitentiary for one life sentence without the possibility of parole concurrent with the life sentences imposed on previous accounts.
Sir, you have the right to have your case reviewed by the Supreme Judicial court pursuant to general laws. You are required to provide a sample of your DNA to be included with the statewide DNA data base.
At this point, sir, you stand committed and you're in the custody of the court officers pending execution of your sentence in the State prison. Please take the defendant into custody. This court is adjourned," she finished, rising and leaving just as quickly as she entered.
Jonathan was also escorted quickly out of the room. As his eyes caught Lily's, they darkened slightly but he only turned and looked away from her. She finally let out a breath of fresh air she hadn't realized she was holding in. Carlisle turned to her, wiping her tears away before kissing her softly.
"Let's go home," he said softly. She nodded before letting herself be led from the room by his hand.
Lily did not go to her family like she wanted to. She had wanted to comfort her family in any small way, a subtle hint to let them know Mina was happy. But at the news of Milo, she shut down. The Cullens hadn't figured much of it, especially with everything finally being over.
The car ride home was a silent one, but this time for a different reason. Lily stared out the window, a glazed look in her eyes as she took in the scenery. She wasn't really there, and where she went in her mind, Carlisle could only guess.
The Cullens weren't quite sure how Lily was handling everything at first, but soon the heart-wrenching sobs that echoed through the house throughout the night gave them an answer.
Alice took Jasper to a cabin they owned deeper in the woods. Jasper had been just as hysterical from the strength of Lily's anguish. Rosalie also took Emmett to a trip into the mountains to hunt and to make him feel better. Emmett may be strong, but when it came to Lily he was extremely sensitive and Rose knew that Emmett's heart was breaking. Carlisle could only hold her, his words falling on deaf ears.
Of all the members of her family, Milo was her other-half, her better half. How could she not have known he… that he died?! She felt like she was sinking into herself from guilt. She'd missed so much of her family's life. What if her sisters also had kids? What was Miko's baby going to be? Had Manny already been married? And who was there for Milo when he left? Why had he been in an accident? All these questions seemed to trap Lily in an endless cycle of heartache.
It was the early hours of the morning before her sobs turned to whimpers. Tears still flooded down her flushed cheeks. Eyes nearly shut from being so swollen. Carlisle had stayed with her the whole night, and he was slightly relieved when she finally passed out from exhaustion. He knew it would be a while before she would heal from this, but he could only hope he would see her smiling once again.
A.N. I apologize for missing the last few updates. Our internet went down for a week and then my computer wasn't working that well either. I just got it working this weekend and I am going to have an extra chapter ready on Thursday!
This chapter really made me cry a few times while I was writing it. It's also only lengthy because of the sentencing being 1,000+ words on its own! Twilight is pretty much over except with the upcoming prom scene.
If you ever have any ideas you'd like to see in the story, let me know and I'll see what I can do. Reviews and comments are always welcome! I'm always really curious as to how other people view my works and you guys really do inspire me to continue posting!
Have a wonderful day!
Ellie T.