A/N: I apologize profusely for the long delay in posting this chapter. All I can say is that real life reared her ugly head and made finding time to write almost impossible. I will try to do better with the next chapter.

Also, I would like to thank everyone who is reading and reviewing. Please recommend this story to your friends.

Chapter 47 – Defending James

I can't sleep. I stayed in bed with Bella, holding her, until I was sure that she was asleep and then I came downstairs to my office. I can't sleep for trying to figure out Aro's next move. When I defended James, I didn't put anyone on the stand. It wasn't necessary. After I had convinced the jury that Angela Webber was a lying whore, I knew that I had won.

But this trial is different. There are three victims; all with very convincing accounts. The jury is leaning toward conviction… it's obvious. They're sympathizing with the victims. I should be happy about this, and I am, but it makes it more difficult to know how to proceed.

Unlike the prosecution, the defense doesn't have to provide us with all of their evidence. I have no idea what to expect and it's very frustrating.

"Hey," Bella says from the doorway. "Is everything alright?"

I run my hand through my hair and turn toward her. I smile and say, "Yes, everything is fine. Go back to bed, love. You need your sleep."

"So do you." She walks into the room and places a hand on my cheek. "What are you thinking about?"

I pull her into my lap. "It's nothing. I'll be up in a minute." I kiss her lips. She pulls me to her more tightly. I sigh and smile as she pulls back to look into my eyes.

"No secrets, Edward," she chastises me.

I look down at her lap and begin to play with the fingers on her left hand. I gently touch the ring that I gave her months ago. "Marry me, Bella."

"I've already said yes, Edward," she says with a giggle. "You don't have to ask me again."

"No, I mean marry me tomorrow." I look up to see the confusion in her eyes. "We'll already be at the courthouse. Our family will be there. Please marry me tomorrow."

"Edward…" she says, shaking her head.

"Don't think about it… just say yes. Let's just do it. I don't want to live another day without you as my wife. Say yes."

"This is insane. Where is this coming from, Edward? Is there something you aren't telling me?" she asks.

"It's not coming from anywhere. I love you. I love you so much. You've given me everything. I want to know that you're mine… forever." I kiss her ring and look into her eyes. "Please, marry me tomorrow."

"Edward, you know that we can't get married tomorrow. We haven't applied for a license. It's a three day wait… remember? What is going on?"

I sigh with resignation. "I know. I just want to be your husband so badly. I don't know why. I want you forever. I want you to have me forever." I drop my head and look at our clasped hands resting in her lap.

"Is this about tomorrow… about James and his testimony?" she asks.

I look up quickly. "We don't know that he'll testify. Aro probably won't go that route. I wouldn't."

"Edward, I know when something is bothering you. What's wrong? Talk to me; let me in." She touches my cheek and smiles sweetly. God, I love this woman.

I turn my head to kiss the palm of her hand. "You're right. Tomorrow scares the shit out of me. It was so easy with the Webber case. I knew that I had won it. I didn't put anyone on the stand."

"So, what do you think that Aro has planned?" she asks, standing from my lap. I instantly feel her absence. I have to suppress the urge to pull her back to me.

"I have no idea." I turn back to the files on my desk. "Aro has a few of James' cousins on the witness list… an ex-girlfriend. It's mostly just character witnesses. He'll probably try to portray James as this nice guy."

"So, they'll lie," she says, matter-of-factly.

I turn back to her with a laugh and a smile. "Yeah, they'll lie."

She walks to me and takes my hand. "Come back to bed." I nod and follow her upstairs.

The rest of the family is already at the courthouse when Bella, Charlie, and I arrive. I notice that Cynthia is off to the side on her phone. She raises her head and acknowledges our arrival and then turns away.

"What's up?" I ask.

"She's talkin' ta Ted. He's been at tha police station all night. 'Parently, tha guy they got in custody ain't talkin'. They're still watchin' the warehouse where they found tha cars, but they ain't caught no one else," Jasper answers. "Ya goin' in there to listen agin today?"

"I don't know," I say as I look over to Bella. "Am I?"

"If you don't mind," Bella says.

"I don't like leaving you out here. I want to be with you."

"I know, but I want to know what's happening," she explains.

"I'll go in with ya… if ya don't mind," Jasper offers. "I'm a little curious myself." He chuckles softly to himself. "Anyway, I think Alice wants ta talk weddin' reception engagement party details with Bella and your momma. I ain't all that interested in that particular conversation."

I laugh and shake my head. "So, you want to be rescued from the girly conversation today?"

"Yep," he says with a nod.

"Me too!" Emmett exclaims. "I don't want to listen to girl talk either."

"This isn't fair," Charlie speaks up. "You guys are going to leave me out here all alone… with the women." He looks around briefly. His eyes linger on my mom. "Never mind," he says as he turns back to us, "I'm good."

I look back and forth between my mother and Charlie a few times. My eyes narrow as I try to figure out what's on Charlie's mind. "Okay," I say slowly. I kiss Bella before we turn to go into the courtroom.

As we enter the courtroom, I see three men standing in a corner talking to Connor Cavanaugh. They're talking animatedly and appear to be upset. Connor is trying to calm them down. When he sees me staring at them he says abruptly and loudly, "Enough!" He then motions for them to leave. They turn and make eye contact with me. My jaw drops… I recognize one of them. I thought he was an attorney. He's been at the courthouse since last week. I would see him in the hallway… on his phone. I just dismissed it.

"Shit," I hiss under my breath.

"What is it?" Emmett asks.

"Recognize that guy?" I ask, motioning toward the other side of the courtroom.

"Not really," Emmett says as he cocks his head in confusion. "Should I?"

"He's been hanging around since the trial started," I explain. I watch the group of men exit the courtroom. I glare at the one I recognize as he passes us. "I thought he was an attorney."

"He looks like one," Jasper says as we take our seats. "What do ya thinks goin' on?"

"I don't know. As insane as this family is, there's no telling." The bailiff enters and calls us to order. We rise to our feet as Judge Verine enters.

"Mr. Anastas, are you ready to call your first witness?" the Judge asks.

"Yes, Your Honor. The defense calls Irina Cavanaugh Warner." A very beautiful blonde woman stands and walks to the stand.

"Wow," Jasper whispers. "She's a looker."

"She's his cousin." I watch her walk confidently to the stand. As she turns to sit, her gaze lingers on James. He nods his head slightly and she smiles a sickening smile.

"Hmm," Jasper says.

"What?" I whisper.

"She ain't so pretty when she smiles. She looks almost evil." He shivers. "It's disconcertin'."

"That smile is a family trait. They all look evil when they smile." And the morning begins.

"Ms Warner, could you please state your full name?"

"Of course," she purrs. "My name is Irina Cavanaugh Warner."

"And Ms Warner, where do you reside?"

"I live in Seattle, Washington." She turns that sickeningly sweet smile on the jury. I cringe.

"Ms Warner, how long have you known James Cavanaugh?" Aro asks.

"I've known him my entire life... thirty years," she answers. I look over and notice Jasper's eyebrows rise.

I nudge him and shrug. He leans over and whispers, "She looks a lot younger than thirty. I'd've guessed she's no more than twenty-three."

"So, Mr. Cavanaugh was three years old when you were born. Were you close to him while you were growing up?"

"We were very close... we're still close. We're both single children. I always thought of him as a brother," she answers.

"What kind of child was James?"

Irina giggles to herself. "He was very precocious... mischievous. We always had a lot of fun together." Her face falls and she looks down at her lap before she continues. "Well, we had fun until his mother became ill." She sighs and looks up at the jury. "James mother was diagnosed with cancer when he was eight. I can remember that we didn't go to his house for a long time. I would want to see him and my father would tell me that we couldn't go to James' house because his mother was very sick. Sometimes Uncle Connor would bring James to our house, but he wouldn't want to play with me. He would sit and stare out the window.

"Aunt Claire died a little over a year after she found out that she was sick. James was devastated. I can remember the funeral. James was sobbing and wouldn't let anyone near him... well, anyone but me. He let me hug him, even though I wasn't sure what was happening."

"How else was he affected by his mother's death?" Aro asks.

"He withdrew into himself. He was no longer an extroverted, precocious child. He became brooding and easily irritated." She dabs at her dry eyes with a tissue.

"Did this behavior continue into his teen years?"

"Yes, he was never the same." She turns to the jury. "He wasn't a bad person; he just wanted attention." She turns back to Aro. "You have to understand, Uncle Connor is a very successful man, but he's worked very hard for his success. He was gone a lot. James was left with a nanny when he was a child. As he entered his teenage years, he was left with the servants... which basically means he was left alone. He would... do things... to get his father's attention. I guess he thought that any attention was better than no attention, no matter how negative it may be."

"What type of 'things' would he do?" Aro asks.

"Stupid things... rebellious things. He started smoking and drinking. He would get into fights at school. He was caught shoplifting a couple of times. He was being rebellious." She turns to the jury again. "He was crying out for attention."

"Did he become any less rebellious as he aged?" Aro asks.

"Somewhat," Irina answers. "His grades weren't great... understandably. He got into the University of Washington and he went for a year before deciding that college wasn't for him. I remember that Uncle Connor was extremely upset by this. He threatened to cut James off, so James enrolled at Seattle University in the Albers School of Business and Economics. He hated it, but he stuck it out.

"It was better after he met Victoria. She was in school at Albers too. They dated off and on for several years. She was good for him. I remember that he brought her to Christmas one year. I'd not see him that happy in years."

"Thank you, Ms Warner. I have no more questions at this time. Your witness, Counselor," Aro says with a wave toward Eleazar.

"Thank you," Eleazar says as he takes the lectern. "Ms Warner, you stated that he did stupid things to get attention. Do you remember Lawrence Mitchell?"

Irina licks her lips and sneers at Eleazar. "Yes."

"Could you tell this Court what happened to Mr. Mitchell on October 31, 1994?" Eleazar asks.

"I don't recall," Irina answers looking away.

"Maybe I can refresh your memory. Mr. Mitchell is currently in a wheelchair. He cannot feed himself. He cannot clean himself. He will never walk or talk ever again." Eleazar leans on the lectern and looks at James. "Do you recall what happened to Mr. Mitchell now, Ms Warner?"

Irina answers in a voice barely above a whisper, "That was an accident."

"I wouldn't call beating another person until they suffer severe brain damage an accident."

"Objection," Aro says, standing. "Why is this relevant?"

"It's relevant because it shows Mr. Cavanaugh's propensity for violence," Eleazar explains.

Judge Verine pauses and considers the decision before he says, "Overruled."

Eleazar flips through the file on the lectern. "I see that Mr. Cavanaugh received six months probation and two hundred hours of community service. Does this seem like a fair punishment for attempted murder?"

"Objection; calls for the witness, who is a layperson, to make a legal assumption."

Eleazar turns to Aro and says, "I withdraw the question."

"Do you recall the incident, Ms Warner?" Eleazar asks.

"Yes, I do," she answers, softly.

"Would you call it rebelliousness?"

"I would call it a tragic mistake. James didn't know what he was doing; he was drunk. Uncle Connor paid all of the hospital bills and continues to pay for constant care for the boy. He receives payments from a trust. My family will always take care of Larry," she says, dabbing at actual tears this time.

"How many other 'tragic mistakes' has your uncle paid to conceal for his son?"

"Objection!"

"I withdraw. I have nothing further." Eleazar picks up the file and returns to the prosecution table.

Irina steps down and quickly exits the courtroom. She doesn't pause to look at James.

Aro calls two other cousins by the time Judge Verine breaks for lunch. He questions all of them about James as a child, as a teenager, and as a young adult. Eleazar hits them with James' juvenile record. They dismiss it all as rebelliousness and mistakes of youth. They paint him as a confused young man. His mother died when he was young. His father worked all the time. James was basically raised by nannies and maids. Aro is trying to elicit sympathy.

I've watched the jury the entire time. When the cousins testify as to how distraught James was at his mother's death, a few of the women show signs of softening. Either they're mothers themselves or they lost their mothers. Either way, Aro got to them a little. I hope that it wasn't enough.

Emmett, Jasper, and I leave the courtroom. The second thing I notice, Bella is always the first, is that Cynthia isn't here. "Where's Cynt?" I ask.

"She's gone to the police station," Charlie says. "She was getting impatient with Ted. She told me to tell you that she'll call you later."

I nod and try to not look worried. We decide to go to the Courthouse Café again for lunch. I can't help be look around as we go downstairs to the restaurant. Of course, Bella notices me.

She pulls on my arm until I lean down. She whispers in my ear. "What are you looking for, Edward?"

I don't want to worry her, but we promised no secrets. I'm torn. I look into her eyes and decide that I can't lie to her… but I can evade. "Can I tell you later? I don't want to go into it right now." I look around at our family and shrug.

Her eyes narrow and she turns her head to the side. "Should I be worried?" she asks.

"No," I say, truthfully.

"Then tell me later." I nod and open the door for her to enter the café.

We eat and I continue to scan the area. Emmett kicks me under the table. Apparently, I'm being quite obvious. I haven't been following the conversation. I have this feeling of being watched and I don't like it.

We finish out lunch, although I never taste mine, and go back upstairs to the courtroom. For the first time I notice the bag of magazines Alice has hanging from her shoulder. "What the hell is all of that?" I ask.

"Bridal magazines!" Alice says, hopping from foot to foot.

"Why so many?"

Alice looks at me like I've sprouted a second head. "This is only half of them. The rest are in the car."

My jaw drops and Jasper starts to laugh. "See, this is why I'm in there with ya an' not out here."

Emmett shakes his head and says, "I am SO glad we eloped."

"Elopement is beginning to look better and better," I say, eliciting a glare from my mother. "Why are you looking at bridal magazines? We haven't even set a date."

"You ask too many questions," Alice says as she pushes me toward the doors of the courtroom. "Go away; you're bothering me."

"Alice," Bella says, taking my arm. "Sorry, she's just excited."

I pull her into a hug and ask, "Aren't you?"

"One thing at a time," she whispers. I understand. Let's get the trial out of the way first; then we can set a date and begin our life together. I release her and quickly kiss her before going back into the courtroom.

As Jasper, Emmett and I walk through the doors, I notice a shock of flame red curls sitting behind the defense table. She's leaning on the rail talking with Aro and his associate. Moments later, James is led into the courtroom in shackles. The bailiff walks him to the defense table and removes the restraints. The red-haired woman leans over the rail to embrace the monster. He smiles his wicked smile as our eyes meet over her shoulder. I shudder.

"Who's the carrot-top?" Jasper asks.

"Judging from the description in Eleazar's working file, I would say that she is Victoria... the ex-girlfriend," I reply.

"So, she's testifyin' for 'im? How 'ex' is she?"

The bailiff enters and calls us to order. Judge Verine enters and tells us to be seated. "Are you ready to continue, Mr. Anastas?"

"Yes, Your Honor. The Defense calls Victoria Connolly."

Victoria walks to the stand and raises her right hand to be sworn in. She turns to take her seat and we finally see her face. She is absolutely stunning. She has large, clear, blue eyes. Her skin is pale, as is common with red-haired people, and resembles fine porcelain. She is truly beautiful.

"Please state your full name and place of residence for the record."

She smiles and her face lights up. I hear Jasper whisper 'wow' under his breath. "My name is Victoria Rachelle Connolly and I live in Seattle, Washington."

"Thank you, Miss Connolly," Aro says sweetly. "Could you please describe for the Court your relationship to James?"

"Yes," she says as she turns to James and smiles. "James and I have dated off and on since college. We met at Seattle University during our sophomore year."

"Are you dating now?" Aro asks.

She looks wistfully at James and says, "No, not at the moment."

"Why is that?"

"As much as I love James and as much as I think that he loves me... he has a wandering eye. He just cannot be faithful. Maybe it isn't his fault. I mean... look at him. He's extremely handsome; he's wealthy; he's funny and generous and... almost perfect. I wish he could just be faithful to me. It's the only issue we've ever had in our relationship. He likes the chase and I want to be caught. He gets bored. It really isn't his fault, but still... I can't abide it," she answers.

Jasper leans over and asks, "Does she actually consider rapin' women as bein' unfaithful?"

"Apparently," I say with a scowl. She's a fucked up as James is.

"She ain't s'pretty no more," Jasper says with a huff. He folds his arms across his chest and frowns.

"So, you and James have split up quite a few times?" Aro asks.

"Yes, the first time was when I was in graduate school," she begins. "I was at the University of Washington getting my MBA. I couldn't come home every weekend, but I came home as much as I could. I knew that James missed me. He was working with his father... learning the business. He couldn't get away whenever he wanted either.

"One weekend I didn't have a lot of studying to do so I decided to surprise him. I had a key to his apartment. I let myself in. He was in bed with another woman. I was so angry. I threw things at him and her and then I ran back to my car. James chased me... he was in his underwear. A neighbor called the police. It was bad. I went back to school in tears. We were apart for a year."

"Did you eventually take him back?"

"I couldn't be without him," she says. "He called me out of the blue one day a little over a year after 'the incident.' He told me that he loved me and missed me. He told me that he couldn't live without me either. He promised me that it would never happen again."

"And you believed him?" Aro asks.

"I wanted to believe him," Victoria says and looks at James again. "Such is the character of love. Your heart believes what it wants to believe."

"How long were you with James this second time?"

"Several years. He kept his promise for a long time. I finished my MBA and got a job at an accounting firm in Seattle. We moved in together. I was sure that he would propose.

"He began going out with 'the guys' more than usual. I started suspecting that something was going on, but I didn't want to believe that he would do it again. And then the Webber girl came along." She shakes her head and looks down at her hands.

"He confessed everything to me when she cried rape. He thought it was a one night stand, but she was relentless. She wouldn't leave him alone. She found out that he had money and she tried to blackmail him. When he called her bluff, she went to the police. It was awful.

"I left him again... just when he needed me most. I should have stood by him, but I was so hurt." She looks to James again. "I'm sorry, honey."

I see James' head nod. Aro moves on. "Did you take him back?"

"I did... after the trial... when he was acquitted. I knew he would be. He could never rape anyone. He wouldn't need to do that. Women love James," she says.

"You say that you aren't together now. Why is that?" Aro asks.

"He loves me, but it isn't enough. I need someone that wants me and only me for the rest of their life. I can't wait for James to grow up and be the man that I need. I love him, but I had to let him go." A single tear rolls down her cheek. She wipes it away with her hand.

"Thank you, Miss Connolly." Aro turns to Eleazar with a self-satisfied expression and says, "Your witness."

"Miss Connolly," Eleazar says as he approaches the lectern, "you mentioned an incident at Mr. Cavanaugh's apartment in which the authorities were called. Did you leave out anything?"

Victoria cuts her eyes to Aro. Her cheeks flame and she stutters, "I-I don't know... what you mean."

"Was someone arrested that day?" Eleazar asks as he pulls something from his file.

Victoria runs her tongue across her top teeth and slowly answers, "Yes."

"Who?"

"James," she whispers.

"What was that?" Eleazar asks.

Victoria audibly swallows and says more loudly, "James... James was arrested."

"What were the charges?"

"Domestic violence, indecent exposure, resisting arrest... I think there was more, but I can't recall right now," she answers; never looking up from her lap. "But the domestic violence charge was dropped."

"It was dropped because you refused to testify, correct?"

"Yes," she says.

"But not because it didn't happen," Eleazar says.

"Objection... um... badgering the witness," Aro says, loudly.

"I don't believe that I've badgered Miss Connolly, Your Honor," Eleazar says as he turns to give Aro a look of confusion.

"I agree," Judge Verine says. "Overruled."

"Was there 'domestic violence' that day, Miss Connolly?" Eleazar asks.

Victoria glares at Eleazar before she answers. "I dropped the charges, didn't I?"

Eleazar smiles as he pulls a page from his file. "The prosecution submits into evidence a hospital report for Miss Connolly." He hands the document to the clerk to be marked. "Would you like to change your answer, Miss Connolly?"

Victoria bites her bottom lip. She closes her eyes and shakes her head before she answers. "I slapped him when he caught me at my car. He slapped me back and shook me a little. He just wanted to explain. I overreacted. That's why I refused to testify. It was a misunderstanding. Nothing like that ever happened again."

"Or you didn't report it ever again?"

"Objection!" Aro cries.

"I withdraw." Eleazar gathers his file together and says. "I have no more questions.

"Call your next witness, Mr. Anastas," Judge Verine says.

"The defense calls..." Aro starts and then pauses. He turns to face the back of the courtroom.

Our eyes meet and he says, "Edward Anthony Masen, Jr."