Jasper's POV
"Jasper, can I talk to you for a second?" Bella asked and I stepped away from the others. We were all outside the courtroom waiting for Bella's case to be heard.
"What is it?"
Last night had been emotional. I had reassured Bella time after time in every way I could that no matter what happened today I would always stand by her side, that I would wait for her if need be. She didn't want to hear me say it, but it had to be said.
"I got accepted to the University of Washington," Bella said quietly.
"You did!" I said and she nodded her head. I picked her up in my arms and spun her around. "That is so good, Bella, I knew you would."
"Thanks, Jay, but don't tell the others okay. I don't want them to know in case I have to go to prison."
"Okay," I accepted. I knew it would kill Charlie to know that Bella was accepted, but that she couldn't attend.
"I can always defer for a year anyway," Bella said, "depending on what my sentence is… This is my second offence after all."
"Shush, Bella, don't worry about it please. I'm a witness in your case and you know I'm on your side."
"Thank you, Jay."
"Bella," Charlie said, "they're calling your case."
"Let's do this," Bella said confidently, but I could tell that she was anything but. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly.
We walked into the courtroom and everything started. The case was read, opening statements were heard, it was all very confusing. I tried to listen the best that I could, but I was more afraid of when it was my turn to take the stand. What if I said the wrong thing? What if Bella had to go away? I couldn't handle this, but I knew that I must.
"The defense calls Dr. Jasper Whitlock to the stand."
Shit, this was it. I numbly stood up and straightened out my tie. I took my seat and swore to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The questions came flying in and I tried to answer them all the best that I could.
"You are Isabella's Swan's therapist, is this correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"And how is Isabella as a patient?"
"Bella is very co-operative and proactive in attending appointments. Once trust was made she had no issues in opening up and making the steps towards moving forward."
"Did she confide in you about her bosses?"
"Yes."
"And that was significant to you wasn't it? Please tell me the names of Bella's bosses."
"Royce King and James Hunter."
"And did those names mean something to you when you heard them?"
"Yes, sir."
"What did they mean?"
"They were the names of my sister's attackers."
"Tell me more about this attack on your sister."
"My sister was only seventeen when her boyfriend at the time, Royce King, raped her best friend Jane Swan, Isabella's sister, and went to rape my sister next. Something happened and they ran… My sister was left untouched."
"What happened afterwards?"
"My sister was never the same and neither was Jane. I would watch them when they were over at the house and all the life and spark they shared was just gone. Life became too much for Jane and she took her own life. That was hard on not just my sister, but me as well."
"How did Jane's death affect you?"
"Jane and I weren't close, but we talked all the time. She was always over at our place and we got to know each other. I counted her as a friend and when she died… I lost that friendship. I lost her."
"In your professional opinion, what do you make of Isabella Swan's actions after her sister's death?"
"Bella was hurting, no doubt and she felt a sense of injustice. In her mind no one was doing anything. Her sister had suffered and paid the ultimate price, but no one was doing anything, so she took it upon herself. Her hurt and pain drove her to seek justice. She was just trying to be proactive, she didn't want her grief to overtake her, she just needed to be doing something. And that's a character trait of hers."
"A character trait? Can you expand on this further?"
"Of course. I'm not supposed to say this, it's meant to be a secret, but I can't just keep it to myself. Since the kidnapping and this impending trial Bella hasn't given up on life, she's continued to move forward and make plans for her future. I've never met someone like her before. Her drive and resilience is like no other. Bella applied for the University of Washington and today she found out that she was accepted. This shows just how much Bella has left the life she once lived behind her. She set out to bring justice down on James and Royce and now that she's achieved this I do not believe she will ever go back to it."
"One more question and then I'll hand you over to the prosecutor. Please explain exactly what happened during the kidnapping and what role Isabella Swan played in it all."
I knew this would come up, I just knew it.
"I was kidnapped from the parking garage of my office building when Royce and James found out who my sister was. I was blindfolded and gagged and driven to their club. When I got there I was forced into the basement and bound to a wooden chair. They demanded that I tell them where my sister was, but I refused and I paid for that with punches and kicks to my body. Time dragged on. I was deprived of food and water. I was abused when I didn't answer their questions. The darkness and the cold were the worst though.
"Things changed three days in. Royce found out that Bella was Jane's sister and he forced her into the basement with me. He tied her to a chair, just like me. I was angry, so angry at her, because I was protecting her too. It was tough being down there, I would have rather been alone than to have her be there with me. Bella's a good soul, her intentions are good. I never wanted her to have to go through what I had to. James disappeared and all that left was Royce and occasionally his bodyguard Felix. Royce got sick of my lack of answers and he began to torture me… Bella came up with a plan to escape and we escaped, she helped me escape, and that's all I remember. If it wasn't for her I would still be down there, or dead. I owe her my life."
"No further questions, your honor."
"The prosecution has only one question for you Dr. Jasper Whitlock. What is your current relationship with Isabella Swan?"
"She's my girlfriend."
"That's not very ethical, a doctor taking advantage of his patient. No further questions."
I wanted to speak up and defend myself, but I wasn't able to. My chance was over, my job was done and I could only pray that it was enough.
Charlie was called next and his speech nearly brought me to tears.
"Isabella Swan is my daughter and I don't agree with what she did. I have been a man of the law for over twenty years. Growing up I instilled the importance of the law and why it shouldn't be broken in both my daughters. I warned them countless times that just because they were my daughters they wouldn't get a free pass. Up until a week or so ago this was my same view. I couldn't condone Bella's actions and I still can't, but I heard her speak and it changed my mind. I know for a fact that Bella feels remorse, she's not happy with what she did, but she is happy with how things turned out. She understands the law and I know she is willing to accept any punishment necessary, so I leave her fate in your hands, but please understand that this is all in the past. I've seen her make moves towards her own future and I hope that you allow her the chance to finally chase her own dreams and not be hung up on avenging her sister's attackers."
"The defense would like to call James Hunter to the stand."
James Hunter? James was here? I looked around for him and I saw two guards leading him in. He was shackled. James sat down in the stand and his eyes met mine. All I could see was sadness and remorse. The bible was brought forward and James swore to tell the truth, just like we all had.
"James Hunter, please explain all the illegal activities Isabella Swan was involved in."
Oh, this would not be good at all.
"None," James answered.
"None, she was working for you and Royce correct."
"Yes."
"Then what did she do?"
"She was tech support."
"So she didn't deal drugs?"
"No."
"Then can you explain what she was doing on the campus of the University of Washington so often?"
"I don't know, checking it out, I guess. Clearly it's been her dream to go there and now she finally can."
I couldn't believe it, James was lying for Bella. Thank you Jesus, or whoever I had to thank.
"So Isabella never touched any drugs?"
"Not since she was arrested two years ago."
Damn, he was good.
"So what did this tech support include?"
"She helped us with our computers, she helped run the club."
"And she didn't know you were dealing drugs again."
"No."
"No further questions."
The prosecution questioned James next, but he gave nothing away and he added one good gem.
"Why would I protect her?" James said. "She betrayed me for years, she is nothing to me, but I am under oath so I cannot lie to drag her down with me."
It was a total lie, we all knew it, but the judge didn't and he bought it hook, line, and sinker. James was diabolical and I was just glad that his love for Bella had him temporarily on our side, but I wasn't worried about him. I knew he would never do anything to hurt Bella. James was led away and I watched as he and Bella shared a secret look with each other. She was thanking him and he was accepting it.
Bella was called up next and a lot of it was repeating what everyone else had said. She reaffirmed Charlie's speech and said that she was remorseful and she wished that she hadn't started her quest for vengeance in the first place. She told everyone that what she did was wrong, but she was willing to accept the consequences. The prosecution asked her about the drugs, but Bella lied and backed up everything James had said.
Closing statements were made and then the judge went to his chamber. The judge was gone for less than half an hour, which was good because we didn't have much time to worry or speculate.
The court was called to order and we all held our breath.
"I have taken all the facts and statements heard today into consideration and I hereby sentence Isabella Swan to three hundred hours of community service, with a good behavior bond of two years. The conditions of your parole will stay in place and additional conditions will be added. It will also be noted that you need a new therapist. Isabella, I truly hope that you have learned from this and you have moved on. I hope I don't see you again. Case dismissed."
We won! We won! Sure Bella didn't get off scot free, but that was to be expected. All I cared about was that she was still here with me.
I jumped out of my seat and jumped over the barrier, pulling Bella away from her lawyer and into my arms. I hugged her to me tightly, before kissing her fiercely.
"Marry me," I whispered in her ear.
She pulled back and I could tell that she was going to protest over my proposal, but I wasn't going to let her.
"Say yes and make this the happiest day of my life," I told her.
She paused for a second.
"Yes," she said and I brought her in for another kiss.
Sure it wasn't the best proposal, but I would make sure that when I gave her the ring it would be extra special.
"Umm," Charlie said clearing his throat. "Please share Bella, Jasper."
Right, we weren't alone. I pulled back and allowed everyone their turn with Bella. I was so nervous this morning. I was dreading this day so much, but now I was so fucking happy. Bella wasn't leaving, she was staying with me and she could finally start her own life. It was better than I could ever have imagined.
