Chapter 38

During the next two weeks while they awaited Savannah's sentencing hearing they were all kept busy. Penelope was hard at work with her rehab sessions every day twice a day. She was exhausted but she knew all her hard work would pay off in the end. She couldn't wait for the day that she didn't need help walking or doing things for herself.

While Penelope was doing her thing, the team had been called out of a town for three cases since returning back to work. Every time they left town, she worried they wouldn't be back in time for the hearing. They'd been on this last case for five days and didn't seem like they could catch a break. The hearing was set to begin at two o'clock the next day. Penelope knew they were all trying their best to be back on time.

It was now the day of reckoning. Purely by accident, the case erupted into a frenzy when the unsub slipped up and took two hostages in the presence of witnesses. It took several hours to talk the unsub down, but at dawn's light, he finally got what he wanted. Death by cop.

The team quickly finished their paperwork in record time, grabbed their belongings from the motel and scurried to the jet. They were due to land at noon. But of course, a weather front delayed their arrival time and they didn't land until one-thirty. The team told Fran, Penelope, and Will to meet them at the courthouse and would get there as soon as they could.

Penelope wanted to get there with some extra time because she decided to use her walker this time. So, it was now two o'clock and the team still hadn't arrived. They'd held up caught in a traffic jam caused by construction along their route.

The judge walked in and sat down and was ready to get the sentencing underway. Penelope kept glancing at the door willing it to open with her family. Just as the judge began to speak, the doors burst open and in ran her family. She closed her eyes and silently thanked god.

The judge looked up not happy with the interruption. She shook head in disgust.

Before Hotch took a seat, he looked over at the judge, "Our apologies, Your Honor. Forgive our tardiness and our disruption of this important matter but we just flew in from a case in Texas. There was a delay because of a tornado and thunderstorms."

"Apology accepted. Now, please take your seat."

He nodded and replied, "Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

The judge looked at Savannah and asked, "Do you wish to make any statements on your behalf before I pass your sentence?"

Savannah stood up, smirked and boldly exclaimed, "Yes!" She slightly turned and pointed at Penelope. "It's all that fat bitch's fault! And, if it's the last thing I do, I will see her dead!"

The judge banged her gavel many times to try and get Savannah to stop talking.

"I will have no more of that behavior in my court. I've heard enough garbage from you and my ruling is as follows. On the first charge of Attempted Murder on a federal officer, I hereby sentence you to twenty-five years to life with no possibility of parole. For the charge of Conspiracy to Commit Murder on a federal officer, I sentence you to another twenty-five years. On the Assault charge of a federal officer, I sentence you to twenty years, for the two charges of willful destruction of private property, I sentence you to ten years, and for two counts of threatening to do bodily harm, I'm tacking on another ten years. That is a total of ninety years to life with all sentences to be served consecutively. Between this sentencing and the one I gave you last month in the first part of these trial proceedings, you received for the first-degree murder of a federal agent, SSA Agent Brad Miller of life imprisonment, you will never see the light of day ever again. You will die an old lady in prison and there is no one more deserving of that than you. Case closed."

Savannah just stood there with her mouth gaped open and her hands on her hips. She couldn't believe what she'd just heard. There was no way she would stand for that. "You bitch! Imma gonna kill you, too. Mark my words, you haven't heard the last from Savannah Hayes."

The judge glanced over at the guards, "Remove this prisoner. I can't stand the sight of her any longer."

As Savannah was being shackled and led away kicking and screaming, the judge looked directly at Penelope. "Ms. Garcia, I'm so sorry for all the horrors you have been through, along with your family. I hope with today's rulings you have some feelings of vindication in this matter. I wish you nothing but the best for the rest of your life. Take care."

Penelope smiled up at the judge. "Thank you so much, Your Honor. I definitely feel vindicated and will be safe now for the rest of my life. Between your sentencing today and all the love surrounding me I will have the best life ever. Again, Thank you, ma'am."

The judge smiled at Penelope, nodded her head, raised up from her seat, and headed back into her chambers.

Penelope scanned her whole family, grinned and whooped out, "It's over! It's finally over! From now on, nothing but pure joy and happiness!"

Derek gleefully threw his arms around her, You're right, Baby Girl! It's finally over and you're safe. I'm sorry I ever brought her into our lives and for all the destruction she left in her wake. I love you, my Goddess!"

She pulled slightly back from him and frowned, "How many times have I told you, none of this was your fault. It was all on her who shall remain nameless from here on out. I love you too, Hot Stuff! Let's go home and celebrate some more. And, don't forget my two nephews."

Before they left the courtroom, everybody exchanged hugs and kisses all the way around. It was a joyous time and nothing or no one would put a damper on their moods. The rest of the day was nothing but party mode. They had so much to be grateful for and about.

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