When we finally got up I walked to the kitchen to see donuts on the counter. "Oh yeah by the way I stopped and picked up something for breakfast." Em said as he made a pot of coffee. Alice came in and smiled. "I've got to get to school. I'll see you later." she said as she snagged a donut and walked out the door. "I'm going to take a shower care to join me?" Emmett asked and I smiled. "Only if we can have a repeat?" I said, taking a bite out of the donut. "Anything for you baby girl." he said and I quickly followed him to the shower. Things were beginning to look up for me and I couldn't be any happier.
The day had finally come and I was dreading it. Today was Edward's trial. Case, Bendi, and I all had to testify. Case and Bendi along with Mister and Mistress Whitely had come over to mine and Emmett's house for breakfast before the long day ahead of us. "So Bella how have you been since all of this? I heard on the news that Edward was also involved in a house fire here." Mrs. Whitely said as she took a sip of her coffee. "Yeah the house was actually my dad's place. I've been dealing the best way I can. It helps talking with Bendi and Case as well as having a supportive father and boyfriend." I said setting the stack of pancakes in the middle of the table for everyone to grab. "That's good. I'm really glad that you girls have each other to lean on during all of this. I know it was a tragic start to a friendship but at least it's there. I really wish Lindsey was here. I think you girls would have all gotten along well." she said, smiling sadly.
Once breakfast was over it was time to head to the court house. Emmett and Charlie were meeting us there. We all got into our vehicles and I led the way to the courthouse. Finding parking was a nightmare as this was the biggest story in Forks since before I was born. We all found parking near each other and we walked up together. Case, Bendi, and I stood out front for a minute looking at the building. This was where we were going to relive the darkest days of our lives in front of a crowd and reporters. We were going to tell things that we never wanted to talk about again. I grabbed Bendi's hand and looked down to see that Case had done the same. Whatever the outcome we were in this together.
We made our way up the steps and inside to the only courtroom in the building. Lined against the back wall were reporters from different news outlets. The lawyer that was prosecuting Edward met us at the door and led us to the front row just behind where they would be sitting. " Like we talked about last week I'll call you up one by one and all you have to do is tell the truth about everything that Edward put you all through." the lawyer said once we were seated. We all nodded. I looked to my right and saw that detective Cam was sitting there. I gave him a small smile before turning my attention to my hands in my lap. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Emmett, Charlie, and Carlisle in the row behind me. I squeezed Emmett's hand before he sat. I was very thankful that the three of them had been able to come today.
Soon court started and they began their opening statements. I zoned out during that and soon it was time for testimonies. I took a chance and looked over to where Edward was sitting. He was looking back at me with a sickening smile on his face. I quickly looked back down to my hands as Carlisle was testifying against his son. "Thank you Mr. Cullen you my step down. Who is the next to be called?" the judge asked. The prosecutor stood and spoke clearly. "The prosecution would like to call Isabella Swan to the stand." I stood shakily and started making my way to the stand.
Once I was sworn to tell the truth I took a seat and the questioning began. "Ms. Swan what is your connection to Mr. Edward Cullen?" the prosecutor asked. "He and I knew each other from childhood. When I moved back to Forks a few years ago we started dating but about eight months ago I broke up with him." I said trying to hide the fear in my voice. I focused my eyes on Emmett. "And why did your relationship end?" he asked. I told them about how Edward had become controlling and I just didn't see my forever with him. "What happened after your relationship ended?" "Edward became threatening. He texted me multiple times about how no one but himself would ever want me. He also texted saying that no one would have me if he couldn't" I said. "Your honor I'd like to summit to evidence a print out of these messages between Isabella and Edward." The prosecutor held a few papers that held these text messages and more up and handed a copy to the judge as well as Edward's lawyer.
"Now Ms. Swan can you walk me through the day you were assaulted at Newton's Sporting Goods. I know it may be hard so please take your time." the prosecutor said. "I was getting ready to close up after the last customer had left." "Let me stop you there. This customer was a police officer, correct?" the prosecutor asked and I nodded. "Yes Officer Emmett McCarty." I said and he nodded. "Thank you. Continue please." "Typically my dad. Police Chief Charlie Swan would come to the store when it was time to close to ensure everything went smoothly however this particular night he sent Officer McCarty as he was also my ride home because my truck was in the shop. He had gone out to put his items in his Jeep when I heard the doorbell to the front door go off. I was already in the back cashing the register out as I normally do at the end of my shift. I thought it was Officer McCarty so I didn't pay much attention to it. I then heard his voice." I stopped and my focus that had been on Emmett this whole time broke and I looked to Edward. "Who's voice Ms. Swan?" the prosecutor asked. "Edward Cullen's. He repeated what he had texted me, that if he couldn't have me no one could. I froze. I didn't know what he was going to do. He had a handgun pointed at me. He told me if I screamed he would kill me. He told me to give him the cash in the drawer that I had already cashed out for the night. There was only two hundred dollars in it but I did as he said. He told me that it wasn't over for us and if I disagreed he'd kill my family. I had moved to where my bag was and was going to grab my personal handgun but he was quicker." I stopped as tears fell down my face. "Ms. Swan do you believe that he knew what you were reaching for?" the prosecutor asked and I nodded. "When we were dating he knew that I kept a gun on me for protection. Other than at the range I had never discharged it though but he knew it was in my bag. So yes I believe he knew. But before I could reach it he had fired and hit me in my shoulder." I said and the prosecutor nodded.
"After this Edward was taken into custody but not long after you came in contact with him again can you explain how that happened for us?" the prosecutor asked and I nodded. "Edward was on bail and broke into my place of work and stole quite a bit. The day after he set my father's house on fire. His sister told me where he was and when I saw him he was like a crazed animal not caring who he was hurting. Then during his interrogation I heard him yelling that he wanted to see me. That he wasn't going to talk to anyone but me. He confessed to everything, attempting to kill myself, Casey, and Brenda along with murdering Lindsey. To the break in and burning my father's house down as well. When he realized that I had moved on from him he became bewildered again he was screaming that I was in love with him and before I left I could hear him yelling that he was going to finish what he started." I said and the prosecutor smiled again. "I'd like to summit the interrogation tapes as evidence, your honor." The judge nodded. "That's all the questions I have for Ms. Swan your honor." the prosecutor sat in his designated area. "Does the defense have any questions?" the judge asked and Edward's lawyer shook his head and looked at Edward who's eyes were burning a hole into my body. "No your honor however my client and I would like a fifteen minute reccess to look over the new evidence." The judge looked to the prosecutor who nodded. "Granted court will resume in fifteen minutes. Ms. Swan you may step down now. Thank you." I nodded and got off the stand and made a beeline for the exit.
I ran straight to the bathroom and emptied my stomach into the toilet. I knew today was going to be hard and stressful but to see Edward sitting back and almost laughing at what he'd put me through, I just couldn't handle it. "Bella are you in here?" came Bendi's voice. "Yeah give me a minute." I choked as I flushed my stomach contents down the toilet and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. I took a deep breath and stood exiting the stall. I walked over to the sink holding onto it for dear life. "You did great." Bendi said as Case rubbed circles on my back. I grabbed a paper towel and wet it running it over my mouth to clear away anything that had been left behind. "He was laughing." I said through tears. "He's a monster Bella. He has no remorse for what he did. Don't let that get to you. He's going away for a long time Bella. Why do you think his lawyer needed a break? He's trying to figure out what he can do to save him even though there is nothing he can do." Case said and I nodded knowing she was right. "Emmett is waiting for you outside the door." Bendi said nodding toward the door. I nodded and followed them out.
Once in the hallway Bendi and Case walked away leaving me with Emmett. "You are so brave baby girl." he said, pulling me into his chest. I reveled in his smell and the feeling of his arms around me. My little safe haven. "I know this is hard baby but you are doing so good. Just a little longer and you won't have to see his face again." Em whispered into my hair. "Bells." I heard Charlie from behind me. I pulled away from Emmett to see Charlie standing there with watery eyes. "Daddy don't cry." I said hugging him. "I'm so proud of you baby to stand up to him is the bravest thing I've seen you do." Charlie said hugging me tighter. "Are you okay?" Charlie asked when I pulled away. "Not really but I will be." I said, wiping at my eyes again. Charlie smiled sadly at me. "That's my girl. Come on it's almost time to go back." Charlie said. We made our way back in and sat back in our seats.
"Court is back in session. Prosecutor, your next testimony please." the judge said once everyone was back in the courtroom. "The prosecution would like to call Brenda Johnson to the stand." Bendi stood and made her way up. She was sworn in and took her seat. "Ms. Johnson what type of relationship did you have with Mr. Cullen?" The questions began and were similar to mine. When Bendi got down to explain what happened to her I focused on everything she was saying. "After I broke up with Edward I started receiving messages from him saying that he was going to kill himself if I didn't go back to him. I didn't take them seriously but after about a week of getting these messages they went from him killing himself to him saying he was going to kill me." She paused. The prosectioner held up a stack like the one he had of the messages between Edward and I. "This is already in evidence, your honor. Printouts of these messages." he stated and Bendi continued. "I was at home alone one day while my parents were out for their weekly date night when there was a knock on the door. I thought it was the take out I had ordered so I didn't hesitate to open the door. But instead of my pizza it was Edward. He had a gun and pushed his way in. My phone was on it's charger upstairs and we live outside of town where we don't have neighbors close enough for them to hear me if I screamed. Edward pushed me onto the couch and started ranting about how he didn't want it to come to this. He didn't want to hurt me but I had pushed him to it because I wasn't returning his messages. He said that if I didn't go back to him he would make sure no one would want me. I, with my sarcastic mouth, challenged him. He got more angry and started punching me in the face. He said it was to make sure I didn't have the same face so that I wasn't going to be attractive to anyone else."
"When he finally stopped I was spitting blood. I noticed that he was distracted by talking to himself so I tried to run. I was going to get in my car and take off to the police department. But I only made it to the front door before Edward shot me in my leg. If it weren't for the pizza guy getting there I think he would have killed me." Bendi had tears streaming down her face and I noticed that I did as well. "No further questions your honor." the prosecutor sat back down. "Defense?" the judge asked. I looked to Edward's lawyer and he shook his head in disbelief. "No questions your honor." The judge nodded and I took a glance at the jury. I could tell that they had soaked up every word that Bendi and I had already stated. "Ms. Johnson you may step down. Thank you. Does the prosecutor have any more testimonies?" the judge asked. "We do your honor. We have left for testimonies Ms. Moss. As for witnesses we have Mr. and Mrs. Whitely as well as police chief Swan and police officer McCarty." the prosecutor stated. "Before we begin with Ms. Moss I need a sidebar with the defence and prosecution please." the judge stated. Both lawyers approached the bar and began speaking.
I reached down to where Bendi was sitting again and grabbed her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. She smiled down to me and I knew that she was as okay with this as I was. I sent a quick prayer up that this would all be over soon. The lawyers were back in place shortly after speaking to the judge. "The defence has opted out of questioning those that are testifying. As for the witnesses they will question. Ms. Moss you may come up now." the judge said as he shuffled some paperwork around. Case was sworn in and began like Bendi and I did. "Ms. Moss please tell us your story with Edward." the prosecutor said and Case began.
"I was leaving work one day. I got into my car and Edward was in the back seat. He held a gun to my side and told me to drive to this park that he and I spent a lot of time at. It's this off the beaten path park and there is hardly anyone there. When I pulled into the parking spot for the park he told me to get out. He led me down this path that leads into the woods. We walked for about five minutes before he told me to stop. He asked if I knew why he'd brought me out there and I could only shake my head. I was terrified of him. He had me get on my knees. He wanted me to give him a blowjob but I didn't want to. He got angry that I wouldn't open my mouth. He hit me with the gun but I still wasn't giving him what he wanted. There was a noise that caught his attention behind him. I used this opportunity to take off further into the woods. I remember hearing him yelling for me and I could hear him chasing after me. I didn't stop running hoping there was someone out there jogging like there would be every now and then. I came to a split off and I stopped to remember which one led back to the parking lot. By the time I remembered which one to take Edward had caught up to me. I tried to head down the path again but he shot me in my back. I must have looked dead to him because he ran after that. Someone was jogging up the path I was trying to take and they found me but he was nowhere in sight." Case finished. "Thank you Ms. Moss you may step down as well. Court will recess for an hour for lunch. After that we will finish with the witnesses and get to the murder of Lindsey Whitely." the judge banged his gavel and left the courtroom. We all filtered out of the courtroom and onto the steps of the courthouse.
The prosecutor walked up to the group as we chatted. "You ladies did wonderful. Thank you for relieving that for us. You have no idea how much that helped this case. Since we do have a confession, though it isn't an official confession seeing as it was made to someone other than a police officer, this is all just a way for the judge to decide on sentencing him." the prosecutor said and we all nodded. He walked away and we all decided to grab a bite to eat while we could.