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.
Once the court was back in session they began questioning Emmett about the night I was shot. I couldn't focus too much on that. The witness questioning seemed to drag but when it finally ended we took another fifteen minute break so that they could set up to start on Lindsey's death. Emmett was like a rock for me and I was very thankful. I was emotionally and physically exhausted from today. I could tell Case and Bendi were feeling it as well. I could see it on their face as they talked with their families across the hall from Emmett, Carlisle, Charlie, and I. "Alice wanted to be here today." Carlisle broke the silence. "She shouldn't be. I mean I know what Edward is but he is still her brother and she doesn't need to see him like this. Hell I don't want to be here." I said and Carlisle nodded. "That's what I told her when I saw her last night. She wanted to be here to support you. If I didn't have the help of Jasper she would be here right now." he said and I laughed. "She's very hard headed that's for sure. I'm glad she has Jasper. He levels her out." I said thinking of my best friend.
Soon we were back sitting on the uncomfortable benches. I watched in horror as the crime scene photos were displayed and explained. Edward was on the stand during this time. He was having to answer about each little thing in the photos. I could see the same sickening smile hadn't left his face all day. Emmett squeezed my knee lightly and I relaxed slightly. To see what Edward was capable of made me thankful that I made it out alive.
As they continued with going over everything you could see on the jury's faces the disgust and disbelief that someone so young could do any of these things. I couldn't imagine the pain that this girl was in when all of this happened. Sadly she wasn't as lucky as Bendi, Case, or myself.
At five o'clock on the dot court was done for the day. We'd come back tomorrow for closing statements and the jury could do their thing. I said my goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Whitely and watched them leave. Case and Bendi were staying with Emmett and I tonight so we all headed back to our house where Sue was cooking no doubt. Emmett drove with me while Case, Bendi, and Charlie followed. "I can't believe he did that." I said looking out the window of the Jeep. "It's amazing what people do when they need help. Bella, I keep thinking about what would have happened if I hadn't been there. If something had happened to you I don't know what I would have done." Emmett said and I looked over to see that he had tears streaming down his face. I grabbed his hand that was resting on the center console and squeezed it. "But you were there Em. You saved me baby and I am so grateful that you were." I said as we pulled into our driveway. Em parked next to my truck and leaned over. "I love you so much baby girl." he said as he kissed me. "I love you too. Now lets go get some grub and we have guests tonight. I'm also pretty sure Alice is going crazy waiting for me to tell her what happened." I said and Em laughed. "She is a mother-hen when it comes to you. Let's go."
When we got inside I was right Alice was waiting by the door. "Ali nothing happened today other than testimonies and witness statements. Nothing was decided today. We have to go tomorrow." I said as I slipped out of my flats and put them away. "Did he look like he regretted anything?" Alice asked and I shook my head. "He was laughing at most of it to be honest. But enough of that for the night. If you want you can come tomorrow with us since you have the day out of school anyway." I said walking to the kitchen where Sue and Leah were cooking up a storm, they did this when they were worried about anything. "Hey mama Sue, Leah how are you guys?" I asked as I made myself a drink. "Better now that you're home. Hey girls, please have a seat, dinner will be done shortly." Sue said as Case and Bendi came in. "Thank you Ms. Clearwater." Bendi said and I smiled. "Sweetie please call me Sue. And you are welcome. So how did today go?" Sue said as she stirred something on the stove. "Ladies would you like something to drink? Charlie, beer?" Emmett asked as he came in. "Water please." Bendi and Case said at the same time. I'm guessing Charlie nodded because Em pulled out two beers and two waters. He handed them to the persons that they went to. "Mama it went as well as expected I guess." I said not really wanting to talk about it. Sue must have noticed and didn't ask anything else. "So where is my little brother at?" I asked looking around. "He's with Sam and the guys on the Rez. He didn't want to come over and be outnumbered." Leah said and I laughed. "Sounds about right I guess." I said.
Soon Sue was serving up dinner. We all sat around laughing and having a great night just enjoying each other's company. All too soon Charlie and Sue were leaving. Leah was staying the night since she became fast friends with Case and Bendi as did Alice. They were going to camp out in the living room. Em made sure everything was locked up and I made sure Case and Bendi knew where everything was should they need anything. Once that was done Em and I headed to bed.
Morning came and I got up and showered quickly before I started on a quick breakfast of oatmeal with fruit. The girls came around one by one and showered and changed before joining me in the kitchen. Emmett was the last up. "Good morning ladies." Emmett said as he walked over to me in only his favorite grey sweatpants. "Morning Emmett." Came from Bendi as I watched her look Emmett up and down. I couldn't blame her, he was a damn good looking man. "Good morning baby girl." Em said, placing a kiss to my temple. "Good morning handsome." I said handing him his cup of coffee. He smiled before heading back to our room to shower and get ready for the day.
"Girl, does he have a brother? If not where can I find one like him?" Bendi asked and I laughed. "He doesn't have a brother and I didn't go looking for him. He found me. Funny thing is, when I met Emmett he was married to Edward's cousin Rosalie. I always take my dad and his partner something for dinner when he works nights and Em was his new partner that's how I met him. We became friends when dad brought him out to the shooting range with us." I said smiling at the memories that he and I have already made in the short time of us being together.
After we all ate us girls decided it was time to get ready for the day. I walked into mine and Emmett's bathroom to apply some make up after I'd gotten dressed in a white sundress. Em was standing at the sink shaving when I walked in. "Today is the day baby girl. How are you feeling about all of this?" he asked, looking at me in the mirror. "I'm feeling better than I did yesterday. But just as soon as this is over with Edward I have what a week or two and then it's Esme's trial. I just want a break. I want to go somewhere where no one knows us and just breathe." I admitted. "That sounds fair baby and once this is all over with we will. I've got a little bit of PTO. We can take a weekend trip somewhere just you and me. Anywhere you want to go." I smiled. This man, I feel, would give me the world if I just asked him to.
We arrived at the courthouse and filed into the courtroom just like we did yesterday. The judge entered and it began. The prosecutor stood and began his final arguments. "Ladies and gentlemen of the court. With all of the evidence along with the testimonies of three of the four victims of the case it's pretty clear that Edward Cullen is a danger to this town and the young women of it. These families have been through enough and deserve justice for what happened to them. Brenda Johnson, Casey Moss, and Isabella Swan were lucky unlike Lindsey Whitely, they were able to live to tell the story. I'll leave you with this one question ladies and gentlemen, if it were your daughter, sister, mother, niece, granddaughter, aunt, cousin or any female friend that this happened to wouldn't you want justice for them? Don't these girls deserve to have peace of mind that their attacker is no longer on the streets able to do this to another girl or to finish the job he started with them? Thank you." the prosecutor sat down and the defense lawyer stood. "Edward has made some mistakes. He's young but he was raised by a good family. His father is a well respected doctor, his mother was a homemaker for many years before she started an interior design company. He comes from a good family and just needs a chance to change his ways. If he were to be in jail it would ruin his future to get into a college and follow in the footsteps of his father. Edward has dreams of becoming a doctor and being an upstanding member of society. Would a young man that wants to become a doctor really risk his dreams by committing these crimes that he's being accused of? Do you really want to send an innocent man to prison and ruin his life forever? That's my final argument. Thank you." the lawyer sat.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury you have been witness to the testimonies as well as all of the evidence in this case. Please think over everything that you have heard and seen. It must be a unanimous decision. Officer Volturi will show you to the meeting room." The jury began to file out of the courtroom to deliberate on Edward's guilt. "Court will be in recess until three o'clock this afternoon." The judge banged the gavel and stood to leave the room.
Case, Bendi, Charlie, Mr. and Mrs. Whitely, Emmett, Alice, Leah, and myself were off to the side of the courthouse steps waiting on the prosecutor. When he finally emerged out of the building he walked straight to us. "I have never felt more sure about a case in my life. Are you girls still holding up alright?" he asked and I nodded. "Now once they have the verdict it might be a year or more before they have a sentencing court date. But once the verdict is in he isn't going to be able to bail out at all. Today will be the last day you have to see him. Of course you will be made aware of the sentencing date and you can attend that if you would like to." he said and again I could only nod. I wouldn't have to see him anymore, that's all I've wanted since the beginning. "Okay we can meet at two fourty-five to get seated to hear the verdict. Until then grab something to eat. Explore Forks if you're not from here. Just relax, it's almost over." the prosecutor said before walking away.
Charlie opted to go be with Sue while we waited for the verdict. The rest of us decided to go to La Push while we waited. So we headed to the house to change and pack a lunch. It was, after all, it was a surprisingly warm day for Forks. When we reached La Push Seth was there with Sam, Embry, Emily, and Quil Jr. I looked to Leah and she just nodded before heading for the cliffs to jump like she always did. She and Sam used to date until Emily and things have never been the same with the group to the point that we don't hang around each other as much as before.
"Bella!" Seth yelled running up to me. "Hey little brother. We missed you last night." I said giving him a hug. "Yeah, I'm sorry I was staying with Sam. How'd everything go? Is it over?" he asked and I smiled a little. "It's gone well so far. We have to go back this afternoon for the verdict but the lawyer that's prosecuting thinks we have it in the bag. I'll let you know later what the verdict was." I said and he smiled and nodded before joining his friends as they climbed to the cliffs. Case looked up to where Leah was ready to jump. "Isn't that dangerous?" she asked and I shrugged. "We've been jumping these cliffs since we were little kids and our parents did it before us." I said. I watched Leah jump with amazement. Though we'd always jumped she was the only one that always had the perfect form.
As the day went on Leah finally convinced Case, Bendi, and Emmett to jump so we were all headed up to the top of the cliffs. Alice was the first to run and jump. "Bella you don't seem like the type that has done this before or much less enjoyed it." Bendi said and I laughed. "Jumping from this cliff I feel free. My mind isn't rushing while I'm falling. I'm completely at peace." I said. Emmett raised his eyebrows at me. I just smiled "I'll see you down there handsome." I said before taking off toward the end of the cliff. The minute my feet left ground I felt my peace wash over me. I did a couple of flips for show as I neared the water. I counted the whole way down. I knew once I got to thirty I was almost to the water and needed to prepare myself for it. I took a deep breath at thirty-five and by the time I reached forty I was under the water. I came back to the surface with the biggest smile.
When I looked up to the cliff I saw Emmett standing at the edge. I quickly moved so that he could join me. Once I was far enough out of the way, where Alice had been wading when I jumped, I watched Em step back and then fling himself off the edge. I could hear him laughing yet yelling at the same time. When he landed in the water I swam to him. "So how was it?" I asked once he surfaced and we started heading toward Alice. "That was amazing! I see why you love it." he said and Alice laughed. "Bella wasn't always like she is now. She was the first of us kids to ever jump from up there." She explained. Emmett looked at me with surprise. "It's true. But only because I was dared by someone and I didn't want to be laughed at. So I jumped Alice jumped after me that day. From then on every nice day we would come out here and jump and scream and just let everything go.