I do not own Twilight.
"Okay, it's just a simple hearing. I'll ask a few questions—questions we've gone over before—and all we need is for you to answer them truthfully. Answer exactly the way you did yesterday, okay?"
Mike staring at the side of my face is the only reason I gather up the strength to nod. It's court day, and I've agreed to be the key witness. Really, I'm the only witness besides Jake, but Mike's family lawyer has already assured Mike and his parents that the defense isn't planning on bringing any witnesses of their own. Jake won't be there.
I have a feeling I know why, and it eats away inside of me.
"His lawyer might want to cross examine and, then again, he might not. It depends on how much he relies on you being in their favor."
I can feel Mike's eyes again. He shakes his head. "She won't be." He's so overly confident and I guess, really, he should be. I'm his girlfriend. I'm his witness.
I think the lawyer notices my reservations. He places a hand on my shoulder. "Just stick to the truth and everything will work out in our favor."
In Mike's favor, I think to myself. I turn to him. He's switched out his brace for a sling today. I don't know if it was his idea, or the lawyer, but it seems over the top for a broken wrist. "Can't we settle out of court?"
He bristles. "I'm not risking getting harassed again, babe." He holds his arms out, stretching the sling. "He broke my wrist. Do you want it to be my arm next?" I swallow and shake my head. I hate the way this whole situation is making me feel. "Just answer exactly how we went over everything last night and we'll win."
I wrap my arms around myself and glance around at the emptying courthouse. Mike's parents are waiting on a bench outside of the room. I don't know where anyone is for Edward. I don't even know if anyone came for Edward. That thought along makes me feel even worse so I try to shove it back.
Mike grabs my hand. His are warm; mine are clammy and cold. He's not even worried. "Baby, relax. I won't let him hurt you or me."
"He wouldn't hurt me," I answer without thinking, but the words shouldn't shock Mike. I've said these very words to him at least a hundred times over the past week, but his eyes widen a bit into this sad innocence.
"I'd want to protect you," he says. "Don't you want to protect me?"
He has me there. "Yes," I sigh.
The large door behind us opens before he can say anything else. His lawyer glances in and then comes back to us. He has a look of expectation on his face. "Okay, it's time." He motions us inside and I hold my breath. He speaks to me this time. "He'll be on the left with his lawyer. Don't even look his way. You don't want to give him more power than he already thinks he has."
I follow him and Mike in, already having known I wasn't going to glance his way once if I could help it.
The proceeding is quick. It's mostly technical; back and forth between Mike's lawyer and Edward's lawyer. I do my best to keep to myself. I'm in the row behind Mike, head down, pretending I'm not here—until the questions are directed at Edward.
When I glance up, he's not beside his lawyer. He's beside the judge, fitted in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. Something about the sight of him like this, like a criminal has me trying to practice steady breathing. It doesn't help that he won't take his eyes off of me.
He describes the night in his own words. Looking for me, finding the apartment, not knowing I was living with Mike until he got there. Finally he reaches the point of no return—the fight. A hand squeezes mine: my mom. I hadn't even seen her sit beside me, I was so absorbed in his words. The worst part is that he sounds proud almost…happy with the outcome of the fight. He's not repentant and I know I can't feel bad for him, no matter the sentencing.
He brought this on himself.
When it's my turn to take the stand, I'm more shaky than when I came in. I refuse to meet Edward's eyes, even though I can feel them boring through me.
"Isabella, have you ever felt victimized by the defendant?" It's Mike's lawyer's first question and it's not a difficult one.
"No."
I can feel Mike staring at me, but they knew of this answer from the beginning.
"Did you ever feel as though your life may have been in danger while around the defendant?"
"Not directly because of him, no." My answers are leeway's.
"Clarify, please," his lawyer announces calmly. He's happy. The proceedings are going as planned.
I can see Mike nodding slowly out of the corner of my eye. I take a breath. "Edward has always had…anger issues. Since I've known him, he's always been in fights. He was always protective of me, defensive even."
"Do you believe he would have ever harmed you?"
"No."
"What about those around you? Do you believe he would have ever harmed those around you?"
My eyes water because I know this is the defining question in the case. I answer with a quiet, "yes."
It's over in a matter of twenty minutes. Twenty minutes to dissect an entire lifetime, it feels. Edward's lawyer doesn't call for any further examination and I'm dismissed back to my seat. Mike smiles at me as I step back, but I can't find it in me to reciprocate.
"Do you have any final words for me before I make my judgement?" I glance up, thinking that the judge is talking to me, but she's speaking to Edward. I allow myself one last glance. He's not looking at me, but his jaw is tense. His eyes are riled.
"I loved that girl," he says, his quiet voice feeling like a freight train in the silent courtroom. "I'll always love that girl and I'll always fight for that girl."
The judge makes a note and then looks at me. I look down, not sure what emotions are expressing across my face because I can't pinpoint a single one flowing through my mind. There's too much; it's giving me a pounding headache.
"Mr. Cullen." I flinch for him. "Based on your account of the night and your final words, I believe some time may do you good. I'm sentencing a maximum of five years with possible probation." My mom's hand returns to mine and squeezes. I can't stand to look at her right now. The judge looks over at Edward. "Perhaps some time away and a bit of psychotherapy will be able to help you." Her gavel hits the sound block. "Court adjourned."
Time moves in slow motion.
I see Mike and his lawyer patting each other on the shoulder. A job well done. I see Mike's parents standing to accommodate their son. I see a tiny smile on my mom's face. I refuse to look towards the other side of the courtroom. I refuse to see the pain, sorrow, acceptance, insolence written across his face because I know it'll haunt my dreams for nights on end.
I do, however, catch a glimpse of Emmett, sitting near the aisle, his brow furrowed, his expression unreadable.
It's my undoing.
I stand quickly, needing…something. To leave, to run, to scream, I'm not sure.
A hand clamps down on my shoulder. I expect to find my mom in the beginnings of a celebratory hug, but instead come face-to-face with Charlie. His face is open; his eyes are cautious. He turns me towards him, towards the back doors.
"Come on, kid." His voice is soft, like he's talking to a lost child. "Let's go."