Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters from the first and only (you know I'm crying) season of FFC's Higher Ground. I do own all new characters. The song is owned by Fleetwood Mac and is called "Landslide". It's from the album "The Dance" . It's a really pretty song.
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A/N:
sadly, this story is coming to a close with this chapter. But I'm going to do a
sequel and I think I'm calling it The Absence of Fear. I've already got an idea and sorry, but Brad
isn't going anywhere....he'll be back in the next section of this story....oh
boy will he. That's all you get for
now.....that's kind of a spoiler. The
song used is gonna fit in because Shelby's leaving Brad and everything she
knows right now....that's how I think it'll fit in.
In Your Darkest Hour
Ch 21
The Grand Finale
A month was up and the court was gathered once again for the final ruling. It was coming to a close when the judge looked at Scott and Shelby.
"Mrs. Javenson, can you tell me your long term plans before we dismiss the jury?" she asked. Shelby let go of Scott's hand. She didn't even realize she had been holding it.
"Yes ma'am," she said and stood up. "My plans are to file for divorce. Then I plan to go back to work and support Chelsea."
I
took my love, I took it down
I
climbed a mountain and I turned around
And
I saw my reflection in the
Snow
covered hills
Till
the landslide brought me down.
"Do you realize how important it is that your child have a father figure in her life?" the judge inquired. Shelby started to talk when Scott interrupted her.
"Your Honor." He said "Can I say something?". She motioned for him to stand. He did. "I am Chelsea's biological father and Shelby and I are planning on raising our daughter together."
The judge smiled and nodded. "We always like it when the biological parents take care of their children." She said and paused for a moment. "we now dismiss the jury to come up with a verdict."
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Time went by slowly as the courtroom awaited the jury's return. What seemed like hours later, the jury finally filed back in. One stood up
"Have you reached a verdict?" the judge asked.
"We have." He said and handed the folded paper to the bailiff. Shelby thought it was funny how a little piece of paper like that could have the rest of her life written on it. Scott leaned forward and glared at Brad who was looking at Shelby. Brad snapped his head back, intimidated by Scott. The bailiff handed the paper to the judge. And the juror spoke up again "We, the jury, find Bradley Javenson, guilty of all charges including aggravated assault on two counts and attempted murder on the first degree."
Oh,
mirror in the sky
What
is love?
Can
the child within my heart rise above?
Can
I sail through the changin ocean tides?
Can
I handle the seasons of my life?
I
don't know
Shelby heaved a loud sigh of relief and squeezed Scott's hand. It was quiet in the court room. Brad's lawyer spoke up
"Your Honor, I have an idea to propose."
"Go ahead." She said ruffling papers preparing to sentence him.
"Brad's father has agreed to pay for all the expenses for the house and the medical bills of both Scott and Shelby if all charges against Brad are dropped."
"Well, that's nice." She said. Shelby looked terrified that he was going to get off easy. "But not in my court. In my court you pay for what you did. So listen up, here it is." She said. Shelby smiled. "The court sentences Bradley Javenson to 18 months in the state penitentiary and parole is possible on good conduct. This court is adjourned." She said and hit the gavel. Everyone got up to leave.
Well,
I've been afraid of changin
Cuz
I built my life around you
But
time makes you bolder
Children
get older
And
I'm getting older, too
"Hey, Shel?" Scott started but before he could finish what he was saying Daisy and a few of the others were all over her hugging her. When it finally died down. He repeated himself. "Hey, Shel?"
"Yeah, Scott?" she asked with a big smile.
"Can I....talk to you?" he said with his hand in his pocket
"Yeah....sure." she said and Scott pulled her to the side.
"You know I love you, right......" he said. She looked at him and saw how nervous he was.
"Let me guess." She said, her eyes flooding. "You know I love you right? I can't see you anymore, it's not you it's me. Please, Scott." Everything she said was sarcastic.
"No, Shelby. Just answer the question." He said.
"Yeah...." she said.
"Well, I......." he said and he fiddled around in his pocket. "I just...."
"What, Scott?" she asked
"Here." He said and handed her a ring box. She looked at him and then looked at it.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Open it." He urged. She did. It was a ring. It was a small gold ring with 3 very small diamonds cut into it. "So much for a romantic proposal, but.....will you?" he asked. She looked up at him and threw her arms around his neck. He almost fell backwards, but then hugged her back. "I'll take that as a yes."
So,
take my love, take it down
If
you climb a mountain and you turn around
If
you see my reflection in the
Snow
covered hills
Well
the landslide'll bring you down, down
And
if you see my reflection in the
Snow....covered...hills....
Well
maybe.....
"Put it on me." She said and pulled away. He took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger.
"I love you Shelby Merrick." He said
"Merrick...." she said. "Been a long time since anyone's called me that. I love you, too, Scott." He kissed her softly. She already had a wedding vow in her head. One that never came into play with Brad. He hadn't been, but Scott had. He had been there in her darkest hour. And he wasn't going anywhere for a long time.
The
landside will bring you down......
The End
Look out for the sequel coming soon called
"The Absence of Fear"