CHAPTER 9

(Three months have passed since Gwen was convicted of her many crimes in Harmony. Her Los Angeles court date had finally been set for Wednesday, July 21 at 9:00 A.M. sharp. Gwen and her attorney, Woody Stump, were packing their bags and preparing themselves for the upcoming trial, as were Ethan, Theresa, and the rest of Gwen's victims.)

"Oh, Ethan," Theresa sighed. "I can't wait until this trial is over and done with and Gwen is finally put in prison where she belongs."

"I know exactly what you mean," Ethan replied. "Now, enough chit-chat. Let's get our bags packed so we can leave for the airport. The sooner we get to Los Angeles, the sooner we can put this ordeal behind us, and the sooner we can get on with our lives together."

"Together," Theresa thought as she realized that all of her dreams were finally coming true: She had won Ethan's heart, she had given him a beautiful son, she was about to give him two beautiful daughters, and the btch that kept coming between them was finally about to exit their lives--for good. Theresa was on cloud nine.

A few hours later, Theresa, Ethan, and the rest of the gang (except for Little Ethan, who remained in Harmony with Grandma Ivy) were airborn and headed to Los Angeles. Upon their arrival in Los Angeles, Theresa and Ethan decided to take a long, hot bubble bath together and then take a much needed nap upon arrival at the Crane apartment, while the others decided to freshen up and do a little sightseeing.

Later, at the Crane apartment

"Mmmmmmmmmmm, Ethan," Theresa sighed as Ethan gently massaged her back. "That feels wonderful."

"Oh!" Theresa exclaimed as she felt one of her daughters haul off and let her have it. "I believe these kids are trying to kick their way out!"

"Are you all right, Sweetheart?" Ethan asked , concerned.

"Oh, I'm just wonderful," Theresa replied. "The babies are acting up right now, that's all. Do you want to feel them move?"

"I'd love to!" Ethan exclaimed excitedly.

"Give me your hand," Theresa said as she took Ethan's hand and placed it on her bulging belly. "There, can you feel them?"

"Oh, wow!" Ethan exclaimed. "I can't believe this is happening. We are finally back together--where we belong. You have given me a beautiful son, and you are giving me two beautiful daughters." "Have you any idea how much I love you right now?" Ethan asked Theresa.

"No," Theresa replied. "Why don't you tell me?"

"Why tell you when I can show you?" Ethan asked with a sly wink as he leaned in and kissed Theresa. "Make love to me," Ethan said.

Ethan and Theresa made sweet, sweet love for what seemed like an eternity. After they were done with their steamy bubble bath, Ethan and Theresa snuggled up to one another on the bed and took a much needed nap. By the time Ethan and Theresa awoke from their slumber, Fox, Whitney, and the others were back from their sight-seeing. The group gathered around the kitchen table, and they all went over their testimonies for the next day's trial.

"I don't know about the rest of you," Ethan and Theresa said simultaneously, "but we are exhausted, and it is time for all of us to hit the sack. We need to get plenty of sleep tonight so we can look our best tomorrow."

The others yawned in agreement, and, except for Ethan and Theresa, everyone went to his or her designated sleeping area and soon fell fast asleep.

Ethan and Theresa had decided to share a sleeping area, which coincidently happened to be the master bed. After watching everyone else go off to bed, Ethan swept Theresa into his arms, and he carried her into the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed. As soon as their heads hit the pillows, they too were fast asleep.

The next morning at exactly 9:00 A.M. sharp, Ethan and Theresa filed into the courtroom and took their seats along with Chad, Fox, Whitney, and everyone else who had come with them from Harmony.

As Theresa took her seat, she noticed Gwen glaring angrily at her from the defense table.

"There she is," thought a disgruntled Gwen. "There's the btch who ruined my life. Look at her, she's all over Ethan. Yecccch! The very sight of her makes me sick to my stomach!"

"I swear, Woody," Gwen said. "I'll kill Terrorsita if it's the last thing I do!"

"Now Gwen," Woody replied. "You do remember what happened the last time you allowed your mouth and your anger to run away with you in a courtroom, don't you?"

"YES, Woody," an exasperated Gwen replied. "I remember quite well what happened after my last courtroom outburst: I was convicted of trying to do what I should have done when I first realized that psycho was after Ethan."

"Woody," Gwen began, as she glanced at Ethan and Theresa, "would you just look at those two, getting all lovey-dovey? I think they're doing that just to irritate me."

"Just ignore them," Woody replied.

"You know what," Gwen said. "I'm going to go over there and do what I should have done a long, long time ago."

"What are you talking about, Gwen?" an apprehensive Woody asked.

"I'm going to KILL Theresa for what she has done to me!"

With that, Gwen rose from her seat and slowly proceeded toward Theresa.

"Umm, E-Ethan?" Theresa asked, stuttering. "W-Why is Gwen coming over here? Th-That look on her face is really scaring me. I-It's as if she has "K-KILL THERESA" writ--"

Theresa didn't get to finish her sentence because by that time, Gwen had made her way to Theresa and was attempting to strangle the life out of her.

"GWEN!" Ethan exclaimed. "GET YOUR DAMN HANDS OFF MY FIANCEE! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER, OR I WILL KILL YOU!"

Gwen immediately did what Ethan ordered her to do, but not before the judge and the prosecutor entered the courtroom and witnessed every bit of Gwen's latest display.

"Prosecutor?" the judge asked. "Would you like to amend the charges against the soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. Winthrop?"

"Why, yes I would," the prosecutor replied. "I believe I'll be adding three more counts of attempted murder to the list of charges against the psychotic soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. Winthrop. I would also like to request that the soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. Winthrop be placed in a straightjacket and leg irons for the duration of the trial. I wouldn't want her to try and harm Theresa or Theresa's unborn twins again."

"Request granted," the judge replied as he banged his gavel on the bench.

Moments later, after all the commotion surrounding Gwen's latest psychotic rage had subsided, the trial began.

Woody made his opening statement first. He told the jury that Gwen was just a grieving mother trying to make sense of what had happened to her daughter and trying to come to terms with losing her. Of course, the jury didn't buy Woody's statement at all because they too had witnessed all of Gwen's latest attack on Theresa.

The prosecutor then made his opening statement to the jury. He told the jury that Gwen was nothing more than a scheming, manipulative, dishonest, spoiled brat who was used to getting EVERYTHING she wanted. He told the jury that Gwen was the type of person who would do anything to get what she wanted, even if it meant breaking the law or granting sexual favors in exchange for what she wanted. He stated that Gwen didn't care who she hurt--she didn't even care about her own daughter. He asked the jury how Gwen could possibly have had any regard toward her daughter's well-being. He stated that Gwen left the L.A. hospital AGAINST Dr. Abel's orders--to make an attempt on Theresa's life--even though she knew full well that she was gambling with her daughter's life. He told the jury that Gwen's daughter is dead because of that little stunt, and Gwen is responsible for her daughter's death, but just like all of Gwen's other mistakes, Gwen has to lay the blame on anyone but herself. He told the jury that Gwen can't stand to take responsibility for her own actions because it is so beneath her to do so.

Once the prosecutor finished his opening remarks, the defense presented its case. Once again, Rebecca and the rest of the jailmates from Harmony, as well as Gwe's sorority sisters, testified on Gwen's behalf. This time, however, Gwen wanted to testify on her own behalf, but Woody wouldn't allow her to do so.

"Why can't I tell the jury my side of the story, huh??" Gwen whined.

"I cannot allow you to take the witness stand in your own defense because of your horrid display earlier." Woody replied. "Gwen, I understand why you acted the way you did earlier, but I'm afraid the jury won't be very understanding, if at all."

"But Woody," Gwen whined.

"No buts, Gwen." Woody replied. "The answer is no. I won't say it again. If you keep whining to me about testifying, I'm going to stand up and tell the judge to change your plea from 'not guilty' to 'guilty' and then you can face this jury on your own. Is that what you want??"

"No, Woody, I don't want that." Gwen replied. "I don't want that at all."

With that, Gwen finally shut her mouth and the trial continued.

The defense concluded its presentation and the prosecution took over.

Whitney testified first, followed by Fox, Chad, Miguel, and Kay. The last to testify were Ethan, Theresa, and Pilar.

Woody then made his last remarks (which the jury ignored) for the defense. The prosecutor then gave his closing argument for the prosecution, after which the jury filed out of the courtroom to begin deliberations. About twenty minutes later, the jury returned with a guilty verdict. The judge then excused himself from the courtroom to go to his chambers to consult (via teleconference) with Gwen's trial judge in Harmony regarding her sentence. Once they reached an agreement, the judge returned to the courtroom where everyone was waiting anxiously to hear what Gwen's punishment would be.

"Would the defendant and her attorney please rise?" the judge asked as he took his seat on the bench. "I have just returned from a teleconference with the defendant's trial judge in Harmony, and we both agreed that the defendant needs to be isolated from civilization. That having been said, Gwen Hotchkiss Winthrop, you are hereby sentenced to spend the rest of your miserable life in Alcatraz Prison. If you attempt to escape, you will be shot dead on the spot. I would also like to inform you that I have arranged for your mother and the rest of the Cranes to join you at Alcatraz. The only Crane who will not be joining you is Alistair, who was killed in his sleep by a group of military prisoners who, upon learning of his involvement with several terrorist organizations, saw him as a traitor to this country. Having said all that, I would like the bailiff to please take the defendant into custody and prepare her for transport. This court is hereby adjourned."

With that, Theresa, Ethan, and the rest of the gang left the courtroom and went out to celebrate yet another awesome victory.