*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.
This chapter's pretty long, but that's cause it's got a bunch of court stuff in it. Anyways, go ahead and read to find out Shaw's fate.
Kentucky VS. Eldridge
Jessa POV:
My visit to Judge Tobias Wagner worked cause he set Shaw's date for mid-February, the 19th to be exact. He even made Sherriff Wagner deputize some volunteer guards to watch over the jail at night so that Tolbert's lynch mob wouldn't be able to do any harm to Shaw. Word had flown around both sides of the Tug that I had rattled the judge's cage by threatening to sue and disbar him if anything happened to Shaw as a result of a delayed trial. Some people even seemed to look at me differently now.
Jim Vance got a chuckle out of what I did, even said it was the right thing to do. Over the last few weeks of waiting for the trial to start Uncle Jim's been a nice, but crochety, staple to have around. Him assuring me that if the jury was stupid and did convict that he'd bust his nephew put of jail took me by surprise, but also made me feel relieved that he was going to do whatever it took to keep Shaw safe. Jim, even tho he was a grumpy mountain man that was a bit hard, wasn't that bad once you got to know him. He was loyal to his family, something that I'm thankful for since I was a part of that family now thru Shaw.
Time had passed and today was the big day, it was Shaw's trial. The entire Hatfield family along with their friends, neighbors, and even some customers of me and Shaw's livery packed the courthouse for the big event. Granny Delize even came all the way from Tazewell, Virginia for the trial. She got into town yesterday and has been at my house, staying with me.
Currently, I was sitting behind the defendants table with Sully and Uncle Jim on either side of me. Granny Delize was next to her son while Todd and Mary were next to her with the kids (Silas and Lydia) on their laps. Of course, Devil Anse and Levicy were in the front row too. Since he was the patriarch of the family, he was always front and center of everything. I didn't mind tho, I mean it was his friend that was doing Shaw's case pro bono after all.
Everyone else was scattered all over; sitting wherever they could in the sardine packed courthouse. I did spot Abel and Nancy on the balcony, whether they were there due to the courtroom overcrowding or to try and stay neutral I didn't know. I think it was the former tho since Jefferson and his girlfriend Sarah were on the ground floor of the court sitting amongst his cousins.
John B. was sitting at the table waiting for Sherriff Maynard to bring Shaw in while Perry Cline along with Brenton Landon (who looked like he wished the ground would swallow him up) sat at the prosecution table, waiting for my man to arrive as well. Tolbert was seated in the front row on the opposite side of the room and he had a hard and hateful look on his face. It was as clear as day that he wanted to see Shaw receive a hanging sentence. Hell, his father was seated right next to him and shared the same hateful look while Sally just looked worried. Her eyes had a hollow look in them; creeping me out.
God, waiting for this trial to begin is so nerve-wracking.
Suddenly, the door in the front of the courtroom opened and in walked Shaw shackled and chained with Sherriff Maynard right behind him. I hated seeing Shaw like this. He looked dirty and unkempt; about 15 pounds underweight too. He shuffled over to the table, his honey eyes meeting my indigo ones with a sense of hope in them. I gave him a small supportive smile, letting him know that I was also hopeful that he'd be cleared of his charges and freed. Sherriff Maynard unlocked Shaw's shackles and chains before taking a seat at the table.
As soon as he took his seat next to his lawyer, Shaw turned around and asked me, "How're ya doin', honey?"
"I'm good." I nodded with a smile while subconsciously placing a hand on my belly that was being to pooch a bit since I was around 3 ½ months ago in my pregnancy.
"Good." Shaw smiled, clearly relieved to hear that I'm in good health.
"Well, boy, ya sure as hell don't look good. Look like a half-starved and dirty vagrant." Granny Delize bluntly told Shaw, causing Uncle Jim to let out a deep and hearty chuckle.
Sully cut his grandmother a look while telling her, "Granny Delize, he's been locked up in jail not put up in a fine hotel. Of course, he looks like shit."
"Thanks for coming all the way out here for my trial, Granny Delize." Shaw told the hardened old woman, most likely since she loaned us some money the day he was arrested and he wants to stay on her good side.
"Why wouldn't I come?" Delize rhetorically asked before going on to tell Shaw with a smirk, "You're my great-grandson and I did loan ya some money, which I still expect to be repaid in time."
Before Shaw could reply to his great-granny, the door to the judge's chambers opened up accompanied by the baliff making the announcement of, "All rise for the Honorable Judge Tobias Wagner."
In one swift motion everyone stood up while Judge Wagner made his way to the bench. "You may sit down." The judge told everyone before sitting down. "Now we're here for the case of Kentucky VS. Shaw Eldridge. The charges being brought against the accused is arson in the first degree and attempted murder." Looking at the jury, he remarked, "Now, members of the jury, I expect you to hear both sides and make a fair ruling with a cleared mind." Looking ahead at the courtroom, the judge went on to say, "This is a very serious case in which both sides will plead their case." Turning his attention to his friend, Perry Cline, he instructed the shyster lawyer, "Mr. Cline, you may begin the prosecution's case."
Perry nodded his head before rising from the table and going to the front of the room. Turning around, he began his opening speech with, "Your honor, jury, and court attendees, it's useful to think of the law as a muscle. Like a muscle, it can be strengthened with proper use. Used too little, it becomes feeble and too weak to protect you." Brenton looked like he wanted to bolt as his brother-in-law continued his speech dramatically with, "Today is a day that the use of the law will protect my client, one Tolbert McCoy of Blackberry Creek, Kentucky against the vile monstrosities of the defendant, one Shaw Hector Eldridge of Mate Creek, West Virginia."
"Oh, shut up and get this ball rollin', Cline." Granny Delize barked, giving the lawyer an ice-cold look.
Uncle Jim let out a loud cackling laugh before remarking, "Couldn't agree more wit'cha, mama."
"Oh, why me, lord? Why?..." Sully muttered under his breath while doing a facepalm.
Shaw didn't say a word, but tilted his head at Perry. No doubt he was giving him a bored stare.
"Well, in order to make my case, Judge Tobias, I need to call my first witness: Tolbert McCoy." Perry Cline told the judge, gesturing towards Tolbert whenever he said his name.
"Very well." Judge Tobias nodded before waving Tolbert over and announcing, "Tolbert, come up and give your testimony."
"Gladly, Judge." Tolbert remarked before standing up and going over to the stand.
The bailiff brought a bible over to Tolbert and he was sworn in before sitting down and being asked, "For the court's record, what's your name?", by Perry Cline. "Full name, might I add." Perry quickly told Tolbert before he could open his mouth and answer the man.
"Tolbert John McCoy." Tolbert answered the lawyer with an edge to his voice. Tolbert hated his middle name (I didn't know why cause it was a very normal name unlike his first one) and was most likely pissed that he had to state it for the record.
"And on the night in question, the 26th of December, what harm did the defendant do?"
"Burnt my house down an' tried t'murder me in the dead o'nite." Tolbert bluntly answered with a hateful edge to his smooth timbre.
"Such a tragedy." Perry shook his head, the tone of his slick voice sounding a bit sympathetic. Turning to the jury, his voice took on a righteous tone. "A horrible tragedy done by the defendant," He paused for a small second and pointed to my fiancé before finishing his sentence with, "one Shaw Eldridge."
"Objection!" John B. rose from his seat. The judge looked at him, prompting the lawyer to explain his objection. "Counsel's not asking a question, but stating what he believes to be fact to sway the jury."
"Sustained." Judge Tobias nodded. Looking at Perry he told him, "Unless you have any more inquiries for the witness, the defense may cross examine."
Perry nodded before turning back to Tolbert and asking him, "Why did Mr. Eldridge attack you and your home in such a destructive manner?"
"He hates me."
"And why does he hate you, other than your name being McCoy and him being of Hatfield kin?" Perry asked, most likely to prompt him to air out our dirty laundry.
"The Vance Bastard always wanted my woman; even ended up lurin' her way too wit' his money. He just wants me dead so he can keep her." Tolbert ranted, making the jury look at him with curiosity shining in their eyes.
"No other questions your honor." Perry smirked at Judge Tobias before going back to his table and sitting down.
Judge Tobias gestured between John B. and Tolbert while telling the lawyer, "Mr. Floyd, you may cross examine Mr. McCoy."
John B. nodded and rose from his table. He walked over to the stand and looked Tolbert right in the eyes while asking him, "Mr. McCoy, is it true that in January you were involved in a civil suit with my client over $500 in damages that you made to his livery business on Christmas night?"
"Yea, but-" Tolbert began only to be cut off by John B. saying, "A simple yes will do, which is your answer is it not?"
"Yes." Tolbert grumbled, looking upset that he John B. wasn't letting him explain himself in the way he wanted.
"And in that sue the courts of West Virginia found you responsible for paying my client for the damages you cause his business within the year. Am I correct?"
"Yea, but that sue was bullshit."
"Mr. McCoy, would it be fair to say that you got drunk and perhaps caused the fire to your house only to later blame my client due to your hatred for him?"
"No. I didn't do that." Tolbert answered, shaking his head back and forth furiously.
"But you're a drunkard, correct?" John B. asked, wanting the redhead to confirm his alcoholism.
Tolbert jutted his chin up as he denied his alcohol problem with the answer of, "I'm a shiner for a livin'."
"Answer my question, are you or are you not a drunkard?"
"I drink, but I ain't no drunkard."
"A simple yes or no will suffice unless you're in self-denial about being a drunkard."
"Objection, your honor. He's badgerin' the witness." Perry protested while popping up from his seat, nearly whacking Brenton on the head (since he was sitting next to him) as he flailed his arms around.
Siding with Perry, Judge Tobias sternly warned, "Mr. Floyd, watch yourself."
John B. nodded at the judge, assuring him that he'd stay in line, before looking at Tolbert and asking him the loaded question of, "One last question, Mr. McCoy. Did you see my client set fire to your house?"
"No, but-" Tolbert began only for John B. to cut him off with, "No more questions.", before returning to his table.
Perry Cline drug the entire McCoy household up to testify only for them to more or less give the same answers. Nobody saw the fire happen, just heard Tolbert tell them that he thought Shaw did it. John B. declined to cross-examine them, most likely cause they already stated that they didn't actually see anything when they were questioned by Perry.
Now it was time for the defense to call up witnesses, being me and Shaw. I knew that Shaw didn't want me testifying, but I had to in order for a jury to find him innocent.
"I call my first witness, Miss Jessa Eldridge." John B. announced, earning him a nod from the judge.
"What?! No, she can't go up there and testify!" Shaw exclaimed as I stood up. As I began my descent to the stand, Shaw frantically told the judge, "Just let me testify, I don't need her to do it too."
"Is there a reason you don't want her testifyin' on your behalf, Mr. Eldridge?" Judge Wagner asked my fiancé as took my place on the stand.
"I don't want her reputation destroyed cause of me. She's the mother of my children, I don't want her dragged thru the goddamn mud." Shaw revealed to the judge while shooting me a worried look at I stood at the stand, waiting for the order to be sworn in.
"Well, that sounds like a personal problem you'll have to work out with her." Judge Wagner told Shaw before instructing the bailiff to swear me in.
"Do you swear to tell the truth and nothin', but the truth so help ya god?" The bailiff asked me as I stood with my right hand on the bible.
"I do." I lied since I was going to be giving Shaw an alibi that was only a half truth.
After sitting down, I was approached by John B. and I knew that I was officially in for it now. I was going to purge myself to free my fiancé. Standing right in front of me, John B. politely instructed, "Please state your name for the record."
"Jessamine Elmira Eldridge." I stated, causing Tolbert to flinch. Hearing me use Shaw's name hurt him; cut deep. I felt bad that I hurt him, but I had to do what was best for my children. Being with Shaw was for the best, my children had a devoted father as a result of me being with him.
"Eldridge, so you have a relationship with the defendant?" John B. asked even tho the tone of his voice made it sound more like a statement then a question.
"Yes, he's the father of my children and my common-law husband."
"So, you live with him then?"
"Yes, I do." I nodded, knowing that my answer would cause John B. to ask me about where Shaw was on the night Tolbert's house was burnt down.
"So, you, better than Mr. McCoy, would know his whereabouts on the night in question would you not?"
"Yes, I know where Shaw was that night." I admitted to the court, knowing that any minute I was going to tell a white lie to alibi my fiancé.
"Where was he on the 26th of December, 1880?"
"At home with me."
"All night?" John B. pressed, urging me to confirm that me and Shaw were together.
"Yes." I nodded before going on to say, "We stayed up late talking after I told him that I was pregnant again."
"Ya bitch! That's why yer wit' him, huh? Havin' 'notha one o'his bastards!" Tolbert roared, giving me a hatful look that sent chills down my spine.
"Shut your mouth, McCoy, 'fore I snap ya like a chicken neck!" Jim Vance ordered Tolbert, giving the redhead menacing look that was chilling and hard all at the same time.
Oh dear, this trial's going downhill fast. Any minute a fight's going to break out between, I can just sense it.
"Nothing more, your honor. The prosecution may cross-examine." John B. told Judge Wagner before going back to his table and taking a seat next to Shaw, who looked a bit nervous.
Perry Cline stood up and strode over to me with a sly look on his face. "Miss Jessamine, is it true that before enterin' a relationship with the defendant that you were once with Mr. McCoy?"
"No, I was with Shaw first."
Waving off my answer, Perry continued on his mission to discredit me by asking, "But weren't you once the common-law wife of Tolbert McCoy?"
"He seemed to think so, but it was just an arrangement so that my son wouldn't be marked a bastard after Randall McCoy broke me and Shaw up at his mother's funeral by threatening to throw me out on the streets."
"Ya lyin' bitch!" Tolbert roared while bolting up from his seat. His nostrils flared and his chest heaved as he shouted at me. "Tell the truth, Jessa!"
"Shut up and sit down!" Granny Delize hollered at Tolbert while somebody else on the Hatfield side of the courtroom shouted, "Let her speak, McCoy!"
Before Tolbert could respond to them with angry shouts, Randall grabbed his arm and pulled him to sit down. He whispered something in his ear, making Tolbert just nod his head and angrily chew on his lip. Perry gave Randall a nod of approval before rounding on me. "Ah, so you got pregnant out of wedlock to Mr. Eldridge then?"
"Yes."
"Well, that was a very shameful thing to do. Why should we believe your testimony that alibis the defendant when you're a dishonorable young lady?"
"Cause it's the truth. We were up late discussing my pregnancy."
"Another one out of wedlock I'd assume?" The dapper lawyer asked in a tone that was a bit condemning and judgmental.
"We're officially getting married this spring."
"Your honor, this witness is avoiding my question." Perry told the judge since he wanted me to admit to being pregnant out of wedlock, something that was taboo (but happened all the time).
"Miss Eldridge, please answer the question." Judge Wagner instructed me with a pointed look.
"Yes, my pregnancy is out of wedlock." I admitted to the court.
"And the man who's the father, the man on trial for burning down a house with your ex-lover in it in an attempt to kill him, is a well to do businessman. One might even say that you fell pregnant to keep yourself and your first child, who my client once thought of as his own son, in the lap of luxury. Is that right, Miss? You went from Shaw to Tolbert to Shaw 'gain for your own personal benefit. Deeming anything you say unreliable."
"No, that's wrong, Perry. I get no benefit out of being with Shaw other than my children having a father that actually cares about them."
"No, I'd say that you benefit a great deal from being with Mr. Elridge over my client considering he's a wealthy young businessman while Mr. McCoy's a simple shiner trying to get by. Isn't that right?"
"No, it's not."
"I'd say it is tho. Especially since the defendant has a bigger bank account then my client."
"We're not rich, we just own a livery. Hell, the day Shaw was arrested we were eating breakfast with his great-grandmother in Virginia asking her for a loan to fix up the livery with since it was so badly damaged by Tolbert." I defended myself and Shaw while at the same time John B. stood up from the defendant's table and told Judge Wagner, "Judge, all Mr. Cline's doing to bullying my witness. If he doesn't have anything else proper and decent to ask then I should be allowed to call up Mr. Eldridge to the stand."
A tired look appeared on Judge Wagner's sharp face before he looked at Perry and told him, "Mr. Cline, do you have anything else to ask that pertains to the case? If not, the character dispute is over and Mr. Floyd's granted permission to call up Mr. Eldridge."
Perry looked like a scolded child as he tried to keep a leveled look on his face. "I'm done, your honor." He tightly told the judge before pivoting on his heel and stalking over to the prosecution's table to take his seat next to Brenton.
"You may sit down, Miss Eldridge." The judge told me, subtly motioning to my empty chair behind Shaw.
Shaw POV:
I was livid that John B. called Jessa up to testify. I knew that Perry was going to rip her apart, which is why I didn't want her speaking on my behalf. My lawyer knew I didn't want her to testify, but made her do it anyways. Fucking bastard. I gave him a dirty look whenever she walked back to her seat. Looking over my shoulder at her as she sat down, I asked, "Are you okay, honey?"
"Yea, I'm fine." She assured me. Resting a hand on her belly, she nodded towards the stand and told me, "You better get up there, it's your turn."
"Mr. Eldridge, you're the next witness." Judge Wagner told me in a tired tone while my lawyer just stood by the witness stand, waiting for me.
Quietly, I stood up and made my way to the stand. The bailiff quickly swore me in and I sat down. Now it was my turn to charm the jury and save my ass.
"Please, state your name for the record." John B. told me, officially starting my testimony for the court.
"Shaw Hector Eldridge." I simply supplied for the court.
"And, Shaw, is it true that you're being falsely accused of setting fire to Mr. McCoy's house with him in it in an attempt to murder him?"
Feeling all eyes on me, I simply nodded, "Yes."
"Why is the accusation false?" John B. asked before quickly adding in the statement laced inquiry of, "Is it because you were at home with your pregnant common-law wife, as she previously stated?", to sway the jury my way.
"Yea, that's why."
"So, since you were at home when the crime was committed you couldn't have done it, correct?"
"Correct."
"Horseshit!" Tolbert yelled at the top of his lungs. Shit, here we go again with her outbursts. Goddamn, didn't anyone tell him he's got to keep his mouth shit while in court? Hmm, apparently not… Pointing his finger at me from his front row seat behind Brenton he barked in a low growl, "Ya did it, ya lyin' thievin' bastard."
I wanted to cuss the bastard out, but I knew that I had to keep it together on the stand to make a good impression on the jury. I chewed on my tongue and gripped the armrests of my chair with a white-knuckle grip to keep myself calm (by calm I mean quiet). I was giving Tolbert a narrow look that more or less read 'If we weren't in court, I'd beat your ass'.
John B. turned his attention to Judge Wagner and politely suggested, "Your honor, if Mr. McCoy doesn't stay quiet while I question my witness may I recommend placing him in contempt?"
"I object, your honor." Perry Cline blurted out, jumping to his feet to defend that crazy ginger. "My client's very emotional about the heinous crime committed against him; there's no need for contempt since his remarks reflect his emotional state."
Pointing to his friend, the judge told the shyster, "Mr. Cline, keep your client under your thumb during Mr. Floyd's questioning of his witness or I'll have to place him in contempt."
"Yes, your honor." Perry nodded with a tight look on his face while Brenton just shook his head. My dad's best friend looked like he was ready to just call it a day. Must be hard for that bastard to sit on the fence while in open court.
"Now, Mr. Floyd, you may continue with your witness." Judge Wagner informed my lawyer while gesturing to me a quick wave of his gavel.
"Thank you, Judge Wagner, but I've got nothing more to ask. He's stated that he was home at the time of the crime, confirming what my previous witness had stated." John B. told the judge before returning to the defense table.
"Very well." Judge Wagner nodded. Looking at Perry, he told him, "Mr. Cline, you may have your turn with the witness."
Perry shot up from his table and approached me in a stride that a predator uses when stalking out his prey. A sly foxlike grin crossed over his face as he asked me, "Is it true, Mr. Eldridge, that you hate Tolbert McCoy?"
Aha, so he's trying to make me look like I tried to kill him cause I hate him. Well, I kinda did, but I'm not dumb enough to fall for his shit. Sitting up straight, I gave the snake of a lawyer the answer of, "I'm kin to the Hatfields and Tolbert's a McCoy so it's safe to say that we hate each other due to our families."
"So, it's true that you hate him?" Perry asked me even tho it came across as a fact and not a question with how firm and unmoving his slick tone was.
"He tried to kill me when I was 12, so yea maybe I do hate him."
"Mr. Eldridge, I think you're being a bit outlandish with that accusation. There's no way to prove that he did that and you're the one on trial, not Tolbert McCoy."
"I got a scar by my hip the side of a blade so, yes, I can prove he tried to kill me when we were teenagers." Tolbert tried to gut shank me cause he lost $20 to me in a card game. Now he's trying to get the law to kill me cause he lost the girl to me. Dear god…
"Judge, he can't talk t'my lawyer like that! Get 'im t'act right!" Tolbert shouted at Judge Wagner. He sounded more like a toddler having a temper tantrum then a grown man. Hell, my kids don't even whine and yell as much as he does. God, Randall and Sally failed at raising him, fucker's has no manners what-so-ever.
"Mr. McCoy, one more outburst and I'll hold you in contempt." Judge Wagner warned my sworn enemy before turning his attention over to me with the advice of, "Please, keep it to yes or no answers; simple sentences if you must, Mr. Eldridge."
Perry came up to the stand and leaned an elbow on it. Getting into my personal space, he asked me the damning question of, "One might say that you have a motive to burn down my client's house with him inside, attempting to kill him, since you hate him and are with his former common-law wife. Isn't that right?"
"Yea, but I didn't do it." I half-lied, hoping that the jury would believe me and now pay any attention to the sly string of words Perry was spinning for them.
"So, you say."
John B. shot up from our table and quickly came to my defense with the request of, "Judge, if he doesn't have any substantial questions for Mr. Eldridge then may we hand this case off to the jury for a verdict?"
Tilting his head at Perry, the judge asked, "Mr. Cline, do you have any useful questions for the defendant?"
"If you'll just give me a few more minutes I will prove why he committed the crime." The McCoy lawyer told his friend in a desperate effort to be able to drag me thru the mud in order to make me look guilty.
Yea, I know that in reality I was guilty, but the jury didn't know know that. Feeling like the walls might be closing in on me, I looked at the jury and told them in the sincerest tone I could conjure up, "I didn't commit any crime. I was home with my woman learning that we're expecting again. Something we weren't sure would ever happen since our son had to be cut out in a crudely done operation to save both of their lives in the birthing bed, lowering her chances at conceiving."
"Judge, he can't say that. He's trying to gain pity from the jury." Perry hissed, protesting the tactic I was using to sway the jury with.
"Jury, you'll disregard Mr. Eldridge's last statement." Judge Wagner told the men that were tasked with deciding my fate. "I think we're done with questioning, Mr. Cline. It's time to hand this case to the jury for a verdict."
It had taken the jury an hour alone in the deliberation room to come up with a verdict. As soon as they entered the courthouse and took their seats, the judge told me, "Mr. Eldridge, please rise for sentencing."
I took a deep breath and stood up while John B. also rose from our table. I was a nervous wreck to hear whether or not I was going to be going home or to the gallows. God, I hope I don't get a date with the gallows. I'm too young to die and I've got a family.
Judge Wagner looked at the jury, who were sitting except for the head juror, and asked, "Jury, on the charges of arson in the first degree and attempted murder, how do you find the defendant?"
"We find him not guilty." The head juror, who was standing the closest to the stand, announced to the judge and in extension the entire courtroom.
Thank god those Kentucky hillbillies made the right choice. If they didn't…well, no need to think about that.
I let out a long-relieved breath upon hearing that I was free and cleared. Quickly, I turned around and went up to Jessa while telling her, "I'm all yours, baby. I'm home free."
Jessa POV:
I stood up and hugged Shaw while telling him, "I'm so happy you're coming home. I've missed you so much."
"This ain't fair! He guilty, how's he gettin' off?" Tolbert barked at the jury while me and Shaw pulled away from our hug.
"He's gettin' off cause he ain't guilty, ya shit turd McCoy!" Uncle Jim roughly barked at Tolbert, causing tobacco juice and spittle to spray in the air.
"Jim, don't do this here." My dad firmly hissed at our uncle, grabbing him by the shoulders in an attempt to hold him back from rushing over to Tolbert and snapping his neck.
"Verdict's not guilty, court's adjourned!" Judge Wagner announced, banging his gavel before disappearing into his chambers.
Everyone in the courthouse wasn't ready to leave tho. The McCoys were angry while the Hatfields were gloating about Shaw's verdict. The place was a zoo. Hell, even Cap and Skunk Hair were getting into an argument with some distant McCoys that I didn't know. Jim Vance was yelling at all of the McCoys while Johnse and Roseanna looked to be both torn and mortified.
"Come on, everyone else can stand 'round here and bitch all day." Granny Delize told me and Shaw before waltzing right by us and down the aisle of the courtroom towards the door.
"Todd, Mary, you heard Granny Delize, it's time to go." Shaw told his siblings, motioning for them to get up. "Give me the kids, I haven't seen them in a while." He told them as they started walking over to us.
"Dada." Lydia smiled as Mary added her over to Shaw.
"Yea, sweetie, it's daddy." Shaw smiled at our little girl as tears brimmed his honey eyes, threatening to break and spill over.
"Hi daddy." Silas, who was roughly a year and a half, smiled at Shaw as Todd stopped them in front of him.
Taking his hand, Shaw told our son, "Silas, you've gotten so big."
"Yea, he has. Him an' his mama should be wit' me an' ya should be hanged by the neck til dead instead o'bein' freed t'be wit' 'em." Echoed Tolbert's smooth accented timbre from right behind us. Oh no, he was upset and wanted to stir up trouble.
"Tolbert, leave us alone." Shaw ordered my ex, who just narrowed his eyes at him and scoffed. Standing his ground, my fiancé firmly said, "The jury's spoken; I didn't do nothing wrong. Let me reconnect with my family and go away."
"It ain't right. Ain't right at all." Tolbert spat as the vein in his neck twitched and bulged angrily.
"Leave us the fuck alone. We ain't doin' this wit'cha today." Shaw snapped at Tolbert before walking off, silently letting me and his siblings know to follow him cause we were leaving Tolbert behind in the courthouse to argue with himself.
Quickly, I made my way to Shaw's side while Todd and Mary followed right behind us. We were almost to the door whenever my upper arm (right above my elbow) was grabbed and I was spun around onto to come face to face with a very angry and distraught looking Tolbert. "Why'd ya lie for him, Jessa? Huh, why?"
"I didn't lie, Tolbert." I told him while at the same time Todd shouted, "Shaw, Tolbert's got hold of Jessa!"
"Hold the kids." I heard Shaw order his brother while Tolbert's hold on my arm tightened and he growled, "If ya didn't lie he would've hung. Is his money that damn important t'ya?"
"Tolbert, get your goddamn hands off her." Shaw ordered in a loud booming voice as he rushed over to help me.
"Tolbert, let me go." I ordered, trying to pull my arm free from his tight bruising hold.
"Ya want yer Vance Bastard, then ya can have 'im." Tolbert spat before shoving me towards Shaw.
I lost my balance and hit the ground hard, taking Shaw down with me since he was trying to catch me. One moment I felt fine and the next I had extremely sharp pains that felt like daggers going thru my side. From the look on Shaw's face along with how I felt I knew, I just knew, that something was wrong.
Shaw POV:
Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. Tolbert pushed Jessa towards me and I tried to grab her, but she was falling too fast and I couldn't catch her and stay balanced. When she collided into me, we fell onto the ground. When I heard her take a sharp breath, I was instantly worried, but when I saw her clutching at her side and wincing, I knew in my gut that Tolbert had thrown her on purpose to make her miscarry. Tolbert was taking my child from me cause the jury gave me my freedom and wouldn't take my life for him.
I pray that she doesn't lose the baby, but with the impact of the fall…
AN:
Yea, so all of that just happened…Yikes. Well, at least Shaw's free. Looks like Tolbert's temper got the best of him and he's going to be on somebody's shit list.