***LA Courthouse***
Jonathan and Jennifer had barely stopped touching each other since they stopped fighting and reclaimed their marriage. It had been two days of great sex, and acting like newlyweds.
Lt. Grey had called and said they would need to be ready to leave for court by 8:30.
They were ready and waiting.
There was a crowd of reporters outside the courthouse, and the police had to lead them through it. They held hands as they walked up the steps and inside.
The D.A. met with them and explained that Jennifer would testify first. Jonathan couldn't be in the courtroom while she did, because he was going second.
The D.A. called her to the stand and the bailiff showed her in. She took the oath, and sat on the witness stand.
She answered the questions honestly and elegantly, and told the whole story from beginning to end. They had brought in dummies to simulate the hostages. She pointed out where Paul was in the hostage circle, and she tried to show them how they were tied up together. She testified that Paul stood up just as it was his turn to be tied to the others and how he high-fived the other two accomplices.
The defense attorney asked her questions mostly about the events that happened on the plane. They were trying to point out that she wasn't on the plane and couldn't know what happened.
She thought about her answer.
"No, I wasn't on the plane the whole time. But my husband was, and I believe him".
"Mrs. Hart, have you ever been taken hostage before?"
"Yes".
"Have you ever been attacked, physically?"
"Yes"
"Did this experience resemble either of those experiences?"
"In some ways yes, in some ways no".
"Please explain".
"Well, he didn't physically attack me, but the thought did cross my mind of whether or not I would ever see my husband again. And he made threats of taking me with him in the plane and dropping me out over the ocean, if Jonathan didn't cooperate. That was a little unnerving, just as learning that he had researched us and planned this out."
"No further questions".
She was excused from the witness stand, and she walked down the steps and out of the courtroom.
They called him next, and he testified about how he got the phone call, how he tried to negotiate, about how once he knew that they weren't going to release Jennifer till they got their money from him, he talked them into letting the other hostages go. The defense wasn't able to dispute his testimony, so they didn't have any questions for him.
He joined Jennifer in the hallway right afterwards.
She embraced him.
They had to wait there till they spoke to the D.A. again, and found out if they could go home.
He came out around 30 minutes later, and told them that the jury had just been handed the case.
"We can go grab a bite to eat downstairs, we need to stay in the building in case they come back with a verdict. The judge will dismiss us around 4, if they haven't".
About an hour later, the jury indicated they had a verdict and they were ready to render it.
The DA explained to Jennifer and Jonathan that the jury had several options to consider. One was obviously guilty or not guilty on each count, but they also had to consider whether or not they were going to award damages to each of the hostages.
"But I didn't ask for any".
"I know. You didn't have to. They have the power to award them regardless".
She nodded.
They took their seats in the courtroom.
The judge allowed the jury to read their verdicts. Guilty on all counts, for all three defendants.
"Now for the damages".
"The jury awards the bank employees $75,000 each for pain and suffering. The jury further awards Mr. Jonathan Hart $250,000 pain and suffering and hospital bills. The jury also awards Jennifer Hart $400,000 pain, suffering and mental anguish".
Jonathan leaned over and kissed Jennifer on the side of her head, and held her close.
The jury had recommended what the prosecution was asking for as far as sentencing. The judge agreed and sentenced Paul to 60 years in prison, no parole. He sentenced Chip and Dylan to 25 years in prison, with a chance for parole.
The judge excused everyone to leave and they took the defendants away.
It was finally over.
They went downstairs and got their checks from the clerk, and then headed home.
Lt. Grey had officially released them from protective custody.
They headed to the beach house to pack their things.
***Beach house***
They came in and Jennifer immediately went upstairs to change clothes and pack her suitcase.
She turned on some music and she was moving around like she was on steroids. She was so excited to get to go back home.
First thing she did was strip the bed and put it in the washing machine. She would put new sheets on after they were packed.
Jonathan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"I am so glad to be going home with you darling, but I am going to miss this place".
"I am going to miss it too. It's very peaceful and intimate here".
She sat on the bed and started packing.
She went into the bathroom to get her hygiene stuff.
He quickly took their suitcases off the bed. He went into the bathroom and picked her up.
"Jonathan, what are you doing?"
He carried her to the bed.
They made love for a couple hours and then finished packing and headed home to Willow Pond.
***Willow Pond***
Jonathan loaded up the car with their suitcases. He helped Jennifer load up the groceries and they headed out.
He called Max along the way, in Vegas.
"Trial is over, we are headed home. Both of us".
"That's great, Mr. H. Tell Freeway I will see him tomorrow".
"He will be thrilled".
They pulled up to Willow Pond, and unloaded the car.
Jennifer went and put the groceries away, and then went upstairs to unpack.
He was up there doing the same thing.
She put fresh sheets on the bed, and sprayed some air freshener around to liven up the room.
She was standing next to the bed. He sat down on the mattress, and pulled her to him.
She smiled at him and put her hands on his shoulders.
He pulled her closer as he rolled her so that she landed on her back and he was above her.
"Welcome home darling".
"Welcome home sailor".