Chapter Fifty Five:
Officer Wayne presented a Bible. He instructed Brooklyn to place one hand on the book and raise the other.
"Repeat after me, I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me god."
"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me god" Brooklyn repeated, her stomach in knots. Officer Wayne gave her a comforting smile before he moved away from the stand.
Brooklyn sat as Judge Sanders looked at the information in front of him before looking back to Brooklyn.
"You are Brooklyn Elizabeth Good, nee Levesque, born on May 24th 1991, currently residing in Hartford, Connecticut?"
"Yes, your honor." Judge Sanders nodded as he looked through his copy of the papers Sarah had given him for the trial.
"Miss Hickenbottom, you have the floor."
Sarah once again stood and looked at her best friend.
"Mrs. Good, how long have you been in a relationship with Mr. Good?"
"Almost a year" she answered confidently as she looked at Jon, who smiled at her.
"And how long have you two been married" Sarah asked, trying not to smile at her best friends facial expression. She knew talking about Jon always brought a smile to her face and vice versa.
"Eight months."
Sarah nodded, taking a breath before continuing.
"Since the start of your relationship, did your husband ever tell you exactly what he experienced throughout his childhood?"
Brooklyn's gaze fell on Scott and Kim before she looked towards Jon. All while trying not to cry from remembering everything Jon had told her.
She swallowed the lump in her throat as she willed away her tears.
"Yes. He's told me everything that happened throughout his childhood."
Sarah nodded sympathetically.
"Can you please tell the court some of the things that your husband told you?" Brooklyn took a deep breath, locking eyes with Jon before she spoke.
"He told me about the neglect. How he had to steal food from the cafeteria or from some of the kids at school just to make sure he ate. How he would have to tip toe around her at times because he didn't know what was going to set her off. How scared he was at times of her. Its disgusting that a mother would do that to their own child."
"Objection your honor. Mrs. Good has no right to say what a good mother is, especially since she has only been a mother less then a month."
Judge Sanders and Sarah looked at Holland while Jon glared, a growl escaping him. Paul, Stephanie, Vince, and Shawn all had the same reaction.
"Over ruled Mr. Holland" Judge Sanders all but barked as Holland sat back down.
"It is common knowledge how a parent should behave and Mrs. Good seems to be a good judge of character." Kim squirmed at the judge's words.
"You may continue Miss Hickenbottom." Sarah nodded and looked back to her friend.
"Mrs. Good, did your husband mention any other physical or emotional neglect he suffered at the hands of the defendant?"
Brooklyn nodded as she spoke again.
"My husband told me that the defendant would regularly say hateful things. Constantly blame him for the way her own life turned out. At one point, she even said that he was the reason his father left."
The jury gasped a little as Judge Sanders and Officer Wayne looked on shocked. They were all parents and could never imagine saying such things to their own children and couldn't believe someone would say it to their own.
Brooklyn looked at Jon and for the first time since he told her about his childhood, she noticed he looked vulnerable.
He gave a little nod with his head, as if telling her to keep going.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she continued.
"My husband also told me the defendant constantly missed various milestones in his life and that she never gave him any affection or positive reinforcement."
The courtroom became quiet and Stephanie and Paul glanced at Sami for confirmation. He gave a slow nod and they felt their hearts ache for their son in law.
Sarah took notice of Brooklyn's face, knowing that just talking about the topic of Jon's past was upsetting her. Brooklyn cared so deeply for Jon and it showed through her testimony.
Wanting to help her best friend, she moved on to a new topic.
"Mrs. Good, can you tell me in your own words what happened when you first encountered the defendant when you and your husband visited Cincinnati?" Brooklyn nodded.
"We went to a local diner to meet with his friends Drake and Sami. When my husband went to the bathroom, I was approached by a waitress, I asked her to wait because my husband and friends weren't back. When she looked at me, she looked like she had seen a ghost before walking away. When my husband got back, I saw her staring at us. I asked who she was and that is when I found out it was his mother."
Taking a deep breath, she continued.
"He immediately grabbed me and we made our way to the car when Ms. McCann followed us." Sarah nodded.
"And what happened on the date of January 24th, 2015?" Brooklyn pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.
"We were at a WWE show here in Hartford. I was sitting with you, when Mr. Hall came storming up to us. He was upset because he had received the TPO."
"What did he say, Mrs. Good?"
"He said how could I do this to him. They had done nothing wrong and that Ms. McCann had every right to try and be in mine and my husbands life. He called my husband names and caused so much stress, I went into early labor."
"And how far along were you when this happened?"
"Seven and a half months." The jury looked wide eyed.
"So you went into labor at seven and a half months."
"Objection your honor. Where is this line of questioning going?"
Sarah turned to look at Holland before the judge.
"Your honor, I am trying to show the jury that the stress that Mr. Hall put on Mrs. Good on Ms. McCann's behalf was endangering the welfare of Mr and Mrs. Good children. Despite being at a healthy weight when born, they had no idea. For all they knew, the babies were still to small and undeveloped to be born but that did not stop the defendant from approaching and putting my client in a stressful and dangerous situation."
Judge Sanders nodded.
"Over ruled. Continue Miss. Hickenbottom." Sarah nodded and looked back at her friend who had tears in her eyes.
Sarah was right. No one had any clue that the twins were ready to come out until they were at the hospital. Scott could have caused serious damage to the babies had they not been ready.
"Mrs. Good, are you alright" Sarah asked, concern on her face. Jon's hands tightened on the table, his eyes locked on Brooklyn. Brooklyn's eyes locked with her father, who just nodded his head in encouragement.
"Yes, sorry." Sarah nodded.
"No more further questions your honor." Sarah walked back over to the table, reaching a hand over to rub Jon's back as he continued to look at Brooklyn.
"Mr. Holland, you have the floor." Holland nodded and stood up as Jon glared at him. If he said one more thing or made Brooklyn even more upset, he was going to jump the table and beat the shit out of him.
"Mrs. Good, that was a very sad story. I don't know what I would do if my wife were in that position but we both know, Mr. Hall wasn't the only one who attacked someone that day."
Brooklyn stared right at him.
"Mrs. Good, is it true you slapped my client, Mr. Hall, in the face then repeatedly punched him?" Brooklyn swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Yes, that is true."
"So, who is to say that Mr. Hall was responsible for you to go into labor? Who is to say, that it wasn't you? Your body was in fight mode and you had all this anger. How do you know, you didn't send yourself into labor?"
Jon growled and was about stand up but Sarah reached over and held him down as she spoke.
"Objection your honor. We have medical records proving Mrs. Good's blood pressure had risen and that could only have been done by stress. And as being there, I assure you, it was stress provided by the defendant."
"But how do you know that? There is no way in knowing if it was my client or Mrs. Good who raised who own blood pressure by flying off the handle at Mr. Hall."
"I didn't fly off the handle." Everyone turned to look at Brooklyn who had no expression on her face.
"Mr. Hall got what he deserved. Did your client tell you why I hit him? Because he called my husband a street dog. He started yelling about how Ms. McCann was changed and how it was my husband who was being irrational. I refused to let anyone talk about him that way. Have you ever had someone bad mouth the person you love? Its the kind of thing that will make you a little angry. Having the person you thought was your family, choose some lady he barely knows over you, will make you angry. Having those two people repeatedly put the lives of your unborn children in danger, will make you angry. You don't know what I or my husband have been through. I, unlike Ms. McCann, stick up for my family and protect them. Now, I would suggest moving on to something else because my husband looks like he is going to jump over the table and show you what we do for a living and I would rather he not go to jail right now."
Paul smirked at his daughter. There was the fire she got from him.
Holland just gave a tight smile, his ego deflated by Brooklyn's words as well as his confidence.
"No more questions your honor." Judge Sanders nodded, trying not to laugh as the little woman to his left seemed to take down the big, bad lawyer.
"Why don't we take a ten minute recess for everyone to cool off. Mrs. Good, you may step down." He banged his gavel as Officer Wayne helped Brooklyn off the stand. She walked over to the table and as soon as she was close enough, Jon jumped up and grabbed her, keeping her as close as possible.
"I love you" he kept repeating in her ear, kissing her head.
"I'm okay" she reassured him, snuggling into his chest as she rubbed her hands up and down his back, soothing him. Their family watched on. They knew Jon had used every ounce of his control not to kill Holland and if there was one person who could reassure him everything was okay, it was Brooklyn.
But she wasn't the only one. Stephanie pulled out her phone and saw she had a text from her mom. Opening it, she smiled seeing it was a picture of the twins laying down on the couch, smiles on their faces.
She showed Paul and Vince, getting smiles from them.
"B" she called, making Brooklyn and Jon look over at her. She waved them over.
"What?"
Stephanie turned her phone to them, watching as smiles formed on their faces. Their babies. The whole reason why they were here.
"Jay has your smile" she said, looking up at him. Jon smiled as the screen went dark. He had to remember, they were doing this for them. They were doing it to keep them safe. He needed to get his temper in check. Getting crazy wasn't going to help them.
"You really gave it to him B" her dad said, going to stand next to Stephanie.
"Well when I saw the look of murder on Jon's face, I knew I had to do something."
"I almost did but Sarah, with some sort of Hulk strength, kept me down." Sarah laughed as she came to stand next to the small group.
"You're not the first client I have had to do that to Jon. Are you okay" she asked, looking at her best friend.
Brooklyn shrugged as Jon held her as close as possible to him.
"Yea, I guess. I know he was just trying to get me upset."
"Want us to get the shield back together and take care of him baby girl" Joe asked. Brooklyn giggled softly.
"No, he looks like the type to sue and I don't want you guys in jail."
"What about me? I could claim old age." Everyone laughed at Vince.
"I don't think that would hold up uncle Vince."
"Well I'm sure Sarah can make it hold up" Shawn commented, smiling at his eldest daughter with pride.
"So what is the deal with this Holland guy" Joe asked.
"He's a complete and utter jackass" Colby said.
"Agreed. He's the most repulsing attorney in the state" Sarah replied, her discuss evident with the man.
She absolutely hated Holland and for good reason. He was a complete ass. Ever since Sarah had been hired by Clark & Green Associates after graduating top of her class from Harvard law school, Holland had made it his own personal mission to try everything to get her to date him. Every time he asked her out, she declined. Every gift he sent, returned. He was ruthless, narcissistic, careless bastard.
"Hang on, isn't he the one you told me about Shawn" Paul asked. Sarah looked at her father, arching her perfectly shaped eyebrow.
Shawn looked away from her, whistling.
"You told him didn't you?" Shawn just scratched his neck, his give away that he did in fact tell Paul.
"Alright, I'll speak for everyone here, what aren't you telling us" Stephanie asked.
"Nothing much, just he has been trying to get in Sarah's pants for the past four years." Everyone looked wide eyed, especially Colby. If he didn't already despise the bastard for verbally attacking his best friends, he did now.
"Seriously" Brooklyn asked, looking at her best friend.
"Yea but it hasn't gotten him anywhere. All he's done it just piss me off."
"So that mean's I can kill him?" Sarah gave him a small smile.
"Don't rise to him Colby. The last thing uncle Vince needs is one of his next big performers in jail" Sarah said, taking his hand and stroking it a little.
"Besides, he's not my type. I go for the more, two toned hair type." Colby grinned down at her before kissing her head.
"Besides, if dad or uncle Shawn killed him, they could claim insanity since their halfway there."
Everyone laughed at Brooklyn as Shawn and Paul playfully glared at her. Jon kissed her head again, pressing his nose against her hair.
"So who is up next" Sami asked. Sarah sighed and looked at Jon who was still leaning into Brooklyn.
Feeling eyes on him, he pulled away and looked at the group.
"What?"
"When the judge gets back, you're up" Sarah said. Jon sighed but nodded as Brooklyn wrapped her arms around him.
It wasn't long before the jury re entered the room, followed by Judge Sanders. Everyone stood as the judge returned. Sitting down in his chair facing towards the courtroom, he cleared his throat.
"Be seated."
As everyone sat down, the judge looked down towards his copies of the case. His eyes briefly scanned the character witness list for the plantiff.
"Miss Hickenbottom, you may call your nest witness." Sarah nodded and stood.
"The people call Mr. Jonathan Good to the stand." Like Jon did with her, Brooklyn squeezed his hand and didn't let go until she had to.
Jon took a deep breath as he walked to the stand, officer Wayne meeting him there to swear him in.
After being sworn in, he sat down. He looked right at Brooklyn, who gave the smile he needed to see. His eyes then flickered over to the other table. His mother also smiled at him but all she got was a disgusted, hate filled look back.
"You are Jonathan Michael Good, born December 7th 1985, currently residing in Hartford, Connecticut?"
"Yes, your honor." Judge Sanders nodded before looking at Sarah.
"You may begin Miss. Hickenbottom." Sarah nodded and stood.
"Mr. Good, if you don't mind I'm going to go right into things. Can you tell me, in your own words, what your childhood was like?"
Jon moved a little in his chair before answering.
"It wasn't a normal childhood."
Sarah looked at Jon and nodded. She really didn't want to press him about it but if she didn't, Holland would and she didn't want Jon to kill him.
"Could you please elaborate for the court Mr. Good."
Jon looked at Sarah and saw the look in her eyes. He knew she didn't want to do this but she would rather answer to her then Holland. He was sure he would beat the smug look right off his face.
"I um, I didn't get the basic needs as a child. I didn't get food, warmth. I didn't have many toys. My clothes had holes in them as well as my shoes. I remember one of my teachers had to tape them together because they fell apart while at recess."
Brooklyn closed her eyes briefly, feeling the tears coming back but she pushed them down. She didn't want to cry. She knew it would make things worse for Jon if he saw her crying.
When she opened them, they immediately locked on his. Jon had stopped momentarily to look at Brooklyn. When she opened her eyes, she gave him an encouraging smile. That gave him what he needed to continue and tell the story he had kept buried all his life.
"I didn't have a bed. I slept on an old mattress on the floor under a pile of coats."
Stephanie, Paul, Vince, Shawn, Colby and Joe all watched as Jon continued. Their hearts tightened hearing him tell only a small part of his story. They knew he didn't have the best upbringing but they never knew just how horrible it was.
Sarah nodded sympathetically.
"Mr. Good, can you tell me and the court what kind of treatment you received from your parents during your upbringing?"
Jon tapped his leg nervously as Judge Sanders gave him a sincere look.
"It was horrible. My dad walked out when I was four and I never saw him again. I was told he was constantly in and out of jail. I don't remember much of him."
"And what about your treatment from Ms. McCann?"
Jon's tapping became more insistent.
"She neglected me. That is why I used to take food from school. I didn't know if she was going to feed me. At least doing that, I knew I had food. My friends used to help me" he said, looking at Sami. Sami gave his best friend a small smile.''
"Right, can you tell me what other forms of neglect you suffered at the hand of the defendant" Sarah asked, urging Jon to continue.
"Objection your honor, Miss Hickenbottom is fishing and attacking my client" Holland said, standing and glaring at Sarah. Colby's eyes burned into Holland, using all his strength to stop from standing up and knocking the glare off Holland's face.
Sarah turned to the judge.
"Your honor I can assure you that I am not fishing. All this is relevant parts of Mr. Good's childhood."
The judge looked at both attorney's before he cleared his throat and spoke.
"Mr. Holland, I very much doubt that Miss Hickenbottom is fishing. This is all relevant to the case."
Officer Wayne looked down at the ground, trying not to snicker at Holland. Even he hated him.
"As for Miss. Hickenbottom's so called attack on your client, it is over ruled. I recall you doing the exact same thing to Mrs. Good when she was on the stand. Now sit down."
Sarah bit the inside of her mouth to keep from smirking as Holland sat back down.
"Continue Mr. Good." Jon nodded.
"She use to verbally put me down. Telling me that I wasn't wanted and that she wished she got rid of me when she had the chance."
Brooklyn couldn't stop the tear that fell as Jon continued.
"She said I was useless. That I would never amount to anything. She'd never tell me that she was proud of me for anything. Not even when I won achievements at school. She blamed me fore my dad leaving and said I'd probably end up exactly like my dad. A dead beat to my future wife and children."
The members of the jury gasped in shock. How could anyone say that to a child?
Sarah nodded as she prepared herself for the next question. She didn't want to ask it but she had to.
"Did Ms. McCann ever physically abuse you in anyway?" Jon eyes widened slightly as he looked at Brooklyn. Her eyes wide as well. She knew Jon didn't want anyone to know about that.
"Mr. Good," Sarah called, but Jon didn't hear her.
Jon looked at his so called mother. Her eyes were almost pleading with him not to say anymore. He remembered that look all to well. That was almost the same look he used to give her as a child when she'd hit him. No matter what, even is he was sobbing, she wouldn't stop.
Then a picture of the babies flashed in his head. He didn't want to say anything, but he had too. He needed to. He had to keep his family safe. He had to keep his babies safe. And if that meant disclosing about something only Brooklyn and Sami knew about, then so be it.
"Mr. Good, answer the question" Judge Sanders said, in a softer tone then he had used with Holland.
"Yes, she would beat me" he said, looking at his mother in disgust and pure hatred.
Stephanie gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Paul took his wife's other hand in his own in an attempt to reassure her.
"Can you give an instance Mr. Good?" Sarah's eyes had dropped as well when Jon admitted he had been beaten.
Jon squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.
"When I um, when I was ten my report card went home. I was never good at school but I knew that she would be mad. I tried getting home fast enough to catch it before she did but I didn't. She hit me as soon as I was in the door. Yelling about how come I was so stupid and she knew she was right knowing I was gonna go nowhere. She hit me for a good ten minutes before she laid on the couch and passed out."
Brooklyn closed her eyes again, more tears leaking out this time. He hadn't gone into specifics with her just that she would beat him. Brooklyn wanted to go over and beat her to see how she liked it.
Sarah nodded, ready to change the subject. She wanted to spare Jon some pain.
"Mr. Good, can you tell the court what age you left Ms. McCann's care and why?"
Jon cleared his throat.
"I officially left when I was fourteen. But, from the age of eight I use to stay with Mr. Johnston and his parents. I broke down and told Sami everything that was happening and he told his parents. The next day they told me they'd do anything and everything they could to get me away from her."
Sarah nodded sympathetically.
"No more questions your honor." Sarah walked back over and sat down, reaching an arm over and to pull Brooklyn into a side hug, consoling her friend.
"Mr. Holland, you're up." Holland stood, an angry expression on his face. Part from Sarah and part from Kim not telling him everything.
"I have no questions for the witness your honor." Sarah looked wide eyed. She didn't expect that.
"Are you sure?" Holland nodded and sat back down.
"Alright, Mr. Good you may step down." Jon nodded and stood up, walking back to the table. As soon as he sat down, he took Sarah's place and pulled Brooklyn to him. She grabbed his hand and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Now, this would be the time I would have another witness called but I think the jury has more than enough evidence. We will take a recess for the jury to decide. I will call everyone back once they have reached a verdict."
He banged his gavel before getting up and heading to his chambers. Officer Wayne led the jury out.
"Are you okay" Brooklyn asked, looking up at her love. Jon looked down and nodded.
"I'm fine. It needed to be told." Brooklyn nodded and lent up to kiss him softly.
"You're so strong." Jon blushed a little and kissed her again.
They stayed in their own little world, no body bothering to separate them. As it turned out, the jury didn't need very long. Twenty minutes later, they were all back in the courtroom, ready to hear the verdict.
Brooklyn held Jon's hand tightly as the verdict was passed to judge Sanders.
"Will the attorney's please stand?" Holland and Sarah both stood.
"The jury has come to a verdict. In the case of Good V. Hall/ McCann, the jury have found the defendant's guilty of harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, and stalking."
Jon and Brooklyn both let out sighs of relief as Scott's face fell.
"As we have talked about, a restraining and no contact order will be set in pace. Mr. Hall and Ms. McCann will not be allowed with in a hundred feet of Mr. Good, Mrs. Good, their children, or any future children they may have. The no contact order will include, no calling, no emails, no text messaging, no third party contact as well. Any violations of these orders, will result in coming back to court and facing jail time. Now, Mr. Holland, Miss. Hickenbottom, you both will need to follow me to my chambers were we will get all the papers in order. Court is adjourned."
He banged his gavel again. Every one stood up and Sarah hugged her best friend and Jon.
"Thank you so much" Brooklyn said. Sarah pulled away and smiled.
"It was no problem. I'll be back in a few minutes with your papers." Brooklyn and Jon nodded before turning to their friends and family. Brooklyn was pulled into a hug by her parents as Vince shook Jon's hand.
"It takes a strong man to do what you did Jon." Jon nodded.
"Thank you." Vince nodded before hugging his granddaughter. Jon bro hugged his friends before Stephanie pulled him into a hug.
"You will always be a part of this family" she whispered to him. Jon smiled as he pulled away.
"Well considered I'm married to your daughter, thank you." Stephanie laughed and wiped her eyes as he shook Paul's hand as Brooklyn came back to his side. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head.
Paul looked around and locked eyes with Scott, who had a crying Kim next to him. Scott had a sad expression on his face while Paul just gave him a smirk. He thought he was gonna win. He thought they would give up since they're family but no. They messed with the wrong family and now, he is no longer apart of it.
"Sucks for him" he whispered.
"What" Brooklyn asked. Paul looked down at his daughter and shook his head.
"Nothing honey." Brooklyn just nodded.
Twenty minutes later, Sarah was back and they were all on their way back to Brooklyn and Jon's house.
/*/
Later that night, after everyone went home, Jon and Brooklyn sat downstairs in their living room, J.J and Amelia laying in the middle.
"I can't believe its all over" Brooklyn said, running a finger down J.J's cheek. Jon nodded, running a finger through Amelia's hair.
"Me either but I'm happy. Now, I don't have to worry about her coming back around us, or them." Brooklyn nodded.
"I'm sorry you had to tell them about the abuse." Jon shrugged, sipping his beer.
"Its alright. Got us what we wanted."
"You're the strongest man I know."
"So you keep telling me." Brooklyn giggled as both babies cooed.
"See, even Mia and Jay agree. You're strong Jon." Jon just looked over at her, seeing the serious expression on her face.
"Thank you." Brooklyn nodded and moved to sit on his lap.
"I got you something" he said, after a few minutes of silence.
"What" she said, furrowing her eyebrows. Jon reached a hand into his pocket, pulling out a small, black velvet box. Brooklyn took it, opening it. She gasped seeing a pair of small garnet diamond earrings.
"J-Jon, they're beautiful."
"Well, Joe mentioned something about a push present and how you deserve something for pushing out a human so you know." Brooklyn giggled and closed the box.
"I love them, thank you. They're the color of the babies birthstone."
"I know, I looked it up before I bought them. There is something else too."
"What? A horse?" Jon laughed as the babies cooed again over and over.
"Alright guys relax, mommy wasn't that funny." Brooklyn slapped his chest, making him laugh.
"So what else do you have for me?" Jon looked up at her.
"I was thinking, you know, you have had to put up with so much lately. You deserve something better then just earrings."
"Jon, the earrings are way more then enough."
"More then a wedding?" Brooklyn's eyes widened.
"What?"
"I was thinking, we could have the real wedding sooner."
"I-I thought we were gonna wait."
Jon nodded.
"I know but you know after everything we have been through, I thought we could just use something fun."
"Planning a wedding is fun" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I don't know, it just came to mind. What do you say? Wanna get married again?" Brooklyn smiled and nodded.
"Absolutely."