It was the morning of the Garrison and Tulliver gang Trials. Elizabeth wasn't feeling very good that morning (Nervousness combined with morning sickness). She had to testify against Jake Garrison and she was dreading it. She glanced over at Jack to see that he had a worried look on his face and was pacing their room. "Jack" she called out to him "is everything ok"? "Hmm" Jack asked, lost in thought "Oh yeah, everything is fine...Elizabeth I..." Jacks voice broke. "I am sorry you have to relive the horrors of our wedding day. I am going to mention to the judge BEFORE you testify your...delicate condition. I hate that all of this happened sweetheart. I blame myself for not seeing it sooner. All I could think about on Christmas was you, holding you in my arms. Making you my wife and FINALLY not having to leave. For us to spend the night together and no one bat an eye. I was distracted when I rescued Opal. She was trying to tell me where you were, but all I kept thinking was 'I have to get back to my bride, she's so beautiful, nothing can ruin this day. And then Opal HAD to go and get kidnapped'. Elizabeth, I am SO sorry! Had I listened to Opal I would have been there sooner before...Before he hurt you. I should have sent Bill Avery out to find Opal and I should have stayed by your side. I blame myself and a part of me wonders if the child isn't mine.
I hate myself for thinking that Elizabeth, and I'm sorry. You are my light and my life, you are EVERYTHING to me. Regardless of what happens today, I am EXCITED about OUR child, about OUR future together. I am sorry we have to do this sweetheart". Jack heaved a huge sigh, finally saying what had been on his mind since she found out she was expecting. Seeing the front of Garrison's pants undone, seeing him on his wife had been too much to handle. It had taken every ounce of strength for him to not kill Jake Garrison then and there.
"I love you Jack" Elizabeth began seeing the look of worry on Jack's face. "And I can assure you, at least I hope...that this child is ours together. I am pretty sure Garrison didn't make it far enough to...to get me into this condition" she stammered, not used to being so open and honest with him. "Please don't tell the judge about the...the baby Jack'! She exclaimed more excitedly than she expected "I don't want the judge to know because...
because if he even REMOTELY thinks this...criminal is the father of the child...He will let him off, and I want to see him hanged for what he did to me. I love you Jack, you are patient and kind, loyal and loving. You are EVERYTHING I could ever want, or have EVER wanted in a husband. And I have faith everything will work for the glory of the Lord". Elizabeth walked up to Jack and embraced him, kissing his fears away with a passionate, loving and lingering kiss.
"As much as I like where this is heading" Jack said, knowing it would lead to their bed "We do need to get going sweetheart". "Okay" Elizabeth said kissing him once again, reveling in the feel of his strong arms around her. "I love you Jack, lets go". She broke the kiss and they headed to the courthouse.
In the Courthouse:
"Mrs Thornton" the judge began afer Elizabeth had been called to the witness stand. She was the last witness, Jack had just gone before her and they weren't allowed to see or speak to each other until the trial was over. Elizabeth felt sick but held back her fear "I need to ask you some very serious questions. As you know, allegations of rape require the death penalty if they are proven. We have heard your husband's side of things, now we need to hear yours. I apologize that these questions might be hard to answer and won't exactly be...sensitive". "I understand your honor" she said, willing the fear and bile rising up back down, she felt a wave of sickness coming but held it at bay and said a quick prayer it would stay that way so she didn't give away her condition. "Please proceed your honor". "Mrs Thornton, it has come to my attention that the defendant raped you. Of course Mr. Garrison denies it" the judge began,
wanting to make the questioning quick and painless for Elizabeth "He says that all that happened was he pushed you onto the bed and kissed you. And moved your skirt up to your knees. But he claims that he never penetrated you. He also claims that you were "open" to his advances. Is this a true statement on his part Mrs Thornton?" "No your honor, it is not" Elizabeth said. She saw that they had let Jack in the courtroom and the look on his face made her heart hurt.
She continued "I am willing to continue your honor". "Did Jake Garrison penetrate you"? the judge asked her "I might remind you Mrs. Thornton that while your husband is in the courtroom, you ARE under oath. We kept you two separate so he wouldn't influence your testimony. I hope I didn't err allowing him to be in here." Elizabeth turned her head to look Jake Garrison straight in the face and said "Your honor, December 24 my husband, at that time my fiancee came home from fighting up north. On December 25th he surprised me with a wedding. A little girl in our town was kidnapped by a member of the gangs as a diversion. They then kidnapped me and a friend of mine, Ms. Abigail Stanton who testified earlier. They did this while my husband was away searching for the little girl. Nathan Tulliver" Elizabeth paused and looked over at him "informed me that Jake Garrison intended to...rape me" she stammered, admitting what happened for the first time to herself. "I can assure you I was NOT willing. I told Abigail I thought he would force himself on me. She was CERTAIN we would be killed. Mr Garrison then grabbed me and threw me onto the only bed in the room.
He threw himself on top of me kissing me while lifting my wedding gown up to my naval. I asked him to please reconsider and not do this horrific deed, but he ignored me and unfastened his trousers". Elizabeth paused and burst into tears. She could see Jack and knew that the following information would upset him, but she HAD to continue. "It was at that point that he...did indeed penetrate me. I was trying to scream and he slapped me and put his hand over my mouth. He wasn't...gentle with the penetration either." Elizabeth stopped there, her breath catching in her throat. "And are you with child Mrs Thornton"? The judge asked "I apologize, but I need to know" "Yes" she said, barely audible "But I PRAY the child is my husbands as we united in our marital bed later that evening".
Elizabeth glanced up and saw the look on Jack's face and her heart broke. "That is all Mrs Thornton, please join your husband". The Judge said, "I need time to go over all testimonies, court is in recess". Elizabeth walked over to Jack who was lost in thought. She figured Jack was mad at her, especially knowing now that she wasn't virtuous for him. "Jack I am SO sorry" she said through her tears "I didn't want you to hear all of that. This is the worst day of my life ever, aside from the...incident on our wedding day". Jack reached out and grabbed Elizabeth's hand absently. He was in turmoil inside himself, he regretted not shooting Jake Garrison when he had the chance. He regretted pushing for him to not be hung at his LAST trial and instead do time in prison. Jack was blaming himself for what had happened to his beloved. "Elizabeth" he whispered "You were so brave and strong up there, I am proud of you sweetheart. I knew on our wedding night that something had happened. Which is why I took extra care with you, but I wasn't going to press you for details. Oh sweetheart! Why didn't you tell me it was that...horrid?
I wish I could erase that very memory from your mind FOREVER" Elizabeth started to reply but the Baliff called out "All Rise" the judge came back into the courtroom and said "You may be seated, I have weighed ALL the testimony that I have heard today and..." the judge paused for a moment to let his words register. Elizabeth held her breath and Jack's face was emotionless lest he should lose his cool if the ruling wasn't in their favor. "I find Jake Garrison guilty of kidnapping. I sentence him to 10 years behind bars for the kidnapping of Opal, Widow Stanton, and Mrs. Thornton". He paused and looked over at Jake Garrison "Mr. Garrison please rise" He did as he was told, certain he would get off for what he had done to the Thatcher, now Thornton woman. After he stood up the judge continued "Constable Thornton" he proceeded "you and your wife have gone through a VERY rough start to your marriage. The fact that you can overcome it and still be with her is amazing, I applaud you young man. Thank you for protecting the people of Hope Valley." "Thank you your honor" Jack said trying to keep his emotions at bay and squeezing Elizabeth's hand that he still held a little too hard. He relented when he heard a soft "oww" come from her. "I'm sorry" he murmured. As the handcuffs were being put on Garrison to lead him off to jail the judge said "Wait just a minute everyone! I haven't yet announced my decision on the events that happened with Mrs. Thornton". Elizabeth gulped "Jake Garrison" the judge continued "due to the testimony of the people I have heard today, I hereby find you GUILTY of rape. As such I sentence you to be hung by the neck until dead. And if for some reason your neck does NOT snap, I hereby order that you shall be shot until you stop breathing and then cut down. I can ONLY pray that the child this woman carries inside of her" he paused glancing over at Elizabeth "Is her husband's child. Whether or not that is the case however, your family shall have NO claim to the child. Mrs. Thornton shall raise the child with her husband if he is willing to take responsibility for the care of the child regardless if he sired it or not". He paused and looked to Jack who said "I am your honor". "Then I declare that this child shall be protected from any family you have an NO one shall have a claim to it should it come out looking like you".