Sorry for taking forever to update. My life has been hectic. I had exams and new classes and college stuff to take care of. My granddad's in the hospital and my boyfriend's dad was also in the hospital. Both of them are having heart problems. My internet and both my computers have been messing up alot lately and I've just got them fixed. RL has just been a little crazy. I also had some writer's block going on. But I believe there's just the epi left after this. The poll's still up on my profile on whether or not I should do a sequel. So go vote!!!
As usual I give much love to LSR. Without her I'd be lost. She kept me going when I just wanted to throw down my pencil and stop writing because I was so stressed out. I love you lots!!!
This chappy is not beta'd so I apologize for any mistakes you may encounter. S.M. is currently on vacation so she won't be doing the disclaimer tonight. I will! Yay me! Lol.
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight. I own a bookshelf that doesn't have enough space for all my books.
Chapter 31
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Edward asked me for the thousandth time.
"Yes, Edward, I'm sure. If I don't do this now I'll regret it later."
I gripped his hand as he helped me walk down the stairs of his house. It was hard for me to walk sometimes because my ribs still hurt something fierce, even after two months a handful of medication. I stayed at the house after those weeks in the hospital. Carlisle was a little hesitant to discharge me but he knew I hated hospitals no matter how many times I've been in them over the years. He was trying to minimize his time at the hospital to check up on me and Esme as much as he could.
Edward was a great help, while I was staying at the house. He stayed with me a lot of the time but left to go to school. When he was gone Esme and I took care of each other as best we could. She was a delight to be around…when she had food. But she was huge; seven months almost. Carlisle was going to put her on bed rest next month.
I was taking classes online. I used Edward's laptop because it was easier than sitting in an uncomfortable computer chair, an uncomfortable computer desk. I also found it better than going to class physically. You didn't have to listen to the annoying buzz of the teacher's voice every day, or have distractions by other kids while you were trying to do your work. I liked it.
Everybody came to see me whenever they could but Jasper, Em, and Rose were too busy being seniors so I didn't see them like I did Alice and Edward. It's been hard these past few weeks but I was glad that I had who loved and cared for me.
Edward was helping me to the living room one Friday night where Williams was. We were going to talk about whether or not I was going to testify against Perry in the upcoming trial. We made it down the stairs and to the couch. Everyone was here; Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and even Claire.
I sat down next to a glowing Esme. Pregnancy suited her well. Edward was on my other side and Carlisle was on Esme's other side. Em and Rose were on the floor by Alice and Jazz's feet. They were sitting on the loveseat. Williams was sitting in the single seat by Edward's other side.
"Williams."
"Ms. Swan." He nodded at me and Edward.
"Bella, please," I corrected him.
"You know why I'm here, am I right?"
I nodded. "You want me to testify." Edward's hands squeezed mine.
Williams nodded and spoke again. "It would close the case in a heartbeat and no one will ever be hurt by him again. You won't ever have to see him again and your mother won't have to run anymore."
Of course I knew all of this. I knew ever since I woke up and found out he was in the same hospital with two gunshot wounds, a broken arm and leg. He had got into a car chase, crashed, tried to run and was gunned down. Mike died in the crash. I was not saddened by this but I would never wish death upon anyone.
I breathed deeply, taking in the slight pull around my ribs. I really had no problem with going to court; it was the seeing Perry again that really bothered me. I hated seeing him and everyone knew it. I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to face him. I did it for thirteen years and I was done. I wanted to get on with my life and this, it seemed, was a great start.
"I'll do it."
Everyone's eyes were on me and if Edward's hand squeezed mine any tighter, he'd break my fingers. I brought his hand to my lips and kissed his knuckles. He relaxed his hand and kissed my temple.
I nodded at Williams so he knew there was no doubt that I wanted to do this.
After that the Carlisle called his lawyer and got together any paperwork he needed. The lawyer, Mr. Jenks, came over. He was a short, stout man with balding hair. Mr. Jenks, Williams, Carlisle and Esme all went to the den (Carlisle didn't want Esme to have to climb those stairs) to talk in private.
I was glad because I didn't want to think about Perry and all the hurt and harm he'd caused over the years, to me, my mother, and probably even people before us from what he said.
I shuddered, thinking of that dark, dank basement and his cackling and his voice…
I didn't even realize I was shaking until Edward gently pulled me into his lap, wrapped his arms around me and whispered words of comfort in my ears. I turned slightly and wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring the throbbing pain in my side, my ribs.
"It's okay, love. It's fine." He whispered into my ear.
I drew in a deep breath, wincing at the pain.
Edward carried me upstairs to his room and laid me on the bed. He then walked to the bathroom. I heard the water run and then the cabinet above the sink open and close. Edward came out with my meds and a cup of water. I smiled at him as I took the pills and gulped down the water. He always knew what I needed when I needed it.
Edward got into bed with me after making sure I was good and comfortable. He wrapped his arms around me waist and pulled me to him. Even though it was only seven in the evening I suddenly felt tired, the drugs weren't helping either. I fell asleep in Edward's arms, glad to know he was here with me, for me.
It was the middle of May. My body was back to normal. I was off the drugs and back to school, though Carlisle didn't like that too much. He wanted me to stay at the house but I felt it was getting stuffy. I stayed with Rose and Alice and Edward was staying with Emmett and Jazz. We were too scared to get another room by ourselves and the school didn't have one available anyways.
I wasn't behind in any of my classes, fortunately. Because of that I was often bored but texting everyone all day was fun. Emmett had a tendency to send stupid random forwards (Put ur left hand on ur right shoulder, and ur right hand on ur left shoulder, now SQUEEEEEEEZZZZEEEE… this is a tight hug from me to u :).)
All and all its been a good couple of weeks. But this week wasn't going to be fun at all. This week was the trial for Mark Perry. And I was dreading it. I knew it was going to be hard but not this hard. Every time I thought about it I wanted to back out, to call Williams and tell him I couldn't go through with it. But I knew I had to. For my mother, for Edward, for myself. I wanted to move on with my life, to actually have a life.
I woke up in Edward's arms the day of the trial. It was Tuesday. Williams said the trial was only supposed to run till Thursday if everything went smoothly and I so hoped it did.
I turned in his arms and was greeted by green eyes staring back at me. Edward smiled softly and it made me feel better that I had him with me today.
"How are you?" He whispered.
I shrugged. "I'm fine."
He frowned. "Bella…"
"Worried, scared, anxious…" I sighed. He knew me too well.
"It'll be okay." He kissed my forehead. "Do you trust me?"
"With my life," I said without hesitation.
"Then believe me." And I did.
We showered, dressed and went downstairs to fine Esme and Carlisle in the kitchen. Carlisle was fixing breakfast and Esme sat in a chair rubbing her stomach and smiling. To any outsider it would seem like any regular day but we all knew what was going to happen in just a few hours.
"Where's everyone else?" Edward asked.
"They aren't up yet." Esme answered.
I'd forgotten. Everyone stayed at the house. Alice, Jasper, Rose, Emmett and Claire. We were all going together.
As a family.
Carlisle eyed me but I was used to it. He still worried about me. Edward and I sat own next to Esme as Carlisle placed a plate of pancakes and eggs and bacon in front of all of us. He grabbed some forks and knives from a drawer by the refrigerator. We buttered and cut our pancakes and just as I was about to pop a piece in my mouth Emmett came bounding into the kitchen.
"Damnit! I knew there were pancakes!" Rose came in behind him and glared at him at the same time Esme opened her mouth to reprimand him.
He shrank back with his tail between his legs. I almost laughed out loud.
When everyone was up and had eaten we headed out. Edward and I road with Carlisle and Esme in his Mercedes, while everyone else piled into Em's jeep. Before I knew it we were at the courthouse. I gripped Edward's hand as we walked into the courtroom. Williams was there, in the front row conversing with a short balding man who I assumed was Jenks, the Cullens' lawyer.
They looked up when we walked in. Jenks talked with Esme and Carlisle before organizing some papers on the table in front of him. He eyed me as I took my seat, as if making I was up to this. I nodded at him and he seemed reassured.
Everything started off without any problems. I managed to keep my breathing under control when Perry was brought in. He glared at me as he took a seat at the table adjacent to Jenks. His lawyer looked uptight and very paid off.
The lawyers went back and forth, spouting things about my life, about my mother. At some point I was called up to testify. Edward squeezed my hand before I got up and went to the witness stand.
I started off a little shaky when both asked me questions about the things that happened to me in the past year. It was painful; going back over my life with Perry. I almost wanted to tell the judge to call a recess or something but when my eye met Edward's I knew I could do this. I had him with me. I had his family, my family.
Perry looked absolutely livid while he sat and listened to me tell my life story. I told things only he knew about, things he told me while he held me captive. It felt damn good to finally tell my story. I felt as if a weight had lifted off my shoulders. I felt free of his hold. I knew he couldn't hurt me or my mother anymore.
When there were no more questions I was dismissed from the witness stand. I took my seat next to Edward who wrapped his arm around me and kissed my head.
There was a short recess where the jury went to deliberate and come up with a verdict.
"You did great, Bella. I'm so proud of you." Edward said once we were outside the courtroom. A series of hugs and kisses came from my family. I was beyond grateful they were here with me. I don't know if I could get through this if it weren't for them.
It was time to go back in the courtroom all too soon. The jury filed in and the judge asked the verdict. I think the whole room held its breath at this. As soon as the words 'we find the defendant guilty' left the head juror's lips the whole erupted in applause.
There were tears in my eyes, I was so happy.
The judge then set a date for the sentencing when the room quieted. As soon as the judge's 'hammer' came down Perry was up and screaming.
"That little bitch is lying! Why would I do all that shit and tell her? I'd have to be the dumbest criminal in the world!"
The judge was banging his grovel, trying to get Perry to shut up but he didn't. This infuriated the judge even more.
"Since he does not know how to keep his mouth shut, I'll do the sentencing now so I won't have to deal with this later. Mark Perry is sentenced to 25 years to life without parole." T he grovel came down then, once again.
And in that moment, I realized that even though it was the end for Perry, it was just the beginning for me.
Sorry this chappy was short but at least you get an update. Hope it was worth it. Click the green button to let me know.
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