Okay, you guys. This is it. The moment you've all been waiting for since this story has started. It's the verdict. I bet you're biting your fingernails to see what's the outcome of the trial is gonna be. Like I said before, I had such a great time writing this piece and this is the highest review story of any of my wrestling stories I've ever put out for you. Long and behold, this has become one of my favorites to write and believe me, I'm nowhere near done writing. In fact, if you ever get the chance, check out my latest story called 'Tug of War', staring The Rock, Shane McMahon and Maria. Believe me, you're not gonna wanna miss this one.
One more thing, take the time to send some ideas on what should I name Jalen's baby (or babies). Please, your input is very important to me.
And, another thing, I hope to get lots of reviews because my birthday's on Saturday! Yay!
Enjoy and happy reading!
Lots of love, hugs and kisses from your resident writer and friend, Nina!
X
Texas Supreme Court
Houston, Texas
January 31, 2011
After a little over two weeks of testimony, Jalen was all kinds of nervous as she, John and Kylie headed inside the courtroom to await the outcome of the trial. The jury announced they have reached a verdict after less than two hours of deliberation. The trio held in their breaths when Wade was brought into the courtroom a few minutes later; looking disheveled, but otherwise confidant of what the verdict might be. He raised his head up and looked right at Jalen, who stared at him for a second before turning away and focusing her attention on her growing belly.
She closed her green eyes and began praying that today would finally mark a new beginning for her; where she doesn't have to go to sleep at night and have anymore nightmares, not having to worry about looking over her shoulder and see if Wade was behind her and being attacked again. She's tired of living in fear. She's tired of always having to hide in order for her not to get hurt.
Sighing deeply, she opened her eyes and looked over at John, who had a smile on his handsome face. She laid her head against his broad shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief and comfort. At least she has him to lean on. Never in a million years that she'd be this lucky.
"All rise. Court is now in session," the bailiff yelled as everyone in the courtroom rose to their feet. Judge Lee appeared a moment later and took his place at the bench. Then, everyone sat back down.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" he asked, getting right to the point.
"We have, your honor," a female jury foreman said as she stood up and handed a piece of paper over to the bailiff, who then handed it over to the judge. He glanced at it for a second then he handed the piece of paper back to the bailiff, who then handed it back to the jury foreman.
"Will the defendant please rise?" Lee asked.
Wade and his lawyer rose to their feet and waited for the verdict to come out.
"On the sole count of murder in the first degree, how do you find the defendant?" he asked.
"We the jury find the defendant, Stuart Bennett, guilty," the foreman announced.
Jalen felt tears of joy forming in her green eyes. Her father has finally gotten justice. Michael Nicholas Harrington can finally rest in peace knowing Wade was found guilty of murder.
"On three counts of attempted murder in the second degree, how do you find?" Judge Lee asked.
"Guilty," the foreman announced.
"On the sole count of conspiring to commit murder in the first degree?"
"Guilty."
"On two counts of stalking and menacing in the first degree?"
"Guilty."
"On six counts of assault and battery in the first degree?"
"Guilty."
"On two counts of breaking and entering in the second degree?"
"Guilty."
"On two counts of obtaining illegal substances?"
"Guilty."
"And on two counts of sexual assault in the first degree?"
"Guilty."
Guilty on all counts! I can't believe my luck. Has someone finally listened to me? Jalen asked as she looked over at John, who had the biggest grin on his face. He leaned over and planted a searing kiss on her forehead; silently letting her know that it was all over and that she can now breathe easier knowing that Wade will never torment or bother her ever again. She laid her head against his broad shoulder and felt tears streaming down her face.
It was over. It was all over.
Wade, however, wasn't a very happy man. In fact, he was clearly pissed off from the way he was standing. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. He went from controlling Jalen, getting his friends to torment her and ruling the WWE with an iron fist to losing everything in one fell swoop. Now, he was facing the possibility of getting a needle in his arm. He had truly and utterly lost the war.
The brooding Brit looked over his slumped shoulder and watched Jalen and John hugging each other and exchanging kisses towards one another. Kylie joined in on the celebration by hugging her daughter and kissing her forehead. He has to face facts; not only will he never see Jalen again, but he can now kiss his chance of being a father goodbye as well. Jalen Jubilee Harrington has stuck it to him one more time. This time, however, he can't fix the damage he's caused. There's no way he's gonna be able to get himself out of the hole he dug himself in.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I thank you for your time. Sentencing will take place in 30 days. Court in adjourned," Judge Lee declared as he banged the gravel, then he got up and left.
As everyone began filing out of the courtroom, Jalen looked over her shoulder and saw Wade being carried out of the courtroom by the bailiff and two security guards. He looked up and saw her staring at him for a moment, for which she shook her head in disgust. He moved to open his mouth to say something, but she turned on her heel and walked away; leaving him to wallow in his own pity and even shame.
"Come on, Mr. Bennett. Time to go back to your cell," the bailiff said as he grabbed the Brit's arm a little too roughly. Lowering his head, Wade was dragged away from the courtroom and now could only wait on what his sentence would lay ahead.
I'm a dead man; either way it goes, I'm a dead man.
X
Harrington residence
Houston, Texas
January 31, 2011
"I'm so glad all the drama and the bullshit is over. That son of a bitch deserved everything from under the sun," Kylie declared over an Italian meal in which she and Jalen prepared together as soon as they got home.
"Same here. Most importantly, Jalen can sleep easier; knowing that she'll never have to be bothered by him again," John said, smiling at the two ladies sitting across from him.
Jalen didn't say anything because there was no need for her to say anything to describe the peace, the happiness and the relief she was feeling right now. Two weeks ago, when she fell asleep without having any nightmares about Wade was just the first step in finally regaining her freedom and her control. Today, when the guilty verdict was handed out, she felt something she hadn't felt in such a long time.
Contentment.
She was content.
"I'm just glad I can move on from all of this. Now, I can focus on my family and my baby. Speaking of which, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. I'm gonna find out the sex of my baby," Jalen announced with a grin on her face.
"Can I go with you?" John asked as he devoured in his pasta.
"Sure. I want you to find out as well. That way, I know what color of the nursery I'll be decorating," she said, smiling.
"Honey, I don't want you to do anything stressful. I have a friend who has a interior decorating business. She's willing to decorate your nursery with no charge since you're a celebrity in Houston," Kylie suggested.
"Mom, your friend wouldn't happen to be Akira Jones?" Jalen asked.
"Yeah, her. Why?" Kylie asked, looking curious.
"If anyone's a celebrity in Houston, it's her. I can't believe you know her!" Jalen exclaimed excitedly.
"We went to high school together. She's the only friend I really had until I went to nursing school in Sat Antonio. We reconnected when I came back to find you," Kylie explained.
"Do you have her number?" Jalen asked, getting more and more excited at the thought of her mother's old friend decorating her nursery.
"I'll go see her first thing tomorrow. You just worry about getting some rest. I can't wait to meet my grandbaby," Kylie beamed at her only child.
Nodding her head, Jalen continued to eat. She couldn't believe her good fortune. Here she was, having dinner in her home with her loving boyfriend and her mother, who stood by her when times got rough for the 25 year old. And now, she's able to move on without having to be tormented again.
As she gazed down at her pregnant belly, she realized that she was truly blessed.
X
Office of Doctor Miranda Jensen
Victoria, Texas
February 1, 2011
"John, stop looking at me like you wanna jump me or something," Jalen warned with a grin on her face.
He grinned right back at her. "Can't help it. Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?"
She just rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, right. I bet you say that to all the girls."
"No. Just you. And I love you so much," he said as he leaned over and slanted his mouth on hers. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck; silently cursing herself for wearing a thin paper gown. She knew he would take advantage of putting his hands underneath her gown and finding the one spot he was looking for; the one spot that drives her crazy with passion and desire.
And John would've done it, too, had it not been for the door being opened and Doctor Jensen walking in a moment later. Furthermore, she was still wearing her undergarments, which disappointed him a little. He and Jalen quickly pulled apart and they ended up straightening themselves out as the doc walked in and closed the door.
"How's my patient doing?" Miranda asked, smiling.
"Doing really good considering everything that's been going on," Jalen replied.
"Okay, then. I'm gonna need to lay down and we'll get started," Miranda said.
Jalen did what she was told to do. John ended up standing right behind her as Miranda dropped a dollop of gel right on her stomach, which caused the 25 year old to shriek because the gel turned out to be chilly.
"Okay, if you can look at the monitors here, there's your baby," Miranda said as she used the monogram to see Jalen's unborn baby moving right inside of her.
Speaking of Jalen, she was overcome with emotion at the sight of her baby. Tears began falling from her green eyes and she had the biggest smile because she couldn't believe she's watching a life growing right inside of her. It was overwhelming.
"I can't believe it, John. There's our baby," she said, choking with emotion.
He grinned. "I know, baby. I can't believe it, either."
"Do either of you want to know the sex?" Miranda asked.
"Please. We want to know," Jalen revealed.
"Okay. From what I can see, you two are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl," Miranda revealed with a smile on her face.
"A baby girl. I'm so excited," John whispered in her ear.
"Me, too," Jalen replied with a smile on her face.
Miranda noticed something else while she was checking to make sure the baby was all right. And, boy, did she managed to figure out what she had found.
"Is there something wrong with my baby, Doc?" Jalen asked, now looking a little bit worried.
"No, nothing wrong; other than I found another baby," Miranda revealed, which shocked the hell out of Jalen and John.
"A-another baby? Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Jalen stammered.
Miranda turned and smiled at the couple. "Yes, Jalen. Congratulations, you're now the proud parents of twin girls."
Coming up in the next chapter: Jalen learns of Wade's sentencing and realizes that she's truly free of him. John and Jalen see the nursery for the first time Kylie makes a surprise announcement. Will she stick around long enough for Jalen to give birth? Stay tuned.
Okay, and I wanna clarify something. Someone asked me in a review why Jalen didn't have a rape kit done with Wade raped her and I just wanna let you know that she did get one done and I originally planned on putting it in, but I never had the chance to do it. So, I've decided to have him be found guilty of rape to make up for it. Thank you!
Please review!