It takes the Jury seven minutes to return. "Oz Bellamy, will you please stand and face the Jury?"
I get to my feet, my hands still in shackles.
"The court of California in the county of Los Angeles in the matter of the people in the state of California versus Oz Bellamy. We the Jury find the defendant Oz Bellamy not guilty of the crime of murder..."
The relief is overwhelming and this isn't about me being released from jail, it's that people have finally seen what I always have. Everyone is equal. We're all just people trying to work and better our lives. Well, ok, maybe not Elves…
"Sign here, Ms. Bellamy."
I can't wait to leave this jail to never have to hear my father's last name again.
When I'm finally released, I walk to the edge of the steps to see Bilge and Dorghu at the bottom of them. Along with dozens and dozens of other Orcs. Some I've never even met.
Dorghu cuts the palm of his hand then raises his fist with a shout, followed by all the other Orcs.
Even little Kodgah raises his fist.
The gesture is so touching, my tears give as I make my way down the steps. "Thank you," I tell them as I'm pulled into hugs. Oh, my, they're a lot stronger than I thought. I feel like a rag doll.
"Oz," Bilge says, picking me up.
In a strange way, it's like I'm a part of his family. I wasn't able to save my sister, but I could save Kodgah. And I know that somewhere, my sister had a hand in that. To make sure that I'd see the outside again. "My legs are numb," I tell Bilge.
"Shit. Sorry. We don't know our own strength." He sets me down.
I lean into him, lowering my voice. "Uh. You can't blood a human, can you?"
"We can do whatever we want. Look, you've always been one of us, but this is our way of showing you how much you mean to us."
"Thank you," I smile. "Does this mean I have to learn how to speak Bodzvokhan now?"
"Of course," Bilge laughs.
Yikes.
The Orcs pitched in and helped pay for my apartment the two months I was gone so my things wouldn't have been sold off.
"Did prison change you, Oz," Kodgah asks.
"I was in jail," I laugh, "and no."
"Good, because I like you the way you are."
Bilge shakes his head. "Go get in the bath. You have school tomorrow." He turns to face me. "Goodnight, Oz. Welcome home. What you did will never be forgotten. That Jakoby guy came looking for you. I told him what happened."
"Was he upset?"
"No. He seemed proud. I dunno know, that stoic shit is kinda hard to read."
"Does that mean he's welcome around here?"
"Yeah… Dorghu made it pretty clear Jakoby is one of us. I still don't think he's good enough for you though."
"Jakoby saved my life as a child. I think that's good enough in my book. Goodnight," I smile.
The Orcs also bought me a TV that I walk into. That was thoughtful. Hmm, how do I work this thing? I hit the remote a few times before it turns on. My stomach jumps when I see Jakoby's face.
The news says that there will be a ceremony for him and Ward held tomorrow at City Hall. 1pm.
Oh! I've got to work on sewing something nice!
Today is the day I plan to tell Jakoby that the little girl he saved was me. I dig under my bed and pull out a small trunk of keepsakes. The most important being Jakoby's hat he gave to me when he took me from that house.
You're brave, alright?
I wonder if he still has my fairy? Or if he still thinks I'm brave?
I'm so nervous as I wait for the ceremony to begin. I hide in the back because I'm not sure if Jakoby wants anything to do with me after everything. Bilge could have been lying about Jakoby seeming proud. Or maybe I just really don't want to be seen because then it would make telling him how I feel real.
As he receives his medal, I'm so proud of him. He's more of a man than any of them could ever hope to be.
When two older Orcs hug Jakoby, I realize that this isn't the place to tell this man how I feel. In fact, I feel foolish and walk away from the ceremony.
"Hey," Jakoby calls.
I keep walking only to be stopped by traffic so I can't cross the street. Come on!
"Oz," Jakoby says behind me, reaching out and touching my shoulder.
My eyes well up instantly. Oh, gosh. "You've known my name this entire time?"
"Yes. Seeing you at the diner wasn't by accident. Nothing was ever by accident because I have always kept tabs on you. Tabs because I wanted more for you. For you to leave this city and better your life. Then you became a woman, and I realized that pushing you away wasn't so easy. It seemed like no matter what, you always ended up back right here. That's when I bought a place a few minutes from you. Finally got up the courage to come in that diner. I just didn't realize how hard it was to tell you what I've felt for the last year."
Oh my gosh. For this last year, all we've done is chase each other. Not even that well, might I add. "I didn't want your pity. I wanted you to want me for me."
"I do want you." His large hand covers my cheek.
I close my eyes as he leans in for a kiss. I'm eager to return it and try to follow his lead. Even though I feel clumsy, for the first time in my life, I feel confident. The embrace is something I've longed for, but never knew it'd be anything like this. Despite it being brief, I feel satisfied.
"Come with me." Jakoby takes me to his truck. "Bilge told me this morning that you got out of jail. I had no idea, or you know I would have done everything I could to get you out."
"I know. You were sorta busy in the hospital."
"I was a little hurt when you didn't come to visit me. Thought maybe I had been too forward at dinner or something. Now I know why."
"So you had nothing to do with me getting out of jail?"
"No. This time you didn't need saving. You got out because of you. I heard you caused quite the commotion." As Jakoby opens his truck door, in the passenger seat sits my fairy. "We had the same idea," he smiles, taking his hat from me.
I reach in and get my fairy off the bench seat. My brow furrows when I see a ring on his ankle. I tug it off and turn around.
Jakoby is on one knee. He takes the ring from me and slides it on my finger. "Are you still going to call me Jakoby when we're married?"
"Are you still going to be vague and cryptic?"
"Yes, but at least you'll know every single day that I love you."
I move my arms around him.
He gets to his feet, picking me up with him.
"I love you, too." Perhaps our story might be strange to some, or taboo to others, but sometimes you can't help who you love. I can't think of a more perfect person out there for me. One that has always protected me. One that has returned my love in full. To know that I don't have to hide my feelings any longer or say goodnight and anticipate nervously the next time I'll see him overwhelms me in the best way.
"Home?"
"Will there be dessert," I smile.
"I didn't make any."
My eyes shift side to side. "No, dessert. Dessert."
"I need to stop by the store and purchase ingredients. Do you want me to- Oh. I understand. That was a conjugal love joke."
"And yours wasn't the first time?!"
"No, I really meant dessert."
This man. Of course, he would think that…
End.
A/N Thank you for reading, all!