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I hope you enjoy this chapter and Happy Thanksgiving!


Forever Bound

Chapter Twenty Six - Because Of You

What on earth was Bella's mother doing in this courtroom?

Edward's gaze followed the woman as she made her way to the witness stand.

What did she think she was playing at?

Edward cast a glance at his wife. Bella looked extremely confused and very hurt. Instantly, Edward placed his arm across her shoulder and pulled her close to his body. She instantly folded herself into him, with one hand resting on his chest; however her eyes never moved away from the figure of her mother.

Mr Da Revin began as soon as Renee had placed herself in the stand. "Mrs Swan, you are the late Mr Swan's wife and Isabella Cullen's mother, are you not?"

"I am," Renee replied coolly.

"And do you believe your daughter's allegations that this man," Laurent pointed at Hunter, "Killed your husband and in turn tried to assault her?"

"I do not."

"Why may I ask, do you not believe your daughter?"

"There is something you must know about my daughter sir, she is a liar and will do anything to have all the attention on herself." Edward scoffed. Did this woman even know who she was talking about? Bella would do anything to make sure no attention was focused on her.

"She is probably making this claim up to receive some attention and unneeded sympathy." Renee finished, looking every inch the uncaring mother.

"And why do you feel she would have the need to do something like that?" Laurent asked Bella's mother, a smug smile on his face.

"I know my daughter. She probably became bored with her husband and as you previously stated sir, it is most likely that she approached James to have some fun, but when she was caught by her husband, she made this ridiculous claim."

"Has she done anything like this before Mrs Swan?"

"Yes, all the time when she was young. After Charles died, she would do whatever it took to gain my attention. I, of course, did not engage in her ridiculous behaviour. I almost fear that I am to blame for this horrid event. If I had sent her to boarding school when she was younger and ignored the wishes of my husband, Isabella would have learnt some respect and would not indulge her time in making up such ridiculous claims." Renee lifted a finger to her eye, as if wiping away a tear.

As if someone with a stone heart could cry.

"It is not your fault your daughter turned out to be a liar Mrs Swan, you cannot blame yourself. Although you do not believe your daughter's claim about the "assault", is there no doubt in your mind that Mr Hunter did not kill your husband?"

"I do not believe that this man killed Charles. Although he was my husband, Charles Swan was a stupid man. He probably began the fight with Mr Hunter, believing he was trying to assault his partner, when they were simply being affectionate with one another," Renee shrugged her shoulders.

Edward cursed under his breath. How could a woman say such things about her later husband? Especially when her daughter was in the room.

"Thank you Mrs Swan, for explaining your views about your husband's death and the truth about your daughter's lies to the jury. No more questions Your Honour." Laurent smiled smugly at the judge. It was clear he believed that he had already won this case.

Paul stood up and took his place in front of Renee Swan. Edward wished he would rip her to pieces.

"Mrs Swan, you claim that your daughter enjoys being the centre of attention did you not?"

"I did, that is correct" Renee replied smoothly.

"Did you know that we had to beg her to appear here today? Now if she loved to be the centre of attention, she would coming willingly would she not?"

"It was obviously part of the effect. For a lawyer you are not too smart Mr Ateara." Renee insulted.

Paul was not affect, "Oh I would not be passing judgments if I were you Mrs Swan." He turned towards the bench and picked up a file, opened it and glanced over it before he turned to face Renee once more.

At this point Edward was fuming. How could a mother say such things? Edward looked at Bella once more and noticed she had tears in her eyes. He squeezed her shoulder, trying to provide her with a little comfort while hiding his own anger.

"Mrs Swan, in my hand I hold a report from Isabella's midwife, Aurora Troyis. In it, she has written Mr and Mrs Cullen's distress at the belief they had lost their child. Ms. Troyis explains that they were very lucky that their baby was saved. Now, how can you claim your daughter was not victim of an attempted assault with facts like that?" Paul threw the question at Mrs Swan.

"It is clear that she asked James to kick her in the stomach to cause her to lose the child. Bella is the least maternal person you could find," Edward wondered if she had glanced in the mirror lately, "James must have complied with her request due to her flattery. When her husband came along, she probably made up the lie that he had kicked her without motivation." Edward wanted to stand up and slap the woman. Bella had been through hell at the hands of that monster and here her mother was, making her out to be Lucifer's right hand woman.

"But why would she do such a thing Mrs Swan? Why would she want to kill her own child?" Paul asked Renee.

Renee thought about this question for a moment. "It is obvious that my daughter does not want this child. She probably wanted to terminate her pregnancy in such a way that her husband could not blame her for the loss of his child. If it even is his child. I know my daughter, and if I were married to her, I would find it hard to believe that it was even my child she was carrying."

"YOU LIAR!" the yell echoed around the courtroom and all faces turned to look in the Cullen's direction. It was only in that moment that Edward realised that he was on his feet and leaning over the rail that was placed in front of him.

It was he who had yelled.

This did not stop him. "You're a liar!" he screamed at his mother in law.

Suddenly Edward felt arms pulling him away from the rail and out of the courtroom, all the while he was protesting. It was only when Edward and his captor had made their way a long way from the courtroom that Edward was released. He spun around to see who had pulled him from the room.

Standing in front of him was Samuel Uley.

"What do you think you were playing at Mr Cullen? Yelling at the witness will not help your wife's case." Samuel fumed.

"She is spreading vicious lies about my wife! Do you expect me to sit there and allow her to continue?" Edward yelled at the police officer.

"Yes Edward that is exactly what I expect you to do! Paul is excellent at his job; he would have forced her to admit the truth soon. I am afraid that you may have set that back a number of steps."

Edward cursed himself but if it stopped Mrs Swan attacking his wife with lies Edward would do it again a hundred times over.

"I want to talk to the court." Edward stated. He needed to tell them the truth, to make sure they had not been poisoned against Bella with Renee's lies.

"That is not possible Edward." Samuel explained sadly, "The court had not been informed and I fear it may be too late to make a change to the schedule."

"Try, please." Edward begged, his anger disappearing, "I have to make them see the truth. I have to."

Samuel placed his hand on Edward's shoulder, clearly seeing his distress. "I will see what I can do Mr Cullen, but I am not making any promises."

"Thank you Mr Uley, thank you," Edward smiled slightly at the man trying so hard to help him and his Bella.

Samuel smiled back and nodded, "I trust you are calm enough to return to your seat?"

Edward nodded and rushed back into the courtroom, wanting to be with Bella once more.

-o-

Court had been halted for an hour and Edward took this time to comfort his wife.

"Bella, I hope you do not believe anything that vile woman has said." Edward wrapped his arm around her waist as they strolled around the square for a breath of fresh air.

"I do not, but I worry that others do. What must they think of me Edward?"

"They will know the truth Bella, no one could ever believe the lies you mother has spread; you are simply too perfect." To comfort her Edward kissed her softly on the lips.

When he finally pulled away, he stared down at her. Her eyes were still closed and she had a small smile gracing her lips. Edward smiled at his wife and took her hand in his own.

"Come on love, we had better be heading back." The smile fell from Bella's lips, but she nodded.

Edward hated the fact that she had to go through this, but he hoped it would be worth it in the end when James would be passed a guilty sentence.

-o-

"All rise in court." The judge had entered once more and everyone waited for the trial to commence once more.

"Mr Ateara you have the floor," the judge stated before he sat back and observed the room.

"Thank you Your Honour. I would like to call Mr Cullen into the witness stand." Bella turned to Edward in shock. Oops, he had forgotten to mention it to her.

Slowly standing up, Edward placed an innocent kiss on Bella's lips, causing her cheeks to redden, before he made his way to the stand.

As soon as he took his place, Paul began to question him. "Mr Cullen, you requested to have the chance to have your say, is that correct?"

"It is," Edward confirmed with a bow of his head.

"And why do you wish to do so?" It sounded as if Paul was against Edward, not for him, but Edward hoped it was simply a tactic.

"Because I wish to tell the truth about the attack to make sure the jury do not believe the lies my mother-in-law told them," Edward stated simply.

"And what is the truth Mr Cullen?"

"That James tried to sexually assault my pregnant wife. I was there; I know what he was trying to do."

"Can you please explain the night's events in your own words?" Paul requested.

Edward was keen to comply, "Well, as Bella stated, we were having dinner with the Denali's. Once dinner had been completed, Mr and Mrs Denali enter the conservatory with my parents and left the younger generation to ourselves. I was distracted for a while and by the time I searched for Bella, she and James had disappeared. I went into the garden with Miss Denali to talk, as she had been out of the country for the past two months and we had a lot to talk about. After half an hour, Tanya returned to the house while I stayed outside. Just as I was about to return to the house, I heard Bella cry my name. It took quite a few times of her calling for me before I was able to locate where her voice was coming from. As soon as I did, I ran towards her and what I found was James trying to assault my wife. I ran at him and pushed him away from Bella. To make sure he could not get up, I beat him. That may have been wrong in your eyes, but I would do it a thousand times over to protect my wife and child from that monster." Edward finished. He lifted his gaze and met Bella's eyes; there were tears spilling over the edges. He tried to smile reassuringly at her before he turned to face Paul once more.

"It was you who Miss Denali informed of Mr Hunter's crimes was it not?"

"It was yes."

"And why did she choose to inform you?" Paul probed. Edward wondered how he could answer the question without exposing his affair to the jury. "Mr Cullen?"

"Excuse me. I went to Miss Denali's house after I had visited the police to inform them of James' attacks on both Rosalie Hale and my wife. I went out of concern for a friend, as I knew she was engaged to him but I was not aware that she already knew of his criminal activities. When I arrived out the house, Tanya slapped me for causing James to be in a bad state. I informed her of what James had done the previous evening to Bella and she denied it. However, after more probing, she revealed that she knew James had a criminal background. It was then she told me the tale of Charles Swan's death and the fact that she knew James would try to hurt Bella. I was disgusted and left the house immediately."

"Thank you Mr Cullen. No more questions." Paul took his seat as Laurent rose from his own. Edward took a deep breath; he did not expect Laurent's questions to be easy.

"Mr Cullen, you claim Miss Denali told you about Mr Swan's murder at the hands of Mr Hunter. How do you know she was not lying for dramatic effect? Women are known to do that." Laurent leered at Edward.

"I have known Tanya my entire life sir. I know when she is lying and when she is telling the truth. There is no doubt that she was telling the truth. Why would she make up such lies about her own fiancé? I also believe that the fact she cannot be found supports the fact that she knows exactly what type of man James Hunter is and does not want to face the shame." Edward would not sit back and take Laurent's comments, he would fight back.

"Why did you choose to go to Miss Denali's house instead of returning straight home to your wife?" Edward hoped he would not ask such a question. He considered his answer carefully.

"As I said, I was concerned for her safety." He replied calmly, although he was a little worried on the inside. It would not do well for Bella if the truth of his intentions towards Bella came out.

"As it has been previously stated, your marriage was arranged. I am sure you did not love your wife when you were first married and there were times you thought of being unfaithful. How can you be sure that your wife did not feel the same urges? That what Mrs Swan said is actually incorrect?"

Edward wanted to hit him; how dare he say such things about Edward's beautiful bride! "I know my wife Sir. She would never commit such an act. You cannot believe the words of her mother, Mrs Swan knows NOTHING about her children."

"What makes you say such a thing?" Laurent asked, sounding a little annoyed that Edward was not raising to the bait of his insulting questions.

"Bella has informed me of her childhood, how Renee wanted nothing to do with her children and constantly pushed them away. Then the fact that Mrs Swan did not even appear at her daughter's wedding surely shows how little she cares for my bride. She has never visited us in the six months we have been married, nor has she even bothered to pick up a quill and ask after her daughter's health. She has banned her son from contacting his sister and she is not even aware where her son is, yet she appears unfazed. Emmett Swan claimed to be going on a hunting trip with Michael Newton in October, and yet here we are in February and there is still no sign of him. Emmett has been staying with my wife and me and has fallen in love. In love with the woman his father died to save and yet Renee knows none of this. She did not even know that Bella was with child. This is why you cannot trust a word that comes out of that woman's mouth."

Laurent appeared to be defeated. He seemed to be struggling for something to say. "No more questions Your Honour."

"You may return to your seat Mr Cullen." The judge informed him.

"Thank you Your Honour." Edward nodded in the judge's direction before he rushed back to the arms of his wife.

As soon as Bella was in his arms once more, Edward felt complete. "Thank you for defending me Edward," Bella whispered into his chest.

"Anything for you my love."

-o-

The case continued for the entire afternoon and it was close to six hours past midday when the case finally appeared to be coming to a close.

James had said his piece and sounded slightly convincing, although Edward prayed that there was enough evidence to prove him guilty.

As the lawyers said their final piece to the jury, each stating that they had provided enough evidence to prove his guilt or innocence, Edward began to tense up. This was the moment of truth.

After what felt like a lifetime, the jury parted their heads and the main jury leader stood up.

"You have reached a verdict?" The judge asked.

"We have Your Honour." They confirmed.

"And how do you find the prisoner? Guilty or not guilty?"

The seconds that passed felt like years to Edward. Bella squeezed his hand tightly but he did not even feel the pain.

"Guilty." Edward breathed out a huge sigh of relief as he felt Bella do the exact same thing at his side. He turned to her and grinned. She smiled lightly right back at him and he could not control himself. He kissed her passionately, albeit briefly, to convey his relief. Bella cheeks flamed red at his display of affection and he could not help but laugh.

As Edward turned his attention back to the happenings of the courtroom, he noticed the judge placing the black cloth on his head as he picked up his gavel.

"James Hunter, I find you guilty of murder and attempting sexual assault. It is therefore my duty to pass sentence. You are sentenced to death by hanging." The gavel hit the desk as James began to protest, "Take the prisoner away."

James began to struggle violently as he was dragged away by a number of police officers. As he was pulled past the bench Bella and Edward were sitting on, his eyes connected with Bella's.

"You will pay for this bitch! I swear you shall pay!" he screamed.

Bella began to shake and Edward pulled her into his body, allowing her to bury her face into his chest. He watched as the monster was dragged away for the final time. James was finally getting what he deserved.

-o-

As the young couple were descending the steps of the courthouse, a hand reached out and grabbed Bella's arm, causing them both to spin around.

They came face to face with a furious looking Renee Swan.

"You fool! Why did you spread such lies? I wish it was you being sent to the gallows!" Renee screamed at her daughter.

Edward snapped. He may have had no control to stop her in the courtroom, but he was sure as hell not going to allow her to insult Bella in public. He snatched Renee's hand from Bella's wrist and dragged her to the side.

"Mrs Swan, I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO SAY SUCH THINGS TO MY WIFE! Bella is the innocent one in all of this. If anyone should be sent to the gallows with James it should be you for being such a terrible mother. What sort of woman can say such things to her daughter, her child who is only sixteen years old?"

"I say it because it is the truth. It is because of that girl that my husband is dead. He was not murdered, he was simply foolish. If he had not had a daughter then he would not have felt the need to protect a woman he had never met! It was all her fault! She deserved all she got!" Renee yelled at Edward.

"How dare you say such a thing! You believe Bella deserved to nearly lose our child? You believe it was right that she was almost raped? How could you say such things about your husband? I did not have the honour of meeting him myself, but through the stories I have heard from my family, I know he was a respectable man. He would have saved any woman in distress, daughter or not. You cannot blame your daughter for Charles committing the noblest deed known to man! He saved your daughter in laws life and all you can believe is that Bella is to blame? I pity you." Edward informed his mother in law with disgust. "Oh, and never approach my wife or family again. I know Bella wants nothing to do with you in the future and I believe Emmett will feel the same once he is aware of your actions today. You will never know your grandchild or the happiness of your children."

"You cannot forbid me from seeing my children Cullen. They are MINE!"

"Watch me!" Edward hissed. Making his voice emotionless, Edward had one final thing to say to Mrs Swan, "Goodbye Mrs Swan. I hope you have a lovely life, knowing that you have brought this upon yourself. I hope you feel guilt and regret for the rest of your days." And with that, Edward turned his back on the spiteful woman.

Reaching his wife once more, Edward took her hand in his. "Let's go home love."

Bella began to hurry her steps alongside him. "What did you say to my mother Edward?"

"Nothing important Bella. Although I do not believe she will be bothering us again." Edward smiled down at his wife.

Bella smiled largely at him, her eyes shining, "Thank you Edward." Edward squeezed her hand as the couple began to make their way down the road.

They were finally free.

---

This may sound like the end but it is NOT! I would say there are AT LEAST ten chapters to go.

Happy with the judgement?

So, the next chapter will skip a number of months because I think we have had enough drama for now but I don't want to bore you with little details.

I think it is clear now that I was asking for names because if they have a girl, she would not be called Renesmee!

Until next time :)

PS. Sorry for bad editing. Will not let me fix it. Grr.