The Trial
Alright this is long… since it contains both B and E's POV's! Please forgive me for mistakes... I won't have a beta for these next few chapters.
The Trial- BPOV
Subtitle: Lie for me
"I'd go back again
I touched your hand the day we met
There's just some things you don't forget."
Graham Colton- If Love Was Enough
-Present Day-
"If you don't want to talk about the nightmares, maybe we should talk about the trial."
"Alright," Bella whispered hesitantly.
"Tell me what it was like seeing Edward again?" Dr. Parker questioned.
"It was desperate and heart-wrenching."
"Desperate?"
Bella sighed for a second, running her hand through her hair before leaning back in her chair. "I don't know if you truly understand how in love we were. It was desperate because my heart ached at the mere thought of him and his presence. Having him in front of me multiplied that ache by about a thousand. My fingers literally ached to touch him. My body trembled uncontrollably and it was difficult for me to breathe. In that moment I would have done anything, given anything to be with him again."
-Two Months Prior-
"Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like crap." Rosalie stated brushing her long blonde hair over her shoulder and frowning softly.
"I'm fine." Bella spoke firmly her eyes scanning the room.
"I bet you are." Rose stated rolling her eyes "I'm asking as a friend not as your lawyer. Bella are you going to be able to handle seeing Edward in court?"
"I don't really have a choice, Rose." Bella whispered "Mike has officially subpoenaed him. He is going to be here and I am going to have to face him."
"I could talk to the judge; even lie if I had to. There has to be some way that I can get you out of this. You look like you haven't slept in months."
"I just haven't been feeling well lately, that's all. It's probably just stress getting to me." Bella replied casually shrugging her shoulders. "And don't lie to the judge Rose; I don't need you to get into trouble for me."
Rose shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes. "I still think Mike is doing this to get a reaction out of you and Edward, more so than to prove anything."
"I don't even bother trying to decipher Mike's motives anymore." Bella muttered.
"I can't believe you were married to him, he is such a jerk."
"Rose." Bella whispered.
"Right, sorry." Rose stated smiling before looking at her watch. "Ten minutes till go time!"
Bella found the nerves filling her stomach and making their way up her throat. A small squeak escaped her lips and she saw Rose look at her, clearly concerned. Bella bolted from her seat, barely making it to the restroom before she emptied the contents of her stomach.
Flushing the toilet she rinsed her face in the sink, looking at herself in the mirror. Her eyes met those of Rose's who clearly looked concerned.
"You've been puking an awful lot lately, Bella. I think you need to make a doctor's appointment. I don't think that this is just stress. Just promise me that you will do it for me?"
"Fine," Bella sighed resigned.
--
Bella stood in front of the court door her hands shaking. She took a deep breath to calm the butterflies still fluttering in her stomach. Slowly she pushed open the door and entered the court room. Her eyes met those of Rose, who was smiling softly in encouragement. It seemed to help calm her.
She made her way to her seat, ignoring the glares she was receiving from Mike. Trying to take her mind off the fact that she would be seeing Edward, Bella talked quietly with Rose.
Bella could feel his presence before she even saw him, her body stiffened and she had to fight back her knee-jerk reaction to run. She felt Rose gently place her hand on her shoulder and Bella took a deep breath.
"Unbelievable." Rose muttered disgustedly.
Confused Bella turned to look where Rose was glaring and found her breath leave her. Edward stood in the back of the court, eyes downcast. He had a woman on his arm, which Bella assumed was Tanya.
"I can't do this." Bella sobbed softly to Rose. "I don't care if you have to lie, get me out of here." Bella could feel the revulsion rising in her throat and she had to choke back to keep herself from vomiting. How could he have brought her?
As if he heard her his eyes bolted upwards and met hers. Bella could feel her body trembling, feel herself gasping for breath. Tanya was tugging lightly on his arm, trying to get his attention but his eyes never left hers.
Bella was surprised to see the dark purple bags under his eyes, showing how truly tired he was. He looked thinner and she wondered if he had been eating. Her hands ached to run through his unruly hair, to graze along his face. Her fingers were throbbing.
Rose turned to look at Bella, brow furrowed as she spoke to her. Bella couldn't understand a word she was saying. She could see Edward mouthing something to her that she couldn't quite make out. Suddenly he was moving towards her, Tanya tugging on him to try and stop him, clearly angry.
He looked determined to talk to her and suddenly he was removing Tanya from his arm and making his way towards them stopping only when the guard stopped him. He looked defeated.
The judge entered and Edward sat a few rows back from her, a frown on his face, clearly upset that they didn't get to speak. Bella craned her neck around to look at him and she found him clearly staring back at her.
'I'm sorry.' He mouthed. He looked like he was going to cry.
"Bella!" Rose called causing Bella to jerk around to look at the front of the court room. Rose was up at the bench talking to the Judge and Mike's lawyer; all three of them watching the interaction.
"Request granted." The judge spoke and Rose smiled thanking him profusely. Rose approached the table looking between Bella and Edward.
"You are excused for the day." Rose whispered quietly so that only Bella could hear her. "I will walk you out and we will start when I return. If you want you can look at the transcripts or I can fill you in, either way you don't have to be here."
Rose gently grabbed Bella's hand and tugged her up, leading her through a side door in the front of the courtroom. Bella found herself turning around looking back her eyes meeting Edward's, who now stood, a look of agony on his face as he watched her leave.
"Bella," Rose called "come on, you need to get out of here."
Rose followed her line of sight and sighed softly. Bella could feel Rose tugging on her hand, trying to pull her away. She could see Tanya tugging on Edward who also stood frozen.
'I still love you.' Edward mouthed to her as the door shut behind her
Bella stood for a moment outside the courtroom. Rose had gone back inside, leaving Bella with instructions clearly telling her not to come back into the room. Bella found herself gasping in the clean air and forcing vomit down her throat. She wouldn't let Tanya get to her, taint her memories; no matter what Bella would always have those.
--
Bella and Rose sat in a booth at a local diner, neither saying a word. Bella found herself picking at the pie in front of her, nerves overwhelming her.
"Well," Rose sighed, her hands hitting the table causing Bella to jump lightly "I can see why you picked him."
"What?" Bella asked clearly confused.
"Edward," Rose stated "I can see why you picked him. Not only is he very attractive but he is very intelligent as well. I was concerned at first, especially seeing the way you two were looking at each other. Mike was hoping for some sort of scene and you two almost gave him one. There is a definite spark between you two. It was obvious to everyone and you two couldn't take your eyes off each other."
Rose's hands suddenly started to flutter through the air as she spoke emphatically. "But that's not what is important right this second I should be briefing you on what happened today." Rose pushed her empty pie plate away from her and smiled at Bella. "You were right, by the way. Edward had nothing but praises for your parenting skills. I believe the words ideal mother would sum it up. Every time he opened his mouth I saw Mike get just a bit angrier. It was perfect."
Rose looked at her for a moment contemplating something before continuing. "It's obvious he loves you."
"Yeah," Bella muttered angrily "he loves me so much he brought his wife to my trial."
"About that," Rose flinched slightly "Tanya had to take the stand as well."
"WHAT?" Bella growled.
"That was why she was there apparently. I honestly didn't know, if I had I would have warned you. Jessica wanted to try and portray you as a home wrecker; little did she know that they were still together and it backfired on her. I've never seen a lawyer look so flabbergasted, it was actually quite funny."
"It's not funny that Jessica is trying to portray me in a bad light," Bella grumbled.
"I know, I'm sorry," Rose stated. "But the look on her face was priceless." Rose suddenly looked nervous as she continued to speak. "You know I love you, right Bella?"
"You've only known me a month." Bella laughed.
"I know but you are kind of like a sister to me." Rose stated softly.
"I love you too, Rose. I don't know how I would be getting through all this without you. Why do you ask?"
Rose took a deep breath before reaching in her pocket and pulling out a few sheets of folded paper. Setting them on the table she looked up into Bella's eyes. "The reason I was late was because after we were excused Edward came up and talked to me, alone. He looks so lost and hopeless and he was crying and he begged me to give you this. I can't take girls crying let alone guys. He really is heartbroken, Bella."
When she didn't respond, Rose continued to speak.
"As your lawyer I would tell you not to read the letter, that you should break all contact for the sake of the trial. As your friend," Rose took a deep breath "I say you read it. I can see how much he loves you. He didn't even look at or touch Tanya the entire time. He just sat and stared at your empty chair looking like someone had kicked him in the gut. He may be having a baby with her, but he clearly wants you."
A gasp escaped Bella's lips and a few tears escaped her eyes. Rose put her hand on Bella's for a moment before sliding the note over in front of her.
"If you need me I will be right over there," Rose pointed to an empty stool at the bar.
Bella picked up the note and turned it around in her hands feeling the weight of the paper on her fingertips. Her hands shook as she unfolded it.
The Trial- EPOV
Subtitle: Last Hope
"Just one more time he says
As he crawls into his hole
I'm doing fine he says
As the tears fall down alone."
Guster-Cocoon
Edward stood in front of the mirror, his hands shaking so bad he could barely button up his shirt. Cursing softly under his breath he pulled his hands away squeezing them tightly trying to release the built up tension.
"Dude, you look like you are going to blow a gasket." Jasper stated shaking his head in amusement.
"Shut up, this is important." Edward growled.
"I know," Jasper stated "you are going to see Bella again, after two months. It's a big thing I get it." Jasper moved in front of him buttoning up his shirt. "If you tell anyone I did this for you I will seriously deny it."
Edward found himself chuckling softly at his friend. His mind drifted to the last time he had seen Bella and he instantly winced. Jasper seemed to notice and shook his head sighing. He hoped he wasn't getting on his friends nerves.
Edward had been staying at Jasper's for the past two weeks after moving out of his house. He couldn't take the constant fighting and bickering with Tanya and had simply stormed out. Tanya refused to include him on anything having to do with the baby. Assuming there was a baby.
After his conversation with his father, Edward was more than a little suspicious and as such had brought it to her attention. She had simply shrugged her shoulders and told him he was paranoid. It wasn't a good enough answer.
"Go get her tiger." Jasper stated slapping him on the shoulder.
"It's not like that." Edward frowned.
"Right," Jasper rolled his eyes at his friend. Edward chose not to counter him.
--
Edward made his way up the steps of the courthouse, scanning the crowd looking for Bella. He was momentarily stunned when he saw Tanya leaning against a pillar waiting for him.
"What are you doing here?" Edward growled. "Go home, Tanya."
"I can't," she replied smugly "I got a nice little subpoena as well."
"How did you manage that? This is a closed session; if you're lying they won't let you in."
Tanya pulled the papers from behind her back waving them in front of his face. "They want me to discuss Bella's effect on our marriage."
Edward stood shocked for a moment before grabbing her arm and pulling her off to the side. "I know your game Tanya. I swear to god if you say anything that makes Bella look bad you will regret it. What do you want?"
"You." Tanya replied "Move back home."
"I'm not sharing a bed with someone who refuses to be open and honest with me."
"I never said we had to share a bed," Tanya snapped, "I simply said you had to move back home."
"FINE," Edward growled. "Manipulative bitch," he muttered under his breath so she couldn't hear.
"What?" Tanya asked.
"Nothing, dear." Edward responded sighing as Tanya linked her arm with his and tugging him through the courthouse. They entered the court room and Edward kept his eyes down. Seeing him here with Tanya would look good for Bella, but would it hurt her?
He heard her lawyer mutter something disgustedly and felt his heart drop into his stomach. This was a very bad idea; he was going to hurt her even more than he already had. Could he do anything right?
Edward fought every muscle in his body not to run over to Bella and grab her, kiss her, hold her. He cast his eyes downward avoiding the hurt he knew he would see when he looked at Bella.
Losing the battle, Edward raised his eyes to meet hers and suddenly his knees were weak. He couldn't feel, think, or see anything other than her. She was trembling softly and he wanted to walk over and hold her, reassure her that everything would be okay.
Bella looked worn out, as if she had been fighting a long battle and couldn't fight any longer. Edward found himself wanting to protect her, to make sure that she was safe. Her face was tense and he could read the distress in her eyes.
Her lawyer was talking to her but she wasn't acknowledging her. Edward found himself needing to talk to her to explain.
'I'm so sorry.' He mouthed, frowning when she looked confused.
He found himself tugging his arm away from Tanya, making his way towards her. He needed her to be okay, needed her to understand, he needed to feel her. The closer he got to her, the more his heart beat telling him that he was alive.
'God I have missed her, missed this.' Edward thought before he found someone standing in front of him.
"I'm sorry sir but you are going to have to take your seat."
He found himself wanting to cry, to protest, to push past the man. He knew it would only get him in trouble, only make Bella look bad. Setting down, his eyes never left hers. Edward was unaware of anything else going on in the court room; all he could see was her.
Bella craned her neck around to look at him and his heart was in his throat. He momentarily wondered if he was going to cry, but forced himself to once again mouth the words praying she would understand.
'I'm sorry.'
Her lawyer called her name then, breaking both of them out of their trance and then Bella was standing. Edward found himself standing as well. He could feel the eyes of everyone else on him as he watched her make her way past the Judges' desk to a small door at the side.
She was leaving, and panic took over. He would never get to see her again and he couldn't let her walk out, just walk away. He went to move but his body wouldn't let him. Edward's knees felt weak and he wondered what would happen if they gave out on him.
Would Bella even care if he was okay?
The thought seemed to spur him to action and he found himself staring back into her brown eyes. The concern was written on Bella's face and he wondered if she could see the turmoil that was overtaking him.
Needing her to know, to understand he did the only thing he could think of. Feeling Tanya tugging on his arm he ignored her and made sure she was still looking at him.
'I still love you.' Edward mouthed, his body shaking with sincerity. He watched the door shut behind her and felt his knees give out, flopping him onto the bench.
"Well that was a nice scene," Tanya scowled clearly upset.
"Just shut up," Edward whispered not even looking at her "just leave me alone."
Edward didn't have to wait very long to be called to the stand. He placed his hand on the bible, looking out at the few people who sat before him. His eyes met those of Mike's whose smile seemed a little too happy.
He was going to do his best to wipe that away.
--
"Tell us about your relationship with Isabella Newton." Jessica stated pacing back and forth in front of Edward.
"Bella and I were close, she was my best friend. We were together almost every day because our kids were the same age and liked to play together."
"You were just friends?" Jessica questioned a snide smile on her face.
"Is that pertinent?" Edward responded looking to the Judge.
"Answer the question." The Judge frowned at what Edward assumed he knew was the answer.
"Bella and I were more than friends." Edward sighed his hand running through his hair. "I loved her."
"So you were having an affair?"
"Yes."
"Were the children present?"
"Objection." Edward heard Bella's lawyer call out. "Whether or not the children saw Edward and Bella kissing or being affectionate has no pertinence to how Bella is as a mother. I'm sure Alice saw Bella kissing Mike. So we can assume this makes her a bad mother?"
"Agreed." The Judge ruled. "Restate the question Mrs. Stanley."
"Did you and Bella ever leave the children alone?"
"Never." Edward replied "Even when they were napping we were present." A sigh escaped his lips and he looked down. "Most of the times we met up were while the children were in the care of friends or family."
Jessica seemed to look annoyed and she looked back at Mike for a second before turning back to Edward.
"Did you ever see Mrs. Newton raise her hand to her child?"
"No" Edward stated "Bella raised Alice exceptionally well. She was a wonderful mother. Her child is respectful and I don't think I ever saw her get in trouble once in the time I knew them. Bella loves Alice more than anything in the world and it clearly shows."
Jessica suddenly looked angry and Edward decided a bit desperate.
"And you never had sexual intercourse while the children were present? Never fucked her while the children were in the house?"
Edward's mouth opened in shock but she continued on.
"Tell me what type of behavior you did display in front of the children, Mr. Cullen? Did you grope her, touch her, and kiss her?"
"OBJECTION." Rosalie shouted "Edward already answered the question on his relationship with Bella, Jessica is badgering the witness."
"Agreed." The Judge looked at Jessica. "Mrs. Stanley watch yourself!"
Jessica scowled at Rosalie for a moment. "No further questions."
Rosalie stood up looking at Edward for a moment.
"Do you have anything you would like to add to what you have said, Edward?"
Edward nodded looking up at Rose and frowning at the scowl she had on her face.
"Bella is a wonderful mother. The fact that it is even being questioned astonishes me. She loves Alice with all of her heart and to take Alice away from her would be a disservice not only to Bella but to Alice as well. Alice is her world, the light of her life, and Bella would do anything for her. I've seen Bella interact with Alice but also with my own child."
Edward looked up at Tanya who looked angrier and angrier by the minute.
"There is no question in my mind that this is an absurd case that is caused by a husband who is shamed by the fact that his wife had an affair with another man. Don't punish Bella and Alice because I fell in love with her, it wouldn't be fair to either of them. They need each other."
The court room was quiet.
"No further questions your honor." Rose spoke softly.
Edward made his way back to his seat. Tanya looked over at him a sneer on her face.
"Remember our deal." Edward muttered under his breath, his eyes boring into hers. "Don't lash out at me by hurting Bella, you will regret it."
He found his eyes settling where Bella was just sitting. She had left and he hadn't gotten to talk to her, touch her. His chest hurt.
--
Edward stood behind Bella's lawyer waiting for her to acknowledge him; finally she turned around and looked at him.
"I would ask you what the hell you were doing bringing your wife but I see you had no choice."
"Is Bella alright?" Edward asked softly.
"She will be fine," Rose responded. "Eventually." She muttered under her breath.
"I'm Edward by the way." Edward stated sticking his hand out to shake hers.
"I know who you are." Rose responded sighing as she looked at him "I'm Rosalie Hale."
"Rosalie," Edward's voice shook "please do me a favor and make sure to take care of her. She looks so tired, so helpless. She could use a friend like you to care for her even if she says she doesn't need it."
Rose looked up at him surprised and questioning.
"I really do love her." Edward whispered his voice cracking. "I love her more than I think you will ever realize." Tears began to fall down his face but Edward couldn't seem to force himself to care.
"My life means nothing if she isn't okay." Tears continued to fall and suddenly Edward felt desperate to see Bella, to talk to her.
"I need to see her, to talk to her." He begged.
"I don't think that is a good idea." Rose answered shrugging.
Edward looked around him for a moment his eyes landing on the legal pad on the desk.
"If I write her a letter will you give it to her?"
"Edward," Rose spoke trying to deny him. He felt like his knees might buckle and his body shook as he looked at Rose.
"Please," Edward begged softly "you're my last hope, my only hope. Please."
A sigh escaped Rose's lips as she held out a pen to him. "You have ten minutes."
Thanks to all of you who reviewed, added to your alerts, or made this story a favorite! You guys are amazing! The Sneak Peek idea is a hit so I am going to continue sending those out, so be looking for them in your inbox!
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