OTA 31
Disclaimer- please accept my disclaimer from last chapter, as I am far too lazy to write an imaginative one this time...
It rained for the 8 weeks that it took for Bella's case to be presented to the Law Tribunal. It was almost like mother nature was weeping for the fact that Bella had quite literally fucked up her life.
Bella remained a shut in for that time, her friends advising her that keeping a low profile was best.
Edward visited every few days, always kissing her first, then kissing her still flat belly and telling "peanut" little stories. He had wanted to move in with her and make sure she was coping with the turn of events, but discretion dictated that this would most likely inflame the situation in the tribunal were to find out. Begrudgingly he had limited his visits. It had not stopped him from Skyping with her for hours.
After all, he was unemployed at present. Aro had been a complete "Pillock" in Edwards' words and they had actually mock killed off his on air DJ character. The new guy was pretty good, and swore a lot less. Edward was grateful that Emmett had taken his position.
The day of the court case was the first sunny day that had dawned in many months.
Bella's belly also chose that day to suddenly appear, as if by magic, overnight. Little peanut was 14 weeks and seemed to be quite content, Bella experiencing very few pregnancy symptoms, other than a ridiculous craving for Nutella, which she discovered came in little takeaway packets with a mini spoon attached. She had six of these little packets of nutty goodness in her handbag at present.
Shit if she was going to prison they would have to tear those packets out of her cold dead hands. She tried not to think about this as they made their way into the closed session.
Judge Laurent and Judge Peters were meeting with her in a formal, but in chambers session.
It went by in a blur.
Rose defended Bella's actions. She was innocent. She was drugged. Footage was supplied of Victoria and her co-conspirator slipping small pills into both Edward and Bella's drinks. Bella watched as the blurry figures jaggedly motions were filmed, from one security camera to the next.
Affidavits were read from the marriage celebrant who had performed the wedding ceremony. Against his better judgment he had agreed to marry the couple. Bella had been informed that it was the same celebrant who had married Brittany Spears to that guy that no one can remember his name. Rose had said that she didn't think he cared too much about the "impairment" component of the marriage vows. In hindsight the celebrant agreed that Victoria seemed to be leading the couple and egging them on into getting married.
The hotel room had been arranged by Victoria and she had even taken Edward's wallet to pay for the room. The list of charges against Victoria were mounting. Rose's case had Bella looking like she was an angel. The medical evidence backed this up.
The immaculate conception was discussed at length, Judge Laurent and Peters both grilling Bella's doctor about the likelihood of such an event occurring. Apparently sperm are designed to swim great distances. Determined little buggers.
Four hours later they were all dismissed, while both judges took the case under advisement.
Rose felt fairly positive. Bella felt nauseated for the first time. Alice was playing devils advocate and trying to find any holes that the judges might find. Edward was nervous and kept pacing back and forth. They had all come back to Bella's house. It could be days before they heard anything.
Which was why it was so surprising when they heard back from the Judges only two hours later.
"This is good Bella, you know the golden rule, a short decision is the one in your favour." Rose was trying to cheer up Bella, who was looking more pale with every passing second.
The ride back to the courthouse seemed to take forever.
Once back in chambers they were put mercifully out of their misery. At least Judge Laurent was not a reality TV host where the winners name was dragged out in a montage of events for an hour.
He seemed to understand the delicateness of Bella's position.
"This case has been rather extraordinary Miss Swan, but we see that unfortunately you and Mr Cullen are both victims of your circumstances. We see no reason to take this further, but advise for you to keep this quiet. The perpetrators of course have surmountable evidence piling up against them and you will be required to bear witness in a court of law in regards to their case. It will be a closed court. We see no reason for your reputation to be sullied further. You have done a good job with this man and I wish you well for the future."
Bella breathed an audible sigh of relief.
"Do we have to get an annulment?"
"Miss Swan the validity of your marriage is questionable given your impaired state and an annulment wouldn't be denied in this case. However, and this is off the record, Zafrina seems to think that you have a long and happy marriage ahead of you. And I always bet on Zafrina. The romantics in the world will think that love has prevailed. At this stage if I ever see you back again in my court room in relation to this case it had better be because you are naming the child after me. Are we clear?"
"Yes Judge Laurent" She thanked both of the judges and they were dismissed.
All parties were silent in their respective vehicles.
Silent until they finally made their way to Edward's house.
Even then they waited until they were inside.
"Holy shit Bells its over!" Alice jumped up and down and hugged Bella exuberantly.
Bella felt like she was going to fall over. Little peanut was blowing fishbowl bubbles in excitement in her belly. It was all strangely comforting that the baby chose this moment to let the world know it was real. She walked to Edward and placed his hand on her stomach. Peanut let it's little presence be felt by its father. Edward smiled a crazy goofy smile.
Lost in their own little world it was only when Rose dropped the glass of champagne that she was sipping and uttered an expletive.
"Fuck."
"Yes you are you mob of fuckers. Sit on the fucking couch and tell me how the hell this has blown up in my face when you dipshits are the arseholes who have fucked up my life."
It was Victoria.
With a gun.
-OtA-
All errors in this chapter are mine, and I am assuming there are many. I apologize for the long drink between chapters. The muse left me. Fucking muses, they suck dogs nuts sometimes.