Twilight…not mine (sigh).

Chapter 189

EPOV

I was out Christmas shopping with Bella. It had been a few days since the jury took over the case of Aro Volturi. My girl had been a nervous wreck but hid it fairly well, having extra sessions with Irina, writing her story and partaking in some significant retail therapy. We had just finished getting presents for Alice and Rose when my cell phone rang from my pocket.

"Hello?" I said, twining my fingers with Bella's. She gazed up at me with wary eyes.

"Edward, it's Phil. The jury's back," he said brusquely. "They're going to read the verdict tomorrow. Be at the courthouse by nine thirty, the case is going to resume at ten."

"So, tomorrow at ten?" I asked to clarify.

"Yep. Soon everything will be behind you and your girlfriend," Phil said.

"We'll be there, Phil," I said, smirking slightly. "Thank you." I hung up the phone and wrapped my arm around Bella. "Jury's back. Tomorrow, we're going to find out if Aro is presumed innocent or found guilty."

"Can we go back home?" she asked. "Back to your place?"

"Sure, piccolo," I whispered, guiding her out of the mall and toward her car. She pressed her keys into my palm. Helping her into the passenger seat, I put our purchases into the trunk and drove back to my condo.

"Do you have wrapping paper? I want to start wrapping the presents we bought," she asked, staring blankly out the window.

"I don't even own a Christmas tree," I chuckled. "The past few years, I'd been on assignment and hadn't been in my condo."

"Oh, that needs to be remedied," Bella said, arching a brow. "You're home now and you deserve a Christmas tree, decorations and the whole nine yards."

"I thought you wanted to go back to my condo?" I asked.

"That was before I found out you were a Scrooge." She punched a few numbers and soon her GPS was directing me to this huge holiday outlet. She sent a text to Emmett, asking him to bring his Hummer for any possible purchases we made. Three hours and several thousand dollars later, Bella and I were back in my condo, decorating the living room with a seven foot tall artificial tree with colorful twinkle lights, festive smelling candles, snowmen, Santa Claus décor, and reindeer. My place looked like a Christmas card. The décor was festive but not gaudy. I even had a small tree for my bedroom. Bella was putting some tiny ornaments on it as I was putting the holiday decorations up in the guest bathroom. "Edward?"

"Yeah," I replied, walking into my bedroom. "Wow! This looks beautiful, Bella. Thank you!" She was seated on my bed, which had strands of lights behind the headboard along with some sheer fabric over the top. She was blushing. "Everything okay, love?"

She blew out a breath before looking up at me. "On Christmas, I want to try," she murmured, staring into my eyes. She looked around the room and her blush deepened. "I want you to make love to me, Edward. I miss you. I miss us. I miss your touch. That night when you caressed my scars; it was so hard but it made me yearn for your touch again."

"Bella, I don't want you to push yourself too far," I said, sitting down across from her and taking her dainty hands in mine. "We've got a couple of weeks before Christmas."

"That's why I'm telling you now," she said, giving me a shy smile. "I want to fool around some more. Making out is amazing and touching each other over the clothes is great, but I want to move forward. Can we do that?"

"We can definitely try, Little One," I said, crawling over to the side to lay down.

"Now?" she smirked, moving to lay with me.

I laughed, kissing her lips softly and somewhat surprised at her eagerness. "No time like the present," I whispered before covering her mouth with mine. That night was somewhat successful. Bella lost her shirt and allowed me to touch her breasts over her bra. It all came to a screeching halt, though when she brushed her hand along my arousal. She wasn't ready for that. I honestly didn't blame her. After what she had gone through, I'm surprised that she's even ready to try. Just like her, I was aching for her touch, but I knew what it was like to fear the most basic of things…human affection.

She did end up spending the night with me, feeling guilty and inadequate about her reaction to feeling my erection but I refused to let her fall down that hole. I made her laugh and we watched some stupid movie to stop her from dwelling on the fact that my penis freaked her out. Thankfully, she had some clothes here from before she moved out. We didn't have to drive to her condo to get clothes for her.

The next morning was sunny but really cold. I wore a dark gray suit while Bella was in a black skirt, sweater and a pair of boots that reached her knees. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail and her makeup was simple and elegant. "You ready, Bella?" I asked, spraying on some cologne.

"I want to know what they said," she whispered, slipping on her promise ring. "I want to know if they believe that Aro is as guilty as the evidence reveals. I want to know if he's going to die for his crimes." Tears spilled over onto her cheeks. I wrapped her in my arms, kissing her hair. "I need him to die, Edward. I don't know if I can…"

"He will, piccolo," I murmured. "His defense was non-existent. Phil is the best US Attorney on the west coast. Aro is going to die for his numerous crimes. And no matter what, I'll be next to you and I love you, Little One." She let out a shuddered sigh and nodded against my chest.

"I love you, too, prottetore," she said. I kissed her briefly before helping her into her coat. I did the same and we went down to her the basement to get into her car. I drove us to the courthouse. Bella was anxiously twisting her ring or nibbling on her lip. I threaded my fingers with hers, brushing my thumb across her knuckles until I parked the car. Walking briskly, we entered through the side entrance and were ushered into the courtroom. Everyone was there: Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Alice, Rose, Emmett, Carmen, Eleazar, Emmett's parents, Jessica and her boyfriend, Mike, Bella's advisor from school, Shelly, the nurse from hospital in Portland, Irina, Kate and Charlie. Charlie was here? Bella squeaked when she saw her father, running as best as she could to him. He enfolded her into his arms, murmuring in Italian.

Walking up to my adoptive father, I smiled. "Dad, how did you…?"

"Phil did," Carlisle responded. "He knew how much she would need her father for this moment. It's only for the reading of the verdict and lunch here at the courthouse before going back to Sheridan."

Bella turned to me, taking my hand and dragging me to sit on the other side of her. She was sandwiched between me and her dad. Her fingers were threaded with both mine and her father's. Charlie gave me a watery smile. I gave him a nod, returning his grin before looking forward as Phil, Brianne and Miss Gregory, Aro's attorney, walked in. Aro was brought in after that, wearing a suit and an empty expression in his eyes. Bella growled lowly next to me. I released her hand, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. She snuggled against me, reaching for my other hand and gripping it almost painfully.

The jury filed in, looking weary and somewhat bedraggled. They had been sequestered the entire time the trial was going on. I'm certain that they were looking forward to being with their families once this was done. The bailiffs announced the arrival of the judge and court was brought to order. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?" asked the judge.

The foreman stood up, nodding emphatically. "We have your honor." He handed the verdict to the bailiff who brought it to the judge, scanning it briefly, keeping his face impassive.

"Will the defendant please rise?" the judge commanded, glaring at Aro. "How does the jury find?"

"The jury finds Aro Volturi guilty on all counts of the indictment," the foreman replied.

"And in regards to sentencing? What is your recommendation for his sentencing? Life in prison or death by lethal injection?" asked the judge.

"Death," the foreman said sternly.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Your service is appreciated and you are free to go. Bailiff, please take the defendant into custody and prepare him for transfer to Terre Haute," the judge barked. Aro was led away, completely flummoxed by the verdict and subsequent sentence. The judge's eyes softened when he looked at my girl, who was crying softly next to me. "Miss del Cigno, I pray that this is the closure you need to move on with your life. I wish you all the best."

"Thank you, your honor," she said, her voice wavering from crying. The judge nodded before getting up from the bench and walking back into his chambers.

"Are you okay, principessa?" Charlie asked, caressing Bella's cheek.

She turned to her father and then to me, smiling at both of us. "I am. One chapter of my life is closing and I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things," she replied. It was quiet but the confidence that I remembered from when I first met her was coming back.

A/N: Who is doing a jig over the fact that Aro is going to die? *Raises hand* ~ this girl! What a douchebag! Anyhow, we're getting close to wrapping things up. We've got Christmas/lemons, Edward's move to Boston and then what I've got planned for the ending…leave me lovin!