So many thoughts filled her mind as Willow entered the courthouse, allowing her feet to lead her to the room in which Nelle's arraignment would be taking place. She thought of her little boy who had been used as a prop by her when he died shortly after he was born. She thought of Aaron, Michael's little boy, who still suffers because his mother is a manipulative witch who only wants to make things difficult for his family. She thought of all of the pain Nelle's caused since she brought her special brand of crazy to Port Charles, and she wanted to see her punished for it. She wanted to watch the woman who hurt her friend and disrespected her dead newborn be sent to Pentonville, hopefully for the rest of her miserable life.
'If there's any justice in the world, that bitch will be behind bars by the end of the day,' apparently, Maternal Willow was feeling vicious today.
'We said the same thing about Shiloh and look at what happened,' Sad Willow chimed in.
Rational Willow took her opportunity to speak up: 'You know that that was different. Shiloh hid behind a charming face and had dozens of people who were willing to step up and defend him. Nelle screams crazy and nearly everyone in Port Charles wants to watch her get what she deserves again.'
"Shut up," Willow muttered. She really wished that those other personalities of hers had a mute button.
"Willow?"
Willow's head rose, her eyes meeting Nina's familiar blue.
Nina was smiling at her, dressed in a long, button-up coat concealing another of her beautiful Crimson dresses. From what Willow could see, the fashion CEO opted for a green one today. On her feet were a set of heels in the same color.
"Nina? What are you doing here?" Willow asked, walking towards her.
"I came to give you some moral support. I know that you want to support Michael and his family and watch Nelle be sent back to Pentonville. I know that his mother is here and later on he will be, but I wanted to be with you, too," Nina answered.
Willow nodded and it was then that she noticed an older woman standing beside Nina. She appeared to be somewhere in her 50's or 60's with long, wavy reddish brown hair and blue eyes. She wore the same black button-up coat, though from Willow's point of view, the woman seemed to enjoy flashier colors as her heels and her dress were a bright red, nearly the same color as the magazine Nina owned.
"Hello," Willow spoke, staring at the woman.
"Oh!" Nina flushed a bit as she realized that she never introduced the pair. "Willow, this is my aunt, Liesl Obrecht. Aunt Liesl, this is my d—" she cut herself off before she could finish the word. Willow didn't know that she was her daughter yet, let alone that she was even adopted! "Dear friend, Willow Tait. She was Charlotte's teacher."
Willow furrowed her brows. What was with the interruption? Was she really going to say dear?
'Now that is suspicious,' Rational Willow commented. Willow was inclined to agree with her.
Obrecht smiled warmly at Willow. "Hello, Willow!" She greeted the younger brunette in her heavy German accent. "It is so nice to finally meet you! Nina has been singing your praises since you have formed your friendship!"
Nina heaved an exasperated sigh while Willow blushed a little. "Thank you—" now she was the one to trail off. She wasn't sure what to call Nina's aunt.
"Liesl is fine, dear."
"Okay. Thank you, Liesl. It's nice to meet you, too."
"Are you ready to watch Nelle's arraignment, Willow?" Nina asked.
Obrecht's eyes darkened and her smile fell, ice replacing the warmth on her face. "Nelle," she hissed. "Diese Hündin."
Nina looked at her. "Aunt Liesl," she warned.
"Yes, yes," Obrecht waved off her niece's rebuke. "I know, keep the peace, don't cause a scene, and whatnot."
Willow smiled while Nina groaned.
"Let's go," Nina said, and the three women walked into the courtroom to hear the tail end of Nelle's conversation with Carly Corinthos, Michael's mother and Aaron's grandmother.
"Put Aaron first for once," Carly was saying as Willow, Nina, and Obrecht approached.
"Well, that's exactly what I'm doing by fighting to stay with my son," Nelle told the older blonde standing before her. Her eyes sparked when she caught sight of Willow. "After all, we wouldn't even be in this mess had another woman not given up her child. I'm not going to make things worse by repeating her mistakes," though her voice was cordial to the untrained ear, those who knew of Nelle's history could hear the sinister undertones. Going for Willow's weak spot was just another tactic for causing more trouble.
Her comments earned poisonous glares from Carly, Nina, and Obrecht. Willow just scoffed, her eyes rolling to focus on the ground. The audacity of this woman never ceases to amaze her.
"Hündin," Obrecht muttered. Nina didn't bother to admonish her this time. Nelle deserved far worse than just "bitch" as an insult for throwing her grandson back in her daughter's face.
Carly turned to face Willow. "I'm so sorry that you had to hear that," she told her, gazing at the grieving mother with sympathy.
"It's fine," Willow said coolly. "From what I understand, she's a narcissist and a sociopath. I'm sure she can't help herself."
Nelle scoffed, shooting Willow a sarcastic smile.
"You know, this is just an arraignment. You don't have to be here," Carly told her.
"I had to see Nelle get sent back to Pentonville with my own eyes."
Nelle's eyebrows rose to her hairline at Willow's reply. "Looks like Snow White isn't as pure as everyone thinks," she commented.
"Purer than you, Evil Queen," Willow returned the blonde's jab with one of her own, eyes boring into Nelle's with equal scorn.
From beside Willow, Nina and Obrecht beamed with pride. Their girl was a fighter and it showed with each and every interaction with Nelle.
Michael stepped inside the courtroom, having finally arrived. "Hey," he said, catching the attention of everyone present. "How are you doing?" He placed a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder, staring at his friend in concern. It meant so much for her to be there, supporting them, but it wasn't easy for her. He couldn't imagine what was going through her head now that she was in the same room with the woman who let her believe her son was alive all these months.
"I'm fine, but we should talk later," Willow reassured him, earning a nod from the Quartermaine heir.
"Michael," Nelle stepped closer to where the group congregated, her face curious and, dare Willow say it, even concerned. "How is our son? Did you tell him I love him?"
Her question resulted in several eyerolls from Carly, Willow, and Nina, another muttered German curse from Obrecht, and an exasperated sigh from Michael.
Ignoring Nelle, Michael spoke to Willow, "Listen, about last night…"
He was interrupted by the bailiff: "All rise! This court is now in session, the honorable Judge Pierce presiding."
"You may be seated," Judge Pierce said as he got situated.
Michael, Carly, Nina, Obrecht, and Willow all settled into one side of the court while Nelle and her lawyer did the same. Willow recognized her lawyer. It was Zahra Amir, the same bitch who represented Shiloh when they thought Aaron was Wiley and he was suing her for custody. Since the revelation and his arrest for sexual assault and exploitation, the bastard had been imprisoned in Pentonville. Willow hoped that he stayed there for the rest of his life. Death was too good for him; the psychotic rapist deserved to rot in confinement.
Willow was startled when she felt a hand rest on her own. Looking to her right she saw Nina, staring at her in concern. Glancing down at her lap, she noticed that her knuckles were white from how tightly she was clenching them. She relaxed her fist, stretching out her fingers and allowing Nina to hold them.
Returning her gaze to the older woman, Willow offered her a smile, one that Nina wholeheartedly matched.
Judge Pierce's voice drew Willow's attention as he began: "The matter of the people vs. Nelle Benson…on the charges of assault and possession of forged documents, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty, Your Honor."
"Noted. Now to the matter of bail."
"Your Honor, the people move that bail be denied altogether," the prosecuting attorney stated as she rose from her seat. "The defendant was apprehended attempting to break parole by leaving the country with a stolen baby after assaulting the caregiver. Given that she's charged with possession of forged passports for her and the child, she's clearly a flight risk."
"Miss Amir. Thoughts?"
"We agree that bail should not be an issue, Your Honor. Motion to dismiss all charges."
Willow's hatred for this woman flared and she clenched her fingers tightly around Nina's. How dare she? It was bad enough that she represented Shiloh and tried to get him rights to a baby that wasn't his! Now she wanted to acquit Nelle?!
Willow shared an angered, disbelieving look with Michael before his eyes moved to stare stoically ahead at the defendant's table as Zahra began to stand, no doubt looking to inflict more pain.
"Your Honor, my client is charged based on the accusation made by one woman, a woman whose accusation is riddled with inconsistencies."
"Swine," Obrecht muttered while Nina only growled at the attorney's claim that her daughter was lying about being attacked.
"Are you saying that Miss Tait's unreliable due to a head injury caused by the defendant?" The prosecutor asked, incredulity causing her voice to pitch. "That's some landmark victim blaming."
"The simple truth is there was no forced entry," Zahra replied. "The alleged victim allowed the defendant into her home."
Willow angrily shook her head. She knew exactly who Nelle was and what she did. She never would have let her into her home, especially when there were children involved.
"Not according to the victim's statement in which she states she tried to close the door but was unable to do so," the other female lawyer protested, walking up to the judge's bench.
"Well, can the prosecution provide proof that substantiates the assault charge?" Judge Pierce asked.
"Absolutely," the prosecutor confirmed as she strode over to her table and picked up a folder. "We have Miss Tait's medical records from the night in question."
"That confirms she had a concussion, but not how," Zahra said.
"We have a witness statement from Michael Corinthos."
"Who bonded with the child while my client anguished in jail."
"For murdering her former fiancé and attempting to kill Mr. Corinthos!"
"Crimes to which she pled no contest."
"Which is tantamount to a conviction, and to crimes she took responsibility for during her first parole hearing."
Willow sighed, placing her free hand on her forehead. The lobbying between the attorneys was beginning to give her whiplash. Or maybe that was a lingering side effect from the concussion she suffered when she "allowed the defendant into her home."
'Bitch,' Rational Willow hissed.
"What else you got?" Judge Pierce inquired.
"A statement from Detective Harrison Chase," Willow watched Nelle roll her eyes and flip her hands at that name.
"Who is the alleged victim's boyfriend and whose apartment the alleged crime happened in. The conflicts of interest abound, Your Honor," Zahra claimed.
"The assault charge is dismissed without prejudice. You are free to refile should the evidence present itself," Judge Pierce ruled, much to the outrage of those present on Willow's side.
"Unfähiger Narr," Obrecht growled, eyes flashing. Her great-niece was attacked and the judge was actually choosing to dismiss that?! Nelle's defense attorney was pulling arguments out of her ass, while the prosecution had proof!
Nina's jaw set and she was the one clenching Willow's hand this time. Her daughter had been injured when that psycho forced her way into Chase's apartment! Self-control was the only thing preventing her from flying out of her seat and attacking Nelle, her lawyer, and this idiot judge for neglecting the fact that Willow had a concussion and had to spend the night in the hospital!
Willow felt Nina's tight grip on her hand and heard Obrecht's growl. She didn't know why exactly they were reacting so strongly to the judge dismissing her assault, but it touched her all the same. When you had her in your corner, Nina Reeves was a protective and formidable woman who would do anything she could for those she loved, and it was obvious to her that Liesl Obrecht was the same.
'It must run in their family,' she thought.
"Speaking of presenting, the prosecution has failed to hand over the so-called forged travel documents for the defense's examination," Zahra pointed out.
"And why is that?" Judge Pierce questioned, staring at the other female lawyer and Robert Scorpio, the latter having been a distinguished WSB agent and spy before becoming a district attorney himself.
"There's been a mix up, Your Honor," Robert claimed as he stood from his seat at the prosecution table.
"The PCPD evidence room seems to have misplaced the documents," the female prosecutor confirmed Robert's statement as they stood side by side.
"The charge is possession of forged documents, is it not?" Judge Pierce asked.
The female prosecutor nodded. "It is, Your Honor, and further evidence of attempted abduction."
"And the PCPD isn't in possession of these allegedly forged documents?"
Willow felt sick to her stomach. She knew by the judge's tone, as well as by his earlier dismissal of the assault charge, that Nelle could very well walk out of here with her freedom, freedom that she didn't deserve.
"Your Honor, the evidence was logged in per regulations, but not in its assigned bin when I arrived to check on it this morning. I'm certain it can be located," the female prosecutor was rather confident in her answer, but Willow felt like she was fighting a battle that's already been lost.
All of her fears were confirmed by the judge's response: "Well, get back to me when it does. Until then: no evidence, no charges. The motion to dismiss is granted. I need a recess." With a resounding bang of his gavel, court was adjourned.
Willow could barely hear the cries of outrage from Nina and Obrecht or the conversation between Robert and Carly or even the little celebration between Nelle and her lawyer. Instead, she rose from her seat and rushed out of the room, finding that the sickness in her stomach had risen to a roiling nausea. She managed to locate the bathroom and fell to her knees just as her meager breakfast from that morning escaped from her throat and into the toilet bowl. As she retched, several memories slammed against her head.
Willow had just incapacitated Nelle when she heard Wiley's cries. "Wiley!" She rushed to his playpen and smiled down at her baby when she felt something hit the back of her head. She collapsed to the floor of Chase's apartment, blacking out completely just as she saw Nelle pick up the baby and slip out of the door.
"Wiley isn't your son. Nelle and Michael are his birth parents."
"Brad placed Wiley in a crib and when he came back to check on him a short time later, he wasn't breathing. Brad tried to do infant CPR, but the baby was unresponsive."
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no. No. NO, NOOO."
"No, no, no," Willow was mumbling. She felt two sets of hands on her, one pulling her hair back and one rubbing her back and shoulders in an attempt to soothe her.
"Willow. Willow, honey, it's me. It's Nina. Aunt Liesl and I are with you. You're going to be fine."
"No," Willow rasped. "No, I'm not going to be fine. Nelle got acquitted. Nothing is going to be fine."
She was free. That baby-stealing, heartless bitch was actually free!
"Ich werde diese Schlampe in Stücke reißen."
Willow dry heaved a few times before she rose her head, barely noticing Nina reach over and flush the toilet. She slumped into herself. Nelle going back to Pentonville to pay for what she did to Aaron, to Michael, to Wiley was really the only kind of hope she had to cope with this hell she found herself in. Now that that was gone, what hope did she have?
She felt warm hands on her face as they lifted her head. In seconds, she was gazing into Nina's eyes. She felt Obrecht at her back, smoothing down her hair.
"I know where your head is at right now, and I'm telling you that you can't let yourself go to that place," Nina was gentle but firm in her approach. "Nelle got acquitted, yes, that is true. It's unfair and it's a serious miscarriage of justice on the court's part, but it is not the end. You still have us and one of these days, Nelle will pay for her crimes, I promise you that."
"How can you possibly promise that? She's been getting away with everything for years. She killed her former fiancé, almost ruined Chase's career, and she tried to kill Michael! And that's not even considering all her other crimes, including switching my—" Willow felt bile rising in her throat at the reminder of what happened to her baby boy, but she swallowed it down. It was bitter and left a bad taste in her mouth, but so did remembering Wiley's short, short life.
"Willow," this time Obrecht caught her attention, moving from behind her to kneel by her side. "Meine Nichte is correct. Justice will be swift for Nelle. It may not have been today, but it will happen. Until it does, we will support you. You are family to us now, Willow, and that is what family does."
Willow closed her eyes. You are family to us now. It reminded her so much of Michael with his words you will always have a place in my family, but it felt different somehow coming from Obrecht.
Willow nodded, gathering herself before opening her eyes. "Okay," she said. "Okay, I'm ready."
Nina and Obrecht helped Willow up off of the tiled floor and led her out of the bathroom. They weren't physically supporting her, but they stood on either side of her. As they returned to the court lobby, they heard Nelle speaking to Michael and Carly.
"I have been unjustly kept from my child long enough and I am filing for full, sole custody."
"You can't be serious," Willow let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Excuse me?" Nelle turned to face Willow, her brows raised in offense.
Willow walked closer, her gaze trained on Nelle. "You killed your former fiancé by letting him drown when you knew he couldn't swim, tried to drive your son's grandmother crazy before he was born, tried to kill your son's father in a car crash, and then after giving birth, you switched my dead baby with your own so that you could further torture Michael and his family by letting them grieve a child that was still alive! You think the court will grant a psychotic bitch full, sole custody of an innocent child?" She was calm, but the venom in her voice was enough to clue anyone in to the rage building within.
Nelle smirked at her. "If you haven't noticed," she began in a falsely diplomatic tone. "I was acquitted on those charges. I'm a free woman, and since I am, I want my son. I belong with him, and he belongs with me."
The voices inside of Willow's head roared with fury and she stepped closer, glaring hatefully at the blonde. "Aaron belongs with his father and you belong in Hell," her voice was a hard whisper.
Nelle's smirk only widened. She loved watching Snow White, this perfect, morally self-righteous woman who represented everything she wanted but didn't have, lose control. The rage on Willow's face was priceless, her furious words sweet, sweet music to Nelle's ears. She was going to have so much fun learning what made Willow Tait tick.
"I'll see you in court," Nelle directed towards Michael, throwing him and Willow a victorious grin before exiting the courthouse.
Willow closed her eyes. She had to do something to help protect Aaron. She couldn't protect Wiley from anyone: not Shiloh, not Nelle, not even Death. Despite her best efforts, her little boy was out of her reach and not in the safety of people who love him. She won't repeat the same failure with Aaron.