Once again I was seated in court, although this time I was at the defendant’s table with my attorney.
Rose was unable to come with me today. She made up some excuse about a project for work, but I knew she was up to something. She’d been very secretive. The more I thought about it, I realized I probably didn’t want to know.
Emmett was seated behind me with Chip, whose full name, I discovered, was Brian Carter. The courtroom was beginning to fill up with others who were also on the docket today.
As expected, Ms. Chance arrived dressed for drinks and dancing at the Starlight disco lounge out by the airport.
Maybe she’s hoping to get lucky later?
I shuddered at the thought of how drunk some poor guy would have to be to find her attractive.
I felt a warm hand pat my shoulder. I looked back and saw Charlie and Father Pat now sitting beside Emmett.
I gave them both a grateful smile.
I watched the judge take his seat. He was an elderly gray-haired man with a kind face. Unlike the court cases I’d seen on television, this would be decided by a judge, not a jury. I said a silent prayer that he would be fair.
The ranger made his statement first. He seemed a little nervous, then I remembered that my incredible hulk of a brother was behind me. He definitely got an eyeful of Emmett.
Even if he was nervous, it didn’t stop him from lying through his teeth. He claimed that I was speeding through the park like a maniac. After he ‘pulled me over’, I supposedly yelled profanities at him and pulled away while he had his hand on my vehicle, an action that is classified as ‘assault on an officer’.
As I sat there listening, I realized that the only truthful part of his entire statement had been when he gave his name at the beginning.
Wendy stood and read my sworn statement, then she questioned the ranger.
“Ranger Kershner, isn’t it true that Miss Swan was never speeding, and that when you first saw her, her vehicle was parked and she wasn’t even in it?”
“No. I already said what happened. Miss Swan is not being truthful.” He answered smugly.
Wendy nodded, a serious expression on her face. “So, you didn’t approach Miss Swan and make inappropriate remarks to her about her relationship with Edward Masen?”
“No I did not.”
“You didn’t then proposition her in a way that can only be viewed as sexual harassment, and grab her arm when she attempted to flee?”
“No. Miss Swan has a vivid imagination.” He smirked.
“So, just for the record Ranger, you never touched her and you never sexually harassed her?”
“That’s correct, I never did those things.”
“Thank you. No more questions.”
Wendy called a young woman to the stand. A witness from the gas station.
“Mrs. McCann, would you please tell the judge why you were at the gas station, and what you witnessed that day.”
“I had just come out of the shop, according to my husband we needed more snacks for the big game. Anyway, I came around the corner and saw Miss Swan pull her car in slowly and park next to mine. The ranger car came tearing in behind her and parked diagonally, effectively blocking her car and mine from leaving.”
“The ranger was really pissed. Oh, sorry, he was really angry. He yelled for Miss Swan to get out of the car, and she did. She tried to run into the shop, but he grabbed her. I felt sorry for her, despite what the internet says about her, no one should be treated like that.”
Jeebus, everyone has an opinion about me.
Geri Chance objected to Mrs. McCann including her opinion in the testimony, so of course that part was stricken. She then proceeded to pontificate on the difficulties poor Ranger Kershner faced while trying to do his job.
“Suffice it to say that the court has no interest in Mrs. McCann’s opinion of what she witnessed at the gas station, just the facts of what she saw.”
“Your honor, none of us saw the assault upon Ranger Kershner, but we cannot find fault that he used force when taking Miss Swan into custody. She’d already proven herself to be dangerous.”
Wendy remained completely calm, actually sporting a serene smile on her face through all of Ms. Chance’s ridiculous remarks.
Finally, it was time to call Chip to the stand. I watched the Ranger’s face morph into one of horror as Chip recounted everything he’d seen that day. I saw Ms. Chance’s face blanch white, and then she turned toward the Ranger with an angry glare.
Ms. Chance was still angry when she stood. “Your honor, forgive me but why should we take the word of a man of questionable means against a decorated officer? I believe Mr. Carter has just perjured himself.” She said with a nasty smirk. The Ranger regained his look of moral superiority.
Wendy moved toward our table and grabbed the envelope of photos she had tucked away in her briefcase.
“Your honor, I’d like to submit into evidence these photographs take by Brian Carter in the park. I think they will prove exactly who is guilty of perjury here today.”
Wendy handed the judge one stack of photos, and the second copy she dropped with a flourish across Ms. Chance’s table.
I saw the Ranger’s expression turn to one of complete and total panic. Ms. Chance just looked angry again.
“In light of this evidence your honor, I request that all charges against Miss Swan be dropped.” Wendy stated calmly.
The judge looked at the photos for several minutes. Then he spoke. The first part of his remarks, he addressed to me.
“Miss Swan, as a servant of the court I wish to offer you my sincere apology for what you went through at the hands of someone sworn to serve and protect our citizens. I am truly sorry for any anguish and suffering this has caused you and your family. Believe me when I say that the guilty shall be punished.” His voice raised to an angry level during the last sentence.
“Thank you your honor.” I answered.
“As for you Madam prosecutor, it seems the wrong person has been on trial here today. I expect, and I’d better receive a list of charges you intend to bring against Ranger Kershner in my chambers by five o’clock today, or I will find you in contempt of my court. Am I making myself clear, prosecutor?”
Geri nodded her head. “Yes your honor.”
I think she’s sweating. Eww I have no desire to see that clown makeup start to run.
The case was dismissed, and we exited to the hallway. My family and Father Pat proceeded to give me congratulatory hugs.
“I’m so glad you’re here.“ I said to Dad and Father Pat.
“Well, originally your attorney asked me to be a character witness for you Isabella.” Father Pat said. “But a few days ago she called to say I wouldn’t be needed. I decided to come out with your Dad anyway. Moral support.“ He grinned.
Wendy came through the doors and shook my hand.
“I have to say Isabella, that was quite enjoyable. But not as much fun as part two will be.”
I looked at her, confused. “I believe that is Rose’s story to tell.” She winked.
We all thanked her and watched her leave.
At that precise moment, Geri Chance and Ranger Kershner exited the courtroom. They gave my family and I a wide berth as they passed us on their way to the elevators. I watched as Kyle Browning approached Ranger Kershner and handed him a paper.
“You’ve been served Ranger. Have a great day.” He said before he left.
The ranger read over the paper, undoubtedly the summons informing him that he was being sued in civil court by several of his victims, including myself.
He was so upset that I saw his face turn the most delightful shade of purple as he read it.
Just then, the first set of elevator doors opened and I watched as the ranger and Ms. Chance boarded the elevator.
Emmett spoke in turn to each of them before the elevator doors closed. “Have a nice life Mimi.” He shouted at Ms. Chance. “And Barry, don’t drop the soap.“ was his advice to the ranger.
I just shook my head as Dad and Father Pat chuckled.
Emmett looked wistfully toward the elevator. “I seriously considered riding down with them and, you know, farting on them. But I don’t want to overplay that hand. I may need it again someday, don’t want to become predictable.”
“Em, as I’ve said before, nobody will ever accuse you of being a deep thinker.” I laughed.
--V&V--
“So Barry the ranger is well on his way to becoming someone’s prison bitch.” Rose mused.
“Seems that way.” I answered.
We were sitting in her office, it was four o‘clock in the afternoon. I’d gone to class after court this morning, and then gone on to work, arriving about an hour ago. I was almost giddy with relief after the events of this morning, but I was determined to find out what Rose had been hiding.
“Rose, Wendy alluded to something this morning, but said I needed to ask you.”
Rose smirked. “Bells, I didn’t want to say anything before. You needed to get this court case behind you. Now I can tell you a little bit.”
I waited.
She blew out a breath. “I’ve invited Geri Chance on the show, she‘ll be on next month. She has no idea that I’m connected to you, I doubt she even knows you work here. For someone in the position she’s in, she certainly isn’t very thorough. For example, when she saw Brian Carter, okay Chip, on the witness list, she should have done a little research. In the end, I’m glad she didn’t of course.”
Now I understand why Rose couldn’t be with me in court.
“Anyway, about the show, she thinks we’re doing a serious piece, highlighting her accomplishments.”
“Yeah” Rose said sarcastically. “We’ll be highlighting her accomplishments alright. She’s hoping my show will help her get a judicial appointment, and beyond that she wants to get into politics.”
I had to laugh. It was a shallow thought but, I couldn’t imagine someone so sloppy and unattractive winning an election.
Rose, ever in tune with my thoughts said “I know Bells, but anyone can get a makeover and become presentable to the voters, it’s been done before. We need to stop her before she gets that close. She could undoubtedly find enough stupid people to vote her into office.”
I cringed at the thought.
“I’m not doubting your talent Rose, but how can you stop her through a simple interview?“ I asked.
“Bells, I have to stop her. You wouldn’t believe the evil that woman has done. Not just with the ranger, but she’s prosecuted some cases that have caused a lot of heartache for a lot of people. She truly is a vindictive bitch.”
Wow, I wonder what Rose uncovered.
“I’ve talked to Wendy about several of the cases she’s familiar with, but I’ve also investigated a few others and quite frankly I was shocked at what I found.”
“As for how I’m going to succeed, you’ll just have to watch.” She winked, and I knew I’d never get any more information out of her.
-V&V-
It was now Friday, more importantly it was one week until Spring Break, and my flight to L.A. I was finally able to look forward to the trip.
While pushing my cart through the grocery store, my mind was, of course, miles away with Edward in California. He was supposed to finish the California portion of filming sometime next week, just in time for my visit. I was getting very excited.
My mind was not distracted by the stares and curious looks of others. Truth be told I’d grown accustomed to that part of being Edward’s girlfriend, and was learning to tune them out.
After the Oscars, things had escalated somewhat. I avoided reading about Edward and myself on the internet, but Rose would keep me informed. She told me that Tanya and Edward’s appearance was being viewed as ’a reconciliation’, and once again I was viewed as the ’other woman’, the home wrecker, the tramp who would dare to damage America’s sweetheart, Tanya Madison.
The fact that Tanya hadn’t come forward with the truth yet, had started to make me worry that she’d made the decision to never be honest with the public. That thought made me very uneasy.
“Aren’t you Isabella Swan?” I heard a nasally sounding woman’s voice ask. I turned to see two women looking at me with narrowed eyes.
“Yes.” I admitted.
One of the women started spewing her venom “You deserve to be alone for the rest of your pathetic life. How dare you try to take Edward away from Tanya? She’s such a good person. Personally, I think she should have dumped him a long time ago because he cheated, but now that they’re having a baby, hopefully he’ll start showing some responsibility.” She said with a satisfied smirk.
The other woman nodded her head in agreement.
A baby? What is going on?
I had to get away from them. I turned my cart, heading for the checkout. “You’ll never see him again.” The other woman shouted, and then I heard her mutter ‘bitch’ under her breath.
When I reached the checkout, I wanted to wretch when I saw that the cover of every tabloid sporting photos of a smiling Tanya and Edward. The headlines varied:
All is forgiven. Pregnant Tanya takes back repentant Edward. Are there wedding bells in the near future?
Tanya’s ultimatum to Edward: give up Isabella, or never see your child!
Edward and Tanya, reunited just in time for baby, while ’the other woman’ licks her wounds in Seattle.
The last cover was particularly insulting because in the corner, it showed that old photo of me at the movie theatre with a runny nose. They’d conveniently cut Edward out of it.
Shit. At least now we know what Tanya’s mystery illness was. Am I not allowed to be happy for one stinking day?
Fuck My Life should be tattooed across my forehead.
Once I got to my car, I decided to call Edward. I was curious why I hadn’t heard from him all day. I wondered how he was dealing with the fallout from all this mess.
When I pulled my phone out, I discovered that it was dead.
Damn it. Of all the days to forget to charge your phone Bella!
I hurried home so that I could call him.
“Oh my God sweetheart, where have you been?” Edward was frantic.
“Relax Edward, I just forgot to charge my phone.” I tried to sound calm.
“I guess you heard?” He asked warily.
“Saw the headlines while in line at the grocery store.” I stated.
He groaned. “Bella, we just can’t catch a break.”
“Edward, I’m starting to think that Tanya is never going to come forward. I think we need to come up with an alternate plan.” I suggested.
He was quiet for a minute. “Let me talk to Jasper. Maybe we can come up with something. I don’t want you to worry.”
Should I tell him about the confrontation in the grocery store?
I decided no, Edward already worried enough about me. I wasn’t going to add to it.
It wasn’t easy, but I was able to change the subject to my L.A. trip.
“Are you really going to stay with Alice?” He asked.
“Yes Edward. She’s the one who invited me, not you.” I teased.
“Bella…you have to stay with me part of the time at least, and I‘d like to take you to Laguna Beach.” He pleaded.
“My boyfriend might get jealous Mr. Movie Star. He has a little bit of a temper.” I smiled.
“Miss Swan, let me handle your boyfriend.” He answered. “I can’t wait to see you again baby. It’s been so long.”
--V&V--
Rose came over later, tabloids in hand. “I can’t read these in front of Emmett, I’m afraid he’ll go postal.”
“Rose, do me a favor and read them to yourself. You can paraphrase what they say okay?”
Rose nodded. “Okay hun.”
After a while she set them aside. “Well, it seems that someone who knows Tanya, has blabbed to the press about her pregnancy. She’s about two months along, which means she got pregnant in early January.”
“As expected, the press is pinpointing the exact time to that meeting between her and Edward.” Rose shook her head.
“No one will believe Edward if he makes a statement Bells. He needs to contact Tanya, or maybe Felix would be a better option, and persuade them to come forward, the sooner the better.”
“Amen to that.” I answered.
--V&V--
I was gazing through a pair of French doors out across the balcony toward a beautiful white sand beach, and beyond that to the azure blue of the ocean. It was a spectacular sight.
Suddenly, I felt warm arms wrap around me.
Edward.
One hand traveled downward until it reached the hem of my satin sleep shirt, slipping underneath. Edward moved his hand slowly upward, across my stomach, until his fingertips gently touched the underside of my breast.
My body was suddenly on fire. My heart was beating fast, my breath coming in short pants. I reached up and ran my hands through his hair.
I dropped my arms as Edward’s other hand started to unbutton my shirt, one button, two buttons, the shirt fell away from my left shoulder. I felt his lips leave a trail of warm kisses from my neck, down across that shoulder. His hand continued working on the buttons, as his lips continued their journey.
Another button, his other hand now moved up to cup my breast, his thumb grazing the nipple. I gasped.
“Bella“ He whispered, “I love you, I want you, say you want this too.” His lips murmured into my ear. I could feel the evidence of his want, hard against my lower back.
At his words, my will crumbled. “Edward, I’ve wanted you ever since I saw your naked ass in September Ends. I think we should hump like bunnies.”
Wow Bella, that was blunt. Verbal filter nonexistent again I see.
Edward chuckled, but didn’t pause in his ministrations. The hand that was cupping my breast moved so that it was laying flat against my heart. “Feel how quickly your heart is beating. Is that for me Bella?”
“Only for you Edward.”
Edward undid the last button and turned me to face him. He slid both hands between the parted folds of my shirt, pushing it the rest of the way off my shoulders until it dropped to the floor.
He gazed at me, standing there in nothing but my lace panties. “Bella, you’re so beautiful, more beautiful than I even imagined.”
He wrapped his arms around me, leaned down and started to kiss me. I gently touched his lip with my tongue, parting my lips to invite him in. My hands clutched the muscles of his back and began to push his shirt up. Edward, realizing what I wanted, pulled the shirt over his head. He was left standing in just his sleep pants.
I then moved my hands downward, under his sleep pants until each hand rested on one of Edward’s perfect ass cheeks.
Oh my.
He began to murmur. “Isabella“, a little louder, “Bella”, louder and more urgent, “Bells”, that didn’t sound like Edward, “Bellaboo!”
And then Edward farted.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” I shouted as I sat straight up in bed, only to find my brother standing there doubled over in laughter.
“EMMETT! Was it my imagination, or did you just fart in order to wake me up?”
Emmett finally stopped laughing and pursed his lips. “A little.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? How does someone fart a little?”
I think I may kill him. Not only did he wake me from the best sexy schmexing Edward dream I’ve ever had, but he also farted, IN MY ROOM!
“Emmett, I have had enough of you and your farts. Get out!”
“I swear Bells, it wasn’t on purpose. Really, I was just coming to get you to work out with me. Rose won’t get up.”
I looked at the clock.
6am. Ugh, I don’t blame Rose.
“The fart just slipped out, I swear. Besides it wasn‘t one of my deadly ones, you‘re still conscious aren‘t you?” He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. I couldn’t stay mad. He was just too friggin cute for his own good.
“Alright you’re a pain in the ass, but I’ll come work out with you. Give me a few minutes to get ready.”
Before he left the room, he turned back “Bells”
“Yes?” I was still irritated with him.
“What were you dreaming about just now?”
“Um, I don’t remember?” I lied unsuccessfully.
“You said some weird things in your sleep about an ass, and bunnies, and a hump.” He looked confused.
Think up a lie Bella.
“Um, I think it was about this new cartoon I saw on Nickelodeon about a donkey, a camel and family of rabbits.”
Bella, you idiot, you forget that Emmett watches more Nick Jr than the average four year old.
“Oh, I’ll have to check that out.” He said as he nodded his head.
A little while later, I came out of my room to find Emmett perched on my sofa searching the show listing for Nickelodeon.
Damnit why does he have to be so nosy?
We headed down to the gym in our apartment building.
It was very early on a Tuesday morning, so we were the only ones there. I decided to go on the treadmill, while Emmett worked on the weight machines.
A while into my run, he decided to get on the treadmill next to mine. After a few minutes of that, he turned to me. “Hey Bells, I looked for the cartoon you mentioned, but I couldn’t find anything like that.“
Oh dear God.
I just shrugged.
I decided I’d had enough of the treadmill, and turned it off. Maybe I’d do some weight training. Anything to get me away from Emmett and his stupid questions.
He followed me.
“I told you I don’t remember a lot about it Emmett, maybe it was on Disney or something, just drop it.”
Maybe being bitchy will shut him up.
Emmett scratched his chin as he thought. I walked further away, keeping my eyes on him.
I cringed as I saw realization dawn on his face. Then he boomed from across the room, “BELLS! WERE YOU HAVING A SEX DREAM?”
I swore I had to be imagining what I heard next, a low masculine throat clearing coming from the direction of the door.
I turned to find Edward standing there with a wicked grin, chuckling, just like the first day I met him.
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