Avo left about twenty minutes ago with Spencer to get me something to eat. Being pregnant has caused everyone to monitor my meals, and lord help me if Avo thinks I haven't eaten enough. She has practically spent every morning making my meals for the day until the trial started. She would get up at the crack of dawn and drop them off before I even got out of bed. Jonas had to have a key made for her so she would stop waking me up.
My baby bump is getting bigger. I am now twenty weeks along and let me tell you I am feeling the stress on my body. I'm sure it would be better if I were completely healed, but with all the damage the bullet caused and the growing baby pushing everything around, let's just say it's taking some extra time.
“Are you alright?” Papa asks as I hold my stomach and try to adjust my position.
“Yes, just still get some pains from time to time. I’ll be ok though. Nothing to worry about Papa.”
“Do you need me to get you anything?” Jonas asks with a concerned look.
“No, love. There is nothing you could get me that will help. Don't worry it will pass, it alway does.”
He looks at me for a moment and then pulls me to his lap. I have to admit, it did help being able to sit with my stomach stretched a bit. He kisses my shoulder and supports my weight with his arm so I am able to be more comfortable. God I love this man.
Mr. Jepson makes his presence known and tells us the jury has a verdict. We all make our way into the courtroom as Avo and Spencer return with food for me. Guess my tummy will have to wait.
Jonas holds my hand in his as he leads us to our seats. I can't help but feel sick all of a sudden. This is the end. Today Kitty will either be sent to prison or an institution for the criminally insane. I'm not sure how I feel about either outcome, but Mr. Jepson told us there is no way she will be getting off. There is just too much evidence against her and Karen's testimony pins everything on her.
I feel like the whole room is holding their breath as the bailiff walks the small paper from the foreman to the judge.
“Will the jury foreperson please stand. Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?” the judge asks
The short chubby man standing nods his head. “We have your honor.”
Jonas gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“How do you find the defendant?”
“We the jury find the defendant guilty on two counts of attempted murder in the first degree.”
I finally let out the breath I have been holding. Jonas pulls me into his arms as the court erupts in cheers from behind us for a brief moment before the judge continues.
“Miss Graham, in light of the findings I see no need to delay sentencing. I hereby sentence you to life in prison for your heinous crimes.”
My heart literally stopped for a moment when those words left the judges mouth. I was sure we would have to wait for sentencing.
I look at Kade and Mr. Graham, both look like they do not quite know how to feel. I am sad for them, losing a sister and daughter, but I can't be sad that she is getting what she deserves.
I place my hand on my baby bump and rub circles with my hand. This is all over and just knowing that our child will grow up in a world without threat from that crazy bitch makes me smile. Karen on the other hand only got ten years but is likely to only serve the first five due to the deal she made.
Either way I am happy that justice has been served and we can move on with our lives, putting all of the ugly memories behind us. Jonas and I have a wonderful life ahead of us, and nothing will ever separate us again.
When we exit the courthouse I find Kade waiting for me in the parking lot. Jonas releases my hand and kisses my forehead before nudging me in his direction.
“Kade, are you waiting for me?”
“Yes, I just wanted to apologize for everything.”
“None of this was your fault, Kade. Please don't think that I or anyone else blames you.” I try to assure him
“No, Em. I mean I want to apologise for my actions. I know I was a less than great boyfriend. I mean I practically pushed you into the arms of another man.” he says as he shakes his head, looking at the ground the whole time
“Kade, please don't. I don't think you pushed me, we were broken long before he came into the picture. Some wounds were just too deep for me.”
“Yes, I know. It's my fault, I never should have treated you the way I did. I should have cherished you, loved you unconditionally. I regret it. I just need you to know that. You deserve to be happy, and I am man enough to know that I could never give you the happiness he can. I may not like the creep, but at least he is better to you than I was.”
My jaw is on the floor. Did he really just say that? It was almost a compliment to Jonas.
“Also, I know that what Kitty did is not my fault, but she is my blood. She did it because she thought she was protecting me in some sick way. For that I am truly sorry. I wish I would have seen the signs of her spiraling out of control and stopped it before she caused you harm.”
I take his hand in mine. “Thank you, Kade. It means alot to me that you care about my wellbeing. But like I said, you don't need to apologize for her.”
He gives me a forced smile just as Mr. Graham walks up to us.
“Ember, dear. I can't tell you how sorry I am for all of this. I really thought I raised my children better than this.” he says as he pulls me into a gentle hug.
“Mr. Graham, really it is nothing you need to apologize for.” man am I getting sick of repeating myself.
“Nonsense. My parents raised me to be a responsible man and father. I am responsible for raising her, and her actions reflect on that. I am ashamed that my own child, my own flesh and blood could be so cruel.” He says with unshed tears in his eyes.
“Please father, her wrongdoing has nothing to do with how you raised us. It was her choice, she chose to be that...that...'' Kara says as she walks to us, placing her hand on her fathers shoulder. She wipes a tear from her eye. “She chose to be that person daddy, don't ever blame yourself for her actions.”
She looks at me and offers me a small smile. “I know it isn't much, but I am sorry for the way I treated you when you and Kade were together. It was wrong of me, and I just want you to know that even if my sister is a psycho killer, I hold no grudge against you. Kade was never the greatest to you,” Kade raises his brow to her. “So I know why you turned down his proposal.”
“I won't apologise for my sisters actions, because I have no control over her. However I do want to start fresh between you and I. I know we will never be the best of friends, but I surely don't want us to be enemies.” she smiles and extends her hand to me.
I take it and pull her into a hug. She gasps in surprise, but hugs me back. “Thank you, Kara. I really appreciate that.” she nods as she pulls away.
“Oh and congratulations.” she says pointing to my growing belly.
I give her the biggest grin. “Thanks.”
Mr. Graham and Kara say a quick goodbye and leave Kade and I to finish our conversation.
“Well I certainly wasn't expecting that. Kara has always been the more stubborn one, for her to say all of that she must really feel bad. Why did you never tell me how they treated you?”
“It didn't matter. At least I didn't think it did at the time. I guess now I know differently.” I shrug.
He huffs in frustration. “Well I should probably let you get back to your entourage.” He nods his head in the direction of my friends and family.
“Yeah, and you should get back to your family.” I smile at them in the distance behind him.
“Ems?”
“Yes?”
“Just for the record, I really was in love with you. Shit, I still am.”
I give him a pleading look. I don't need to hear this, but I know it is eating at him.
“I know I didn't show it very well, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Just know that if that tool over there fucks up, I will be here waiting for you.” he kisses my cheek a
nd walks away.
Wow. I was not expecting that. I mean I know he said he still loved me when he took the stand, but I didn't realize how much he really cared until now. Sad that it took all of this for him to tell me. Things could have been so different if he had acted his feelings when it mattered.
I watch him walk to his family and before I can turn around a strong pair of arms wrap around me.
Jonas kisses my shoulder, neck and cheek. “Are you alright, agápi mou?”
I intertwined our fingers on both hands and leaned my head back, tilting it slightly. “Yes. I am more than alright, especially when I am in your arms.”
He kisses my lips sweetly and spins me with our hands still together over my head. He walks backwards pulling me along, never letting go.
“Oh Ember, my sweet baby girl!” Avo shouts as she wraps her arms around me. Effectively breaking my contact with Jonas. He just chuckles.
“Avo, I really am ok. I promise. Please don't over react.”
She shakes her head and shushes me. “No child. You are not ok. It is past time for you to feed that baby of yours. Here eat this.” She is almost stuffing a breadstick in my mouth as she guides me to the car.
“Really? I am fi..”
“Do not argue with me. I know what is best and right now you need to eat”
I give up and take the cold breadstick. She smiles in victory. Everyone around is holding in their laugh as she practically shoves me into Jonas’s car.
“We will all meet you at the bar.” Sam shouts over Avos head.
He rented the place they use for the drag shows. He said win or lose we will all need a drink, well minus me. Though he did promise unlimited mocktails for me.
∞∞∞
When we arrive at the bar everyone is already there. We made a pit stop at home for me to change into more comfortable pregnancy clothing. Don't get me wrong, I love dresses, but that one had no stretch and was too tight on my belly. Now that I am comfortable in a pair of maternity jegens and a loose fitting tunic, I feel so much better.
Sam greats us as we walk in and hands me my first prego approved pina colada. He gives Jonas a glass of scotch. There is food everywhere and before I can even think of getting a plate, Avo is in front of me with one already made. Sam lets out a hardy laugh as he and Jonas pass me, leaving me with my overly loving grandmother.
“Eat.” is all she says as she pushes the plate into my hands and takes my drink.
“Yes ma’am.”
No use arguing with her, especially since I am starving. I nibble on cheese cubes and carrots as we walk to where everyone is sitting. Now that I am actually looking around I see baby decorations and gifts on a table.
I raise my eyebrow to Avo. “What's all this about?”
“Oh my sweet, I wanted to be sure that we had something to celebrate, even if things did not go so well today.”
“So you planned a baby shower?”
She smiles and walks ahead of me without another word. What is this woman up to?
When I get to Jonas he is holding a large manila envelope, and has an evil smirk on his beautiful face. So, he was in on this?
“Well now that mommy and daddy are here, let's get this gender reveal party on the way.” Spencer shouts over everyone.
I know I had put him in charge of this when we had the ultrasound last week, but I didn't think anyone would be planning anything so soon. Guess they really did want to make sure I was happy about something today.
“Spencer, really? So soon?” I ask as I shake my head in disbelief.
He gives me his signature grin and blows me a kiss before talking to the crowd again.
“Alright everyone, we need to get a team boy and a team girl. So if you think they will have a boy move your happy butt to the right side, and for a girl move to the left side. Mommy and daddy come sit your cute butts up front.”
Everyone shifts to one or the other side. It is pretty even sided, with boy having only a few more people. Spence leads Jonas and I to a two seater bench that is painted half magenta and half navy blue. It has a high back with a soft cushion on both the seat and the backrest, with the upholstery matching the paint job.
As I take my seat I notice a large black box with a rope attached to each side of it above our heads. I tap Jonas’s shoulder and point it out to him. He shrugs and takes my hand.
“Ok peeps, let the games begin.” Spence shouts and proceeds to hand out name tags. “Give yourself the cutest baby name you can think of, mommy gets to pick the winner at the end of the games. Rules are as follows. One, boy side has boy names, girl side has girl names. Two, Do not wear the name tag, place it into the appropriate fish bowl. Three, tell no one your name. The price is this lovely one of a kind golden bottle!” He announces as if he is the voice on The Price Is Right.
The whole place erupts in laughter.
“Oh, you laugh now. Wait till you see what is in the golden bottle.” Spence sets it on the table to my left and pics up another prize. “Now for the first game, the lucky winner will be going home with...drum roll please.” he looks to Sam, who proceeds to use the table as a drum.
“This beautiful golden diaper!”
Again everyone laughs. Spence rolls his eyes and puts it back on the table.
The first game was baby bingo, and let me tell you these people are competitive. I thought Avo was going to tackle Dan when he stood from the boy's side to yell BINGO. He won the golden diaper and when he opened it a stack of scratch tickets fell out.
After that everyone apologized to Spence for laughing at his golden prizes. The games went on and Papa won a golden baby shoe with a visa gift card for $50. Then Marco, one of the queens, won the golden onesie containing two movie passes with meals included and two drinks each. The last game was won by Wellington, he ended up with the golden bib containing a fully funded double date night with Jonas and I.
“Ok everyone. Time to see who the winner is of the golden bottle.” he holds it over his head. “Emmey, have you had time to look at all the names?”
I nod
“Well then I leave this in your control.” He hands me the bottle. “I want you to pick your top three for each boy and girl and have them come to the front.”
“Ok….Alessandra, Evangeline and Maren….Ezekiel, Declan and Luca.” I say while taping my index finger on my chin.
Now standing in front of me are Papa, Janessa and Melanie for the girls side. Avo, Sam and Chris, anonter queen, for the boys side. I know if I get this wrong I will be in trouble with the way Avo is eyeing me.
“Emmey, now I want you to kick out one of each.” Spence instructs.
I can feel the sweat forming on my brow with the intensity of their looks. We don't know what the golden bottle is, but everyone up here wants to win it.
“Really?” I give him puppy eyes and he gives me a hard stare back.
“Fine.” I say as I cover my eyes with my hands. “Maren….and….Declan.” I finally decided.
Sam is already gone when I uncover my eyes and Papa is making his way to his seat.
“Ok now do it again.” Spence orders. Damn him.
Ok think Em...What name is more like Avo? Shit she is going to be so mad if she loses.
“Let's make this more interesting, Emmey, please turn around. No peeking. The four of you, not a sound. I want this to be fair and I have a feeling she is going to play favorites.”
How rude of him to sell me out like that. I do as I’m told.
“Luca...and....Alessandra?” it comes out as more of a question.
“Oh, left with the ‘E’ names. I sense a theme here.” Spence gloats. “Now, don't worry Emmey, you don't have to pick the last one. The box will pick it for you.” he says as he walks to stand in front of me and points to the box above my head.
“Close your eyes. Jonas will lead her back to the bench, and both of you have a seat….Now you two, make your way to the rope on your side of the room.”
It feels like forever before he
speaks again.
“On the count of three I want you to pull the rope, it will open the box and reveal the gender. Emmey you and Jonas will want to keep your eyes closed...you know how much I love glitter.” I can imagine him clapping his hands and bouncing on his heels.
“One...Two...Three!” the whole room shouts and suddenly I feel like it has rained on me...well minus the wetness. Everyone is quiet.
I try to brush the glitter off my face when I hear Joanas speak.
“Spencer, you do know you are supposed to choose either pink or blue right?”
When I open my eyes I see hundreds of balloons in all different sizes and glitter EVERYWHERE. The problem is everything is purple. I look to Spence and he has a blank look on his face. Victor walks up and gives us back the manilla envelope Jonas had earlier. I give him a confused look and he shrugs his shoulders.
I look to my left and right and see Avo and Melaine still holding the ropes in their hands with funny looks on their faces. In fact everyone has a funny look on their face.
Jonas takes the envelope and opens it to reveal the ultrasound picture the doctor had given Spencer. I watch him tilt his head from one side to the other looking at it. His face lights up after about a minute and he has the happiest smile I have ever seen on him. I know he was hoping for a boy, so I am guessing he got his wish.
Jonas pulls me to his lap and puts the picture in front of me. I look at it in shock, why are there two little beans with heads? No. No that can't be right. I can feel my mouth opening wider and wider before Spence breaks me out of the trance I seem to be in.
“Oh sorry, that is not the one that tells you the sex...thats is the one that shows it’s twins.” he giggles and hands us another manila envelope.
Everyone is in an uproar. Some yelling congratulation, some profanities but most just saying ‘what the fuck’.
I am too shocked to take the envelope from Spence so Jonas takes it and opens with his arms still around me. He pulls out two ultrasound pictures with one baby on each. One has an arrow with the word girl, and the other says boy.
Purple, very clever Spence.
Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Page 28