Forgive Me

"I call upon Brent Woods to the stand, Your Honor."

Brent stood up and walked to the officer.
He did everything I had to do before sitting.
I took deep breaths.
The same woman walked up to him.

"Hello, Brent. I'm going to ask a few questions. I need you to answer them. Truthfully."

He nodded.
How can he be so calm?!

"Is it correct that you are indeed Elijah's father?"
"Yes."
"Why weren't you there?"
"I didn't want a kid. I was seventeen."
"And how did you come into Evermore and Elijah's lives?"
"I got my agent to track her down."
"What did you expect when you knocked on her door?"
"I didn't know what to expect."
"When Travis raised his hand to her, what did you do?"
"Threatened him."
"Why?"
"In defense."
"But you aren't together. You aren't even married."
"You are wrong. We are together."
"Is that so? Evermore? Is that true?"

The woman turned and looked at me.
I nodded.
She frowned and looked back to him.

"Did Travis ever touch her while you were there?"
"No."
"You threatened to kill him."
"He threatened to kill Evermore."
"Did he?"
"Yes."
"That's all the questions I have."

She stood down and Brent walked back and took my hand in his.
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
He rubbed circles in my hand.

"It's up to the jury. Be back in an hour. We'l lhave the outcome then."

The judge hit his gavel on the table.
Brent, Eli, and I walked out and got something to eat across the street at a local Subway.
Eli loved Subway.

"Mommy, why do they talk to you and ask questions?"

I looked at Eli and smiled.

"They do that so they can find out the truth."
"Oh..."
"Finish your sandwhich."

He smiled and started eating again.

*******************

"Travis Stevens is Guilty for Abuse towards a woman and for kidnapping."

The judge said.
I smiled and jumped into Brents arms hugging him.
Travis yelled as they took him away.

"Wait!!" Travis yelled. "Evermore!"

I looked at him.
The police kept him in his place.

"I'll never forget you. You're the love of my life. Please forgive me."
"Goodbye, Travis."

They took him away.
I'm the 'love' of his life?
Bullshit.
I was his fucking punching bag!
Brent took my hand and picked up Eli and we walked out to his car.
We drove home.
I can't beloeve we won!
Travis is gone.
In jail.
Never to bother us again.

Brent walked up to me after putting Eli to bed.

"Bree."

I looked at him as he kneeled down.
Oh no..
He took my left hand in his.

"Evermore, I know this isn't romantic. I know it's sudden. I've fucked up. But throughout these years I've missed you so much. Now that I have you back i'm happier than ever. I'm so happy that I have my son in my life. I never stopped loving you. Your smile, your gorgeous eyes, that laugh. I missed it all. I love how loving you are towards Elijah. I love it when you blush and get embarassed over sweet small things. I love it when you're in my arms. I can't live without that feeling. I love you with everything in my heart. I love you more than my passion. I want to give you the world. Evermore Bree, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

I didn't know what to say...
It was sudden.
It caught me off guard.
But I couldnt live without having the advantage of being in his arms.
I couldn't take away Elijah's happiness.

"Yes. Yes I will."

He smiled bigger than ever and slipped the ring on.
It was beautiful.
White gold and vines carved in the band.
A peridot stone.
My birth stone.
I jumped up and kissed him passionately.
I broke the kiss and smiled at him.

"I love you." I said.