Soulmates

59

We waited in the lobby for what felt like hours as the jury discussed the case. I felt like I was going to throw up from the anxiety.

"You okay, V?" Colby asked as I pulled away and walked over to the trash can, only to dry heave into it. "Oh god, okay." He said then jogged over and held my hair back as I threw up.

"Shit, V." Ki breathed out as she and Sam came over. "Why is it taking so long?" I asked and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. "They are going over everything...I'm sure they're going to be done soon." Sam said as Ki pulled out a stick of gum for me.

I put it in my mouth and closed my eyes as I chewed it. I was focusing all of my energy on not throwing up again.

"A decision has been made." Someone said as Colby took my hand again, squeezing it gently. "You've got this, V." He said as I nodded. "Let's go." I said then led the way back into the court room.

We all took our seats and waited for everyone else to file into the room. I chewed on my lip and anxiously twisted Colby's rings.

"We've discussed the course of action we were going to take with this case." The judge said as we listened intently. "Peter Chavez will be facing 65 years in prison for the kidnapping and stalking of Violet Richards. We will immediately proceed with this sentence after getting the marriage of Violet and Peter annulled." He said and smiled at me.

"Court dismissed." The judge said as I looked up at Colby. "65 years." I said as he smiled and nodded. "He'll be 87 by the time he gets out. That's good, baby. He's gone." Colby said and kissed me.

I kissed him, feeling the relief flooding over me. I knew I was going to be free from him now. I knew there was no way he could ruin my life anymore.

I was free.

"She's my wife! Let me say goodbye! I love her! She loves me!" Peter yelled as he fought the cops, trying to break free. "Shut up." The one of his left said as he pushed him to the door.

"Bye fucker!" Ki yelled and waved as Kat and Tara laughed. "Yeah, fuck you!" Jake yelled as Peter was escorted out.

Once he was gone I breathed out a sigh of relief. "65 years." I whispered again as a smile formed on my face. "65 years!" I said then jumped up and down as I laughed.

"65 years!" Colby said then lifted me up and spun me around. "I'm free." I said grabbed his cheeks before kissing him.

"I hate to break this up, but we have to start the annulment process." Donna said with a laugh as Colby pulled away and set me on my feet.

"Donna! 65 years!" I cheered and tackled her with a hug. "That's a long ass time." She said with a laugh and hugged me back. "Thank you! Thank you for everything." I said and hugged Ellen.

"You're welcome, sweetie. We're glad it was a good outcome." Ellen said as we walked over to the judge. "Me too, you have no idea how much a relief this is." I said and looked behind me to see Colby talking to the friend group.

They all looked so happy for me which was something I haven't seen in a while. The past couple weeks have been rough and most of the time I would just get sympathetic smiles. The smiles on their faces right now were full of joy and relief.

When I turned back around I was met with the judge's face. "Thank you, sir." I said as he grinned at me. "You're welcome. Let's get this marriage annulled." He said then reached for some paper work.

We spent the next twenty minutes or so going over paperwork and signing documents. Luckily Peter would be forced to sign due to him being under executive law now. I was worried he was going to refuse but after another couple minutes I was officially never married to Peter.

"You have no idea how much this means to me." I said and slid the papers back to the judge. "Nobody should be forced into marriage, especially with a criminal." He said as I nodded.

"Take care of yourself, Violet." The judge said then patted my hand then stood up and left the room. I smiled then turned to Donna and Ellen. "Thank you so much." I said then hugged them both. "You're welcome, hon. Let us know if we can do anything else for you." Donna said as Ellen nodded. "Will do." I said then smiled and turned to Colby.

"Where did everyone go?" I asked as I walked over to him. "Oh, I told them they could head out." He said and took my hand, leading me to the parking lot.

"Are you happy?" He asked as we walked. "I'm so happy, baby. I feel like a brand new person. 65 years of prison." I said with amazement. "That's a whole ass old person!" I said as he laughed and opened my car door for me.

"Yeah it is." He said with a laugh then closed my door and went to get in the drivers side. "I love seeing you so happy." He said and took my hand as he started driving home.

"I love being this happy. It's been a little while since I've been THIS happy." I said with a grin and looked out the window.

When we got home we got out of the car and made our way inside. "Violet, wait." Colby said causing me to stop before opening the door. "What's wrong?" I asked and looked at him. "I'm just...I'm so proud of you." He said and turned me around to look at him.

"I got you something." He said as my brow scrunched. "What is it?" I asked as he pulled something out of his pocket.

He opened the box which had a a ring in it. There were diamonds but the main part of it was a dark red gemstone.

"Colby...I..." I whispered as he chuckled. "It's not an engagement ring, V." He said as I let out a sigh of relief. I knew that I loved him but I wasn't ready for marriage.

"It's kinda like a promise ring...the stone is garnet..my birthstone." He said as I smiled. "I love it." I said then let him put it on my right ring finger. Once he did that I grabbed his face and kissed him.

"Have I mentioned that I'm glad you're okay?" He asked as I nodded. "Maybe once or twice." I said then winked.

"Ugh!!! Can you guys hurry up?!" Tara yelled from the other side of the door. "Huh?" I asked as he laughed. "Open the door." He said then gestured to the doorknob.

I shrugged then opened the door to see everyone standing in the foyer. Ki was holding a balloon in the shape of a 6 and Kat was holding a balloon in the shape of a 5.

"You guys threw me a party?!" I asked with a laugh. "Yeah, we're excited for you." Sam said as Corey handed me a white claw. "Thanks guys...for everything." I said and smiled at all of them.

"Yeah yeah, enough of that. Let's party!" Kat said and jumped up and down.

We ended up ordering pizzas and put on some music. It was the first time I was able to let loose since the incident. I could still feel a little bit of fear that someone was watching, but it wasn't nearly as bad as before.

"V!" Ki called out as I danced against Colby. "Hehe, what!" I yelled as danced over to her. "Celebration." She said and held up the blunt that she gave me earlier.

"Oh yeah." I said then grabbed her hand and danced to the back yard. "Light it up!" I said then plopped down at the fire pit. Ki laughed then lit the blunt and handed it to me.

"I missed this." Ki said as I took a couple hits. "I did too." I said then passed her the blunt. We sat there and smoked for a while, just talking, then went back inside.

"There you are." Colby said as I giggled and kissed him. "I'm here." I said as he grinned. "You're high." He said as I shrugged. "Maybe." I said then took his hand and walked towards the stairs. "Where are we going?" Colby asked as I turned and put my finger to my lips.

"Shhh." I said then walked up to his room. Once we were in there I closed and locked the door before pulling him to me so I could kiss him.

"I want you." I whispered as his pupils blew out. "Okay." He whispered then pulled me close, bringing his lips to mine.