Saving Belle

Chapter 29

Belle's POV

Taking in a big breath and stretching slowly, I allow my eyes to flutter open. The bright sunlight causes me to squint as my eyes burn in protest. I roll onto my back before sitting myself up despite my tired body yelling at me to go back to sleep on the sound grass.

Everything that happened in that courtroom was insane. I knew court would be bad. I was warned over and over again but I never realized that every single detail of my life would be torn open like an open wound. That was horrible. I just pray that I never have to do anything like that ever again.

"Hey there angel. How are you feeling?" That beautiful voice. Oh that beautiful voice. I don't know if I could even look him in his eyes after what he heard in that room.

I refuse to loo up when Fin calls my name again, concern laced into his voice. One of his fingers curls under my chins and forces me to look into his eyes, nothing but concern.

He gives me a little smile, "We are all here for you angel. I see that look in your eyes. Stop it, whatever bad thoughts or doubts you are having is wrong."

My lip wobbles as I speak, "I-i killed my baby Fin. I'm a murderer."

His face goes hard and voice deepens in a demanding tone, "No Belle. You are wrong. You did what you needed to in order to survive. You saved that fetus from suffering like you did. We both know what could have happened to it if you continued the pregnancy." His voice hiccups, "You saved it Belle. I just...I just wish there would have been some other way to abort other than what you had to do. I cannot even think of how painful and traumatizing that was for you to have to do."

I shake my head before leaning over and cuddling into his chest. His strong arms hold me tight to him. After a few minutes I realize that no one else is around. Lifting my head up, I ask where everyone went.

"They went to grab food real quick. They are bringing it back here. You have been asleep for a few hours and we are still waiting to get called back to the courtroom with the verdict. Last update said that they should be back within the hour but even that answer is still up in the air."

I nod before laying back in his arms. "Belle?" I hum in response, "I love you."

My eyes shoot open at his proclamation. He loves me? The words repeat over and over in my head. I lean in tighter to his arms, "I love you too, Fin."

We sit in comfortable silence we a while. This is so relaxing. Just him and me sitting in a small patch of grass. Not even the sound of the loud cars honking in the rush hour traffic could ruin this moment. I heard the three words from the man I loved.

It has been a few months since we started dating and I knew that this was it from the start. This was going to be the man that showed me what real love is and he has done just that. Not only has he stuck by my side through all of this awful chaos but he has never faltered in showing me all of the compassion he has for me. I have tried so hard to reciprocate the same to him but it has been a bit of a challenge. I love Fin with everything in me but I have never had a role model to show me what love is. Yes I had an amazing foster home with Nani show showed me the love she could offer but I was already broken by the time she took me into her care.

I am broken but I will be damned if I allow myself to continue down the road I have been traveling my entire life. No one will ever shatter my character ever again. Since moving in with my biological family, I have made small steps to allow myself to heal and I will keep fighting to heal myself until all of the broken pieces are put back together.

A crunching sound coming not far behind me gains my attention. Fin and I both turn around to see my family with bags of food. Everyone huddles in a tight circle on the grass before passing out the food. Jesse got my favorite, spaghetti and meatballs. Majority of everyone was eating spaghetti or hoagies except for Tom who continually announced that his tuna and peanut butter sandwich was delicious. I almost puked at the sight. Is he okay?