Perfect Imperfections

Twenty Two

"You are such an embarrassment, Jake." Dad said as we waited outside the courtroom, the jury deciding the fate of the Costanza family now.

"Hey, I'm a man in love!" I grinned and looked at AJ, leaning down and softly kissing her.

"Love you too, dungeon boy." She grinned then laid her head on my shoulder as I hugged her shoulders.

"You two are adorably sickening." I looked at Miss Marshal and smiled.

"How's it looking in there?" I asked and she nodded.

"You two are thorough with your laws and documents-"

"According the Romeo and Juliet law, Jake and I are allowed on trips that remain in state lines. In the paper Sheriff Mary Valente had us sign, her documents only protect us inside of Bear Valley and the woods within the district of that sheriff's station. Outside of Bear Valley, we rely solely on the R and J law." AJ said and I smirked.

"My perfect Smarty." I grinned and kissed her head.

"Things are looking to be good for us." Miss Marshal said and looked at me.

"Good thinking using your phone to get photos of her in the ambulance-"

"I knew this was going to trial before the locker incident, I was just trying to make sure I had all the evidence needed to put them away." I said and she nodded.

"Well, you may have saved this case-" She stopped as a cop called for everyone to reenter the courtroom and Miss Marshal looked at us.

"That was quick." She whispered, which made me nervous.

"Is that good?" I asked, but she shook her head.

"Not always." She said then we went into the courtroom. AJ had to stand with Luisa, but I was right behind her and AJ kept looking back at me.

"All rise for the honorable Judge Edith May." The cop said and we stood, remaining on our feet as the jury filed in. As they did, AJ reached back and I grabbed her hand, holding it tightly as the person who would read the verdict stood.

"How does the jury find Bella Rae Costanza?" Judge May asked and the woman cleared her throat.

"On the account of physically abusing Adalyn Jade Costanza, we the jury find Bella Rae Costanza not guilty. On the account of partaking in the beating of Adalyn Jade Costanza, we the jury find Bella Rae Costanza guilty. On the account of mentally abusing Adalyn Jade Costanza, we the jury find Bella Rae guilty." The juror said and I let out a breath as the judge nodded.

"Bella Rae Costanza, you will be sentenced to five years in prison without the possibility of parole. Once you have served your entire sentence, you will be sent to the St. Cloud Mental Health facility for a minimum of ten years without a chance of early release." She said and slammed her gavel, which prompted the cop to take Bella Rae out.

"How does the jury find Elias Ryder Constanza?" The judge asked and I looked at the juror as she read off Elias' crimes. Guilty for assault and battery, guilty for attempted murder, guilty for the physical abuse of a minor, not guilty for the enslavement of a minor. He got twenty years in prison, ten in a mental health home.

"How does the jury find Marissa Costanza?" Judge May asked and this is where I paid special attention. As the juror stood to read off the verdict, AJ gripped my hand even tighter and I noticed she was shaking, so I stepped forward and set my other hand on her back.

"I'm right here." I breathed, watching as she smiled.

"On the account of the enslavement of a minor, we the jury find Marissa Costanza guilty. On the account of the physical abuse of Adalyn Jade Costanza, we the jury find Marissa Costanza guilty of all charges. On account of the Cinderella Clause of Colorado State, we the jury find Marissa Costanza guilty of all charges. On the account of threatening the life of a minor, we the jury find Marissa Costanza guilty of all charges." The woman finished and I let out a breath as the judge glared at Mrs. Costanza.

"Marissa Costanza, you will be serving fifty years minimum in the Colorado State Penitentiary without the possibility of parole. While incarcerated, you will be required to attend anger management classes and therapy at least three times a week." Judge May ordered and pounded her gavel, leaving just Michael Costanza.

"How does the jury find Michael Costanza?" Judge May asked and the juror stood.

"On the account of the enslavement of a minor, we the jury find Michael Costanza guilty. On the account of the physical abuse of Adalyn Jade Costanza, we the jury find Michael Costanza guilty of all counts. On the account of the Cinderella Clause of Colorado State, we the jury find Michael Costanza not guilty. On account of threatening the life of a minor, we find Michael Costanza not guilty." The juror said and I wanted to curse, scream, argue, but she wasn't done.

"On the account of attempted pre-meditated murder, we the jury find Michael Costanza guilty of all counts." The juror said and sat down, but I was so confused as AJ turned to me.

"Who did he try and kill?!" Dad yelled and Judge May looked at us then looked at her notes.

"It appears Michael Costanza planned and nearly executed his plan to murder... Jessica Kyle on her drive to the airport." She said and I looked at my parents horrified as they finally understood. Jessie had a small car accident on the way to the airport after AJ was put with me, but it easily could have been worse if Jessie hadn't married a damn car racer.

"Michael Costanza, you are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. You will never see freedom again, as you are to be placed in solitary confinement and you are restricted from ever interacting with any of the other prisoners." Judge May said and slammed her gavel down, sealing their fates forever.