Figuring it Out [Whitebeard Pirates x Child? Reader]

24. Reach for it...

-August 30th

The lawsuit was proving to be stretching on longer than needed. The jury couldn't make up their minds... Some of them were bribed by Ms. Chevotet to keep their mouths shut and say she was innocent. None of the previous employees had wanted to go onto the stand. Even Yaki's family was growing confused as to why the trail was running on so long...

===Within the Court Room===

"I'm calling for a Recess. Maybe the Jury can finally come to a Conclusion and, Hopefully, both sides can get their stories straight The only story here that's stayed Consistent since this case has Started is Mr. Chevotet's. I'm sorry to say but If the Jury doesn't decide. I'll be making the decision." 

M/n nodded respectfully,

"We'll take a 10-minute recess for the jury to make their final decision."

*BAM*

=== In a Private meeting room ===

Dragon, Yaki, and M/n all sat at a table. There was nothing left for them to do. Whatever the jury decided was what was final... M/n was scared, He didn't want his efforts to be for nothing. He wouldn't let them be for nothing. M/n sat in a chair, head in his hands. M/n was on the verge of tears but hid it well. Yaki and Dragon stepped out of the room to give him space once they heard his uneven breathing. As soon as they stepped into the hall they heard him start sobbing through the door. Yaki grimaced. 

"It's natural for people to cry, and show emotion... It's just not natural for him." Yaki mumbled, "I've never seen him so worked up..." 

"His brother was murdered before his very own eyes and sister thrown out and died in his arms. Not to mention he had to live with his extremely abusive mother for three years. only ever receiving beatings. He was taken away from a family that truly wanted him... and thrown into one that didn't." Dragon growled, "He has every right to feel that way. As far as I'm concerned I shouldn't see anyone else sobbing."

Yaki hung her head down in shame... she knew she shouldn't have made any comments. Yaki and Dragon split ways, spending their 10-minute recess differently. M/n spent it trying to get himself to calm down, It was hard. He wanted to let everything out but knew he couldn't. If he showed weakness his mother could take everything... Everything. He's worked so hard for. Those forged papers... They didn't work and would only ever be a last resort... But he doubted there would ever be a 'Last' resort if the jury didn't vote in his favor.

He was royally screwed if this didn't go his way. He couldn't wait to go back home... The big ass house in the middle of nowhere... Forest for miles, a Stupid Luffy tagging along everywhere he went. Ace messing up his hair every morning, Thatch and Izou yelling at Ace, Marco reading the newspaper like an Old man... Pops stuffing his Face and laughing. Sabo too tired to really say or do anything... Lidia, Lidia was always there to smack her husband for laughing with his mouth full. 

=== BACK IN THE COURT ROOM ===

M/n sat in his chair next to dragon, The Newgate family just outside the courtroom... waiting for the Jury's answer just as anxiously as M/n. The courtroom sat in silence, only murmurs coming from the press who were covering the whole fiasco. M/n didn't notice the feathery figure in the corner with a scowl on his face... One that was pointed directly at Aurelia. After Crocodile had handed off the letter to Doffy, Well, Doffy couldn't do much right away. and After he found out M/n was sent to a boarding school. Oh yeah, Doffy was pissed to no end.

Immediately Aurelia lost tons of money because Doffy refused to do business with her anymore. It confused her to no end. She had always made sure she kept up her end of the deal... Oh, what had gone wrong was the only thing in her mind. Not once thinking of how she treated her children. Her Family.

The Judge was finally escorted into the room. Everyone perking up and silencing. The jury soon followed after. Taking their seats. The tension in the air was so thick that M/n could barely breathe. Aurelia seemed confident...too confident. Several of the Jury seemed to be sweating in their boots... afraid. Why were they afraid? M/n's brows furrowed. Someone from the Jury spoke up.

"We have decided... That...Uhm" Their Hands were shaking, they were reading off a slip of paper, "Uhm... Could I request that the Judge read off what is on the paper?" 

"Yes. you may" The Judge was handed the slip of paper by one of the security guards, "The Jury finds Ms. Aurelia Chevotet... Guilty. On all charges, Sentenced to 25 years in prison, with No Probation. M/n Chevotet will be placed with Lidia and Edward Newgate as his new guardians." The Judge kept a straight face but was smiling on the inside.

Dragon smiled, watching Aurelia's face fall. Soon She was hauled off by security guards. M/n sat in his seat, face blank. He couldn't believe it. Dragon placed a gentle hand on M/ns shoulder, Smiling and Nodding. Dragon Led M/n out of the courtroom. Everyone stood up, looking at M/n and Dragon. M/n looked... Numb so they could only assume the worst.

Dragon had a blank expression too so they weren't entirely sure of what had happened in there... M/n looked up, eyes filling with tears.

"I-... I'm free..." He hiccupped, losing his balance he fell to his knees sobbing. "I-..." *Hiccup* "F-Fuck... THANK YOU!" M/n smiled genuinely, No one could contain their excitement, rushing towards M/n... Engulfing him in a much-needed hug... He had missed this...

He had missed his Family...

END...