Chicago (GXG)

Part 26

The atmosphere in the room thickened. Some people leaned forward in their seats waiting for the judge to announce what he has decided.
I can't help but bite my nails. In my nervousness I looked over to Val and saw her with her hands held tightly together and her eyes firmly on the judge.

The jury was readying up to come to their own conclusion after the judge and was talking over some papers quietly.

Xavier and his lawyer seem to have given up already as no hope can be detected in their eyes. His lawyer was laid back on his chair with his collar loosened and Xavier himself was hunched over the table with his elbows holding his head and his hands in his hair.
I have a strong feeling that this will go perfectly in our favor...

The judge looks over some stuff on his table and takes his little hammer in his hands. He prepared to speak by clearing his throat a little bit and then spoke. "The full custody of Jonathan Garcia will be handed over to Valeria Garcia, effective immediately.  Xavier Montgomery will have no visitation rights and I encourage Garcia to get a restraining order against Montgomery." He said and banged the wooden tool on his table.

Val and Stone jump up and hug each other. I decide to take a look at how Xavier is doing with all this, hopefully he's coping horribly.

I was correct, he looks distraught and his lawyer keeps trying to talk to him even though he isn't responding. He looks very zoned out and overall like he knows that he'll never get another chance again.

Now, we will see whether or not the jury agrees with the judges decision. Everyone has sat back down and are now waiting for the wonderful news to be confirmed. The jury talk amongst themselves before adjusting themselves back onto their seats. A microphone is setup for one of them to announce their judgement.

One of them taps the mic and reveals their thoughts. "The jury has decided that the trial has been fair. We will not fight the decision made by the judge, we will side with it." She said and everyone got back up. I decide to go to Val and interrupt her hug with the lawyer.

I reach Val and she lets go of Stone to give me a massively tight hug. She then whispers in my ear.
"Thank you, this wouldn't be possible without you."
I can feel myself melt at those words and I couldn't help but tear up a bit like the little bitch I am.

I hold her tight for a while before we hear a cough from beside us that tells us to separate. "It's been a pleasure working with the two of you. I can now go home to my family knowing I helped another one." He says and nods his head a little bit in recognition.
"No, thank you. No other lawyer would have been better." Val replied to him before he could leave. They smiled to each other and he started gathering his things before taking off, leaving us.

"So, what happens now?" I asked Val. She just looks at me for a moment and contemplates. "I think we are supposed to get out of this court room." She said and took my hand, smiling and leading us out of the room. As we enter the normal waiting area we can see a group of police officers, about three of them. I assume that this is what they were talking about when they said something about Xavier being taken away.

He seems to have forgotten about that part though, since the moment he steps outside and sees them he just freezes for a moment but he doesn't dare to run, probably knowing that he would get in bigger trouble.

He just stood there and waited for them to cuff and take him away. I could almost feel bad for him if he hadn't abused Val like he did, but then again I guess he is a murderer after all.

Val and I took the sight in with satisfaction before heading into the parking lot. "I can't believe that it's over just like that." She sighed. "No more hearings. The most I'll have to worry about is getting that new job and restraining order." She said happily.
I took her hand as we walked to her car. "And then after all that, all you'll have to worry about is me." I said trying to sound romantic.