y/n's pov:
the door opens and everyone turns their heads. we all walk to our side of the courtroom and me mary and george go to the very front of the courtroom since we are defendants in the case. i look over and see ms. whitetaker in handcuffs and she smirks at me, causing me to shiver. I look back at Missy who nods and then I turn to face the judge. "good morning medford. we are here at the medford texas courthouse to look over the case of whitetaker v. orphan and coopers. all rise." the judge says and we all stand up. we all sit back down and the judge looks at me. he makes me swear to be honest under oath and whatever and does the same to whitetaker. i notice mary's fist clench when she hears ms. whitetakers voice. the judge starts to speak. "lawyer greene, why are you here?" ms whitetakers lawyer speaks up, "to um prove my client innocent." she hesitates. "and lawyer scott, why are you here?" "to prove whitetaker guilty and to get this orphan here adopted by the coopers." the case starts and it starts with ms whitetaker explaining she has never hit me a day in her life. i go up to the stand and lift up my dress to show the bruises and the scars on my arms. the case goes on, ms. whitetaker not being able to get her story straight. the judge doesn't even care what whitetaker has to say anymore, causing meemaw to chuckle. she starts to fake cry and the judge yells at ms. whitetaker to go sit down. "mary cooper, please come up to the stand." mary stands up and fixes her dress and walks up to the stand. "good morning mrs. cooper." "morning your honor." "when this girl first came to your house, can you explain the events that happened?" mary starts to explain what happened the first time i came over and the state she found me in, causing everyone to tear up and ms. whitetaker rolls her eyes. meemaw fights every urge in her body to not go up there and beat her up. after mary gets done explaining she's crying. the judge dismisses her and tells her to go sit down. "george cooper sr., please come up to the stand." george walks up. "mr. cooper sir, can you tell us what you said when mary told you everything?" "yes sir. i suggested we adopt her. she didn't deserve to live like that. no kid should. and the fact she was the only orphan being treated that way made my blood boil." "thank you mr cooper you may go sit down. connie tucker please approach the stand." meemaw stands up and smirks at ms whitetaker and then sits on the stand. "hello constance." "hello." "you love across the street from mary cooper, your daughter, correct?" "correct." "and you've seen her raise three children?" "yes sir." "would you say mary and george are capable of raising another child?" "that shouldn't even be a question. of course they are. they love that girl. i love that girl. she should be able to get up right now and leave knowing she has a safe and healthy home she can go to." "thank you ms. tucker. brenda sparks, we ask you please come to the stand." brenda walks up. "ms. sparks, you are the coopers neighbor correct?" "correct your honor." "you and the coopers have had some issues yes?" "yes sir." "would you say mary and george are fit to have another child?" "me and the coopers may not get along but i know mary and george can sure as heck raise another child. they did such a good job with sheldon, the 11 year old who's already in college. i know they can raise another 11 year old. they'll be amazing at it to. nothin can stop mary and george. they the strongest people i know." "thank you ms. sparks, you may sit down now." the judge pauses and looks at us. "well i've heard all i needed to hear." the anticipation grows and he speaks again. "whitetaker is guilty and sentenced to life in prison no parole. along with the men she hired to rape this young girl. y/n, how would you like to change your last name to cooper?" everyone jumps up and smiles. "yes, yes!" my eyes water. "congratulations y/n m/n cooper! enjoy your new family! here's the adoption certificate." we all take it and cry happy tears while everyone else cheers and ms whitetaker attempts to fight the cop who tases her and drags her out causing us to laugh. "you're a cooper now baby." mary says and i jump in her arms and she holds me and spins me around. i finally have a home and a family.
update: sorry it took so long i'm starting high school on monday and have been preparing. i'll be trying to update as much as possible but make sure to follow and vote. this is not the last part don't worry!
