Scenes From a Soap Opera

A Pre-Trial Hearing

Billy Abbott walked into the courtroom surrounded by the Abbotts and accompanied by his lawyer, Amanda Sinclair. He had already entered his not guilty plea and his trial was set to begin soon. This appearance was a pre-trial hearing, a formality in a way. Billy turned around and saw the supportive faces of his siblings.

"We're here for you." Traci said. 

"You're innocent. Keep the faith." Jack and Ashley both said. Billy smiled, taking strength from their unwavering loyalty. 

The court doors swung open again and Billy turned around to see an extremely worried Jill rushing into the courtroom. "I'm here. I'm here." He felt his mother's arms wrap around him and for a moment allowed himself to be comforted by her. Despite all the tension between them over the past few years, Billy knew that his mother would always be in his corner.

He briefly wondered where Lily was, he had no expectation that Victoria would make an appearance. He knew that Victor would do everything in his power to keep Victoria far away from his trial. Lily's absence did hurt though, things had been rough between them since Ashland's death. His arrest only made things worse, it was almost like Lily believed that he was the one who pulled the trigger, she denied it when asked but Billy could tell that she was lying. Thinking about their relationship over the past few months Billy noticed that they had been slowly drifting apart. They were both so busy at their jobs and then with Johnny's health crisis and Victoria's disappearing act, Billy had been parenting the kids on his own. That didn't leave much time for anything else including Lily.

"All rise." The bailiff's voice snapped Billy back to reality. 

'Time to face the music' he thought bitterly to himself. In his lowest moments, the youngest Abbott sibling thought why even bother going through a trial; Victor had probably paid off the judge or done something else to make sure that he was found guilty. Anything to save Victoria or his other kids, hell Victor would even throw someone under the bus for Adam. Jack always tried to talk him down when he got like this, but he knew that Jack believed it too. If anyone knew what Victor was capable of it was Jack. His sisters were also supportive, but especially in Ashley's case blinded by what they thought they knew of Victor. Traci never tried to think poorly of people and Ashley didn't want to believe the absolute worst of her daughter's father.

 This was just a hearing to set a trial date and Amanda tried and failed to get the case dismissed. Billy genuinely appreciated her efforts and would never be able to repay her for this favor.

 Judge Brady banged his gavel, "Silence in the courtroom please. Mr. Abbott you've been indited for murder in the first degree. You've plead not guilty. Trial is set to begin November 1st. I'll see you all then."  'Perfect' Billy thought what a wonderful Christmas present for his children. He prayed that Amanda could get it delayed until after the holidays. 

"Billy, I just want you to know that I'm going to do everything I can for both you and your children." Amanda told him sincerely. 

"Well, I should hope so." Jill scoffed. Her anger at this situation was overwhelming. Amanda knew that the mother was speaking from a place of worry and stress so she ignored the comment. 

Billy smiled at her in gratitude then left to rejoin his family. Amanda really hoped that she was able to pull this off, Billy did not deserve prison and his children deserved to have their father in their lives.