Life Beyond a Swing Set

Chapter 19 (Final)

Chapter 19 (Katie's POV)

HE broke into mine and Dani's apartment three weeks ago and here I sit on this cold hard bench telling my story once again to the court room. I am shaking all over, my parents are in the courtroom for support and both Elliot and my dad death stare in HIS direction.

HE sits there, shaking his head and denying everything before I tell the court about a certain pair of hand cuffs he had liked to use.

"Your honor we found a pair of hand cuffs matching that description under his bed." One of the men in suits says.

"Very well Miss Baker, you may step down. Mr. Dickens approach the bench." The judge says.

I sit by my lawyer, Dani says he is very good and so far I am happy with what has happened. After the camera's in our building, the evidence that was on him when he was arrested and the story from our witness. He should be put away for around four years with no bail.

After HIM being on the stand for two minutes, his lawyer can't think of anything else to defend him with and the judge calls for the juries ruling.

The judge bangs her hammer when HIS sentence is made and everything comes out how we wanted. I won't see him for at least four years and after that he will be on prevalence so I should be ok.

I am happy and so is everyone else that has come to support me. Although it was hard to have them in the room while I was speaking to the court, it was good to have my parents there to support me.

Elliot pulls me into a hug soothing my shakes straight away, my dad shakes hands with my lawyer and pretty soon I am walking out of this miserable, brown court room. My parents and my seven best friends follow me from the courtroom and we all get into three separate cars to head back to the apartment.

Ali and Jesse are officially dating, Damien and Ash are well Damien and Ash, Dani and Cole.... it is like nothing ever happened between them and Elliot and I have never been closer.

Things are going good but I am mostly looking forward to our eight person ski trip in three weeks. We all have a break from UNI and have asked for work off so we are hitting the slopes.

Ash and Dani organize dinner reservations as I say goodbye to my parents at the door, thanking them and apologizing for not telling them before today. They explain that they understand and will always be there if I need them. Dad shakes Elliot's hand and mum hugs him like a son, standing on her tippy toes to reach his shoulders.

I walk to the corner lounge and sit down while Elliot walks down the hall and everyone else talks about dinner. I reflect over the day and end up with a smile on my face, Elliot rounds the corner and sits next to me.

"So are you happy?" Elliot asks in my ear.

"I live in an apartment with seven of my closest friends, including my boyfriend, my crazy ex is in jail and we are going to Perisher in Three weeks! Why wouldn't I be happy?" I say,

"I was just making sure" He says smoothly and kisses my cheek.

"Why?"

"So I could give you this and make your smile bigger, happy two Months!" He says pulling out a box from his suit jacket.

I open the black box and there sits a beautiful necklace and charm. This is unlike anything I have ever seen, I look at the engraving work and know that Elliot created the swing set on the charm face. The chain is so detailed, it is entwined with silver/gold and circles as if it doesn't end.

Elliot takes it out of the box and shows me the other side of the charm it is also engraved but with his parents saying 'I loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will.'

"Any excuse for a surprise, it's beautiful, thank you. It must have taken you so long to make." I say smiling.

"Not really, just had to come up with the idea." He says blushing slightly.

He puts the necklace around my neck and I smile at him before bringing his mouth to mine.

"Hang on, this to." He says pulling back and handing me another box hidden behind his back.

I open the box tied with a bow and inside rests a black photo frame with a silver engraved plague at the bottom saying, "Life beyond a Swing Set". The photo is a brownish colour, showing its age and I reconise the certain day.

It was an autumn afternoon, we were about five and Meg took us across the road to the park. She brought her camera and took a few photo's but I had never seen any of them.

In this particular one Elliot stands behind me, having just pushed my swing. My blonde hair is blowing behind me and it reflects all the fun we had at this swing set.

"Where did you get this?" I ask,

"I found it with a few of mum and dads old things" He replies smiling.

"Wow, I love your choice of words." I say smiling,

"Do you like your presents?"

"Of course I do, they are amazing and so personalized."

"Just like us." He says pulling me towards him to sit on his lap and he kisses me.

"Indeed it describes our relationship perfectly." I smile breaking off only to move into a deeper kiss.

"I love you!" He says pulling back and looking me in the eyes.

"Oh Elliot, and I love you!" I say, a single silent tear coming down my face as I kiss him once more.

"Ew guys your room is down the hall, no need to have sex on the lounge." Ali laughs before saying happy anniversary.

Everyone chants 'happy anniversary' and Elliot whisper's the words in my ear.

I thank everyone and snuggle back into Elliot before looking down at the photograph. I feel something in my chest that I never have before and try to freeze time, remembering this very moment, a moment when I know I am Safe, Happy and in love.