Bless The Broken Road

Chapter Nine- Court....and more surprises

           It had been six weeks since the incident with Daniel, and they were headed to court for the second time today, as the last couple things had to be figured out. Jilny and Emily were there as well, since Joel and Moriah were now fostering Emily. Sydney sat with Joel, looking straight ahead. She wouldn't look to the side, refusing to meet Daniel's eyes. Luke, Moriah, and Courtney were in the back, as she could only have one of them up with her. Then, she heard a whisper behind her. Jilny and Emily.

      "I wanna throw jelly beans at that jerk. Would I get in trouble for that?" Giggling.
      "Eh....you might get scolded." She heard a quiet 'Yes!', and then she saw jelly beans start flying towards him. Jael chuckled slightly, and saw the two officers trying not to laugh as well. Jilny stopped after a couple minutes, when the plaintiff announced the judge.

       "All rise! This court is now in session. Judge Emma Lane, presiding. You may be seated." She sat down, her heart pounding.
       "Alright, Mr. Smallbone. You and your sister, Sydney, are pressing charges on Daniel Evans for rape, correct?" Joel nodded, taking Jael's hand and gently squeezing.
       "That is correct, your honour." Judge Lane nodded, looking at Sydney directly.
       "And Miss Smallbone, you were the victim, am I correct?" She nodded shakily, trying to calm her breathing.
       "Alright. I have one other question for you about what happened. We already have your statement of what happened, so that won't be necessary again." Sydney nodded, relieved.
        "Miss Smallbone, after the incident six weeks ago, did you conceive after what happened?" She froze, closing her eyes, barely able to breathe. She remembered earlier that morning, and opened her eyes. She spoke one word, surprising herself with how strong her voice was. 

        "Yes." She heard the gasps throughout the room, and felt the glare from Daniel, and spoke again.
        "And if I may add something?" The judge nodded, looking at her kindly.
        "I have no intention of terminating the pregnancy or giving up the child after he or she has been born." Judge Lane nodded, a slight smile on her face.
        "Alright. Mr. Evans, I'm going to make this very simple for you. Are these accusations against you valid?" Jael finally looked at him, and he had an expression of stone on his face.

        "Yes, your honour." She nodded, looking at the jury.
       "Have you reached a consensus?" One member stood, a paper in his hand.
       "Yes, your honour. We have decided that in this case, a life sentence would be acceptable." She nodded, banging her gavel twice.
        "Very well. Daniel Evans, you are given a life sentence in prison. Court is adjourned." Joel and Jael left the stand, passing Daniel and the officers.
         "I still don't regret it, you worthless *****." He spat. She looked at him, a deadly fury in her eyes.
       "I am not what you just called me, and I know for a fact that I am not worthless. I know for a fact that God and my family believe that I, like my sisters, am priceless." She said quietly, walking away. Joel followed, forcing himself not to say anything about how badly she just burned him. But, once they got outside, Emily said something.

       "Jael, you roasted that jerk in there!" Everyone, Jael included, couldn't help but laugh. They headed for the bus, which was parked across the road. She walked in between her brothers, and once they got on, Luke broke the silence.

       "So.....Sydney?" She looked at him and Joel, and saw the sorrow in their eyes.
       "You're pregnant?" Luke asked quietly, a tear trickling down his cheek. She nodded, scratching the back of her head, and sat beside Moriah and Courtney.

        "I meant what I said. I'm keeping the baby. I don't care what anyone tells me." Joel chuckled slightly.
        "Well, as you know, that makes two." Courtney shook her head, and Luke actually laughed.
       "Three." Jael looked at Courtney, startled.
       "You too? Man....so we're going to have three new Smallbone babies running around here. Wow." Then, Moriah laughed, and Joel shook his head.
       "Actually.....it's going to be four. Unless Courtney is also having twins." She shook her head, and Jael grinned.
        "Really? Yay!! Do you know genders?" Moriah had a smile on her face, and she moved over, sitting beside Joel.
        "We do. Twins. James Steven and Antonia Maria Smallbone." Luke, Courtney, Jael, and Emily couldn't help but laugh at that.
       "I recognize those names!!" Joel chuckled.
       "Well, Antonia does mean 'Beautiful' or 'Priceless'. We figured that would be a good reminder. After Moriah suggested that, I suggested James as a joke, but we both ended up liking it." Jael smiled.
        "Yeah, it will." She looked down, placing a hand on her stomach.
        "I'll never let him touch you, little one. You're safe with us." She whispered. She was still hurting emotionally from what happened, but with her family's help, she was recovering. It wouldn't and hadn't happened overnight....but it was happening.