One Hope {A Lachlan Fanfic}

Forty Eight

"You ready?"

Startled, I relax once I turn around to face my boyfriend. "Almost. I just can't zip this up. Can you help please?" I ask, turning around again. I lift up my hair and feel goosebumps as his hands reach the zipper on my back.

"Got it." He says, as I let out a slight breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Thanks." I respond, looking at myself in the mirror, Lachlan still really close behind me. He suddenly wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck.

"You look stunning."

"Thanks, Lachy." I blush. He holds out his hand for me and I take it, not failing to notice how hot he looks in a suit.

"Let's go?" He asks, and I nod. We walk down the stairs and to Simon's car. We drive off to the courthouse. "Give it your best. I can't be with you physically during probably one of the hardest moments in your life, but just know that I'm extremely proud of you for doing this and that I love you. I'll be in the audience, so if you get shaky or anything, look at me. I'll always be here for you."

I smile, then kiss him. "Thank you, Lachy. You have no idea how much this means to me. I'm so thankful I have you in my life."

"Now, let's go show that shithead of an ex what he deserves." He says, hugging me.

I chuckle. "You got that right."

We step out of the car, hand in hand, but are soon separated. I head to Mr. Reese and sit beside him, as I am the main witness for the prosecution. I sit tall and proud, steeling my mind and putting my somewhat sweaty hands on the table.

"Hey, don't be nervous. You and I got this." Mr. Reese whispers, and I nod. Soon, he comes in. He doesn't struggle, at least, until he sees me.

"You bitch! You're the one that testified against me?! I'll fucking kill you!" He yells, but I do not look at him. I look straight ahead of me, stiffening to try and not lash out at him. The officers take him to the defendants' seats.

Stay cool, stay calm, stay collected. Stay cool, stay calm, stay collected. Stay cool, stay calm, stay collected.

The judge and jurors enter the room and take their seats. Autumn quickly rushes in the room and takes her seat beside me, another witness against him.

After the opening statements, my name is called.

"Caitlin Davis."

I gulp, standing up and walking to the judges' stand. I place my hand on the Bible. "Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god?"

"I do."

I walk to the witness stand.

"So, Ms. Davis. We'll get right down to business. You're an educated woman, right?"

"Yes. I'm currently working hard to become a doctor."

"And you can remember events?"

"Well, of course. I remember the night that he tried to kill me."

"He?" Mr. Reese says.

"Yes, Alex Leiby."

"Can you please point him out for the jury?"

"Yes." I point at Alex and glare at him. "That's him, sitting in the defendant seat."

"Thank you. Now has this man ever hurt you in any way?"

"Yes. Multiple times in the past, physically and mentally. He beat me, he hurt me, he played mind games with me. But not only to me, but the poor unfortunate women that were also cheated by him."

"Thank you." Mr. Reese says, sitting. Alex's lawyer stands.

"So, you say this man hurt you?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever allow him to purposely hurt you?"

I helplessly look at my lawyer, afraid of this question.

"Objection!" Mr. Reese yells.

"Overruled." The judge says, and I internally groan.

"Let me repeat the question; did you ever allow him to purposely hurt you?"

"... No. He did it of his own accord, often when I was caught off guard."

"Well... How long have you been with this man?"

"About four years." I reply.

"And in that time frame have you ever noticed a violent reaction from the defendant?"

"No. Not for the majority of our relationship." I respond, and my lawyer, Mr. Reese, slightly tilts his head in continuation. "He was a very sweet boy who I deeply admired, respected... even loved." The last part stumbles out of my mouth in distaste. "He suddenly changed, about two years ago and a year from when I moved to Australia. He started violently attacking me and tried to kill me."

"And do you have any proof that he tried to kill you?" He asks, smirking.

"Yes." I smirk back, causing his to falter.

"Let's see it."

"Permission to approach the witness, your honor." Mr. Reese says, and the judge nods. Mr. Reese comes towards both of us and puts the items in front of me.

"My old phone, which was thrown by Alex, as you can clearly see,-" I hold it up for everybody to see- "photos of Alex's apartment room where there was definite struggle, chairs toppled and a knife imprint in a cabinet, video proof,-" which starts playing behind me on the big screen- "and of course pictures of multiple beatings." I conclude, and at that moment Alex's lawyer's eyes widen, jaw dropping to the floor.

However, he recovers quickly. "But does this really prove that you always kept going back to him?"

I suddenly stiffen at that question as it hits me right in the face. After a couple seconds of consideration, I start to talk. "I-I..."

Alex's lawyer sits back down.

"Next to the witness stand, Dr. Hayes."
~
After an hour, the jury finally returns to the room to give a verdict after hearing multiple witnesses' statements, both sides. The atmosphere is tense, and Autumn, Mr. Reese and I look at each other, hoping for the best. My eyes find Lachlan, who gives me an encouraging smile and a thumbs up. I shakily smile back at him.

"Order, order." The judge says. "What is the verdict?" I clench my fists so hard they start to turn a white.

"Guilty, your honor." A small sigh of relief escapes my lips.

"Alright. I hereby sentence Alex Leiby to three years in prison. This case is dismissed." He says, and I stare wide-eyed and in shock.

"We did it, Cait!" Autumn shakes me, smiling and hugging Mr. Reese. However, my eyes meet the gaunt face of none other than my ex. He throws the finger my way, yet I roll my eyes and turn my back away from him.

"Thank you, Mr. Reese." I hug him, and I feel him smile against my shoulder.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"Thank you." I again thank as we gather our coats and head down the small isle. Lachlan waves at me, and I run directly to him, hugging him tightly.

"You did it. I'm so proud of you." He says, and I smile brightly as we walk out the door, hand in hand.

"Hey! Wait for me!" My obnoxious best friend yells, catching up with us. "Geez! Give me some time with my bestie, you two have all the time you want in Australia to hug and smooch!" She yells, grabbing my arm and dragging me away, Lachlan smiling and letting a chuckle roll out of his mouth as I dramatically yell for him to save me.

"I'll call you later, dear!" I yell, finally giving in to Autumn.

"Bye Cait!" He yells back, and I smile.