The Choice

The Choice-Chapter Seventeen

After sitting in that extremely uncomfortable chair for six months, the closing arguments were given, and the trial was turned over to the jury for deliberation. It had been a long hard fight, and in my personal opinion, this was the best defense Rain of his career. It was amazing watching the man tear the witnesses apart. He sent three of them running from the room crying. 

We weren't allowed to leave the city, still. Even though he searched, Brian was unable to uncover the real killer. There just wasn't any evidence pointing to anyone besides Tony and I. The most telling part of the trial was the Traffic Accident Reconstruction Experts. The prosecution showed their version of the evidence as making it look like I had caused the accident, and then went over the edge. Rain proved otherwise. He showed the evidence to indisputably show that I was forced off the road before Brooks was killed. 

Rain also proved through cameras at various places along the road that Tony was sitting in a drive through and then at a gas station when Brooks was killed. 

Tony and I both took the stand, and defended ourselves. I kind of felt bad for Emily Hartman. This case was supposed to make her career, but instead it made her look like a fool. No matter what she tried to say, it was just wrong, and the evidence proved it to be so. 

The news still followed the story. Though only a few hours a day were broadcast, instead of the whole thing. They have been going through the evidence presented, and in the court of public opinion, we are innocent. 

So now we sit in our hotel room and wait. I'm nine months along. Four months ago, we found out that we are having a girl. The ultrasound was done during an extra long lunch break during the trial, and then we were back in court. 

It has been a long and horrifying road. We waited in our hotel room for the call that the jury had come to a decision. Days passed by, but there was nothing. Tony and I were barely speaking. After he gave me the ring, he distanced himself from me. He even started sleeping on the couch in the living room. 

A week into the deliberations, we had just finished dinner, and I went into the bedroom to rest. I showered, and wrapped myself in a super soft robe. I'm torn between wanting this baby born, and wanting her to wait until the trial is over. But what if...what if we are found guilty. What if I have to deliver her in prison? My mother will take care of her. She has already agreed to it. But the last thing I want is my mother raising my daughter. 

I was surprised to find Tony standing on the balcony of the bedroom when I came out of the bathroom. Even after everything that has happened I am still so in love with him, it hurts when he is so distant. 

He came back into the bedroom, and kissed my cheek. "How are you feeling?" 

I shrugged, "Fat." 

"Beautiful." 

He reached for me. I stepped back, and held up my hands to hold him off. "Don't." 

"What's wrong?" 

Did he really just ask that? "What's wrong?" I shook my head, and moved away to find my lotion. "You have barely spoken two words to me in the last six months." 

"Babe..." 

"No. Don't call me babe, love or anything else. As soon as this trial is over, I'm going home." I sighed, "I'm going to find a home at least." 

"Lex." 

"Tony..." I tried to pull off the ring, but my hands were too swollen. My stress, and the pregnancy had caused me to gain a hell of a lot of weight. "I don't know why the hell you even gave me this." 

"Lex, please..."

"Please what? What am I supposed to do? You've barely spoken to me in the last few weeks. You sure as hell haven't touched me."