Made With Love ✔

Chapter 38: Best Served Cold With Cupcakes

Lance's POV:

    Once I cleaned the blood off my hand, I got inside the car, where Vaness has already settled in the back seats, Officer Chelsey removing her equipment from the trunk. 

  I climbed inside, not having words to express myself. Vaness had her eyes closed, her face etched with a look of pain. I wanted to take her pain away, but I knew that the most I could do is to be her rock. I moved closer, taking her hands in mine. Her eyes opened quickly, a brief look of fear passed through her eyes before she met mine. Her face softened, and quickly she pulled me into the seat before carefully climbing atop me. Her arms wrapped around my neck, her face cradled in the nook of my neck and chest. 

In that moment I realized that whatever she went through in that.....place, she had bottled up, and now the flood had come. Her silent sobs cracked my heart into pieces as she let out all she had in her. Officer Chelsey had left at some point, but until we started moving did I notice that Brooklyn and Chase had silent tears rolling down their faces. 

  After some time, Vaness had run out of tears so she lifted her head and looked into my eyes with such vulnerability I wanted to never let her go. She bit her lip, her wet eyelashes moving rapidly. 

    She took a sharp breath and opened her mouth, I waited for her to say something. 

In a blink, her lips were on mine, the emotions that couldn't be conveyed with words or tears, pouring out into this kiss. I missed this emotion that she could somehow put into every brush of our lips, every touch. I missed the taste of her, the unique blend of black coffee and an indescribable sweetness that solely belonged to her. 

   She pulled away, her eyes shyly looking down, her lip in between teeth. I moved one hand from her back to her chin, nudging it up so that I could meet her eyes. 

    "The days I spent without you..." I trailed off, seeing the same emotion reflected in her eyes. 

      With one more peck, she slid off my lap and sat beside me. Her warmth wasn't lost as she snuggled close and we wove our hands together. 

~~~3 hours later...

     We pulled into the driveway of my house, where my parents were anxiously waiting. Officer Chelsey was already there, her undercover car parked right beside us. When we got out, my ma ran to Vaness and wrapped her up. My father and brother gave me a brief hug and my dad whispered, 

     "Good work, son. I'm proud." And with that, tears I didn't know I had left filled my eyes. It was the first time in recent memory my father had spoken those words. The rest of the family gathered in the driveway, relieved smiles all around. 

   I took Vaness's hand as we made our way inside. I wondered where Vaness's parents were. I'm sure Officer Chelsey contacted them. 

     Abigail ran down the stairs and to Vaness, her arms encircling Vanessa's legs. 

     "Hey, kiddo. What have you been up to?" 

     "Pwaying with my dows. Come and look!" She jumped up and down excitedly, her eyes pleading. 

     "Of course, where are your dolls?" Vaness asked so I followed suit and we landed ourselves in the middle of a wedding. Literally. 

   A brunette doll was dressed in a wedding gown and a Ken doll that looked eerily similar to me was in a tuxedo. 

    "Lookie, Uncle Lance! You and Vanessa are getting mawwied!" and with that, she acted out the final "you may kiss the bride" part. 

     "Why aren't you kissie?" She asked confused, putting her dolls together once more. We looked at each other and shrugged, there was no harm. I cupped her face and gave her a sweet, soft peck. I didn't want to pull away, but I reminded myself that Abigail was in the room. 

    "Yay!" Abigail clapped and went back to her dolls, making up another scenario. Vaness's cheeks were flaming pink and her eyes had their sparkle back. 

     "Lance Easton Fields! Let the lady take a shower and get ready!" My mother's voice boomed from the door. 

    "Yes, ma." I let go of Vaness with one last peck. 

 ~~~4 hours later....

In the court-

Vanessa's POV:

"Please rise for the Honorable Judge Kelly." Lance gripped my right hand while Brooklyn held my left. I squeezed both their hands, my stomach doing somersaults. 

"The sentence for Mr. Vince Reed Stevenson for the criminal offenses...." I blocked out the crimes, knowing I wouldn't be able to get through the rest of the reading. 

My ears opened again when I heard the punishments being read off, 

   "Life in prison, no parole and $1,000,000 in fines." 

 After the judge banged the gavel, my brain processed the words. The courtroom erupted in cheers, even the judge smiled at us. I buried my head into Lance's chest as Brooklyn and Chase joined us. We all hugged, savoring the moment. When we broke apart, Lance came closer, and whispered, 

    "It's over, Cupcake." he punctuated that statement with a passionate kiss. We didn't care that we were in a courtroom, it was just the two of us.

   After our initial celebration, we were encircled by Brooklyn, Chase, Hamilton, and Lindsey. Lance's parents weren't far behind, their faces displaying the happiest smiles I've seen in a while. 

   Justice was served. 

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Hey y'all!

Who else to happy to see justice served? 

I cannot believe that Made With Love is on track to be finished before 2018 is upon us. But we won't think about that now! 

Next chapter...or (maybe) two will be updated during Thanksgiving weekend. 

Don't forget to share, comment, and VOTE!

That's all for now! :)