When You Were Mine | Falice

Trial

"I'm here to see FP Jones."

"Come with me." The officer replies and Alice follows him to the visitation room.

She waits anxiously for FP to come in.

When the door clicks open she looks over to see FP walk in, a smile on his face at the sight of her.

The officer takes off his handcuffs and he quickly walks over to Alice, hugging her tight. "My God, I have missed you so damn much. It's only been a week and I feel like I haven't seen you in months."

"They wouldn't let me see you, I've come everyday."

"Thank God, you're here now. They set a date for my trial."

"They did?" They sit down at the table together and he hold her hands in his own, stroking her soft skin.

"They managed to get me an early one. It's two days from now, I wanted to call and tell you but they wouldn't let me use the phone."

"I'll be there."

"You will?"

"Of course, I would take the stand if they needed me too. Anything to help you get the hell out of here. I miss you." 

"I miss you too." He sighs. "There is a bright side I guess, I've gotten to see my dad."

She smiles. "That's good. How is he?"

"I mean, he's in prison so as good as you can imagine in here."

"I wish you could both just come home. He could meet his grand-baby then."

FP smiles at the mention of their baby. "How is the munchkin anyway?"

"Good. Three months."

"Three? Jeez, I didn't think you were that far along."

"Me either. I have something for you though." She reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out the ultrasound for him. "I got to see it. Even got to hear it's heartbeat."

"Wow... it looks just like you!" He says, completely mesmerized as he stares at the pictures of their baby.

She laughs. "You can't even tell!"

"I know but I just feel like it does. God, Al, this is amazing."

"That's your copy. I didn't know if you could have one in here but I thought I'd bring one just in case."

"I'm not letting them take it from me, I'll hide it if I have to!"

"I wish you could have been there. It was amazing, FP. It's little heartbeat, that's our baby."

"I love you. And our baby. I love you both so damn much it hurts."

"I know. We love you too."

"I'm gonna get out of here. And we're going to raise our baby together, it's going to be the cutest, most loved kid in all of Riverdale. I promise you that."

_____

The trial day comes quickly. Alice sits nervously beside her parents and her friends. FP walks in and she feels her breath catch. It all seems like some surreal dream.

"Forsythe Pendleton Jones II please take the stand."

He rises and walks over to the stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do." He takes a seat and anxiously awaits questioning.

"Mr Jones, you were arrested for possession of drugs, correct?"

"Yes."

"You were also dropping said drugs off with the intent to sell, correct?"

"Yes."

"Now what would make a 17 year old boy want to sell and possess drugs you ask? Well your honour, the jury, Mr Jones here is the son of none other than Forsythe Pendleton Jones. Another known criminal who was arrested for the possession and selling of drugs."

"Objection! Relevance?"

"I'm just pointing out that the reason Mr Jones here is starting a life of crime himself is because it's all he's ever known."

"That's not why I did it." FP insists.

"Well Mr Jones, would you care to explain why you did it?"

"Penny Peabody, an ex girlfriend of mine has had it out for my current girlfriend. She called me early one morning and told me she needed me to do a drop off for her. When I refused she threatened the life of my girlfriend. My girlfriend who is pregnant with my baby. I agreed to do it so she wouldn't end up hurting her or our unborn child, not because my dad is a criminal!"

"Is it possible Ms Peabody was bluffing?"

"No. She's done some horrid things in her past, I was scared to see what she would do if I didn't go along with what she wanted."

"Your honour, that still is no excuse for selling drugs? Mr Jones here could've reported Ms Peabody to the authorities, instead he decided to take matters into his own hand and listen to her? In my opinion this is just an excuse to try and land my client in prison instead."

"Objection!" FP's lawyer interjects.

"No further questions."

"There will be a fifteen minute recess." The judge announces.

Alice quickly finds FP outside the court room. "It seemed to go well in there, I think you have a shot."

"I don't know, Penny's lawyer is good at her job."

"So is yours."

"I'm scared, Al. I don't want to leave you."

"I don't want you to either." She hugs him tightly and he holds back tears.

_____

"We have come to a decision." The judge announces. Alice holds her breath and curls her first, her nails pinching her skin. "The court has found Mr Jones... guilty. He will be serving a six year sentence. Court is adjourned."

"No." Alice breathes. "No!" She rushes over to where FP is, pushing past the officers trying to hold her back.

He rushes over to her and hugs her tight, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I love you baby, never forget that." He rest his hand on her stomach. "Make sure he or she knows how much their daddy loves them, alright?"

He's yanked away from her and is handcuffed on the spot and she watches as the love of her life taken away and out of her sight.