A Taste of Sweet Ecstasy

Chapter 39: New beginnings, new rings

©sprinklemycupcake

Warning: intense cuteness overload towards the end

Chapter 39: New beginnings, new rings

Things did get better like Archie promised but there was still that dreaded day that no one was looking forward to. Every time it came up in a conversation it would turn into an argument about nothing. It was clear we all had to talk about things but no one made a move to talk about it. After Archie and I got released from hospital with orders to take it easy, especially Archie considering he had the worst of the injuries.

From then on my family kept suffocating me with kindness. I don’t mean to sound like a little brat but they were treating me as if I were a fragile piece of glass ready to break any minute and in reality I kind of was but them treating me with such caution made things worse. The only time I felt like I could breathe was when I snuck into Archie’s window in the middle of the night; it was a big effort but hell it was worth it, just to be in his arms and safe.

So the days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months and finally the day had come that we were all so excited about – notice the sarcasm. It was day we were going to hopefully see some justice be done to Cara and Jackson. It would also be the first time we would be seeing them in 2 months and the thought of seeing either face made me feel even sicker.

I felt a warm hand intertwine with mine and I looked up to see Archie giving me a loving smile that made all my worries disappear. I looked down at our laced fingers and squeezed his hand, giving him a silent thank you, not having the energy to speak.

I let out a shaky breath as the car stopped in front of the courthouse. No one had said a word the whole ride here and no one even made a move to get out of the car either. I understood what they were all feeling, it was as like if we stayed inside the car, nothing will happen because once we step foot outside, everything becomes real.

Wanting to get this over and done with, I opened my door and tugged at Archie’s hand to join me. I couldn’t do this alone and I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I needed him there for me or else I don’t think I could even walk inside.  My parents got out after us and we met up with my brothers, Belle and her parents. I appreciated them all being here because this is going to be one long day and I don’t think it’ll be all sunshine and rainbows. Even River was here. Oh god, when I filled him in on my dramatic life a couple of days after I got out of hospital, he actually passed out. He was livid and wanted to go out and kill Jackson with his bare hands, as for Cara, he didn’t say anything, he just walked into her room and trashed it – I know always one for a dramatic scene that boy.

A chill ran down my side as we were called in to the court room. As soon as we entered it seemed like everything was a blur from then on. I felt numb as the lawyers explained the case to the judge and went over every detail, not leaving one thing out. When Archie’s name was mentioned, I felt him stiffen beside me and I put a hand on his thigh. He relaxed slightly and put a hand over mine.

My mind was racing and before I knew it, it was my turn to speak up on the stand.

Sitting up here it was exactly how I expected it to be. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, including 2 pairs of eyes that I really wish weren’t looking at me. I hadn’t dared to look at them once while being in here. I lifted my head up as the lawyer made me swear an oath that I whatever I said was the truth and only the truth. I have seen enough crime shows to know how this goes and let me tell you, I prefer watching them rather than acting out in my own fucked up version of Suits.

The second my eyes met with my sisters, I took a deep breath in and froze. She was just staring at me completely lifeless. There was no smirk, no smile, and no signs of regret or sadness. Just an empty look flooding her eyes and that, in my opinion is worse than any of them.  My eyes moved to the sick bastard sitting next to her and I glared at him when I saw him smirking cockily. No shame at all.