𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞
𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤
After finding out the news that her money, well the money that was left over, was back Isabella had several mixed feelings about the situation.
For one with her money back there would have to be this whole process till she could get it back fully and not only that but she would have to face the person who took it in the first place.
Isabella didn't think she would ever see Samuel ever again after he left and if she was honest she didn't ever want to see him again either. He was the reason for so much destruction in her life that even having to see him for a minute wasn't sitting well for her.
She knew she wasn't the only one that would have to say in the matter seeing as she wasn't the only family of Samuel that would be affected by this. As soon as she got the news Isabella immediately informed Liam of the news.
Even though she didn't want to face him again she knew she needed to, she needed to at least be in the same room as him to get her money back.
And Liam? He didn't know what to think of the situation.
He already had accepted the fact that his father wasn't someone reliable. He's seen and heard everything he had caused his sister. If he was honest he didn't really need to see him but there was something bothering him.
Liam didn't need to see Samuel there was no purpose in seeing him or even meeting him but that voice in his head made him think more on the situation and he knew one thing he wanted to see.
He has spent his whole life thinking about meeting his father no matter what the situation was, that's what he always thought of.
The two siblings weren't sure what to do with the situation. They had no idea how to even feel about the situation but there was one thing they knew about it. . . they had no choice in the matter.
If Isabella wanted her money back and end the situation with her father and if Liam wanted to even end that chapter of Samuel being even close in his life the two would have to face him.
So that was what they were going to do in less than an hour.
The two were getting ready to go to the courthouse with Topanga seeing she was Isabella's lawyer and especially in this case she had all hands on deck.
Isabella had so much trust in Topanga especially on her skills as a lawyer there was no doubt Topanga was one of the best when it came to the profession but each second that she gets closer to see Samuel again worries her.
He for so long has been able to manipulate his way out of situations and she worries that he would do the same things again even when all the evidence was against him.
Ever since he found out that Isabella would have to go face Samuel once again Joshua had been there to comfort her. He knew this was the last thing Isabella would want to do to face the person who made her life miserable but if she wanted to end that chapter of her life and get rid of him she needed to do this.
Liam was down in the living room waiting for his sister while the others were out in school though before she left Francesca made sure to give him some comfort not wanting him to feel so tense with the situation.
Though she wanted to go, Liam was able to convince her to go to school knowing she had to go and he didn't want to be the reason she was ditching her classes.
"Are you ready?" Joshua asked Isabella as he carried Nathaniel in his arms considering he was going to stay to take care of him while Isabella and Liam were out dealing with the Samuel situation.
"No." Isabella shook her head instantly as she held Nathaniel's hand because though she was ready physically she wasn't anywhere near mentally or emotionally ready to be face to face with Samuel. "Why do I even need to see him? Isn't everything he's done evidence enough?"
"I'm sorry." Joshua sighed running his hands through Isabella's hair before pulling her into his embrace which she didn't hesitate in wrapping her arms around his waist wanting to stay like that rather than leave.
"Why did he have to do this? Why couldn't he just leave?" Isabella mumbled into Joshua's chest absolutely hating the actions Samuel had done to ruin her life and while it sounded muffled Joshua knew what she said.
"Because he's stupid that's why. . . but hey look at it this way when you're done with this that's it. You don't have to do anything with him." Joshua wished Isabella didn't have to go through with this situation but he knows it would close any ties her and Samuel would have.
"That's what I'm hoping for." Isabella looked up to Joshua admitting what her hopes were but that was when something else came into her mind. "I just hope Samuel doesn't try to get Liam under his stupid spell. He knows how to lie and seem like he cares about you."
"I'm sure Liam will see through that plus you know the one who was a father to him was and always will be Thor's dad he's told you that." Joshua assured Isabella knowing personally from Liam that Samuel wouldn't change the fact of who had been a father to Liam.
"You're right you're right." Isabella repeated herself as she nodded understanding what Joshua was saying her brother had even told her this before and no second to spare her alarm rang. "It's time."
"Good luck I'll be here when you come back. I love you." Joshua leaned over to her placing a kiss on her lips which she returned before the Matthews man lowered Nathaniel who squealed wrapping his arms around Isabella.
Hearing his laugh made Isabella genuinely smile, having her wrap her arms around the young child placing several kisses over his face making Nathaniel giggle at the actions. Joshua grinned over to the two knowing that soon enough when the situation with Samuel was situated that's how the rest of their days would be like.
"I'll see you both soon." Isabella looked between the two as she handed Nathaniel back to Joshua kissing their cheeks hoping when she comes back it's with better news. "I love you."
Waving at them Isabella grabbed her things before heading downstairs and once she was there she was met with her brother who was pacing around but stopped once he saw her.
"You ready?" Liam asked Isabella, having questioned himself several times before reaching the penthouse hoping she was ready in the way he meant but that was crushed once he saw the head shake.
"Are you ready?" Isabella repeated the question to him wondering if he was any better than her state but she had only received the same answer she gave which wasn't good. "Great well let's go."
"Emotional trauma here we come."
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The drive to the courthouse was pretty much a very quiet one considering the two didn't know how to deal with this. Liam always thought that he would meet his father by accidentally bumping into him and it might build from there but now he was going to face him with Samuel wearing an orange jumpsuit.
Isabella on the other hand always thought that when he left that was the last time maybe she would see him one more time but she never really imagined it like this she had thought about it but she never thought it was actually like that.
Once Liam parked the car the two sat there in silence just staring at the building with no emotion. They didn't even know what they should be feeling but when they turned to each other they knew what they would have to do.
The two siblings took in a deep breath before they grabbed their things and stepped out of the car. Isabella made her way up to the doors first with Liam right behind her and they were met with Topanga.
"Great you guys are here." Topanga got up from her seat in front of the room where their meeting with Samuel was being held and she knew it was better to walk in with some tips than blindfolded. "Now I know this is a difficult time so when you guys want to end it just tell me but I do have to warn you if we do that too often it would make the situation way longer."
"Does he have any witnesses with him?" Isabella asked Topanga after a small thought entered her mind and it made her wonder if there was actually someone who believed him but if she was honest she wouldn't be too surprised if there was.
"Well the good thing this isn't a trial like that so no he doesn't this is a court session where the judge would decide what punishment he would receive so anything that you have on him make sure you tell me." Topanga assured the two siblings well, mostly Isabella seeing the worried expression on her face but there was one thing that she had to tell them and she didn't know how they'd take it. "And there's another thing. When he got caught he tried to make a run for it and there were several people around him. . ."
"What did he do?" Isabella questioned the Matthews woman seeing the look of hesitance on her face, having her and Liam share a look with one another wondering how far Samuel went with his escape.
"He somehow ended up injuring about four people and they had to go to the hospital." Topanga explained to them having both siblings freeze for a second not realizing how bad Samuel was and now they worried for the people who got hurt. "The four of them are fine now but Samuel has more evidence against him now and since he was the reason of injury to the four people they went to take precautions."
"What kind of precautions?" Liam asked the older woman wondering what that could mean but Isabella didn't wait for a response as she opened the door beside them slightly seeing what kind of measures it had gone too.
"Handcuffs." Isabella answered for Topanga as she nodded for Liam, having him stand beside her looking through the crack seeing the men in uniforms sitting Samuel down cuffing him to the table.
Topanga looked over to the two seeing how their expression somehow became even more void than before they had entered the building and all she could think about is how could a parent ever put their kids through something like this.
"I know this is difficult for you guys but Isa I need to know is there anything else that Samuel may have against him, anything that you haven't told me?" Topanga grabbed their attention once again before asking the raven haired girl having Isabella turn to her, staring at her for a hard minute thinking back.
"Not that I could recall." Isabella responded with a soft head shake stepping away from the doorway knowing that in any second she would have to get in and face Samuel.
"Alright. . . you two ready?" Topanga nodded knowing that they would have to go far for the case and in the end it would be draining in every single way possible.
The two knew their answers but they also knew they wouldn't be able to actually say it so they faced the facts and knew they would have to lie.
"Yes."
"Let's go in then."
Topanga opened the doors allowing the three of them to enter the room and as they entered they immediately felt eyes on them. As Topanga led the two siblings to their seats Samuel sat in his seat watching them.
He saw his daughter avoiding any kind of eye contact with him and she could have made him know it was her way of saying she didn't even consider his presence. Samuel then turned to look at the man beside Isabella, he knew that wasn't Joshua so it made him wonder who that could be.
Samuel had never seen the boy beside Isabella and when she was young his daughter would always introduce him to her friends. It was always like this important moment so he was confused why he didn't recognize the boy who kept quick glances over to him.
All he could think was it couldn't have been that long that he was gone when his daughter could have gotten a new friend that quickly.
Another thing that had caught his attention too quickly was the ring on Isabella's left hand. He knew what that was, it was obvious what that was.
He didn't have much time to dwell on that with the judge coming in.
Once the judge was in the session had begun and things had gone on as usual and it was in a way calming for Isabella because she had time to relax before going into the heavy but she thought too quickly when the Judge asked for her and Liam to say their names and state their relationship.
"Are you ready for this?" Isabella turned to her brother asking him knowing this would technically be the first time he would have actually introduced himself to their father, the one that didn't even recognize him.
"I don't think I'll ever feel ready." Liam whispered over to his sister knowing that at that point it didn't seem possible to ever feel prepared for any moment that included their father.
With nothing else to say Liam gestured for them to stand towards the judge making no movement to look over to Samuel yet.
"I am Isabella Victoria Clutterbucket Torrez. I am the daughter of. . . Samuel Torrez." Isabella responded first stating herself but once she got to the daughter part she hesitated so much to say who her father was because truth be told it felt like it changed.
"And you sir?" The judge turned to Liam seeing him take a bit longer to respond after Isabella finished which had her nudge her brother nodding over to him almost as if she was assuring she was there.
"I am Liam Aaron Carter. I am. . . the son of Samuel Torrez." Liam finally answered having both siblings quickly sit back to their seats while Samuel himself couldn't help but stare at the two with wide eyes.
The moment he heard Liam's last name the dots clicked in his mind. He remembered being with a woman of that last name quite a while before Isabella was born but with how things ended with Liam's mother he was sure he would have never seen Liam.
Now? Now Liam and Isabella had found each other he didn't know how to feel about that.
The session continued going through the normal procedures and while Isabella tried to focus on it she couldn't help but feel the stares at her she knew it was from Samuel. She didn't want to turn to confirm it so she tried her best to keep her mind on the judge who was going through the claims against Samuel.
Everything seemed to drag on longer than it should.
All Isabella wondered was why couldn't they just have given her money back and send Samuel behind bars. The evidence is there everything clear so it didn't make sense why they had to go through everything.
After two hours went on the judge had called for Samuel to speak needing to have him in stand so one of the officers grabbed the mic placing it closer to him.
"Now Mr. Torrez here it's stated that you and your daughter lived in a house in Philadelphia for about sixteen years, is that correct?" The judge read the paper placed in front of him wanting to check if it was the right information given.
"Yes it is correct." Samuel responded not seeing how it was anything relevant to the case they were doing at the moment.
"Is it also correct that it was your parents' house before it was placed under your name?" The judge continued on asking but this one had Isabella raise her head looking towards him in curiosity wondering where it was leading.
"It is."
"So is it also correct that you were the reason they had gone bankrupt losing the deed to the house which you had immediately got possession of nineteen years ago?" The judge went on catching Isabella's attention even more as she leaned on the edge of her seat.
The first time through the whole trial she turned to look over at Samuel seeing him freeze for a second before rubbing his wrist. Isabella knew what that meant he was hiding something. He had done that same movement all her life when he was lying.
Isabella fell back into her seat staring at the table in shock and anger never even knowing her grandparents faced a great financial crisis because of her father Samuel was the reason the family on his side were so divided.
She knew that but she always thought it was for a completely different issue.
Liam himself leaned on the table looking over to their father being in complete shock not knowing Samuel would go that far for what he wants especially to do that to his own parents.
"Pardon your honor, what does this have to do with the case?" Samuel's lawyer stood from his seat beside Samuel asking the Judge wondering where he had gotten that information which may dig his client deeper.
"Well the fact is attorney Matthews has this in her evidence." The judge responded to the lawyer gesturing over to Topanga who was preparing her notes but this did have everyone turn to her. "Now Mr. Torrez, is the information on this document correct?"
". . .yes your honor it is." Samuel answered after clearing his throat, having the two siblings look at one another not knowing what to do with the information in hand.
"Attorney Matthews may come up."
"Thank you, your honor. With this evidence proven to be true it is simple to see this wouldn't be the first time Samuel would be accused of financial crimes so it would not come to a surprise that he had taken money from my client." Topanga stood from her seat presenting her case but with her removed from her seat it gave Samuel more of a chance to see his children. "I have contacted the parents of Samuel confirming it."
They could feel the stares from him but they had to ignore it because if they didn't they had no idea what their reactions may be.
The whole situation went from one thing to another and everyone knew this may go on longer than expected.
Topanga went on with her case but once she mentioned something that didn't fall too well with Samuel's lawyer the room went chaotic for a second.
"Objection your honor!" Samuel's lawyer stood up from his seat dropping his papers on the table as he pointed over to Topanga having her turn to him trying to hold her patience knowing what kind of lawyer he was.
"On what grounds?"
"On that ground that my client's parents aren't on this ground." The lawyer responded with, having everyone look at him in question considering he responded with a childish tone.
"I didn't know you could talk in court like that." Liam leaned over to his sister whispering to her having her nod slightly knowing what he meant and it seemed everyone else saw that as well even the lawyer who had his face turn slightly red.
"Fair point well in that case I believe we should call it recess until the parents' of Samuel Torrez are present in court until then the court dismiss." The judge thought on it for a couple seconds before making up his mind leaving the room but his choice had Isabella freeze for a second.
Topanga sighed knowing the session would go on longer than expected if Samuel's parents weren't present and the two siblings could tell from her sigh what she meant having the two lean their heads on their hands though Isabella covered her face with her hands.
The officers in charge of Samuel uncuffed him from the table before cuffing him his hands together leading him out of the room though he did make sure to look over to his children as much as he could until he was out of the room.
"This can't be happening." Isabella whispered with a head shake once she heard the doors shut so she knew it was only the three of them in the courtroom letting her have a chance to speak her mind.
"Come on, let's head out, they're going to fill this room in five minutes." Topanga nodded understanding her irritation but she knew they couldn't stay in there for too long either.
Liam understood so he helped Topanga pack her items while Isabella gathered her bag and jacket though she was quite slower knowing that there's a chance Samuel may still be outside.
Once they were ready they headed out of the room and were met with the hallway filled with several people and one of them being Samuel who was now handcuffed to the chair beside the courtroom though they didn't realize he was there.
"This would be quick, we just need to get your grandparents here to confirm everything." Topanga assured Isabella knowing that when they get her grandparents to New York as soon as possible everything would speed up.
"That may be a problem." Isabella whispered over to Topanga having the older woman look over to her almost sister in law in confusion as they walked ahead.
Liam was about to follow, curious at the situation as well but that was until his name was called and he knew that voice.
"Liam? Look at you." Samuel called out to the tall man having Liam freeze for a second not knowing what to do but he ended up turning looking towards that man who was half the reason he was born.
"Samuel." Liam turned to him with a slight nod clutching his jaw feeling nervous about the situation, this was the first time he was personally speaking to his father and it was with him being handcuffed to a chair.
"You are so grown up it's good to finally meet you." Samuel looked up to Liam smiling slightly, having this been the first time he was seeing his son in full view. "Looks like life has been good on you."
"Yeah. . . no thanks to you." Liam had a small smile on his lips until he remembered who he was talking to and it wasn't just that he abandoned him but made his sister's life miserable that bothered him.
"Look I know you have some anger against me but you have to listen to me." Samuel sighed knowing that Liam had anger on him but he couldn't let this be the way their relationship goes. "I wanted to be in your life. I mean how couldn't I? You're my boy."
Liam tried to stop him from going on especially when he tried to stand up but that only led the guards pulling out their guns aiming at Samuel in case he tried to do something but that man only placed his arms up for surrender though the situation did catch Isabella's attention.
It wasn't that Isabella thought Liam couldn't handle Samuel it was the fact she knew Samuel would be able to get anyone to believe him he's done that to her for years of her life. She excused herself from Topanga trying to make her way over to her brother.
"Please understand right now Isabella's upset about something I did. You have to make her understand that I had to do what I did." Samuel begged Liam after the guards placed their weapons back into their holster seeing that he wasn't of threat.
"Why should I believe you?" Liam questioned the older man knowing who he was and what he had done to several people which neither was doing anything good for him.
"Because you're my son." Samuel answered almost as if he was proving what power those words held and he could see Liam's expression break slightly at the words.
"And I was your daughter. Neither means anything to you." Isabella commented hearing Samuel using the relations to his benefits, well more like trying but it was almost as if she was the only one that could see past his mask.
"Isabella it does mean something to me it always had." Samuel tried to prove he was right trying to make them be by his side and get them together seeing how divided they were.
"No it doesn't and it never has. Can we go Li?" Isabella shook her head not even letting the thought cross her mind so she immediately turned to her brother, hooking her arm in his.
Liam nodded over to her turning around with her walking away as the two ignored the looks Samuel gave them knowing they may consider staying and listen to him.
"Thank you for getting me out of that."
"You're welcome now, let's try and get out of here."
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After everyone was out of their classes everyone met over at Topanga's while the younger group stayed in class for a while longer.
Once they reached Topanga's the group couldn't resist in asking the siblings how the case went on but when they found out what had happened it had them wishing they didn't bring it up.
They saw how the day was heavy for both of them especially emotionally considering they barely even spoke after they told their friends how it went.
"The evidence is there why is this taking them long to make a decision." Skylar furrowed her eyebrows not being able to believe the court didn't see that Samuel was guilty; he clearly was at that point they should give Isabella her money.
"Samuel's lawyer had made a point that the parents who put the claim on him should be involved in the case but that is only a bigger problem." Isabella sighed bringing a sleeping Nathaniel close to her but her friends just stared at her in confusion well aside from Joshua and Liam who knew.
"Why is it a problem, wouldn't they be happy to do so? It'll get them justice for what Samuel did." Nikki stared at the raven haired girl in confusion wondering where the problem was having heard Isabella had a good relationship with her grandparents.
"It's a problem because right now our grandfather is going through something and he's not feeling the best he can't travel out of Florida right now. My grandmother doesn't want to leave his sight in case something happens and I don't blame her but that means we can't go on with the case without them." Isabella shook her head knowing the problem her grandparents were going through currently and she didn't want to put them through more.
"Is there anything else he's doing to try and sike you guys out?" Charlotte asked the siblings wondering if the lawyers had anything else up their sleeves to try and use against them.
At this question Liam and Isabella shared a look with each other thinking back to what Samuel was trying to do after thinking about it during the drive Liam figured Samuel's game. If he was going to trust anyone it'd be his sister because she never gave him a doubt about trusting her.
"Not with the lawyer." Liam answered Charlotte this time knowing that the lawyer wasn't the only one to bring them issues and they wished it was only him that brought them trouble.
"Samuel tried to trick us in making us believe he cares about us." Isabella cleared her throat before bringing up the situation with Samuel well, the one that had furthered more with the already made situation.
"I should have never listened to you guys and gone after him." Joshua huffed looking over to Holden and Skylar thinking back to his decision on taking care of Samuel when he had the chance.
"Hey we kept you from going to jail we're fine with the pout now." Holden raised his arms feeling no remorse on his and Skylar's decision to which his wife agreed to but everyone turned to the three in confusion.
"Um, did I miss something?" Isabella asked her best friends and boyfriend after she shared a look with everyone considering she never heard about the dealing with Samuel situation.
"Well after you went to sleep in Elena's place Josh tried to go after Samuel and deal with him." Skylar informed her best friend trying to leave out some details of the events that day knowing that they still do hurt Isabella.
"I love and thank you for trying to solve it but you can't. One of us has to be the calm and stable one. . . that's clearly not me." Isabella turned to her fiance, sending him a smile before she patted his arm with her free hand knowing one of them would have to be in good mind.
"I don't know, I think you guys balance that out on each other. When you're not together that's when it gets terrifying." Jasmine hummed as she thought about the two and she knew they complement one another. "That's actually a great idea for a speech that's mine, no one take that."
Jasmine grabbed a napkin and a pen near her writing down the speech idea for Joshua and Isabella's wedding having them all chuckle at her actions which the two siblings had to thank considering they hadn't laughed since before the case.
"I'm serious, you take it, I'm hunting you down."
". . . I'm scared now."
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Later that day it was night time Maya and Farkle were over at the penthouse hanging out with Isabella considering she missed the school day with them.
They wondered why she missed it but all Isabella told them was that she was extremely busy. She didn't want to mention what her and Liam were actually doing because she didn't want anyone to stop their lives and focus on them.
"So Matthews wants us to present our heritage this week." Maya informed her sister as she grabbed a bag she bought from the market near them having an idea of how her presentation would go.
"That sounds pretty cool actually." Isabella commented liking the idea of the younger teenagers finding out more about themselves and their families.
"Yeah so I bought soap and potatoes." Maya nodded over to her sister with a grin dumping the soaps and potatoes on the bed while Isabella and Farkle shared a look of confusion at the things they were seeing.
"Um, why?" Isabella looked over to her younger sister with a raised up eyebrow trying to figure out what the soap and potatoes had to do with their heritage; nothing really added up with it.
"Mom's part Irish." Maya shrugged simply as if it was a perfect explanation for the items she would bring in for class but her sister just stared at her with the same expression.
"Tell you what, there's several people in this house. If half of them sign and say you're right then I'll try and convince Cory how it works." Isabella shook her head before leaning over to her nightstand grabbing a notepad and pen giving it to Maya.
"Ha, that's easy. I'll be back." Maya laughed at her sister taking the notepad and pen as she got up from the bed before kissing Farkle's cheek leaving the room to get the signatures she needed.
"What's up young Minkus?" Isabella turned to Farkle after her sister left; she had noticed there was something on Farkle's mind; he was more quiet than usual.
"Nothing, just thinking." Farkle responded with a soft smile not trying to impose on her knowing that she was going through something herself he could tell there was something she was thinking about as well.
"Does it have to do with Cory's heritage project?" Isabella asked the young genius, considering when she called back to when her sister and him entered her room they were both fine but as soon as they entered the conversation about heritage his mood dimmed.
"Have you ever found it difficult to find out who your family was?" Farkle questioned her instead because his research a while ago didn't really lead him anywhere so he had to figure something out.
"Well not to find them but on Samuel's side it seemed easy to lose the connection with family." Isabella thought on it for a while before responding though it did have her swallow back some words. ". . .Have you found it difficult to find yours?"
"What does it mean when you can't find them after a certain time?" Farkle continued on letting the question be his answer and while he was going on to be vague Isabella seemed to catch on with what was happening.
Isabella didn't know what to say there wasn't any answer she could give that would help him so she did the next best thing. She moved over to sit next to the Minkus teenager wrapping her arm around him to which Farkle responded by wrapping his arms around her, laying his head on her shoulders.
They had grown so much as friends and had their own sibling relationship so it became really simple to understand each other and understand that even though they didn't know what to say just knowing they were there for each other was enough.
"Here's the thing, sometimes learning about others and ourselves is very difficult. You never expect what you learn but we have to remember who we are. That's part of our story but it's not what or who we are entirely." Isabella patted Farkle's shoulder as she went on explaining how it went because she knew she was right it wasn't who they were entirely.
"I wish I knew more." Farkle admitted as he looked off staring straight to the wall considering he had accepted this may be the most difficult research he may have ever done.
"Then if that's what you want to do then go for it just be careful like I said finding out somethings can be difficult." Isabella encouraged him knowing Farkle wouldn't back down so all she could do was assure him she'll be there.
For a while they both sat there sitting with each other thinking about everything they had gone through though the thoughts ended when Maya walked back in with a frown on her face.
"Your roommates don't even take a moment to consider it being a good idea." Maya complained as she shut the door, tossing the notepad and pen on the bed going over to sit beside Farkle.
Her boyfriend and her sister turned to her stifling their chuckles knowing the blonde thought it was an actual great idea to bring in the soap and potatoes.
"Oh, May, you are definitely on your own to try and convince Cory."
"It's a good plan."
"Minkus your thoughts?" Isabella asked the genius by her side, having both sisters turn to him making his eyes go wide knowing he was in the spotlight now.
"You know it may not work for this project but it would most definitely work for a science project. . . you're beautiful." Farkle tried his best to make sense but once he saw the look on his girlfriend's face he knew that wasn't cutting it. "I love you."
"You're lucky I love you and the compliment too."
"I love this."
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The day after the first session Topanga had somehow been able to have Samuel's parents in court even though it was through a screen the judge still accepted it so the session went on. Though Isabella had more evidence against Samuel the case just became more difficult with Samuel's lawyer bringing up more trouble from the past.
All the unnecessary talk had led to another recess which led them to their third day in the courtroom.
This time Katy, Shawn, Joshua and Francesca were there along with Nathaniel of course trying to keep the two siblings company but of course they waited in the back of the courtroom seeing as there were already enough people inside but also because neither Liam or Isabella wanted them to face Samuel so close.
Currently they were in a small break so the judge dismissed everyone for a couple minutes so he could go on with his business.
Isabella and Liam were with their partners while Katy and Shawn spoke with Topanga wondering if she knew where the case may lead.
"They shouldn't make this go on longer than it's supposed to. It's so unfair for the both of you." Francesca shook her head having heard what was going inside the courtroom and it didn't seem fair at all to make them do that, especially making Liam go through the emotional trouble when they put him as a witness.
"At least Topanga says there's a chance the decision may be made today." Liam sighed having been informed by the Matthews woman the chances his sister may have.
"I just want this to be solved so we can go home." Isabella admitted as she hugged Nathaniel close to her feeling everything got better with him in her arms it was even better when Joshua wrapped his arms around her.
"And as soon as that happens you guys can rest for a while and we'll get all your favorite food and celebrate." Joshua placed a kiss on Isabella's head as he assured her and Liam knowing they would want nothing else but to rest.
"That sounds like the best idea." Liam smiled softly enjoying the thought even Isabella couldn't help but agree seeing how good it sounded.
Knowing they had a bit more time the four of them took some time to catch up with each other seeing as most of the time in the week the two siblings had their minds in court.
A little while later Holden and Skylar came by, surprising them along with bringing them some food considering they have been in the room for a couple hours now and haven't eaten anything.
They stayed there eating waiting to be called in but as they were eating Samuel was escorted out of the bathroom with the guards surrounding it unfortunately that was right in front of the group.
Samuel noticed his children but not only them or the people around them he noticed the young child in Isabella's arms. He would assume that it was her child that would be the only thought to come to his mind but then he remembered who was pregnant.
"You kept him?" Samuel questioned Isabella, staring at her with a blank expression catching the attention of the group in front of him, especially Isabella's whose grip tightened around Nathaniel.
"Can you take him to my mom?" Isabella whispered over to her best friend handing a sleeping Nathaniel to the blonde who nodded going over to Katy immediately. "What's it to you?"
"How is it that your brain can't comprehend how that mistake ruined everything?" Samuel tried to move forward to her squinting his eyes but the guards pulled him back not wanting him to injure anyone else.
That comment did nothing but make Isabella's blood boil to the highest extent if she didn't hate Samuel before she surely did now.
"He is not a mistake, he's my kid so next time you think of trying to call him a mistake I'd suggest you think again." Isabella stood up from her seat not even missing a second not letting anyone pull her back as she got up closer to Samuel holding a deep glare one different than any other she had given to others.
"Not a mistake? Don't you see what he did with just being born stopping you from doing what you want with your life." Samuel raised his eyebrows not even acknowledging anyone else at this point Isabella didn't either.
"Well I'm sorry that's how you saw your life go but he hasn't done that and if I remember correctly who made life more difficult is the sorry excuse for a human in front of me who stole everything I had saved." Isabella chuckled humorlessly crossing her arms in front of her knowing Samuel cared nothing about how her life went.
"As if you had any clue on what to do with any of it. You never knew what to do with your life, you're as messed up as I am." Samuel responded back with his own laughter before tossing the harshest insult Isabella could ever receive, comparing her to him was the last thing she ever wanted.
Skylar and Holden had to hold Joshua back seeing him trying to go at Samuel but they knew that wouldn't look too kindly even Francesca had to convince Liam not to fight with Samuel.
"Shawn if you do something to him that wouldn't look good for you and most definitely not for her." Topanga stopped her friend seeing him stepping forward, balling his fist and though she didn't disagree with what may have happened if she let him, she knew it wouldn't be for the best.
"Doesn't mean I have to let her face him alone." Shawn answered back to his friend before glancing between her and his wife, both were giving him a look of warning as he went to move in front of Isabella. "I wouldn't go on if I were you."
"Really? You're the one to protect her?" Samuel questioned Shawn seeing him stand in front of Isabella almost as if he was being a barrier between the two but honestly he tried to get a reaction out of him.
"Been doing a hell of a better job than you have." Shawn pointed out without a hesitation that he wasn't wrong for he had always been there for Isabella ever since he had known her and Samuel had to admit that which is why he had nothing to say to the Hunter man.
"So that so-called kid of yours hadn't ruined some chances you could have achieved now? Face it Elena passed on the mistake she didn't want to live with she couldn't even love him enough to keep him herself." Samuel turned back to look at Isabella digging the wound up more for her to which even everyone else froze to know what happened.
"You don't know the first thing about love. You never have and I can say that you most probably never will not for anyone else but you. Elena loved him so much that she risked her life for him." Isabella looked over to him moving to stand beside Shawn but kept her sight on Samuel the whole time she even saw his face shift at her lost comment.
"What are you talking about?"
"The day he was born was Elena's last day. She asked me to take care of him and love him as he was mine. That's what I am doing because I do love him, it's the kind of love you never understood but they understood it and that's who I'm learning from." Isabella responded with such a low voice but it did cut into Samuel even as she pointed between Katy and Shawn, her parents. "So yes she loved him and I love him he hasn't ruined anything but you have. . . that's why I'm done with you and every single crap of yours."
With nothing else to say Isabella stepped away without shedding a tear making her way away from heading to the bathrooms close to them. The guards started moving Samuel back into the courtroom once they knew there was nothing else that would continue on but Samuel did have them stop beside Liam.
"I am so glad your mother listened to me and never brought you to meet me." Samuel admitted to Liam with a blank expression before the guards shoved him in the room while everyone looked between the doors of the bathroom where Isabella was and Liam.
Liam clenched his jaw forcing himself to stop any tears from falling but he had to move away trying to head outside needing some fresh air.
Katy handed her best friend her grandson before quickly making her way to the bathroom while Francesca made her way towards Liam.
Once Katy entered the bathroom she noticed one stall nearly closed and sadly that's the one sure heard cries from. Katy headed over to it and once she opened it she noticed her daughter sitting on the ground crying her eyes out.
With no words Katy headed over to her bringing her daughter into her arms, knowing who it was Isabella immediately wrapped her arms around her mother's waist laying her head on her shoulder having the tears stream down her face.
Liam was outside keeping his head in his hands wishing he wasn't shredding any tears but once Francesca moved to his side he couldn't help but let them fall. She pulled him into an embrace not knowing what she could say to help the situation because while she had her own issues with her father it wasn't the same as his.
Both Isabella and Liam couldn't help but question why their lives had played out like that though in some way they couldn't help but see it as a blessing as well because that led them to the people who were there by their sides and the ones there with them that day.
Soon enough the break had ended so the siblings had to head back into the court but first they met up with their group. Isabella couldn't forget to hug Shawn either, thanking him for being there when she really needed a dad.
Before walking inside Joshua and Isabella stepped aside letting the others go in first.
"Only a while longer and this is over." Joshua wrapped his arms around Isabella after wiping some tears away bringing her into a hug letting her wrap her arms around his waist as she laid her head on his chest.
"I love you. . . and I hope so." Isabella sighed hoping he was right and something in her made her know he was she just had to let that hope be there more than anything.
"I love you." Joshua kissed her head rubbing her back before the two looked at each other taking in a deep breath making their way back into the room.
Joshua took his seat while Isabella went over to the front moving to stand between her brother and Topanga.
When the judge walked back in the session went on, everything was going as it had been going for the past two days but this time there seemed to be an end near.
At first it seemed as a lost cost but that was until the judge gave the final verdict and once it did it seemed that was when Isabella and Liam could finally breathe in days. When the judge left the group headed over to the siblings and Topanga brought them into a big hug.
As they cheered for them both Isabella and Liam watched as they handcuffed Samuel up once again taking him out of the room and once they were gone the two turned to each other knowing what that meant for him but that also meant that chapter was over.
"How do you guys feel?" Skylar grinned as she asked her best friend and Liam wanting to know how they felt after that rollercoaster of emotions they have been through for days and once the two turned to each other they knew how they felt.
"Better than ever."
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The next day Joshua kept with his promise he let Isabella and Liam take their time to rest while he prepared the celebration he even invited the younger group after school knowing they had gone through their own troublesome week.
Isabella and Liam couldn't be more thankful for everyone there even while the younger ones didn't really know what was happening they were part of the reason their life was so much brighter.
While everyone was outside Isabella dragged her and Joshua out on the balcony having some time for themselves.
Though they were together the whole week it finally felt that they were together having their minds on that day not on what may happen in court the next day.
"Thank you for being here through it all." Isabella wrapped her arms around Joshua's neck pulling them closer to each other as she smiled up at him feeling grateful for having him next to her through it all.
"I am always going to be here. I love you with everything I have and always will." Joshua leaned down placing a kiss on her lips as he placed his hands on her waist keeping each other close.
"I love you with all my heart, always have and always will." Isabella smiled over to him knowing that promise would continue on for a long time because neither of them were planning to let go any time soon.
"To love. . ."
"And to cherish. . ."
"Till death do us part." The two stared at each other with large grins thinking about the day they would stand in front one another saying their vows and with the excitement in them though couldn't help themselves so they brought each other into a loving kiss.
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New update, amores!!! Hope you liked it!!
Not only does Isabella have a close chapter with Samuel but so does Liam? What do you think about that? Do you think their lives will be better?
Up next is Girl Meets Hollyworld, what do you think will happen?
Published~ May 1, 2022