Chapter 17: Order in the Court? I Think Not.
"Does this look okay?" Allison asked tentatively while peering into the mirror.
Connor walkded up behind her and snaked his arms around her stomach. "You look beautiful." She was wearing a purple, loose fititng dress and low heels. Anything higher than that and she would trip because of her swollen ankles.
"But you can so tell I'm pregnant!" Allison exclaimed.
Connor tilted his head to the side and squintd, as if he was examining a work of art. "I guess, but isn't that a good thing? The jury will pity you! Use anything to your advantage, that's what my father always says. Are you sure you want me to come? I won't make you nervous?"
Allison turned to smile at him. She rested her head on his chest and breathed out slowly to try to calm her nerves. "Of course not. I couldn't do this without you. I just wish you could be my lawyer."
Connor laughed and Allison could feel his chest vibrate underneath her head. "Yeah, but don't you think it's better for a real lawyer to represent you?" Allison nodded reluctantly, still upset that he wouldn't be next to her. "Besides, you know your father is the best lawyer around." Allison swore she could hear resentment in his voice, but she dismissed it quickly. Now wasn't the time.
"Well, we should probably get going."
**
The car ride to the court was short and silent. When they first pulled out of the long driveway, Connor had tried to make light converstaion, but Allison hadn't responded. She was afraid of throwing up if she opened her mouth, she was so nervous.
When they finally pulled up at the courthouse, Connor shut off the car and gazed up at the tall building. "I can't tell you how many times my dad dragged me here." He gave a harsh laugh. "I must have watched a hundred court proceedings. I should have hated it... but I really liked it."
Allison didn't respond. She stared straight ahead, playing the possible outcomes over and over in her head. She could get off.... but of course, that was unlikely. She broke his foot. She could go to jail. She would have her baby in prison, and get tattoos, and never see Connor again...
Connor interrupted her thoughts. "I watched my father send so many people to jail. Killers, psycopaths... even college students that go drunk at a campus party. Most were guilty, but some... some weren't." He paused and glanced over at Allison. "I won't do that. Ever. And I promise you your father won't let that happen You'll be fine, trust me."
Allison looked over after a moemnt. She leaned over and gave him a long, sweet kiss while trying not to cry. "Thank you. How'd you get so sweet?"
Connor smirked. "I guess I was just born awesome."
Allison laughed half-heartedly. She got out of the car and tried to walk with confidence. She could feel the stares of some of the people around her, but she ignored them. Connor's footsteps followed close behind her. He reached up and grabbed her hand. She squeezed it and walked through the doors of the courtroom.
Connor left her to sit in the stands behind her as she continued up to the tabe in front. Her father was waiting for her with his leather briefcase open in front of him. When he saw her, he stood up and enveloped her in a hug .She hugged him back, possibly for the first time in her life.
"So, are you ready?"
"No." She sighed and glanced at Broderick at the other table with his foot in a cast. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, he just came on to me, and so I did that defense thing you told me about. I'm really, really sorry!"
"Honey, it's fine. I'm proud of you! Now, let's teach this guy a lesson. Didn't he know that you came from a family of fantastic lawyers?"
Before she could respond, the bailiff called "ALL RISE!" and Allison watched the judge walk in. To her luck, it was a woman. She had long graying hair that fell around her shoulders. She nodded and everyone sat back down with a loud groan of the seats.
"The case of Harrison vs. Danielson is now in session. I see we have Harrison accusing Danielson of physical assualt and Danielson pleading not guilty while seperately accusing Harrison of sexual assault." She glanced up from the papers she read from. "Well this is certainly an interesting case. Harrison, you may begin your questioning."
Broderick's lawyer stood up and approached the bench."Your honor, we call Mrs. Allison Danielson to the stand."
Allison's father gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. As Allison approached the bench, Connor flashed her a comforting smile. She carefully eased herself into the small seat and being careful not to bump her stomach. Broderick's lawyer stood in front of her with an icy stare. "So, Mrs. Danielson. Do you deny attacking my client?"
"No. But-"
"And were you aware that you would break his foot if you stepped on his foot in the way you did?"
"Yes. But-"
"And you also knew that you were breaking the law?"
"Yes. But-"
"So you admit that you intentionally caused Mr. Harrison harm?"
"Yes! But you're not listening, I-"
"Your Honor, I think that's all I need to know. No furthur questions."
The judge nodded, glanced at Allison's confused expression, and waved her hand at Allison's father. "Mr. McHartey? You may begin questioning with Mrs. Daneilson, if you would like."
Her father nodded slowly and stood up. He slowly and nonchalantly walked over to where Allison was standing. He leaned against the tall wooden wall and faced the crowd. "Mrs. Danielson. Would you please describe the events that transcribed the day of the alleged assault?"
Allison straightened up and nodded. She cleared her throat and tried to keep her voice from wavering. "Well, I was driving home after a... meeting with my dean and I remembered that Broderick-"
"Mr. Harrison," her father interrupted quickly.
"-Mr. Harrison had asked me to coffee earlier that day. I quickly turned and ran in to the coffee shop for what I thought was a friendly meeting. When I arrived, Mr. Harrison offered me coffee. I declined because... well, obviously..." Allison gestured to her bulging stomach and the crowd laughed. She could pick up Connor's musical giggle from the crowd and she breathed out slowly. "He attempted to ask me out on a date, but I declined and got up to leave after assuring him I was married. Thats when he assaulted me."
"Please elaborate."
"Well, he tried to kiss me. He pinned me against the wall and I could barely breathe. So I pushed him back and stomped on his foot where I knew it would break, so he couldn't follow me. Then I went home."
Allison's father nodded slowly and turned to face her. "So, you acted purely in self defense?"
"Absolutely!"
He turned to the judge. "Thank you your honor. Now, for a few last questoins, could Mr. Broderick Harrison please come to the stand?"
Allison stood and walked back to her seat. She stiffened as Broderick passed her on his crutches, but he didn't acknowledge her.
"I just have one question, Mr. Harrison," her father said. Allison looked up as she eased into her seat, surprised. Just one? What good will that do? "What did you expect Mrs. Danielson to do when you assaulted her, knowing she was married and with child?"
Broderick paused, adjusted his glasses, and looked at the ceilling. "Well, I thought she'd kiss me back, I guess."
"You thought she'd leave her husband and her child for you? After one kiss?"
Broderick bit his lip. Her father smiled, Broderick's lawyer glanced at the ground, and the judge peered at him judgementally (pun!) over her glasses. That's when Allison knew they'd won.
***
"I'm so proud of you! You told it like it is!" Connor opened his arms to Allison as she sprinted out of the courtroom. She jumped into his arms and let him spin her around, ignoring the glares of the other people waiting to enter the courtroom.
"We won, baby, we won!"
He set her down and she gave him a long kiss on the cheek. He turned his head and smashed his lips against hers. With tears streaming down her face, Allison smiled through the kiss. The baby kicked and Connor felt it. They looked down at the same time and bumped heads. They laughed, rubbing their heads, and Allison's father suddenly cleared his throat behind them.
They turned in unison, Allison blushing like crazy and Connor looking at the floor. "Well, I see you two are happy. Seems as if we made a good match, eh?"
Allison shook her head and bit back a retort. "Thanks, Dad. You know, for getting me out of that."
"Yeah, and for the extra ten thousand that guy has to pay for sexual assault!" her father yelled. Allison smiled and walked over to hug him.
Her father looked down in surprise and gave her a stiff hug back. He turned to Connor and gave him a stern glare. "You'd better keep an eye on this one," he said.
Connor nodded, his face serious.. "Yeah, she loves trouble."
Her father nodded and stepped back. He left the room without another word and Allison watched him return to his car, a black Jetta, and drive away. When he was out of sight, Connor came up behind her and picked her up, spinning her around again with her legs flying out, nearly hitting a few people. Allison screamed and he set her back down. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his nose lightly. "Shall we go home?"
He gave her a long look and gently brushed a hair back from her face. Even after a year, his touch still sent tingles through Allison. She shuddered slightly and leaned into him. He kissed the top of her head and led her out of the courthouse.
"Yeah. Let's go home."
*****
Hi my lovely readers! so, i hope you enjoyed this chapter!!! im working on a new book right now, a prequel to an arranged marriage to a jerk, in connor's POV! look out for it! it should be out soon... smiley face:) well, see you then! oh, by the way, check out smileyfaceXD, she's an amazing writer who made my day, which is why i dedicated it to her!!! OH! and no one guessed it!!! my name is; BLAIR! crazy name right?? i know:) oh, and the comment queston is: broderick: how crazy is he on a scale of 1-10??? lemme know and i might dedicate the next chapter to you!!!!
WRITE ON!
<3SnazzyReader