Monday, May 16, 2011

CBWR? Chapter 88

Author's notes:
Sorry, this is pretty much un-edited.  I thought I'd better get this out before running to the school band concert, for fear there would be people with pitchforks on my lawn if I made you wait any longer.
FYI - I kept the state where Edward lives annonymous on purpose, so I can decide what the laws are.  Artistic license, anyone?

It’s not for you, fucker.
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Chapter 88
Garrett Milton sat next to me and flipped through a bunch of documents, grumbling under his breath the entire time.  The prosecuting attorney, Phil Dwyer, shuffled in the door and plopped down across from me, followed by his assistant – a little dark haired guy with dorky glasses and an armful of paperwork.
I knew him.  We’d been in court a few times before, but I had always been exonerated.  He hated me with a passion, and the feeling was definitely mutual.  The look in his eyes was nothing more than sheer glee now that he had his sights on me again. 
Garrett immediately started going through the list of charges and going on about how there wasn’t enough evidence for this and that, and how he basically suggested dropping everything and calling it a day.   Dwyer looked at me as he spoke to my attorney, and spouted a bunch of bullshit about how much evidence they had, testimony from the victim’s parents, the PI’s report…blah blah blah.
I took a cigarette out of my pocket.
“There’s no smoking in here,” Dwyer informed me.  I looked into his eyes while I lit up.
“Fucking sue me.”
He just glared at me and leaned forward with his elbows on the table.  He was about to speak, but I beat him to it.
“What do you really want, Phil?”  The man hated having defendants call him by his first name.  It was his own little power trip, and I could read the shock in his assistant’s eyes that I could possibly be so bold.
He glared at me some more, but didn’t respond.
“Come on,” I prompted, “just spit it out.  You want me behind bars, right?”
“I would very much like to see that,” he admitted with a nod. 
“Well,” I said as I blew smoke right into his face, “now’s your chance.”
“Edward-” Garrett started to say.
“Shut the fuck up, Garrett.”  I didn’t look at my attorney, but kept my eyes on Dwyer.  “I’m going to offer you a deal you can’t refuse, because you know there isn’t really enough evidence against me, and your only real witness is refusing to testify.  High profile case, election year – you can’t afford the loss of votes if I’m set free.”
“I’ve got pictures of you with holding a teenage girl against the wall with your fingers shoved in her,” he snapped.  “I’d say that’s evidence.”
“She was over eighteen, and I bet she’s already told you that was consensual.” 
He didn’t respond. 
“So here’s the deal,” I said.  “I plead guilty to rape in the second degree, you drop everything else.”
“I need a moment with my client,” Garrett suddenly called out.
“No.” Dwyer and I said at the same time.
“Plea bargaining, Cullen?” he snickered.  “What’s the catch?”
“No catch,” I told him.  “I go to prison, which is what you want, you get your votes, all other charges dropped.  Everyone’s happy.”
“There’s no way you’re just giving this to me,” he said.
It’s not for you, fucker.
I didn’t respond out loud, but I did blow smoke in his face again.  He leaned back to get away from it, but still ended up coughing while I smirked at him.
“It’s the only way you are going to get me,” I said softly.  “You know the chances of me getting off completely are there – you don’t have enough to tie me to anything other than a firearms possession and maybe the lame-ass transportation of a minor bullshit.  That’s what?  A year?  Maybe?  A little extra community service?  You won’t even be able to get those to stick if I decide not to let you.”
“There’s plenty against you,” he insisted.
“Whatever,” I replied.  “Take it or leave it.”
“Cullen,” Dwyer said as he leaned forward on the table to look at me over his half-moon glasses.  “I’ve been trying to put you away for years.  I can’t say this is exactly how I thought this would go down, but I’m going to take what I can get.”
“I need a moment with my client…”
“Fuck you,” I growled back, finally looking over to Garrett.  He was obviously livid.
“Edward, we’re not-”
“You’re fired.”  I said.
About four minutes of tense silence ensued before Garrett Milton stood up, tossed his papers in his briefcase and walked out of the cramped little office.  Dwyer’s assistant was filling out a bunch of paper, which he then handed over to his boss.  Dwyer gave them the once over, and then signed his name at the bottom before pushing them across the table to me.
I barely looked at them before I signed.
“We can set up the sentencing hearing for two weeks from today,” Dwyer said.  “You’re still under surveillance based on the terms of your bail, so don’t be stupid and try to skip out on me now.”
“I know that.”
He stood up and his assistant followed suit.  I stayed right when I was, finishing my cigarette and not really having anywhere else to go, anyway.
“I assume you will find another attorney to represent you?”
“Yeah, sure,” I mumbled.  He nodded.
“I have to ask,” Dwyer said to me as he was leaving, “why now?  After all this time, why are you now pleading guilty?”
I just looked at him, not willing to give him a response even if I had a reasonable one to give.  I probably could fight this, and he knew it.  I could probably walk out of here with a hung jury, but I wasn’t going to.  I couldn’t stand up in a courtroom with her there and plead innocent to what I had done to her. 
I just couldn’t.
I knew Garrett Milton would be pissed when I offered the plea bargain, which is why I didn’t tell him before hand.   He was already so sure he could get me off.  I figured I had already gotten off more than my fair share of times.  Pun not really intended, but it did turn my stomach.  I didn’t puke again – you have to be able to eat to have something to throw up. 
The rest of the day I stayed in that little office and tried to get another attorney, only to find that my bank accounts had pretty much disappeared.  All of them.  There were only about four people who could have gotten access to that info, and considering all my other businesses were now apparently being run by McCarty, I had a pretty good idea what had happened to them.  The tech company was still in my name, but the assets had been seized pending investigation. 
Every phone number I tried was no longer in service.
So two weeks later I found myself in the courtroom with a public defender, which was pretty much a joke.  I didn’t care though.  I didn’t care how much time I did.  It would never be enough.  Nothing would ever be enough.
My eyes never left the table in front of me with its little bottle of water and manila envelope filled with copies of the papers I had signed.  The public defender stood up at the appropriate time and entered in my guilty plea.  I barely listened as Lee Stephens took the stand, followed by Bella’s father and mother.  They all told their stories to the judge in hopes of getting me the maximum sentence in this state.
Right as the judge made me stand as she pronounced sentence, I heard the soft creek of the door in the back of the courtroom.  I didn’t have to look – I knew it was her.  I could feel her eyes on me, and my breath was gone again.  I wanted to turn around and look at her – just to see her and know she was okay – but that’s when the judge said my name.
“Edward Anthony Cullen,” she stated.  “You have been found guilty of second degree rape.  Considering all the other information provided by the testimony here today, I am not inclined to offer you any leniency.  Therefore, you are hereby sentenced to ten to fifteen years in the federal penitentiary, the maximum sentence allowable by this state.  Your sentence will begin immediately.”
The bailiff walked over alone with two other armed guards.  They turned me around to place me in the handcuffs, and that is when I saw her.
She was so, so beautiful, and so, so young.  She wasn’t in the dressy clothing she had worn all the time she was with me, but in a simple pair of jeans and a hooded sweatshirt with her hair pulled up in a ponytail on the top of her head.  She looked very much like the high school student she was.  Her eyes were wide, and her head was slowly shaking from side to side.
All I could do was stare at her as they pulled me away.
The pain in my chest, which had remained pretty constant since the day I understood what I had really done to her doubled, and the pressure was enough to make me stumble against one of the guards.  She deserved so much out of life, and I had fucked that up beyond belief.  She was everything, and she deserved to see the man who raped her punished for what he did. 
She had to know that I did it for her, right?
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Chapter end notes:

Reminder!  It still ain't over!  Bear with me a bit...or a lot.

128 comments:

  1.  UGGH I knew he would do it! which of course was the right thing to do but still :( *downing my Jack and Coke*

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  2. He's too pretty for prison! :'(

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  3. SHE's the reason that he KNOWS he did wrong...

    Well done, sweetie, well done. 

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  4.  *sniff* I'm proud of you Doofy...You're really not going to let him rot in prison for 10 to 15, are you?!?

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  5. I know it's not over, but I just want to cry. :( And I think she knows, yeah.

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  6. Hitchy *crazy for THG*May 16, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Doofy made me cry!   Honest to goodness tears are pricking my eyes right now.  Oh Edward.  No matter what form you come in you are forever a masochist. 

    Bella's upset about his going to prison.  That has to be why she was shaking her head, right?

    (Why is it that I can't stop ending my reviews to this thing with one of your 'right' questions?)

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  7. :( Sad times praying for some form of HEA but scared she will move on while in prison...please dont be that cruel lol
    RachPayne88/AnastasiaC88

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  8. Aww...such a drastic sentence......but he did plead guilty and he did do it...but, but, but...that broke my heart.
    You made me love the bad guy Savage :( :(

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  9. That hurt my heart...hold me?

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  10. Poor Edward - I feel so bad for him even though he's all kinds of fucked up.  Can't wait to see how this unfolds.

    Beautifully written!

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  11. Good for him. Glad she showed up too.

    I'm holding out for good behavior or something

    @shelgibson

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  12. GAH! I need a drink. God how much did someone showing him love change this man??? Le sigh.  

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  13. Oh, Edward - you've turned into such the gallant fellow, protecting Bella. Can't believe she didn't stop her parents, tho, and that she didn't go see him. Maybe her parents stopped her tho. Please don't let him get carted off to jail without her saying something (loving) to him!!! And kissing him!!!
    All his friends (so-called friends?) bailed on him, huh? Well, that'll teach him not to be so unfriendly himself.
    Enjoy your night, Savage - you've brought us to an easier place than you left us before. Thanx! 
     

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  14. 10-15 years??? I thought it already been established that he is too pretty to go to prison. It would appear, Alice and Rosalie have dropped off the planet huh? And Edward's money gone..  

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  15. I know he did it initially for her, so she wouldn't have to testify. But he also did it for himself. I think he is looking for absolution, or maybe anything that will ease his guilt. But ten to fifteen years... fuck that is too long for Bella to wait.

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  16.  Savage, you keep my head spinning. All of your stories do that. I love it. What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment. So bring it on my dear. 

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  17. NOOOOO! 10-15 years???? What will happen now? Will Alice and the gang break him out? Or will he just rot in jail and constantly avoid showers and big Bubba the token gay cell mate??!! NOOOO!! Say it isn't so! 

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  18.  i read this at work and started crying my entire office now thinks i'm even more crazy then i already was... i swear edward is an idiot for what he did smh 

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  19. Awww, he's grown so much. I knew that he technically *needed* to be punished, but this is tough. I'm sad now.  

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  20. *heart clench*

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  21. What the hell????? How long has it been since they were caught in Paris until now??? Im trying to hang in there...gotta give it to you, you are absolutely keeping me on my toes! 

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  22. I am crying savag come on, he got to get out soon NOT IN 15 YEARS that too long the b**** of a juge had something in for him please soon let her see him soon

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  23. That wasn't even romantic.  That was just fucking stupid of him. 

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  24. That wasn't even romantic; it was fucking stupid as hell of him. 

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  25.  Sad, this is fucking sad. He is so lost and alone. I'll bear with you but don't prolongue this too much, please, even with all his shit Doofy is very loveable!!!! 

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  26. That was one expensive fuck.  

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  27. I am sad. Sad for both of them. Edward is trying to give Bella her life back, so she can have a normal life. He is trying to take care of her in the way he knows how. I don't want Doofus to go to prison, I want them to be together. Dumb ass! He should have kept his mouth shut!

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  28. I'm with you, there's no doubt about that... he finally understood that he needed to pay for what he's done...still this situation brought him to finally care about someone...and now he has no money, no connections but he's not "alone", right?
    honestly I'm kind of surprised that Bella didn't scream her heart out  when he was pulled away...I know I would...
    kind of fucked up for a first love still it is what it is...
    no need to say that I ruined my nails over this one, well and over the next...for sure...
    xo

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  29. Seánín McCluskeyMay 16, 2011 at 4:05 PM

     omg i want to cry forhim. cant believe they totally screwed him over and took his money. I know they werent friends or anything but jeez. Poor edward! Poor  Bella i wonder how shes feeling about all this.

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  30.  Gutted. Gah. I really wonder what's going through Bella's head. I know that they're all telling her that it was Stockholm's Syndrome. They're all assuming that Edward did far more than either of them is saying. Just... sigh. Awful. 

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  31. I really do not know law.  But I expected that unless Bella talked to him he would fry himself.  And he did.  He did not do it for her.  He wants to be punished.  And by doing this, he is really being selfish, making all the decisions, not letting Bella have a say.  I am pretty sure that even after everything he owns her heart. I really do not think he was thinking about her when he did this, just what he "did to her" and his own guilt.  If he was out on bail, I am curious why Bella never tried to contact him.  Maybe she could not?  I am guessing she was not supposed to be in that courtroom either.  Plus he is leaving her with the guilt of causing him to be arrested in the first place.  Without her phone call, she would have gone home in a few days anyway, with everything playing out much differently. 

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  32. OMG. Chills i can't handle it.
    He's punishing himself. This can't end well. Can it? On the other hand, what happened to his accounts - I ca't believe that Alice, Rose and Emmett would post him, would they?

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  33. i'm really pissed at Bella for not speaking on Edwards behalf. i'm sure she is hurt but she knew how he was, and never had trouble with him before. I don't think the charge would stick since they were married anyway, but i'll leave it to you to fix this 

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  34. I cannot wait to see how all of this plays out!!!  It cannot be good, right? 

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  35. I am not sure how I feel. I am happy he is being punished, yet I feel bad that it will be a while before he feels love again.

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  36. I think Edward realized what he did was wrong a long time ago when he tried to fix things. Him getting caught is Bella's fault because she had to call her cop daddy. Hope his gang rescue him.

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  37. Ah Shay, you are so good. This chapter wrecked me, totally. However, I have hope...hope that Bella will somehow manage to convince Charlie that he is worth saving; I have hope that his "freinds haven't forsaken him and perhaps is protecting his assets until they can get him free again, somehow. So hope is all I have for my Doofus, no, scratch that, I mean my Edward because I don't think he's a Doofus anymore because Bella has changed him and made him a man any woman would be proud to love.

    That was pretty sappy, right?

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  38. 15 YEARS????
    WTF???
    my gosh this can't be happening...
    kikabr 

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  39. I think that his money is safe. I think that his crew pulled the money because the police could freeze it.As far as the sentence. I'm guessing that because she is legally his wife, maybe she  appeal the decision. maybe?

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  40. Some of these comments are hiiilarious!  Everyone breathe deeply!  I'm just excited to see how he'll get out of this, if he will, and why B wasn't at the sentencing hearing until the end.

    Thanks for the update!

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  41. 10 to 15.  Well that...sucks.  I totally understand why he did it, and it shows how much what he did affects him.  Still, I wish Bella had testified for him.  Can Bella still talk to Edward?  Try to get him to appeal?  Or can he not do that since he pled guilty?  Maybe his guilty plea was also why she couldn't testify for him?  Alas, I don't know enough of how these things work (I'm not totally up on court proceedings—haven't watched enough courtroom dramas lately...) 

    OTOH, if he gets out 10 years from now and Bella's still waiting for him, with a job and everything to support him...well, that would be awesome, right?

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  42. PLEASE!!  More tonight....Don't leave us hanging like this :( 

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  43. Ok, have to comment again. NEVER, I mean NEVER do anything without your attorney agreeing. They could have put a restraining order so she couldn't see him. Don't think she would have stayed away. The slave thing with Lee was a bad move.  

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  44.  Oh doofus...I am crying my eyes out over here.  He loves her so much.  He is going to jail for the worse crime he has ever committed.  I feel weird saying I am proud of him, but that's kinda how I feel.

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  45. I LOVE how this all happened.  Loved it.  Fantastic chapter.  Edward owned up to what he had done.  He understands that what he did was WRONG.  He's taking responsibility for his actions.  If it ended here, I would be happy.  Well, personally I wouldn't be happy, because I REALLY want to see your Hat Trick with the Not-So-Happy-Right-Now-Couple.  But I am happy because Edward has achieved humanity.  And Bella is safe with her family (and, hopefully, chipless? Or soon to be?  ugh...that still bugs me...).  Now...on to the Hat Trick?  Please?  Bella to the rescue?  Please?

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  46. Oy, the angst!! I look forward to seeing how this one pans out.  Fantastic plot turn, as always!! 

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  47. ooookay i expect the worst and i got it!! wow 10-15 years... gee how can they not have the main person who was raped not testify the ones that testified that was complete hear say and assumptions that shouldn't fly at all!!  we are stretching some here aren't we?!?!  how can she get him off?  wait that came out wrong...i know how she can get him off..... i mean how can she get him out of jail?  this didn't help at all.  i hope she realizes he does really care for her and he is taking the dive for his part in her kidknapping and abuse.  he really has come far... i really really like him!!! 

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  48. Poor lovesick Eddie....when will he wake up....Doesn't look too good for him right now..hope Bella can help him out.....I'm feeling very sad, but I'm still hoping for a happy ending. It could still happen, right?

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  49. Omg. Heartbroken. :(
    No, it cant be......

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  50. Sad, so sad. Ten to fifteen years? She will be twenty-eight - thirty-three and Edward will be thirty-eight to fourty-three. Fuck. Tears and more tears.  

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  51. I'm with Pam (see above comment) on this one. *downs glass of rum and coke*
    Yeah I knew this was coming, but shit it still sucks... *sad panda*

    Hey Shay, what happened to his bank accounts? The feds? Or can you say?

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  52. Ok now I feel like shit and it's going to be till the next chapter which won't be until TOMORROW!! wtf!   Bella should have definately said "Your honor, I would like to speak on behalf of my husband Edward Cullen"  and then you could have ended the chapter.  Now I am very sad!  He's trying to do the right thing but 15 years is ridiculous!  Make me feel better SAvage please! 

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  53. this chapter had me crying, he really loves her. WHen is she going to speak up/ 

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  54. OMFG i am totally gutted!!!!!!omg i'm fucking crying...doofus doesn't deserve this..he's changed. who took his fucking money..omg i'm a wreck how could you do this!! i want to have hope but once the judgement has been passed then that's it isn't it?!! and where are his friends and why hasn't bella tried to defend him to her parents! omg this sucks!! anyways bella is really pissing me off right now! he gets 10-15 years and all he wants is for her to know that he did it for her!! she hasn't fucking said a thing!!geez i love this story and that sucks right?!!!lol!

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  55. I don't think Bella's going to approve of him falling on his sword for her.  Again with an inclination that should be right, but goes astray.  He really might wanna try the whole communication bit.  ;D  (Granted, trying to talk to her probs wouldn't have gone down too well with Daddy and the Law).  lol

    Wonder if Bella's gonna pull a rabbit out of her hat somehow.  She is often pretty amazing when she's determined.  Can just imagine that she's thinking it's her fault for pushing him for sex.  When that's not why he's doing it.   Love the subtle layers you work in there!  :D

    I do love that he's trying too make amends as best he can.  Thing is, there is supposed to be some input from the one you harmed there.   Nice New Moon moment and him deciding for her bit too.

    Was thinking last night that there's plenty of evidence to show when and how things changed, and did figure they had pics of him holding her against the wall - which doesn't look good to the good guys.  What about security footage from the Louvre.  It'd show that she was pretty relaxed and smiley with him.  

    Wonder if Rose and Alice took the money and are planning on giving it to Bella or something.

    Thanks for posting before the Band Concert works its... magic on you.  ;D

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  56. I'm gonna cross my fingers that Bella will get with Garrett and file for an appeal.  Maybe she can convince a judge that he was under duress when he signed the plea bargain because she wasn't allowed to see him.  Crossing my fingers for some legal loophole, maybe they never read him his rights?  Either that or Emmett shows up with a truckload of TNT to blow a hole in the prison wall.  I'm sure Edward would love to finally get a good blow job... get it?  Get it?? 

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  57. wow 10-15....  I wonder where everyone is and what did emmett do with all the money, he better give it back is all I am gonna say.... 

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  58.  DUDE! i have no words right now!

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  59. OMG. That wasn't what I was expecting. I'm all for him going to jail but 10 years...wow. I mean he could get out in half with good behavior but he's not likely to behave and it also depends on the state. ARGH! What are you doing to us?! LOL

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  60. OK, waaaaaay to into this story to be healthy. But, had an errant thought... 
    Any chance Bella's shot wore off and she is actually pregnant? Just wondering, cuz my ADD mind is ALLLLLL over the place with this story! Enjoy it SO much, tho!
     

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  61. Funny that you mention pitchforks in your note at the beginning.  I threatened pitchforks and torches (jokingly, of course) to Suzie55 during Serendipity and to wandb during What Happens Next, and I was going to threaten them to you a few chapters ago but didn't for whatever reason.  This story is so great that even though I will pout if there's no HEA I won't bring out the pitchforks.  You consistently put out great fanfics and as I fan a so appreciate it.--Monique

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  62. Savage I am officially depressed now....no more to say......begging again would help? bribes? 

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  63. L-o-l
    I just have 2 words "pen pals"

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  64. Please Noooo!!!! It's too upsetting I understand he feels the need to cleanse his soul of the guilt he feels but 10 - 15 YEARS it's too long  he doesn't deserve it. I've read all of your stories, so I do trust you, but I'm really upset now please put me out of my misery, give poor Doofus a break.

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  65. I'm thinking once she shakes her head a few times she's actually going to say something? Geez I hope so 10 to 15 is a long time, and he's too pretty lol 

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  66. i love this story and i hope doofy gets out of this (with the help of bella? ;) ) I don't think bella knew when the trial was....she showed up late and in jeans and a hoodie, no one goes to court like that, she must have been rushing to get there as soon as she found out? and then was too stunned to say anything when he was being sentenced?  i can hope anyway;)

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  67. Good job, Edward! Way to man up! At one pt I thought he might kill himself when they were taking everyone out. He saw himself as the main reason she was taken, right? Can't wait to see how this pans out! I hope everyone who spoke badly of this fic hear about this and the last chap.

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  68.  Someone has to save him, PLEASE, you cant lock up a beautiful creature like Edward for so long. I really hope his friends have not forsaken him.............they are just protecting him, right?   ;)

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  69. oh...after  chap 87 i had hope that bella  will protect him...ohhh poor edward

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  70.  I am d-e-s-t-r-o-y-e-d!!!!!

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  71. 10-15 years?  Holy, holy fuck!  That is one long time.  What happened to all of his money?  He is royally screwed, and he did it himself!  What is wrong with him?  He couldn't have done all this for her.....what in the hell was he thinking?  I'm beside myself!   I can't believe that Bella doesn't love him, or won't stand up for him!  Shizz....this is the pits.  Do we get another chappy tonight?  Hope so!  

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  72. Hey I was just thinking about what could happen and now that Edward has been sentenced and pled guilty... Bella can come forward and talk to her Dad about what happened and not worry about Edward being charged with anything new with respects to her kidnapping. He could turn states evidence against his gun running contacts,  well other than Emmett in exchange for a lighter sentence. I mean Edward risked  his life to protect Bella and to free her mother and the other women in captivity and he was a gentleman with Bella other than when he first got her. You can't be recharged with the same offence you have been exhaunerated for... although there is no statute of limitations on murder and he could be charged with something new so Bella has to be careful what she reveals. You know Bella killed two people  too, James and another guy who worked with her kidnappers   when they raided Aro's place... I think.

    I think it says a lot about Bella's feelings for Edward that she refused to talk against him and she refused to testify against him. I hope Bella does not allow her father to force her to get the marriage annulled. At least if he does it will be too late to force her to testify as a hostile witness against Edward. Maybe Bella will take Law Enforcement in school and become a security guard in the prison they send Edward to. Or a social worker or a Wardon there, or a Lawyer to help get him out sooner and she just has to go see him soon to give him some hope, some encouragement and some thanks for saving her. I want him to have a chance to appologise to her and to tell her he loves her. He may not want her to but I hope she goes to visit him weekly.

    I know I am jumping ahead... what do you have in store for us... I mean them? 

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  73. B needs to become a Lawyer and get him out Thay locked him up for sleeping with his wife No matter how old she is its not against the law please fix this she needs to show some backbone to her parents and fight this thanks for sharing this chapter with us I hope there will be more tonight.....

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  74.  I am in shock right now. I didn't think he would do that. And why didn't she say anything????? I wonder who took all of his money???

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  75. More more!! Love it!

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  76. Ok...I'll bear with you... I trust your !  Can't wait to read you again :)

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  77. 10 to 15 years are you serious?!?!?!!?!?!? I thought he'd get like 5 yrs or something to coincide with when she finished college. For the first time I'm dying for a BPOV. 

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  78. cullencougerwannabeMay 16, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Ahhh, Shay, I have to say that I'm just loving the complete metamorphosis you've brought this Edward through, from a total self-serving bastard at the beginning of the story, to now, making this absolute self-sacrificing act of contrition. It just brings tears to my eyes!  
    But... on another, more personal note ... Do you know what you've done, Savage? Do you?! You've turned me into what I suspect it's like to be a totally messed up crack addict!  I've had a crazy day from H-E-Double Hockeysticks today, without one second to spare, yet I found myself obsessing over this story all day long, & sneaking on to my computer, refreshing your blog page every 15 minutes, just hoping & praying for a fresh 'hit' of this story. You've become my 'pusher', you naughty girl, & I'll do anything to keep the good stuff coming.
      Despite the total heart fail that this chapter caused, I'm trying to stay in a positive frame of mind... "Hope springs eternal" & all that6 sh!t...!  I'm channeling Alice now, & I just know that you're going to work this out & give us a HEA, right?! Right?!
     

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  79. Oh my poor Doofus!!!! My heart is broken for the man whose heart has been broken or had never had a chance to blossom in the first place until Bella came along and now it is truly broken!! I never envisioned this story going like this. It has really taken me by suprise in that I let my guard down and he took over! I want to know how all this conflict is going to be resolved!! Please resolve it quickly!! 

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  80. Very well written, Savage!  We hope for a HEA but Edward must do this to heal himself for the wrong he did to Bella...and he DID do wrong...we can only guess at how the planets align and absolution is obtained for Edward.  He's finally learned to love and is willing to sacrifice himself...for her!  BRAVO...perfect...can't wait for the next chapter. 

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  81. Wow, I love watching the ticker at the end of the chapters, doesn't that get you totally stoked?  Love all your stories, all of them!  I'm so glad I have this one to look forward to every day while I wait impatiently for more UC.  Could you let us know what your plans are for the sequel to SB, since we are all such greedy bitches? 

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  82. Yes, he did it for her, and it seemed like the "right and honorable" thing to do, and probably it was. He is changing, I'm sure he has shocked plenty of people with his decision. 
    There's something going around in my mind. In the two weeks between the conversation and sentence, no one contacted him? Jasper, Alice, Emmett, Rosalie? The last one to at least scream and shout at him? 
    All of his accounts disappeared, I guess the four above mentioned had something to do with that.
    Finally, when will she get to see him? Up close. 

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  83. Oh boy. A lot happened in one chapter.

    As much as I hate that he is in prison for 10-15 years, I am proud of him. Yes I am proud.

    I cannot speculate anymore. Always wrong but I can hope that Bella figures out something.

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  84. Even though I love Bella/Edward stories with an HEA, i'm not sure there should be one in this story.  The fact remains that Edward bought another human being for sex.  Because of his actions she was forced to perform oral sex on several men so hence they also rapped Bella.  Even though he tried to redeem himself by killing her kidnappers, Edward set all of it in motion and not only victimized Bella but also her family and friends.  I still believe that Edward deserves redemption but he needs to pay for his actions.  I feel they both love each other but is love enough to overcome these circumtsances? 

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  85.  and he goes back to having nothing all over agian! oh edward what will we do with you?

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  86.  The reason I'm not in your lawn waiting with a pitchfork, is not only because I'm on the other side of the world, but because you don't make us wait to long (but you are evil sometimes) and this particulary chapter was heart breaking, I hope for a good ending to all this....but with you is hard to say! Edward changed, so give him the oportunity, please! Thank you the story rocks!

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  87. OMG I can't believe he did that. I can't wait to see where you are taking this.

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  88. Holy fuck!!!  I'm sincerely hoping Rosalie and/or Alice has his back on his money and assests.  They just have to.  This broke my heart!!!  I'm with ya, though....all the way to the end.   Even though it might kill me.  And, YES, this story should have a happy ending, dammit, unlike someone mentioned maybe it shouldn't!?!  WTF?  There was also a good question asked, what's up with SB sequel?  B/c I'm one of those greedy bitches.

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  89. Hmmm... this gets my inner lawyer feeling extremely annoyed. Can't be rape unless they were in Idaho... and the min sentence there is 1 year Max life.... or Arizona ... which wouldn't actually do much... and seeing how it was stated she "was found across the country from him" they wouldn't be in either of those states..... hmmm.. maybe someone should let him out for complete lack of wrong doing????? Or let him in on the little secret that oral sex isn't rape... especially when she was over 17.... I know... I know.... artistic license but I just can't stand the thought of him rotting away in jail believing he's guilty of something other than wanting someone to stay with him. Aro gave him the impression these girls were trained for this, not taken off the street ... and he never went in thinking "I want someone to abuse"
    I'm hopeful that someone gave Bella the $$ from his accounts. I think Alice would lean that way... plus... she was still his wife when the $$ went missing ....

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  90.  yeah - that ticker is ridiculously amazing - it's just constantly on the go. wow.

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  91. Ok, so no pitchforks for you tonight. You came through just in the nick of time. I guess the only thing left for Bella to do to try and help him is go to law school and try get his conviction overturned. I suppose they could ride this out and she could become a social worker and help kids  that are abused/neglected.Wow, sucks for everyone. I bet Bella was pissed if they really didn't tell her about the sentencing. Who knows Bella might have been able to hack into his accounts and save everything for him. We obviously know very little to nothing about her or what she is capable of. Wouldn't surprise me if they didn't lie about the birth control too. * wiggles eyebrows* Ok, reading on. ;). I suppose they could ride this out and she could become a social worker and help kids  that are abused/neglected.Wow, sucks for everyone. I bet Bella was pissed if they really didn't tell her about the sentencing. Who knows Bella might have been able to hack into his accounts and save everything for him. We obviously know very little to nothing about her or what she is capable of. Wouldn't surprise me if they didn't lie about the birth control too. * wiggles eyebrows* Ok, reading on. ;)

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  92. I have so many questions and so many theories. 

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  93. Noooooooo!!!!!!! Please don't put him behind bars for 10 to 15 years. Why the hell Bella is not doing anything? (if she is doing something, it's taking her a lot of time to show) 

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  94.  Damn, so fucking stupid. What about his accounts and businesses though? Did his "friends" betray him too? Poor Doofy, he really has no one :(

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  95. I was sure he would plead guilty...but Rosalie and Emmett also betrayed him?
    I suppose that's the definition of loyalty between mobsters.


    Why didn't Isabella say anything though? Why did she come only when he was
    sentenced? Did her parents keep her under house arrest or something?


    I really hope there'll be a good ending in sight for them...


    I really feel for Doofus...from a neglected, unloved and abandoned child he
    turned into a mobster and committed a crime that only helped him find out what
    he'd been missing all his life and how wrong the path he'd chosen was...I don't
    think doing time could teach him anything more substantial, except for how to
    live in pain maybe. He already knows what he did was wrong, and would never do
    it again, so doing time will only be a punishment that won't serve to teach him
    to be a better man. He already knows how to be better….

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  96. holy crap. that is a long time

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  97. I am in awe of this resolution and I feel so relieved after this chapter (though this doesn't sound well with Edward going to prison). I feel that in this way he will really be able  to reconcile with himself in the future. I thought that he may admit about the bj, but the way I felt it, I thought he would do it for himself, in order to make the guilt more tolerable. The way you wrote it is so much more: he does it because he feels he deserves it, because it is right to get punished, and this decision is in character, it is something that he as a person really can do because of the way he has changed and the way he feels about Bella. "I couldn’t stand up in a courtroom with her there and plead innocent to what I had done to her." is probably my most favorite line in the story. His guilt, shame, love are in this line. He takes responsibility for his actions, he has to pay for what he has done. This is the only way Bella can receive justice for what she has been through. Savage, you really managed to redeem a person, who didn't seem to be redeemable at all, and to justify it. This is a very brave and difficult task for a writer  and I am happy that I was able to come across and read such an amazing story.  

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  98.  He certainly changed and grew a heart, a conscience, sympathy, a soul. Now what can happen.

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  99.  Also this is one of the most amazing interpretations of NM separation, which I have read in fanfic.

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  100. im so fucking shocked right now  

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  101. Oh shit - Emmette now has all of his companies and accounts?  WTF! 

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  102.  Okay I was a tiny bit sad when read this. You can just see how much this tore him up. Of course not sad enough to do anything about it. However, you have me intrigued. This ought to prove interesting.~Jessi

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  103. Nooohhh. *sobs* You're killing me here! That's all I can say at the moment. *sobs some more*

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  104.  Dum Dum Dummmmmmmmmm.............I took sum1's advice an read ur A/N from the 1st chapt an almost cried!!!! Nw i'm readin this n i'm soooooooooo slayed rite bout nw!!!!! It really put tings into perspective n I'm so glad evn tho it pains me 2 say this, I'm really glad that he's cum 2da point where he knows he fcuked up BIG TYME n is willing to suffer the consequences. His character has really grown thru da story. Poor Eddie............but i'm nt givin up on Bells, she wil get him outta this. Shay, ur AWESOME.....from UC str8 2 here....one afta da next!!! U see wat u do 2 me.

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  105.  Very sad and sobering chapter

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  106. omfuckinggod.
    why?????????????????????????????????????????

    I really, really, really don't like you very much right now.

    I actually teared up at the end.  

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  107. I'm still hanging on and I'm a bit worried. 

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  108. I'm just like... wow. I... I... just wow

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  109. GAAAAHHH, I hate lawyers.

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  110. How noble of Edward to do his best to protect Bella!

    Where are his so called friends - have they really taken everything from him?

    Where is Bella. now that he needs her the most?

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  111. Oh Edward, why is it always the hard road with you? He really should have said it to her. That he loves her, that he wants to pay for what he did to her, he wants to give her everything she deserves...

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  112. Edward is a stand up guy and is paying for his mistakes. That says so much about his personal growth.

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  113. Good job, Edward! Way to man up! At one pt I thought he might kill himself when they were taking everyone out. He saw himself as the main reason she was taken, right? Can't wait to see how this pans out! I hope everyone who spoke badly of this fic hear about this and the last chap.

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  114. I am sad. Sad for both of them. Edward is trying to give Bella her life back, so she can have a normal life. He is trying to take care of her in the way he knows how. I don't want Doofus to go to prison, I want them to be together. Dumb ass! He should have kept his mouth shut!

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  115. Good for him. Glad she showed up too.

    I'm holding out for good behavior or something

    @shelgibson

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  116. Yikes... I'm not getting. Any sleep tonight am I?

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