The Unseen Mate

Chapter 7

   Anthony had dropped Andrea off at her house over an hour ago, and she was feeling the effects of being in court. She felt drained physically and Emotionally. When court went into recess for the jury to talk she couldn't stop walking back and forth. Charlie kept pawing at her legs while they both walked and Anthony kept trying to get her to sit down. It had taken 3 hours for them to come back with a verdict and her body was mad that she didn't stay still the whole time. Now as she sat on her couch and she simply could not wrap her head around what had happened. Granted it was what they wanted. She just did not realize what else would come with it. 

Back at the courtroom

Andrea was sitting next to Anthony in the first set of pews they got to when they entered the court room. Charlie was once again between Andrea's legs with his head in her lap. Unlike the first time, Anthony held Andrea's hands tightly, not allowing her to wring her hands like she had the first time they were in court. The courtroom was quiet as the jury members walked in and took their seats. She would have thought they were just wasting time if it hadn't been the noise of chairs being sat in every few seconds. After the Jury had sat down the judge entered. Once again they were not required to stand because of Andrea. She couldn't stand if she wanted to. The way Charlie and Anthony had her she literally was between a "Rock" And a "Hard spot". Trying to decide who was the rock and who was the hard spot was a tie. The court didn't start right away after the judge had entered and it got her worried that they would not find out today. She couldn't handle it dragging on like it did the first time she had been in court. While the silence dragged on Andrea became fidgety again and tried to stand up. She didn't want to be in the room when they gave the verdict. Anthony and Charlie however made sure she couldn't move. She rolled her eyes and could only think 'Rock, meet hard spot' 

    Thankfully the silence did not last to long. Thankfully it seemed like the judge did not want to be on this case any longer than was necessary "Has the Jury reached a verdict?" His voice boomed through the courtroom after his opening statements.

    A chair near the front of the court room creaked and groaned as the person sitting in it stood up. Even though the voice was a little nasally the man was very confident in what he had to say. "We have your honor," Andrea could hear a paper rustle and the man cleared his throat and spoke "We the jury have unanimously agreed that parole should not be granted to the defendants." Andrea released the breath she had been holding in and leaned into Anthony, Relief coursing through her body. The rest of the courtroom was a chorus of relief and happiness. The only noise that made her still on Anthony's shoulder was the very quiet angry growl. You would have almost thought it was just a random noise, but Andrea knew better. The person was angry. Squeezing Anthony's hand she didn't move. She made it look like she did not hear it. 

    Now that it was finally over, the rest of the courtroom day went by very quickly. The judge reiterated what the Jury had said and Confirmed that Parole was never to be an option. When the Judge banged the gavel she jumped slightly because she forgot that is what signified the hearing was completely over. The courtroom became a buzz of conversations all indicating that they were happy these two men would not get out. Anthony had to help Andrea get wedge out of Charlie and started to lead her out of the pew. Once again she heard something she pretended she did not hear. "We'll be seeing you soon, princess." The voice whispered. Andrea wanted to stop walking she wanted to show signs of fear, but she also did not want to give them the satisfaction knowing she heard them. She did not want to give them any type of ammunition to tell their group that she was what they thought she was. Anthony squeezed Andreas hand letting her know that he too heard what was said.

    Once they finally got to his car, they drove in silence. Andrea was quiet because it was still a little to much. She could only guess that Anthony was quiet because of the two different people who gave themselves away. The silence remained until she was in her apartment and she was sitting down on the couch. Anthony quietly asked her if she wanted to go to her shop at all this weekend. "I'm going to stay home this weekend." She said sinking into the couch "Would you mind letting Daniel know that he can either keep the shop open..." She thought for a moment "Actually tell him he can close early..." She thought again "Maybe he can just close the shop for the weekend." 

    "I'll talk with him and see what he wants to do." Anthony said squeezing her shoulder. As he got to the door he paused again "Andrea," he started "I am worried about you and Daniel," Andrea nodded her head understanding why he said that "And it would make me feel a lot better if you both came back to the pack house." She nodded her head again and Bid him goodbye. 

Back to the presents

   Andrea had not moved from the couch since.  She felt extremely numb. It had taken years but she had finally become comfortable with her life, and now she would have to rearrange it again for her safety. Charlie put his head in Andrea's lap and started to whine at her. Andrea smiled down at him and started to pet his head. "I'll be ok," She whispered "Just got to figure out what to do next."