| Title: For the sake of love Part: Part thirty By: Spanky Content Warning: Adult language, and content. Previously: Roy and his family makes plans for the new arrival Authors Notes: 6 weeks later Sitting at the table Roy DeSoto was discussing the upcoming court proceedings with his lawyer. " Mr. DeSoto, this is not a criminal trial, he's already been sentenced to twenty five years and as far as the mom she was sentenced to ten years. Still we need to have the judge feel the pain that was placed on your daughter at the hands of this man. I'm afraid it can get a little rough." Mr. Oakes stated. "Mr. Sampson does have an attorney and there is no question that they will fight tooth and nail because we're not talking about a couple dollars were talking about thousands, and that's a whole new ball game. However I dont think we as the plaintiffs will have much trouble, but I'd like to get you and you on the stand." He said pointing to both Captain Stanley and Johnny." You two, becides Mr. DeSoto are the ones who actually witnessed the attack the day Mr. Sampson was arrested." He ended. As Roy thought about Mr. Oakes words he knew that he was making sence. And that it could indeed be very rough on Nicci. He remembered how the prosecution ripped her a part when cross examining her. Although he didn't like the thought of Nicci going through that again, he knew that she didn't have any choice. " Mr. Oakes, I understand what you are saying, but you have to understand that the last time she was put on the stand she was...." He started only to be interupted by Nicci's small voice " Dad." She said Looking over he could see the slight tremble of her hands as she held on to what looked like a picture." Nicci what is it, What's that in your hand?" Walking over to her father and Mr. Oakes, she once again looked down at the photograph. " Nicci why don't you sit down." Mike Stoker said concernly as he as well as the other crew members were witnessing her trembles. Taking her seat she looked at her father then at Mr. Oakes. Then laying the photo face side up she exsposed a portion of her past. Looking at the image, Roy realized it was a picture of Nicci who appeared to be quite young dressed in a one piece swim suit. He as well as the others could clearly see the redened welts caused by a belt that were trapped inside the photo of memories." Nicci. What is this?" He asked " It's a picture dad. It was taken three days after I turned eight years old. We were at the beach. You see, for my birthday I had some of my friends over and we were all outside playing scatter ball. We didn't mean to step on mom flowers." She stopped swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat before she continued." Oh man, Roger was mad. After he sent my friends home he took me out behind the wood shed" She stopped this time to wipe her tears. " Nicci, you don't have to be scared." Roy said in a soothing tone while placing his hand gently on hers." What did he do Nicci?" After scanning the room at her dad's friends she spoke just above a whisper." He took his belt off and then he took my dress off and....and....he....he...." She stopped again."Oh God, I wanted him to stop. I even begged him to stop dad, but he didn't he just kept hitting me." She ended in tears. Then standing on her feet while placing her hand over her mouth, she could feel her fagile condition was taking its toll as the contents of her stomach started rising. All witout warning, like a rocket she bolted out of the room pushing Chet out of her way during her mad dash to the latrine. Joining Nicci in the locker room Roy was greeted by the sounds of retching coming from the first stall. " Nicci, you okay?" Roy asked his voice littered with concern. Barely audiable she lied " Yes dad, just leave I'll be alright." " Okay honey, I'll be in the day room if you need me." Roy assured. Covering up his tears of anguish he headed back to the day room " Roy, how she doing?" Captain Stanley asked fighting with his own tears as his mind replayed the words of Nicci's past " I don't know Capt. I just dont know anymore." Roy said slowly walking to the table then sinking in a chair. .... Exiting the stall after suffering dry heaves Nicci slowly walked over to the row of sinks. Then looking up she spotted her reflection in the mirror. With tears she hung her head and left the room. Seeing Nicci standing in the doorway, Chet walked up and took her by the hand." Nicci you okay?" his voice full of compassion " Yes Uncle Chet, I'm just fine." She assured taking her seat at the table " Ms. DeSoto, I need to ask you, why didn't you bring this up earlier? We could have used this as evidence at the criminal trial." Mr. Oakes wanted to know " I just was going through some things and I came acrossed it." She stated as fact." Becides in all honesty, with everything else I had forgotten all about it. I'm sorry." " Ms. DeSoto, you dont have to be sorry. The out come was still in our favor." Mr. Oakes said. " But it wouldn't hurt to enter this as evidence in the law suit. With this and the blood samples that Dr. Brackett took from the fetus which matched perfectly to Roger's sample. Not to mention the examinations of Mr. Stanley and Mr. Gage. I dont think there is anyway that we can loose." He assured. " Now what I need from you is to relax. I'll do everything in my power to see that you get everything you deserve. But I need you to be strong and take care of yourself. Don't fall a part on me because as I told your father, it more then likely will get bad. Mr. Sampson's attoney is good and has a perfect reputation for winning cases. Still I think we have a very good chance of winning." ............ One Week later....... After walking through the heavy double doors at the County Courthouse with his friends and family at his side, Roy stopped short seeing Roger sitting with his lawyer in the Defence section" What the hell is he doing here?" Roy wanted to know as he turned his attention to Mr. Oakes. " Mr. DeSoto, I know that this is quite disturbing for you, but you see his lawyer asked for a pardon and the judge granted it on the basis of the amount of money that Mr. Sampson is being sued for. But rest assure he is still in custody." Mr Oakes then turned his attention to Nicci, the look of fear plasterd on her face." Ms. DeSoto you dont have to be frightened. You are surrounded by people who love you and wont let any harm come to you." He tried to assure. " I got a question." Captain Stanley spoke up." Seriously how hard is the judge?" " Well Judge Bailey can be very hard when she wants to be." Mr Oakes said." And that's why we have to be very carefull. She has been known to throw a case out of court if things get out of hand. " He stated as fact." That's why whatever is said on the stand it is very important to keep a level head. She doesn't play games and she doesn't tolerate outbursts." ........ Soon the court case was half over and after all wittnesses were questioned and re-examined it was Nicci's turn to take the stand. As Roy watched from behind the short wooden partiion he could see her tears were a steady stream and her body shook as his lawyer asked her questions about her past life. He knew that those questions were hard but still he was pleased that she was answering the questions as well as she was. " No more questions for wittness." Mr Oakes said as he took his seat on the plantiffs side of the courtroom " Very well, does the defence want to cross examine the witness?" Judge Bailey asked looking at her watch seeing that it was almost lunch. " Yes your honor, thank you." Standing on his feet Mr. Peters the defence attoney stood and made an advance on Nicci. As Nicci sat there she tried her best to answer his questions but she couldn't he was raising his voice to her. He knew Judge Bailey's track record for dimissing court cases and he knew that if he pushed hard enough that Nicci would break. This indeed was his angle to win yet another case. So without regard to Nicci or her unborn child, he came at her with both barrels "ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU'VE SLEPT WITH SO MANY BOYS THAT YOU DONT KNOW WHO THE FATHER IS. THE FACT IS, THIS IS THE REASON YOUR HERE TODAY ISN'T IT? YOU WANT MR. SAMPSON TO PAY FOR YOUR MISTAKE??? He barked out. " No." She cried "SURE IT IS, I'VE SEEN AND READ YOUR SCHOOL RECORDS, YOU GOT HIGH IN SOME BOYS VAN, HAD SEX WITH PROBABLY MANY BOYS AT ONCE AND GOT YOURSELF KNOCKED UP, ISN'T THAT TRUE MS. DESOTO?"He hissed getting in her face . " No........No.......it's not true......" She cried out." It's not true." She repeated. " TELL THIS COURT THE TRUTH...." He barked louder as he hit the rail of the banister that seperated the witness stand from the rest of the court room Nicci was now on the verge of collasp, her body now trembling violently as she layed her head down and sobbed." I am telling you the truth." Her voice barely a whisper As for Roy and the rest they knew that Nicci was terrified by the way her body shook and by the way she held her hand up as for protection from the man that was yelling at her. As his steady stream of tears ran down his cheeks Roy felt helpless as he could here her whimpers from where he was sitting. " I OBJECT YOUR HONOR MR. PETERS IS WAY OUT OF LINE." Mr. Oakes said flying up out of his chair. " He's got to remember Ms. DeSoto is only fifteen and he's scaring the hell out of her. You're honor he can not address her in the manor that he is." Mr. Oakes said with purpose. " I accept your objection, however Conusel I wont have my court room turned up side down, is that understood." Judge Bailey ordered looking at Mr.Peters with strong disapporval. She then turned her attention to Nicci. She could see clearly that Nicci was very shaken by Mr. Peters words. " Ms. DeSoto, would you like a few minutes to collect yourself?" She asked using a soft soothing voice. Speaking barely loud enough to be heard Nicci wimpered " No." " Very well. " Judge Bailey said turning her attention back to the case. As she scanned the room she noticed the sick smile that Roger flashed Mr. Peters as a gesture of pleasure at seeing Nicci in the state that he put her in. " This case in here by over, I've heard enough." She stated as a bolt of anger hit her. " Court will resume at 2:00." She ended giving the desk two solid taps with her gavel Just before she left the room she turned towards the commotion as Roy made a mad dash to Nicci followed by Dr. Brackett and the rest. A smile found her face as she overheard the soothing words of Roy " Nicci it's okay. " Roy soothed taking Nicci in his arms. " Mr. Oakes, I'm no longer worried about the law suet, It's no longer important to me. This, this is what is important right here." He stated over Niccis whimpers. ........ Sitting around a table in the cafe inside the court house, Roy studied Nicci as she held her head in a downward postion." Nicci please, try to eat something" He pleaded worry set clear in his voice. " Dad, how can I? I messed up," She said in tears. Just as the attending court officer approached. " Excuse me, Judge Bailey would like to see Ms. DeSoto in her chambers." He announce " Why what'd I do?" Nicci said as fear swept over her "Ms. I don't know I was just sent to get you.The Judge just wants a word with you, and that's all I know." He assured. Looking at her father she asked with one word." Dad?" "It's okay, you go with him and I'll see you back in the court room. Okay Sweetie." Watching as the court officer escorted Nicci out of the room Roy looked over at Mr. Oakes. " Do you know what that's about?" " No this is a new one on me." Mr Oakes said just as surprised as Roy ....... Two Hours Later....... Watching as the Bailiff escorted Nicci into the courtroom a jolt of anger came to Roy as he saw that Roger deliberately made a sudden movement making Nicci jump in fear as she walked past him on her way to her seat. " All rise." The bailiff announced while taking his place at the front. " You may be seated." Judge Bailey said taking her place at the head of the room." Pardon me for being late but I just had a delightful conversation with Ms. DeSoto. She's a lovely young lady and very charming." She ended. As she started replaying the case in her head, silence fell on the room as everyone waited for the Judges decision. Either way, the woman in the robe held Nicci's future in the palm of her hand. Then after slowly taking a sip of water she began." First of all I would like to remind everyone in this courtroom that this is not a criminal trial, Mr. Sampson has already been convicted and is serving his time in the state pen." Then turning her attention she looked towards the defence and condemed." Mr. Sampson, I find you selfish, revolting and immoral. Further more you should consider yourself very lucky that I did not try your case. If I had, you would have never seen the light of day." She then turned her attention to the plaintiffs." You know, I have sat here since nine a'clock this morning and I've listened to all the statements brought before me.However, not one word spoken will stick in my mind after I deliver the dicision. And not one will I take home with me, It's the actions I will remember. And so, Mr.DeSoto you are to be commended by this court. For your actions will remain in my mind for a very long time. You've shown me that you care for your daughter and this is why you are here today. It's not because you want the money,it's because you only want what's best for your child. As for you Ms. DeSoto, you have made the adult dicision to have your baby and you should be very proud of yourself for that. However regardless of the situation it takes two to make a baby. And so both parties should be held totally accountable for the well being of that child. I find it my sole responsiblity as the head of this court to ensure that that child inside you has very a chance possible of a good life. This responsiblity I take very seriously. So therefore I find for the plantiffs in the sum of $83,834.00 plus all medical bills that are incured during pregnancy until five years after the birth." As the cheers came ringing from the plaintiffs side, Judge made her dicision final as she tapped the gavel while saying." This case is closed, have a nice day." As she left the room she once again looked back. she was over come with gladness as she knew that she made the right dicission. While watching the celebration on the other side of the room, Roger's eyes glazed over, his face a bright red. Because of the verdict his sizable bank account was now empty. Anger and rage consumed him. In his mind he vowed for revenge. TBC |