Ties That Bind

17. What The Future Holds

About four months later, Beth and the twins was called to testify at Nikki’s hearing, for her part in the kidnapping of Jenifer.

Beth was accompanied to the courtroom with Cameron and Taylor for moral support for her and the twins. After taking their seats in the front bench, the side door opened and Nikki was escorted out in shackles and chains. She smiled a devilish smile at Beth. Cameron saw that and leaned over taking Beth’s hand for support as she held Taylor’s hand within her other. Cameron whispered some kind words to Beth, in attempts to keep her mind off a very pregnant Nikki.

The side door opened again, Beth heard the rattling of chains as another prisoner was escorted into the courtroom. Beth looked up to see who it was. Her eyes immediately going wide before she passed out, undoubtedly in shock at what she saw.

Cameron and Taylor, immediately worked on bring her around again. Another court patron ran for a glass of cold water.

“Beth, come on Beth. It’s Cameron. You have to wake up for me.” Cameron ushered, tapping Beth’s face lightly.

“Zac’s - ghost. Haunting - me.” Beth uttered, in a daze as she began to slowly come around. Her eyes fluttered open, laying them upon Cameron.

“It’s all going to be ok.” Cameron reassured her friend with a smile.

“Did you see it too? Zac’s ghost? I’m not crazy, am I?” Beth asked Cameron, hoping that they wouldn’t decide that she was officially nuts and commit her to the local psych ward in the mental health clinic for talking about seeing the full body ghost of her kids dead Father.

“Baby, you alright?” Beth heard. Her eyes became wide once again as she began shaking.

“Oh God! Now, I hear his voice. He’s talking to me! Tell me you heard it too?!” Beth urged, in desperation. Praying and hoping her friend would believe her claims.

“Of course, I heard it.” Cameron affirmed, stroking her friend’s cheek.

“Baby?” she heard Zac say again as his face suddenly appeared above her. He was looking down at her lying on the floor. Beth turned her head and stared up into his eyes.

“Zac?” Beth uttered.

“Baby?” Zac replied.

“Zac?” Beth repeated.

“Baby, you alright?” he questioned, looking at her concerned.

“Zac, is that really you?” Beth uttered, dully.

“Yeah, baby it’s really me.” Zac smiled.

“You came back from the dead. Why did you come back to haunt me?” Beth’s mind began racing at the thought of Zac haunting her as a ghost.

“I didn’t. I’m really here in the flesh.” Zac affirmed as Beth was helped up from the floor.

“But you can’t be, the news came over the chief’s radio the day we were caught, it said you were dead. No one told me you survived the shooting.” Beth turned to Cameron and lit into her. “Why didn’t anyone tell me he was alive?”

“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you but we felt it was for the best, if you didn’t know. We didn‘t want to cause you anymore stress, you could have miscarried the baby.” Cameron began to explain. The judge was quick to break up the family reunion.

“I’d like to get these proceedings started. Continue your little family reunion on your own time!” the old man bellowed and slammed down his gavel three times.

The court proceedings went on all day and by the end of the first day, the jury convicted Nikki of kidnapping and was sentenced to the woman’s state correctional facility in New York for a term of 5 to 7 years. Upon the birth of Nikki’s baby it would be put up for adoption by the state, if a member of her family didn‘t step in an claim the baby in a timely manner to be the guardian until Nikki was released from prison.

The next day was Zac’s trial. When it came time for Beth to testify, Zac’s lawyer, the same guy from his rape trial was quick to object.

“Your honor, the witness can’t testify against my client.”

“And why not?” the judge shouted angrily.

“Because the witness and my client are married and what happened between them while on the run is not privileged information. Spousal immunity has been invoked in this case.” the attorney argued.

“Actually, the victim in this crime can testify against your client, in one of three ways. One, if the marriage was fake or forged in any way to make it a null and void marriage, two if they have been married less than one month, the victim can ask for an annulment of the marriage to make it null and void. And three, she can testify against him of her own free will if she so chooses. First off, do you have proof that this marriage even exists?” the judge questioned.

“Yes, your honor. I have their marriage certificate right here, both signed and dated after the ceremony two months ago.” the attorney confirmed, holding up a piece of paper, which the bailiff took from him and brought it to the judge for closer inspection.

After looking it over, the judge continued.

“Since the marriage license is a legal, state issued document and they have been married more than one month. The last option is if Mrs. Hanson wants to testify against her husband freely - without judgment or reprimand. I am asking you what you want to do in this situation Madam?” the judge looked over at Beth with a disapproving look. Beth turned and looked at Zac. His eyes were pleading with her not to go against him.

“Baby, please, I love you. Our family, the kids -” Zac uttered.

The gavel sounded quickly cutting off anymore talking.

“Quiet, Mr. Hanson there will be no coercing the victim’s decision in this matter.” the judge shot Zac dirty looks as he chastised him.

Beth continued to look quickly between the judge and Zac.

“I am waiting for an answer! If you do not decide in one minute, I will decide for you.” the judge ordered.

Beth looked to Zac again. “I can’t testify against my husband, our family means to much to me. I don’t want to be at fault for breaking it up.” she affirmed, staring at Zac the whole time that she spoke.

“Your decision is final, madam?” the judge asked.

“Yes.” Beth uttered, which caused Zac to smile at her.

“You may take a seat then, we will continue on without your testimony and the attorneys will have to try to build their case to convict with the evidence collected.” the judge revealed.

“I love you.” Zac whispered to Beth as she turned to take a seat.

“Mr. Hanson! I said we will continue on! That means no talking!”

“Sorry,” Zac replied sheepishly as he shot Beth another smile, then blew her a kiss once she was seated again in the front row.

An hour more passed of evidence show and tell, then the jury was sent off. Two hours later the jury came back from deliberating.

“Have you reached a verdict?” the rather unhappy judge asked.

“We have your honor.” the female foreman addressed.

“How do you find?” he replied.

“We were undecided for an hour, but kept deliberating as we didn’t want to end in a hung jury. We find the defendant guilty for kidnapping and imprisonment.” the forewoman announced.

Zac dropped his head in defeat for a moment before he turned and stared at Beth, silently sending her messages with his eyes.

“Thank you Madam Forewoman and Jurors. Now, for sentencing. Mr. Hanson, I am sentencing you to 7 to 10 years for the kidnapping and imprisonment charges and an additional 5 to 10 years for violating the terms of your parole. You will serve no more than 10 years before you are eligible for parole. It’s such a sad situation that you are in, you have four children now and will have to watch them all grow up from behind bars. You should have thought of the consequences of being caught before you subjected your wife and girlfriend to caring for your children without your help.” the judge lectured, as Zac held a tight frown on his face. “Due to your wife’s current state, I will give you five minutes to say goodbye to your wife and children before I send you off to lock up for processing. Courts dismissed!” and with that the judge slammed down his gavel three times.

Zac stood quickly and shuffled over to where his wife was sitting. She stood and put her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder. He hugged her back just as tightly as she was holding him.

“Babe, don’t cry.” he whispered.

Jenifer climbed up onto the wooden wall, clutching to her Daddy. Zac pulled away from Beth slightly, holding Jenifer with his other arm.

“Daddy, don’t go! Come home with us.” Jenifer pleaded.

“I can’t baby girl. I will be home soon, but until then you can visit me. You and Jacob,” Zac looked up at his son still sitting on the bench. “Come here buddy.” Jacob looked at his Dad for a minute before sliding off the bench and joined them. Beth put her arm around Jacob as Zac spoke. “Buddy, I need you and Princess to take care of Mommy and the new baby for me while I’m gone. She’s going to need both of you to help her out now more than ever. Can I count on my warriors?” Zac looked at his two kids, raising his eyebrows, expectant of a certain answer and attitude from his kids.

“Yes, Daddy!” Jenifer answered excitedly, smiling widely at Zac. He was so proud at that moment that he returned the smile to her. It faded quickly though, when he didn’t hear Jacob answer him.

“Jacob, Daddy asked you a question. We are waiting on your answer.” Zac gave his son a stern look.

“Yes, Dad.” Jacob replied solemnly, looking to the floor.

Zac looked back up at his wife, looking deeply into her eyes.

“You look so beautiful pregnant.” he rubbed her stomach for a moment before he pulled her closer to him. “Take care of yourself and the kids. I love you, always. Visit me, I can’t survive without seeing your face.” he whispered sweetly as their foreheads touched. When he was done talking, he cocked his head to the side, holding Beth’s face gently within his hands. He kissed her long and sweetly, Beth rested her hands on his sides. Neither wanting to part.

Just then the judge interrupted.

“Wrap it up, Hanson!” he yelled out.

Beth and Zac broke apart.

“Kids, give Daddy hugs and kisses.” Beth sniffled, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand.

Jenifer practically jumped into Zac’s arms.

“I love you Daddy. I can visit you with Mommy too, can’t I?” Zac eyes softened as he stood there, holding his daughter. He didn’t want to give her any false hope, so he answered the best he could.

“I think so, Princess. I am going to miss you and Jacob so much. I hope you both can come visit me when Mommy does.” Zac smiled as his daughter wrapped her arms tightly around Zac’s neck. Zac squeezed her tiny body, whispering how much he loved her. Jenifer gave Zac a kiss on the cheek as he was letting her down.

“Jake, come here buddy.” Zac called out to his son, he slinked over to him slowly. Folding his arms in front of him. Zac bent over, getting to Jacob’s eye level as he spoke quietly to him.

“Jake, I know your upset that Daddy’s leaving for awhile and I can’t teach you how to play baseball like I promised you. I will talk to Uncle Taylor and he can fill in for me while I am away. I promise I will make it up to you when I get out. I love you.” with that Zac pulled Jacob into a hug, which surprisingly Jacob returned.

“Times up!” the judge announced and slammed down his gavel.

Zac leaned into Beth, grabbing one more quick kiss.

“I love you.” he whispered before the guard led him away. Beth and the kids just stood there and watched him being escorted out of the courtroom.

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