All is Found - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

"The jury is back Ashlyn, it's time." Lindsey said. This phone call is going to change my life no matter what the outcome is.
Things I feel have finally settled in my life. I don't really leave the house unless I need to and I've just really spent my time writing music. A lot of the lyrics I have in my old notebook I have worked into some songs that have really told the story of the last couple of years in my life. Once we found out when the trial was going to start, Eli flew out and has been staying with me ever since.
The last month has been a transition, if I had to use just one word. I finally started to clean out my siblings rooms. After they passed I didn't have the heart to go through everything and pack it all away. Over the last month with a lot of help from Thea, I turned Asher's room into a music studio. Eli helped a lot with that and getting most of the equipment I needed to really produce things on my own. We also turned the garage into a drum room. I know I needed a drum kit and I didn't have the space in the house for it so we added a lot of sound proofing to the garage and place all the drums in there. As for Ashley's room I turned it into an office slash guest room. I bought a twin sized mattress to have just in case someone needs a place to crash for the night while the rest of the room is an office.
During the month Thea and I have gotten closer. Some nights I would sleep over her house while others she would come over mine. We have both come to the conclusion that we liked sleeping in the same bed rather than being apart. One thing that I have really come to like about Thea is that she doesn't push me. If I need some time she would give it to me no questions asked. I haven't had the nerve to ask her out yet though but I know that after this trial is officially over that is going to be one of the first things I do.
There have been many moments were I have found myself almost kissing her but I've pulled back. I didn't want to start something with her while still being under this contract. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if Thea thinks I'm just a tease. I've tried hard to cap my feelings but it's getting harder with each passing day. It has been so easy to fall for her. Thea is always kind. Whenever I have a bad day she brings me flowers just to put a smile on my face. She lets me rant when I'm having trouble connecting pieces of songs together and never complains. Then there are also the nights when I wake from nightmares as she is there to comfort me.
"Ashlyn" I felt someone shake my shoulder and I looked to where I heard the voice.
I turned my head and saw Thea sitting in the driver's seat of her Bronco dressed in her police uniform looking concerned. I sucked in a breath and pushed the door open to let myself out. Thea met me in front of her truck and walked me into the courthouse. Thea walked by my side to the familiar courtroom we have been going to for the last two weeks.
Lindsey, Jack and District Attorney Amy Martin were waiting for me at the prosecution table. Thea put her hand on my back and pushed me forward towards them as she took her seat in the front row behind me with Pat and Chief Connley. While I've been home there were many days Pat and I would spend together and when I told him we got a trial date he said he would be there for me through it all.
I took my seat next to Lindsey as Bobby and his attorney took their seats across the aisle. The label fired him when they found out what was going on and refused to help him pay for an attorney.
"All rise" The officer of the court announced the arrival of the judge and the members of the jury and it wasn't long before the judge asked for the jury to read their verdicts.
"We the jury find the defendant, Robert Miller, guilty on count one."
The foreperson kept going. On each charge of the of the seven count indictment the jury found Bobby guilty. As the officer of the court placed Bobby in handcuffs I felt a tear fall from my eye.
"Before I adjourn this court I received a letter from the plaintiffs record label that they wish for me to read in open court." The judge said.
That caught my attention. Other than firing Bobby once he was arrested, we haven't heard anything from them. During the trial they got so much hate for allowing this to happen and not stepping in to remove Bobby from the company. I wouldn't be very surprised if they weren't in business much longer.
"To the ladies and gentlemen of the court, we here at Earworks Record Label would like to formally apologize to Ashlyn Monroe. We were under the assumption that you had signed this new contract under your own free will and not forced into it under false pretenses. We know an apologize won't fix the damage we have caused but we are here by releasing you from your contract effective immediately. For all the music you currently have released under our label we are affording you the royalty rights that used to belong to Mr. Miller. We are also going to be paying you the signing bonus that was promised during our contract negotiations with Mr. Miller along with his generous signing bonus. We wish you all the best with your future. Signed Logan Duggan."
I felt like I couldn't breathe. The Judge continued talked but I couldn't hear anything. I watched the court officer drag Bobby out of court. He was yelling at me but I couldn't hear him. Why can't I hear anything? Why does it feel like there is an elephant sitting on my chest? Someone put their hand on my shoulder and I didn't have the energy to shake them off. The jury was dismissed and judge left the bench. People around me started to get up but I couldn't move.
The hand on my shoulder shook me a little but I still couldn't move. Just like when my siblings murderers were sentence to life in prison I couldn't move from the chair. The crushing thought that after the trial, I would be alone. Just like now, but this time I have something I haven't had since I started my music career, freedom.
Someone waved something under my nose and it felt like I was finally able to breath. The action filed air into my lungs that were starving for breath and I jumped a little. Tears started to fall from my eyes when I looked up and saw those big hazel eyes kneeling in front of me. Thea.
"Let's get out of here okay?" Thea said with a small smile. I just nodded as I felt hot tears roll down my cheeks.
Finally I felt like I had control of my body again and I hugged Jack and Lindsey for everything they have done for me. I gave the district attorney a firm hand shake as she left us to return to her office. Pat was next and he gave me a tight hug.
"Go celebrate with your girl tonight, but tomorrow you are mine and we are going to celebrate." Pat whispered in my ear before he pulled away from me.
After Pat the only other person in the line was chief Connley. He has grown on me a lot since we first met. I could tell that Thea see's him as a father figure. Over the past month I have come over to Thea's house and found them sitting on the couch enjoying a beer while watching hockey. Other nights there were cook outs at the police station Thea told me to come and join. I kind of felt like I was intruding on those night because Thea and I aren't officially together yet. But I was glad I got to see her off duty with some of her co-workers. Rory gave me a hug and a stiff smile before he walked off with Pat to give him a ride home.
Before I could get out of the courtroom I turned around by the door and looked at the now empty courtroom and pulled my phone out. I snapped a picture of the courtroom because I wanted to remember this moment. After I put my phone away, I took Thea's hand again and we walked out of the courtroom together.
As we were turning to walk down the hallway that leads to the back entrance I saw someone who I never expected to see and I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Hi Ash, I'm not going to take up much of your time but I wanted to personally hand this to you. It's everything that was discussed in the letter the judge read in court before." Logan said and held out a manila envelope. I took the package with a shaky hand and handed it to Thea.
"Did you know?" I asked wanting an answer.
"Did I know what?" Logan asked.
"About what Bobby was doing behind closed doors?" I asked.
"No, if we did we would have terminated him a long time ago Ash. I'm sorry it took this long before you were able to feel safe enough to get justice for yourself. I am sorry again for everything Ash." Logan said and buttoned his suit jacket again before walking toward the front of the courthouse.
Thea tugged on my hand again and we walked out the back door together. There wasn't any press around which I was grateful for. I can't even think about dealing with them right now. As Thea started driving I watched the world outside pass by. Snow is starting to pile up in the late February weather. The cold nipped at everything and made the world quiet for now. Not before long, Thea pulled up outside my house and was about to cut the engine of her truck when I stopped her.
"I kind of want to be alone tonight if that's okay." I said and pulled my hand out of hers.
"Are you sure?" Thea asked, concern dripping from her voice.
"Yea, I just need some time to process this." I said and gave her a nod.
"Okay, give me a call later okay?" Thea asked as I pushed the door open.
"Of course." I said leaned over to her and kissed her cheek before leaving the truck.
I unlocked the door and let myself inside and watched as Thea pulled out of my driveway and started towards her house. The house was quiet now that Eli went back to Los Angeles. He got an offer to play guitar on tour for Halsey for the US leg of her world tour. He tried to see if he could get away with staying for one more day so he could be in the courtroom with me but he needed to go home and get his stuff together because he needed to meet with the band and learn her songs.
So I'm alone. I locked the door behind me and sat down on my couch. The sun is just starting to set in late afternoon and I saw a bottle of champagne sitting on my coffee table with a note leaning up against it. I leaned over and grabbed the note and bottle. Sorry I couldn't be there for the final day of the trial but I know that you won. First bottle is on me. When you feel up to it let me know and I can get you tickets to come to a show. Love you sis, take care of yourself till I get back. Or you can have Thea do that. ;) Eli.
I popped the bottle and got myself a cup from the kitchen and sipped on the champagne, surprised that Eli sprang for the more expensive stuff and sat back down on my couch again. The tv was on food network again and I just sat in a daze drinking the champagne. I started to feel light and bubbly and I saw it's pushing midnight now.
I stood from my couch and found my boots and heavy coat before I grabbed my keys before I left my house. I got behind the wheel of my truck and drove to the bridge. I parked on the side of the bridge and walked to my spot in the middle. There is a lot of snow on the ground on the walkway so I had to push it away before I sat down. The concrete is cold on my legs as I sat down and leaned against my back against the barrier that stops from going over the bridge. All I could do it cry. All of my emotions burst from the caps I've been trying to keep on them during the trial and sobs start rolling out of me before I could stop them.
"Ash, it's okay now, you're free." I could hear Ashley say and I looked up from my darkness underneath us. Ashley and Asher are standing in front of me.
"You should have let her in Ash. Thea wants you just as bad as you want her." Asher said and smiled at me sadly.
"I just needed a break for myself to be alone and process it. I'm free, I'm finally free and I don't have to hide anymore. I can put out my own songs, I can be in a relationship with another woman without the fear of being sued. It's just a lot to take in after not being allowed to be me for so long." I said trying to stop the tears.
"Don't wait too long Ash, you still have to go get the girl." Ashley said.
I gave them both a sad smile and watched as they disappeared. Just as I was about to stand from the ground the Reaper appeared. I haven't seen him since the night I'd tried to kill myself. He held out his hand for me as he floated on the other side of the rail.
"If you want to truly be free I can take you from here. You can be with your siblings again and Ed. All you have to do is take my hand." He said. His low voice passing through my ears like a siren and I stood from the ground.
"You said it wasn't my time before. What changed?" I asked as I walked closer to the railing.
"You said you got your freedom. This is the only way you will truly be free." The Reaper spoke.
"I don't believe you." I said and gripped the railing in my hands. I couldn't have come all this way for it to be for nothing.
"Ashlyn!" I heard from my right. I turned from the Reaper and saw someone running towards me.
"This is your last chance Ashlyn." The Reaper said and held his hand closer to me.
"Ashlyn!" The person yelled; they are getting closer.
"No." I said and I watched as the Reaper grip his sickle harder. He took his hand back and floated away from me.
I turned away from him and released my grip on the railing to see a mess of blonde hair running towards me. Under the street light I could see her halo again. My angel, Thea. I started walking towards her through the snow but Thea didn't stop running. As she got closer I held out my arms and Thea almost tackled me into a hug.
"What are you doing out here? Do you know how worried I was? You never called and I went to your house and saw your car wasn't there. Then I saw your car parked on the side of the road here. I thought you might have gone over." Thea said on the verge of tears.
I pulled away from our hug and looked at her. Tears pool in her hazel eyes, making them brighter than usual. I gripped the collar of her coat to get her to focus on me.
"You saved me." I said with tears pooling in my eyes. I could see her mouth open and close a few times like she was trying to find the right words to say. But I didn't want her to say anything. I pressed my lips to hers and I felt like I was finally free. The last chains around my heart were broken and I'm finally able to soar.