** This chapter is going out to Drspencerreid1!! Thank you.

** a/n: Once again, I remind you guys that I have no idea how a court case goes. So I will be, as they say, winging it. Please, don't try to point out any mistakes. After all, this is fiction. 

** Oh, yeah. And yes, you did read that right. It did say FINAL CHAPTER. 

But before you start screaming, crying and throwing a fit, the sequel is already in the works and the cover has been made!! Announcement coming real soon.

Thanks.

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Tim tugs unconsciously at the tie that was choking him. God! He hated wearing suits. He sat quietly behind his husband as the blonde chatted with his lawyer.

The brunette nervously bounces his leg as he passes the time looking around at the historic architect of the old courtroom. His anxiety was already through the roof and feeling Chris's glare burning into him wasn't helping.

All he wanted was for this to be over and he and his husband could go back home to the bayou and live their lives in peace. If that was even possible.

He had had enough of the burning glare. The Cajun breathes out as he slowly turns his head, his eyes meeting those of his so-called brother-in-law.

'What's your f*cking problem, Numb Nuts?' Tim asks in his thoughts.

He smiles sweetly as he winks at the older Rupp.

He could almost hear the growl from Chris as he turns back around in his seat.

"ALL RISE FOR THE HONORABLE JUDGE ANTHONY HOPKINS!" The bailiff announces loudly.

The noise of everyone standing echoes loudly throughout the courtroom.

"You may be seated." The judge smiles as he sits down.

Tim observed the older judge. He was quite handsome for his age. A kind face and caring blue eyes.

"Alrighty, this is case number 2709703159, Foust versus Rupp." Judge Hopkins reads the folder in front of him. "Mr. Hoffman, would you like to start?"

"Thank you, your Honor." Adam's lawyer says as he stands with the file opened on the desk in front of him. He began to explain about Stephen and Cynthia Rupp's death and the burial policy. "This, your Honor, is the copy of their Last Will of Testament" He walks over to the judge's desk and hands him the will. "As you can see, your Honor, it clearly states that the remaining amount after burial expenses are to be split evenly between the siblings, Chris Rupp and Adam Rupp Foust."

The judge slips on his glasses as he begins to read over the document.

"Well, this seems like a sealed deal." The judge says as he looks up at the attorneys. "So, what's the problem?"

"Your Honor, for the past four and a half years, the Rupp brothers have been living in Teche Parrish in Louisianna. Within those four and a half years, Adam Rupp met and married Timothy Foust. Chris Rupp recently, for some reason, decided to move back to Minnesota. He tried to persuade his younger brother to leave his husband and move back with him."

"Seriously?" The judge asks as he glances around at Chris before turning his attention back to Mr. Hoffman. "Proceed, Mr. Hoffman."

"The brothers own separate bank cards to their inheritance. Of course, Adam refused to leave his husband. Chris Rupp called their bank pretending to be Adam and canceled the bank card claiming it had been lost." Adam's lawyer continued.

"OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR!! THE PROSECUTION HAS NO PROOF THAT MY CLIENT MADE THAT CALL!!" Chris's lawyer yells as he stands from the table.

"Mr. Hoffman? Do you have proof of these accusations?" The judge asks.

"Yes, your Honor, I do." Mr. Hoffman says as he gathers some papers and walks over to hand them to the judge. "I have here records from both Mr. Rupp and Mr. Foust's phones. I have highlighted the date, April 22nd, on Mr. Rupp's phone records. He did indeed call the bank on this date at exact 11:35. The exact date and time that my client's card was canceled. There is a call from Mr. Foust's phone records to the bank on April 22nd at 4:33. The bank has provided me with recordings of both conversations."

"Objection overruled." The judge says. "I'm calling for a short recess of about fifteen minutes to go over this evidence. Would both attorneys join me in my chamber?"

The judge and the attorneys leave the courtroom. Many of the observers leave the room for either a bathroom or smoke break.

Adam takes a few calming breaths as he glances around at Chris. He was sitting across the room with his head resting in his hands.

"How are you doing, Angel?" Tim asks in a soft voice as he leans forward and rubs his husband gently on the back of the head.

"My heart is beating out of my chest." Adam says with a nervous smile as he turns in his chair to face his brunette.

"Same here. But it seems to be going good." Tim replies.

"Yeah, Mr. Hoffman has definitely done his research." Adam nods. "Does it make me a bad person that I'm not feeling sorry for him?" He adds as he glances over at his brother.

"Of course not. Baby, he was trying to steal what was rightfully yours. The money that your parents meant to be yours." Tim says as he rubs his lover's shoulder. "Uh, mind if I have a drink of that water." Tim chuckles lightly as he points to the water pitcher sitting on the table.

Adam smiles as he takes his cup and pours Tim some water.

"I'm so thirsty I could fart dust." Tim smiles before drinking the water.

"ALL RISE!!" The bailiff calls out.

Tim quickly hands Adam back the cup before standing.

"You may be seated." The judge nods.

"We got this. Signed, sealed and delivered with a nice red bow." Dustin smiles as he whispers to Adam.

"I honestly don't think there's a need to go any farther." Judge Hopkins says as he crosses his arms and leans back in his chair.

"Your Honor. May I say something?" Chris asks as he stands from the table.

Judge Hopkins nods slowly as he stares coldly at the older Rupp.

"Sir, I wasn't planning on stealing anything. I'm unemployed and Adam and his husband just received a settlement for $750 thousand. They didn't need it. I ...." Chris stops as Adam's lawyer begins to speak.

"Your Honor...." Mr. Hoffman shakes his head as he stands. "The settlement that Tim Foust received was from a car accident they had two years ago which left him blind in one eye and suffering from severe headaches regularly due to a head injury he sustained. That has nothing to do with my client's right to his share of the inheritance."

"I agree, Counselor. That has nothing to do with this case." Judge Hopkins nods.

"But, Your Honor..." Chris continues.

"Mr. Rupp!!" The judge gives Chris a warning look. "I believe it's in your best interest to sit down and keep quiet."

Chris sighs and slowly sits down.

"Mr. Rupp, it is my decision that you did indeed try to steal Mr. Foust's inheritance. The evidence makes that crystal clear. Not only did you attempt to steal a substantial amount of money from your brother but also filing a false report. You could very well be looking at prison time." The judge states as he leans over on his desk.

Adam's jaw drops as he quickly looks around at the shocked face of his husband.

"Dayum..." Tim whispers.

"This really is no longer a civil case but a criminal case. If Mr. Foust wants to pursue action and file charges against you this case would go to the criminal court. And with the evidence stacked against you, I could very well see you getting time in prison for your greedy actions." Judge Hopkins turns his attention to the Fousts. "I hereby grant Adam Foust complete control of his deserved inheritance that is stated in the Last Will of Testament of Stephen and Cynthia Rupp."

"Thank you, Your Honor." Mr. Hopkins smiles and nods as he puts all his papers into his briefcase.

Adam drops his head and releases the breath he had been holding.

"Mr. Foust?" The judge calls out.

"Yes, sir?" Adam jumps and quickly raises his head.

"Are you planning on filing charges against Mr. Chris Rupp?" The judge asks.

"Uhh...." Adam says as he looks around meeting his brother's frightened eyes. "Can I have just a minute to speak with my husband and my attorney, Your Honor?"

"Take your time." The judge nods with a friendly smile.

Adam turns in his chair to face his husband.

"Baby, what am I supposed to do?" Adam whispers.

"Sweetheart..." Tim whispers as he leans forward. "Follow your heart. I know you're pissed at Chris. But technically, he's still your brother and I know down deep inside you still care. Knowing you the way I do, I think if you were to file charges, you'll end up regretting it."

"But I want him to stay completely out of our lives, Tim." Adam says softly. "What else can I do?"

"Adam, may I make a suggestion?" Mr. Hoffman whispers.

"Absolutely." Adam nods.

"If you don't want to file charges against your brother, which honestly, I don't think you really want to. You can put a restraining order on him." Hoffman says. "You can make it where if he steps foot within a hundred-mile radius of Teche, he'll be arrested."

Adam looks at his husband for his input.

"Sounds good." Tim whispers.

"But he'll still be able to call and harass us." Adam adds.

"Well, I guess we can always just get our number changed to an unlisted number." Tim shrugs. He would rather not have to do that considering that has always been their number. But he was willing to do it if it made Adam feel safer.

"You don't have to do that Tim. We'll just request a 'No Contact' restraining order. Not only will he not be allowed to come anywhere near your home but he won't be able to contact you in any way. Even if you happen to be on the same street in say, Memphis or St. Loius, he won't be allowed to approach you or even speak to you." Their lawyer tells them.

"Okay. That sounds good." Adam says with a relieved smile. "We'll do that."

"Your Honor, my client has made a decision." Mr. Hoffman announces as he stands. "He wishes not to file charges against Christopher Rupp but instead he and his husband request a 'No Contact' restraining order against him. If Mr. Rupp tries to contact his brother in any way, he can and will be arrested."

"I will issue one immediately, Mr. Foust." The judge nods.

"Uh, Your Honor?" Adam asks softly as he raises his hand slowly like an unsure student in a classroom.

"Yes, Mr. Foust?" Judge Hopkins answers with a smile.

"Uh, one more thing, sir. I had come back to Minnesota with my brother to help him look for a house. I'll just say that while I was here our relationship began to deteriorate even more. I ended up in the hospital with a broken ankle and my husband had to come from Louisianna to get me. I had brought two suitcases and an overnight bag with me. Chris refused to give them back to me." Adam says.

"Seriously? SERIOUSLY?!" The judge was beyond aggravated with the older Rupp. "First, you try and get your brother to leave his husband. Second, you try to steal his inheritance. Three, you steal his luggage. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!???"

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Until next time, ..... ✌️