Well this is the last upload for this chapter. Thank you all for the support and votes.

Your comments made me excited and I enjoyed reading them all. This story was fun to write. Hopefully you will like it and tell me what you'd like me to write for my next story.

Thank you again guys!!

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Chapter 34

It's been almost six weeks since Melissa shot Annabelle. I still can't believe she's gone. When the ambulance arrived to the house she was pronounced dead. Than the cops grilled us on how she died.

They seemed skeptical at our story and Melissa was arrested for murder. To think they arrested her for protecting us! Dad seemed to be in shock for days. He just laid in bed not talking or eating. He only got out of bed for Melissa's trails.

Jake acted like a zombie around the house, he even missed school since Annabelle died. Word got out so I don't blame him for not wanting to return. Everyone seemed to shut down after that day which only left me to deal with our current problems.

With Ethan's help I ran the household, bills, food, school. We were all still suppose to graduate this year. Ethan has been a great help, his father is actually Melissa's defense lawyer.

Today was the day the jury decided whether or not Melissa was guilty. After testimonies, evidence, and a lot of publicity it came down to these hand full of people to decide her fate. Dad and Jake went into the court room as the district attorney set up his briefcase.

They were both wearing black as we all did for Annabelle's death. I stared into the courtroom not wanting to go in seeing how I could lose my sister today. Tears blurred my vision as I recalled when I visited Melissa in prison.

She never spoke much but I knew how confused she felt. Guilt, freedom, pain. It wasn't fair that Melissa suffered after all she's been through. A pair of strong hands rested on my shoulders pulling my back against a wall of muscles.

"It's time to go in." he whispered softly

I nodded but didn't move. "What if she goes to jail?" I muttered

He let out a small sigh, his father did an amazing job showing our side of the story but you never know. Ethan turned me to face him. I looked into his warm green eyes and saw the pain in them.

He cupped my face and placed a gentle kiss to my lips.

"Whatever that outcome we'll get through this, together." he assured me

I attempted a smile but couldn't manage to keep it up. He has been the only thing that has kept me sane through all of this. I entwined our fingers together loving the strength he provided.

A man in a silky black suit and sapphire dress shirt under caught my attention. His shiny black shoes clacked on the tile floor as he came closer to us.

"Hey kids." Ethan's father said as he approached us

Ethan and his father looked exactly alike. With the same gem like eyes, chocolatey brown hair although his father had light streaks of silver by his ears. Ethan was a bit more built than his father but they were the same height. His father also had crease lines on his forehead indicating his age.

Overall he was an older version of Ethan.

"Ready to get in there?" he asked me

Ethan's father immediately took Melissa's case when he found out. He has been working hard to help us. I nodded and gave him a grateful smile.

"Thank you Mr. Andrew for helping my sister."

"When Ethan told me your story I just had to take her case up. I must say Lily you are an incredibly strong young woman."

My cheeks heated in embarrassment at his praise. Mr. Andrew chuckled at my response, great they both like embarrassing me.

His all to familiar emerald eyes glinted wickedly.

"Maybe you can knock some sense into him."

"I think he has been knocked enough." I replied

Ethan laughed from beside me. His father smiled a pearly white toothy smile that resembled Ethan's.

"I bet some of those knockings were for you." he chuckled

I looked up at a flushed Ethan. He has fought for me? My heart swelled with adoration. Was I the only one who didn't notice Ethan's feelings?

Mr. Andrew patted his son's shoulder but his shimmering green eyes were still on me.

"Your lucky son, just don't let her out of your sight."

Ethan wrapped his free arm around my waist pulling against the full length of his body. "I don't plan to."

The older man smiled at me and went in. Ethan gave my hand a light squeeze as we took our seats by Jake who was seating with Cindy. She gave me sympathetic smile, just like Ethan Cindy has been there for Jake which helped a little.

On my other side was dad who has gotten thinner and aged years in the past few weeks. I covered his frail hand with mine. He gave it a weak squeeze.

Just than Melissa came in with two officers by her side. She had on a black blouse that was buttoned all the way to the top and black trousers. Her hair was pulled back adding more attention to her natural beauty, she had no make up on.

Melissa smiled weakly at us as she took her seat.

"All rise." the bailiff called out

Everyone stood as a man with salt and pepper hair wearing a black robe came in. He motioned for us to sit. A woman beside the judge began typing, doesn't her fingers get tired?

"Jury have you reached a verdict?" he asked

A woman with sandy blonde hair nodded and stood with a piece of paper in her hand. The room went silent with only the sound of the woman typing away. Ethan's dad held Melissa's hand on the table showing his support.

"In the case of Melissa Joanna Evans verses the state of Maine we find her not guilty of first degree man slaughter."

The room burst into gasps and sighs of relief. Melissa clutched her lawyers sleeve. There was still more.

Ethan's father rubbed the back of Melissa's hand and whispered something that made her smile. A real smile.

"The defendant was also found not guilty of possessing an unregistered gun."

Again there was gasps.Dad leaned forward with one hand in mine and the other in Jake's. We waited anxiously as the judge quieted the room.

I felt my eyes sting with tears as we waited for the final charge to be cleared.

"The defendant was also found not guilty on the account of second degree murder." the woman continued

Dad squished my hand as his eyes moistened. If he lost Melissa I think that would have been the thing to push him over the edge.

Melissa brought a shaky had up to cover her mouth. Mr. Andrew hugged her as the courtroom erupted with both relief and outrage.

"Ms. Evans you are free. You will be mandated to go to two therapy sessions a week seeing how this has been a traumatic time for you."

Melissa nodded as tears ran down her face.

"Case dismissed." the judge said as he slammed his mallet

I nearly jumped over the small wooden door that separated me from Melissa. I wrapped my arms around her neck as she cried happily. Dad wrapped his arms around us. He kissed Melissa's forehead and sighed.

All of this most be hard for him.

"Well it's officially over." Mr. Andrew said

Dad pulled away and wiped a tear that slid down his hallow cheeks. He kept his arms around Melissa's shoulder.

"Thank you Wes." dad said as he stuck out his hand to shake Mr. Andrew's hand

"Don't mention it. You have three smart, brave kids Richard." he motioned to us

Jake came over and trapped Melissa and I in a hug.

"We'll get through this." Jake whispered too low for anyone else to hear

I heard Melissa whimper as she sobbed into his shoulder. "I'm sorry Jake."

Slipping out from under Jake's arm I let him wrap Melissa in his arms. The same arms I sobbed into many times before. Jake shook his head and kissed the top of her head. Melissa needs us more than ever.

"Helen wanted me to ask if you guys would join us for dinner tonight. A celebration for all we have in our lives." Mr. Andrew said

"After everything you and your son have done that's the least we can do." dad said with a grateful smile

Ethan slipped his hand into mine as I stared at my father's beaming face. He has smiled since Annabelle's death. A lump rose in my throat. I felt Ethan's long fingers brush my cheek. Suddenly embarrassed by my emotional weakness I hid my face in his toned chest.

His strong arms wrapped around my back pulling me close. How could I have made it through all of this without him? He brought our work from school to us so we would be able to graduate. He ran the garage with Jack's help. He holds me tight at night when I can't handle the stress and breakdown.

My arms went around his waist hearing his heartbeat accelerate by my ear. He loves me with all my flaws and baggage. I thought back to what his father said earlier about Ethan being lucky. I'm the one who got lucky.

I rose up to my tippy toes and stared at the warm, loving emeralds that held my gaze with such intensity it made my legs wobble. I pressed my lips to his tasting a sweet tanginess that made my mouth water for more of him.

Ethan's mouth moved against mine as soon as our lips touched. He gripped my waist to keep his hands from roaming my body like they always did. His careful gesture made my heart flutter.

"I love you." I whispered against his lips

Ethan froze, his body stiffening as if someone dumped icy water on him. I pulled away and examined his shocked face. Feeling at bit confused at his reaction I moved away. Did he still love me?

Rejection pierced my heart like a knife. Did he ever really love me? Tears stung my eyes at the thought. Ethan was always a player.

"Helen will be happy to meet you Lily." Mr. Andrew said with a bright smile

I nodded unable to speak from the sob that tried to crawl it's way up.

"Let's go because I am starving." Melissa laughed as she wiped her eyes from the newly fallen tears

We made our way out of the courtroom happy that it was over. We could move on now. To avoid Ethan I rode in the back of his father's large SUV with Melissa holding me tightly.

I could see Ethan watching me from the side windows but I avoided his gaze. Today was suppose to be a happy day.

"Do you guys like Italian, I have a strange tradition that when I win a case I go out for Italian." Mr. Andrew said as we pulled away from the court house

"What if you lose?" Melissa asked

He shrugged as he turned left towards a busy street "I order Italian instead." he joked

We all burst into laughter at his 'tradition'. That's what the dinner was too. Full of laughter. When Helen, Ethan's mom joined us it was like a party. We ate, laughed and had a great time. Helen is a beautiful blonde with these unreal crystal blue eyes. The whole damn family was good looking.

During the dinner I managed to avoid talking to Ethan except when his mom asked how we were going. I blurted out fine not looking up once at Ethan. If I did I knew I'd burst into tears at the loud, crowded restaurant.

"It was such a lovely dinner, we should do this every week." Helen squealed excitedly

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. We were walking out in the parking lot holding our stomachs from the feast we had. Even Melissa over ate which is new for her since she never wanted to be seen chewing when other people were around.

Jake groaned as Cindy rubbed his back. "You should of thought about that before you ate the second plate of ravioli." she mocked

Jake groaned in response causing Cindy to giggle girlishly. It was late so Jake was going to drive her home. Before they left Jake kissed Melissa's cheek.

"Goodnight Wes, Helen." dad said as he guided Melissa to the car

During dinner Mr. Andrew's assistant brought over dad's car. I waved one last time before following up behind them.

"Lily." Ethan said as he grabbed my wrist

I stopped but didn't turn around, I didn't mean to blurt out that I love him. Hell I didn't know I did until it came out.

"About earlier.."

"It's no big deal, I get it." I interrupted my back still to him

If I looked into those mesmerizing emerald eyes I'd melt to the ground and bawl my eyes out like a fool.

"We should talk about this." he sighed

My chest tightened, we should talk about this?! Why doesn't he just end it now right in front of his parents, it would hurt less that way. I closed my eyes willing the tears away.

I slid my hand away from his. "Goodnight Ethan." I croaked my voice thick with tears

With that said I walked quickly over to the car refusing to look back. I could feel Melissa and dad watching me as I kept my head down. I'm the biggest idiot to think for one second that Ethan could love me for real.

He didn't even try stopping me from leaving. I stared at my hands as we drove home in silence.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" dad asked after a while

"Yeah." I said

"Than why are you crying?" Melissa asked

Raising my fingers up to my cheeks I felt they were wet. I quickly wiped them away not wanting to seem weak. He's just another boy, I told myself.

Melissa turned around to face me in the backseat. Her face full of sympathy as she reached for my hand.

"He cares a lot about you Lily, a blind person can see that." she said

I lowered my head causing my hair to fall over my face. Did he care in that way or did he feel obligated to stand by me when I needed him. Ethan always loved being the hero.

"It's not about Ethan." I lied

She squeezed my hand causing me to look up to her newly kind face. All of this insanity has made Melissa a gentle, caring person.

"I warned that boy not to hurt you." dad hissed angrily

"It's my fault dad, I said something I shouldn't have and now he wants to break up." I said sadly

Even I could here the pain in my voice as I mentioned breaking up. I love him, I think I have loved Ethan for a while without knowing it. Tears brimmed my eyes as I thought of losing Ethan.

"It's not your fault honey. He's the one missing out." dad assured me

He is my dad, he is suppose to say that.

"What did you say?" Melissa asked

How embarrassing can this get? It's one thing to get rejected but to be rejected than tell others is worse! I shook my head and mumbled nothing.

The car stopped showing we arrived. I just want to go to bed and forget this humiliating day.

"It must be important if Andrew is waiting at our door."

My head snapped up to see Ethan's mustang parked crookedly by our house with Ethan standing by it. He looked up at me with smoldering green eyes that made me gasp at their beauty.

"Go out there." Melissa chirped excitedly as she pushed the door open

I shook my head ready to protest when Melissa nudged my shoulder. This new side of her was a little strange but I like it better than the old, rude her.

Taking a deep breath I stepped out trying not to look at Ethan. Here's the hero just in time, I thought bitterly. I took small steps on purpose but finally I was standing under the bright yellow porch light with Ethan.

The car pulled away with a honk leaving me alone with him. I wiggled my toes feeling nervous, my heart fluttered as his smell filled my lungs.

"About what happened at the courthouse.." he began his voice strangely deep

"Nothing happened." I mumbled still not looking up

"Something did happened and I want to talk about it." he continued his voice rising

I shook my head as my throat tightened. No way am I crying in front of him!

"Lily you said you love me that's a big deal!" he said

He shifted his feet and sighed loudly. His warm breath tickled the nape of my neck causing me to shudder with my sudden need for him. I shrugged feeling my stomach knot at his closeness.

"Damn it look at me Lily!"

He curled his fingers under my chin and pulled my face up to his. I stared up to the intense green flames feeling more vulnerable than before.

My knees wobbled at his intimate gaze. How could he look at me like that but not love me? Did he do this with every girl?

"Why?" I whispered as tears filled my eyes

Ethan's brows furrowed together like I asked him to stop time. He studied my face looking for something unknown.

"I need to know if you meant it." he asked softly

If I meant it?! Anger surged through my veins at his accusation. Did he think of me as some skank?!

I pulled away from his touch as my tears spilled over. These were tears of anger. My head shook in disgust.

"What kind of person do you think I am?" I asked

Ethan ran his fingers through his hair seeming like he was having a debate with himself.

"Emotions were running high, you could have said it in the moment."

My eyes widened at his theory. In the moment?! He actually said that and judging by the way he rubbed his neck he was feeling uncomfortable.

Well he's about to get more uncomfortable! I poked him in the chest with an accusing finger.

"I meant what I said but you obviously didn't, you no good player." I hissed a angrily

"You love me, real love?" he asked sounding shocked

Ethan stared at me wide eyed as he stepped back to avoid my jabs. Matching his steps I poked him again. He was against the wall now with me standing inches from him.

"How could I not with your perfect boyfriend act. The sweet words, calling to check if I'm okay, holding me through the night, helping my family and- and that." I gestured to all of him

He looked down at himself and frowned not understanding me.

"The sexy body, your perfect smile, your deep laugh, the way you always manage to say the right thing."

My voice cracked at the end causing me to stop. With the back of my hand I wiped the hot tears away.

"The way you just appear when I need you." I croaked as more tears ran down my face

Ethan watched me with a small glimmer in his gem like eyes. Did he find my pain amusing? The arrogant, player!

"How could I not love you?" I admitted laying my raw emotions out in the open

He might not love me but I am going to make him feel like crap for playing me. The tears and heart ache were real. How could I fake such a deep emotion? How dare he even doubt my feelings?

"Now I know this was all a game. Jake warned me about your sweet words. How you lure girls in with this Romeo act?!" I said as I shook my head in denial

How could I have fallen for his act? After knowing him this long. Feeling an odd hollowness in my chest I wrapped my arms around my torso trying to will the pain away.

I closed my eyes in attempt to get those dark green eyes out of my head but they were burned into my brain. Ethan shifted causing the porch to creak beneath him.

I felt Ethan's strong, large hands cup my face. It took all my willpower not to lean into his warm hand.

"Open your eyes." he whispered in a hoarse voice

His musky scent invaded my brain causing my insides to squirm. I did as he said although my head was screaming no. I looked up to meet a pair of dark forest green eyes that bore into me with a shimmer of mischief.

"Just get it over with E-Ethan, just end it." I begged weakly

Although I said the words I didn't mean them. Everything was fine this morning than I opened my big mouth! At least I know where he stood.

"Lily I don't know how to explain." he said shaking his head

Before I could pull away and start shouting like a maniac Ethan lowered his face down to me and crashed his lips onto mine.

I couldn't help but follow his urgent demands as his hands slid to my waist and pulled me against him. My arms tangled behind his neck helplessly. Our lips moved in a perfect rhythm as the heat between us grew with every passing second.

It was the most passionate kiss we have had which made my unshed tears from before leak out of my closed lids. I could taste their saltiness as they slid over our lips. This was goodbye.

Ethan pulled away but kept his forehead pressed against mine. We were both panting from the kiss, our breathes mingling together.

"I love you Lily. With all my heart and soul."

Without realizing it I gasped, my racing heart thumped painfully against my chest. Did I hear him right?

"Earlier you just stood there?" I said breathlessly

Ethan brushed his lips against my cheeks, kissing the tears away. I shivered at the tenderness and fought the urge to pull him back to me.

"I was shocked to finally hear you return my love." he whispered huskily as he kissed down my jaw

My head arched back giving him better access. His moist mouth felt amazing against my flaming skin. I grabbed a fistful of his hair as I tried not to moan.

"Say it again. I want to hear it again." he mumbled against my collar bone

"I love you." I gasped as he nibbled my neck

It felt so good. Ethan darted his tongue out and licked the hallow spot between my shoulder and neck.

"Again."

"I-I lo-love yo-ou." I stuttered seeing as how his mouth made my mind go blank

"One more time." he said

He bit and suckled gently behind my earlobe causing me to melt in his arms and whimper in pleasure. Ethan pulled away his eyes clouded with lust.

He cupped my face his face bright as the stars above. Bringing his palm up to my mouth I placed a soft kiss into the middle of his palm, never taking my eyes off him.

"I love you." I whispered my voice thick with tears

Ethan stroked his thumb out and caught a falling tear. A wide, pearly smile spread on his face.

"I love you Lily Evans, I have since that first day we met by the swing set."

I took a sharp breath not believing he finally said the words. We have danced around the subject but Ethan never came out and said it. I laughed feeling my insides bubble with excitement.

Standing on my tippy toes I kissed him. That seemed like the perfect way to show I love him. I melted into his warm embrace, completely lost in the kiss. Ethan moaned as I pressed my abdominal against his manhood.

His arms went down to my knees as he swept me into his arms. a girlish giggle left my lips as he spun us around. When he stopped he touched his nose to mine.

"A perfect end to our long story." I laughed

I tangled my hands into his hair loving the silky softness in between my fingers. He buried his face into the crook of my neck and placed a wet kiss there.

I moaned as his body trembled at my reaction.

"Our story has only begun." he corrected

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:'( It's officially over!!

I really enjoyed writing this story so thanks again guys :)

~LovelyDove43~