Taking Chances (17 page)

I thought about it for a minute. I thought he already knew how I felt. I slowly lifted my head off of his chest, and turned to face him.

“I love you with all of my heart, Spencer. I know that it may sound stupid…but…you’re the only person I’ve ever loved…and…I want it to stay that way,” I confessed. “I’m in love with you, Spence, and I always will be. Don’t ever doubt that.” I stroked his chest lightly with my fingertips and smiled.

He leaned slowly toward me and brought his lips to mine. He kissed me much differently than he had before. There was a new feeling to the way his soft, warm lips moved with mine. It wasn’t eagerness; it wasn’t happiness, yet he was happy. It was definitely our indescribable love for each other. 

Many questions were answered that night; questions about our relationship, and our love for one another. Spencer and I were more than happy about the way things had turned out in our lives.

We were in love with each other, we would be able to stay with each other forever, and most importantly, Spencer had saved my life by clearing Michael out forever. Seventeen years of hard work had finally paid off. I could live in peace with my friends, family, and the most amazing man that I could ever ask for. I could finally count on being able to help people for the rest of my life. Taking chances had finally brought joy and peace into my life. I wondered where it would lead me next.…

Epilogue

FREE

I took a deep breath as the judge let me sit back down next to Lillian, Rebecca, Aunt Megan, Maddie and Spencer. Sitting up next to the judge as a witness was almost like being interrogated. Spencer took my hand in his as soon as I sat down, calming me somewhat. But there was still one decision to be made: How long would Michael serve?

The court deliberated while I sat in complete silence and terror. What if they don’t lock him up for very long? I thought to myself. What if he comes back?

The judge sent us out of the room and said we’d be called back when a decision was made.

“Sydney, calm down. You’re shaking like crazy.” Spencer took my hand, in an effort to stop my fingers from tapping anxiously on the arms of my chair.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“You know they’re going to lock him up for a while,” he told me.

“But what if they don’t?” I whispered. Spencer sighed, and I guessed he didn’t have an answer for that. They called us back a while later and the courtroom was filled with anxious people awaiting the judgment.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asked.

“Yes, your honor.”

“And your verdict is…?”

I looked over at the jury members as a small tear of fear rolled down my cheek.

“We find the defendant guilty of child endangerment and attempted murder.”

I trembled at the word murder, but I already knew that…but for how long? I waited impatiently; time was moving so slowly.

The judge nodded. “And according to the law of the state of Illinois, the defendant will serve up to ten years in prison for child endangerment, and up to thirty years for attempted murder. “

I smiled. Thirty years. By the time he was out, I would be gone. I would be off with my own life, living without fear.

I looked up at Spencer and smiled. I was finally free.

About Deanna Frances

Deanna Frances grew up in a small town in northern Illinois. She currently attends Northern Illinois University. Besides writing, she enjoys singing, acting in community theater, photography, scrapbooking and spending time with friends and family. This is her first novel.