Chapter9
The courtroom was quiet. Derrick, Tony, and Don sat on one side of the room. Nichole and Victor sat on the other. Larry walked in front of the stand and announced that he would like to have Tony come to it.
Tony stood and walked over to the stand. He sat nervously as he agreed to speak under oath. “What took place the night, Victor Barbosa, got shot?” Larry asked.
“Uh. It was supposed to be a quick job. We were supposed to kill Victor Barbosa and tell Nichole she was missed but Victor came downstairs and retaliated,” Tony answered.
“Who shot him?” Larry asked.
“Don did. When he shot Victor, I ran back to the car. I was waiting for Don to finish the job but then the police pulled up and threw me out of the car,” Tony replied.
“Job?” Larry asked.
“We were hired to do it,” Tony responded.
“Is the person who hired you in the courtroom today?” Larry asked.
Tony nodded. “Yes.”
“Can you point to the person that hired you?” Larry asked. Tony pointed to Derrick.
“For those who can’t see where his finger is angled, Tony Robertson is pointing to Derrick Lawson,” Larry announced.
“Nothing further, Your Honor,” Larry said as he walked away.
Derrick’s lawyer walked over to the stand. “Tony. You say my client, Derrick, hired you. Do you have any proof?” Derrick’s lawyer asked.
“Yeah. He left me a voicemail,” Tony replied. The security guard entered the room with a cassette player and hit play. “I need you two to answer the phone when I call. I need this job to get done as soon as possible. I’m not going to let that Brazilian take what’s mine. I claim her. Don’t forget to tell her I miss her. I’ll call back tomorrow to see if the job’s done. Only then will you get paid.”
The cassette player stopped. The audience began to mumble.
“Silence in the court!” the judge commanded.
“As you can all hear, we never hear the person in the voicemail announce himself. I rest my case,” Derrick’s lawyer said as he made his way back to the table where Derrick and Don sat.
Larry walked up and told Tony he could go back to his seat.
“I call Nichole Barbosa to the stand,” Larry announced. Nichole waddled over to the stand with her hand over her stomach.
“Take your time,” the judge assured. Nichole got to the stand and took her turn swearing under oath.
“Hey, how are you?” Larry asked.
“I’m okay,” Nichole replied with a weak smile.
“Can you tell everyone in the courtroom what you remember from that day?” Larry asked.
Nichole took a deep breath and began to speak. “Well, I remember having a wonderful day with my husband. We went to sleep that night and I felt like everything was going great until I woke up to a strange noise.
“I knew it wasn’t Tashka, my dog or our red panda, Zap, because they were on the bed with Victor and me. I woke up Victor and told him I heard something. He went to check it out and I heard a commotion. I heard things breaking then I heard gunshots, so I called the police.
“Then I heard footsteps and I ran into the closet. I was afraid for my life, my kids’ lives, my pets’ lives, but most importantly, my husband’s life. It was a nightmare. I was kneeling and had my hand over my mouth to mumble my crying,” Nichole responded as she wiped away tears.
“Your kids’ lives? Plural?” Larry asked.
“I’m pregnant with twins,” Nichole answered.
“How far along are you, now?” Larry asked.
“Eight months and a week,” Nichole replied.
“You’ve had other issues with Derrick Lawson, is that correct?” Larry asked.
“Yes. That’s why he was in jail in the first place,” Nichole snapped.
“I see. Now, his lawyer claims it may not have been him in the voicemail. Did you think it sounded like him?” Larry asked.
“Yes.” Nichole nodded.
“Why is that?” Larry asked.
“The voicemails he left on my phone sounded just like it,” Nichole responded.
“It just so happens, I have a recording of the voicemails he sent your phone on this tape here. Can the judge look through your phone and read the texts he would send you while we all listen to the tape?” Larry asked.
“Indeed, she may,” Nichole answered. Larry inserted the tape and hit play.
“Hey, it’s Derrick. I miss you, call me back.”
“Hey babe. When am I going to see you again?”
“Hey, is it possible you haven’t been getting my texts?”
“Hey, I stopped by your job and they said you weren’t there. Is everything all right?” “Nichole, answer the phone! I need to talk to you!”
Larry hit the stop button on the player. “That’s only a few. Oh, and I had some tests run to check the likeness of the voicemail he sent Tony and one of the many voicemails he sent Nichole. They’re extremely similar, indicating, they are the same person,” Larry announced.
Everyone looked at the judge who was still reading the messages.
The judge handed the phone back to Larry.
Larry then handed her the paper that showed the results of the voice tests. She nodded her head and said, “I see.”
“Nothing further, Your Honor,” Larry said.
“Mrs. Barbosa. You went on a date with my client, is that right?” Derrick’s lawyer asked.
“Yes, one,” Nichole replied.
“Is it possible you were just playing hard to get when you stopped talking to him?” Derrick’s lawyer asked.
“No, definitely not. Our date was horrible. He snapped at our waiter because the waiter asked me what drink I wanted. I ended up leaving as soon as my food arrived. Derrick claimed I was using him for a free meal so I paid for my half on my own.
“If I wanted to play hard to get, I wouldn’t have him in a courtroom. I would have him with me on another date. If you mix up those two things then you, too, have a serious problem,” Nichole snapped.
Derrick’s lawyer jumped back and shyly said, “Nothing further.”
The judge snickered. “She told you. You can sit back down, Mrs. Barbosa.”
Larry got back up and helped Nichole to her seat. “I call Victor Barbosa to the stand,” Larry called out. Victor made his way to the stand and sat down.
Larry waited for Victor to be sworn under oath and began. “Hey Victor, how’s your side?” Larry asked.
“Not too good. Still hurts really bad,” Victor replied.
“I know. I’m sorry. What were your thoughts on that tragic night?” Larry asked.
“I was horrified. I thought I was going to lose my life. All I could think about was my loved ones. After I hit Don, I made my way to the bedroom and it was still dark. I didn’t see Nichole in the bed so I knew she hid. I heard Tashka, our dog, whimper and it broke my heart. I thought she knew I was dying. I told Nichole to get the pets to her hiding spot and stay there.
“I was in such a rush to ensure their safety, I didn’t get the chance to tell her I loved her before I passed out. I thought it was all over. The last thing I saw was Nichole’s face full of tears before I was asleep for a long time.
“I woke up in a hospital bed and Nichole wasn’t there and I didn’t even want to be awake so I went back to sleep. It was all like a nightmare. I was afraid my kids were going to grow up without a father or not at all, because I didn’t know what the men in the house wanted or what their intentions were. It was a very frightful night and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and God for helping me see another day,” Victor answered.
Nichole had tears in her eyes. Larry sighed. “Nothing further, Your Honor.”
The judge fought to hide the tears in her eyes. “You may return to your seat, Mr. Barbosa,” she announced. “I think we have heard enough.
Jury, are you ready to make a decision?” the judge asked. They all nodded their heads and she allowed them to exit their seats and go to the back rooms. The jury returned in less than five minutes and announced their conclusion.
“On account of attempted murder and accessory to premeditated murder, we find Derrick Lawson, guilty. On account of attempted and premeditated murder, breaking and entering, and burglary, we find Don Wills, guilty. On account of accessory to attempted murder, breaking and entering, and burglary, we, the jury, find Tony Robertson, guilty,” the jury announced.
The judge nodded. “Derrick Lawson, you have been found guilty while you were already in jail. I sentence you to death. You put four lives at stake and I see you as a threat to many. Goodbye,” the judge said harshly as the police escorted him out.
“Don Wills, you have been found guilty of multiple charges. You have been sentenced to life in prison. That should give you enough time to think about your life choices. Goodbye,” the judge said as she waved her hand for the guards to take him away.
“Tony Robertson, you have been found guilty on multiple charges. I sentence you to fifteen years in prison. Goodbye,” the judge said before looking around the room. “Court dismissed.”
The judge banged her gavel. She stepped away from her seat and walked over to Larry.
“I’m Judge Levs but you can call me Janet. What a day. I love my job. I get to put guys like that away. I mean he’s sick in the head. I’m just glad you’re all okay. Do you mind?” Janet asked as she put her hand near Nichole’s stomach.
“No go right ahead,” Nichole replied.
“Thank you so much,” Larry responded.
“No problem. As soon as I read the case, I knew it wouldn’t be pretty,” Janet said as she felt the babies kick through Nichole’s stomach.
“Let’s all go out to lunch,” Victor announced.
“If you ever need anything like a babysitter, just give me a call. Larry, give them my number,” Janet said before walking away.
“It was nice meeting you,” Nichole said. Janet smiled and got back to her seat.
“Next case!” Janet screamed with a frown.
Victor, Nichole, and Larry exited the courtroom and met up with Melissa at a restaurant. “How did it go?” Melissa shouted as she waved her arm back and forth to lead her friends to the table. They all sat down.
“It went really well,” Nichole replied.
“Derrick got death, Don got life, and Tony got fifteen years,” Victor replied.
“Is Tony the one that was really cooperative?” Melissa asked.
“Indeed, he was,” Larry responded.
“Good. At least one of them helped send him away.” Melissa sighed.
“They sure got some severe sentences,” Nichole said.
“I asked Janet to give it to them,” Larry admitted. “I know her. We’re really good friends. That’s why she told me to give you her number,” Larry continued as he looked at the menu. “I told you, those guys would pay.”
They all ordered their food and ate as they shared jokes. The security guards followed as told.
“I almost brought up the guards but I forgot.” Larry laughed.
“I would have brought it up if you didn’t,” Nichole replied. The group laughed and decided to head to Nichole and Victor’s house to eat popcorn and watch movies in their theatre. The fun ended when Larry got a call from a client.
“Ah, I got to go. Got a call from a big-time client. If I don’t catch a flight over there now, I’ll never work in that state again, or so he says.” Larry chuckled. He grabbed his jacket and walked out of the house.
Melissa checked the time and told the couple she also had to leave. She grabbed her things, hugged her best friend, kissed Zap and Tashka, and left.
“It’s just us, now.” Victor smiled.
“Well, us and our million security guards,” Nichole joked.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Victor replied.
“No, it’s fine. I kind of like having them around. It makes me feel like the first lady or an empress.” Nichole smiled.
“You’re my queen. You deserve the world,” Victor said as he kissed Nichole’s hand.
“And you are my king, my love. You are my world,” Nichole responded.
They headed to the bedroom and cuddled in each other’s arms. The next morning, Victor woke up and he was alone in the bed. He heard movement in the bathroom and knocked on the door to see if everything was all right.
“Are you okay?” Victor asked.
Nichole opened the door with tears streaming down her eyes. “What if I’m not ready for this?”
Victor put his arms around her and said, “Everything’s going to be okay. I’m here and I always will be.”
Nichole moved away from Victor. “We don’t know that. We had a close call and I haven’t even had the babies yet!”
Victor sighed. “I know but we can only hope for the best.”
Nichole hugged Victor and replied, “I’m so scared. There’s only a couple of weeks left.”
Victor fought to hide his tears. “I know and I am so excited. We’re going to be parents. We’re in love. You’re a wonderful woman. You’re going to be a wonderful mother too.”
“You always bring me up when I’m feeling down. I love you so much,” Nichole said as Victor helped her wipe away her tears.
“I love you too, my queen. I am so lucky to have you in my life,” Victor replied.
“Now let’s get back into bed and watch movies,” Victor said as he walked her to the bed.
A woman in a chef’s uniform entered the room with trays.
“What the heck?” Nichole exclaimed.
“I thought we could use a break from cooking and hired a chef,” Victor replied.
The lady opened their trays and they ate as they watched television. The sun shone through the window and they could tell it was a good day to go out. Instead, they decided it would be more comfortable to open the window to feel the sun’s rays cast upon them as they watched movies and relaxed the entire day.
Their food was delicious and they calmly enjoyed their meal. They took naps throughout the day and when they were awake, they talked about hopes for the future. Nichole felt her children moving through her stomach and she watched them kick and change positions.
“We’ll be able to hold them soon. We’re going to have them in our arms!” Nichole exclaimed.
“I know. They’re going to be so small and delicate. I’m so big compared to babies. What if they become afraid of me?” Victor asked.
“They already know you. They don’t know how you look but they know what you sound like,” Nichole said softly.
“I never thought the time would come where I would be married and expecting two beautiful kids. I can’t wait for them to get older so they can learn how much their daddy loves them.” Victor smiled.
“I hope they’re both into video games because I put a lot of work into that gaming room.” Nichole laughed.
Victor chuckled and replied, “I’m sure at least one of them will like it. If they don’t, I sure will.”
“I sure do like it. I’m in there sometimes but I always have to stop to use the bathroom. Thanks guys,” Nichole joked as she looked at her stomach. The two made jokes and had a good time. They liked hiding from the outside world. It felt like it was just them, their extremely cuddly pets, and their soon-to-be-born gifts from heaven.
The next two weeks went by quickly and Nichole was having contractions. She was squeezing Victor’s hand as hard as she could to distract her from the pain. She was in the hospital but she hadn’t yet dilated enough to give birth.
She decided to go to the bathroom and while she was using the toilet, her water broke. She screamed for Victor and the doctors and she waited for assistance. Victor had already called Melissa, Larry, Janet, and Nichole and his parents.
Everyone arrived as soon as they could and when they got the news her water broke, they were all screaming with joy and helped get her ready for her hospital visit.
***
“Push baby, push!” Victor screamed.
“Do you want an epidural?” the doctor asked.
“No! Let’s just get this done!” Nichole screamed. She had already looked up epidurals and decided the years of back pain a lot of women face wasn’t worth it. She was ready to see Nicolette and Miguel. She pushed and pushed every time the doctor told her to.
Victor cheered her on and the friends and family watched from behind a glass. Nichole could hear her friends and family crying and cheering her on, also. “It’s a boy! the doctor shouted. A nurse cut the umbilical cord. Then she smacked the baby on the bottom and Miguel proceeded to cry.
The nurses wrapped up the baby and sat him in an incubator. “Okay, mama, bring it on home,” a nurse chimed in.
“Push! You’re doing great, Nichole, just a little more,” the doctor announced.
Nichole did all she could and when the time came, she was finished. “It’s a girl!” the doctor shouted. The nurse smacked Nicolette’s bottom but nothing happened. Everyone watching from behind the glass held their breaths. Victor was holding Nichole’s hand and fought the tears that began to swell up in his eyes. Nichole had yet to catch her breath.
“What’s wrong with my baby?” Victor asked.
“Nothing, sir, just give us a moment,” a nurse responded.
Nichole heard the commotion through her heavy breathing and lifted up her head. “What’s going on?”
The doctor smacked Nicolette’s bottom again. Still nothing happened. “I’m sorry but she isn’t breathing.” The doctor sighed. A nurse wiped off the baby and handed her to Nichole.
Nichole cried with her baby in her arms and rubbed Nicolette’s head. “This can’t be happening,” Nichole sobbed. “Please, wake up for Mommy. Wake up for Mommy,” Nichole cried.
The outside watchers began to shed tears like a river.
“Wake up for Mommy, sweetheart. I’m begging you,” Nichole sobbed. “Please.”
She put Nicolette’s head against her heart and cried with her child in her arms. Victor cried and hugged the two tightly. Nicolette began to scream and cry. Nichole and Victor let out deep breaths and their tears turned into happy sobs and screams of joy. The friends and family began to hug each other as they wiped their tears away. A few nurses let out a couple of laughs.
“That’s amazing!” cried the doctor.
“I love my job,” a nurse said as she covered her mouth with her hand and tears flowed down her cheeks.
“You gave us a scare there,” Victor said as he wept. He handed Nicolette over to the nurse and looked over at Nichole. She was asleep with a smile on her face.
“Go ahead and get some rest too, Mr. Barbosa, you deserve it.” Victor climbed onto the bed with Nichole and closed his eyes. He was asleep in less than seconds.