I live for the present always. I accept this risk. I don't deny the past, but it's a page to turn.

Juliette Binoche

"Do I look fine ?"

"You look too fucking fine."

Dalaric mumbles, his eyes skimming my white collared shirt and tight black office slacks. I'm wearing heels too! At first, I questioned whether I should dress up for court or not, but after an hour and an elaborative search of 'Outfit ideas for court' on Pinterest, I made my mind up.

My baby runs a hand down his face, going through some documents before we leave for the trial. He stayed up for the majority of the night, flipping through stacks of forms and all that. I had to force him to come to bed by taking off my pants and letting him sleep on my tummy. He slept soundlessly soon after.

"Does someone need a recharge huggie ?" I stand in front of the kitchen chair before opening my arms to him. Dalaric sighs, setting down the papers before pulling me close and shoving his face in the crook of my neck. I kiss his neck twice, running a hand through his braids.

I have very mixed feelings about how this trial is going to go. On one hand, I'm ecstatic that this chapter will end today. That his fate will be decided today. On the other hand, if things go wrong. I can't imagine what on earth I'm going to do. What we're going to do. He'll be stuck in the job his nineteen-year-old self never wanted. I don't want him to live that sort of terrifying life. His past mistakes were just that- mistakes. Why should he spend his entire life paying for them? I pout angrily at my thoughts, hugging him tighter. No ones going to take my Dalaric. Nope. Never.

"All better, babycakes ?" I ask, letting him go and fixing the collar of his shirt. He's wearing a white collared full-sleeved shirt- we're twinsies- and a black turtle neck underneath- not twinsies for that- and I really want to gobble him up. Of course, my Maya-mark is hanging proudly around his neck. He also smells like me.

Yay.

"Mhm." He hums as a reply, kissing my nose and setting down my flyaways. I hand him a hairbrush and plop myself on the edge of the sofa. Dalaric satisfyingly braids my hair, his large fingers combing through the strands smoothly. He makes all my worries vanish. Like the new toner I got does to the little bumpies on my forehead. I also sent a progress picture to Fatima who is very proud of my updated skin care regimen.

"You ready ?" Once he's done, he ties the end of the braid using a hair tie before grabbing my hand. I grab my purse and give him a kiss as a thank you, not forgetting to shove a granola bar and banana in the bag just in case he gets hungry.

We spend the car ride talking about my graduation, which is in a day, along with my birthday. I leave out the birthday bit to not make it seem like I'm looking for a gift or whatever. I kind of want a gift, though. But only from Dalaric. Either way, one gift-him-is enough for me.

Once we reach the court at which the trial is taking place, I take a deep breath in and look at the setting. A group of people catch my eye and my brows furrow in shock.

Joshua, Matt, Shay and Mikey all stand at the entrance. They wave warily as Dalaric walks ahead of me, my hand in his as I follow. I know he's glaring at them, probably assuming that they're here to defend Landon. Our assumptions are deemed incorrect when I notice the apologetic looks on their faces and the witness testimony papers in their hand. At least they're here to help.

I smile at them, hoping that today is the end of a very painful chapter of my life. Praying, that I no longer have to see those who made that chapter unforgettable. Dalaric's hand tightens around mine as we get through the doors, a faint sound of commotion in one of the rooms.

My hearts beats in fear,

wishing, that it's finally time to turn the page.

☁︎︎ ☁︎︎ ☁︎︎

A clerk walks up to the witness box thing and gazes at me sternly. The atmosphere in the tiny courtroom is intimidating, to say the least.

I try my best to avoid his face. Dalaric kept me behind his back the entire time until I had to give my testimony. I heard his knuckles crack too many times to not look at Landon's face.

A pulp. That's what he reminded me of. His face was bruised all over and one of his eyes was swollen too. My man did not spare him.

Yay.

"Ms.Morrison. You will now give your witness testimony. Please speak into the microphone."

"Um, hi ! My names Maya. What's yours ?" Darn it, I should've been more professional. A few muffled giggles sound out from the small courtroom, the judge seems to be holding back her smile too.

What's so funny? And why isn't she telling me her name? Potential friend opportunity has disappeared. Poofie.

"State your full name for the record."

"Mayella Moore Mika-Morrison."

"Miss Morrison, please answer the defendant's questions." I curse my annoying mouth when the judge gives me a reprimanding look. Dalaric stands in my view but too far away for my liking and the chair under me is very uncomfortable. His arms are crossed and he has one had on his chin, nodding to me encouragingly. I don't miss the anxious look in his pretty eyes.

The defendant walks towards me. He's about thirty years old with slicked-back hair and bad posture. His eyes fixate on me with an almost challenging look. I subconsciously look at Landon and know that this is the day. The day he'll get what he deserves.

So I confess.

I rant, my words pouring out with immense detail and my heart uncaging the walls of naive lies I've let myself believe. All truth, no exaggeration, which may be hard to believe with all the things that he has put me through. I don't know how long I talk for, but I know that we just might have a chance when the defendant's face morphs into one of shock and fear. Pre-Dalaric Maya would've stuttered. She would've cried too. But Post-Dalaric and happy Maya didn't. Not because stuttering or crying made her weak, just because she isn't afraid anymore.

Yuppie, you're going to lose bud.

The judge thanks me and I exit the witness stand, rushing to Dalaric when he opens up his arms. I can tell that he's angry from the clenched jaw, and I can tell it's because of all the things I said right now. Things that he never knew. Assaults that I had buried deep down, not wanting to bring them out and face them. Dalaric takes a deep breath and kisses the top of my head before muttering with so much love and pride that I will most likely faint,

"You did well."

"Did you see me? I didn't even stutter once." I mush my face into his side before grabbing a water bottle and plopping myself on a chair. It's time for the rest to give their testimonies.

The 'rest' being Shay, Matt, Mikey and Joshua.

Am I scared? Yuppies. Very. Am I thankful? Yuppies, because even though I don't consider them my friends, they're here to put him into jail which is enough to earn my gratitude. I think forgiveness is power. And I forgive them. I kind of want to throw eggs at them for being so rude to me for no apparent reason, but Dalaric said we shouldn't waste food. So no eggies today.

One by one, like a lil' dominos game, they give their statements. Dalaric covers my ears with his hands when Joshua recalls the incident with mama at the house. I wave and smile at his girlfriend, who's a very pretty girl with blonde hair in a really pretty pink wheelchair. She waves back warily, probably confused at why I'm waving at her.

She's brave for choosing to love someone who is publicly admitting to the abuse he inflicted on others.

Mikey gives her account before Shay talks too, but I fall asleep on Dalaric's shoulder for most of it. I give her a thumbs up as a thank you. That chapter ended long ago and I'm thankful it did. I hope she's doing okay.

After all that, Dalaric wakes me up with a nudge and I take a deep breath in. And let one out. My heart races in my chest and I grasp onto his fingers. I'm so scared. What if this doesn't end?

"Will the jury foreperson please stand ? Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict ?"

"Yes."

"The jury finds the defendant..."

My body instinctively takes a breath in, my fingers tightening around his once more. Please let this be the last page.

"...guilty."

I breathe out.

"The jury is thanked and excused. The court is adjourned."

☁︎︎ ☁︎︎ ☁︎︎

"You good ?"

"I think I need to cry but nothings coming out."

I sigh, burying my face further in his warm neck. We're parked outside of Benny's where they're holding a celebration for the win. Dalaric and I are exhausted so we decided to have a nap before we go in. We don't like parties that much.

"We should go in before Raf gets mad." Dalaric nods and rests my forehead against his, closing my eyes before subtly kissing his cheek.

"We won."

"We did." His lips curve up into a beautiful smile and I resist the urge to kiss him all over. To bite him all over.

We walk into the noisy bar, hand in hand, and I giggle at the scene in front of me. Raf, Jan, T and Ale are all standing on the bar with party hats on. Dean and Vera sit on one of the stools trying to figure out how the confetti shooter works.

"Oh shit, they're here! Woooo!" And that's when I get cake thrown on my face by a very ecstatic Rafael and Jan. My man tries to shield us but fails when they throw even more cake at us. Fatima said she's coming back tomorrow but she wants us to save her some cake.

Dean walks up to Dalaric, T and Ale following behind.

"Hey man, we love you- you too, Maya- and we're happy for you. Fucker's getting thirty to life just like he deserves." T walks forward, slapping a hand on Dean's shoulder while nodding.

"The mans right. Love you, brother, it's your turn for freedom."

"Group hug." Jan bursts into our conversation, dragging Ale into a big group hug with all the boys. I hug Vera as she comes to congratulate me and we talk about how cute our men look as they glare at each other while hugging. Dalaric sends me a tiny smile filled with happiness when he catches me staring.

We won.

☁︎︎ ☁︎︎ ☁︎︎

"You have cake in your hair. I have cake in my hair. Confetti too."

I mumble, trying to get some pieces out of my already tangled hair. Hmph. Dalaric and cake do surprising things to my bite-o-meter. Too delicious.

Yum. That's weird, Maya. True, all cakes need frosting. Maybe I should...

"Whatcha doing ?" Dalaric grabs a black duffel bag after setting me on the bed. I stretch my legs, thankful for a strong boyfriend who also substitutes as transportation.

"Cleaning." My eyes widen when I look at the incredible amount of guns in our wardrobe. How come I never saw them? I go to pick one up but Dalaric flicks me on the forehead, pointing a gun at me.

Is he holding me at gunpoint? This is exciting.

"Is it loaded ?"

"You wanna see ?" Dalaric points at Mr Jones Sr. and I let out a scream, moving in front of my penguin- Mr Jones, not Dalaric- to protect him.

"You're going to regret doing that." I narrow my eyes at him. He only smirks and continues packing them away.

I'm glad he can pack them away.

Once he's done packing and I'm done grooming Mr Jones and his son, I walk into the wardrobe and take off my pants, doing the same to my bra before putting on one of my large T-shirts. I only recently realized that I buy the same size as Dalaric.

"Babycakes, get in here."

"Wh- For fuck's sake." I furrow my brows as I continue to turn the tap to the hot side. Why- oh, I was bending over.

"We're going to pretend that didn't happen or I'm going to ugly cry." I turn around, red as a chilli pepper that Dalaric and I have eating competitions with. Coming to face with my man who has one hand over his eyes, I giggle when I hug him tight.

"Get in so I can take that cake out of your hair." His brows furrow before his eyes moves to the tub that's filling up with water. Dalaric's eyes glitter with happiness and he looks back and forth between me and the tub.

He takes off his shirt and I whistle at how hot my boyfriend is. So what? I pick up boys too. Dalaric shakes his head before taking off his sweats, leaving him in his boxers.

Naughty naughty. Teehee.

The water rises when he gets in, leaving me some space so I can get in behind him. I'm not taking off my shirt because I will definitely collapse if he leaps for any of the opportunities in his naughty head.

The next ten minutes or so is spent combing through his hair, shampooing it and conditioning it. And sniffing it. Yum. He only rests his head below my chin, his hands holding both my legs that are on either side of his body as I rant about why I think Rumi is one of the greatest poets to ever live.

I resort to massaging his head when his conditioning his done before using a wide comb to gently separate his tangles. Yum, smells like strawberries. Maya-mark accomplished.

"Dude, you can't sleep in the tub or your skin will get all- oof." He suddenly moves me into his lap, causing water to splash everywhere. It's his turn to clean washroom so it's not my problem.

Dalaric, as expected, mushes his face between by boobies and rubs against them. He's so mine.

"You good ?" I ask, resting my head on his own. Maybe he's tired? Hmph. I really wanted him to wash my hair.

"Hey, what's wrong, dude? You can't stay there forever." He shakes his head, that is still on my chest, like a stubborn middle schooler.

"I'm happy as fuck, Mayella. So fucking happy."

"You deserve it, y'know? I'm happy too, I've got my penguins safe, healthy and happy. " I smile into his hair when he kisses my neck, mumbling something about our penguins being fat.

I feel sneaky fingers make their way below my soaked shirt and I stare blankly at the man who's supposed to be an assassin. Ex-assassin.

"I'm not taking it off." I hold the hem of my

shirt down.

"Just a peek, on God." He furrows his brows in concentration, trying to figure out how to lift the shirt when I'm holding it down.

"No, I told you that you'd regret threatening Mr Jones Senior. And don't talk about God when you're doing naughty naughty things, babycakes."

"Fine. Get in front." I give him a kiss before sitting in between his legs. He does the exact same thing to me but plays with my hair longer than necessary. Once he's done washing my hair and trying to get my shirt off, I push Dalaric out of the washroom so I can shower really quickly.

The room gets a bit steamy when I exit and my skin feels very refreshed. I spray on some perfume and twirl like a princess. I love feeling good when I go to bed. Dalaric enters the bedroom with wet and open hair and I sigh. Wowie.

"Pink or blue..." I murmur, looking at my penguin pyjama shorts. Blue. I'm feeling blue.

"You check the mail yet ?" I gasp at his words. Oops, completely forgot. After putting on fluffy slippers that Fatima got me when I kept stealing hers, I walk to the living room to pick up the mail. Tearing open one of the envelopes, I set the rest under my arm.

Since I'm lazy, I just place the rest on the side table so I can check it right before we sleep. Dalaric doesn't like it when I leave it around the living room so we've had to compromise. He does the dishwasher if he wants extra smoochies. Rules are rules.

"Whatcha doing ?" My legs swing as I sit on the edge of the bed, my face feeling weirdly wet.

"Tryin- why the fuck are you crying ?" Dalaric crouches in front of me and squishes my face with one hand. He doesn't like it when I cry for no reason. He thinks I'm a manipulator of emotions with my pretty crying face. Yup, he thinks I'm pretty.

"I-I don't k-know." Hiccups sound out from between my words. Why am I crying again?

He cradles my face as his eyes scan me before setting himself on the bed and putting me on his lap.

"Cry. It's fine. It's over." Oh, that's why I was crying. My lips quiver when all the thoughts of today rush back. Oh, yeah. That's why I'm crying.

"I c-couldn't believe it when the judge did the hammer thing and told us the trial was over. I couldn't. B-but I-I think I'm crying because-"

He quirks a brow, genuinely concerned about why I'm drowning in tears, as he gently wipes my eyes so they don't get sore.

"-if i ever need smooches at college, my person is only a twenty-minute drive away."

"Wh-you got in ?" He wears a shocked expression, not at how I got in, but at how I'm too far away from him. I nod with a ready smile. I got into my dream university and I get to stay with my dream man.

"Don't fucking play with me, Mayella." Dalaric rests his forehead on mine before muttering his words with disbelief. I take out the acceptance letter I folded and shoved into my pyjama pocket.

"I got in." I think it's when I unleash my held back sob that I finally realize that it's over. The painful chapter of my life is finally over. I can turn the page. There's nothing that can keep me chained, not any longer. So I cry.

"We won, baby." Dalaric whispers in my ear after a few minutes and kisses my cheek as I hug him close. My tears are dried up and only a smile remains.

"We won." I pepper kisses all over his beautiful face and some on his neck too, not forgetting to tell him how much I adore him and how smooth his skin is.

My eyes spot something above his side table and I laugh wholeheartedly.

"Babycakes, can you put this on please ?"

"Fuck no. Not again." He says, showing a look of pure distaste at the wolf costume head.

"One last time, dude. Then we can put it one of those charity boxes in the city and you won't ever have to see it again." I try and make my eyes glitter as I reason with him.

"Once." Dalaric narrows his eyes, bending down so I can put the costume head on him. I clap excitedly before I grab a blank paper and a random penguin pencil to write something down.

"Say this. Please." He seems confused but he grabs the paper and mouths the words, sending me an 'I'm so done with this' look.

"Fine."

Dalaric smirks as he walks forward, resulting in my back hitting a wall. I've read this too many times. He lays both his hands on each side of my head as I bite the tip of my thumb in nervousness. After, Dalaric looks me dead straight in the eyes and utters with utmost seriousness,

"Mate."

He sure is mine.

_________________________

3404