Intrigue

Brent had practice this morning. I left early, went and had breakfast and headed towards the office. The only thing to do was to sit and wait for the jury to return the verdict.

We got a call around eleven o'clock letting us know it was in and Court would reconvene at one o'clock. We sat down and had a drink together in Alan’s office. “You ready for this Alexa?” Alan asked.

I just shook my head. “It better be guilty. I worked hard for this.”

Alan grabbed my hand. “You did your best. It’s all up to the jury to make a good decision.

My phone rang a few minutes later with Brent’s ringer id. “Hey babe, I just heard it is in. Good luck. I’m heading into practice now.” I said goodbye and looked at my male co-workers.

“Let’s go grab lunch, my stomach is doing flip-flops.” We sat at the restaurant across from the courthouse until we were due in court in fifteen minutes.

The media was pure insanity outside the courthouse. Alan held me close as we pushed our way into the courtroom and took our seats at the front table. Jackson Mason just stared intently at me. I didn’t even give him the satisfaction of looking over at him.

Within minutes we rose as the judge took his seat on the bench and the jury came back into the room. A dead silence engulfed the room and you could hear pens scribbling, people shifting and the jurors’ breathing.

The foreman stood. “We the jury find the defendant Jackson Mason, II guilty of first degree murder. Mike wrapped me in a hug and Alan smiled widely.

After a few minutes we exited the courtroom, into the media frenzy of Chicago. We gave a short press conference on the verdict. After the conference, a reporter pulled me to the side. “So now what, a vacation in the works?”

I just laughed. “No vacations here. I am going to enjoy the rest of my fiancée’s season and spend time with our daughter.” The report smiled and thanked me for the comment.

I told Alan I would see him tomorrow at the office and headed toward the practice rink. The minute I entered Kaner came and wrapped me in a huge hug. “Alex so, how did it go?” I gave him a huge hug back. “I won, of course. Now I’m going to relax.” I said as I sat in the seats and scanned the team for Brent.

Kaner sat down beside me. He had off from practice today because of a sore knee. “So you ready for all the craziness of the playoffs. “Yep, ready to enjoy time with you guys and Madi.” Coach Q blew his whistle on the ice and the guys went for their water.

Brent skated over and mouthed to me “Love you”. Duncan stopped in front of me and blew kisses and I had to laugh. They were like overgrown children these guys. Kaner giggled beside me as he googled my name and numerous images appeared on the screen of myself in Court today.

“Damn Alexa, you look good. You should drop Brent, we could have a lot of fun together.” Then he winked at me, causing me to crack up. Brent skated towards us and hit his stick on the glass and pointed at Kaner to indicate he was watching him.

Their practice ended a few minutes later. The guys dispersed into the locker room. I sat alone, enjoying the silence. After thirty minutes or so, Brent came jogging out.

“Sorry babe, they take forever to stop talking. Let’s go to a movie or something. My mom will keep Madi for a little while longer.” I nodded in approval. He called his mom while I looked up movies.

We ended up going an seeing some new action movie out. It sucked, but it was nice just to spend time together, alone, without anyone else around. We headed home right after, eager to go see Madison and plan dinner for the night.

“So you are going to talk to Alan about reducing your role correct?”

I smiled at him. “That’s the plan darling. I definitely don’t want the trial that is going to start in three weeks on my plate. Besides, I want to be around for the playoffs. Not running around like a maniac."

We got home and played with Madison for a while. She was just starting to pull up onto furniture and we knew she would be walking soon. Before Suzanne left she showed me a dress online for Madison for the wedding. I agreed and we ordered it.

“So you two need to get your paperwork together for the wedding and buy wedding bands.” Suzanne said, writing down reminders on a note pad.

Brent grunted and I laughed. “She can pick out the wedding rings, she can take Dad with her. I picked out one, that is enough for me.” We just laughed at him.

We were getting married in Canada which was a lot of paperwork and nonsense for me but totally worth it for him to get married in his hometown. His mom was enjoying the wedding planning and I was happy because I didn’t have to do much.

“So Brent, can you just have Keith in your wedding?” I asked.

“Babe, whatever you want is fine with me. Although I will warn you, Kaner and Dunc have taken the liberty of planning me a bachelor party in Vegas for the weekend before the wedding.”

I just shot him a look. “You guys suck. You are gonna have so much fun. I have no one to do that stuff with.” I started getting down thinking about it.

“Ummm why don’t you do something with Abby?” I just pouted more, because she had a newborn.

"Really Brent. I need to like make some new friends or something. I am pathetic. No family, my only friends are Mike and your teammates. What the heck am I supposed to do with that.”

He wrapped me in a big bear hug. “I love you Alex that is all that should matter to you." He said and his Mom agreed.

"You have us dear. We are more than enough family for anyone." Suzanne said and Gary wrapped me in a hug.

Notes

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