Page 82 of A Trial of the Heart
“Damn,” was all I could mumble.
Shiloh scooted to the edge of the couch. “Listen, you and I got together on some one-night stand situation. It was fun while it had lasted. Honestly, I never expected the world to be so small that we’d reconnect in the manner we did. Expected or not, it happened. It may have seemed like we came from the opposite sides of the track, but truthfully, we were the same Rashad. Despite it all, me pushing you away, us getting together, me getting pregnant, and saying I didn’t need you around… even now… It seemed like we just couldn’t be anything more than the sex we had….” Shiloh paused and dropped her head to the side. “I fell in love with you, Rashad.”
She shrugged slightly. Tears seemed to pool in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.This was the second time Shiloh had said she loved me. What was I to do with that? Gazing into her brown, teary eyes that once displayed sadness, I saw hope and love. Nodding slightly, I slowly leaned her way, and our lips touched with ease. The kiss was unhurried. The sweet grape jelly lingered on her tongue, and the smell of her sweet intoxicating scent filled my nose. Feeling her become limp under my touch, I pulled back enough to peer into her eyes. Lifting my hand with my finger, I stroked the side of her face, pushing the single piece of hair from its frame. My lips curled into a smile.
“I love you,” I admitted, no longer seeing the need to pretend like something wasn’t there.
Shiloh gasped softly before a smile took over her features.
“Say it again,” she whispered, and I noticed the tears she tried to prevent managed to slip out and roll slowly down her face.
Matching her smile, I once again leaned in.
“I love you.” My lips grazed hers with my confession.
“I love you too,” Shiloh said before I felt her soft lips against mine. This time, the kiss was more hurried and passionate than before. Shiloh took the lead, and I followed. We had a lot aheadof us, and I didn’t know what the next day would bring, but I knew, in this moment, it felt right with Shiloh, and I would enjoy the time.
Chapter
Forty
Shiloh:
“I understand the jury has reached a verdict?” Judge Carol Owens questioned, looking in their direction.
“We have, Your Honor,” juror number one said with a shaky voice.
“Shiloh Monroe, please stand,” Judge Owens said, barely looking my way.
Six months had passed, and though the time had flown by, it had been an enjoyable six months. Rashad and I were doing well. I was due to be induced for the twins in a few weeks, and the case against me was finally coming to an end.
About three months ago, I was served with papers in regard to my license to practice law. I had charges filed against me and gone to trial. My future was in the hands of twelve jurors. I took responsibility for my part in things and represented myself. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Even if I had, I felt best being represented by myself. Though the case stemmed from Rashad’s situation, he stood beside me every step of the way.
“Will the jury read the verdict?” she instructed.
Just after the judge said that, I felt one of the babies kick me as if they had something to prove. The painful kick almostbrought me to my knees, but I kept it together. The twins were running out of space, and lately, they had not been playing nicely, so my body ached more often than not. My stomach had tripled in size, my thighs had doubled, my nose spread, and my feet stayed swollen. Anybody that glorified pregnancy by saying how blissful it was, was full of shit because I hadn’t had a blissful day since I could remember.
I looked over my shoulder at my support system on the second row. LeeAnn sat perched with her legs crossed. Her foot wrapped in her designer heels bounced slowly. My mother had her hands pressed together with her eyes closed and leaned over. I knew she was praying. Isla was even present. She looked scared like she wanted to be anywhere but where she was. Finally, my eyes fell to Rashad. He seemed the calmest out of the four of them. When our eyes met, he winked, causing my knees to slightly buckle, and a tingling feeling that wasn’t the babies, consumed my stomach. Smiling, I turned back to face the jury. My smile faded instantly, and seriousness took over.
Whatever happens is meant to be, I thought as juror number one began reading off the one charge I’d been charged with. That didn’t matter to me. All I cared about was the verdict.
“We the jury find Shiloh Monroe…” I tuned back in, but the pain I’d felt from the twins was back and more intense than before. “Not guilty.”
“Ah!” I cried out in pain, gripping the side of the table, doubling over as the courtroom erupted in cheers. They were happy about the verdict. Meanwhile, I was in pain, seeming to fight for my life.
“Order! Order!” Judge Owens banged her gavel while shouting with authority.
Still in pain and hunched over, I looked over my shoulder to see my support cheering and happy. Like I’d called his name, his cheering stopped, and he looked my way. In a swift motion,Rashad hopped the two benches in front of him, making his way to me in seconds.
“Something’s not right,” I spoke through my pain. The pressure I felt in my lady parts was one that was unmatched to any pain I’d ever experienced.
Rashad grasped my waist, and my hands gripped his forearms.
“Are you in la?—”
Rashad’s words were cut short by the popping noise we both clearly heard before I felt a rush of warm fluid flow down my legs. When I looked to my feet, I was standing in a puddle of a watery substance as more streamed down my leg. I was wearing a skirt, so the fluid was easy to see. With wide eyes and an increased heart rate, I looked into Rashad’s eyes.
“My water just broke.” I spoke the obvious.
