A/N: Thanks for all the comments. I love reading them.
Chapter two continues as we go to court with Chloe. If you checked out above (or in the very first post of this thread) I included a "book cover" for my story. LOL And yes the man in the middle is Drew Donovan.
Here are a few more of him. Isn't he adorable?
If anyone reading is a Brady/Chloe fan you might like this part. Also Philip and Chloe fans might have a few pangs as well.
Please excuse my inexact legalese. I toyed with a few laws of a few states to create the legal system of Salem USA.
UnBETAed so please excuse my numerous errors and typos.
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Chapter 2 pt 2This is nothing like
Law and Order, thought Chloe as she gazed around the courtroom.
The room was small, harshly lit with fluorescent lights, and furnished with standard office chairs and tables. She realized this wasn’t an actual trial with a jury, but she still pictured a more formal setting. Large floor to ceiling windows covered one wall of the room, but they were covered by closed mini blinds that. There was a small section to the left of the of the judges seat that was designated by a velvet rope and a sign that read, “press”. In front of that area was the court stenographer’s desk. She was already there, busily prepping for the proceedings.
“It’s almost time to start,” said Drew as he slid into the wooden seat beside Chloe. “Just remember what I said. Keep calm, cool and respectful.”
“Right,” said Chloe as she tried to calm her nerves by taking deep breaths. “I’ve got to keep it together.”
“Every time the judge looks over at you I want him to see a mother that is remorseful yet composed. If we could refrain from overdoing it on the tears, that would be great,” said Drew as he busied himself with a document on his Ipad.
“I’m not much of a crier, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Finally all her years of controlling her emotions would come in handy. People often mistook her lack of tears or emotional displays as coldness, if only they knew all that she felt inside. It was just safer to keep those feelings locked away; to show them would be weakness. Chloe would have never made it through all her years at the orphanage if she collapsed into a teary mess every time things didn’t go her way. It now took a great deal to get her to crack and she always felt like a fool whenever she let her emotions get the better of her.
“Good, but not to detached. We want the judge to know you care. Maybe something like tear filled eyes would be best.”
“You sound like a director,” said Chloe. She was feeling a little uneasy about this conversation. It was starting to feel like he didn’t believe she was going to be set free, as if he had to create this elaborate plan in order to give her half a chance.
“Do you have any acting experience? Now would be a good time to draw from it.”
“I don’t have to pretend to be remorseful. I already am. I feel terrible about all I’ve done to my baby.”
He finally looked up at her. “I didn’t mean to insinuate you don’t. Courtrooms are about appearances. You need to project a certain image that will help things go our way. The goal here is to win, right?”
“How can we win? I am guilty.”
“Winning would be anything that keeps you from being locked up for the next few years. We want you to walk out of here a free woman, so you can get back to your son,” said Drew as he looked down at the cell phone in his hand. “I have to take this. Just sit tight I will be right back.”
Chloe watched Drew make his way through the double doors at the back of the courtroom. She was starting to feel sick to her stomach as she watched more and more people file in. This was actually happening, today her fate would be determined. Would she be locked away in a mental ward, a prison cell? Would she never be allowed to see her baby again?
She knew that her postpartum depression had a lot to do with this entire mess, but Chloe couldn’t pretend that just as much of this was because of her bad choices once again. She was often impulsive and didn’t think things through before she took action, usually the victim was only herself, but this time she took Parker down with her. Would she do this the rest of her life? Would her choices constantly put her son in jeopardy?
She needed someone to provide her balance. To hold her feet when her impulses started to make her float away. A voice of reason to help her sort through her often muddled thoughts. It was not that Chloe couldn’t take care of herself or make her own decisions. It was more that she needed someone there to be her sounding board, to get her to stop and consider her choices beyond her first instincts. Funny, how all the years she was so alone in the world as a child and managed just fine, it was her as an adult that actually needed someone. She had felt so lost these past few months. Nicole and Brady had been her constant supporters, they were great, but they still were not enough for Chloe to shake those feelings of loneliness and confusion. They couldn’t hold her to the ground, when all she felt was the urge to bolt. She need her rock, her anchor, she needed Philip.
Chloe wasn’t quite sure when it happened. She couldn’t pinpoint a date when she realized that Philip was the person that anchored her in this world. It must have been on one of those lonely nights while she was still pregnant with Parker, one of her many nights alone in the bed while Daniel slept on the couch. A child was growing inside her and a man that claimed to want to marry her was in the next room, but she had never felt more alone. In those late hours, Chloe would let herself cry for Philip.
“Hey Chloe.” She roused herself from her thoughts at the sound of her name, looking up to see Brady standing in front of her. His usually bright smile was dimmed, but she could tell he was still trying to remain upbeat. Brady could never hide his feelings from her, she used to always call him out on the moods he tried to hide.
“Hi Brady.”
“I have something for you from Nicole. She is so sorry she couldn’t be here this morning.”
“It’s okay. Drew explained it all to me. I understand.”
“I’m glad you do, because I am not so sure I agree with this decision.”
“Drew just wants everything to go smoothly. He is taking every precaution.”
“And Nicole would mess things up?”
Chloe shot him a pointed look. “C’mon Brady. It is Nicole we are talking about.”
“Okay fine. Maybe he's right, but I still hate that you can’t have your best friend here with you.”
“I know she is with me in spirit. And look, I'm wearing the lip gloss she gave me.”
“I’ll be sure to tell her that tidbit,” chuckled Brady. “So where's your lawyer? I figured he would be glued by your side.”
“He had to take a call. So what was it you were going to give me?”
“Oh I almost forgot.” Brady reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of Parker. “Nicole told me she was supposed to bring this with her today, but since things changed, she asked me to do it.” Chloe took the photo in her hand, smiling as she looked at her sweet Parker’s face. It was the photo Melanie had given her the night before. The hospital wouldn’t let her take anything out with her, so Nicole offered to bring the photo to courthouse. Chloe wasn’t a superstitious person by nature, but if anything could bring her luck it would be her little boy’s smile. She placed the photo on the table in front of her, where she could see it easily. “He is so beautiful Chloe. You definitely done good with that little one.”
“I did, didn’t I?” smiled Chloe. “I think he just may be the only worthwhile thing I have ever done. That is why I am so sick at how much I screwed up with him already. I have to get through this so I can get back to being his mother. I can’t let Parker suffer anymore because of me.”
“And you will,” said Brady as he rubbed her shoulder reassuringly. “I have no doubts that you and Parker will be reunited soon.”
“You better not let Melanie hear you say that? She might consider those words an act of betrayal.”
“How is wanting the best for Parker a betrayal?” asked Brady.
“I know how close you are with Melanie, and I am definitely not her favorite person.”
“As I told Melanie earlier, you two are on the same side. All you both want is for Parker to have a happy life. I wish you two would just get over, whatever this is, and realize that.”
“I slept with her husband and had his baby, I don’t think Melanie will be burying any hatchets anytime soon. Unless it is in my back.”
“Chloe – “
“Look I see Melanie just came in,” interrupted Chloe. She watched Melanie take a seat near the back. “I think you should go and be with her. I am fine.”
“You do know I have room in my life for the both of you.”
“I know that. I just don’t want any drama today. I’m sure she needs a friend by her side.”
“And you don’t?”
“I’ve made it this far on my own, a little bit more won’t break me.”
“You are not on your own Chloe. You have me and Nicole.”
“I know and I appreciate you both so much. But it is just that – “
“It is not the same,” interrupted Brady. “It’s not Philip.”
“Brady, I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“I get it. You want your baby’s father around while you are going through all of this.”
“It is not just because he is Parker’s father. Philip is…” She faltered searching for the right words. “Philip is my base, my anchor. He would be the one I would lean on during a time like this, no matter what.”
“I know,” said Brady as he looked away from her.
Chloe often wondered if her closeness to Philip bothered Brady. Even while they had been married, Chloe had kept in contact with Philip. He sent her letters while he as in Iraq, and she emailed him once he came back home. During those years they were apart, they didn’t delve into anything deep, but they both seemed to need to keep that contact, a connection. And when they both were back in Salem, that connection once again grew into a full friendship. She needed him and relied on him, and he always came through for her. Chloe hoped he felt the same way about her.
“I guess I am just missing him right now,” she said softly.
“I know you are. I wish I could do something, snap my fingers or make a wish and have him magically appear here today to hold your hand. But I can’t.” He took both of her hands in his own and held them tightly. “All I can offer is the next best thing. Me. I may not be Philip, but remember I care about you too.”
“Thank you Brady.” He placed his hand on her shoulder again as he walked past her to join Melanie in a seat a few rows back. Chloe wished she could let Brady be enough. But he wasn’t. The one she truly needed wasn’t here and wasn’t coming back, and no matter how many times Chloe reminded herself of that fact, it never changed her wanting things to be different.
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“Let the record show that the last time Chloe Lane stood in my courtroom was December 20th 2010. She pleaded guilty to one count of child endangerment and one count of child abandonment in accordance with the laws of our state. The combination of these crimes could garner up to four years in prison. At the time Ms. Lane was being treated for postpartum depression, and as a result I decided to delay her sentencing until a full psychiatric analysis could be made. She has remained at the Salem University Hospital Psychiatric Ward since that date. Ms. Lane will you please stand?”
Chloe stood up from her seat in front of the judge, smoothing her dress nervously as she tried to will her heart from thudding rapidly in her chest. She felt like she was about to face a firing squad. Judge Mitchell Leary had a commanding presence as he peered down at her over his silver wire glasses.
“Ms. Lane since you were in mental distress the last time I saw you in my courtroom. I sent you to be evaluated at the Salem University Hospital Psychiatric facility to see if you were able to comprehend your actions and the legalities of your situation. Your doctor could not be here this morning due to an emergency with a patient. But she did send me a formal statement and her assessment of your health. Dr. Hill states in her report that you have been a model patient and that after numerous sessions with her you are aware of your actions and you are mentally capable of making decisions. She thinks with continued therapy, you should be ready to rejoin the community and to resume your role as primary caregiver to your son, Parker Kiriakis. As a result of this report, I now ask you how do you plead to the charges made against you?"
“Guilty your honor. I want to take full responsibility for my actions.”
“Let the record show that Chloe Lane has pled guilty to all charges. Today’s proceedings are to allow me to hear from key witnesses in your case. After I have heard all of their testimony I will decide your sentence. Do you understand?”
“Yes your honor.”
“You may be seated. Counselor Donovan please remember that you are here in an observatory capacity and no arguments or rebuttals can be made by you. Your client has waived her right to a trial. Unless your client has decided to change her plea, my ruling today will be upheld and her sentence will be served immediately.”
“Yes your honor.”
“District Attorney Woods I am a bit surprised to see you here today since this is just a sentencing and not a trial. Usually you would send someone to represent your office.”
“This case is about a young member of our community from a prominent family. There has been a large amount of media attention and I wanted to personally be here to watch justice be served.”
“Very well, but the reminder I just gave Mr. Donovan stands for you as well. I don’t want any disruptions in this court room.”
“Understood your honor.”
“Now that Ms. Lane has been found mentally competent to understand the charges against her and has entered her plea of guilty to one count of child abandonment and one count of child endangerment, DA Woods what is the recommended sentence for Ms. Lane?” asked Judge Leary.
“The state recommends that Chloe Lane serve a maximum of three years in the state penitentiary with eligibility for parole after 1.5 years.”
“And no plea bargains have been reached?”
“No your honor,” stated DA Woods.
“Let’s begin. I would like to hear from Brady Black first. Will you please approach the bench and take a seat to my left?” Brady smiled quickly at Chloe as he walked to the bench in his perfectly tailored navy blue suit.
“Mr. Black, please tell the court your relationship to Chloe Lane.”
“Chloe Lane is my ex-wife. We have been divorced a few years now.”
“What happened on December 9th 2010?” asked Judge Leary.
“Well I was coming out of the Kiriakis warehouse down by the docks. I had to meet with the foreman about our new shipping procedures. When I saw Chloe standing over by the end pier.”
“What time would you say this was?”
“It was dark out but not too late. I would say about 7pm or so.”
“So you saw Ms. Lane by the pier.”
“I called out to her, since I thought it was her but I wasn’t exactly sure. It seemed strange for her to be in that area. So I called her name, but she didn’t respond. I started walking toward her and that is when she jumped…. I mean fell into the water.”
“Which was it? Jumped or fell?”
“I was a few yards away from her at the time. It would be hard for me to say concretely what happened, but I cannot imagine her consciously jumping into the freezing cold river.”
“Okay Mr. Black what happened next?”
“I ran as fast as I could over to where she was and I jumped in after her. ”
“How long did it take you to pull her from the water?”
“Since I jumped in almost immediately after she did, I was able to find her quickly. The water was cold, and that slowed me down, but I definitely would say we were out of the water in a few minutes.”
“What did you do once you were safely out of the water?”
“I carried her over to my car and drove her to the hospital. She was sort of out of it, not quite unconscious sort of murmuring.”
“Could you understand what she was saying?”
“No I could not.”
“Thank you Mr. Black. Is there anything else you like to add?”
He locked eyes with her as he shifted in his seat on the witness stand. Chloe couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked. His pale blue shirt that he wore under his jacket without a tie made his eyes look even bluer that usual.
“Just that in all the years I have known Chloe I would never expect she’d do something like this. That’s how I know that it must have been the PPD that caused it. She would never risk the life of her child.”
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“Mrs. Dimera I have a copy here of the police report you filed that states you witnessed Chloe Lane deliberately abandon her treatment for postpartum depression just days before the incidents of December 9th. Is that correct?”
“Yes, your honor. I saw that lunatic trash her prescription pills” Chloe’s heart constricted in her chest as she uneasily remembered that night.
“Please tell the court exactly what happened.”
“I went over to visit my grandson, Parker Kiriakis, at Maggie Horton’s house. Parker was in the kitchen in his little baby carrier crying. And Chloe was just ignoring him. She was sipping a cocktail or something at the kitchen table.”
“You are such a liar Kate!” Chloe exclaimed. “That never happened!”
“Ms. Lane control yourself. Outbursts will not be tolerated. You will be given a chance to speak later,” warned Judge Leary. “Please continue Mrs. Dimera.”
“I came in the house and picked up Parker to quiet him and he was soaking wet. I guess his trollop of a mother hadn’t bothered to change him. So I asked her about it and she just goes off on me. Verbally attacking me, accusing me of trying to take away her baby. Which is crazy. All I wanted to know was where she kept the diapers. Then she snatched the baby from my arms and stormed upstairs with him.”
“When did you actually see her discard her pills?”
“That was a bit later. She came back down without the baby and poured herself another drink. I suggested that maybe she shouldn’t be drinking with the baby and that she needs to stay alert. Chloe then said she is never alert and that she is like a zombie, that her antidepressants sap her of her energy and that she has stopped taking them. Of course I was immediately alarmed. I’m worried about the baby because she wasn’t coping well with him before she was on her medication. When I tried to remind her of that Chloe lashed out at me again, telling me to mind my own business. If I didn’t know better I would swear she was taunting me because she got up and dumped the entire bottle of pills down the garbage disposal right in front of me.”
“She’s lying! She told me to dump the pills. She said it would hurt my baby if I were like a zombie. You have to listen!” pleaded Chloe jumping up from her seat, tears streaming down her face.
“That right there your honor is a prime example of how Chloe was acting that day. That’s why I had to report her behavior to the police,” added Kate playing causally with the pearl necklace around her neck.
Drew yanked Chloe back down and whispered gruffly. “Chloe you have to calm down. Doesn’t matter what she is saying.”
“Counsel this is your last warning. Please control your client.” Drew nodded at the judge and turned to Chloe. He tapped the picture of Parker that was on the table in front of them, a subtle reminder to Chloe to keep her focus on what was important. Chloe swiped away the few tears that lingered on her cheeks and took a deep breath. She could do this, for Parker.
“You’ve indicated that you’d like to speak about Chloe’s character. Is there anything else you would like add, Mrs. Dimera?” asked the judge.
“Yes I would,” said Kate as she shifted forward in her seat. “Chloe Lane has been a blight on my family for years. It all began when she falsely accused my son of rape in high school. She led my son on and caused him to become virtually obsessed with her. He had to run away and join the military to be free of her mind games as she played my son and his nephew off of each other. Then her infidelities drove my son’s straight arrow nephew to drug addiction. She came back to Salem and wrecked my other son’s life, ruining his years of sobriety when she cheated on him during their brief marriage. Of course, then she started in on my son Philip again destroying his life and his marriage with her slutty behavior. The one good thing is that she gave birth to my precious grandson, but her negligence and complete disregard for anyone but herself has put my grandson’s life in danger over and over. I thank God everyday that she tried to off herself and Parker was taken away from her. If not for that, who knows what could have happened to that baby.”
“Is that all Mrs. Dimera?”
“Yes Judge. I want justice served so this one woman wrecking ball can finally be stopped and be put behind bars where she belongs.”
“Thank you. You may step down. Next I would like to hear from Mr. Buck Taylor.”
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“Mr. Taylor tell the court how you came to be in Salem Woods on the evening of December 9th.”
Mr. Taylor was an older man of about sixty. His hair was salt and pepper all over, cut in a neatly cropped style. He wore corduroys and a plaid shirt, that looked freshly ironed. Chloe guessed a man like him wouldn’t be caught in a suit. She imagined he spent most of his time trekking through the woods, hunting and fishing.
“I was hunting further back in the hunting area. I had to walk through that section of Salem Woods to get to my truck.”
“It was after dark. Do you normally hunt at night?”
“No sir. I had to double back to my hunting grounds because I forgot some of my gear. I ended up walking back later than usual. I have been hunting in Salem Woods for 25 years but I still don’t like being in those woods after dark. It’s a little creepy.”
“Recount to the court exactly what happened.”
“I was following the footpath through the woods. You know the one that hikers use or kids up to no good. And I heard crying, like a baby crying real soft like. At first I thought it was my mind playing tricks. Then I heard it again. So I went towards the sound off the path a stretch and there on the grass was a little baby. He was in a seat type thing, wrapped up in a blanket with a note pinned to him. He was fussing something awful and he had snowflakes all over him. We had a short snow shower maybe about thirty minutes before. I remember thinking to myself – who would leave a baby alone in the woods? Anything could have gotten him. Not to mention the cold.”
Chloe’s eyes began to fill with tears as she listened in horror to what her little Parker must have endured alone in the cold. It almost felt like they were talking about another person. She was horrified to believe that anyone would do that, let alone herself.
“Once you found baby Parker what did you do next?”
“I picked him up in his little seat and I started running to my truck. I tried to dial 911 on the way but the signal kept dropping. Once I got to my truck I drove to the hospital and I called the cops as soon as I hit the main road. I got to the emergency room and they were ready for me. They whisked the little one away to get checked over and I stayed and gave my statement to the police.”
“Thank you Mr. Taylor. You’re free to leave. The court will now take a short fifteen minute recess before continuing.”
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“Do you need to stretch your legs? Do you want some water?” asked Drew.
“I’m fine thank you.” Chloe didn’t feel fine at all. They were only halfway through the proceedings and she already felt like she had been through the ringer. Kate had sat on the stand and told vicious lies about her and she was powerless to stop it. She wanted to claw that murderous bitch’s eyes out, but she didn’t think that would help her case.
“Chloe I realize how difficult it must be for you hearing people say all of those things up there. But you’ve got to hold it together. You’re getting too emotional.”
“How am I supposed to react when people are telling lies and twisting the facts? I can’t even defend myself.”
“You pled guilty and while the judge will give you a chance to speak, you gave up your right to a defense. What we have to do is focus on projecting a remorseful yet calm and collected image. We want the judge to believe you are on the mend and that you’re truly sorry for your actions.”
“I am sorry.”
“I know you are. Now we need the judge to believe it. So how about every time something someone up there says upsets you, how about you squeeze my hand. Don’t say anything, squeeze.”
“Okay.” Chloe looked at him skeptically. She knew Drew was trying, but maybe he was just too inexperienced for this case.
“Let’s practice.” Drew turned to face her, offering his hand.
“Practice squeezing your hand? I think I can manage that one.”
His hands were large, yet smooth, definitely no manual labor for him. She didn’t see any signs of a ring, so she guessed her attorney was single. Not that Chloe cared, she didn’t have time for men. If Chloe had her way she would never fall in love again. All love managed to do was ruin her life each and every time. Now the only love she had room for was the love she had for her son. Anything else wasn’t important.
“C’mon let’s just do a trial run. Let me think of something really disparaging.”
“I’ve got one. Chloe Lane is a horrible mother that would rather get drunk and hook up with random men at bars than take care of her son.” Chloe grabbed his still outstretched hand and squeezed tightly.
“Ouch! Who said that about you?”
“It was in the Midwest Examiner. Everyone seems to think they have the right to judge me.”
“The media has to sell papers. They thrive on scandal. They don’t know you and don’t care about the truth. All that matters is that we convince the judge that you are ready to be a devoted mother, like you’ve already convinced me.”
“You’ve known me for like two days, how did I convince you?”
“You don’t give up.” He looked at her intently, his eyes actually shifting from a pale brown to green in front of her. “You are getting trashed in the media, trashed by your son’s grandparents, you’ve been locked in a mental ward and you’re still here fighting, staying positive. Only a good mother would endure all of this.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him, wondering how he had the ability to make her feel more at ease with the simplest of words. It was then she remembered they were still holding hands. He looked down at their joined hands just as she did, and abruptly pulled his away.
“So remember squeeze me and we’ll make it through this together.” His cheeks reddened slightly almost as if he were blushing at what he just said.
“You got it,” Chloe chuckled. She just might have the dorkiest lawyer on the planet.
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Thanks for reading!
Next update - Daniel and Melanie take the stand.
because he is off somewhere, but where? 
I think we're in for quite a journey.
I need to post a picture of him so you guys can see what he looks like. I have a specific person "cast in the role" as I write.
