Episode 25 - "Order in the Courtroom" (Printable Version)

Scene 1 - The San Diego Federal Court House

William paced around outside the court room waiting on the all or at least someone from the Morrow family. William finally was able to get to Anthony a bail hearing, after trying for two weeks. His main concerns for Anthony today was the judge, a cop committing crimes was something that was frown heavily upon in California and San Diego was the worst place to be in during a situation like this.

Slowly his mind drifted into the images of Felicia making love to one of people he hated the most, Demetrius Sterling. He growled the slammed his briefcase down on the bench.

"William?" Leona called out as she and Paul came around the corner.

William wiped his brow, coming back to reality and greeted Paul and Leona with a smile as the approached him, "There you guys are. Today's the big day huh?"

Leona sighed depressingly, "One of many for us, William. Thank you again for helping Anthony."

William grabbed Leona's hand firmly to let her know things would get better, "It's not a problem."

Paul stuffed his hands in his pockets, and patted his best friend on the shoulders, "How are you holding up?"

William shrugged, not wanting to touch the subject of him coping with Felicia's affair with another man, "Today is not about me, Paul."

"I'm here whenever you want to talk, ok?" Paul assured William.

"Thank you..."

William picked up his briefcase then opened the door to the courtroom, "...Now let's take care of the problem at hand."

Scene 2 - St. Marks Memorial Hospital

The ten o'clock morning sun shined through Travis' window, signaling for him to wake up. Travis opened his eyes then blinked several time trying to adjust his eyes. He sat up slowly in his hospital bed then shuttered thinking about his father's betrayal to his mother. He looked up and noticed his sister Gloria sitting by his bedside.

"How long have you been there?" he asked softly.

Gloria smiled and scooted her chair closer to the bed, "Long enough to see that frown on your face. It was up there while you were sleeping."

"Your father helped that get there." Travis snarled sitting up in his bed. "He confessed to me during  my coma and I heard him."

"So you could hear?" Gloria asked amazed.

Travis laughed and nodded, "Yeah I heard everything...and please...don't sing to me again." 

Gloria rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "I guess I shouldn't quit my day job."

Travis snorted at Gloria's comment, "You already did that."

"Our family is a mess because of Ruby Lips" 

Travis shook his head in disappointment, "And all this time dad was trying to please Felicia? I can only imagine what mom is going through."

Gloria sat back in her chair, "I hate to be Felicia if mother runs into her. There's no telling what might happen."

Scene 3 - Sterling Clothing Inc

The elevator took it time going up to the 42nd floor, even though the sun shined brightly over San Diego, clouds of sadness and anger floated around Melanie. It's been few weeks since Melanie found out about the Demetrius' extracurricular activities with Felicia. She never took time to deal with the situation, since Travis was in a coma...thanks to Felicia's reckless driving. Melanie didn't want anymore confusion and she was tired of arguing but she felt she was owed a few explanations, which is what is was going to go get.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Felicia waiting patiently with a folder of dress fabrics in her hand. Felicia looked up startled to see Melanie, this was the first time she'd seen her since the whole ordeal. She took a few steps back not knowing what to expect. She swallowed hard, then took a deep breath.

"Melanie?" she whispered.

Melanie stepped out of the elevator, she didn't expect to see Felicia right here at the elevator. She was hoping for a private conversation but at this point she would take whatever she could get.

Melanie crossed her arms to cover her shaking hands that wanted so bad to choke the life out of Felicia, "Surprised to see me?" she snarled.

"Let's not do this here, please." Felicia begged, "This is a professional establishment."

Melanie eyes widen at Felicia reminding her of what kind of place this was, "There's nothing professional about you, Felicia. Don't you dare say anything like that to me again!"

Felicia sighed becoming upset, she wasn't going to let anyone else bring her down "Melanie, look I'm late for a meeting. If you want we could schedule an appointment and talk then.

Melanie narrowed her eyes then smacked Felicia across the face, "You will NOT talk down to me like that after everything you've done. You owe me some answers and I'm going to get them...NOW!"

Felicia eyes filled with fear, this was a side of Melanie she never saw before.

Scene 4 - The Sterling Mansion

Bonita closed the front door then followed Jasmine into the living room with Nathan's bags. Weeks ago Alex and his family wasn't sure if his nephew was going to wake after being shot but things are starting to look up now that he's home...well at least staying with Alex.

"Can you all anything?" Bonita asked politely with a fake smile.

Jasmine shook her head, "No thank you, Bonita thanks a lot though." Jasmine answered with a smile.

Bonita smiled back, "I'll be upstairs if you need me." she uttered before walking upstairs.

Nathan winched a little as he slowly sat himself up, "Thanks for letting me stay here, guys. I didn't know where I was going to end up at?"

Alex grinned sitting a pillow behind Nathan's back, "Your mom thought it would be best if you stayed here, plus we have a lot to catch up on."

Nathan laughed faintly, "Can't wait!"

Jasmine sat down beside Nathan then grabbed his hand, "You uncle and I have a visitor for you too."

Nathan raised an eyebrow at Jasmine then grinned wanting to know what they had in store for him, "Bringing me here wasn't enough?"

Alex laughed shaking his head, "We thought a visitor would make you feel better."

Nathan grew confused, "Who?"

"Me!" Marie exclaimed coming out of the kitchen holding a card."This is the surprise!"

Nathan looked at his uncle and Jasmine then laughed, "We've gotta stop meeting like this."

Scene 5 - The San Diego Federal Court House

Leona cover her mouth as Jonas escorted a mangy Anthony into the courtroom, she sobbed laying her head on Paul's shoulder. Anthony smiled weakly at his mother, as he sat down beside William. This was the first time they saw each other since Anthony turned himself in. Anthony turned around and grinned, "I'm ok."

Leona nodded her head sitting back she looked around the courtroom and growled as Paige walked into the courtroom. She put the negative thoughts away and focus her attention on her son as the judge entered.

"ALL ARISE!" the bailiff called out, "FOR HONORABLE JUDGE MILTON MARCUS."

William shuttered as seeing one of the men who's hated him for years, "Oh damn." he whispered to himself.

Judge Marcus motioned for everyone to sit down as he took his seat as well, he smirked evilly at William then chuckled a bit seeing the former Captain of the Police Department. "I never wanted you to have that position Anthony!"

Leona glared at the judge and squeezed Paul's hand, "He can't say that to him!" she whispered to him.

"Please remain calm, Leona." Paul reminded his wife, rubbing her hand.

"Now let me explain something to you all, I do not condone an officer jumping on to the wrong side of law, but knowing this man and his behaviors I do not believe he deserves to remain in jail until his trial." the judge explained.

"Bond is set for $200,000!"

Anthony reached over and hugged William tightly and laughed he was finally free of that hell hole...for now.

William chuckled and hugged his godson back, "That's one of many hurdles." he whispered to Anthony as Jonas and Paul approached them.

"Come on, let's get you out of jail." Jonas stated as he escorted Anthony out of the courtroom. Paige hurried over to the door and smiled at Anthony who looked past her as he exited. Paige looked over at Leona who quickly approached her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Leona grilled.

Scene 6 - St Marks Memorial Hospital

Travis watched Gloria stare out the window, he sensed something was on her mind, it was probably the same thing that was on his mind...making things right with his sister. In his coma he was aware of things and one of biggest fear was not being able to apologize to her.

"I'm sorry, Gloria." Travis admitted with a weak grin.

Gloria turned around unsure of where this apology was coming from, "Why are you apologizing?"

"I let dad drive a wedge between us. Trust me, I didn't know all of this was going on."

Gloria walked over to Travis and grabbed his hand, "No, I should be the one apologizing. I wanted karma to bite you in the ass. But I never meant for any of this to happen."

Travis laughed softly, "Family is all we have. I don't ever want to lose you guys."

Gloria shook her head, "Little brother I'm not going anywhere!" she answered.

"Now what about our parents?"

Travis shrugged, "I'm pretty sure mom knows how to handle that."

Tears began to fall from Gloria's eyes, "The little girl in me doesn't want them to break up. They've been together forever."

"Right!" Travis replied, "I think we all better prepare for the worst."

Gloria wiped her tears away and exhaled, "So much for the mighty Sterling's."

Scene 7 - Sterling Clothing Inc.

"Have you lost you mind?" Felicia exclaimed taking a few steps from Melanie fearing that she would strike her again. "Please calm down."

Melanie shot Felicia an icy glare, she never meant to slap Felicia but it felt good to her. She wasn't trying to play the victim but Felicia's attitude towards her at this point in time was not going to cut it. Felicia was the one in wrong.

"Felicia tell me something! What was going through your head when you were sleeping with Demetrius? Why ruin what you have with such a wonderful man like William?"

Felicia's lips quivered struggling to hold back her tears but the tears won the fight and began to fall, "I'm sorry Melanie but I love him! I love Demetrius like I've never loved any man."

"Is this  the answer you wanted to hear?"

Melanie crossed her arms and approached Felicia, a tiny part of her was hurt by Felicia's admission but the remaining part of her wasn't surprised, "Well let me tell you something. He's a free man." she answered sliding off her ring.

"Demetrius and I are history now. Thanks a lot you've succeeded!"

"Melanie, neither one us wanted things to end up this way."

"Neither did I...but it did." Melanie replied taking Felicia's hand.

"Melanie what are you doing?" Felicia exclaimed in fear.

"Here...my wedding ring...it's yours! You and Demetrius can have a happy life together." Melanie shouted slamming her wedding ring in the palm of Felicia's hand.

Joshlynne walked out of her office to see where all of the screaming was coming from, she smirked watching Melanie place her ring in Felicia's hand then hurried back on the elevator. Phase 1 of Joshlynne's plan to become the next Demetrius R. Sterling was officially complete and with no one (Marsha) to mess her up she was going to be married to Demetrius if it was the last thing she did.

Felicia closed her hands and looked over in Joshlynne's direction and glared, "You just love this don't you."

Joshlynne shook her head, "We all make mistakes...some greater than others."

Scene 8 - The Sterling Building

Nathan carefully sat down on the couch beside Marie with a glass of water, "So we're all roommates, huh?" he asked playfully.

Marie threw her head back as she laughed, "Well not exactly, we stay down street. But it's a guarantee that you will see everyday."

"And with all the action that goes on here you'll barely miss me."

Nathan face filled with disappointment, but it quickly faded realizing that this was a blooming friendship and he didn't want to rush things.

"Action? What do you mean?" Nathan asked fearing that he'd jumped into the frying pan and into the fire. The last thing he needed was more family drama,

Marie touched his knee to reassure him, "Oh no, Nathan. Nothing like that...the most you'll get here is a lot of screaming matches."

Nathan snickered sliding closer to Marie, "Wow, that's a bit too much don't you think?"

Marie nodded agreeing then slapped Nathan leg playfully, "Well at least you'll get plenty of rest."

Nathan sat back, he'd been out on the streets for so long for he forgot what it felt like to sleep on a nice warm mattress, beamed thinking about what it would like to sleep next to Marie.

"You know I almost forgot what it felt like to sleep on real bed."

"Well I am a living witness that you'll sleep good here."

Marie and Nathan stared awkwardly at each other both were unsure of how to respond to Marie's corny response, follow by an explosion between them.

Scene 9 - The San Diego Federal Court House

Leona approached Paige with intentions of removing her out the of the courtroom manually, "I asked you a question! What are you doing here?"

William quickly jumped between the two woman, "Come ladies this isn't going to help to Anthony's case."

Paige shook her head in disgust, she was tired of Leona bullying her around, "I am still Anthony's wife and I think I have the right to see how his bail hearing goes."

"We wouldn't be at a bail hearing if you kept you damn legs clothes!" Leona shot back. "You have some nerve..."

"Alright Leona, that's enough!" William exclaimed finding himself sandwiched between Leona and Paige.

Paige reach over her William and slapped Leona, "I'm tired of you Leona, I am not a child and you will not continue to talk to me like I am one!" Paige scolded before having a her hair pulled by Leona.

"Hey...hey!" William shouted attempting to break up the scuffle between Paige and Leona.

"GET OFF OF ME!" Paige screamed as she latched on to Leona's neck beginning to choke her.

Leona gagged for air and grabbed on the chair as she tripped on William foot bringing all three of them down to the floor.

"A LITTLE ASSISTANCE!" William exclaimed struggling to get up and pry Paige's hand from around Leona's throat.

"The whole courthouse can hear you all!" Jonas asked peeping his head in, he rushed in after seeing William attempting to break up the fight going on between Paige and Leona. "What the hell?"

Jonas picked up a kicking and screaming Paige and threw her across his shoulders, "Cool it!" he said as he carried her out of the courtroom.

Leona stood up coughing severely she looked at William and rolled her eyes, "Don't say a word!" she exclaimed before storming off.

William stood up and dusted himself off, "I didn't sign up for this!"

Scene 9 - Sterling Clothing Inc

The parking deck gave Melanie a cold and lonely feeling, not to mention the confrontation she just had with Felicia didn't help the situation. Melanie slowly walked to her car as she sobbed, everything finally hit her. She and Demetrius were over, and the images she painted of Demetrius and Felicia making love looped around in her head.

A sweaty and fatigue Melanie held a wailing baby in her arms as she rocked it to sleep, "It's ok, Gloria!" she softly spoke in the hospital room.

Demetrius walked up to Melanie and his newborn baby in the hospital room, he kissed Melanie's forehead then kissed the baby, "Gloria Sterling, eh?"

Melanie looked up at Demetrius, "It's your mother's middle name."

Demetrius smiled, "This is the start of a great family, Melanie."

Melanie laughed, "I bet it is!"

"This great family...is over!"

Melanie wiped her eyes but it was no use to the tears continued to fall, she walked up to her car and got in, she adjusted her mirror.

...Forever Never Seems That Long...

Next Time on Forever & A Day

Gloria makes a startling discovery!

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