Chapter 9 – RPOV

I woke up for the second morning in a row curled into Emmett in his bed. He smiled as he saw me wake up and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Don't think this is going to be a regular occurrence," I warned and he smirked at me.

"You said that yesterday morning too, but look where you ended up."

"Oh you can be so annoying," I replied, whacking him with my pillow.

"I try," he responded," And I would join in with the pillow fight, however, I have to go to work and so do you."

"Don't remind me – I have some hideous hag scheduled for today who's convinced that the fact her husband got full custody of their child was a set up by the court so is appealing," I groaned and rolled out of the bed.

"Well I'm not swapping," Emmett stated childishly.

"As much as I want to swap so that I can see my baby; me with a bunch of obnoxious four year olds probably wouldn't turn out well," I laughed and started making the bed as he too got out.

After that I returned to many room to get changed and ready for the day, feeling once again that empty feeling in the bottom of my stomach because my daughter was not with us at this present time. I missed her so much and it had only been two days. Milena had kept us up to date and said that everything seemed fine, but the amount of will power required to stop me going back to Royce's house and literally scaling the walls to see her had exhausted me completely yesterday. Emmett had done everything he could think of to distract me: we went to the cinema, walked in the park, played board games and we had even given the apartment a thorough clean because I just had to keep moving to keep my mind off everything else.

Walking into the kitchen to get my breakfast I found Emmett munching happily on a banana. He waved like a monkey and I went to sit opposite him at the breakfast bar. As we poured our respective cereals I noticed he seemed preoccupied by something and was going to ask but figured that he probably did not want me prying in to his personal business. Thinking about this I leaned forward to reach for the sugar and found my hand met by a larger one. Looking up in surprise I saw Emmett too had gone for the sugar and was inches away from my face.

I could feel his breath on my cheek and see his angelic dimples when suddenly the gap closed and my lips met his in an explosion of fireworks.

It was breathtaking; a feeling like none I'd never encountered before, but one I would happily encounter again. As he deepened the kiss it suddenly hit me how wrong this was and I pulled away, embarrassed but thoroughly overwhelmed.

"Sorry," he whispered as he shrank back, obviously expecting my rage to hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Don't be – it was as much my fault as yours, but this can't happen right now. Just think of everything in perspective: Bella and how she would feel, this court case and what a relationship could do to my focus on that, and the fact that you are my daughter's teacher," I explained, trying not to look at his crest fallen face.

"Why do you have to look at it all so literally Rosalie? Why can't you just live in the moment and take every day as it comes? Yes, there are problems with this, but we could make it work, I know we could," he said sounding angry and hurt.

"I'm sorry," I told him and walked out before he could see the tears that were glistening on the tips of my eyelashes.

BPOV

Living with Daddy and Edna hadn't been as bad as I thought it would be. They obviously had to be good when Milena was around, but apart from that they ignored me which was so much better than Daddy hurting me. I knew that Edna didn't like me, so I tried to avoid her as much as possible, but on the morning of the Monday when I had to go to school she met me alone in the corridor.

"You may be the child of Royce, but he will never love you as he loves me; you are just his way of getting back at that filthy rat you call your Mother, so you'd better go along with all we say or there will be hell to pay. You are neither pretty nor clever, nor worth anything if I were to sell you as a slave, so you'd better pull your own weight and obey my every command because otherwise I will tell your Daddy and he will hurt you," she hissed as she entered my bedroom where I was getting dressed, "Is that understood?"

"Yes Ma'am," I replied meekly and stared at the floor.

"You will look at me when I talk to you Isabella, and as I said before you will not talk unless I request it."

I looked into her fiery eyes and nodded to which she humphed and stormed out of my door; slamming it behind her.

"Isabella, do not slam doors," Daddy shouted up and I sighed before going down to fix my breakfast because Daddy said I had to be independent so do everything for myself.

After I had brushed my teeth there came a knock at the door, and Milena appeared to take me to school, so not to run the risk of Mr Emmett seeing Daddy and because she had to be at the school with me every day.

"Good morning sweetheart," she said smiling brightly as I collected my bag.

"Ahh, Mrs Smith, it's so delightful that you're back," Daddy said sarcastically, "Now, Isabella remember that you have to be good today and if your Mother does turn up at the school you may not talk to her. Off you go and have a good time: I want to hear all about it tonight."

"Bye Daddy," I said as he took me by surprise and hugged me rather tightly.

"So, are you excited about school?" Milena asked as we sat in her car.

"Um, all my friends are at school which is fun, and all the teachers except Mr Emmett live there so I can see them again," I told her and she smiled.

"You're in a good mood today – how have your Daddy and Edna been?"

"They're gooder than when Mama and I lived there but then Edna wasn't there."

"So do you think Edna has had a positive effect on your Daddy?"

"I suppose, but then she is more uglier than Mama so Daddy probably feels more in control of her," I commented and she smiled at me.

"Come on you, let's go to school."

"Can you sit next to Emma and me today?"

"I don't know if I'm allowed, but I will definitely come and talk to you both," she promised and I smiled as we pulled into the car park.

There, in his car opposite us was Mr Emmett or Mr McCarty as I had to call him at school. I felt excitement bubble up inside me, but then remembered I was supposed to be grumpy with him. In fact, before he spotted Milena and me which made him smile, he too looked really quite grumpy.

Milena held my hand as we walked into school and some of the Mothers looked at us weirdly because they were obviously expecting Mama to be there.

"Looks like Rosalie finally hired a Nanny," one commented and I turned around to face her, despite Milena trying to hold me back.

"Milena's not my Nanny – she's my fairy godmother," I told them and they looked rather taken aback.

I didn't know how someone became a fairy godmother; I just knew that Auntie Alice was mine because she and Mama always told me she was. I had decided that Milena too should be my fairy godmother because she was kind and nice just like Auntie Alice.

"You sounded just like your Mother then," Mr Emmett told me and gave me a sad smile before he turned to Milena, "Mrs Smith, thank-you for coming along today; would you mind if I had you sat at the back of the classroom so as not to completely freak the children out."

"Of course; thank-you for having me in," Milena replied.

"Well there wasn't much choice in the matter," Mr Emmett said laughing, "Now Bella, why don't you go and play with Emma whilst I get Mrs Smith settled."

I nodded, and after hugging Milena ran off to join my bestest friend.

"Bella," Emma squealed, hugging me, "Who's your friend?"

"Milena is my fairy godmother just like Auntie Alice and she's here to watch me and is checking over me for this week," I explained and she nodded seriously.

"She's very pretty," Emma commented.

"Yes, she's not as pretty as my Mama though," I said and we smiled before going to play in the book corner.

"Alright everybody, take a seat," Mr Emmett announced, "This week Mrs Smith will be sat in our lessons because she has been asked to watch them, so don't bother her – yes I'm talking especially to you Finley – and show her what a good class we are."

"Good morning Mrs Smith," we all chanted and she smiled playfully at us.

"You are a good class; that I can see, but just ignore me – pretend like I'm not even here so I won't distract you," Milena said and winked at me.

"My Daddy says ignoring people is bad," Finley shouted.

"Finley, sit down on your chair and please do not shout," Mr Emmett told him and he did as he was told immediately for once which shocked us all.

At the end of the day I waited in the book corner whilst Milena and Mr Emmett did some secret grown-up talk and then Milena was going to take me back home to Daddy and Edna until tomorrow morning. I didn't want to go, but was being good because I know that's what Mama would want me to do.

Milena took me home, but Daddy was still at work so it was only Edna there. After making sure I was okay and saying she'd see me tomorrow Milena left and I was all alone with Edna.

"What are you standing there for you little rat?" she sneered, "I have lots of jobs you can do starting with making me some nice food to eat."

I nodded and went into the kitchen, making her a sandwich with jam in it before taking it into the sitting room where she sat watching the television in what was my Mama's old favourite chair. This made me angry, but of course I couldn't do anything or she would hurt me.

"I don't like this," she said not even bothering to look at me, "How stupid are you? I said I wanted some food which does not mean a sandwich it means I want something cooked so go and do it again."

"I'm not allowed to use anything hot," I replied.

"And who said that?"

"My Mama," I said quietly.

"Exactly, and she's not here is she so you can't run crying to her can you?" she snarled, "So go and make me something hot."

I recoiled back into the kitchen and turned on the oven. What does Mama put in it? I looked in the fridge and found some peppers – Mama would cooked stuffed peppers for me and it didn't look too hard. I put some ham and cheese into the pepper because that too was in the fridge then put it into the oven. Five minutes later I took it out carefully and put it on a plate. It didn't look too nice but hopefully Edna would like it.

"What is this?" she demanded as I bought it to her.

"Its pepper with ham and cheese in it," I explained.

"That's disgusting," she said and threw it on the floor, "Can you not follow instructions properly you disgusting leech?"

"Edna," Daddy warned as he came home, "Remember we can't touch her. Now Isabella you go up to your bedroom and wait for us to call you."

RPOV

All day long the hurt look on Emmett's face haunted me and I felt so guilty about it that even Charlotte picked up on it.

"Rosalie, are you alright?" she asked as I sat there just staring into space for what had to be the millionth time that day.

"No, to tell you the truth I'm not," I said and smiled at her inquisitive look.

"Let me guess – boy trouble," she said and I gasped, "Oh come on, you look like a love-sick sixteen year old."

"It's just the man I'm living with, it was only meant to be a housing arrangement but with Bella gone I'm lonely and today, well we kissed and it was amazing but I felt so bad and lectured him on what implications this could have and now I think he hates me, which means I might not have a house anymore," I blurted and she rolled her eyes at me.

"You just need to apologise and stop being so pessimistic. Yes your last relationship was a disaster waiting to happen, but this is different. This man has let you into his house and respected you for weeks – not making any advances, though by the sounds of that kiss he has been wanting to for a while, and you just hurt his ego. Now I may not be a love doctor but I've been in enough relationships to know that he sounds like a keeper and just ask yourself if he's worth it, and if he is go for it," she said and I realised then that he was worth it and I felt about him what I'd never felt about Royce and if I didn't grab it he would just slip through my fingers.

"What do you suggest I do?" I asked Charlotte.

"That's up to you to find out," she smiled as the phone rang, "Hello, Rosalie Hale's office – how may I help you? I'll put you right through – Rosalie its Alice."

"How's my darling sister in law doing?" I asked as I picked and she laughed.

"I was just ringing to find out how you are? And before you bite my head off I want to let you know that Jasper had a call from Emmett and he sounded pretty upset about something, and I guess it wasn't Bella he kissed."

"Oh Alice, I've messed up so badly and I'm losing everyone I love and all of it is my fault," I gushed and told her the story I'd told Charlotte.

"Charlotte's right – you need to tell him you're sorry, how much you appreciate him and how you feel. He obviously loves you enough to respect how you feel, so don't throw it back in his face," Alice advised, "Oh, and men always like a nice dinner."

"Thank-you Alice," I replied, "But I have to go now."

"Go get him girl," she said and hung up.

That night I went all out – cooking Emmett's favourite meal and even baking a cake, but he came in at about ten o'clock saying he'd eaten and was going straight to bed. Sadly, I sat down to the feast I'd prepared and picked it over before giving up and deciding I had to sort this out once and for all. So, once I had got ready for bed I went and knocked softly on his door.

There was no answer, so I knocked again, harder this time, but still no voice came from within. I decided I would knock once more, and if there was still no answer then I would go in anyway if only to check he was still breathing. So, I knocked on the door with as much force as I could muster and finally he came to the door.

"Is someone dying out there, because if not I really would rather not be disturbed," Emmett said wearily, leaning against his doorframe.

"No, I came to apologise, and don't you dare shut that door in my face Mr McCarty or angry Rosalie will be but a fond memory ," I told him and he stood there expectantly, "This morning I was not prepared for what happened and I freaked out. Last time something like this happened, well you know how that's turned out as well as I do, and all those memories came flooding back. But I talked to Alice and Charlotte and they basically told me how self centred and selfish I have been, but also that I will never find anyone else like you again so to throw away this chance is ridiculous and I would be an idiot to do so because I know exactly how you feel about me as I feel exactly the same way about you and this morning I didn't realise that. So, I hope it's not too late."

He looked at me properly for the first time since I'd knocked on the door and finally gave a resigned smile.

"You know if you weren't so beautiful and amazing and just plain perfect I would not let you back in because you really did hurt me. Nevertheless, you are all those things which is why I am letting you in, and afterwards can I have the rest of the dinner you made because I am starving," Emmett said.

"Of course you can," I told him and then screamed as he grabbed me by the waist and carried me over to his bed.

BPOV

It was nearly the end of my week with Daddy and I was looking forward to seeing Mama again. Mr Emmett said she was fine, but she missed me so much and couldn't wait to see me either. I would be sad to see Milena go, but she promised that this wasn't the end of her involvement yet and that I'd have to come round and meet her daughter who was my age as soon as this was all sorted out.

As I walked down the stairs to get myself some dinner I found both Daddy and Edna sat at the table, waiting for me. They looked up as I came in and gestured that I should take the seat opposite them which I did.

"So Isabella, I believe we have put on a good show for that vile social services woman but there's one more thing I need you to do for me," Daddy said seriously.

"And me," Edna added.

"Yes, whatever," Daddy told her before turning back to me, "Now I don't know what your Mother has told you, but there is a point in the trial when the Judge will take you into a private room and ask you who you want to live with," Here he paused and stared me straight in the eyes, "I know you want to say your Mother, but if you want her to live you will say you want to live with me. If you don't, I will dispose of every person in this world that you love, and you will know that you are to blame. So, it's up to you now – stay with me and your Mother lives, or go with her and everyone you've ever cared about will die. That's all I want to say, so goodnight, and tell nobody about this."

I got up and with those words repeating over and over in my head I went to bed: no longer hungry and full of dread for what was to come. As I lay in bed I thought about what I was to do, however, I knew what I had to do because I was not going to let my Mama die. I would not let Daddy kill her.


I hope you enjoyed this - sorry it took so long, but I was doing a lifeguarding course straight after my holiday! Thank-you to everyone who has read this, and especially to those who have taken the time to review it too: I love hearing what you have to say. I hope you're enjoying the Olympics! XxX