Bella's Choice
Chapter Ten
Warnings ... This chapter may call forth the need for tissues.
And a reminder ... This will be a happily-ever-after story.
Edward P.O.V
I whip the blood from my lip where one of Phil's swings had connected with my jaw. ]
I frown, stonily, down into the bloody and battered face of Phil Dwyer. I could feel the white-hot rage still stewing inside of me, as much as I knew I should regret my impulsive actions, I didn't. I was filled with some sort of sick pleasure at the sight of him struggling to sit upright. I could still hear my Bella's sweet voice telling the detectives some of the horrors she had experienced at the hands of this sick monster.
"Fuck man, she ain't worth this shit." Phil grunts.
I growl, tugging against the security guard that held me back. "You made a very big mistake, asshole," I declare quietly. "The very first moment your hands touched her impurely, fuck, what could she of been, thirteen?" I hiss, disgust written across my face as I spit blood in his direction. "That mistake you made, you're going to regret it. She's mine, and I protect, revenge what's mine. I'm going to ruin you. I'm going to make your life hell. She's going to get her justice, but don't think your prison cell's going to protect you from me. Hell, Philip, I'm promising you hell."
Phil's eyes widen, for the first time, fear flickered through his eyes and I smirk emotionlessly.
Phil had crossed a line, he had played whatever hand he thought he had, and it was going to cost him. He had tried to separate Bella from her ill child, who fucking does that? Hell has no wrath like a mother being separated from her child. A mother's will moves mountains; mother's face unspeakable horrors to protect their children, to be with their children.
"You have the right to remain silent," I was pulled out of my rage, by the feeling of cold metal clicking around my wrist. I take a deep breath and remain calm and passive as the police surround us, and I listen quietly as one of the officers issued me, my Miranda Rights. I briefly wondered how long it would take the press to get a hold of this. I didn't really care, I had attorneys, and I'd be out before sunset.
I turn and take in the security officer who nodded grimly at me. I could see it in his eyes, his understanding. "Thank you," I say quietly, stunning some of the officers.
"What's your name?" I ask, knowing that I owed this man, because there wasn't a doubt in my mind that I might have killed Phil, had he not came along.
"Mark Griffin," he states and looks away. I make a mental note to repay him, reward him for saving me from myself. I slip into the back of the police cruiser and remain silent as we pull out of the garage.
Bella's P.O.V
"Miss Swan," one of the head nurses stops me at the nurse's station. "Mantle's been moved down to room 304." I nod and turn away. No one says anything about my little display that I had made earlier that afternoon.
I step into Manny's room, my mouth gaps, it's larger, a lot larger and nicer than the little room we had been in earlier. I glance at Manny who is smiling as he grins up at the Disney's Cars movie that's playing on the large television. "Mommy!" He laughs, delightedly, at the sight of me. "Look, Daddy put Cha-chow on." Mantles informs me, and my heart twists bitterly, but I nod and smile.
His little body shudders as a large yawn escapes from his mouth, and I move across the room, and scoop him into my arms, carefully moving his IV pole with us as I settle down in the rocking chair. We rock back and forth for a while, both giggling quietly at McQueen and Tow-mater's antics.
"Where's Mr. Spot?" Manny asks worriedly, rubbing at his eyes.
I squeeze him gently, "Angela's bringing him up in a bit, shut your eyes sonny-boy, Mommy's got you," I whisper, and then I loll my head back against the soft cushions of the rocking chair. I continue rocking slowly as I feel his body relax and his breathing even out.
"Bella," Alice calls out, startling me awake. I shake my head as Jasper and Alice enter Mantle's room. "I think we got everything," she says, placing Nolan's overstuffed diaper bag into an empty cubby hole. "Just put Nolan down and place the pack n' play over in the empty corner," Alice orders Jasper with a wave of her hand. She opens the empty closet and places my pre-packed suitcase in it, before whirling around and grinning at me sheepishly. "Now, I went and got a few things you didn't ask for," Alice gushes, blushing. "I've been so worried, so I did a little Target therapy. I got you the shampoo and deodorant you asked for, a cheap book light, and a copy of 'The Help'. Now, I don't know what you're going to say, but I know that Manny is going to love these," she grins widely, and Jasper smiles indulgently at her, as she holds up a pair of Toy Story's house slippers and pajama sets. I roll my eyes as she pulls out the matching fuzzy blanket and stuffed toys of both Buzz and Woody. She places them on the bed. "Now, give me my tough little warrior," she says, motioning for me to hand her Manny.
I place Mantle in her arms and I stand and stretch, and before lifting Nolan from his car seat. I watch in mild amusement as Jasper and Alice bicker over how to put up Nolan's pack n play. "Ah-ha," Jasper laughs, standing back, letting me place a sleeping Nolan into his travel cot.
"Edward will be here later," Jasper states. I nod, a little surprised, Alice just shakes her head at my surprise. "He's currently tied-up in an investigation." I nod and frown a little when Alice chuckles.
"So do you need anything else?" Alice asks, distracting me as she places Mantle back onto his hospital bed. He grunts and roll overs, sticking his butt in the air and burying his head underneath the pillow.
I nod and sigh, "I need Angela to bring up Reggie by seven this evening, social services want to talk to him."
Alice's jaw drops, but then she's on me, hugging me tightly. "You told?" she pulls back and questions me, watching my facial features carefully.
"Yeah," I mumble worriedly, and her smile grows wide.
"About freaking time," she exclaims approvingly, then her eyes narrow and her mouth makes a cute O shape. "So that's why, Edward…"she cuts herself off when she receives a pointed look from Jasper.
"Why Edward, what?" I probe suspiciously.
Alice frowns guiltily, but shakes her head and asks, "So what broke the camel's back?" Wanting to know why I finally told.
"Phil, he tried to push himself back into our lives," I explain softly, gently patting Mantle sleeping back. "He even had me kicked out of Mantle's room," I add, my heart twisting, remembering Manny's pained cries. "I promised myself that he'd never be in our lives again, that we were free of him. Yet, here he was today, spouting his craziness. I just, I couldn't, and then there was Edward, and I didn't have to tell him, he just knew, figured it out. It was a relief. I told. I want him to pay," I confess to Alice, and she wraps her arms around me tightly.
Neither of us say anything for a long time. "It's going to be okay, Bella," she murmurs. I squeeze her tightly, still terrified on how the cards were going to fall.
I'm surprised when they stick around the rest of the afternoon, playing with the boys. I nod gratefully when Jasper orders pizza for everyone. Angela comes up with Reggie and Edward. I hug Reggie, who gives me a big squeeze, then breaks away.
"Awesome, pizza," he says. Something as simple as being around his family and pizza seems to wash away his troubles, at least for now.
Edward gives me a comforting grin, and my eyes narrow in on the bruise forming at his lip, his right knuckles are scratched and bruised. I bite my lip, refusing to say anything to break the light hearted mood. I have an hour until I have to face social services and I nibble on my slice but my stomach is too twisted up to eat. I relax as I sit on the bed with my two big boys, Mantle resting between my legs, and Reggie against my side, teasing his little brother. "Don't-cha scare me like that again, squirt," Reggie mumbles, ruffling Manny's hair.
"I won't, Reg," Mantle promises, wrapping his pinky around his brothers.
My bottled up sigh escapes, and I know I have to tell Reggie, warn him about our talk with social services. The minutes tick by, and, finally, I unwrap myself from Mantle, who leans back onto his baseball pillowcase that Angela had brought up.
"Reggie, you and I need to talk bud," I say, handing Nolan over to Angela with a kiss to his brow.
Edward follows us down the hall to the private waiting room. I buy him a bag of M&M's and myself a coke, stalling a little. Finally, I sit down and pull Reggie onto my lap, he twists his body on my lap so we are face to face. "Reggie, you know how your Daddy left us?" I ask quietly.
"Yeah, you tossed him out on his butt and told him never to come back," he mutters, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"And, do you know why I did that?" I pry, tapping his chin making his eyes connect with mine.
He shakes his head positively. "He was always making you cry and…" his voice drops really low, "he hurt you." I gasp, painfully, squeezing him, feeling old and tired. "And he scared us." I nod weakly, indicating that he was right.
"That's right, what your Dad did was very, very wrong," I say firmly. I brace myself to say the next part. "Dad came here today." His eyes widened and a scowl comes across his face. "I promised you that he'd never be part of our lives again." I remind him and he relaxes some. "I had to tell the police about all those bad things Phil did so he'll leave us alone, but Reggie there are going to be some nice people that work for the police that are coming by, and they have to speak to you, okay?" I warn gently, tapping his nose.
"Am I in trouble?" Reggie questions, nibbling his lip, a deep worrisome frown set on his face.
I shake my head negatively. "No, they just want to make sure that Phil didn't hurt you. That I'm not hurting you."
"Oh, okay. Mom, you'd never hurt me. You love me like crazy," he states seriously, hugging me tight. My heart lightens a little at his words, and happiness washes over me as I register his words. I don't feel like a complete failure because I know that he knows, he's loved.
I smile brightly and kiss his cheek. "Like crazy, super-star, I love you like crazy. Now go back down to Manny's room and share your M&M's with your brother," I instruct, letting him slide off my lap. I watch him walk down the short hallway and turn into Mantle's room, before turning to Edward.
"Phil's warrant is out, the police are looking for him," Edward states, not addressing his bruised face or knuckles.
I move forward, place my hand on his cheek gently, and look at him questioningly. "What happened?" I ask, my voice is tense and a little harsher than I intended. My stomach was in knots and I was as tense as a brick from today's stress, I was ready to crumble.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Edward dismisses with an easy smile. I can see by the way he's holding himself that he isn't going to budge, no matter how much I press.
My phone rings, startling me. "Hello," I answer.
"Ms. Swan, this is Seattle West Hospital, Sarah Lowe speaking. Now, we are looking to release a Phil Dwyer, but he is currently a little too drugged up on painkillers to drive himself home." I pinch my nose and breathe deeply.
"May I enquire what happened to him?" I request politely.
The woman hums and exhales, "We're not actually sure, he not saying, but if you want my opinion, it looks like someone beat him badly."
I gasp and my eyes shoot toward Edward's, who is staring at me curiously. "I won't be picking him up. But, my advice to you Sarah is that you should run his name by the police, there's a warrant for his arrest." I hit end call and slipped my phone back into my pocket.
"What was that about?" Edward probes, wrapping his long comforting arms around my middle.
"Seattle West, they're releasing Phil, looks like he needs a ride home," I say, answering his question. I turn and face him.
"What happened to him?" Edward asks innocently but his eyes flicker for the briefest moment.
"Apparently, someone beat the holy hell out of him," I state brazenly, watching every emotion across Edward's face carefully.
He smirks almost wolfishly. "Can't say it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy."
My heart twists, but I force myself to ask, because in my gut I know the truth. "Did you have something to do with it?"
Edward's eyes flickered to the floor, and then onto mine, he stared even, no guilt or remorse on his face as he scowls at my question. "I'm not going to lie, Isabella, be careful with what you're asking," he warns lowly, and I step forward, even in my shock. I touch his bruised lip, I know a right hook when I see one.
"You did…" I breathe uneasily, "why?"
"What the fuck, Bella?" He hissed lowly, angrily, his nostrils flaring and pupils dilating. "You have to ask me why? I heard everything you told those detectives today, I was in that room holding you and you have to ask me why? He hurt you, he almost killed you, Jesus Fuck Isabella." He takes a deep calming breath, before continuing. "I vowed to protect you. He's lucky that I saw him when I did, because I hadn't had time to stew on everything I had heard yet."
I felt light-headed and I knew the blood had drained from my face, I waver unsteadily on my feet, and the only thing keeping me upright is Edward's arms. "Edward, you can't do thing like that. What happens if you had been arrested?" I ask and I catch a glimmer of guilt. "You were, that's where you were this afternoon." I guess, startled. "You could go to jail." I let the tears fall.
"That's not going to happen, love," He reassures. "No one goes to jail for hitting an asshole. I'll get nothing more than a light slap on the wrist, stop worrying, this isn't going to land on you," he says, rubbing my cheek affectionately. I can't help but worry about what could happen to him. It must have shown in my eyes. "It's going to be okay, I'll be okay, I'm a grown man, I can handle the consequences," Edward reassures, and I smile weakly, I couldn't help but believe him.
We return to Mantle's room, I lift Nolan up from his pack n' play, and hold him. Alice and Jasper say their goodbyes. I relax just long enough to catch my calm down from Edward's revelation. I tense at the knock; I shift Nolan on my hip, and breathe as I pull the hospital door open, silently praying with all my might that it's a nurse. But then again I know better, because a nurse would knock and enter, not wait for me to open the door.
"Hello, Isabella Swan," A kind older woman says, I nod slowly, confirming that I'm me. "I'm Sasha McDaniel, I work with the Washington State Department of Social and Health services," I nod, forcing a kind smile, as I nudge the door open wider. "May I come in? Is now a good time to talk?" She requests, but both she and I know that it is truly a command. "This here is my co-worker, Cody Wood," I nod politely to the young man, who follows Mrs. McDaniel into the room.
I answer all her investigative inquiries, telling the truth on everything from Reggie's parentage to Mantle's and Nolan's. I show her my custody papers that Phil had left with me. I inform her of the harder years, they both watch closely how I interact with the boys. I give them permission to search my home. I admit to being in a relationship with Edward. I let them know who and where I work for. I quietly answer their questions about my parents. I answer their question on how I handle the stress of raising a terminal child.
Angela pretends not to listen, but every now and again I see a tear roll down her cheek as she plays go fish with Manny, while he does his breathing treatments. I sit quietly and listen as Reggie and Manny speaks with them. My heart clenches from time to time as my children talk to them.
"Miss Swan, we need to speak with you privately for a moment." Mrs. McDaniel says quietly and gently, her eyes full of remorse. I nod and place a now sleeping Nolan into his sleeping cot, cover him with his soft giraffe blanket, and lead them down the hallway, Edward's hand firmly on my back. I stare at her blankly, she lets out a long draining sigh. "Isabella, I think you're an excellent mother, you've done remarkably well considering your age and everything you have experienced. Right now, I really hate my job, but I'm going to have take Reggie with me tonight and place him with a temporary foster family. This all comes down to biologics, we have to check into the documentation that Mr. Dwyer left with you. That Mrs. Young," She pause as she took in my confusion and heartbreak. "Your mother, we have to figure out if she really did abandon Reggie, it could be that she was forced against her will. She might have not signed those papers. Essentially she has first rights to him, but if it turns out she did abandon him, you'll be granted back your guardianship." I felt Edward's hand grip me, but it didn't keep me from crumbling to the floor, a sob tearing from my soul.
"Come on, baby," Edward whispers, pulling me up as I try and collect myself.
I force myself to breathe in and out, "I can say goodbye, right, I can still see him?"
"Of course," Mrs. McDaniel says kindly, following me back to Mantle's room. Reggie is by my side in an instant, hugging me.
"I don't want to go!" He shrieks, his face streaked with tears. "Mommy please…" he begs, tearing my heart to pieces, and I feel lost and confused. This is the nightmare I've been afraid of, and it worse than I ever imagined.
"Reggie, listen, you have to go with Mrs. McDaniel's and her friend tonight. I promise they are just mistaken, but right now we have to do what they say, okay?" I cry, crushing him into me. I hate how his blue eyes cloud with pain and worry. "I promise Regs, you'll be home in no time." He squeezes me, locking his arms around my neck and refusing to budge. "I love you like crazy my little Super-Star." I kiss his mop of dark brown hair and I rock him. "I promise Reggie, I'll do everything I can, when I make a promise, I what?" I question.
He pulls back, his blue eyes met mine, and he quirks a teary smile. "You keep them, Mom."
"That's right, I keep them. Now, remember to change your underwear every day, brush your teeth, and…" I trail off choked up, unable to speak, and I cry as he continues for me.
"And be good or so help me," he says, rolling his scared blue eyes. My lips twitch upward, my heart cracking as my brave boy, makes me smile, despite his own fears.
My heart shatters as I pry him off me and am forced to let Mrs. McDaniel walk away from me, with my son in her arms. I can't speak, I can't breathe, and I turn to Edward who is just as pale as I am.
"I'll fix this." he swears, crushing me into his arms. His phone chirps and he opens his text message with a grim frown. "Phil's been arrested," he murmurs. I nod, lay down next to Mantle, wrapping my arms around my sick boy, heart in pieces.
Author Note
Pre-Reader - TeamAllTwilight
If you don't like this story then I suggest that you simply stop reading! Seriously there is no need to tell me, obviously Negative Nancy, I'm just going to ignore you!
Realistically 54% of rape victims never speak up and 97% of rapist will never spend a day in jail. This isn't an easy topic to approach but I'm writing this from my realistic point of view but no Phil won't be getting away with anything.
Once more, in case you need to hear it again this is a happily-ever-after story.
Now go, go on, go Review!