Chapter 10 – RPOV

Today I was getting my baby back. I couldn't wait to see her face again and tell her how much I loved her and just hug her till she turned blue in the face. This week had been the hardest of my life in the fact that I was without my child, but then everything with Emmett had made it one of the best weeks of my life in another sense. Yes, I was completely messed up; however, at this point I really didn't care and was throwing caution to the wind.

Emmett and I had decided that to begin with we would try to appear normal in front of Bella because the official date with the court was quite literally tomorrow and we didn't want to overwhelm her too much. I hoped my daughter could put behind her this attitude she'd had the past few weeks and not let it cloud her judgement. If all went to plan in the courtroom then I would work so very hard to find out what was wrong, but until then we'd just have to hope for the best.

My lawyer had warned me that if Bella's statement beforehand was convincing enough they would consider cancelling the session and making a decision based on her judgement. That meant that if my hideous ex-husband had blackmailed her into anything we would not get the chance to bring to light Royce's abusive ways. I was especially worried as the judge was once again an old university friend of his who had a particular problem with me from the moment we had met. Obviously his decision would be biased, but I was hoping Bella could sway them.

"Rose, all your tossing and turning has officially woken me up," Emmett complained as he rolled over and opened his eyes.

"You know you love me for it though," I protested and kissed him softly.

As I spotted the time over his shoulder I gently pulled away and ignoring his pleading face got out of bed.

"Please Rose," he begged.

"Milena and Bella will be here in an hour and we need to be ready; not lying around like love sick teenagers," I told him and he gave a resigned sigh as he went to his wardrobe to find some clothes for the day.

I too left to find some clothes, and met Emmett in the kitchen for breakfast. Nevertheless, I was too excited to eat and would have gone hungry were it not for Emmett forcefully spoon feeding me a yoghurt as if I were a baby. Finally, after what seemed like days the doorbell rang and I ran to the door.

"Mama!" Bella exclaimed and threw herself into my arms.

"I love you so much baby girl," I whispered as I hugged her close to me.

"I'm sorry Mama, I'm so sorry," she sobbed, as tears started pouring down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry."

"Hey sweetheart there's nothing to be sorry about; you didn't choose to go to Daddy's but you're back now," at this she just started crying even louder and I looked to Milena for assistance.

"She kept saying sorry to me too in the car, and saying she didn't mean to do this. But when I asked what she was on about she just went quiet and shook her head," Milena explained apologetically.

"Don't worry," I told her then turned my attention back to Bella, "Come on Princess let's calm you down and find out what's going on in that head of yours shall we."

"No Mama: I'm sorry so so much and it hurts a lot a lot a lot to do," she sobbed.

"Darling you're making no sense," I protested but she just clung tighter to my neck as I carried her through to the living room.

"Hi Bella," Emmett exclaimed but as he saw her he dropped his smile and came over, "Bella what's wrong."

"I'm sorry Mr Emmett," she sobbed and buried her head into my neck.

"I'm going to go and try and get her to sleep and see if that will calm her down, if you can look after Milena for me," I asked him and he nodded.

When I reached Bella's room I lay her on the bed where she continued sobbing as I rubbed her back soothingly. Finally, after about ten minutes the sobs started to subside and finally she fell asleep. Hoping that this would do her some good I kissed her forehead and went out to join the others.

"I have no idea what's wrong," Milena said as I sat down across from her and took a biscuit from the plate, "She has been fine until I came this morning when she was a changed person. I don't know what Mr King and that woman had done, but clearly it's affected her. She said that it wasn't their fault – it was all hers, nevertheless, I don't believe her for some reason."

"Whenever Royce is involved you have reason to be suspicious," I told her and she nodded appreciatively.

"I just hope this doesn't affect her tomorrow," Emmett said and we both looked at him as we too realised this.

"If that man has done anything to her I will cut him up into small little pieces and feed him to stray cats somewhere," I seethed as I got up ready to verbally abuse my ex-husband over the phone.

"Rose that really won't help your cause," Emmett reminded me and I sat down defeated.

"Thank-you for the tea and I hope Bella is fine by tomorrow. Call me if you need to know anything, but otherwise I'll see you tomorrow morning," Milena said as she took her leave.

Once she had left I sat next to Emmett and we both waited in silence for Bella to wake up. She did, presently and whilst a bit calmer than before she was still hysterical.

"Isabella Marie King, listen to me, if you don't calm down we can't find out what's wrong and you need to stop or you will end up hyperventilating and that will be no fun for anyone," I said as I sat her on my lap.

She did stop finally, but refused to speak and after eating went off back to sleep as though she hadn't properly slept in days. Emmett and I followed suit as for the first time in a week we attempted to sleep in separate beds.

BPOV

I couldn't tell anyone – Daddy had warned me it wouldn't be good if I did, but I felt so guilty as I looked at all the faces trying to work out why I was so upset. Mama could never know, however, I was going to deceive her in the worst way possible and for this I felt so bad. She wouldn't love me after this and I would have to stay with Daddy and Edna forever. But I had to if I wanted my Mama to live. I would sacrifice myself for her.

As I walked into the courtroom dressed in my best dress with my hair tied up in a red bow and my Dorothy shoes on my feet I felt sick. Mama had given me a special necklace she called a locket this morning which had in it a picture of me and her at Auntie Alice's wedding, so I was wearing that too. I held Mama's hand as all these people in wigs and gowns walked around.

"Sweetie, I'm going to find out where you need to go, so can you stay with Emmett for a bit," Mama asked and I nodded as I took his hand instead and we went to sit down on a bench.

Suddenly from round the corner came Daddy and Edna. I snuggled closer to Mr Emmett and he tightened his grip on me as he too saw them.

"Isabella," he acknowledged, "I hope you make the right decision today."

"Leave her alone," Mr Emmett warned.

"You have no right to tell me what I can and can't do with my daughter," Daddy snarled, "Who are you anyway. Rosalie's pool boy – she has sunk low."

"Actually I teach your daughter at school but you wouldn't know that," Mr Emmett replied.

"Don't you mess with me: Rosalie has and she will pay," Daddy threatened but thankfully Mama came back.

"Alright boys calm down – I don't want any fighting. Now Bella I need you to come with me and I've found out where you need to go so I'll take you," Mama explained.

"I think I should accompany you so that you don't influence her Rosie," Daddy leered and Mama flinched.

"Fine, come on then," she resented and the three of us walked off leaving Mr Emmett who smiled reassuringly at me.

"First I would like to meet this boy you've brought along," he sneered.

"Royce this is Emmett who you were fighting with a second a go and I know that woman is Edna so all the introductions are made: let's go," Mama said shortly.

"That's rather rude don't you think," Edna said.

"No to be honest I don't because I have much more important things on my mind at the moment than pathetic gold diggers," Mama replied.

"Royce listen to her; she's being ever so disrespectful so stop it," Edna moaned, "And who's she to talk about gold diggers."

"Edna be quiet and stop winging; I told you about my ex-wife so stop playing the martyr," Daddy said shortly.

"But your pathetic little weasel of a daughter hasn't said hello either," Edna mumbled.

"What did I say woman: be quiet because no one wants to listen to you," Daddy hissed as Mama turned with her eyes full of rage.

"What did you just call my daughter?" she demanded and Edna shrank down.

"You – you must admit yourself she's a bit pathetic and ugly," Edna said trying to stand up for herself.

"No thank-you very much. My daughter is perfect in every single way and the only one who can be called ugly here is you," Mama retorted and so Edna turned to me.

"I can see why you're such a pathetic rat if you have a Mother like that: a complete psycho," she whispered meanly and Mama glowered at her.

"I'm going now whether you follow or not is your decision Royce," Mama said icily and took off down the corridor with me as Daddy followed suit.

"Rosie, you don't think you can win against me do you?" purred Daddy as though I wasn't there.

"Royce I have had enough of your games: please just let me move on and carry on with my life and let me have my daughter," Mama said.

"That would be too easy," Daddy told her smugly, "I always said that if you left me there would be hell to pay and this is just the beginning."

"Bella darling, here we are," Mama said ignoring Daddy, but she was obviously shaken by what he said; "Now there's a man in there who wants to talk to you and just be honest sweetie. I love you so much."

I hugged her and went to go for the door when Daddy turned me around.

"Now Isabella I need a hug too," he said and pulled me close to him before whispering, "Remember what I said."

I nodded and went towards the door again where I was taken away from my Mama and sat in a soft comfy chair. Opposite me was a fat man with big round glasses on. He smiled in a scary manner before he started talking to me.

"You must be Isabella King am I right?" He said and I nodded, "You look just like your Mother but you have your Father's colouring."

"Now, you probably know why you are here, and if you convince me to let you stay with one parent then we can cancel the hearing because it makes my life so much easier," he explained, "Now which parent do you want to stay with most? You don't have to answer but if you do I want the truth."

"Daddy," I whispered feeling sick because of this enormous lie I was telling. Mama said never to lie, especially in court but I was breaking that rule.

"Okay – now why is that?"

"He looks after me and gives me food," I told him, struggling to find a reason why.

"So does your Mother not feed you?"

"No; Mama does feed me but, um, Daddy's in yummier."

"Why not your Mother then?"

"Um, Mama has moved in with Mr Emmett who's my teacher and I don't think she really loves me anymore because I remind her too much of Daddy."

"Has she ever said as much to you?"

"No, but I think Daddy hurted her a lot and I remind her of that pain," I said, trying to sound convincing.

"And your Daddy – is he not the same, thinking you look too much like your Mother?"

"No. He has Edna now so he doesn't hurt like Mama, and I don't remind him much."

"Right Isabella, I think that's all I need from you. If you'd like to go and join your parents I will come and talk to them in a minute," he said and I left the room not wanting to face Mama.

RPOV

After Bella went into the Judge's room Royce continued to try and wind me up but I resisted and was grateful when Emmett came to interfere; taking me to sit on the opposite side of the corridor. Finally, Bella appeared looking distraught and I hoped that Judge who still happened to be Royce's friend hadn't done anything to her.

"Baby, come here and sit with me," I said and held out my arms which she fell into and started sobbing again.

"Would you please shut that child up," Royce ordered, but I just sent him a dirty look before returning my attention to my daughter.

"Darling what happened? Was the man horrid?" I asked but she shook her head and cried even more.

"Excuse me, but the Judge would like to see Mr King and Miss Hale in his room please," A tall willowy lady with greying hair told us.

This meant only one thing – whatever Bella had said had convinced the man that she wanted to stay with me. Or, as the nagging voice in my head said, that Royce would get her. I pushed that pessimistic person away and concentrated on trying to soothe my crying daughter as I passed her over to Emmett who took her into his arms.

"Royce, Miss Hale," the fat judge said as we sat opposite his desk, "I have just had a very conclusive talk with your daughter, so let's not beat around the bush. Royce I hereby grant you full custody of Isabella Marie King from this moment on. Miss Hale will only be allowed to see her when Royce says so, and this decision was made because your daughter said that she doesn't think you really love her now you have a new beau, but also because she thinks she reminds you too much of Royce."

I sat there not quite believing my ears. This couldn't be true; this was just a bad nightmare. Maybe if I closed my eyes it would all go away. Yet Royce was still leering at me as he shook his old friend's hand and they laughed together. I felt sick. I knew this was not Bella's fault, and I was going to find out what he had done.

"What did you do," I hissed as the Judge went to pour himself and Royce a drink.

"I never said I'd play fair; surely you know that about me by now," he replied and he smiled maliciously.

I left that room right then and ran down the corridor, not caring about all the looks I got, just caring about taking my daughter from Emmett's arms.

"What did he do Bella, I need you to tell me," I said seriously as I too started to cry, "What did he threaten you with."

"I can't say," Bella whispered as the tears rolled down her face.

"Yes you can: you have to tell me Bella please," I begged but at that moment Royce appeared.

"That's enough goodbyes. Come on Isabella we're going home now," he ordered and ripped her from my arms.

"Bella," I pleaded, "I love you baby so so much."

"Mama," she wailed, screaming and trying to pull away from his iron grip before Royce clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her away.

Goodness knows what I screamed at that point: my body felt numb like all my vital organs had been ripped out of me. I couldn't believe this had happened; I didn't know how long it would be before I saw her again and knowing Royce it may not be for a long while. I'd betrayed my whole family with this: why it had happened I don't know. She was gone and a part of me left with her.

All I could feel was the cold linoleum floor of the corridor when Emmett's arms wrapped themselves around me and let me cry into his shirt once more.

"We'll get her back, you'll see," He soothed but at this moment all I could focus on was the despair and the fact that my daughter had been taken from me.

"Your Mother's on the phone," He told me and I took a deep breath as he passed it to me, "They've just flown into New York."

"Mama," I sobbed and I could hear her comforting voice through the phone as she told me it would all be alright.

"Listen, your Father has already set up a team of Private Investigators and we will bring Royce down and get Bella back. Besides, you have the upper hand," she said and after I stayed silent she sighed, "He's abused you both. If the court knew about that would he really be a fit Father in their eyes? That's why we will collect evidence then launch an appeal against them."

She hung up the phone after promising to come and see us. Emmett helped me up and led me to the car where I sat in silence having cried all my tears, yet feeling no better than before. As we pulled up to the apartment I let Emmett carry me up the stairs as everything around me seemed to lose colour and life: just as I had lost my daughter. He gently sat me on a sofa then went and made me a cup of tea which I left untouched. Finally he decided he would talk to me, or at least try.

"So, with your parents on this too it won't be long before we get Bella back," he tried but I just ignored him.

I was thinking: trying to work out a way that would ensure the court would give me my baby back. There must be something I could do: someone I could talk to. There must be some incident of our past which would turn the tables.

This silent train of thought continued as my parents came and left; trying to get answers out of me with no luck. I was blind and deaf to the world, searching through the maze of my past to find something of value. Yes there was the abuse, but I knew Royce and knew he'd be able to counter that with some clever lie. I needed something real; I needed a witness who would be willing to help me bring down Royce. Yet these people kept talking at me and keeping me from my search. Without them it would be so much easier to think, so I tuned in; planning to tell everyone to shut up, but was surprised to see only Emmett was there.

"Rosalie, tell me please what is going on in your head, because I can help you if you talk to me. Everyone can, but without your co-operation we can't do anything," Emmett was pleasing.

"No this is nothing to do with any of you," I replied.

"Please Rosalie; everyone is trying to help you here so just tell us everything you left out."

"I don't want any of you to get hurt; this is all my fault so I will do this alone."

"For goodness sakes; you're impossible. I try to help – everyone does, but you won't let us in. You build all these walls around you and just ignore the fact that everyone is here to help you. I get that people haven't exactly helped you before, but please try and let me in," he begged.

"I'm sorry," I sobbed as more tears emerged.

"Are you really? Your parents have flown across the country to come and help as have your brothers and sister, yet you ignored them as they tried to help you. Yes you're in shock: your husband has gotten custody of your daughter, but you can't take it out on everyone around you. The faster we act the quicker we can get her back."

"You know nothing about the practice of law," I snapped.

"I know enough to see that doing nothing is not the way forward," he replied, "So let me help you."

"I can't don't you see? You're just some schoolteacher. How do I know you won't turn out like Royce? I don't so I can't trust you with anything because I don't know," I suddenly burst out, regretting it but unable to stop the angry tirade of words as I saw the hurt look on his face.

"Forget it then. I think you'd better go and stay with your family and I'll see you around Miss Hale," he said slowly.

"Emmett wait – I didn't mean it," I begged.

"Well you said it, and I thought you really did love me as much as I love you, but I guess I was wrong," he said and left the apartment.

"What have I done," I sobbed as I realised I would have to leave. I'd hurt him too much already, and maybe this was for the best but it felt so wrong; I'd lost the two best parts of me within a day which must be some sort of record.

BPOV

It was the middle of the night. My first night I really lived at Daddy and Edna's and I couldn't sleep. My Mama's distraught face was all I could see as I was pulled away from her by Daddy. I knowed I had saved her because I'd done this, but I think I might have hurt her more by this happening. Hopefully, if she really loves me, she'll know I didn't mean it, but I can't go back to her without her getting hurt by Daddy.

My heart was hurting so badly that I thought it would fall out and Grandpa would have to put it back in because he's a Doctor. Then I realised I may never see Grandpa or Nana or any of my Aunts and Uncles again because it was all up to Daddy. This made me hurt even more, and I felt myself shaking from the shock as I struggled to control my breathing. I couldn't loose any person in my family but Daddy was going to make me loose them all.

As I was thinking this over, and avoiding sleep I heard a noise outside my door. It opened slowly and I held my breath but it was only Daddy.

"Hurry up Isabella and get dressed as quietly as you can," he whispered looking around warily.

I did as he instructed; putting on a pair of dungarees and grabbing my teddy I had with me as well as the locket Mama had given me this morning. Then, as quietly as I could I crept downstairs to where Daddy was waiting though I don't know why.

When I got there he picked me up for what must have been one of the first times ever and carried me to the car where he strapped me in, got in himself and drove away leaving Edna in the house by herself, but I knew better than to question him. We kept driving and driving till I fell asleep and the next time I woke up we were on board an aeroplane. This couldn't be good.

I hope you enjoy: please tell me what you think! Thank-you, XxX