Chapter 11:
thank you to everyone who is still taking the time to read this story, it means the world to me. I have the next event for this story planned out but I'm not too sure how to get there, I'm dealing with huge writers block. If you have any scenes you want to read or any plots you might want to happen let me know, it'll help me to know what you guys are interested to read.
Maddie:
The week passed by in a blur and I was excited for Saturday, a day off. I woke up earlier than I usually ever do but I knew I wouldn't be able to get another hours sleep even if I tried, I was buzzing to do something. Emalie was still sound asleep so before I woke her up I tried to think of what to do today and thinking over the week I remembered Emmett had to change the jeeps tires.
If he left the old ones out in the garage somewhere I was sure we could find a bit of rope somewhere and make a swing out in the forest. Suddenly I was too full of energy to wait any longer, I threw the sheet covers back and tiptoed over to Emalie's bed.
"Emalie." I sang.
"What?" She groaned opening only one eye to look at me.
"Come on get dressed, we're going to go make a swing in the forest."
"But I want to sleep." She cried pulling the blanket over her head.
"You can sleep in tomorrow." She didn't make any attempt to move. "I'm going to wake the boys. You better be up by the time I get back." I made my voice threatening.
I heard her let out a puff as I left the room and closed the door behind me. The boys room was quiet so I slowly opened the door, EJ was spread out on his sheets snoring quietly while Mason just had his face buried in his pillow.
"Mason." I pushed his shoulder, shaking him awake.
Straight away he stirred. "Mad, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, come on I want to go outside." I whined.
Mason rolled his eyes. "You do know you sound like you're three years old?" I folded my arms over my chest and glared at him which only made him laugh. "Okay I'm up." He finally declared. "You just have to wake EJ."
I shrugged my shoulders. "That's easy."
"Be nice." I heard Mason mumble but I had already grabbed his pillow and started towards EJ. I gripped the pillow from over my head and with as much force as I could muster up this early I slapped it down onto EJ's sleeping figure.
EJ instantly jumped awake, sitting up in his bed. "Whaa... what happened?" He looked frantically around and spotted mine and Mason's big smiling faces. "Mas, you should have stopped her, thanks bro."
Mason threw his hands up in the air in defense. "And put myself in the middle of your two's stupid payback pranks, I don't think so."
"I'll get you back." EJ turned to me smiling evilly before throwing the pillow back at me. "So is there a reason I was blessed with this wake up call?"
"Yes, we are going out into the forest." I announced.
"The forest?" EJ raised one of his eye brows.
"Yeah to make a tire swing, I'm pretty sure the old tire from the jeep is still sitting around the garage. Now get dressed and meet me and Emalie in the kitchen."
Emalie dressed in a old pair of jeans that had holes in the knees and one of Mason's old shirts, I had a similar worn out pair of jeans on but I decided to wear the shirt Edward had given to me to wear when working with Rosalie. I slipped the shirt on and tied my hair up into a quick pony-tail as Emalie did a simple braid to her hair and headed down stairs into the kitchen.
"Morning girls." Esme's cheery voice greeted us as she does every morning.
"Morning Esme." Emalie replied. For days Esme use to look to me for a reply although when I never gave her one she stopped expecting one and continued to greet me as well only to accept the no answer in return.
"Did you want me to make you anything for breakfast?" She asked.
"No thanks Esme we're fine."
"Okay but let me know if you change your mind." She walked pass us, briefly placing her hand on our shoulders as she left the room. I was getting use to all the contact and holding myself back from flinching when one of them placed their hand on me. I know they must notice most of the time but they never comment on it.
The boys came strolling in as Esme left and I heard her greet them as they passed each other by the doorway. The boys were dressed in similar old clothes not wanting to ruin any good clothes while mucking around in the forest.
"Come on." I whispered pulling the boys towards the back door and throwing a quick glance into the room looking for signs of anyone else.
"I guess by the whispering and quick glances that they don't know what we are about to do?" EJ laughed.
"What, we're just going outside." I said innocently with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Do they know we're going into the forest?" Mason jumped in.
I crossed my arms at the two of them. "Since when did that matter." It was true, if one of us wanted to do something and someone said we weren't allowed to, reverse physiology would kick in and there was no stopping us. It's what got us into trouble most of the time, as good as trouble found us we also went insearch for it just as much.
"Never." Emalie smiled and I was glad to hear her just as eager to get outside the house as I was.
"Fine, let's go." EJ growled knowing if me and Emalie had made up our minds that nothing was going to stop us now, not even him or Mason.
"EJ you give in too easily." Mason said as we scurried out the back door and ran around to the side of the garage.
…...
Edward:
I was leaning on the edge of the balcony watching the four of them run around the house, it was obvious they were up to something it was written all over their faces as much as they tried to hide it. They had no idea I was watching them as they sneaked into the garage one after the other, they were whispering to each other so I couldn't make out what they were saying.
I waited and soon Maddie, Emalie and EJ came out rolling the jeep tire Emmett had taken off the other day and Mason was just behind them with a few rolls of rope in his hands. I couldn't take my eyes off the smiling faces that each of them wore and I found myself smiling along at them.
"I haven't seen a smile on your face like that in years." I was so lost in my own world that I hadn't heard Carlisle come out onto the balcony.
"I didn't think I would ever have another reason to smile again." I told him sadly but truthfully.
Carlisle came over and stood next to me looking out at the kids as I was. Maddie and Emalie were trying to roll the big tire across the yard but it hit a rock in the grass and the weight of it made it topple to its side. The girls let out a laugh as they started to try and lift it again but couldn't and that's when EJ went over to help them and join in the laughter.
"They are like different kids when they're on their own." The pain in my voice was clear and I wished it wasn't.
"Are you going to let them go into the forest?"
"They won't go far." I said trying more to convince myself rather than Carlisle. "They're smiling and laughing, how can I even bring myself to stop them."
We watched the four of them disappear behind the lining of the trees that marked the forest but I couldn't take my eyes away from where I last saw them and stood there listening for any of their voices that might drift through the trees.
"Carlisle." I said in a strained voice not taking my eyes away from their glued spot. "I have to ask, was there any other files on Bella?" I had been going over the question for weeks now and couldn't find myself to ask him but I had reached the point that I now had to know.
Carlisle kept his voice steady. "There was a death report that was filled out by Charlie since she had fallen into labor at home and given birth there. He had stated that she had delivered the babies but minutes after her body must have gave way and her heart stopped."
"Must have?" I questioned trying to keep myself from breaking in two.
"For some reason there was never an autopsy or medical examination although it could be that the report was never filed away."
I couldn't understand why there wouldn't be file on her death but I didn't want to think about it anymore, it was too painful to even come to the conclusion that I would truly never see her again. I pushed any further thought from my head before the memories of her flooded trough my head. "I still can't believe I never knew about them." Every day I say this to myself as the fact that I'm a father still was sinking in.
"You have been doing a great job with them." Carlisle praised and it helped that his tone was somewhat proud. "They have opened up and I can see how already they are far more comfortable than when they first arrived here."
"They are amazing kids." I said without any hesitation. "Mason is so protective and cares so much about each of them, always watching what each one is doing. EJ laughs and bickers with anyone bringing a smile to anyones face but I can tell the way he looks at Maddie and how Emalie is always ready to jump to his side that something has happened that he still tries to hide from. Emalie is loving and although at times it's clear she carries too much pain on her shoulders, at times she seems to reach out and it feels that all she wants is to be held and comforted. Maddie..." I trailed of trying to find the right words. "Maddie doesn't open up for anyone, she keeps people at a safe distance. I can see there are things she is hiding and holding back and since she wont let anyone in it's like she holds the weight of the world on her shoulders." I turned to Carlisle with longing in my voice. "I wish I was there for them from the start."
"Edward-" But Carlisle was cut off by Alice coming out onto the balcony looking for us.
"Carlise." The worry in her tone instead of her high pitched cheerfulness made me forget the conversation and turn directly to Alice who's face matched her voice.
"Alice what is it?" I tried to searched her mind for anything wrong.
"The social worker is coming. She wants to talk to you about the kids."
"How long?" Carlisle headed back inside not wasting any time to be prepared.
"Maybe five minutes." Alice sounded unsure and I wonder how hazy her vision was. Since the kids had decided to stay with us, Alice had a lot of trouble seeing the future around us including not seeing the kids at all. After a while she was able to see us as normal but the kids were still very blurry, Alice spent a lot of time trying to figure it out but nothing made sense.
"Alice what does she want?" I asked her following her and Carlisle inside now.
Alice turned to me her face now showing sympathy. "I don't know Edward. I don't know."
…...
Maddie:
Getting the tire into the forest was one mission but finding the tree to hang it from was a completely different one. EJ had told us over and over again that it had to be the right tree, the perfect tree but all me and Emalie did was roll our eyes at him and Mason sat there laughing behind us at the whole situation.
"Okay this one!" EJ finally declared happily pointing to the huge pine tree infront of us. I had to admit it was a good tree as it had a prefect branch that reached out parallel to the ground and the space underneath was clear of shrubs, making it the 'perfect spot' as EJ put it.
"Finally." Mason breathed dropping the ropes to the ground. Me and Emalie also let go of the tire allowing it to fall to its side and rest on the forest ground.
I studied the tree. The first branch was too high for any of us to reach up and pull ourselves up. "Hey Mas, EJ wanna give me a boost?"
"Yeah sure."
Both of the boys locked their own hands together allowing me to place my feet in their palms as they lifted me up enough to pull myself up on the first branch. I latched onto the bark and shuffled along further away from the trunk of the tree. Emalie was boosted up next and followed my moves to sit on the branch by me while the boys untangled the ropes.
"Ready to catch?" EJ asked preparing to throw one of the ends of the rope up at us.
"Throw it up" I called back and me and Emalie reached our arms out gripping onto the gray rope. Mason was tying his end around the tire then gave me the thumbs up to pull the rope and haul the tire into the air.
"Is that high enough?" Emalie asked the boys who were now assessing the position of the hanging tire.
"Perfect!" EJ's overly excited voice called out.
Emalie held the rope in place while I quickly wrapped it a few times around the branch and tied it off. "All done." I cheered.
"Come on Mad." Emalie nudged me getting my attention and shuffling back quickly along the branch. Emalie didn't wait for the boys to help her back down she slipped off the branch we were sitting on and dropped to the floor landing on her feet with a heavy thump.
I went to copy her knowing it wasn't far enough to get seriously hurt and I could land on my feet like Emalie had. As I pushed myself off the branch my feet connected with the flat ground but I wasn't quick enough to catch my balance so my legs buckled from under me and I ended up tumbling over.
"Maddie you were supposed to land on your feet." Emalie laughed.
I got straight to my feet only taking a second to brush a bit of dirt off my clothes, I wasn't a stranger to falling over or being the first one to be cover in dirt. "I thought I'd mix it up a bit." I commented turning to EJ who was now testing out our new swing.
We all had turns sitting on the tire and then pushing each other seeing how high we could make each other go. The branch continued to hold us all up and soon it was me and Emalie who gripped to the tire as the boys swung us. We had all fallen off at some point but with all our laughter and our determination to all somehow fit on the swing together, kept us squealing with joy. Each one of us were enjoying our free time to act as silly as we wanted and just be able to be kids and play. Something we rarely had time for or were ever allowed to do since most of the time we were required to be silent and stay in our rooms. It was crazy how different our life was now.
Emalie's voice broke me from any further thought. "Hey let's go back to the house and grab something to eat." She suggested.
"We could bring some tools back and try and turn this tree into a tree house?" Mason stopped us all.
"I'm so in!" EJ jumped of the swing. "All we need is a few nails and a hammer and we could find some wood around here to build a ladder to climb up on."
"What are we waiting for." I said running off back to the house but it was probably two whole seconds before it turned into a race between all four of us.
…...
We all came to a halt outside the garage door, bending over huffing trying to catch our breaths and slow our now racing hearts.
"Me and EJ will go get the tools, you two go inside and grab some snacks." Mason puffed. Me and Emalie could only nod our response and slowly walked around to the back door for the kitchen.
Walking around to the kitchen door Emalie tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention. "Maddie, who's cars that?" Not sure what she was talking about I looked to where her gaze was focused, a small black car was parked in the driveway one that we hadn't seen before.
"I'm not sure." I said confused knowing for sure it didn't belong to any of the Cullens. "Come on." I pulled her to follow me quietly to the door. We got into the kitchen and immediately voices drifted from the next room, I turned to Emalie and we took slow steps around the counter and to the other side of the room. I didn't dare poke my head out to see into the room incase I was spotted by whoever was in the room but I was sure going to listen and find out who was here.
"Dr Cullen I was told that you had read each of the children's medical files." A woman's voice said and I realized it was our social worker, Amanda. It was her car that was in the driveway, she must be here to do her check up since no one from social serves had been sent out to check on us yet.
"Yes I read them when they first arrived and Emalie came into the hospital." Carlisle replied then continued in a very serious tone. "Knowing the details that were in them was a bit of a shock, to say the least."
There was some shuffling around in a bag and I dared to lean out from around the wall and poke my head out just enough to see them. It was just Carlisle and Esme sitting at the dinning table by the window across from Amanda who was going through a pile of paper work spread out infront of her on the table.
"That's why I'm here." Amanda adjusted the small framed glasses on her nose. "I have been working with these four children for five years trying to find them the right home. They have been through a lot and unfortunately been placed in a few bad homes over the years making them a lot more guarded than your average teenager. Even when they seemed to find a good home they ever stayed for very long. They can be a handful at times because they stick together so strongly, sometimes causing trouble. Other times they can push you away and disconnect from the world completely."
"We've noticed." Esme's tone wasn't annoyed or harsh, it was filled with worry and concern.
"Maddie?" I watched Amanda question and she wasn't at all surprised by Esme's comment.
"Yes mostly but also EJ at times."
Amanda sat back in her chair and pulled a thin file from her stack. "Maddie is a very..." She took a second to get her words. "Complicated young girl." Hearing Amanda talk about me wasn't new, everyone got the run down from her on each of us. I know Amanda was trying to protect us but it never worked. "Here." She handed Carlisle the file. "This will fill you in on their background a bit more. There is a physiologist's report on each of them and it might explain more about them."
"Thank you very much. We'll be sure to read over them and take everything in."
Amanda nodded and stood up, gathering the files around her to pack away back into her case. Carlisle and Esme both stood as well.
"Oh, there is just one more thing I want to go over with you." Amanda looked back up holding a single file in her hand.
"Of course." Esme answered.
Emalie was on the floor by my feet listening as well and she slowly stuck her head around the wall just like I was so she too could hear the conversation better.
"You would have read about the recent incident in Maddie's medical file that ended her in hospital for two weeks." I watched as Amanda spoke and I felt my heart increase it's speed at what she was telling them.
Carlisle shifted his weight slightly. "Yes I did."
"Well due to what Maddie did and the state she was in when she was in hospital, there were a few councilors who assessed her." I felt my stomach twist in knots. This is what I didn't want them to know and here Amanda was giving them every detail. "She was diagnosed with depression but she refused to take anything for it and let someone help her. All the reports are in here which will help you understand a bit more about her. They have all been through a lot I just hope this finally works out for them." Amanda ended and handed the file over to Carlisle. The file that held nothing but lies.
I hadn't realized my breathing had picked up and neither had Emalie so I tried to control myself before she noticed. I turned away from my spot and backed further into the kitchen as if the more distance I put between myself and the people in the other room it would be as if it never happened. I heard chairs scraping on the wooden floor and foot steps moving around but I was too focused on not having a panic attack to be more interested. Emalie notice I wasn't standing next to her anymore and as soon as her eyes landed on me now backed up against the wall I could see the alarm ring out in her eyes.
"Maddie." She said slowly and in a whisper so she didn't gain the attention of the people in the next room.
"I just need some air." I said before she got another word out and before she could move off the floor from her spot I reached for the kitchen door and in record time I was outside and racing for the forest.
…...
Emalie:
I pulled myself up off the floor and raced after Maddie through the door and outside. I scanned the area but she had already disappeared somewhere so I started to run around to find the boys.
"Mason!" I yelled out. He came out of the garage and it was evident that he had heard the worry in my voice.
"Emalie what is it?" He asked and EJ hurried up to also see what was wrong.
"Maddie's gone."
"What do you mean Maddie's gone?" EJ asked carefully.
"Amanda was here talking with Carlisle and Esme and me and Maddie were listening to them talk about us but then Amanda started to tell them about Maddie and her time at the hospital." I told them in a rush.
"Which way did she go?" Mason was now eager to find her.
"I have no idea, she was gone by the time I managed to follow her outside."
"Come on, we need to find her before something happens." Mason headed toward the forest.