Happy Saturday, my beauties! Can't even tell you how thankful I am for the continued response so far. I'm glad you keep coming back for more. Even when I answer some questions, only to create even more for you guys lol ...

Things are going slow right now (we gotta establish some things, yes?) but you can expect some jumps soon and from time to time.

Let's bring our girl home!

Beta'd by Bridgette ... pre-read by Miss January

Chapter 11:

"Edward, where are we going?" Angela asks from the backseat of my car as Esme sits quietly in the passenger seat, clutching onto the door for dear life. When I reached the center I had barely slowed the car down in order for them to jump in and was pretty much tearing through the streets like a maniac.

I chuckle a little. I'm not sure how it comes out but I know there's no humor behind it. "Esme affectionately calls it my 'thinking spot'."

"Really?" Esme turns her head to look at me. "You think that's where she went?"

I shrug. "Maybe. Maybe not, but it's worth a shot." There's a chance I'm wrong—a very good chance, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind. From what Rose told me, when she first showed me the little area, her mom used to take her and her little sister there once upon a time. 'Before our life turned to hell' she had said. It was their little spot where they had picnics on Sunday mornings. They weren't overly religious, didn't go to church, but that was their ritual. She would dress her little girls up, bring them to that spot and have them thank God for their blessings, as little as they were. When they stopped having things to be thankful for, they stopped going.

"She might have moved and might not know or remember the area well, but we always keep good memories with us. Especially when we have nothing else to hold onto."

The car falls silent as we make our way to my 'spot'. When I pull up, I point out the direction I think she might be. "It's just a few feet that way. The car can make it but I don't wanna spook her."

"Aren't you coming?" Esme asks softly.

I shake my head. "No. I have no idea how what my presence might do. I don't want to aggravate the situation."

"You're coming." I turn in my seat to protest to Angela, but she raises a hand to silence me. "If she is here, you're the one who found her. She needs to know that."

"Why?"

"Because she needs to know there is a man out there she can trust. And no matter how hard you seem to want to convince us otherwise . . . you care."

"Jesus," I mutter wryly, then look over at Esme. "She sure has a way with words doesn't she?"

"That's Angela for ya."

We both shake our heads and climb out of the car. Slowly we make our way to the little clearing. Right there in the middle, and sitting on a—very familiar looking—blanket, is Bella.

I slink back and nod for Esme to walk ahead of me. "One at a time," I whisper to them. "Don't sneak up on her."

She nods. "Bella?" she calls out softly.

Bella whirls around quickly, but her face doesn't show a look of shock. It's tired, defeated. Esme takes a step forward and in response, Bella jumps up and takes a step back. But then something dawns on her face and she looks down at her setup then back at me a little panicked.

I look down at my blanket, some of my utensils, groceries I know are mine 'cause of the brands, and I chuckle, loudly, when I notice a couple rolls of toilet paper peeking out from the side of her bag.

Bella flinches at my sudden outburst while Esme and Angela snap their heads in my direction. I cough into my hand to try and hide my laugh, but it doesn't work. "What?" I smile, part of it being from nerves but part of it a weird sense of admiration. "She took my toilet paper." I nod in the direction of her bag, but make sure my smile is in tact.

"I . . . I'm sor—"

"I'm not mad," I tell her firmly and give her a pointed look. "About anything." Then I smile. "Of all the things to be upset about, you taking toilet paper will never make the radar. It's actually kinda awesome to be honest. I would have never thought about that. You're a smart girl."

She ducks her head down, and I can see her lips form into a tight line. "No I'm not," she argues softly.

I open my mouth to . . . I don't know—disagree with her maybe? But Esme gently puts her hands on my arm and shakes her head discreetly. "So what were you making?" she addresses Bella.

Without looking up, Bella shrugs her shoulders. "Peanut butter sandwich."

I look back at the spread and see the bag of bread is open and a knife is sitting next to it. Shit, my sister's observant as hell.

"I'm starved—" Esme grins, walking over and plunking down on the blanket "—mind if I make one too?"

Bella's eyes open a little in surprise, but then she nods her head quickly and gives Esme a small smile. Then she looks back at me, her questioning eyes letting me know she's inviting me to join their picnic of sorts. Before I can answer the way I want to—which is to say no and suggest we leave—Angela grabs hold of my hand and pulls us both over to the blanket. I see Bella frown a little before she masks it quickly.

She plops down as well—closest to Esme—quickly slathering some peanut butter onto two slices of bread before stuffing a good portion of each in her mouth. By the time the bag of bread makes it way to Angela—not even thirty seconds later, and after I've passed—and back to Bella, she's polished off both slices of bread. I purse my lips.

It's bothersome to realize she spent however long it took her to create a small buffet of shit for me to eat, but as for her, she's gorging herself on peanut butter and bread like it's her last meal.

If the girls find it upsetting—they don't say anything about it.

Finally, after what feels like hours, Esme reminds us they have to get back to the center. Bella's head snaps up. "Yes, you too." She looks over at me then back at Esme. "I told you already—I'm not mad either. You're welcome there."

Silently, we collect all of her—my—things and make our way over to the car.

The ride back is silent and stilted as hell. No one knows what to say. What to ask. At least I don't. Angela and I sit in the front while Esme rides with Bella in the back. It's a short drive but it feels like it goes on forever. I think we all let out a collective breath when we pull into the driveway.

"Bella," I hear Esme say. "Go on inside, okay. I'll be right there."

She silently gets out of the car, but we all notice she doesn't go inside, choosing instead to sit on the steps and wait for Esme.

"Now what?" I ask. Thankfully, Esme knows what I'm asking.

"Now . . . I do everything I can to help her—just like I do with the other girls who walk through that door."

"And when the month is up?"

"I'll let her go. Just like I will with the other girls."

"That fucking sucks," Angela sighs.

I nod in agreement. "When the time comes, if she's in a better place—you know here . . ." I tap the side of my head. "You let her know she has a room at my place, if she wants it."

"Edward, you don't have to do that."

I stare out the window at Bella and watch as she curls her arms tightly around herself on the stoop as someone walks out. She looks so small. So alone. "Someone has to."

First jump starts next chap.

Thoughts?

Thanks for reading!

Until Next time

~Lo