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IanPOV

It had been two weeks since Thanksgiving. I made my way back to the hideout with the money I had taken from Charlie's hiding place a while back. It took a bit of convincing, but Keith welcomed me back, as did Candice, Darlene, and Sarah, the new girl who was given to me to break in.

I loved breaking in new girls; they're so scared and terrified. I could do anything I wanted to them, and they never said no. I could be rough and make them cry, or I could be gentle and make them think I would be willing to help them. That was a lie of course because no one ever got out of here if they were still breathing.

Except Bella.

She was the exception, and I had paid for it. My leg was a reminder of that. I lied the night I told Charlie what had happened, and since Bella hadn't seemed to remember much of anything it seemed everything just fit perfectly. The truth is, I hadn't sneaked Bella out. All I had wanted that night was another hit, my own bottle of something strong, and a couple of girls who knew what I liked. But somehow, Bella escaped the confines of the compound and had jumped into the car. I'm still surprised that Keith didn't send someone out looking for her, but he was with his new flavor of the moment and couldn't be bothered with much of anything.

As I took a hit of something that was being passed around, I felt my phone buzz.

"Hello?"

"Ian, it's me," he said.

"What's going on?"

"Just thought you'd like an update about your girl."

"Of course," I answered quickly.

"They're leaving. Bella and Charlie are going on some vacation to get her away for a little while. I have no idea where, but I think they'll only be gone a week. Charlie said he was using some of his vacation time."

"Good to know. Anything else?"

"Nope. Well...seems she has an admirer."

"What?" I asked. Keith would not like this one bit.

"Yep. Heard he asked Charlie if he could take her out sometime."

"That bastard! He never could keep his nose out of our business."

"I can deal with him."

"Naw, just let it go for now, but keep watching. Anything else?"

"Nope. Things are pretty quiet."

"Cool. Let me know if something changes, will ya?"

"Of course. Later."

Tonight was cold, and I knew snow coming. In front of me, I heard nothing but the cries of the latest girl taking the walk. I didn't know this one, but she was nothing to me; just another mistake: someone who showed promise for our group but now she was nothing more than a dirty whore. Thankfully, I didn't have to be the one to take her life tonight. Tonight a new guy would be broken in.

Walking this trail, I couldn't help but remember the countless times Bella's name had been on the list. I lost count at five. She had been spared five times; four of which were out of pity. The fifth was pure luck when Jimmy realized in a drunken and drug-filled haze that he forgot to load the damn gun. Keith was not happy and beat the ever loving shit out of him and put Bella on the floor for a full day. She really had nothing to offer in the end. I don't even know why she had been let out in the first place. I know I told everyone that she and I had escaped, but that's not exactly how it had happened. The secret I was keeping would change things, and I wouldn't use it unless I had to. Somehow, I knew the time to expose the truth about my sweet sister was coming. I would be there when she finally broke, and bring her down this walk and take her out myself.

CharliePOV

"Daddy! Push me higher! Higher!" Bella cried as I pushed her on the swing in our back yard. Her curly hair was blowing in the wind and her laugh echoing off the trees around us.

"No, Dad, push me!" Ian shouted next to her.

I laid a hand on both of their backs and pushed them higher. Bella was laughing so loudly and so much I knew she was going to get hiccups. Renee was standing in front of us, snapping pictures, laughing along with us. Everything was perfect...

"Why does she get to be in both dance and cheerleading, and I can only be in football?" Ian asked. He was a few years older here, hands on his hips and anger apparent on his face.

"Ian, football practice and track overlap. You can't possibly do both at the same time. You said it yourself; you would rather play football," Renee said.

"It's not fair!"

"Face it, Ian. Mom and Dad love me more," Bella said with a laugh.

"Shut up!"

"Ian, don't yell at your sister, and Bella, apologize to your brother," I said...

"Why does Bella get to have a sleepover, and I can't?" Ian asked. He's older still, and again, that look of anger was apparent on his face.

"Because you're grounded for ditching school, Ian," I said.

"Why does this family love Bella more than me?"

"That's not true and you know it. You're just angry you got caught. Now, have you finished your science project?" Renee asked.

"I hate this family!" Ian yelled as he ran upstairs.

"Charlie, have you heard from the kids? They should have been home by now," Renee asked.

"I'm sure they'll be home soon."

"But it's already two. I've called their friends. No one's seen them. They didn't even show up at the party...something's wrong. The kids know better than to ignore our calls."

I hear Renee cry out for our children. It's been a month since our kids have disappeared. No new leads. No traces of them. They're just...gone. "They're never coming home, are they?" she cried.

"Yes, they will. They're stubborn and they're fighters."

"Why haven't they found them? How can two people just drop off the face of the planet without someone seeing them?" Renee cried.

A few months pass and I see Renee and I standing in our living room. She's gripping onto my arm and hand so tightly her knuckles are turning white. In front of us are two FBI agents.

"There hasn't been a new lead or tip in a few months. With nothing new to go on, we're classifying Ian and Isabella's case as cold. I'm sorry. I really wish there was more I could do."

The image switches and I see my children playing in our back yard again, Ian chasing Bella around with some sort of animal in his hand, most likely a frog. I hear their laughter mixed with Renee's cries.

The image switches again and I see Renee on the edge of the cliff, crying out for our children who are not there.

"I want my children back! I want my life back!" Renee cried.

"Renee! NO!"

I shot up in my bed, completely covered in sweat. It took a moment for me to remember where I was. I reached over and turned the lamp on next to my bed and saw Renee's picture. I missed her more than anything. I missed the woman who made me weak in the knees, the woman who could anticipate my every move, the woman I would lose myself to when we made love. I missed the intimacy between us and how I could tell her anything. I missed her scent and her touch. I missed her jokes and the way she could tease Billy and I about our fishing, or the lack-there-of some days, and I missed the look in her eye when she bet on opposite team just to get a rise out of Carlisle, Billy, and I. I missed everything about her.

I was consumed by my guilt knowing I could have helped her. I could have taken her to detox. I could have gotten her into AA meetings. At the very least, I should have gotten rid of the liquor. I was her enabler. I should have given her an ultimatum - told her I loved her but that I needed her to be strong for our kids when they returned. But every mention of them only caused her to drink more.

I was her failure.

I splashed some cold water on my face in the bathroom and checked on Bella. She had fallen asleep while reading again. I marked her page and turned off the light before crawling back into bed.

I tried my best to keep all of this from Bella since she has enough to deal with. She had worse demons in her closet than I did, and mine seemed trivial compared to hers. At least she talked to me more often than she used to. Before, she would only speak about her past at her therapy appointments, and even then it took effort to get it out of her. Now, she was able to tell me some of her fears, but I suspect she's watering them down for me.

After the Thanksgiving incident with Ian, I was worried that Bella would be angry I had kicked him out. I was prepared for a verbal tongue lashing, tears and yelling, but it never happened. She said that as much as she loved her brother, she needed to feel safe in the house. I could tell she missed him, though. And it was those times where I felt the worst about the situation. I should have talked to him more. I should have insisted on therapy for him, too. I should have spent more one-on-one time with him. Perhaps then none of this would have happened. Perhaps we could have worked on his anger. But I didn't because I was too focused on Bella.

I was his failure too, and would regret this for the rest of my life.

Around noon, Edward called and asked if he could take Bella out to dinner tonight since we were leaving in the morning for our trip. I had been hesitant, but he assured me he would take care of her and that they weren't going far. There's more meaning to his words and I realize I can trust him. He's done plenty for Bella's recovery, and I hoped that this would help even more.

"Are you sure you don't want me to make you something, Dad?" Bella asked.

"I'm fine. I'm not that hungry at the moment, anyway."

At six on the dot, I heard Edward's car pull up, followed by the doorbell.

"Mr. Swan," Edward said, as he stepped into the house.

"Edward, I trust you'll bring her back at a decent hour?"

"Of course. I want to beat the snow that's coming."

"Good. Bella, you have your cell phone, right?"

"Yes, Dad."

"She's in good hands, Charlie. I promise you that."

I watched as they walked to his car, and held my breath the entire time. I noticed how gentle and patient he was with her, how he never rushed her. As they drove off, I silently prayed that she would come back to me. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her again.

BellaPOV

I couldn't believe that Edward was taking me out. I was nervous and hesitant about it, but at the same time, I was excited. I've wanted to feel like a normal girl for a while now, but I never thought I'd get to. I remembered listening to Rosalie and Alice talk about various dates with Emmett and Jasper, and how jealous I was of it. They made going to the movies, dinner, or just out to the mall sound so wonderful, so romantic. They talked about how they started to get ready hours before hand, and sometimes even going out to get a new outfit depending on where Emmett and Jasper were taking them. After Edward called and asked permission from Charlie, Rose called and asked if I wanted her to come over to help me get ready. I quickly agreed.

"I think you should wear the green sweater we found at Maurices. It looked so good on you," Rose said as we stood in my tiny closet.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. Where are those black jeans you bought?"

"I packed those for the trip, since it's the rainy season in Hawaii."

"Can I just say I'm totally jealous you're going to Hawaii? I've always wanted to go."

"I was surprised when Dad told me we were going, especially over Christmas."

"Yeah, totally jealous."

"I can bring you back something, if you'd like?"

"That would be great, thanks!"

Once my outfit was chosen, and I took a quick shower, Rose helped me with my hair before leaving. She left my hair down and curled it before brushing it out, causing it to fall in loose waves. She also put just a touch of make up on my face as well. She left just before Edward arrived.

"You look nice," Dad said from my doorway.

"Thanks. Are you sure you're okay with letting me go out?"

"Truthfully, no. But what father isn't nervous when their daughter goes out for the first time with a boy?"

"You're not going to do anything embarrassing, are you?"

"No. I trust Edward. He's a good kid."

"Are you sure you don't want me to make you something, Dad?" I asked.

"I'm fine. I'm not that hungry at the moment, anyway."

At six on the dot Edward arrived. When Dad answered the door, I prayed he wouldn't do anything embarrassing, and thankfully he didn't. I grabbed Edward's gift and went downstairs.

"Mr. Swan," Edward said, as he stepped into the house.

"Edward, I trust you'll bring her back at a decent hour?"

"Of course. I want to beat the snow that's coming."

"Good. Bella, you have your cell phone, right?"

"Yes, Dad."

"She's in good hands, Charlie. I promise you that."

"So, where exactly are we going?" I asked, as Edward and I drove away from my house. I set Edward's Christmas present on the floor between my feet.

"Gordy's Pizza and Pasta. Is that alright?"

"Sounds good."

"Emmett wanted to come, along with Jasper and Rose, but I wanted tonight to be special."

"Special?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"Yes. Since you and your dad are going on vacation, I won't get to see you until New Year's. I'm going to miss you."

"Really?"

"Very much so," he replied, with a smile, and my heart skipped a beat.

We made our way to the restaurant and were seated quickly. It isn't overly crowded, which is nice. It felt so good to be out – away from Dad's, Esme's, and Carlisle's watchful eye. It's nice that I have them to lean on, but sometimes I felt like they were too protective of me.

"I'm actually glad the others are not here," I said after we ordered.

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Because I'd feel guilty that I only have a gift for you and not them."

"You have something for me?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes."

I handed him his gift and became increasingly nervous at his reaction. For his gift I've given Edward a charcoal sketch of him playing his piano. "Open it."

He took his time unwrapping it, and I remembered a Christmas from when we were younger.

"Edward, why do you take so long? Just rip the paper!" Alice said.

"I don't want to ruin the nice wrapping."

"Oh for goodness sake! It's not like you can use it again! RIP IT!" Alice shouted.

"No! Bella's taken the time to wrap it, so I'm going to take my time and enjoy the anticipation."

"I hope you don't mind, but I had Esme help with the matting and framing," I said.

"Did you draw this?"

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"It must have taken quite a while. I like it. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I think I drew that picture a dozen times. Esme finally had to take it away from me because I kept picking at it."

"You did this from memory?" Edward asked, clearly shocked.

"Yeah. It was from that first night you played for me."

"I think...I think this is the best gift I've ever been given," Edward said, placing his hand on mine. I froze for a minute, not expecting it. A jolt of electricity ran through me, like nothing I'd felt before. "Is this alright?"

I flipped my hand over after a minute and laced my fingers through his. This is Edward touching you, not those nasty, horrible men, I thought to myself before answering, "Yes."

We sat there for a few minutes, just looking in each other's eyes. For the first time since being home, I felt normal. I felt like a normal teenager on a normal date with a normal boy. It was something I didn't think I'd feel and certainly not with Edward. But yet, here we sat, holding hands in the middle of a restaurant. Our perfect little moment was interrupted by the waitress who brought us our dinner.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I have something for you as well."

"Really? You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to," Edward said, as he pulled out a box from his jacket pocket. The box was a pretty shade of turquoise blue with a white bow. Inside was a beautiful silver necklace.

"This is too much, Edward," I said.

"No it's not. I was shopping in Seattle for gifts for my family and thought you would like it."

"But it makes my gift look so...cheap."

"No it doesn't. If you don't like it, I can take it back."

"No, no, I do like it."

"I tried finding a sunflower pendant because I know how much you like them, but every one I found just didn't look right, so I thought you might like a butterfly."

"I do. Will you put it on?"

"Of course."

Edward took the necklace from the box and fastened it behind my neck. The rest of dinner passed far too quickly and I found myself having a good time. Edward kept the mood light by telling stories of Emmett and the rest of his siblings. On our way home, it started to snow. The reflection of the moon peeking out through the clouds caused the snowflakes to sparkle and dance on the wind. We finally reached the house and Edward walked me to the door.

"Thank you again for the necklace," I said.

"You just make sure to have fun on your vacation with Charlie. You two deserve it."

"I will. Did you mean what you said earlier?"

"About what?"

"When you said you'd miss me while I was gone. Did you mean it?"

"Yes, I did. You're very special to me, Bella."

"I am?"

"Very much so." A gust of wind blew causing my hair to whip into my face. Edward tucked it behind my ear. "Bella, can I kiss you?" he whispered.

I was completely frozen. Was I ready for something like this? I close my eyes and for a moment the faces of all those men appear and I'm scared. But then I realized that it was just Edward. Edward. The boy who held my hand in the middle of the restaurant in front of everyone and didn't seem to mind. The boy who knew my secret past and didn't seem to care. The boy who sends me flowers each week because he knows how much I like it and how much I look forward to it. The boy who lets me cry on the phone when I feel like I'm losing it. The boy who made me feel normal for the first time in so long.

I open my eyes and saw his beautiful green eyes looking down at me.

"Yes," I whispered.

His lips were soft and gentle on mine and without realizing it, my hands are resting on his hips because I'm not sure what exactly I'm supposed to be doing here. I mean, I've kissed men before, but never like this. My body tingled when I felt Edward's hands on my face, his thumbs lightly tracing my cheek bones. I feel like we're the only two people on the planet at this moment. I didn't realize Charlie was watching until he cleared his throat.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we leave in a few hours, and Edward should be getting home don't you think?"

"Yeah."

Charlie closed the door to give us another minute of privacy, and I was thankful.

"I should go," Edward said, softly.

"Yeah. Thank you for the necklace. I really like it."

"You're welcome. Promise me you'll have fun, okay?"

"I will. Goodnight."

Edward kissed me again softly on the lips before darting back to his car. Once he was out of sight I walked into the house and hung up my coat.

"So how was it?" Charlie asked.

"Nice."

"Did he like your gift?"

"Yes. He said it was the best thing he's ever received."

"Are you all packed?"

"Yeah."

"All right. Get some sleep. We have to leave for the airport at five."

As I walked upstairs, I fidgeted with the pendant hanging around my neck and my whole body tingles. While I changed into my spare pajamas, I could still smell his cologne and feel his soft lips on mine. And for once, everything felt normal. Perfect. Safe. And for the first time, I felt loved.