We're the Cullens
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Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns it all.
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EDWARD
I snapped my eyes open in the blinding darkness when I heard noise coming from somewhere. I tried to adjust my vision and heard the same noise again. I tried to move but realized there was a warm body wrapped around me. I turned to see Bella's beautiful face, glowing silver in the moonlight, so perfect. I stroked her cheek and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
I carefully unwrapped her arms from around me and she frowned softly. I stroked her hair until the frown disappeared and got out of the bed. I stood up, stretching my arms a little and walked out of the room. I stopped short on my way to the kitchen when I heard the same noise again and it was coming from Eli's room.
I leaned against the door as I looked inside and saw a shadow peeking around the edges of my view. I stiffened and realized it wasn't someone I was going to be friendly with. But who was it? I leaned in again and realized he wasn't carrying any weapon. I frowned because he should. It was definitely a man. That built has got to be of a man. I noticed the room's window was open. I thanked god Eli wasn't in the room that moment but was at Alice and Jasper's.
He was wearing a black balaclava, so I could see nothing, not even his hair. With a black sweater and jeans he was practically a shadow. He was standing in front of the mirror. His hands reached for the balaclava and my hands tightened in a fist. I held my breath to see who it was. He removed it agonizingly slow and suddenly turned to look right at me.
"Good morning Edward, enjoyed your date, did ya?" I let out a breath when he removed the mask and went to sit on the bed.
"Good morning? It's fucking three in the morning, Alex." He let out a short laugh.
"Yeah, you're right."
"What the fuck are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to go to New York with that shit head?"
"He cancelled the plan." My eyes widened.
"What the fuck?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "Now what?"
"Now we go Forks, not on Sunday, but Saturday." He flashed me a big grin.
"Shit, we are supposed to go today."
"Dude, just call Black, and get on with it at six in the morning." Alex shrugged easily.
"It's not that fucking easy. Eli is at Alice and Jasper's, Bella is still asleep. I can't just leave them and go."
"Edward," Alex said as he walked over to me. I looked up at him. "It's just a case man. You are making it way too personal for your own good. Be aware Edward, you are falling in love with Bella Swan, she probably won't talk to you or meet you after the case is over. You know the thing about Eli, you might get a call in a month or something. Stay focused. You are here for the case."
"You don't have to tell me that Alex, I know."
"Come on Edward, I could practically see you from the mirror here! Who does that? You know why you were standing that way? To hear if any other voices come from your room where Bella is. You don't have to lose your shit because of this. I am not telling you to forget about them but just remember they are a part of the case. Don't forget your main reason for coming to Seattle." I ran a hand through my hair as I let his words sink in. I cleared my throat and looked up staring at his dark eyes.
"Why were you here anyway?"
"To give you this." He pulled out a file from under his sweater and handed it to me. "Here. Malcolm Rogers, I bet some of the shit, even Seth, his son doesn't know." I kept the file aside, not in the mood to read it. I stood up, towering an inch over Alex.
"Yeah thanks."
"Hey, I might seem like a bad guy right now, but just understand what I'm trying to say. You have helped me for a similar situation in London before, sans a kid. I am just saying the words you told me back then right at you. I know you are a good guy, maybe something can happen, but just after the case, you don't want Bella hurting." I sighed and nodded my head. "Okay, we good?" I chuckled and nodded.
"Alright then, I'm off mate." I rolled my eyes.
"Sure Leo, take care. Just give me that," I pulled out a piece of paper he was taking with him. I opened it and chuckled. It was one of Eli's drawing with the three of us. "Thanks."
"What am I going to tell them as to where I was?"
"I'm sure you can make something up. Don't you dare take anything from this place back there." I said in a deathly serious voice. He nodded and pulled his balaclava down his face. I could only see his black eyes through the mask. I don't even care how he is going but I still waited for him to reach the ground and then shut the window tight.
I stared at the drawing in my hands, there was a house in the background, not this building but a house with a little kennel near the gate. But there was a weird animal drawn, definitely not a dog. I sighed and kept it on the bed.
"Enough. Enough now." I muttered and walked out of the room.
...
I stared at her sleeping form for I don't know how long, Jacob was going to be here any minute. I looked at my watch to see it was six ten. I found Bella stirring as I sat with my back rested on the headrest. She stretched her hands on my side and frowned when she felt my legs. Her eyes snapped open and she looked to her side and then up at me. Bella gave me a breathtaking smile and I stroked her hair.
"Hey, good morning." Bella murmured to me and I cracked a small smile.
"Good morning, go back to sleep, it's early."
"Then why are you up?" she said that as she sat up beside me. I sighed.
"I have to go for a while."
"Where?"
"Out."
"Where exactly?" she pressed and I ran a hand through my hair.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"I just can't Bella, stop asking me over and over." I snapped angrily and her face fell a little.
"Sorry." She whispered and I suddenly felt bad.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."
"It's okay I understand." I relaxed a little but knew she didn't totally mean it. "Is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine." Alex's words kept playing in my mind. "It's just a case man. You are making it way too personal for your own good." He is right on some level. I let it go too far.
"You sure?" her hands cupped my face and I leaned against them.
"Yes everything's great." She grinned at me and her brown eyes turned happy.
"Great." Bella moved her hands from my face and rested her head against my chest. "I'll miss you."
"I know." I nuzzled against her hair and wrapped an arm around her.
"So when are you leaving?"
"When Jacob gets here."
"Do you want me to make you breakfast?"
"No thank you Bella, but I don't think we'll able to go once Jacob starts to eat." She laughed a little and I smiled at that sound.
"That's true."
"Can you just get Eli from Alice and Jasper's?" Bella looked at me.
"Of course," she paused staring at my face, her inquisitive eyes studying me carefully. "Edward talk to me if there is something bothering you, okay?"
"I will." I nodded and moved her form away as to stand up. "I'll just wait for Jacob outside, alright? I'll see you soon. Bye." I kissed her forehead and she frowned at me. Bella was about to say something but changed her mind.
"Okay, bye." I wanted to ask what was the problem but then thought maybe not.
Maybe I can be fine when I am working. Just maybe.
...
"What's bothering you man?" Jacob asked me for the hundredth time.
"It's nothing Jacob, just drive the fucking car." I sighed and looked out of the window.
"It may rain in a while." I frowned.
"It's summer, why the fuck should it rain?"
"It's Forks man, much worse than Seattle." No wonder Bella is so pale.
"Oh." I continued staring out of the window as the roads flew past us and the surrounding started to get greener by every mile.
"Seriously man, what happened? Did you and Bella get into a fight?" I completely ignored Jacob this time and zipped up my jacket, later closed my eyes.
I opened my eyes a few minutes later and noticed a board that read 'Welcome to Forks', which was green colored too. Sure, everything is so green, it makes me want to puke. I looked at my watch and saw it was ten in the morning. Eli must be having her breakfast right now.
"Edward?"
"Yeah?"
"Do I directly take to Chief Swan's? Or you want to go down to the reservation?"
"We'll go visit Charlie Swan's house." He nodded and on the way, pointed out to the Forks High School. It was a really small space, with old Victorian styled housing. I really hoped the classrooms were big.
"That's where Bella suffered for four years," he chuckled shaking his head. "God, she was clumsy back then." Like she isn't now.
"You didn't go to the same high school?"
"Oh hell no, Leah and I went to the high school down at the reservation."
"Oh, alright."
"And here we are." He stopped right in front of a white two story house, with its color positively faded and silver birch trees surrounding it. Leaves were all over the ground and the house practically looked dead. I couldn't imagine Bella in a house like this. Maybe it was better before when her parents were still alive. I heard a door close and realized Jacob was already out of the car. I stepped out and called out his name just as he was about to enter the place.
"What?"
"Park the car somewhere else, we don't want people knowing someone's in the house." I looked pointedly at the car and he nodded.
"Alright, you go ahead." He threw a bunch of keys in my direction and I caught them easily. "Dad gave me these, go from the back door, it's from the left." I nodded and went ahead as Jake started the car. I tried the four keys but they didn't work. Finally the fifth one opened the door and I stepped in to cough my lungs out.
Dust. So much dust. I could practically smell the dust in this place. I realized I was in the kitchen and I walked further in. A white fridge was in place, with little magnets stuck on them. There was a very small coffee table on the far left, near the window with two chairs surrounding it. The counter was empty and I could imagine Bella probably cooking here, maybe with a smile on her face and happy being home with her parents.
I shook off the thought and walked further in and noticed a staircase to my left, the main door at the mouth of it. Bella definitely used to trip on it. I chuckled and walked in the living room. Everything was just the way it was. The newspaper neatly folded, with an empty can of beer next to it. Bella didn't move anything from this place I guess. I wonder if she even walked in here.
"Didn't anyone clean it in here?" I muttered as I took a look around the small space. There was a small couch and two wooden chairs by it, untouched. How did three people manage to live in this place, I'll never know.
"You never really care about your family, or your mom do you Edward?" dad asked me and my glare intensified.
"Don't you dare talk about this shit to me right now!"
"Edward, calm down honey." I could barely hear mom's voice over my heart pounding in my ears.
"How could you be so careless Edward? You have no idea in what conditions people live or survive every day. They barely have money to meet their ends and here you have everything at your feet. Don't try to deny that either now."
"Why does it have anything to do with me? I am telling you I did not hit the woman with my fucking car, she ran towards it!"
"You will never understand, will you? You better make things right." Dad said and I couldn't hold it in any longer. How can he not believe me? Does he really think I can hit a woman with a car for no reason at all?
"You want to talk about making things right? Right would've been mom telling me everything long ago! Right would've been knowing I was never a part of this family! Right would've been—"
"Edward, sweetie, hush, calm down." I turned to mom's voice. Her green eyes like mine with filled with unshed tears and she opened her arms in which I gladly went. I buried my face in her hair and breathed in some air. "Calm down, Edward. Everything is okay." I shook my head.
"Nothing is okay, nothing." I mumbled and felt a hand on my shoulder. I knew it was Emmett before I turned. I pulled to look at him.
I turned when I felt a hand on my shoulder, Jacob stood there with a passive gaze, studying me intently. I sighed and tried to get rid of the disturbing thoughts.
"Don't." I said in a breathy voice to which he nodded, understanding.
"Where do you want me to put these?" he pulled out four laser microphones.
"It's a four room house, isn't it?" Jake nodded. "Let's put one in each room. I'll go put one upstairs and the other here, you go see the Chief's room and kitchen." I looked around the place, trying to find a place to hide the microphone. I found a series of photos lined up on the display. I couldn't help but smile. They were all Bella's photos of when she was a kid, just dust covered them but they were visible.
The first one was a man in his early twenties, with brown eyes similar to Bella's standing next to a blonde woman, her marble blue eyes stood out in the picture, holding a baby on her lap. Bella.
The second one was Bella playing some blocks, she looked around three years old. A wide grin on her face as she held a red block in her hand. The next one made me laugh out loud, it was Bella in a ballerina costume, she looked around six, and a pout on her face. She definitely didn't like it. Her hair was tied into a bun and she looked beautiful.
The next one was Bella sitting somewhere out in the garden, reading a book, her hair was longer in this picture, she looked around twelve. She wasn't even looking at the camera, her sole attention was on the book. The other one, her at a younger age, it was of a birthday party I think. I could stand here watching them all day but I don't think we have time for this. I placed the microphone on the back of the second photo, carefully underneath the stand, as to not seen by anybody.
I gave a final glance to the room and went to the staircase, taking two at a time, I noticed only one person can walk at a time through this passage. There was a bathroom to the right and a bedroom to the left. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
The room screamed Bella but there was something disturbing about it that I couldn't point out. It was messed up, with clothes lying on the floor, her bed wasn't made up, her book were lying on the ground as well. The only window in the room was closed. I went over and tried to open it but couldn't. Rust. I decided to not touch anything and just took a look around. There was a rocking chair in the corner of the room, which I am sure constantly squeaked, predicting the amount of years it was resting there.
There was a note on the nightstand. It wasn't a new one, the paper looked about 100 years old which it was not. But was for sure lying in the dust for a long time. It had a light layer of brown texture to it, was crumpled and grungy. I walked over to it and could make out Bella's smudgy handwriting from a distance. My fingers shook as I picked it up and sneezed, inhaling the dust particles in the process. I pulled out a tissue from my pocket and wiped away my nose.
JUNE 20
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm fine today, I really am. I surprisingly woke up peacefully, without getting any haunting nightmares. I tried to open the door of your room last night, to clean up the mess mom made before leaving for your dinner date but my hands shook as I reached for the knob. And I sunk to the floor, crying violently. That's not the way to convince you I'm fine. But I really am.
Angela told me to pack my bags so that we could go to go New York. Yes, dad I'm finally going New York, you will be very happy to know that. Riley did stop by last night but I politely refused him to get in. I hope he does really great in his future endeavors. This might hopefully be my last letter, I want to leave it here with you.
I want to have a fresh new start, go to college, try to forget about everything from Forks. I am hopefully going to miss this place. You both know how much I hate this town. And I don't know when will I get back here but I'm sure it won't be easy to even think about it. I don't know if someone would even enter this house now that you're not here. Billy won't, I'm sure, he misses you a lot, dad. I'll miss Jacob, I heard he was planning to go New York to do something in mechanics. Haven't spoken to him in a while. Sorry dad, I know how much you like him but I am never going to date him. It would be like dating my brother. Plus, Leah's good for him. She is not good to me but alright. Jacob did help me a lot when you know…
Alright I think I just heard Angela, I just want to say goodbye to this place before I leave. I loved you both, it flowed out of my chest, but with you gone, where will my love go? I miss you both so much, I don't think I can ever be able to settle the fact that you both are gone. I'll be back someday, years later, I promise. I left our last conversation with a fight. I will never forget that. I don't want to be a bad daughter, but I don't need to visit your grave to remember you, you both are in my heart, forever and always. I love you. I miss you. I hope you forgive me someday, I really have to rush now. Goodbye.
Yours,
Bella. x
I read through the letter over and over, my heart constricting as I read the words. It must have been so difficult for Bella to leave this place and go somewhere she knew nobody. And here I was trying to get her into a much more complicated relationship. I just so happily teased her about being my girlfriend, and she liked the idea, but is it too soon? She must have such hopes from me. Bella was alone her whole life, I want to give her everything I could but she just won't be able to handle the pain of Eli leaving.
I can't get any more into her, not for my sake but hers. She's so strong, even after going through such rough conditions she's managed to get a better life for herself. I don't think I could ever do that if I was in her position. I noticed her bookshelf, stocked with rough, old tattered books. I placed the microphone on the side of the book Merchant of Venice and Bella's letter in my jacket pocket. Don't want James to touch it.
"Ed! Get here!" I heard Jacob holler from downstairs. I descended the stairs and found him nowhere in the living room. He called again, from the room next to this. I stepped in and saw him near a shelf with numerous files, and papers shuffled around. It was Charlie Swan's room. There were clothes lying around, just like in Bella's room but Bella did mention in her letter about her mom making a mess, which was clearly seen. There were pieces of jewelry on the bed too. But there are some other things important right this second.
"What?" I asked and he pointed at the files.
"There must be something here. What's wrong with you?" I tried to get rid of Bella's thoughts and opened the other shelf.
"Seth said something about Chief Swan finding something down at the reservation." I muttered and he nodded.
"I asked dad, he's got no clue." I nodded and we started skimming through names, until one file title made me do a double take. Golden Triangle.
"Why does Charlie have a file with the name Golden Triangle?" Golden Triangle was South East Asia's one of the most highly opium-producing area. Three countries were involved; Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The question remains, why?
I took the file out and flipped through the pages to find information about the drugs, all of them. Heroin, Opium, Marijuana. Why was Charlie collecting this? Did he know something?
"What's in there?"
"Information," I flipped through the pages quickly, scanning the details. "About drugs that could be transported from the Golden Triangle. Was Charlie trying to find some information?"
"Maybe it was something to do with what he found at the reservation." Jake muttered as he flipped through other files. We continued searching, the only sounds in the room were of the pages flipping as we scanned through. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. I had a feeling something was not right. I ran a hand through my hair when I heard a sharp intake of breath. I looked up to see his face gone pale as he stared at the file in his hands.
"Jake? What is it?" he looked at me, his black eyes wide. He handed me the file and I read through it, my eyes widening with every word that I read. But three phrases stuck in my brain.
Harbor Island Marina, Seattle.
Opium, Marijuana.
Port of Naples, Naples.
The words kept swirling in my head. Drug Trafficking. There was drug trafficking happening right here in fucking Seattle. They must be trying to find an understated location. Forks is fucking perfect. Charlie knew about this. He fucking knew about this. Deputy Frank must know it too. He was shot as well. Reservation. We need to go to the reservation.
"Jacob, reservation." Was all I could muster. I did not know James could do this.
"We need to go soon."
"We have to take these files." I looked around and opened the closet to find a few pieces of clothing and a black suitcase. I grabbed it and snapped it open. Jacob and I stuffed all the files in there and I looked out of the window, trying to see if someone's there. James should be getting here anytime now.
"Why are they after Bella then?"
"They aren't. They are after the drugs. We don't know where they are. Come on, let's check Bella's room to see if we can find any more leads." I said out of breath and Jacob nodded. We rushed upstairs and started searching any place we could look for. I tried to open the window again but it was jammed.
"Jake, a little help." Jacob nodded and walked over to help. About ten minutes into the effort, we got the window open. It screeched and squeaked as we opened it wider. We started searching for every place. I opened her nightstand drawers and computer desk drawers as Jacob browsed through her bookshelf.
We heard a car pull up. Our eyes locked as they widened and we knew who it was. Jacob and I looked at the window at the same time. We heard a shot being fired and then their voices started getting louder. Couldn't they just break the door? I could hear around four voices, all loud and obnoxious.
"We can go to the woods, I know a short cut for home." Jake murmured and I nodded. I went before Jake and carefully reached the ground, gripping the tree right next to it. I quickly hid under the window sill and waited for Jake. I tried to remain still as somebody opened the window. I could smell the stale aroma of cheap beer till here
"Nothing here." I heard someone slur and slam shut the window. I hope nobody had been upstairs yet. I finally heard a figure dropping to the ground with a loud thud. I could make out Jacob's shoes. I got out and turned to find somebody's back to us. We rushed for the woods, running faster than we ever had.
"Jacob do not let the suitcase fall." I breathed out as we sprinted, without looking back until we reached the woods. I placed my hands on my knees as I panted and turned to find Jake doing the same. We hid behind the tall Silver Birch trees and saw a man open a window exactly where I was hiding. His blonde hair glaring in the dull weather. Standing at such a distance, I could make out his piercing, icy blue eyes. James. My hand reached towards my ankle for the gun but Jake called out my name. I glared at the dickhead.
"Edward, now is not a good time." he whispered and I nodded running a hand through my hair. I turned to him.
"Let's get out of here."
I'm going to kill that fucker myself.
...
"I still can't believe it. Here in Forks of all places?" Jake asked in a quiet voice.
"It's the perfect setting."
"What do you think it is?
"It's not Marijuana or Opium. It's something much more than that or else they wouldn't have so many search parties." I whispered and he nodded.
"DMT?"
"Perhaps."
We were sitting at a small bakery-cum-café, Fresher's Point, the place where Bella worked in Port Angeles. Jacob was stuffing his face in the numerous muffins he ordered and I, on the other hand was content with just a cup of coffee. Which I have to admit was pretty good.
After looking around the reservation neighborhood, trying to find some information and coming up with nothing, we decided to wait for a while, at least until James left to get the car. I call from Alex, which meant that they were off. We went to get the car and drove straight down to the police station to hunt some information about the shit going down. All of them were clueless, all their past records were clear, but we tried hard but around the month of June and July we found nothing major than a robbery eight years ago.
So we decided on eating something light for now and crashed at this café to have some food in the system. Not for me though. I can't muster the fact of eating anything. Maybe after I get home, Bella would be making dinner and then I can have a hot meal.
Alright, I'm getting myself a bottle of water, you want anything?" he started to speak, his eyes lightening up at the prospect. "And not muffin." He scowled at me and shrugged. I chuckled under my breath and my phone buzzed. I pulled it out to answer, it was Fred.
"Hey, Fred, what is it?" I asked as I walked away from the table.
"Edward, I need a heads up on Ricky Carter, should the team still keep searching for him, or—"
"If you can't find any leads then don't, now just do me one favor, e-mail me a document about all the exports and imports that happened eight years ago, for that whole year for Harbor Island Marina and Port of Naples."
"Roger that."
"I'm going to need it as soon as our team can find it Fred. We don't want to lose time."
"Copy that. I'll get back to you."
"But just don't lose hope on Ricky Carter, I'm really hoping that this person can lead us some—" I realized I bumped into someone. He was older, probably in his early forties, with coal black eyes and chapped lips. I think I have seen him somewhere. His smile looked familiar.
"I really hope this person can lead us somewhere." I said as I caught his hand reaching for my back pocket where my wallet lay. His grin disappeared and his mouth set into a grim line. I shook my head smirking at him and he tried to retrieve his hand from my hold. I let it go and he walked out of the café.
"Malcolm, my father, he worked in an oil factory and um, he ran a pickpocket ring." My smirk vanished as I recalled Seth's words. I rushed out of the café to see the man getting in a car.
"Fred, I'll call you back." I ended the call and turned on the camera of my phone as I watched the car sprint away. I clicked a picture of the number plate and send it to Phil, calling him immediately.
"Phil, I have sent you a picture of a number plate, it's a little grainy, make sure you make it clearer. I want you to find out who this car belongs to, where is it from, if from a rental service, who rented it, every detail, okay?"
"Copy that." I ended the call and walked back in.
"What happened?" Jacob asked and I sighed.
"I think I just bumped into Malcolm." I should've opened the file Alex brought for me.
"What? Why didn't you catch hold of him?"
"I didn't know and still am not sure if it's him. We'll get to know in a couple of hours don't worry." He nodded and was going over to the counter.
"Get me a bottle of water while you grab your tenth muffin." He gave me the bird and turned back to the counter. I laughed and shook my head.
Some things just never change.
...
I unlocked the door and walked in to smell mushrooms and chicken. I felt my stomach rumble. Good food it is. I saw that the TV was turned off which was strange because usually Eli is all over it. She must be in her bedroom. I saw Bella's back to me as she opened the oven to get something out and I made my way straight for Eli's bedroom.
The door was halfway open and I saw Eli, her brown hair was up in a cute ponytail, a wide smile on her face which made me smile as well. She was playing some puzzle game and I opened the door wider making my grin disappear. Will sat there, looking thoughtful as he stared at a puzzle piece in his hand. Ugh, why does this boy have to be here? I took a step in when some words from the morning hit me.
"Don't forget your main reason for coming to Seattle."
I retrieved the step and shut the door halfway, just the way it was before. I went to the other bedroom to take a quick shower and wash away the trip to Forks that lingered in my brain. I removed my jacket and noticed a paper peeking out. Oh, Bella's letter. I opened it. June 20. I chuckled. Ironically, it was written on my birthday. I must be celebrating my nineteenth birthday. My grin disappeared. Yeah, good times.
I stuffed the letter back and stripped in the bathroom to meditate my mind from the visit. The trip gave me so much to think about. The hot water cascaded down my tensed muscles and I sighed.
And I sunk to the floor, crying violently. That's not the way to convince you I'm fine. But I really am.
It must have been traumatic even reaching to her parents' bedroom that Jacob and I so easily entered, in the morning and found about some details about the drugs. Was there no one to help her and why was she all alone in the house? Shouldn't she be living someplace else? It's a good thing Angela helped her.
Plus, Leah's good for him. She is not good to me but alright.
I cannot imagine Leah being mean to her. Was it really just about Jacob being so close to Bella? Or was there something else to it?
I'll be back someday, years later I promise.
Is she really planning on going back to Forks for a visit? She told Angela she's is in Forks. I did reassure her during the time Angela called that she won't visit, but what if she does? What if someone is there when she goes. God, she's pregnant too. I need to talk to Bella about this.
I stepped out of the shower ten minutes later and put on my red flannel pajamas and a black full sleeved t-shirt. I walked out of the room, running a hand through my wet hair. I saw Eli waving at someone by the door, it's probably Will going back home. She bounced in her place and turned to gasp, as her blue eyes found mine. It's been a whole day since I saw her last.
"Ehwad!" Eli squealed as she came running to me all the way from the door. When she was four steps away from me, I scooped her in my arms, placing kisses all over her face and her giggles filled the room.
"Hey Eli." I kissed her cheek and she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Ehwad, I miss you, where you goes?" she pouted looking at me and I sighed. I walked with her in my arms.
"Well princess, I went out for work." I kissed her forehead setting her down on the highchair. I looked up to find Bella staring at me. I gave her a hesitant smile and she smiled back instantly.
I loved you both, it flowed out of my chest, but with you gone, where will my love go?
Bella's words from the time she wrote it eight years ago in the letter came crashing to me. Her brown eyes were so open and expressive. Will she be able to love somebody again? A small voice in my brain asked me; will she be able to love me? What fact tells me that she won't run away from me? It can be anytime. Once Eli is gone or when the case is over. You may never know.
"Hi." She breathed out, blush flaming her cheeks. She was wearing a blue summer dress, that fell till her knees. Her hair was flowing down her back like a waterfall. She was breathtaking.
"Hey." I murmured as her eyes tried to search something in mine. Bella sighed and looked away.
"I hope you're hungry, I made a lot of dinner today." I cracked a smile and nodded.
"I'll set the dishes if you want."
"Please." I nodded and walked in the kitchen to gather three plates from the cabinet. Bella walked in and I turned to her.
"Edward, what's bugging you since morning? You look dead tired too. Honey, are you okay?" Brown orbs were staring at me with concern and I sighed. I set the plates on the island and pulled her in my arms for a hug. I wrapped my arms around her waist tightly, burying my face in her hair, breathing her in. I could feel her one hand stroking my hair and the other one, rubbing my back.
I could feel myself relaxing, against her soft skin and I traced circles around her waist as I hugged her. I was so desperate to hold her and she was comforting me when it should be the other way around, knowing how things were right now.
"Everything's fine Edward, don't worry about anything right now. Let's just have dinner and talk about it later if you want, okay?" I nodded and pulled back to look at her. Bella gave me a loving smile and kissed my lips softly. I kissed her back but pulled apart before I let it go too far.
"Come on dinner." I nodded and grabbed the plates again.
I don't think my feelings have been this haywire before.
...
"Ehwad, when I be a big giwl?" I pulled the duvet over her body and kissed her head.
"You already are Eli, such a big girl." I stroked her hair and she frowned.
"But I no go to wok."
"Well, when you get a little more bigger, then you'll go to work."
"How many biwthdays?"
"Around five." I said, giving her a smile. Eli smiled back and nodded.
"You buy me a bike when I bees fife?" Oh baby, I may not even be around you that time.
"Well, it depends. If you be a good girl, maybe you'll get one." Eli giggled and nodded.
"I be a good giwl." I chuckled and kissed her cheek.
"That's my girl. Come on now, close your eyes." I grabbed her hand in mind and caressed the back of it slowly as Eli closed her eyes, her long lashes resting against her cheek.
"No weave me Ehwad, I wov you." she murmured sleepily and I leaned down to kiss her closed eyes.
"I love you too baby. I'm right here." For now.
I walked out of the room ten minutes later after I was sure Eli was fast asleep. I found Bella nowhere. The kitchen was spotless, only a dim light on. The living room was vacant, I went to the bedroom to see Bella not there either. I sighed and heard some movement in the laundry room. She must be there. I opened the door to see the basket full of clothes on the ground, with clothes tumbled out, her back to me as she stood, her body was shaking. Then I realized what it was.
My jacket lay on the ground pooled at her feet. Fuck, she found her letter. She's going to kill me. Maybe if I pretend I don't know where it came from, I can escape her bashing. Oh lord, what do I do? I cleared my throat softly and her shoulders stiffened. She turned to me, her eyes, red and rimmed with tears.
Bella blinked and they streamed down her eyes in a gentle motion. Her hands were shaking as she held the letter in them. I gauged her reaction. She wasn't angry, no, she was humiliated. Of the letter? Oh no, Bella, why? She finally found the strength in her legs and walked past me towards the bedroom. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. Maybe I'll have to sleep in Eli's bed tonight, or the couch in the living room.
I followed her with defeated footsteps, and realized she hadn't locked the door. I opened the door to find her standing by the edge of the bed, her arms crossed over her chest, the letter still in her hands.
"I'm going to give you two minutes to explain yourself, or I'm going to beat the hell out of you." her words were dead serious and I nodded.
"Why don't you sit for this," she kept standing, unblinking. "Okay."
"Start talking Edward." Bella said through gritted teeth.
"Jake and I went to Forks." Her eyes widened as I said that. I still don't know why I am explaining myself. "We went to your house, where you grew up. We got to know James was going to go from our sources so we went before him. We searched the house down to find clues as to why would he go there and we found something mind-boggling."
"How did you get this letter?"
"It was on your nightstand when I went, I don't know why but I kept it with me."
"Did Jacob read—"
"It was just me." I saw her shoulders relax a little. "I'm sorry, I know it was yours but I took it before James could, for some reason I had to get it. I should've told you that we were going Forks but I didn't want you worrying, I know you are not ready to go to Forks, that's why."
"What did you find?"
"I uh, I can't tell you." I ran a hand through my hair.
"Why not? He's my father, you went in my dad's house, how do I not deserve an explanation?" she glared at me and I sighed.
"Sit down." I motioned to the bed but she didn't. I rolled my eyes. "Sit down Bella." I said a little forcefully and she huffed but did. I walked over to sit by her side. I took the letter from her hands gently and kept it at a distance on the bed.
"There was drug trafficking happening in Seattle all those years ago and your dad found some leads about it, he had it in his files, we got them before James got there. We were setting up microphones around your house when I went upstairs and saw the letter, you don't have to be embarrassed about it and Jake and I were both in your room when we heard James and the others pull up their cars. We escaped from your window and rushed to the woods. We just have to find out James' connection to this all and how did your dad know about this." I said in a hush whisper and I wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"We think Deputy Frank knew about this too, that's why he was shot." She looked at me with a startled gaze.
"But mom and dad were in an accident." Her voice was a broken whisper and I stroked her hair.
"I know love, but we think maybe it was a staged car crash, someone had planned it, but we aren't sure. We still haven't figured out why they are trying to reach you or track you for that matter though."
"But why dad? It wasn't his fault and my mom, she was innocent. I can't believe this, all these years I believed it was an unfateful event and suddenly I get to know, it was planned!" her brown eyes locked with my green ones and I did not have any answer to her remark.
"I don't know Bella but we'll find out soon enough I promise." I assured her and she shook her head, staring at her fingers.
"They were my parents Edward, how can I not be restless about this? They were my everything. You read my stupid diary letter. Eight years and I'm still not over it and suddenly everything crashes back, it's like opening old wounds! I just don't know what to do, I feel so drained." A tear dropped from her eye and she wiped it away. I could feel her breathing get shallow, her fingers were a little shaky. All she should be worrying about is herself, why is she trying to think about her parents right now?
"Bella, I will find out about this, whatever it takes, whatever happens to me, okay? James won't even come near you, I promise. Just try to keep these things away from your mind please." she looked up at me, tears in her eyes, that silently streamed.
"I have already lost my parents to this Edward, I don't want to lose you too." She whispered and my eyes softened at her words. Maybe it's because she would feel guilty about everything happening because of her, but the small voice in my head again crept into my ear; that maybe, maybe because she cares for me.
"No Bella, you will never lose me to this." I said in a quiet voice, with as much confidence I could muster and she slammed herself in my arms, sobbing violently. I kissed her hair and rubbed her back slowly.
"Hush baby, everything's alright. Don't worry about anything. I'm here." I murmured against her hair and settled her carefully on my lap. Bella buried her face in my neck and I could feel her hot tears rolling down my neck. I tightened my arms around her and let her get it all out.
I held her for I don't know how long and I gently rocked her figure. Why does she physically exhaust herself, I'll never know. I could feel her just whimper against me now and eventually her breathing evened out. I could feel her heavy breathing against me and knew she had cried herself to sleep. I laid her down on the bed and covered her form with the duvet. She stirred a little but went back to a deep slumber right away.
My phone buzzed and I answered, just the call I was waiting for.
"Alex." I greeted and heard him sigh.
"James lost his shit when he found nothing at Chief Swan's." I chuckled.
"That was the plan."
"Oh Edward, he's furious. You should've seen his face, he was about scratch everybody's eyes right out."
"Then why didn't that dickhead go all those years ago?"
"Maybe he isn't that smart."
"So what next?"
"We're going New York. Tomorrow. Finally." He sighed and I stared at Bella's sleeping form.
"What time?"
"We leave at 2:30 in the afternoon." I calculated the time they would take to reach. Around four hours. So that's 6:30 and New York is ahead by three hours so 09:30. Whatever it is, it must be taking place not tomorrow but the day after.
"Oh, okay. Tell me how it goes."
"So, what did you find out when you checked the files?" I dictated everything that Jake and I searched for and he was shocked would be an understatement.
"Holy fucking shit." Was all he could muster. Shit it is. "Did you tell Bella?"
"I had to, it's her dad, it's her house."
"How did she take it?"
"Not well, at all."
"You better make sure she's okay." I frowned.
"Weren't you the one telling me to not get too involved into her?"
"I was telling you to not get involved, not stop taking care of her." I rolled my eyes.
"Alex you're an ass."
"Thank you my friend. I got to meet her someday. She has mustered to melt your heart so easily, she must be magic." I chuckled and turned to her peaceful sleeping form. Her body shimmered in the dark, the moonlight illuminating her figure. She was an angel.
"Yeah she is." I murmured and he laughed from the other side.
"And how's the sex?" I frowned at that.
"What sex?"
"Don't tell me you two haven't had sex yet."
"No we haven't."
"Okay, that's why you're so cranky." He said it like he just solved the mystery behind the Bermuda triangle. Bermuda triangle? Why am I thinking about that now?
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Nothing dick, it's just a surprise your balls haven't turned blue."
"Alex, shut the fuck up."
"Alright, I'm sorry." He laughed. "So, you are never going down on her."
"Great choice of words," I muttered under my breath. "Well, we'll see about that later. We just started dating."
"Edward you sleep with a woman before you go out on a date with her."
"Bella's different." I murmured and he chuckled.
"You've got it bad," he teased and I glared at no one in particular. "Just don't let it go too far." He said in all seriousness.
"You can't speak from both the sides."
"All I'm saying is that you have to be careful about everything around, some serious shit is about to go down."
"Alex, I'm just going to go with the flow, let things happen the way they want to with her. You just confuse me even more. I've been acting weird all the day because of your morning speech."
"Alright, do whatever you want, just be careful."
"I will." My phone buzzed and I saw Fred calling me. "I have another call waiting, I'll talk to you later. Bye."
"Bye Edward." I ended the call and answered Fred's.
"Fred, what have you got for me?"
"Ricky Carter." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
"I don't think we'll be needing some informa—"
"Ricky Carter is alive Edward, his location is here, right in front of me."
"He died ten years ago as the records say but he provided James and Victoria money until the last five years." I dictated what I knew about him.
"Yes, he is alive. We tracked his back account again and found he had it joint with another account, this action happened five years ago, I don't know how that slipped out from us." he muttered and I chuckled.
"That's okay, so what more?"
"There has been regular transactions happening from the account."
"What's the location?"
"It's here Edward, right in fucking New York." My eyes widened. James is going to New York tomorrow, he must be meeting Ricky Carter. I ran a hand through my hair.
"Where is he right this minute?"
"Olive 8." I frowned as I had heard this name before.
"That sounds familiar." I mused and Fred gave out a humorless chuckle.
"Fucking hell Edward, don't you want to know whose bank account is it joint to?"
"Whose is it?" I sat on the bed with a thud as Fred dictated the name. Oh my fucking god.
"Are you sure there is absolutely no mistake in the name?" I asked sternly and Fred laughed.
"Believe me Edward, I would never make a mistake about that fucker." My hold on the phone tightened almost at the point of crushing it.
"I'll be there first thing in the morning, keep an eye on him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WTC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Extremely sorry for the very, very, very late update, but I just couldn't find time for this, but I have decided I'm going to make time for the story. I know you guys weren't expecting a chapter like this, so, I don't know, um, un-fluffy, is that even a word?
Anyway, Breese- I love you, truly.
Daniella, no I didn't give up but yeah well, I did think about it but then decided against it.
Who do you think it is? Let me know.
Review and let me know how you feel.
Again sorry for the late update, I'll try to get the next one faster.
Love Always,
Paint the Walls.