I realise World Book Day (in the UK) is in March, and this story is currently set in December, but we can just ignore that little detail. Noah really wanted to dress up and I couldn't say no to him ;)

This chapter was meant to be longer, but then I strained a muscle in my wrist which made it much harder to write so I had to decide which part to leave until the next chapter. Hope you understand!

Chapter Twenty-one.

"Momma, I can take all my animals, right?"

"Um, that wasn't part of the plan, Noah."

"But I got'sa have ma Lost Boys!"

Noah and Corin's school were holding a Book Day where the kids were allowed to dress up as their favorite book character, bring a copy of the book to school and then do a small speech on the story and why they liked it so much. Apparently Corin had had some struggle deciding which was her favorite, but her final decision was between Katniss Everdeen or Hermione Granger; I looked forward to seeing who she picked. Noah, on the other hand, didn't quite get the idea. At first he deliberated between Sulley or Woody (standard) and claimed that he had books for both the movies.

"That's very true, but Monsters Inc and Toy Story were movies first - you need to pick something that was originally a book. How about Peter Pan? You love him." It took Noah a while to understand that Peter Pan wasn't always a Disney movie, and after I had found my dog-eared copy of J.M. Barrie's novel, he was well and truly on board. We had fun finding him an outfit and cutting up an old green t-shirt to give it Peter's signature jaggy edges, however Noah almost had a melt down when I admitted to him that neither of us had a hat in which to stick a feather into. Thankfully Edward came to the rescue and said that he had a green beanie which Noah could use and that we would meet outside school before the bell rang to give it to him.

"I realize that Peter needs his Lost Boys, but the school won't allow you to bring live animals with you." My eyes scanned over to his over-flowing basket of toys when an idea came to mind, "I know," I announced quickly and headed towards said basket with Noah quick on my heels, "apart from Peter, who does Captain Hook not like?"

Noah put on his adorable thinking face, "hmm... well sometimes he can get real super annoyed with Smee, 'cause Smee does silly things."

I should have known that my boy would outsmart me with any question, "okay let me phrase that differently. There's a certain sound that Hook doesn't like and when he hears it he gets very scared..."

"Oh, the crocodile! Tick, tock, tick, tock!"

"That's it. So how about you take your crocodile plushy with you?" I pulled the toy free from the mound and handed it over to my son who glanced at him warily.

"I guess it might work... Okay, I'll take it and I'mma gonna call him Gary." I didn't question him on his choice of name - I'll never understand Noah when it comes to naming things.

The next morning arrived and I was busy getting Noah ready for his day as Peter Pan. Five minutes before we were supposed to leave I got a call from a stressed-out Edward saying that Corin had changed her mind last minute and now no longer wished to be Hermione Granger. "Do you have a leather jacket she can borrow? Apparently a brown leather jacket is vital for this Katniss chick. And can you do side-braids? 'Cause there is no chance in hell I'm going to get that right."

"Breathe, Edward," I laughed lightly and headed back to my room to find a jacket suitable for Corin to wear. "You do realize this coat will drown her, right?"

"Yes, but I'm sure it'll be smaller than the one I offered."

"Fair enough. Don't worry, I'll bring a couple with me. Just remember to bring a hair brush and some hair ties so I can do her hair."

"Thank you! I owe you one, Bella."

We met up in the school parking lot which had become some sort of tradition for us, usually Corin was very chirpy and excited, but that particular morning she was the complete opposite of herself and looked as though she was about to burst into tears at any given moment. As Edward dealt with Noah and fixing his beanie onto my son's head, I went to suss out the problem with my favorite girl.

"Daddy can't get my outfit right and no-one will know I'm Katniss if my outfit isn't right!"

"Well," I smirked and began to open the plastic bag in my hand, "it's lucky I've brought a few supplies with me then, isn't it? Now let's start off with your hair..." With the few minutes we had spare before the bell rang I managed to work some magic and form a dutch side-braid and roll up the sleeves of my leather jacket so that it didn't drown her too much.

"But it's still too big!"

"Isn't it meant to be too big? I thought her jacket originally belonged to her father?"

Corin thought for a second and then smiled her beautiful, gleaming smile. "Oh yeah! I completely forgot about that. Thanks Bella!" As the school bell rang Edward and I said our goodbyes and 'see-you-laters' to the children and watched as they happily walked through the gates. Now, usually Edward and I would get into our cars and make our way back to the stables to begin a days work, but sometimes we would stop off at the IHOP we pass on the way.

"Pancakes?" I asked with a slight grin on my face. Edward had asked for the day off, but that didn't often stop us, however this time when I asked he answered hesitantly whilst pulling at the cow licks that made up his hair.

"Um... I can't today... I have an important meeting with Rose in half an hour."

"Oh?" I didn't know what he had planned for his day off, and it's not really any of my business, but I thought he would have told me about an important meeting. "What is it about?"

"Er, I don't want to say much just yet. But if all goes to plan I'll come over tomorrow and fill you in?"

"Um... okay? I'll see you later then?"

"Of course." With the back of his hand Edward gently stroked my cheek, "it's nothing to worry about, so take that horrified look off your face. I'll see you later."

We went our separate ways with a strange feeling that fluttered throughout my chest.

0-0

The downside to the winter months was how quickly everything got dark. I hadn't even started making the dinner and already it was pitch black outside. I hated the dark - unless I could see everything that surrounded me, I was not okay - but of course I had to put a brave face on for Noah; if he saw me freaking out, he would only freak out too and the last thing I wanted to do was frighten him.

For dinner I made us a bacon and cheese pasta bake which went down very well and to my surprise Noah assisted me in clearing up and feeding the dogs before we went upstairs for bath time. "I don't smell, Momma, so do I really gotta have a bath?" The water was already running and I had squeezed a few dollops of his favorite bubble bath to start the bubbly process.

"You've had a busy day in Never Land, baby, so you need to get all fresh for tomorrow." I helped my son wriggle out of his Peter Pan costume and made sure the bath water was at perfect temperature before he jumped in.

"Maybe... maybe you could read the story to me?"

"You want me to read Peter Pan to you?"

"Yeah!"

"Why don't you read it? You are such a good reader, Noah."

We didn't make a solid decision and before it could turn into a full blown argument I called quits on the idea and started up a new conversation about what the other kids had dressed up as, but it was as Noah started his long list of characters that we were interrupted by Zucko barking loudly downstairs, followed by Buzz's higher pitched yap.

"The dogs are hungry again, right Momma? That's why they are barking."

I simply shook my head to the whole thing, and soon they stopped making such a noise... for about five minutes, and then started again. This time Zucko's bark had more of a warning to it, like he was trying to scare something or warn whatever it is that he means business. I knew my dog all to well to know when Zucko is barking for attention, and when he's not.

"Stay right here. I'll be back in a minute." I did my best to keep my voice as steady as possible, when inside I was screaming and wanted nothing more than to drop to the floor and cry. With shaking hands I gripped a hold of the stair rail and took the stairs one step at a time. "Zucko, Buzz, hush," I had hoped my harsh voice would have made them listen, but if anything it did the exact opposite - Zucko stood between me and the front door and growled menacingly at whatever had crossed him the wrong way.

A loud thud - like someone kicking a piece of wood - came from outside, followed by the loud scuffling of stones before a pounding on the front door. I quickly turned on my heel and ran back up the stairs before I could allow the fear and pain to take over. I managed to get Noah out the bath without him questioning my actions too much and had him run up to this room to get changed.

"Bella! Bella open the fucking door!" Again, I tried to cancel out the noises and drunk calling from outside and told myself that I would be perfectly fine thanks to Zucko as my guard dog. "Bella!" He continued to yell, "I will break down this fucking door if you don't open it right. now!"

My hands were shaking that hard that I could barely type in my father's well-known number without making a mistake. The man outside began to kick at my door. Thankfully he hadn't yet aimed for the glass that surrounded the door, but I knew it wouldn't be long before he did.

"Dad," I urged with fierce tears rolling down my cheeks, "D-dad, there is someone outside... he-he's..."

"Bella," Charlie's calm voice worked wonders with me nerves, "calm down. Who is outside?"

"I-I don't know... but they are trying to break in. I think it's Alistair but it sounds... it's sounds like..." It sounded like Mike after he had had too much to drink.

I heard the tell-tale sign of Charlie picking up his keys and opening a door. "I'm on my way now; I will be five minutes, Bella. Will you be okay for five minutes?"

"I don't know... Dad hurry. Zucko is guarding the door at the moment."

"Good; keep your dogs at that door. Stay with Noah and keep yourselves safe."

It was no use pretending to Noah that nothing was happening - you would have had to be deaf in order not to hear the noise our unwelcome guest was making. I took Noah into my bedroom where we had a view of the road and would know when Charlie had arrived. It also had a lockable door just incase Charlie didn't arrive in time.

Without realizing it, I had my phone in my hand once again and a new number already dialing. I clearly knew I didn't just need my Dad in this situation.

"Edward..."

0-0

Edward

Y'know when you watch an action movie and you see a car zoom off into the distance leaving smoke trails and tire marks behind? I always thought that had been added for special effects, or you needed to have some incredibly fast car in order to leave that sort of mark. Well apparently I was wrong; all you need is to know that people you care deeply about are in danger, and your crappy ass truck will leave tyre marks when you step down on that gas peddle.

I had been enjoying a celebratory meal with my parents and Corin when I received the terrifying phone call from Bella. All I could work out was that someone was outside and threatening to break down her door. That was all I needed to hear. Corin begged to come along with me but I didn't have the time to explain why she couldn't and that she had to stay with her grandparents. I said I loved her, kissed her briefly on the cheek, and ran out the door. It generally takes forty-five minutes to drive to the stables and as I drove along the never-ending highway I prayed to fucking God that Bella was smart enough to phone Charlie as well as myself.

I turned into the dirt road that lead to the house but it wasn't until I put my truck into park and jumped from the cab that I noticed Charlie was standing at the side of the house with a man pinned to the wall.

"Get your fucking hands off me." The drunk man slurred, and I instantly recognized that voice as being he voice of Alistair. I knew we hadn't seen the last of him, but one can dream, right? Anger flared throughout my body like nothing I had felt before. To know that Bella and Noah were here all alone with this psycho at their door... I knew that if I didn't control my anger I would be back in a cell before daylight came.

"I should have known you'd turn up here. Like Bella's fucking lap dog -."

Before he could finish off sprouting his bullshit Charlie pressed an arm against Alistair's throat, "I don't think you want to start talking about my daughter that way, buddy, especially if you ever want to walk again. Edward," he turned his head to me, "the cops are on their way - I phoned them just before you arrived. I've got this; you go check on my daughter and grandson. Make sure they are okay."

I didn't move or say a word. I was too angry to comprehend anything that he had said. All I wanted to do was grab Alistair by the hair and thrash his head against that wall, make him regret everything he had done.

"Edward, come on. You don't wanna risk your freedom by allowing your anger to control you."

Charlie was right. I had come so far, and was in touching distance of living with Corin again. I couldn't let this fucker ruin that. As soon as I heard the sirens in the distance, I went inside - if Alistair tried anything now, he wouldn't get very far before the cops caught him.

"Bella?" I called through the house, heading for the stairs first. "Noah?" Christ, where could they be?

"Inky!" Noah's tiny voice was heard from far down the hallway. "Inky, are you there?!"

"I'm here, Lil' man. It's safe to come out now." I stayed at the top of the stairs, unsure of which room they were in. A door at the bottom of the hallway soon opened and out came Noah wearing his pajamas and my beanie still on his head.

"Inky I'm so happy you are here!" He ran to me and I managed to drop to the floor before he caught me. His tiny arms squeezed around my neck. "I was so scared, Inky and Momma wouldn't stop crying, but I didn't cry Inky 'cause I'm five now. And I wore your Peter Pan hat cause it makes me strong."

I held Noah to me like he was the most precious thing in the world, and apart from Corin he was. The things I would do for this tiny family. "It's okay to cry, Noah. It doesn't matter about your age and you can keep that hat, Noah; especially if it makes you strong." Outside the house the sirens blared loudly and sent and mix of blue and red lights through the windows, Noah tensed up in my arms. "It's alright, Lil' Man. I'm here now, and Poppa Charlie is outside - you are perfectly safe." He never said a word, so I changed the subject to Bella instead, "let's go find your Momma, yeah?"

"I... I..."

I stopped walking in order to focus on what he was trying to say, "what is it, Lil' Man?"

"I tried to be the man of the house, Inky... 'member you say to me I have to look after my Momma? I tried Inky, but she kept crying."

"You did a very good job, Noah and I know your Momma is so proud of you because I definitely am."

We found Bella sitting on her bed cuddling a pillow to her middle. "Sweetheart... you're okay now."

"Edward," she gasped, her head shot up to see me, "you came."

"Of course I did, silly girl. You think I was going to stay home?" Bella let go of her pillow which allowed me the space to pull her in for a hug, "I'll always be here for you both, I thought you knew that by now?"

"I was so scared..." She mumbled as tears began to trickle down her flushed cheeks, "it reminded me of... so much. I didn't know what to do."

I had to do whatever it took to calm her, so as one hand stroked her hair the other rubbed circles into her back, "you kept Noah safe - that is all you had to do. I'm so proud of you Bella for how incredibly well you coped. That must have been terrifying."

Nobody said a word for a few minutes, until Bella whispered, "can you stay here tonight? I don't think I can... um... cope by myself... I mean, I can ask my Dad but I think, I think I'd prefer you to stay."

The biggest shit-eating grin crossed my face and had it not been for the situation we were in, I probably would have acted a lot differently. "You don't need to ask me twice. I'll be here until you ask me to leave."

0-0

So... that happened? Good old Inky was there to save the day again (along with Poppa Charlie).

There was the tiniest clue as to what Edward's important meeting was all about - which you will hear about in the next chapter. If you can work it out then 10 gold stars to you!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought :)