Hi Everyone... Most importantly, I want to thank everyone for reading my story. I appreciate the comments, reviews and recs. I, also, welcome any suggestions. And I want to thank the many people who place this story on alert or in the favorites that I can't PM. Just know, I thank you for giving my story a chance.

Okay, more …. let me thank am13er for introducing me to Fan Fiction... Thank you, Amber.

And I want to thank Linda Cullenboyz, Beautiful Beta. She edits at the drop of a hat with lightning bolt speed and accuracy. She knows every comma, misspelled word and improper phrase... my grammar lifesaver!

I can't thank her enough for writing my wrongs. (ooo love this pun!)

And as always, Stephenie Meyer owns the characters. I just borrow them for a bit.

XOXOX

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Finding Home Chapter Twenty-one: Will This Ever End?

From previous chapter:

Charlie walks quickly into the room. He's talks into his radio.

"Yeah, okay. I'm on my way." He looks at Edward and me. "Bella, stay here. Both of you don't leave the house for anything. I've got a squad car on the way."

"Dad? What is it?" I run to him.

"Just do as I say, Bella. I need you to stay inside." He looks at Edward. "Both of you."

Charlie heads out the door, but yells back, "And stay clear of the windows!"

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I walk towards the front door but stop in my tracks when I hear my father yell from outside, "Bella, don't make me come back into that house!"

Edward grabs my arm and pulls me back. "I swear, he has fucking eyes in the back of his head!"

Charlie yells again, "And hold onto her her, Edward!" The screech of his tires ring out with the cruiser's sirens.

Edward mumbles, "That's fucking freaky!"

"Naw, he just knows me." I pull him towards the kitchen. "Let's go ask your mom."

We walk into the kitchen to find Esme clearing the table. Mags sits with her leg up eating a chocolate chip cookie with a huge plateful in front of her and a cup of tea to the side.

With mouth full and hand over her lips, "These cookies are just amazing, Bella." She giggles grabs her cup, takes a sip and swallows. "I think you should put your talents to work and open up a bakery. Forks could use a good one." She grabs another cookie from the plate, takes a huge bite out of it and smiles.

"Thanks, Mags," I happily say, sit next to her and grab a cookie from her plate. I smile at her, as she hugs me. "Maybe I'll take some business classes to run a bakery."

"I knew you were a smart girl!" she chirps. "And I could be your sales girl slash cashier?"

"Oh, you are hired, ma'am!" I exclaim with a goofy grin.

Edward leans over, grabs a cookie and sits down next to me. "Maybe, I could design the building."

Esme sits next to Edward. "That's a lot of maybes."

"Mom, we have time to choose. And we both want to go to school close by." Edward informs her.

I look at him with every ounce of surprise. "When did you decide this?"

"Right after you said you wanted to be close to the Chief," he spills out.

My eyes betray me and tear up. I quietly whisper, "You'd do that for me?"

Edward grabs my hand. "Bella, didn't you call us your family, when you were bitching at your mom?"

I nod my head. "I said that without thinking, it was so natural."

"Then, it's natural for me, too." He sweetly smooths a finger over my cheek and looks devilishly at me. "You can't live a second without me." He smirks.

I smack his arm. "Oh please, like you can either?"

"Mags giggles, "It's the Platt curse... ahhh... charm?" She proudly announces, "They act like an old married couple."

I giggle, "We practically live together!"

Mags interjects, "Don't let Charlie hear you say that!"

I look at Edward and huff, "Oh yeah, we got side-tracked. Esme, what happened with my dad? What's going on? He basically ordered us to stay in the house."

Edward tells Esme, "And away from the windows."

"Charlie received a call from the station. Apparently, with James Sr. and Jr. being detained, the younger brother, Jared, was placed in a foster home," Esme explains.

Kidding around, Edward chuckles, "Did he beat up the family?"

Esme frowns. "I'm afraid he did. Well, he knocked one of the other children out, tied up the foster mother and took a gun from the foster father's gun rack."

"Where was the father?" Edward asks.

Esme shakes her head. "He was at work."

"They had a gun rack out in the open?" I ask.

"No, he found the cabinet and cracked it open," Esme sighs.

"Jesus, I knew he was the Devil's spawn!" I yelp.

"He's an angry kid. James Jr. would rile him up, before we would work with him at Emmett's place. He was always a handful." Edward
grumbles.

I nod. "I remember when I went with you the one time. He kept kicking you, when your back was turned."

"Yeah, we had a problem with him and dirty fighting. He's a Hunter alright!"

Edward gets up and walks to the refrigerator. "You want a glass of milk?" he asks me.

"No thank you." I smile.

The back door to the garage opens and I jump. Alice walks in with Jasper. We all stare at them.

Jaspers chuckles, "What? You guys look like you've seen a ghost."

Edward explains about Jared, Charlie's warnings and the arrival of a cruiser any minute. Alice sits next to me and covers my hand with hers.

"You okay, Bella?" she whispers in my ear.

I lean my head into hers. "I've felt better, Alice."

"You know, all of this will blow over and your ribs will heal... And we can start getting ready for the Homecoming Dance," Alice squeals with excitement. "Everyone is all buzzing at school. I can finally go to a dance with someone other than Jasper."

"Hey!" Jasper protests. "I do all the boyfriend stuff for dances."

"Yes, you do, Jazzy. But it will be great having Bella with me and Edward with you. No one ever talks to us," she whines, then turns to me, "I promise, once all the Hunters are in custody, we will concentrate on Homecoming. Okay? We'll go to Seattle for dresses." I squeeze her hand.

Alice hugs me carefully. "I'm so excited!"

Edward points at me and adds, "And your ribs have to be healed!"

"Okay, DAD!" I glare. "Alice, when is the dance?"

Alice chew on a cookie. "Um, in like four weeks, I think?"

"That's plenty of time to heal. Besides, I want us to have some normalcy. No more bullies or injuries." I raise an eyebrow. "We need to do things at school."

Esme agrees, "Hear. Hear!"

Mags interjects, "Yes. You kids can do the Christmas Pageant." She gets all excited. "Or the talent show. You two can play guitar and sing. Or Edward you could play piano, while Bella plays guitar. That would be wonderful."

I say to Edward, pleading, "Or just go out on dates." I look at Alice. "Double with you and Jasper."

"Right on!" Jasper walks over and fist pumps me. He grabs a few cookies, too. He sits at the island.

There is a knock at the front door and Esme strides toward the doorway. "I'll get it. It's probably the officer."

Edward gets up, but Esme waves him to sit back down. "Really, Honey, I don't think little Jared would be knocking."

We all listen carefully, as Esme talks with the officer. She walks back into the kitchen with him. This guy is the Hulk, only not green! He truly makes Emmett look small.

Esme introduces him, "Everyone, this is Officer Banks."

He shyly interrupts, "Please, call me Kevin."

We all do our waves and say "hi" to Kevin, while Esme does the "mom" thing, gets him a cup of coffee and brings out the cookie jar.

Kevin sits at the island with Jasper. Both grab a cookie out of the jar. Kevin eats his in two bites. The man is mammoth. I stare at him and take in his size. Jasper's tall, but really thin. So, he sort of disappears next to Kevin. He's taller than Edward, and Edward is 6'2". So, by quick deductions, I think Kevin is 6'6" easily.

Edward is muscular on a medium size. Just the right amount of muscle and not overly bulky. But Kevin fills out his uniform at the seams. His upper arms are the size of my waist. Okay, I am not a big person, but his arms are huge.

I focus in on his hands. They could cover my entire head and still hang over my shoulders. He is massive. I can't imagine anyone getting past this guy. Oh, and his feet? Boats. Edward wears a size twelve. His feet are long and narrow. But Kevin's feet fill the boot long and wide. He is one giant of a guy. I could stray from my good thoughts and sink really deep and dirty. The feet are a symbol of a guy's junk. Now, Edward's is pretty hefty, but I can imagine what Kevin's would be. No, don't want to go there. So, back to my assessment of Kevin...

He is a good looking man, too. Probably around thirty, thirty-two in age. Pale blue eyes that stand out from his long black lashes. Yeah, he reminds me of Elvis with a short military buzz cut. His square, clean-shaven jawline connects with a huge, thick neck. There is not an ounce of fat on this he-man. He is a mountain of pure muscle. I would bet my mother's diamond he still plays football; a quarterback's dream.

I finally tune in to his speech that everything is being done for our safety. Not like I question this. My dad is the Chief!

I also learn that Kevin is our inside guy, while Office Sean McGraff watches the outside perimeter. Kevin informs us that Sean is as big, if not bigger, than he is. Dad pulled out all the stops. No one could get into this house. Yet, if they did try, Kevin and Sean would be forces to reckon with. The Titan Team. The Gruesome Twosome. The Duo of Dynamite. I shake my head.

Edward watches me with a frown. "What are you thinking?"

Totally clueless to his question. "Why are you asking?"

"Bella, you're staring at Kevin kind of weird," he grumbles. What? Is he jealous?

"Have you noticed he's kind of huge?" Sarcasm reeks from me. Leaning into Edward, I whisper in his ear, "Edward, I'm surprised he fit through the door. And this Sean guy is supposed to be bigger? I'm amazed at the men my dad sent over here."

"You looked like you were looking at him. You know, looking at him!"

"What do you mean by looking at him?" Still clueless.

"Like looking at him. Taking him in. C'mon, Bella!" he says through clenched teeth.

My eyes bug out and I shout, "Are you serious?"

Now, the room is quiet and everyone looks at me with great surprise. I stand. "Excuse me." I run out of the room, holding my side. I don't stop, until I am downstairs.

Then, I pace mumbling to myself, "Where does he get off thinking I am looking at...?" I grit my teeth. "God!"

Edward comes down the stairs. He slows his steps, when he gets to the room, but doesn't move from the door.

I look up at him with devil's eyes. "You thought I was checking him out? Edward, he's almost twice my fucking age!"

"You were really looking at him," he quietly repeats. His head is down.

"Why would I want to look at anyone else, when I have you?" I automatically answer. My chest just hurts.

He looks up and smiles, a genuine sweet smile.

"Okay, I wasn't going to bring this up. But it's a good example." I hesitate.

Edward leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest.

I wave my hands all over the place. "I found you in here on the sofa with a naked Lauren Mallory all over you. Did I accuse you of kissing her?" I take a deep breath and whisper, "No! I knew it was all her. I trusted you." I emphasize, "I TRUST you." He sighs. "I trust you."
He nervously runs his hands through his hair and over his face. "I didn't like you looking at him. Okay?"

I walk over to him and hug him around the waist. "I promise I won't look at another guy. I'll keep my head down. I'll look the other way. Oooo, I'll wear a blindfold."

He chuckles with his head resting on mine. "Okay. Okay. I get it. I won't render you blind."

"Edward, it doesn't matter how many guys I look at." I smile up at him. "I only see you."

He cups my face with his hands, lowers his head and leans into me with his lips touching mine ever so gently. At first, sweet pecks cover my mouth. I breathe him in and taste the chocolate of the cookies.

Edward smooths his thumbs over my cheeks, smiles and touches my forehead with his own. "I love you, Bella," he whispers.

And I whisper back, "I love you, too."

The kisses become passionate, but he carefully runs his hands down my arms and holds me close, so watchful of my ribs. We hold one another in silence. He rubs my back, tenderly with his fingertips, as I massage his scalp.

"You really want the normal? Homecoming? Christmas Pageant? Dates?" he asks.

"Yeah, I do"

"Okay."

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I can happily say, after returning from my doctor's appointment, that my ribs are on the mend. They are no longer cracked, but bruised. I have the okay to go back to school and be normal.

Kevin and Sean follow Edward and me to school, the next morning. They are our massive shadows. Dad didn't want to take any chances with Jared still out and about. Which for Charlie, was an embarrassment, since the Forks police couldn't find the little cretin.

The crime rate in Forks isn't like New York. We live in Happyville, USA. Nothing really happens here. Everyone knows everyone's business. So, the entire town keeps their eyes open and all available officers are on the lookout for a nine-year toting a pistol. To the town's people, this is an atrocity that upsets the natural balance of peaceful surroundings, beautiful scenery and sweet children. Forksians are happy, secure and family balanced. Jared's wayward behavior upsets their applecarts.

They love their Chief of police. Charlie is their king in their eyes. Uncomfortably, I am the princess of Forks. So automatically, Edward gets to be my prince.

Mags loves it, because we are the royal families of the Greater Pacific Peninsula; the Swans and the Cullens... And the lone Platt by association through Esme.

The newspapers stories on murder, embezzlement and a mini-criminal- at-large lay open to gossip and intrigue. Look, what do these people have to do on a daily basis other than watch the sun rise and set?

People want to sweep anyone by the name of Hunter under the rug and call it a day! The sympathies and good wishes are in the masses. Esme answers the door to pies, cakes, casseroles and fresh deer meat, every hour on the hour. It annoys the crap out of Edward and me, but we also appreciate the fact that that these people really care and feel horrible about the bullying and harassment.

As we arrive at school and get out of the truck, we see Lauren, Larry, Tanya and Jessica, the welcoming committee for Do-Gooders Anonymous, approach us. They apologize for every lousy thing they ever did in the past and beg forgiveness.

Edward and I stand there with our mouths wide open in utter shock, as the crowd grows larger. One person after the other asks us about James and his father. Will they go to jail? Or will James Sr. get the death sentence?

I turn my head and see Jane walk around the crowd. Our eyes meet and she smirks with this deadly gaze. Like in slow motion, she passes us. I can hear her crazy laugh trail behind her. The girl is just creepy.

And I wonder, "Wait, why is she at school?"

I shake my head and mumble, "Not my problem."

Edward lowers his head to say in my ear, "What did you say?"

I give him a smile, shrug and say, "Nothing."

Finally, Kevin and Sean, who is larger than Kevin by the way, push the crowd from us and escort Edward and me into school.

Edward and I have the same classes. There is no time of the day I am alone. Even though Kevin and Sean are with us, Edward is by my side. You'd think he would get tired of me.

Being back at school is great. No bullies. Classes are interesting. Lauren and Jessica do keep their distance. I think they are afraid Jared will pop out of nowhere, take a potshot at either Edward or me and they get hurt.
I really don't care. At least, I don't hear their whiny voices.

I still have little twinges of pain, but my ribs aren't a problem. Edward, on the other hand... He manages to keep a watchful eye on my activities. He doesn't want me to drive, because of handling the wheel. I can understand that, but I really like it when he drives. PE is out of the question. Like I care? In the cafeteria, he buys me lunch and serves it to me. It's all so sweet. But I really think, if I allowed him to feed me, he would. I am not helpless.

Chorus is a great class. The only thing I don't like is that I am in the soprano section, while Edward is with the basses. Yes, he's on one end of the stage, while I am far away from him on the other side. We give one another the stink eye from afar.

The teacher, Miss Goodman, loves that we play the guitar and Edward, the piano. She wants to arrange a duet with the two of us for the Christmas show. No more pageant. No junior or senior will do it. So, it's now a showcase of songs.

There is a lot of talk about Homecoming. Alice is the chairperson of organizing and the decorating committee, which means we will be her gossamer slaves. Edward and Jasper roll their eyes and sigh a lot, but they really are pretty good about all of this.

Edward and I are partners in Biology class, sharing our own little table. We have a project of bloodline to do. Trace our family blood types. We put our heads together for extra credit. I know this is very premature, but we did a blood history of our combination of blood to our future children.
Yeah, it makes me smile. And I can see us married with children. That really makes me smile.

I love children. I love their innocence. Their sweetness and honesty. I want to be a mom, a good mom. I want them all to look like Edward. Wild, fiery hair and soulful green eyes. And when he gets upset, he scrunches up his eyebrows. I want to see that in our children.

And they will have music and know the Beatles. I don't want them to wonder who John, Paul, George and Ringo are. When they are old enough, they will play an instrument. It's important. I know music keeps me sane. Edward says it, too. So, yeah, we will have musical kids.

Children. Bad children. I think of Jared. Where is he? He's a little boy, just nine years old... with a gun.

Charlie is hardly home, out looking for him. "He just vanished off the face of the earth," he says. "Not on the radar."

Dad and I bounce off ideas about him. Makes me wonder about his survival skills. Is he out in the forest? Did he find someplace to hide? Is he eating? He's just a little boy. Okay, a mean, nasty little boy, but he's alone. Or is he?

On Saturday, Alice and I go to Seattle in search of the perfect Homecoming dress. Naturally, Edward and Jasper are with us, and Kevin and Sean; our entourage of protective men. I can't complain. Edward insists on picking out my dress, since he's the one who will be looking at me all night. His words not mine.

Jaspers wants the same rights, but Alice informs him he has no taste and she will do the selecting of "the dress". He can just admire it.

Alice and I sit, as a mini fashion show of models show the top line of gowns. The entourage of males impatiently fidget in their seats, until they receive food and drink. Edward and Jasper mumble happily to one another, as Kevin and Sean decline at first. The salesgirl returns with hot coffee for our bodyguards and more mini sandwiches.

Alice and I laugh, when we see how very small these sandwiches look in Kevin and Sean's huge hands. All four guys eat two platters and complain they are still very hungry.

It's our turn to do the modeling. Alice and I prance down the short runway, in gown after gown. With Alice's black hair (from a bottle, since she is a redhead like her twin), she looks amazing in this hot pink, taffeta cocktail dress. It's strapless with jewels around the sweetheart bodice fitted to the waist with a full skirt of sheer, hot pink fabric. And her shoes are a silver high heel with clear rhinestone draping over the front of the foot.

Jasper hoots and fist bumps Edward. Alice blushes, while Kevin and Sean eat another tray of mini sandwiches.

I like the color blue. And Edward loves blue on my skin. His words, not mine! So yeah, all the dresses are blue. I walk out in this fitted royal blue sheer and lace cocktail dress with a criss-cross pattern and Edward's eyes just bulge. His smile wakes up his whole face and he gives me a thumbs up. I like the fit of this dress. It hugs my curves. Edward says it makes my ass look "ass worthy". Whatever that means.

My shoes are also silver with rhinestones that shell the front of my foot, They complement the dress with a bit of sparkle. I think Alice and I will outshine the Forks Homecoming queen.

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Well, it's Homecoming night. We are all very happy for winning our football game.

"Whoopee, I'm so excited," I yelp with sarcasm, as Alice brushes out my hair.

"Will you stay still, Bella? You're not making this very easy. You have so much hair!" Alice scolds me.

"How about a high ponytail and we can call it a day?" I smile.

She giggles. "Yeah, that will do with this dress." Thank God.

Both Edward and Jasper sit in the living room, as we walk down the stairs, making our entrance. They smile and stand at the foot of the stairs, and Jasper grabs Alice, while Edward wraps me in his arms.

"You look..." He holds me tight. "and smell amazing."

He holds my hands and steps back. "I really like that color."

"Yeah. Yeah. It's good on my skin." I smile and take him in. "You look pretty good yourself in that suit."

Alice orders, "Okay, let's go show these people the real deal!"

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Instead of driving the truck, we take my Mustang. Edward drives all of us out to school, while Kevin and Sean follow right behind in their cruiser.

I can hear the loud music from the gym, as Edward helps me out of the car. We push the passenger seat forward and Jasper gets out. He turns with an extended hand for Alice.

We walk in to the gym to find a wonderland of gossamer drapes of navy and glittery gold, our school colors. Spartans are our mascot and they adorn every corner of the gym. Some in chariots. Some on horseback. Alice really shows her creativity and wild imagination with unique designs and textures.

The King and Queen thrones on the stage are gold with a navy velveteen fabric with gold embroidered designs with matching foot pillows. Both thrones have a halo of gold gossamer, hanging from the ceiling.

Alice smile broadly at her expressive accomplishments. Jasper gives her a gentlemanly bow and kisses her hand. Edward and I just stare. She knows we like it. Kevin and Sean tap her shoulders with grand approval. Oh, we certainly won't be able to live with her, tonight. The cat eats up every canary. And Alice meows.

The banquet spreads throughout the lengthy tables. Coverings of navy tablecloths with gold glitter, candlesticks with navy and gold candles and a golden flowing fountain of fruit punch.

The feast is a simple, savage meal of roasted turkey legs, BBQ chicken wings, onion rings, french fries, dips with raw vegetables, fruit salad in watermelon baskets, cakes, pies and assorted cookies.

There is a new voting ballot for the King and Queen, all anonymous votes. No one is aware who the winners will be.

Two teachers, Mr. Delgado and Mrs. Stern, from the art department walk up on the stage readying to announce the Homecoming pair.

Holding the microphone, Mr. Delgado speaks, "Good evening, everyone." Everyone hoots and hollers.

Mrs. Stern smiles and proudly chirps into her microphone, "Didn't Alice Cullen do an amazing job with all the decorations and food? I think we look like a five star hotel." She giggles. More hoots and hollers. We scream.

Mr. Delgado clears his throat and blares into the microphone, "And we have the results of our King and Queen!" More shouts and applause.
He hands the envelope to Mrs. Stern.

"Okay, Homecoming King is..." She opens envelope and she jumps up and down. "Edward Cullen."

"Come on up, Edward," Mr. Delgado sings.

Edward looks at me in shock. Me? I shout and tell him to get up on stage. And if they call Lauren Mallory's name, I'll hurl!

Alice hugs Edward and pushes him towards the stage. Then, grabs my hand. Jasper fist bumps him, while Kevin and Sean nod.

Mrs. Stern places the crown on Edward's head and hugs him... a little bit too long for my liking.

"Okay, okay, settle down, everybody. Now, for our Homecoming Queen... drum roll." He makes a lame drum roll noise. "Bella Swan!"
The place erupts with screams. Alice cries, hugging me and Jasper, while jumping up and down. I feel dizzy.

As I walk up on the stage, I see Edward smile at me. Mr. Delgado places the crown on my head and hugs me too long, too. What's with these teachers?

Edward and I stand next to one another. The lights blare in my eyes, but I see a figure coming to the front. A small figure in a hoodie holding a gun.

I look at Edward and we both yell out to one another. And there is a shot. I see blood, lots of blood and the room becomes dark.

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Blood, lots of blood... hmmm, who's blood?

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A/N Well, being a new FF writer, I am feeling my way through the Fandom. And for an old broad, I am learning a whole new road to walk down. Hence, getting more reviews and getting known by more readers.

I am reading this fic that is so good. It's by another newbie. I am highly recommending you take the time for this story.

The story is "Not Tonight" by MMcF (WIP) GO CHECK IT OUT!

recs: all completed

Serendipity by Suzie55

A Quiet Fire by Magnolia822

Strange Brew by Magnolia822

The Cannabean Betrothal by ItzMegan73

Late Night Encounters by Kyla713

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You can find me on Twitter: Gabby1017

Facebook: Gail Gaber (Gabby)