Hey everyone! So this is the first chapter in a while that I did not have to rewrite, which I am very happy about. So some of you might not be happy with me and some of you might love me for what I do in this chapter. Ok, so I have good news. I got tickets for Beauty and the Beast I am so happy . Other good news, My Chemical Romance's new album, Danger Days, came out today. I just finished listening to it as I wrote the latter part of this chapter and it is so freaking good! I'm a bit distracted from my writing merely because I love logic puzzles (call me a nerd if you want but I think they're fun) and I just got a puzzle book of them so I've been alternating between doing those and writing, along with reading and working on my art projects. So tomorrow Burlesque comes out in theatres! I am so excited! I've been waiting for this to come out since I saw the preview this summer and now it's finally here. Ok, and so Thanksgiving is on Thursday as we all know. I'll be away with my family seeing my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. I don't remember if I got internet there because it's at a hunting camp. I am bringing my laptop because there is only so much to do so I probably will get some writing done but whether I have internet or not will determine whether I post. I leave Thursday morning and return home Saturday. Anyway, happy turkey day if I don't post again.

Playlist:

Scarecrow by My Chemical Romance

Over at Frankenstein Place by Glee Cast (originally from Rocky Horror)

Possibility by Lykke Li

Roslyn by Bon Iver & St. Vincent

Life on the moon by David Cook

Chasing Pavements by ADELE

Little sparrow by David Cook

Let me sign by Robert Pattinson

Sweet and Low by Augustana

Lean on me by Bill Withers

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

Pure Imagination from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Wagon Wheel by Jeremy McComb

Alice by Avril Lavigne

Keep holding on by Avril Lavigne

Keep your mind wide open by AnnaSophia

Connected by Sarah Paxton

Please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A Peck of Gold

Spencer froze when the door to Bella's office clicked open. She and Mary had been petting Da Vinci who had begged them to scratch his tummy. Mary looked up at Carlisle with innocent eyes, knowing very well that he just might be angry with her. Spencer wondered at that moment if she had made the right decision. Mary wasn't supposed to follow her, despite how much she loved her, but Mary didn't take no for an answer.

Bella dismissed Riley, but not without thanking him for watching the girls, and then he hurried out and shut the door behind him. Carlisle walked over to Mary who jumped into his arms, wrapping her own around his neck. He held her close and kissed her cheek and then Bella pulled up one of the chairs clients would sit in for him to use. He sat down and settled Mary on his lap, and then Bella seated herself next to Spencer on the chaise.

"Girls, we want you to know that we're not angry with you. We merely would like an explanation." Carlisle spoke calmly.

Bella was thankful for his calming presence because she had a million questions running through her mind that she couldn't control if she had to be the one to start the conversation, and, as always Carlisle was cool and collected.

Spencer watched both of the adults carefully, watching for signs of anger despite Carlisle's words. She knew that she could upset Bella by running her but it was better than staying in the shelter. Though it would hurt if she were rejected. Spencer bit her lip and hugged her knees to her chest. Sensing her anxiety, Bella wrapped an arm around Spencer's shoulder to comfort her.

"Mary wasn't supposed to follow me." She murmured, unable to look at anything but the floor.

She was ashamed for she realized just then that she had imposed a burden on Bella and Carlisle. The couple had showed her and the girls nothing but kindness, so much that she felt at home with them. Now she might lose that comfort if they were angry with her. Another wave of sorrow washed over her as she thought herself to be pathetic.

"And you weren't supposed to run away!" Mary yelled. "I was just making sure you didn't get hurt!"

"Mary, don't yell at Spencer, please." Carlisle advised as he tried to soothe the feisty child.

"Spencer, did something happen at the shelter? Is that why you left?" Bella asked, trying her best not to sound accusatory or angry for she knew her and Carlisle's disapproval was what Spencer feared at the moment.

She sighed and looked at Mary with teary eyes.

"I can't be there anymore, Bella. I don't want to be there. I'm not getting better. I don't want to be trapped. I want to be able to do things normal girls do. I don't want to be taking care of everyone. I want to go to a normal school and I want to have friends that didn't go through what I did. I want to be in a place where I don't have to be reminded of why I'm there every time I leave a room and see a security guard, or have therapy sessions in my room because they want me to be more comfortable when talking about my issues. Most of all, I don't want to be in a place where I get to spend time with people from outside the shelter, only to wonder when they leave if they're ever really come back. I'm tired of watching people come and go when I can't leave."

Tears were streaming down her cheeks now and Bella held Spencer close.

Painful sobs racked the young girl's body as she clung to the woman whom she looked up to. Bella rubbed Spencer's back and stroked her hair as she whispered soothing words. She understood the young girl's pain about watching others leave. When she was abused by James she would watch him leave the apartment so many times knowing she couldn't unless she had to work or he accompanied her. It was one of the worst feelings and she was sure Spencer felt the same way about her abuse and now the same feelings carried over to her healing in the shelter.

"I don't want to go back." Mary murmured as she rested her head against Carlisle's chest.

Buying a few moments to compose a reply, Carlisle stroked the energetic girl's hair.

"And why is that?"

His voice held nothing but sweetness and concern for the young child. Despite all the terror that had taken place in Mary's life, she was stronger than the rest. When she got older she might have a harder time with flashbacks, but Carlisle knew she had dealt with the worst of it in the beginning of her stay at the shelter. It was possible for her to function in society again. Three different cases of similar abuses sat in the room before him. Isabella had been a captive of one man but allowed to be borrowed by James's friends and the strangers at the club. She refused to go to the shelter and so she did therapy. It helped her function in society but it did not necessarily make her better. Her real improvements began in the fall. She had to find someone she trusted, a man, that loved her and that she loved. If she could learn to love then everything would be easier, and that was how Carlisle came to be with her now. Mary had dealt with the issues at the beginning and it was hard to differentiate her from an average child. There were only a few times he had seen her quiet and wanting to be alone because of some memory that came back to her, but she had learned how to deal with them because she wanted to get better and thought she could from the very beginning. She saw hope for herself and used that as motivation. Spencer was outgoing once she was with people she felt comfortable with and trusted. She needed to be separated from Mary though because she needed to take care of herself. She could speak up for others, but not for herself and that's where the issue was. For her to act as such, running away, was a statement and a cry for help. She was a rational girl because she had to be in order to survive. Carlisle knew that Spencer could not return to the shelter for it would only make her worse. The girl with time and guidance could function in society, which could not happen if she stayed at the shelter because it had not happened yet. That wasn't the care for every girl in the shelter of course because they were not bad places, but it just wasn't the right place for Spencer because it was a constant reminder of her past. For Isabella it would have been the same issue. But being able to function in society wasn't enough. Spencer needed to know she was loved; she needed to be part of a family. She needed to be given the opportunity to feel like a normal girl again. Carlisle knew that she wanted to forget her past, for Isabella had wanted to do the same thing and was proof that it didn't work for the past had to be accepted and dealt with so one could move on. Confidence was what the girl needed, and only that could be achieved if she was in a place where she knew people supported her and believed in her. He found that none of these three girls' lives had been gold dusted. But like Isabella, and Mary was on her way to, Spencer needed to realize that if she pursued her dreams she could achieve them and that no dream was too big. The situation she had been put in was unfortunate, and as Isabella once told him, it makes one appreciate all the small things we consider insignificant in life, valuing them like they were gold. Everyone has a peck of gold that brings value to his or her life. The worst parts of these girls' lives were over and far behind them, and for the two children it was time to start acting their age again instead of like troubled adults. Both girls needed to listen to the wise men from the poem Isabella had once read to him.

Dust always blowing about the town,

Except when sea-fog laid it down,

And I was one of the children told

Some of the blowing dust was gold.

All the dust the wind blew high

Appeared like god in the sunset sky,

But I was one of the children told

Some of the dust was really gold.

Such was life in the Golden Gate:

Gold dusted all we drank and ate,

And I was one of the children told,

'We all must eat our peck of gold.'

Mary's response brought him out of his thoughts.

"I want to see the world, Carlisle." She said with a smile. "I'm tired of seeing the same walls everyday. I want to learn things. I want to meet different types of people. I don't want to be 'that girl from the shelter' anymore. I want to be Mary, me, that girl who, I don't know does things that are fun and goes on adventures."

"Oh, Mary." Carlisle's heart broke for her.

There had to be something they could do.

He looked up at his fiancé who was giving him the same pleading look, both of them saying, they can't go back.

"I had talked to Emmett and Rose about the girls and they seemed to have an interest in Spencer." Bella murmured.

Carlisle understood the point she was trying to make but it was irrelevant at the moment.

"I understand your point. But it wouldn't help convince Bree because they eloped and are on their way to Greece."

"They what?" Bella gaped.

"We'll talk about it later."

Spencer chose that moment to let her hand wander down Bella's stomach, for she had stopped clutching her shirt, and found the bump.

"Bella, are you pregnant?" She asked sweetly.

"Yes, I am." Bella replied with a smile. "But that doesn't mean that I love you or Mary any less."

She kissed the top of Spencer's head and smiled.

"I might have an idea. If they can get here before Bree does."

Carlisle didn't waste time explaining. He pulled out his phone and called his brother.

"They can't get back from Greece in time, Carlisle." Bella sighed.

"My other brother." Carlisle explained.

Bella's eyebrows rose into her hairline and her lips formed an O.

"Well that changes things."

"Tanya basically lives over there and it was that way before they started dating. I know it's not the perfect situation but I just have this feeling,"

Bella nodded and then became more aware of Da Vinci who wanted to be petted. She reached down to scratch his head.

"I love you, Da Vinci. I'm sorry that I haven't gotten to spend time with you today. I promise I'll give something other than your dog food tonight."

The mention of food made his ears perk up which made both Mary and Spencer laugh.

"I said tonight, Silly boy." Bella chuckled as she patted his head.

"Yes, of course. Thank you, Edward. I know it's not the ideal situation but I appreciate your help. Yes, Isabella's workplace. You can ask the secretary where her new office is. Thank you, ok, see you soon, bye."

Carlisle looked at his fiancé with relief.

"Edward says he's game. I told him it's a big commitment and he said this wasn't about him, and that it was about a little girl who needs a family."

"Will Tanya…?" Bella didn't quite know how to ask it.

"Of course, and she's coming. She cares as well."

"We might have a chance." Bella whispered.

"There's always a chance."

Just then Riley appeared holding the door open for Bree who looked extremely flabbergasted. Just before Riley was going to walk out Bella got up to speak with him.

"Thank you for doing this, Riley. I know this is an unusual circumstance."

"It's no problem, Bella. I love kids."

"Edward, one of Carlisle's brothers will be here in a few minutes. Can you show him to my office, please? He hasn't been here since I moved offices."

"Of course, but Bella I should warn you. Stress is not good for the baby and so as hard as it is being you please avoid stress for the sake of your child."

"I'll try my best."

Prepared for the worst, Bella returned to the room.

"Girls, what in the world?" Bree gaped. "I don't even understand how you got past the guards."

"I'm good, that's all. And Mary's adorable." Spencer replied.

"Spencer, please don't smart mouth Bree. It won't help your case." Carlisle pleaded.

"Sorry." Spencer murmured.

"They can't go back, Bree." Bella spoke up.

"Of course they can. They don't have any other choice." Bree gawked.

"And who are you to make that decision for them?" Bella demanded, anger pulsing through her.

"I see to their safety, Bella. It's my job."

"What if they're not happy? You know as well as I do that Spencer wouldn't run if she didn't have a solid reason."

Bree then made Spencer and Mary explain why they ran and how they got out. Spencer also explained that she remembered Bella saying she worked for Runway so she went to a local newsstand and asked the man if she could get the address for the building off the magazine.

"So what do you suggest?" Bree asked, a bit confused.

Edward stormed in with Tanya following holding onto his hand for dear life and prayed he didn't tear her arm off.

"Sorry, we got here as fast as we could." Edward panted, out of breath from sprinting.

Tanya nearly stumbled because she had been running in seven-inch heels. Edward caught her before she could even begin to fall.

As if Heaven itself were giving a sign to the witnesses in the room, Edward and Tanya instantly looked at Mary who was looking at them. She climbed off Carlisle's lap and went to greet Edward. She didn't even say hello, she merely wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. Tanya kneeled on the ground beside the child and smiled as she rested her hand on Mary's back.

"Hello, Sweet Child." Tanya cooed.

Mary peeked at Tanya, who brushed her fiery red hair out of the way so they could look at one another better.

"Hi, are you going to be my new Mom?" And then she looked up at Edward. "Are you going to be my new Dad?"

Carlisle knew that Mary sensed things like this. She didn't have to know someone for even a handful of seconds to know if they were good or not.

"Mary!" Bree scolded.

"There's no need to get upset, Miss Tanner." Edward reassured. "That was what we were actually hoping."

"But you've barely know her." Bree gaped.

"It seems she has chosen us." Tanya explained.

Bree looked over at Carlisle, waiting for an explanation.

"It's best the two are not together in the same home. They need different types of attention. But they will still see each other often for my family is very close. Isabella and I would take them both in if we could but we have one of our own on the way."

Bella put her hand on her womb and Bree didn't know what to say. Carlisle rose from his seat and crossed the distance between him and his fiancé.

"Do you need anything, Love?" He whispered in her ear.

"I'm fine, Carlisle. I'm not the one you need to worry about right now." She whispered in reply.

"I know, Angel. But I must not neglect you, my fiancé, and the mother of my child."

She pecked him on the lips and then whispered again.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"And if Mary goes with them, what do you plan to do with Spencer?" Bree asked.

Carlisle rose from bent position and turned to look at the woman.

"For now, she can live with my fiancé and I if it so pleases her. But we feel it will be better if she lives Emmett and Rosalie, my youngest brother and his wife. They are unavailable now because they are on their honeymoon, but they will be back in a matter of days. Of course, Isabella and I would plan to stay heavily involved. But Rose had thought about coming to the shelter and looking into taking in one of the older girls. She's wonderful, Bree. Rose is just the kind of woman Spencer needs to be around. I know this isn't the preferred circumstances, but what is more of a cry for help than fleeing from a place that is supposed to be a safe haven. Spencer needs somewhere she can feel safe, loved, and supported. She needs a family. She needs a home. She needs Emmett and Rosalie, but for now she needs to come home with Isabella and I until she can be with my brother and his wife."

"And what do you plan to do about their education?"

"My soon to be brother-in-law, Jasper Hale, works for the very prestigious Gallagher Academy, teaching American history. He'd be able to be there for them to make sure they're ok and be someone for them to talk to when they need it. Then they would participate in whatever after school activities interest them and then they'd loving families to come home to."

"Bree found it hard to argue with." She then looked to the girls and asked if they could step outside with her so they could chat.

"Is this what you want, girls? To leave the shelter and live with the Cullens?"

Both of the girls nodded their heads excitedly.

"Then I cannot deny you that privilege. I see you both have your backpacks. Did you take everything you own?"

They both shook their heads. Would you both, with the Cullens of course, go back to the shelter in order to retrieve your belongings?"

They nodded their heads.

"So I get to live with Edward and Tanya?" Mary asked.

"Yes, Mary." Bree laughed.

"And I get to live with Carlisle's brother and his wife?"

"I'd like to meet them before I say yes because I need to see your chemistry with them. But if they're anything like Carlisle and Bella then yes. But we will find something, Spencer. Mr. Cullen seems to be the kind of man with connections. We'll make something work."

….

"Welcome home." Carlisle chimed as he opened the door for his two girls.

Da Vinci, being the energetic dog he was, ran ahead of both of the girls and pounced onto the couch.

Dean ran in right behind them with his hands full of shopping bags. Bella had asked him to go get clothes and the necessities for Spencer along with a few luxuries. Spencer was in awe of the house; to her it was huge.

"Wow." She gawked as she gazed at the room.

Bella put her hands on the young girl's shoulders and whispered.

"This is your home now."

"But what about Emmett and Rosalie?" Spencer asked.

"Evenwhen you move in with them Carlisle and my home is still yours. Just because you will be moving into another home doesn't mean your invitation to stay is over."

Spencer turned to face Bella and hugged her.

"Thank you."

Returning the hug, Bella let Spencer take all the time she needed.

When Spencer let go Bella smiled.

"Would you like me to show you your room?"

She nodded in reply and followed Bella's lead, with the two men and Da Vinci trailing behind them.

Once Spencer was settled in Dean took his leave, bidding goodnight to the young couple and Da Vinci at the door. Spencer was freshening up before dinner which left the couple a few minutes alone.

"We need to tell her the truth." Bella murmured.

Carlisle nodded in agreement. Then he took his fiancé in his arms and kissed her soundly.

"I love you, Isabella. You are a miracle worker."

Sweetly, she cupped his cheek in her hand and murmured.

"As I love you, Carlisle. But you fail to see that you work miracles, magic, and whatever else you please."

"How is the baby? I know this afternoon has been stressful. Do you know if it's affected the baby?"

"Our child is fine, Carlisle. There's no need to worry. I'll try to avoid stress but our piccola is just fine."

He nodded and nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck.

"And you, how do you feel?" He asked.

"I'm fine, Love. I'm sure I'll be tired once my head hits the pillow but for now I'm just fine."

"Good, otherwise I would advise you to rest."

"Carlisle, what are we going to do? I mean she's a person not a dog. She can't just sit with me at work. She has to go to school."

"I know, Love. I'll call the school in the morning. It's after hours so I'm sure I'd just get the answering machine. I did call Jasper earlier and he said that he'd talk to the headmaster and admissions office tomorrow."

"Should we move the meeting with the wedding planner?"

"No." He shook his head with a sigh. "We need to get this started. My work place is no place for Spencer or Mary. Edward said that Tanya would stay home with Mary tomorrow and take her to do things around town to do things."

"I don't have any meetings tomorrow, Carlisle. I don't have any client consultations. I have the photo shoot on Friday morning, the same day as our meeting with the wedding planner. I'm sure the school wouldn't let them start until Monday. I could do things with Spencer tomorrow and we'll just work it out from there."

"It sounds like a plan then."

Just then Carlisle heard Spencer on the stairs. He pulled away from cuddling with Isabella so Spencer didn't feel like she was intruding.

"Are you ready for dinner, Spencer?" Carlisle asked as he stood from the couch.

She smiled softly and nodded.

"All right. Normally Isabella and I cook but tonight I think we can make an exception." He explained.

Isabella rose from the couch following her fiancé to the island counter. When they were all seated with food on their plates Bella tried her hand at making conversation. Carlisle tried as well but didn't really know what to say.

"You both work. What am I supposed to do tomorrow?" Spencer asked as she twirled the pasta around her fork.

"Well, I thought maybe you and I could go shopping. You told me before that you like to read. Would you like to go to the book store tomorrow?"

"Yes, Please." Spencer tried to hold back her excitement, but Bella could see the twinkle in her eyes.

"Then it's settled. And Spencer, if there's anything you need or want don't be afraid to ask. This applies for when you're with us, or with Emmett and Rosalie." Bella reminded, which she saw made Spencer even more at ease.

Later after they were all finished eating Carlisle cleared the table as he stalled for time trying to bring up the fragile subject.

"Spencer." He finally breathed as he seated himself beside her, with Isabella on the other side. "There's something I need to tell you. I know it's going to sound terrible, but you must keep it a secret. Bree doesn't know, and most people do not. Now before I tell you my secret I want you to know that what I am part of, what I lead, is different from it's stereotype and portrayal by the media. I came to work at the shelter, as you know, because after Isabella told me her story I began to wonder about the all the other girls that had suffered the same torture and worse. I didn't just want to help my fiancé. I am using what I am part of to try and break the trafficking circles. Of course, that is not easy at the moment because someone from Isabella's past, her abuser, has found her and is making a few appearances in an attempt to either capture her or speak with her. But despite what you may believe about my line of work, it is not true in terms of my clan." He took a deep breath when he saw her eyes widen. "Spencer, I am a Mafia don. But my clan does not believe in harming women and children. I never supported harming others and I run my clan in that manner. It's a big secret to keep, Spencer. You've been through so much and we were conflicted about telling you, but we didn't want to keep it from you either. I normally tell people I work in personal protection or trading. It all falls under family business. I would never hurt you or put you in danger. My brothers, Edward and Emmett, are in the business as well. But I don't want you to panic. I'm sorry to keep this from you for so long."

Spencer kept looking back and forth between Carlisle and Bella. She was processing the information and then her eyes fell on Carlisle's ring. She had seen that ring on him every time he and Bella visited. They hadn't acted any different than they were now when they would visit. Carlisle was a mobster even when she first met him. He had never been mean. He was clearly not abusing Bella because there weren't any bruises on her and her happiness was not a façade. Whenever she saw them they acted like a couple, not a man controlling a woman and a woman putting on an act so people wouldn't ask questions. Spencer trusted him before she knew and so why shouldn't she now that she did know.

"Interesting. Good thing I'm not the judgmental type." Spencer chuckled.

Carlisle was shocked, but then again Isabella hadn't been angry or suspicious when he told her.

"Well then, I'm glad that's settled." Bella sighed in relief.

Maybe things could work. For once the future was looking a whole lot brighter for Spencer Cullen.

So what did you think? I'd like to thank CarlislaCooper for letting me work out my idea for the poem in this chapter. Now I'm not an English major or poetry expert, but I do love poetry. Robert Frost's poems are known for having several meanings. There are many ways to interpret the poem I used in this chapter and I applied it to the scenario in the story. So thank you CarlislaCooper for your patience. Also, I'd like to thank Keeper of the Covenant who helped me sort out what the sex of the baby should be along with what to do with Mary and Spencer a while back. When I was figuring out who should Mary and Spencer go to I had "Maria" from the Sound of Music stuck in my head. How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? Anyway, so I do intend to spend some time on Spencer bonding with both Carlisle and Bella before and after she goes to live with Emmett and Rosalie. Some of you are probably wondering why I picked that couple, but I always had wanted to put Spencer with Rosalie because Rose is so strong and Spencer needs that kind of role model. Bella is strong and of course having similar experiences would help Spencer get through things, but Bella just doesn't have the same ability as Rose does to heal someone, not to say that Bella didn't heal Carlisle. But Rosalie helped Bella through the hardest of times. I was going back and forth before Keeper of the Covenant helped me, about where Spencer should go. What I decided was that Bella and Carlisle already have quite a bit on their plate and their own child on the way and so they would be spreading themselves too thin if they adopted either Mary or Spencer because either one of those girls would need more attention than they could give right now. So Spencer's living with Carlisle and Bella is temporary, and is to help her transition from one phase of life into another before she goes to live with Emmett and Rosalie.

So I guess that's really all I have to say. Thanks for reading. Please leave a review they really do inspire authors to write. Besides, reviews may cause me to write a lemon in one of the upcoming chapters.