Inheritance 29:
BPOV:
Maria doubled check our list of inventory while I sipped on my morning coffee. I was glad that we had finally finished the rest of the bread this morning. I was going to deliver a hundred loaves of homemade bread, a hundred cans of soup, a hundred boxes of crackers, and a hundred blueberry and strawberry muffins. The shelter said that was more than enough to help them out for now. I was looking forward to helping with the Thanksgiving drive.
Maria and I both agreed I didn't want to drive up in one of Jake's fancy sports car to deliver food for the homeless. It just seemed too rude to me. Maria remembered that Jake had an old truck that he had Miguel use from time to time to pick up fertilizer and stuff. Luckily I had driven an old truck similiar to this one back home. After it was all loaded up I hugged Maria for helping me with the project that I hoped to continue to do at least once a month.
I had been so blessed that I wanted to share my blessings with others. I knew it was not much but Mrs. Smith insisted it was more than enough. I waved at Maria as I pulled out of the driveway and proceeded to a side of town that made even me uneasy at times.
I didn't want Aidan to worry about me so I made a quick call to let him know I would be into work today but had to make a quick stop first.
"Hey." I smiled as I heard his greeting on the other end of the phone.
"Are you taking another personal day?" He teased.
"No! I have a quick errand to run and then I will be there." I promised.
"Where are you going? I mean I know I am not your husband or anything but you have been really secretive lately. Should I worry that you are meeting a secret lover?" He continued to tease.
"Hardly! Haha." I laughed. There was no need for a secret lover when I had Jake warming up my bed. No one could replace him.
"I am dropping off a delivery at the Sacred Heart Shelter." I decided to divulge to him so he knew that there was no need to worry about anything.
"Wait isn't that off of Chestnut Street?" He asked alarmed.
"Yeah." I gulped hard at the sound of fear in his voice.
"Girl, Jake would kill you if you knew you were on that side of town." He warned me.
"It's okay I am just dropping off some food to the director and then I am coming straight to the shop." I explained as my stomach knotted up. If he was that worried about me being there maybe I should have brought someone with me.
"Bella you better call me the second you leave there." He pleaded.
"I will." I agreed hoping it would calm him down and hopefully calm my own nerves.
"Okay." He sighed heavily as I hung up the phone.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Mrs. Smith was very pleasant toward me when I arrived. She had two of the young men that were assisting her to help unload the truck. She wrote me out a receipt for tax purposes. I did not really need it but I knew she had to do it for her records.
"Thank you Bella. It is so nice to see young people like yourself trying to help those who are less fortunate." Mrs. Smith patted my back as I glanced around the room. My heart broke as I saw some of the people that were already starting to file into the kitchen hoping for some food.
"It was a pleasure. I will try to gather up some more things and bring them down." I replied as I slowly made my way out of the back of the shelter. I had pulled up the truck in the back so the helpers could unload the truck.
I had just got to the front of the truck when I felt a large body overpower me from behind. A gloved hand came around my mouth. I tried to scream but the hand was muffling any sound I could make.
I kicked and shook as hard as I could but the grip that the stranger had on me was too strong. I felt fear overwhelm my senses as the strangers hand came around to my stomach and punch me so hard that tears slipped out of my eyes. It hurt like hell. I felt him trying to drag me away from the open entry of the shelter. He was trying to take me somewhere private. I felt a rush of adrenaline as I fought against my attacker. He didn't even budge with his hold on me.
"Listen bitch. If you want to stay alive then you better stay still." He growled furiously in my ear. I was terrified. His voice was creepy. I was totally terrified that he was going to rape me or worse kill me.
I fought even harder. I didn't want to die.
He grabbed my hair and yanked as hard as he could. I screamed out as loud as I could as his hand slip from my mouth. He threw me against the wall. All I could make out was dark brown eyes. He wore a ski mask to cover up his face.
I thought he might run since my scream was clearly loud enough for someone to hear. Instead he took his fist and smashed my mouth. I felt the stinging pain as my lip began to bleed. Pulling on my hair he slammed my head against the brick wall. I instantly felt a goose egg forming where my head made contact with the wall.
I was starting to feel suddenly dizzy. I was afraid I was going to pass out. His hands reached for my blouse. I began to slap at him as I felt my blouse tear in half as his hands reach out to touch my breast.
"STTTTOOOPPP." I shouted as loudly as I possibly could.
He pulled out a switchblade and began to aim at my chest when the back door flew open and two men came running out of it.
My attacker saw he had company and fled. I covered my chest as I felt my knees buckle underneath me and I slid slowly down the wall to land on the cold ground.
"Bella! Are you okay? " I heard a familiar male voice shout as I felt hands moving my face around. I kept my eyes closed as pain began to immerse me into a black pit where I let myself drift away. Yeah, I was definitely passing out this time.
JPOV:
I couldn't believe I was sitting here in the hospital next to Bella's bedside. Just yesterday we had proclaimed our love for one another and today here I was staring at her battered face. Aidan luckily had enough sense to drive over to the shelter after Bella had informed him where she would be going. When he arrived and they said she had gone out back to leave in the pickup truck and he had not received a call from her he had sense something was wrong and raced out back.
He told the police that the attacker fled once he saw himself and one of the helpers at the shelters arrive to the scene of his attack. Bella had passed out before they could ask her how badly she was hurt. The nurse told me she didn't do a rape kit because when Bella arrived with her pants were still on. Aidan apparently had got there just in time.
I felt horrible. Why was she at that shelter? I felt so stupid when the police asked me if she often went there and I stood there giving him a blank look. How was I supposed to know? I admitted this is the first time I had heard of her going there. He seemed to look at me suspiciously. Aidan admitted to me later that he had no clue until this morning when she luckily revealed to him where she was going. If she had not told Aidan then well this would have been ten times worse than it already was.
"The doctor check on her?" Aidan asked as he handed me a fresh cup of coffee.
"Yeah, he said that she has a few bruises and a nice knot on the back of her head but she will be okay. He said the hit to the head gave her a severe concussion. She should wake up soon." I replied softly as I sipped on the coffee.
"Why was she at that shelter?" I asked quietly as I glared at him. I knew it was not fair to vent at him but he was the only person around and he had been the one to find and rescue her. I was angry. I was scared out of my mind. Why had she kept this a secret from me?
"Mrs. Smith the director told me that this was Bella's first delivery. She had only spoken to Bella on the phone until now. She said that Bella had sent some perishables a few times but like I said it was the first time she had come in person." Aidan explained.
"I pray they catch the bastard who did this to her." My hands clenched into fists as I chewed on the inside of my cheek.
Bella was trying to do something good and helpful and this jerk ruined it for her. There was no way that Bella would want to return to help out and there was no way in hell I would let her.
"Doubtful but hey we can wish." Aidan shrugged his shoulders. "When are they going to release her?"
"They said she had to wake up first and check her over. The police will come back for a statement from her and then if she seems physically fine they will let her go home." I answered.
"Maybe you should call her friends. They will want to know she is here." Aidan suggested.
"Oh yeah." This was one call I dreaded to make. I knew that Alice would be extremely upset and Leah, well, I had barely met her so I wasn't quite sure what her reaction would be.
I open my phone and began to make the calls.
EPOV:
I was feeding the baby a bottle when my mother strolled into the room.
"She is so tiny." Esme cried out happily as she sat down next to me.
"I know." I agreed as I smiled tenderly down at the little bundle in my arms.
"Dad called me and said he got word from his friend that the results will be in the next two days." My mother informed me with a worried look on her face.
"What am I going to do if she isn't mine?" I asked as tears stung my eyes. I was already bonding with this baby. I wanted to keep her safe from Tara and the rest of the world. After all I had been there throughout the whole pregnancy. I went to every doctors appointment. Of course I wasn't there at the beginning of her delivery. I had been out jogging trying to clear my mind when I returned to learn from the doorman that an ambulance had come to take Jayden to the hospital. I had felt so lousy and frightened while I waited in the lobby to discover the outcome of the surgery.
"You will just have to give her up." Esme replied with a sad smile.
"I can't. I love her." I confessed as I took the empty bottle from her tiny mouth. Lifting her up like my mother had shown me I proceeded to burp her.
"Who Tara or Elyssa?" She asked.
"Elyssa." I stated firmly.
"We will just have to wait until we learn the results Edward. I wish I could tell you that it shouldn't matter if you're her father or not but since you and Tara are not going to continue to be a couple I can't see how that is possible." She answered honestly.
"If she is mine I have considered giving Tara some rights. I mean she is her mother. Tara seems to really care about her. When I went to pick her up this morning Tara was singing to her while she bathed her. I have never seen that side of Tara. I mean the side where she isn't being selfish and hateful." I rolled my eyes sarcastically. I had calmed down quite a bit since I first left Tara at the apartment a couple of days ago.
"Well, sometimes when a woman has a baby it changes her for the better. Not always. Maybe in this case it did." Esme gave me a hopeful smile.
"I hope your right." I listened for the small burp that should follow the patting action. I was rewarded with a loud burp. We giggled at such a loud sound from such a tiny little thing.
"It will work out. So your father tells me that you might be going on a trip to Vegas." My mother didn't look too pleased with this news.
"I need too. I need to officially apologize to Bella for the pain I caused her." I answered as I smiled bitterly.
"Yeah, you should. Just remember from what you have told me that she has moved forward with her life Edward. Don't go causing her more pain. She is a good girl. I …well…you know how much we adored her." My mother looked away from me. I knew they had been deeply disappointed in my losing Bella. They had hoped to make her an official part of our family and I had been the one who threw her away.
"I won't mom. I just want to give her and me some closure and make sure she is okay. I can't live with myself anymore. I need to know she is safe and happy. Even if she doesn't want me anymore." I dropped my head as I let the last sentence sink into my head. My heart still longed for her but my head knew it was best to let that dream go. I had no chance in hell in winning back the one woman who had loved me better than I had loved myself.
BPOV:
My head felt horrible. If I kept my eyes closed I felt semi better. Unfortunately it was hard to answer the police officers questions with my eyes closed shut. He even seemed a bit annoyed the few times I had tempted to do that.
"He had a ski mask on and his eyes were a dark brown. That is the best way I can describe him. Most of the time he was behind me. It was when he shoved me against the wall and began to rip my blouse that I got a look at his eyes." I explained as tears stung my eyes as images of the attack began to flash across my eyes.
I had never been more scared in my life until earlier today. The attacker had come out of nowhere. It was like he was waiting for me. I knew that was impossible but it just felt so bizarre the way he appeared the minute I was alone. When I was out back with the helper he was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Black I know this is hard on you." Officer Riley apologized as he
scribbled in his small notebook.
"I understand." I replied softly as the nausea began.
"So do you often drop off deliveries at Sacred Heart?" He asked.
"No. Today was my first day." I answered.
"Were they aware you were bringing your delivery today?" He asked as his eyes narrowed in a curious frown.
"Yes. I called Mrs. Smith a few days ago to let her know I would have everything ready by today." I replied.
"I see. Did you speak specifically to Mrs. Smith or someone else?" He asked.
"I spoke to her." I sighed as my stomach grew worse.
"Okay. Thanks. If we have any more questions we will give you a call." Officer Riley shook my hand before leaving my room.
I glanced over at Jake who had been incredibly quiet the whole time. His eyes were dark. His face was sullen. I knew he was upset. I had no intention in doing anything that would put my life in jeopardy. I was only trying to do something good in his name. I made sure they knew the donation was from Black Gold. I wanted to show that the Black family did good deeds.
"Jake?" I asked as I placed my hands over my stomach.
"Bella, you scared the hell out of me today." He spoke very slowly and in a low tone that I almost did not hear him at all.
"I'm so sorry Jake." I heard my voice crack as tears stung my eyes. I knew he was disappointed in me.
"Why are you sorry? You didn't purposely get yourself mugged." He chuckled but I noticed the lack of smile that followed it.
"No but I should have considered something like this." I continued to explain why this was my fault.
"Stop it!" His voice rose and he stared hard at me.
I felt the tears sliding down my face. He was furious at me. I could not stop the tears or the sobbing that followed it.
"Bella, baby, stop acting like this is your fault. It's not. You should never have to consider being attack. I am just so mad at the guy who dared to touch you. I feel awful that it wasn't me there to rescue you. I am a bit confused why you had not mentioned this charity work to me before now? I mean, I thought we were closer. I love you Bella. God, I love you!" Jake cried out as he leaned over the bed grabbing my hands in his.
I watched as he dropped his head down on top of our hands. He kissed my hands tenderly before looking up at me with tears streaming down his face.
"I thought I was going to die today. When Aidan called me and told me he was taking you to the hospital because you had been attacked I swear to you I thought my life was over. I can't lose you Bella. You're my everything." His voice crackled as tears flowed down his face.
I felt my heart expanding. Jake loved me more than I could have ever imagined. I felt so bad for putting him through this hell.
"Your right. I should have confided to you about this charity work. I have been donating food to the shelter in the clubs name. I wanted to show that Black Gold gave back to the community." I explained as I reached out to wipe away his tears. He smiled tenderly at me.
"That was so sweet and generous of you." Jake gulped hard.
"Well, it's like you said before you were so lucky to have an Uncle take you that was well off. I just wanted to take some of that generosity and help others. I know you're so busy with the clubs that you don't have time to consider such things." I shrug my shoulders.
"You are not only the most beautiful woman I have ever known but your also generous and compassionate. It's why I can't imagine any other woman ever coming close to you in my heart." Jake leaned over me and kissed me passionately.
"Ouch." I laughed softly as my swollen lip began to hurt from the friction of our kiss. I didn't want it to stop but the pain was too intense.
"I'm sorry baby." Jake chuckled as he rubbed his finger across my swollen lip.
"It's okay it was worth it." I smiled proudly at him.
"So when do I get to go home?" I asked. I hated being cooped up in the room.
"The doctor says he wants you to stay for a few more hours. He just wants to keep an eye on you. He said your concussion was pretty severe." Jake warned me. I heard a loud noise outside of my room and a second later Leah and Alice came busting through the door with flowers and chocolates in their hands.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of them. They looked shocked and terrified as they raced to my bed side. Poor Jake was nearly knocked over as they made their way to my side.
"OH MY GOD! What the hell were you thinking?" Alice shouted at me as she placed the flowers neatly on the stand by my bed.
"Seriously Bella! How many times have we told you about going to certain places? This is not fucking Forks. No one gives a shit that your father is the Police of Chief there." Leah snorted as she places her hands on her side giving me a stern look.
"Okay then." I sighed heavily as I feel symptoms of a headache slipping back.
"Your father is the police of chief?" Jake looks stunned to hear this bit of news.
"Yeah." I rolled my eyes slightly.
"Yeah, you're married to a police officer's daughter." Leah gives Jake a snotty look before turning her attention back toward me.
"I'm sorry guys. I was dropping off some food and when I got ready to leave I got attacked." I hoped my explanation would be sensible to them.
"This is some messed up shit." Leah sighs heavily as she sits on the edge of the bed.
"I know." I laughed.
"Bella, you can't go back there without letting someone go with you." Alice warns me.
"I know." I agreed.
"I'm glad to see you are back. How is your mother?" I decided to hurry and change the subject. I know if I get her to talking about something other than my moment of stupidity that she will soon forget about it.
"She is much better. Seth has grown like three inches since I saw him last. I swear he is like six foot now. It is crazy." Leah smiles proudly.
A knock on the door interrupts us as Aidan pokes his head inside.
"Hey, just thought I would check on you before I head back." Aidan explains for his intrusion.
"Oh. Thanks for rescuing me." I smile tenderly at him. Jake flashes him a grateful smile as well. I am relieved to see that Jake is no longer jealous of Aidan's friendship with me.
"I do not expect to see you at work tomorrow. You better stay home and rest up." Aidan warns me as he wags his finger toward me.
"Okay." I'm not about to put up a fight with him. The way my body is feeling I suspect I will need an extra day to recuperate.
"Good. Bye Jake, Alice and…." Aidan's eyes light up as they fall on Leah.
I look up and notice that Leah is checking Aidan out. I watch as her lower lip twitches slightly. I can't help but smile at her. She is definitely thinking Aidan is sexy. I know that look.
"Oh Aidan this is Leah my other friend." I introduce him.
"Nice to finally meet you. Bella has told me a lot about you." Aidan's smile lights up as he extends his hand to Leah.
Leah shakes his hand back as she continues to look at him speechless. I can't help but glance at Alice. We share a look that is lost on the guys in the room. Alice and I both know that Leah likes what she sees and Alice and I are thinking that maybe we could hook these two up.
"Hopefully nice." Leah replies with a raspy voice.
"Some." Aidan teases.
"What?" Leah looks at me startled.
"Just kidding." Aidan laughs softly.
I roll my eyes at the both of them.
"Well, I need to get back to the shop." Aidan smiles warmly at us before he starts to walk out of the room.
"Wait up I will walk down with you while these girls gossip." Jake bends over and kisses me tenderly on the forehead before walking out with Aidan.
"What the hell Bella? Where have you been hiding this one at?" Leah shouts at me.
Alice and I both burst out laughing. Our suspicions have been proven correct as Leah informs us just how interested she is in Aidan for the next fifteen minutes.
