Okay guys, so my surprise visitor wasn't that much of a surprise, so I figured I'd just post the chapter. Happy reading!


Chapter 29 - Fearful

I felt truly exhausted after my speech, and it wasn't long before I succumbed to the sleep which had been pulling at the far corners of my mind for the last 48 hours. I had feared sleep for what I might find in my dreams, and shortly after I had slipped into a restless slumber, I proved that I knew myself all too well.

I dreamt of the shooting, my mind filling with horrifying images depicting the events that took place. Over and over in my mind I saw what had happened. Charlie getting out of his cruiser, walking into the diner and chatting to the seemingly anxious man behind the counter. Charlie started towards the back of the diner when a man wearing a ski mask jumped out in front of him and shot him before fleeing. Bang! Bang! Bang! One. Two. Three.

I sat up quickly, beads of sweat dripping off my forehead, my breathing rushed as I looked around. I felt a cool towel against my face, and it took a while for my eyes to adjust enough to see who it was.

"Mum?" I asked, blinking through my blurry vision. Everything came more into focus, and I saw my mother looking back at me with troubled eyes. "Oh, Mum!"

I threw myself into her waiting arms, and she stroked my hair like she did when I was younger. We both took comfort in each other's presence, allowing ourselves time to come to terms with what happened.

"How are you?" she asked, when she pulled away, still keeping my hand in hers.

"I'm alright, I suppose," I said, giving her the best answer I could without lying. I really was alright – not great – but alright. This was something I could get past, in time. "How are you coping?"

"I'm fine," she replied. "I will miss him, a lot, but you reformed the bond you had with him. It must be hard now that he's gone."

I nodded, because it was true. I had contemplated while I slept, what it would have been like if I never came back to live with Charlie. Putting aside the fact that I would have never met the Cullen's, or my husband, I knew that I wouldn't take it back. I was given a chance to get to know my father in a way I never had before, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. That time was precious, and something I will always cherish.

"I haven't had a chance to call anyone yet about Charlie," I told her.

She smiled. "No-one expects you to have. That's why I'm here, to help out with anything you need. And you have a wonderful new family downstairs who has already started on the phone calls."

I smiled with her, for the first time since hearing of Charlie's death. I pulled Renee in for a tight hug. I was glad that my mother was here.

"I really need a shower," I said, getting up off the bed and grabbing some clothes out of the closet. "I'll meet you downstairs, ok?"

"Sure sweetheart," she replied, and trampled off downstairs. I sat back down on the bed, and held my face in my hands. I took deep breaths as I tried to shake the memories of my nightmares.

Seconds later, I felt a hand rest itself on my knee, and I looked up into the eyes of my husband.

"Are you ok?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

I nodded. "I will be. Just give me a little time."

"You can have all the time you need," he whispered, kissing my cheek lightly. "I'll wait."

"I need to go for a shower," I told him, but as I went to get up, I found that I was unable to let go of his hand.

"I'll wait here for you," he promised, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand still in mine.

'Just loosen your fingers' I told myself, but it was easier said than done, and I knew why. "I don't want to be alone," I admitted. I looked at him meaningfully, and he seemed to understand what I was implying.

"Are you sure, Bella?"

"Yes," I replied. "I need you. Not in that way. I just need you with me."

He kissed my forehead. "Of course. Whatever you need."

"Promise me something Edward," I whispered as his lips were pressed against my skin.

"Anything."

"Promise me that you'll never leave me. That you'll never die."

"Don't worry," he replied softly, rubbing circles once again on my back. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll never go anywhere without you. You are my everything, Bella, and I swear to you that I will never leave you if it is in my power to stop it."

"That's all I ask of you."


So what'd you think? Yay! Closing line from another awesome musical! And yes, in case you havent noticed, I have a small obsession with musical theatre... not anywhere near as bad as twilight though! R&R.