Chapter 34—Relief

*** Warning: This chapter contains mature and/or graphic content. If you are not over 18 or are sensitive to such things, then do not continue. ***

A/N: Real life got in the way for me and my betas last month, and that is what caused the delay in getting this chapter out.

Charlie's POV

Carlisle has stopped by on his way home from the morgue right as I received a call from Esme, so I put her on speaker. A sigh left me when I hung up. I hoped Bella told Edward, too. I looked to Carlisle for help since Esme had shared Bella's belief about the nightmares stemming from not knowing why Carlisle died. "Do you think you'll be able to find out anything about Carlie's death?"

"Yes," he responded. "Though I'm afraid how Bella will react if there are no answers in the coroners' report."

I nodded, having come to that conclusion myself. "Is there anything else we can do to ease her mind?"

"I'll have to speak with Siobhan. Maybe there are tests that can be done now."

A knock came at my office door, and I waved for Daniela to enter. "Daniela, this is Carlisle Cullen. Carlisle, Daniela White," I said, introducing the two to each other. "I know neither of you can speak of confidences Bella entrusted to you, but I need your advice on how to approach her concerning Raoul."

"What about Raoul?" Carlisle asked, leaning forward.

"I think what Charlie is referring to is that Mr. Kelly is denying any and all involvement in the kidnappings and murders. From what I'm hearing, there is a lack of evidence to implicate him. The only charge that can be directly linked to him is his escaping from prison," Daniela said, taking a seat in front of my desk.

"That is absurd!" Carlisle nearly shouted. "There is a recording of his accomplices implicating him."

"It can't be used," I told him. "The law for recording a conversation states that all parties have to be privy for it to be permissible in court. Even if the case was put before Star Command, the recording would be thrown out."

"And that means what?" Daniela asked.

"Bella will have to testify to what she overheard," I answered.

Daniela shook her head. "I don't think it would be wise to involve her. When I last spoke with her, she could barely handle talking about losing Carlie."

"And with what Charlie and I just learned from my wife, she's starting to have nightmares about being back in the box but now the twins are with her."

"She's pregnant," Daniela said surprised. "She didn't call me."

I bowed my head. "I wish I could say I was surprised."

"That complicates matters even more." Daniela said.

"And then there's the fact that he says his name is Rodney, not Raoul," I added.

"She needs to be told," Carlisle said, rubbing his neck. "We need to let her make the decision."

"I agree. Also, I suggest hiring a lawyer to protect her. She is a victim regardless of what she decides. I don't know any that could help in this matter. Do either of you?" she asked.

"I don't know any. Carlisle?"

"Only the hospital's attorney, I'll see if she can recommend someone. We should check with Edward. He might know someone. I'll call him later."

"He might have some insight on how she'll react, too. I don't think she really wants to speak with me," I said a bit forlorn. I knew she was talking to Edward about Carlie. She might be talking to him about what happened to her recently.

Carlisle nodded.

EPOV

When I woke after what I thought was a short nap and found Bella gone, I was a little panicked. I sat up, looking around. She wasn't in sight, and the light was off in the bathroom, but that didn't mean she wasn't in there. "Bella," I called and received no answer.

I stood and started moving around the bed, noticing the door to outside was open. I heard Bella before I saw her. She was standing on the deck with my cell pressed to her ear. I briefly wondered who she was speaking to as I silently joined her. I listened in abject horror as she told whoever it was about a nightmare she had. Why hadn't she woken me? The thought flew from my mind when she said the twins were in the box with her. I moved closer to her, wrapping my arms around her, startling her. I continued to listen, trying to determine who she was talking to. Ah, she was talking to Mom.

They continue talking and my eyes went wide at something Bella said. Whoa! She hadn't been told the cause of Carlie's death. No wonder she was having nightmares. I kissed her temple, knowing Mom she would have Dad get answers.

I smiled when she mentioned how she would feel not being near me. Soon she ended the call and relaxed back against me.

"You could have woken me," I said.

"I tried. You were really out. It doesn't matter now. Your mother settled my fears, and I'm feeling better about things."

"Good," I whispered in her ear before kissing her temple again. I rested my chin on her shoulder, bending a little to do so, and we stood there watching the sunset. "Are you hungry?"

"A little."

"What would you like?"

"I'm in the mood for an ooey-gooey slice of cheese pizza, a huge slice a chocolate cake, and a strawberry milkshake," she said, licking her lips.

I thought a moment as to where we could go and get such a meal. Nowhere near was coming to mind. I wonder if Angela was still in Forks. "Can I see my phone?"

She handed it over, and I dialed.

"Edward?" Angela answered.

"Of course," I answered. "Where are you?"

"I'm near Port Angeles. Why?"

"I need you to bring me a few things."

"I don't know, Edward. I really need to get back to Seattle. You do have a restaurant that needs overseeing."

"I'll give you all of next week off. Heck, if you do this for me, I'll let you have the next two weeks off."

"I'm listening."

"Would you please bring Bella and me a large very cheesy pizza, two slices of chocolate cake, and a large strawberry milkshake?"

"Lost Mountain?" she asked as Bella stepped out of my arms and went back into the room.

"You know?"

"Your mom called me just as I was turning in the drive to pick-up Bella yesterday."

"I can't believe you went along with the scheme," I said astonished.

"She made a good argument."

I shook my head. "You'll have to tell me later how she convinced you. Call me when you get here, and I'll come out."

"Give me forty-five minutes, no make it an hour. You're lucky I have a cooler with me."

"Thanks, Ang. Use the restaurant's credit card."

"I plan on it. How's Bella?"

"Healing," I responded. "Though, at times, she seems so far away, and then other times, she's almost her old self. She is telling me about her past. It's hard to hear, but I'm glad she's talking. And I'm listening, offering her reassurance when needed."

"I wish I could tell you things will get better soon, but with all she has been through, it will take time."

"I know that," I said, turning and looking into the room, Bella was nowhere in sight. My phone beeped, and I pulled it away from my ear, looking at the caller id—Dad. "My dad's calling on the other line," I started.

"I'll let you go. See you soon."

I ended the call and answered the incoming call. "Dad," I answered. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he answered. "I just have some news and need your help."

I was immediately alert with the note of worry in his voice. "Something's wrong," I said as a fact.

Dad sighed. "They can't use the recorded conversation against Raoul."

"What! Why?"

"State laws," he replied. "They state that both parties have to know that a recording is being made." He seemed to hesitate before going on. "Bella might need to testify about what she heard."

"No!" I said through clenched teeth. "She doesn't need to be put through the stress that testifying and seeing him will cause."

"I agree with you, but it has to be her decision."

I started pacing the small private deck, trying to calm my rising anger. "She doesn't need to know right this instant, does she?"

"That would defeat the purpose of her getting away from everything. And that's not why I called."

I pinched the bridge of my nose still pacing. "Then why did you call?"

"She needs a lawyer to represent her during the trial. Do you know any?"

"Yes. I don't have his number with me."

"His name?"

"Jason Jenks. His office is in Seattle. Tell him I gave you his name."

"I'll call tomorrow. Are the two of you enjoying yourselves?"

"Somewhat. Could you have picked a place in a town with more to do?"

"There is plenty to do: hiking, the Lavender Farm, and antique stores."

"Hiking is out—she doesn't want to be in the woods for too long. The farm is out—certain smells are making her sick, and we don't want to take the chance. I didn't think about the stores."

"Check them out. Your mother and I love them. I've got to go. I was just paged."

I ended the call and went into the room. Bella was sitting in the wicker chair, flipping through a local guidebook. "There are some antique stores in town," she told me. "I'd like to explore them."

I smiled. "Dad was just telling me he and Mom like them."

"Was that who you were talking to?" She looked confused.

"I was talking to Angela when you left. She should be here in the next forty-five or so minutes with our dinner. Dad called while I was still talking to her. He needed some information from me."

"Oh! I thought with the way you were pacing, he was giving you bad news."

She didn't know the half of it. "Nothing bad," I lied. "I was pacing while I tried to remember a name." That tasted bitter on my tongue, but there was no need to let Bella know right now what the conversation was actually about. "There was something I did want to talk about."

"About how you're worried about me," she guessed.

"Yes. I know we've talked about some things and that's good and all, but you're too quiet, and that's what has me worried."

"I'm still trying to process everything. I know it's not healthy to hold things in—"

I stopped her right there. "I understand that." I honestly did and paused a moment to gather my thoughts. "I feel you're internalizing too much. I'm here. Talk to me, and I'll help you figure things out."

"All right," she said with a slight blush, biting her lip which confused me. "If you're sure?"

"Out with it."

She bit her lip again. "I feel this build-up of pressure that doesn't seem to go away when I go to the bathroom." Her blush deepened. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Oh!" I responded lamely. "Anything else?" I asked.

"It gets worse whenever you touch me."

I swallowed hard. My voice came out sounding weird, like I'd eaten a much too sour lemon. "Where?"

She took my hand, pulling me toward her, causing me to kneel in front of her. "Here," she said, placing my hand at the apex between her legs.

She leaned toward me, looking deeply into my eyes, she whispered, "Is there something wrong with me?"

"I–I–I," I stuttered. I couldn't believe her boldness. "I don't think so."

My cell rang at that moment, and she sat back, releasing my hand. "It's Angela," I said before answering. "Ang?"

"There's been a car accident, and it will be about an hour and a half before I'll be able to reach you."

"Have you gotten anything yet?" I asked.

"No."

"Then don't worry about it. We'll figure something else out."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes. You can still have two weeks off."

"I'll hold you to that." She ended the call.

"Angela is stuck and traffic."

"And?"

"She was going to bring us pizza and cake."

"I'm not in the mood for that anymore. I don't know what I'm craving." She stuck her lip out in what could only be a mock pout.

She might not know, but I had an idea. "Relief," I replied, pulling her up from the chair before crashing my lips against hers. I scooped her up into my arms.

I laid her down on the bed, covering her with my body as I thrust my crotch gently against hers. Her back arched off the bed with a loud moan. I repeated the motion and was rewarded with the same response before she thrust her crotch up against me. Fuck, my mind shouted, that felt amazing. Soon we were thrusting wildly against each other.

"We have too many clothes on," I breathed out against her lips, stilling her movements. I rolled off of her and onto my side, all the while my hands were fumbling with the button of her shorts. Soon we were both naked, and I reclined back with her straddling me. My hands found purchase on her hips, and ever so slowly, I lowered her down my length. We both moaned at the sensation. Remembering what I had seen in videos, I guided her up and down, setting a torturous pace, punishing myself as I kept it slow. What I really wanted to do was push up hard and fast, again and again, but I didn't want to frighten her.

BPOV

The feeling of having Edward sheathed inside me was making my head spin. His hands urged me to bounce slowly up and down. I moaned at the heady sensation the constant bouncing caused. The pressure I was experiencing built and built, making me long for it to release in the mind-numbing euphoria I felt the last time we were joined.

"More," I said huskily.

Edward didn't comply with whatever I was asking for him to do. Hell, I didn't know what I was asking for, not that I was naïve—more like inexperienced at gaining my own sexual pleasure.

"More," I said again before capturing his lips with mine.

His hands moved to my back but the paced did not change.

Not sure what I was doing, I rose up slowly and then push down fast; the sensation that resulted enticed me to do it again. It was as if my body took over, knowing exactly what to do. Edward's hands flew to my hips trying to still my movements. I wouldn't have it, swatting them away.

He seemed to get the messaged and bucked his hips up once, twice, and then I was seeing stars and calling out his name with a loud moan.

"Bella!" he exclaimed as he reached his own climax.

I collapsed atop him, and he shifted out from under me, cradling my head against his chest. My eyes were heavy, and I closed them. "I love you," I whispered against his chest, succumbing to exhaustion.