A/N Thank you for your patience in waiting for this chapter. My health isn't much better. Thank you for your prayers they are appreciated. Now we are going to hear from Bella, do you think she has grown in her time away from Edward?

Chapter 36

And then there was three

Bella

It had been four years since I left Chicago. I'd kept in contact with Esme, Claire, and Bree until a short time ago. I looked up Edward's graduation on the internet. He might have been smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes. They never mentioned what he was doing next in his career, and I was worried that he'd decided not to go forward with his studies.

When I found out that Edward had transferred ten percent of his ownership of Masen Pharmaceutical into my name, I was angry. I didn't need him to take care of me financially. I was even angrier when I was told I was the sole beneficiary of his estate in his will.

I will admit I almost got on a plane to give that man a piece of my mind, then realized as soon as Edward met someone else he would change his will. Though, Esme told me not to be too sure about that.

I still had panic attacks in my sleep, and sometimes had to resort to taking sleeping pills. I often lay in bed, and saw a vision of Edward standing across the street, as I left in Liam's car, in my mind. I'd cried all the way to the airport. Liam held me so tight before I left to board the plane. He made me promise to keep in touch with him and Tia; he said that even though he knew it was the right thing to do, for my own peace of mind, that they were both going to miss me.

I stayed with Rose and Emmett for a couple of months until I found an apartment. It wasn't in the nicest part of Manhattan, but I was too stubborn to let anyone help me. I just wanted to prove to both myself, and everyone else, I could be independent.

I've made many new friends since being in New York; among them the Masino family. Lucina, or known to her friends as Lucy, had gone to a private Catholic school with Rose. Corinna Masino, Lucy's mother, was Rose's mother, Lilly Hale's, best friend. I spent a fair amount of time with them both as I nursed Lilly. Her eldest son Antonio, or Ant as I called him—I was the only one ever to call him that because he had become something I always wanted; a big brother—owned a few nightclubs, a restaurant, as well as the apartment building Rose and Emmett lived in.

After I had a panic attack on the subway—when someone approached me from behind—Ant thought it'd be better if I drove a car. He had a tenant who had to leave town and asked me if I was interested in an apartment on the floor below Rose that needed subletting. Ant lived in the penthouse on the top floor. I felt safer, as it was a secure building. He also made an appointment with a friend who was a therapist, so I could continue with the therapy I was having in Chicago.

After Rose and I got back from Europe, in between caring for Rose's mom, I did some of my nursing studies through the internet. Just before the summer, when I started school, Lilly passed away in her husband's arms. The funeral was a big affair at the St. Patrick Cathedral. With the help of Ant, I managed to avoid any press, or being photographed. The last thing I needed was to have Edward turn up. I graduated six months after I would have done if I'd stayed in Chicago.

After I graduated I went to El Salvador with a team of Doctors and Nurses to help after the earthquake. I met some nurses from the New York Presbyterian Children's Hospital in Manhattan. They worked in the trauma emergency room. I was, in turn, introduced to Doctor Jason Scott; known to everyone as Jay. When we got back to New York, I was offered a job, and am now in the "A team" as Jay calls us, with Sasha, Beth, Danielle, and Austin. With me being the youngest, and unfortunately the smallest, I was known as "little Bell", or just "B".

I never thought I would ever be a child's trauma nurse, but the work was very intense. We worked three twelve-hour day shifts, with one day off before starting the three twelve- hour night shifts; followed by three days off. So, the downtime was precious. It also distracted me from thinking about Edward.

I met up with Rose and Emmett at least once a week. Rose made sure I ate, as we didn't always get time to eat when we were on our shifts. But Ant made me eat with him and his family once a week.

Although I missed Edward, and have cried myself to sleep often after looking at our photo—which I kept on my bedside table in my apartment—I hoped he had moved on with the life he had made for himself, and met someone he could build a life with.

After holidaying in California with the girls I work with, they dared me to get a tattoo. Not wanting to be a chicken, I got a small musical note on my ankle; a reminder of Edward. I have now got two beautiful roses around my hip, going up towards my waist, representing Gran and Grandpa.

I was with Ant, going out to lunch; he had to go to a tattoo shop he owned to sort out a problem on our way. It was in there I discovered white ink. I got a lace design over my right shoulder.

Not having ever had my ears pierced before, I now have my ear lobes pierced twice, as well as a cuff in my right ear. I have a small alexandrite stone which changes color in different lights on the side of my nose. The cuff was to stop people noticing my hearing aid, and asking about it. Jay suggested it, and so far, it had worked.

Lady Gaga boomed over the P.A system; it was something Jay did after we had a child pass through us. We had just had a ten-year-old boy with a gunshot wound; it never ceased to amaze me why parents don't lock their guns away. We lost him, and it's always emotionally draining when it happens. I was glad it was the end of our three days on nights.

"Well, little Bell, we are all going to the New Moon bar tonight. Are you coming?" Jay asked as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Smiling, I remembered the first time he asked me this…

A year earlier…

"I hum… well, I don't think so," I stammered. I always managed to give an excuse not to go.

"Little Bell, you're safe. I don't shit on my own doorstep," Jay said with a broad smile.

"Sorry? What?" I yelled.

"B, what Jay is trying, very poorly, to say is we are all off limits to him. He would never try and get into our panties," Sasha explained as she put her arm around my shoulder.

"Oh, okay," I replied. "Yes, that would be great. I would love to come."

"Yes, you can count me in," I answered, smiling, when I realized it was my birthday. I hoped no one remembered. After my horrible surprise twenty-first birthday party, I tried not to celebrate my birthday anymore.

"Will Em and Rose be coming?" Beth asked as she covered the gurney.

"I don't think so. Rose has been busy setting up her own practice," I replied.

"How's that going?" Austin asked.

"She found an office, and she interviewed a receptionist, last time I spoke to her," I explained.

The music stopped, and over the P.A system we heard, "Thank you for your work, kiddies. Have a great three days off." Caleb, the unit manager's voice boomed.

After going to the locker room, I grabbed my coat and bag. I couldn't wait to get home to my apartment and relax in a bubble bath.

Ant got me a good deal on a Renault Kayou. He hated the car, but I loved it.

I drove my car the short way home and arrived just as Ant was getting out of his.

"Hi, 're out early. Been to the gym? It's strange seeing you wearing anything but your Armani suits," I said smiling. "I thought you had turned into Stan Smith from Family Guy. You know, open your closet door, and only have the same Armani suit."

"You caught me out, Bells, yes. I thought I would take a jog before I went to bed. We had a long night at the club; there were some problems last night," Ant replied as he put his arm around my shoulder, walking towards the elevator.

"How does pancakes and bacon sound to you?" I asked.

"That sounds great. I have actually worked up an appetite. I'll go to my apartment to take a shower, and I'll be back in twenty minutes, if that's okay?" Ant enquired.

"That's fine; although, you could get away with not showering. You don't smell sweaty. In fact, you smell nice," I said, blushing when I realized what I had said.

"Are you coming on to me, Bells? Are you sure pancake and bacon isn't code for come to bed with me?" Ant winked.

"No … I mean … you're a nice guy … but I see you as an older brother. I can't go into a relationship yet," I stuttered, blushing more deeply.

"I'm fucking with you, Bells." Ant chuckled. "There is something I want to talk to you about."

While I showered, I worried about what Ant had to tell me. Since he had taken over more of the business side of the family business, he had become cold and distant. What if he was going to tell me I had to leave—that the guy whose apartment this belongs to were coming home? Where would I go? What if I had to go to an apartment which didn't have security? Royce King senior could find me.

I found myself struggling to breathe. I curled up in a ball in the corner of the shower, and everything went black.

"Hey, Swan, are you going to open those beautiful brown eyes of yours. You promised me pancake and bacon. I came for breakfast, and you decided to stay in the shower," Ant whispered into my ear.

I opened my eyes; Ant was smiling down at me before I realized I was laying on my bed wrapped in a towel.

Would you mind telling me what happened to you?" Ant asked raising his eyebrows?

With tears in my eyes, I answered him, "You're going to ask me to leave here, aren't you? I don't know where I would go. What if I can't stay with Rose and Em? What if the Kings find me? They were so angry when Royce was sentenced to life."

"Honey, I'm not asking you to leave. Get dressed and we'll go to my apartment. The housekeeper will make us breakfast," Ant said, kissing the top of my head.

Ten minutes later found us both sitting at his kitchen bar eating breakfast.

"What did you think I was going to tell you that made you have a panic attack? Or was it your way of flashing me?" Ant half smiled.

"Since you have taken over the entertainment side of the business, you are always so distant. You come home at all silly hours of the day and night, and you never wear jeans and t-shirts anymore. I thought you wanted me to leave the apartment," I replied, looking down.

Letting out a long sigh, he began to explain, "I went to Dartmouth, and got a Master's in Business Management. I was always going to be taking over from my father. I'm thirty-four years old, and it was time for me to step up. In a couple of years, I will be taking over the communication section, as well."

Ant got up, and moved his chair next to me, putting his arm around my shoulder. "Bells, you're like my little sister, and I have always thought about you like that. I would never put you out of your apartment. If the tenant ever came back, and to be honest, I don't think he will, you would just move up here with me. You know I never bring women back here."

"Okay," I whispered.

"What I need to tell you is … Lucy's friend Carly is an editor at Kensington Publishing, and a woman who is in jail has sent in her memoirs. Carly read Rosie's name in it. She knew about Rose from school, so she asked Lucy what she knew about this woman," Ant began to say.

"Who is this woman? It's Tanya, isn't it? She has named me, hasn't she?" I panicked.

"Yes, it is, but our lawyers have already told her if she continues with this she will find herself in court, and we will financially break her. Carly has also rung around all the publishing houses. I don't think she will ever get it published, unless she changes everyone's name. Besides, it makes her come across as a whore, but I figured from what Rose said, she is," Ant related with a shrug.

"Okay, thank you," I said, as I let out a loud yawn.

"Come on, Bells, you can sleep in the guest room. I don't want you on your own after you've had a panic attack. Tonight we're going to the New Moon bar. I haven't been since we had it refurbished. We might have Jay get that drunk he will bless us with his impersonation of Freddy Mercury and do his Queen medley." Ant laughed.

At nine o'clock that night Rose, Em, Lucy, me, and Ant climbed back into Ant's car after leaving the Eclipse Restaurant; one of the many Ant owned. They hadn't forgotten my birthday, and I had been given some lovely gifts, which included two pairs of diamond earrings from Ant.

"I'm so glad you kept the New Moon much the same as it was, so we can still consider it ours," I commented.

"Of course I did. You never know when you're going to need a doctor," Ant replied, with a wink.

Ant opened the door so I could walk in first.

"SURPRISE!" everyone shouted.

I went cold thinking of the aftermath of my surprise twenty-first birthday party, but I kept a smile plastered on my face.

"Wow, thank you. I didn't know anyone knew it was my birthday," I acknowledged.

"Little Bell, why would we forget; you're a great friend to so many of us. You're a great girl. We all love you." Jay smiled, as he pulled me into a hug.

I felt a kiss on my hair. "Have a great time, Bells. I've got to go for a couple of hours; I have some business to deal with in one of the clubs," Ant whispered as he squeezed me. "Seth is going to stay with you, if that's okay. If it gets too much just tell him."

"Okay. See you when you get back," I replied.

"Come on, Bella, stop thinking about that party. That's the past, and Edward will never be able to hurt you again," Rose whispered as she pulled me towards the bar.

"Sign up for karaoke, people!" Paul shouted over the microphone.

That's when I noticed the widescreen projection screen behind the stage that Ant had put in, which meant only one thing; everyone could watch you sing.

That's when the repertoire started:

Adel – Someone Like You.

Natalie Imbruglia – Torn.

Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire.

As the night went on, and people were getting drunk, they made up the words to the songs; which became hilarious.

"Come on up, little B. Your turn," Jay shouted.

I was pushed up onto the stage, and froze when I saw the song they had chosen for me: Avril Lavigne – Wish you were here.

I started singing, trying not to think about Edward, "And I remember all those crazy things you said. You left them running through my head. You're always there, you're everywhere. But right now I wish you were here."

I was so proud of myself for the first time in months; I hadn't broken down in tears.

It was just after one in the morning when Ant got back; just in time to watch a very drunk Jay start to sing. Unlike most people, who would have sung "Bohemian Rhapsody", Jay being a hard core Queen fan, sang "Don't Stop Me Now", followed by "Seven Seas of Rhye".

Just before the bar closed, we all, as usual, joined in singing "We are the champion."

I was so pleased. Now when I looked back on birthday memories, this one will overshadow anyone I'd had before.

It was just before Christmas. It had been a long day, we had four hours left on the shift, and I couldn't wait to get home. We had been working nonstop, and at one stage we didn't have a gurney available.

"B, there's a guy from the DCFS here to see you," Caleb said over the P.A.

"Have you got any outstanding reports, Bells?" Jay asked.

"No, everything is up to date," I replied.

"Come on, little one, we can see them in my office. If they want to see you, you'll need a witness," Jay said.

Paling, I walked to meet the worker.

"Hello, Ms. Swan. My name is James Hunter, and I work in the foster section of the DCFS. We have been just over three months trying to find you." He smiled.

"Come to my office. Would you like coffee, tea, water?" Jay inquired as he held the door open.

"Coffee would be great," James replied.

"Beth, can you get two coffees and a water, if you don't mind?" Jay yelled. "What can we help you with?"

"Well, it's a personal matter concerning Ms. Swan. I hope it's not a problem coming to see her in her place of work?" James asked.

"No, it's not a problem, but could you tell us what this relates to?" Jay pushed again.

"Is it okay if we discuss this in front of the doctor? It's a really personal matter," James tried to forcefully say.

"No, it's fine. Jay is a friend," I whispered.

"Okay," James pulled some papers from his bag.

"Just to double check you are the person we have been trying to find, are you the daughter of Renee Higginbotham, born in Port Townsend, Washington State?" James asked, looking at his paperwork.

"She's my birth mother, but I've never met her. What is this about?" I puzzled.

"Ms. Higginbotham was killed in a car accident three months ago. She left behind two children; they're your half-brother and sister. Garrett is three years old, and was in Omaha, Nebraska with his birth father. Katie is six months old, and is in Florida with her birth father's parents," James revealed.

"Wow, I don't know what to say," I said, shocked. "But where do I come into this?"

"The problem is Garrett's birth father wanted him, so that's why he's been taken to Omaha, Nebraska, but his wife didn't know about his little indiscretion. So, he was handed over to DCFS. Look, I'm going to be honest with you, can I call you Bella?" James sighed.

"Yes, of course," I answered.

"He isn't going to do well in foster care; he is so young. Unless a real family fosters him to adopt him, he is going to be passed from pillar to post. I was three years old when I was taken into care. My parents were drunks and drug addicts. My mother was a prostitute. My eldest brother apparently ran away. But if it wasn't for my foster parents adopting me, goodness knows what would have happened to me," James told us.

"So where does Bella come into this?" Jay asked curiously.

"Well, Garrett's father has signed away his parental rights, so Garrett is now a ward of the state. We were hoping that you would seek guardianship for him, with the possibility of adopting him."

As for Katie, her birth father isn't fit to be a father, but he won't give up his rights to her for some reason. We think it could be the money he is getting for her. But Katie's grandparents, although we might find it hard to separate them, are too old to give her proper care." James sighed. "Ms. Higginbotham's friend said she spoke very fondly of you, and was proud of what you had become. She always wanted you to have the children."

"I don't know what to say. I have the funds to support both the children, but neither of the children know me," I pointed out.

"Yes, but Garrett doesn't know his foster parents, either. Kids settle quickly, and I don't need to tell you that you're a pediatric nurse. I can give you time to think about it, but we need to be proactive. This is my card; call me, should we say within the next two days," James pled.

"Yes, sure," I replied, taking his card from him.

Jay showed him out as I sat in shock.

"B, why don't you take off. You have a lot to digest," Jay encouraged, as he pulled me into a hug.

"Thanks, Jay," I replied.

Still stunned, I went into the locker room, grabbed my stuff, before going to the car park to my car.

After a long talk with Rose and Ant, I found myself in Omaha, Nebraska to see if I could bring Garrett home with me.

"Ms. Swan, thank you for coming. My name is Victoria Ford. I'm Garrett Higginbotham's caseworker," A woman with flaming red hair said, as she held out her hand.

"Thank you for seeing me. Can I see Garrett?" I anxiously asked.

"He's here in the building, but as his case worker, I was hoping to have a chat with you. I know the social worker in New York spoke to you about Garrett, but I want to make sure you are aware that if you gain guardianship, then sign the adoption papers, you will be solely responsible for him. If you can't see this through until he is at least eighteen years old, please say so now, as I'm sure I should be able to find someone who is willing to be a long-term foster family to him," Victoria pressed.

"Ms. Ford, besides being his sister, and not knowing anything about him or his sister, I'm not going to pretend I'm not both shocked and scared. I have the money to support him, I have a career that can be put on hold until he is in school. I can buy a home anywhere in this country. I would like to take him back with me to New York, while we try and work out how to get Katie. I have an attorney working on that problem as we speak. So, I will ask again, Can I see Garrett?" I forcefully said.

"Yes, of course. Come this way," Victoria said, stunned.

I looked through a window, into a room where a little boy sat playing nervously with his fingers, as he looked down at the table.

Quietly opening the door, I walked over to him.

"Hi, honey, are you Garrett?" I asked as I knelt at his side.

He looked at me with his big blue eyes and said, "My momma is an angel, and lives in da sky. Aunty Jan gave me dis picture, and said my momma would find you and Momma 'as."

He gave me a picture of me at my high school graduation.

Looking at him, I replied, "Momma did, and I've come to take you to live with me forever, and we are going to get Katie, as well. How would you like that?"

"Please, can you tell the lady so I can come with you? I don't like da lady at dat ouse I ad to stay wiv," Garrett said, as his eyes watered.

"Honey, as soon as we do the paperwork with a judge we will be going on a plane. I just have to speak to my friend," I reassured him.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I called Rose.

"Hi, Rose, Garrett and I will be on the flight back to New York tomorrow. Can you ask Ant to get his contacts to start proceedings to get guardianship of Katie from her father in Jacksonville?" I told Rose.

"He's here now, and you're on speaker. We will see you both tomorrow. I'll get a bed set up for him in your apartment," Rose replied.

Taking Garrett's hand, I knew my life had taken yet another unexpected turn. One that I hoped would be the last.

Thanks, as always, to my beta Mr. G and Me, for her patience in making this readable. Also, my pre-reader Klcivinski for taking the time to read this for me. Any mistakes are all mine.