Bella Swan: The Enigma.

Chapter 41: Chicago.

EPOV(Edward)

''Edward, why are we going here? There's something you're not telling me, what's in Chicago?''

I sighed, I suppose it was time to tell her, I had been putting it off, I had known for three days, but didn't want to stress her out. ''Well you know there has to be a good reason, right?''

She nodded, looking suspicious, I couldn't blame her, I was acting suspicious. ''I trust you.''

''You shouldn't trust a vampire,'' I muttered, to low and rushed for anyone to hear or even see my lips move. ''Trust me.''

It was my attempt to some sort of dry humour, she smiled, which was enough, for now. Since she wasn't in much of a smiling mood lately, since we left the house.

I had to tell her soon, not just that her dad had been transferred to Chicago, but the rest too.

The things I should have told her at the hearing.

The things I definitely should have told her before we got married, I figured I could just put it in a box, lock it and leave it be, leave that box and burn it be damned. But life isn't that easy, it doesn't let you forget.

Bella looks like Renee, which was his biggest motivation, his biggest burden. The thing that set him off.

The thing that destroyed his daughter and landed his ass in prison.

We landed in Chicago with an eerie silence looming over us, despite everything she knew me and she knew I had something to tell her, something big.

It was all this built up tension that made it worse, made everything worse, made me put my head in my hands, run my fingers though my hair and wish to go back in time, so I could just tell her, the second I found out, I should have told her.

She needed to know, if she was going to think these doubts about her father, she would need to know everything about her dad, who he was and exactly what he was capable of, what he thought he was capable of.

We didn't bring any luggage with us, which might have looked strange to some, but we wouldn't be here long anyway, I had already called ahead, we had an hour to get to the prison, and our flight left two hours after that. We had plenty of time, if we ran, which we would, the prison was only ten minutes away, but I had to explain first.

There was a heavy fog in the air, it was early, maybe about four a.m. it was dark and there wasn't many people around. ''I want you to decide where we go.'' It seemed only fair, if I was going to drop this bomb on her at least she should choose the scenery, it seemed stupid, but I wanted her to be happy before I told her.

Though she just looked at me like I was crazy. ''I don't mind Edward, why don't we just go in there.'' She pointed towards a children's playground, it was my turn to look at her strangely.

She shrugged. ''You asked, I picked, deal with it Edward.''

I let it slide, letting her have her way, and it's not like it mattered where I told her, as long as I finally did.

She sat on a swing and swayed slightly, I stood there for a minute, I hadn't been on a swing in a century, I couldn't even remember ever being on one, and if it weren't for Bella, I'm sure, I would have never got on one.

But she had this invisible hold over me I loved, so a second later I was sitting too. ''I haven't been in a park since I was eight.'' Bella sighed and closed her eyes; she seemed to smile in memory. ''Tell me what you have to tell me Edward.''

''You might hate me after I tell you.''

''That's impossible, I could never hate you, with everything I put you through, Edward, you don't know how surprised and grateful I am every day that you married me, I can't understand why you did it, I mean, I know you love me, but that's what I don't get.'' Her lips turned into a frown, she bit her lip, looking down.

''Don't doubt my love, Bella, you're the one thing I've been sure of in a century.'' It was so hard to get the words out, especially when I knew what was coming.

''I'm so confused.'' She confessed, her eyes told me a different story than the one I thought, something else was bothering her.

''Why?''

''My power is gone, I think I might only get it for important things, I don't know, but I miss it, it just feels like my visions stuck, but I touched Alice earlier, nothing happened.'' She was quiet for a moment, and in that moment she must have changed her trail of thought. ''I just never thought I'd find love, you know? Never thought I would live long enough for it, I never expected this, you, and I haven't wrapped my head around it, not yet.''

''That's why I have to tell you this,'' I began, but the words seemed lodged in my throat, she already knew it to be true, but with everything, I know she wished she was wrong, but all of us already knew.

''Edward, tell me.'' her voice broke me, slashed through me like knives to a human.

''Your father was going to murder you.'' I sighed it out and felt immense weight lift off my shoulders for a moment, before it came crashing back down. ''You know it would have happened eventually, but no one knew how soon, not even me, Bella, I read his mind in court, he said more than I told you. He was thinking how he wished he had killed you, how easy it would have been, how many times he stared at you while you slept with a pillow in his hands, how he used to hide knives around the house in case he ever had the chance. I don't get how your visions didn't see it, dint see any of it. I was so disturbed Bella, I should have told you when I found out.''

The guilt that spread through me in that moment was unbearable, I should have told her before now, but she didn't seem to mind, because in the next second she was on my lap with her arms around my neck and her face pressed flush against my chest. ''I woke up with him like that once, the month after mom died, I forgot about it, it's okay Edward, it is.''

''That's not all.'' I swallowed. ''He was ready to do it, it's what helped convict him, he had a grave dug, they never found that, but they found a dirty shovel and plastic bags, when you went missing he panicked and filled the hole, but it was evidence, he was going to kill you that week, the week you died anyway.''

''But I died the right way, Edward, with you. I love you.''

I grimaced. ''I hope you do.''

''What?''

''I hope you love me enough to love me more after this.''

This was it, she had to say goodbye to her past, I know she had tried to, many times, I know she said she's done with Charlie, but she isn't, she never will be. But she needs to say goodbye before they kill him, I know she does.

So then, with a heavy heart, I told her the real reason we're here, and hopefully she would stick around for the flight back, back to not exactly home.

Bear with me! This story is almost done! Next chapter shall be them visiting Charlie, and a surprise. . . what do you think happened to Bella's power? Please review! I love you all! Thank you ;)xxx

-BATTM