Rescue Ink
Carlisle Cullen is a pillar of the community. He's a humane veterinarian/philanthropist who owns an animal hospital and shelter. He's a loving husband, a devout father, and his three sons follow in his footsteps as well as on his Harley. They're tattooed bad boys who right the wrong to protect and save. They have hearts that fall in love with the blink of an eye. Well, except for the middle one, Edward.
Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight.
A/N: I am still blessed with my Beta, Fran. She's my Queen; my comma commando. She's my security blanket. She's a good friend. She also went for a meetup, just returned, and I won't ask her to do this now … so, I'm on my own… forgive my mistakes.
A/N: Recs: Online Crushes by lucky pessimist
Online crushes should never be able to influence your personal life, especially not if your on-line crush is a part of your personal life, without either of you knowing. Is life not stressful enough without two worlds colliding? :/ s /12522856/1/ Online-Crushes
Recs: Mods and Rockers by Michaelmas54
One boy, one girl; one rich, one poor; one privileged, one not; one Mod, one Rocker. This story takes you back in time to England in 1964 when these two gangs managed to exist side by side, until bank holiday weekends when they fought on the beaches. Inspired by true events. Rated M for all the usual reasons.
:/ s /12505343/1 /Mods-Rockers
I did try to update last night, either FF was down or my computer wasn't cooperating. BUT here is the new chapter!
Chapter Fifty-three: Saving Souls
BPOV
Yeah, I run out of our room, stop short, lean on the door and stare at my belly with clenched teeth. I quietly growl, "You guys are making me crazy."
Before the tears run down my face, I growl to myself and turn to walk back, as Edward opens the door. I lunge for him, saying 'I'm sorry,' over and over, kissing every part of his beautiful face.
"It's okay," he says, holding me close and swaying us back and forth. "It's okay. I didn't mean to take them away from you. I just want to have some time alone, Bella."
I'm a crying mess and snivel, "Edward, I want us to be together. But is it so wrong to want them, too?"
"No ... my love, we can find a balance."
I plead, "And I'm so sorry for running off. I know you like your alone time, and I just don't want to burden you with me. God, I hate all this crying."
He huffs, gently holds my upper arms and leans down, eye to eye, "You are never a burden. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't want to fuck this up."
"I don't either."
I place my hands on his stubbly face and smile. "I love you."
He grins and his eyes sparkle with life. "I love you."
His apologetic kisses are gentle, loving and slow on my lips. He moves to my neck as his hands slide down my arms, cup my back, and squeeze my cheeks. At first, he massages me with light tickles and I giggle.
We both laugh.
"I won't run off again, Edward."
"Just know, that if you do, I will always follow."
I kiss him with every ounce of my soul.
*RI*
I awake with the sheets wrapped around our legs. Edward sleeps deeply with one hand over my breast, his head curved in the crick of my neck, and his warm breath lightly blowing behind my ear.
Nature calls, but I'm unable to move without disturbing Edward. I slowly twist my body to one side and he palms my breast a little tighter growling into my ear, "Where do you think you're going?"
"To the bathroom, I I whisper.
He releases me and sits up. "Oh, sorry."
Once I take care of business, I return to bed and snuggle close. Then, Edward's cell chimes.
It's Juan, he needs help.
He meets us in the lobby with a frazzled smile. "We just received word of a major siege in New Hampshire."
Edward asks, "What are we talking about?"
Juan sighs, "A mansion in the hills of Wolfeboro hosting possibly fifty to sixty Great Danes." He shrugs. "Maybe more."
Jasper steps forward. "Do you know their condition?"
"I don't know. The Humane Society group just arrived at the gate."
*RI*
The two-hour drive to Wolfeboro, N.H. is cut to forty minutes on a friend's private helicopter. All of us whisk into this large whirlybird. The rugs and the plush leather blend together with a haze of beige.
Before I can blink a second time, the helicopter lowers to a curvy round, dirt driveway in front of a three-story, Georgian colonial mansion on fifty-three acres bordering the Warren Brook with a breathtaking view of Lake Wentworth and Mt. Shaw. Juan certainly can tell a tale in three minutes. There is also a black, electronic gate surrounding the perimeter.
Edward takes my hand as we follow Juan and the others into the home. The curved, dark wooden stairway stands to attention, but it's the large cages in the entryway on scratched, dulled floors that catch my eye and the cries for help that pound in my head. The home is in disrepair, but it's the foul stench of urine and feces on the floors, walls, windows, and furniture that seep into my nasal passages. I cup my mouth and run out the door.
Closing my eyes, I breathe in the fresh air and calm my nausea.
Edward rubs my back. "You okay?"
I slowly nod. "That caught me off-guard."
Alice and Rosalie simultaneously add, "Me, too."
Both Emmett and Jasper rub their backs as well.
The Humane Society agents file out of the front door carrying cages or holding a weakened dog in their arms.
Juan joins us. "Is everyone alright?"
Edward answers, "The girls were overwhelmed by the odor."
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't think about what we would find." He sighs. "They found eighty-four Great Danes ranging in ages from a few weeks to adult dogs. The weakened dogs were in cages while others roamed freely throughout the house. The 60-year old owner was arrested on two misdemeanor charges of neglect and released on her own recognizance providing she doesn't possess any animals while the charges remain pending against her. We're pretty sure many of the females will be pregnant, and the owner has another property where nine more puppies were found."
Jasper moans shaking his head. "That's it? Misdemeanors?"
Juan nods. "And the worst part, the animals were sliding in their own waste as you saw and smelled. A food preparation area in the back of the kitchen was littered with rotting chicken. They had no water or food in their cages."
"How could anyone treat these poor animals that way?" Alice cries.
"This is one bizarre case, Alice. This woman had a great deal of money." He throws his hands up toward the house. "She was also selling the puppies for $2500 each. But the police are still investigating. They believe there are more people involved and more charges could be filed."
Alice sadly asks, "What evil lives in this kind of wealth and treats animals with such cruelty?"
"It takes all kinds, Alice. She had a site that showed the house with its beautiful surroundings portraying a clean, safe environment for the dogs," Juan answers, then huffs, "We just need to stop them."
*RI*
Once we return to Boston, Juan gives us a quick tour of his facility and introduces his staff. The two-story building with manicured landscaping serves as their administrative headquarters and a veterinary clinic. It's in the historic South End neighborhood of Boston; another fact from Juan's tales.
He expects delivery of twenty, Great Danes from the siege in New Hampshire, and asks if we would like to stick around to observe or volunteer. While Edward, Jasper, and Alice prepare for the dogs' arrival, Emmett, Rose and I settle ourselves down with a few assistants and mass email every state capital with our proposed plan for animal rights and laws for abusers.
My time clock goes off for lunch. My munchkins are hungry and mutiny is apparent, while
Rose's stomach growls and Emmett is outwardly cranky.
Finally, Edward, Alice, and Jasper arise from the examination rooms and we go to lunch via Juan. Since he'll be with the Great Danes, he does arrange for us to go to Faneuil Hall Marketplace to pick the restaurant of our choice, as his treat.
Now, Faneuil Hall is an indoor/outdoor marketplace with restaurants, shops, and great, street entertainment.
Emmett chooses 'Dick's Last Resort' to try. Their servers are louder than him and far more sarcastic. They scream and shout and top our heads with napkin hats. Rose, Alice and I sit in the outside patio area eating barbecued ribs with 'wicked' sauce, French fries, and fried pickles while Edward, Emmett, and Jasper inhale lobster rolls, clam chowder, and gooey, cheese fries. The men drink beer and we girls drink club soda with lemon.
Everyone gets up and does the Harlem Shake. One of the waiters dances a bit too close to me and Edward helps him in the other direction. A fight breaks out between two of the staff and they order everyone to sit down and shut up.
During the silence, I begin to giggle. The wait staff starts to horrendously roar and the entire restaurant laughs holding their sides. It's a lunch and show.
Fatigue sets in for Rose and Alice. Emmett and Jasper take them to the hotel to rest.
Edward and I hail a taxi to the Boston Common and ride the 'swan' boats. Edward has a field day poking fun that they were named for me. But these medium-sized boats have a swan figure on the backside of the helm. I curl into his side as the driver paddles us around the lagoon. The sun warms us lightly and the sound of the splashing water lulls me to a calm snooze. Edward holds me close, kissing the top of my head. Our driver begins to sing, 'Dream On' and he sounds like Steven Tyler. It's such a peaceful moment in my husband's arm. I look up at him and he smiles at me.
*RI*
Okay, a tender moment. More to come in Boston. Then, it IS back home to have some babies.
*RI*
Time for recs: This list is authors.
Postapocalyptic Depository id:4165532, DiniaSteel id: 3225194, jane-with-a-y id: 2434729,
bornonhalloween id: 1784930, Nolebucgrl id: 1901714, AshesAshes83 id: 4246885,
Edward's Eternal id: 1986894, HopeSparkles id: 3076873, ceceprincess1217 id:4475044,
shouldbecleaning id: 5057467, fyrebyrd id: 2483494, RobsFan-tasy01 id: 2751935,
camoozle id: 1918869, RRose id: 2756124, pattyrose id: 1965286, OhGeeFantasy id: 4486773,
2brown-eyes id: 2455049, Shadow Masen id: 312528, Robsmyyummy Cabanaboy id:3470172,
deJean Smith id:2129320, skittlesmomma27 id: 4097355, melistories id: 4111996,
mrsmcavoy23 id: 1893707, winterhorses id:4743992, readingmama id: 1816183,
Ceceprincess1217 id: 4475044, purpleC305 id:5424625, windchymes id: 1943566
bicyclesarecool id:4685588, NewTwilightFan id:1970785, Now Taking Numbers id:2284654,
cullenlvr83 id:2434565, t iffanyanne3 id:1709839, Miss Baby id: 1562633,
Bubbleybear id: 2007216, backwardglance id:6277900, LatteLemon id:6210446,
sweetwordsofmine id: 7019621, staringatthesky id: 3998461, FICTIONAL-STAR id:1969389,
AGothicReader id:7260301, archy12 id: 2268597, Twilightsavedme id: 6109847,
The Reading Maniac id: 6245254, Chatterboxcharlie id: 5604107, Kestra EchoWolf id: 5416585,
SparrowNotes24 id: 4244397, Jonesn id: 2002395, Crazy ExGirlfriend23 id: 7731879,
Hikingurl id: 4043950, TwiAddictAnne id: 5527504, AliciaW68 Id: 2613009,
sweet fanfic Id: 7859207, Alisa Pearce Id: 5856611, Sunshine1220 Id:6671637,
CiaraShayee id: 7945681, MandyLeigh Id: 1795319, trainwreque Id: 2424847,
The Strong1 id: 3832482, LadyHazelK Id: 4332812, Honeymoon Edward Id:8999187,
Myotherlife id# 3605025, AbbyPratt Id: 9296759, lucky pessimist Id: 7299880,
Michaelmas54 id# 4775235,
