Disclaimer - Stephanie owns it all bar the plot and Wilson.
Thanks to Rita01TX for her editing skills and Keye for the prereads.
Remember that thing I said about this story ending up at 60 chapters? Yeah? Well it ain't gonna happen. My current best estimate is 67/68 chapters plus an epilogue, but it depends on how talkative everyone gets.
Chapter 55
Prison life resumed as if I'd never been away. As the first days passed, it was all too easy to slip back into my old routine. The guards remembered me, most of the inmates were the same and the food was still mediocre, at best. Everything was familiar...comfortable, even.
Cameron gave me the silent treatment, of course, which was just fine by me, and lifting weights and mooching around the yard with Emmett became the daily norm again.
The first time I hit the gym equipment made me realize how much I'd let things slide the last few weeks. I'd done what I could to maintain muscle tone with crunches and push-ups but, without any specialist equipment, my deterioration was showing as Emmett spotted me.
"Come on, gimme twenty more, Kermit," he coaxed as my arms trembled while lifting the weighted bar.
"I've…already done…forty," I panted, blinking a trickle of sweat away from my eye.
"You know the drill. We only start counting when it starts to hurt. Come on, princess…nineteen...eighteen..."
Fucking pushy asshole.
"Shit...argh...fucker," I cursed through gritted teeth as pain shot through my biceps.
"Oooh, someone got a potty mouth while they were on the outside," Emmett chortled and I couldn't help wishing one of the weights would drop off the bar and land on his toe.
"You sure you haven't put extra on here?" I whined, struggling to straighten my arms.
"Fifteen...fourteen...nah, there's only the same as it ever was," he assured me. "Come on, pansy ass. If you won't do it for me, do it for your girl…twelve...eleven."
Focusing inward, I pictured Ella standing in the sunshine and smiling but my brain quickly painted over her happiness with the misery of seeing me taken back to prison. A surge of anger at the person who'd hidden the gun in my saddlebag pushed me through the pain and I completed the last of my reps in record time, surprising even Emmett.
"Shit, Eddie. That girl of yours must really be something," he chuckled.
"She is," I responded, dropping the bar back into its frame and wiping the sweat from my face with a towel.
After watching Emmett make a gazillion reps without even breaking a sweat, I decided to head back to my cell for a quick wash up before dinner. Normally, and by that I meant had I been anywhere but this miserable institution, I'd have jumped into the shower and let the hot water massage my protesting muscles but, since showers were a luxury only available for a limited time in the morning or evening, this would have to do, for now.
Emmett was already in the dining hall when I got there. He nodded in welcome and handed me a tray.
"Looks like we get mushy pasta in something like a red sauce," he commented as we shuffled in line. He was taller than most of the other inmates and, if he stretched up on tiptoes, he could get us a heads up on the slops du jour.
"Has Cameron been giving you any more shit?" he inquired.
"Nope," I snorted.
Apart from some world class dirty looks, he'd been pretty much ignoring me.
"Hey, what you said to him about marrying Rose," I paused. "Did you mean it or was it just for show?"
He drew himself up to his full, intimidating height and pinned me with his blue eyes.
"Listen, Kermit. I've had plenty of time to think things through while you've been gone. I was nineteen when I was sent inside and now I'm almost twenty-nine. That's ten years of my life I won't be getting back. My parole hearing is coming up soon and what am I going out to…my mom reminding me every day how much of a disappointment I am? Trying to find a job with no real skills and a criminal record? Everyone I used to know has moved on…gotten married, had kids, built their careers and I've...stagnated."
He let his words settle, pursing his lips. The doughy faced inmate behind me coughed for us to move up the line and Emmett angrily flicked his head for him to go in front of us.
"I felt a real connection with your sister and it's never gone away...not for me, anyway. I know I'm no prize but we're the same, her and I. We've both got a past we'd rather forget about and we're both beginners at relationships. I know she's been damaged and she may never want what I want for us but I can't ignore what I feel. I gotta try and win her over."
His speech was heartfelt and it both overawed and frightened me. On the one hand, I couldn't think of anyone better for my sister and I knew deep down, beneath the high, protective wall she'd built around her heart, she had feelings for him, too. If she could just give a little, knock out one brick, even…just enough to let him get inside, it might be the most beautiful relationship ever.
On the other hand, he'd mentioned his parole hearing and the prospect of him leaving me behind in here was a bleak one. I'd never mixed much with the wider population. Sure, I knew most of their names but I'd never bothered to take it any further and get to know them.
"I hope you do marry her, man," I said, gulping around a lump in my throat at the expectation of losing my friend. In an effort to lighten the mood, I pushed past him, tray in hand, and called back.
"And you better let me be the best man when you do 'cause I've got a helluva lot of good material for the speech, Alice."
"Fucker," he laughed and swiped at my ass with his empty tray.
Accepting a huge dollop of steaming red slop, I turned away to scout out a table closest to the corner providing the best vantage point in the room. With so many caged and angry men, this was the space most often used to settle scores. Hot food and cutlery made great makeshift weapons in a place where cells were routinely tossed for shanks and bodies patted down.
"Is your mom coming tomorrow?" I asked, pausing to blow on a fork full of overcooked pasta.
"Got no one else to ask," he sighed. "How 'bout you?"
Chewing and swallowing the mouthful of food quickly, I had to admit it didn't taste half as bad as it looked.
"Well, I've made sure Mom and Ella are on the list but I don't know if they'll both show," I shrugged.
Trying to picture Ella sitting across a prison table didn't sit well with me. It would be like caging an exotic bird and, while I was desperate to see her again, I wasn't looking forward to the fear and disappointment I'd find in her eyes when she saw me in my natural habitat.
Her first letter arrived a day ago, a page full of words promising she believed I was innocent, how much she loved me and that she'd wait as long as it took for us to be together again.
"I'm looking forward to vetting her," he smirked, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Just to make sure she's good enough for my Kermie."
Even though I smiled, my heart clenched. I'd deliberately been trying not to spend too much time thinking about her, pushing my memories back into the farthest corners of my conscious mind as a defense mechanism to get me through the daylight hours.
Nighttime was a different matter, of course. I'd lay awake in the bottom bunk as the lights dimmed just enough to put me in the dark shadows of Cameron's mattress. While he snored above me without a care, memories of her would crowd me. Small fragments of her essence teased, taunted and kept me from peaceful slumber…the light in her eyes, the curve of her smile, her scent, her voice...her sex. At times, the pain of knowing I might have to wait years to hold her as a man holds his woman again was almost excruciating, assuming she kept her word and waited for me. It left me feeling helpless, anxious, overwhelmed and tired as fuck the next morning.
~oOo~
"And it's raining, dum dum diddle diddle dum, raining in my heart," Emmett sang, the words echoing loudly off the tile walls as the miserly prison showers plastered his still too short hair flat to his scalp. He'd mentioned his parole hearing was coming up soon and I assumed he was growing it out to make a better impression on the board.
"Oh, misery...mi-seryyyy, what's gonna become of meee?" I chimed in from under the next shower head and clamped down the sickly feeling those words induced.
"Ah man, I've missed showering with my bro," he chortled gleefully, adding a cheeky pinch to my ass right over the Property of Alice tatt, and I mock punched him in the arm, secretly glad the showers were quieter than usual. The last thing I wanted was anyone getting the wrong impression about my sexuality.
Today was visiting day and I was eager to see who was coming to see my sorry ass. Normally, I'd have done a little working out after dressing and grabbing some breakfast but I didn't want to stink like one of Emmett's sweaty gym socks if my girl was going to be there. Instead, I sloped off to the common room and watched an old, black and white film on TV.
Not that I could concentrate on the plot. I was too anxious. Apart from Emmett, it felt like I hadn't seen a friendly face for months, rather than days. I was desperate to hear if there had been any more news about Wilson, the investigation into the fire at the garage and…damn it, I wanted to see Ella again.
The clock hands eventually crawled around to visiting time and I walked with Emmett to join the throng of prisoners already waiting outside the large hall.
The tables were laid out in rows with plenty of space between for the guards to patrol the room, same as they'd always had been.
I found my spot and laughed when I realized I'd been randomly placed at the table next to Emmett.
"How sweet is this, Kermit?" he gloated, rubbing his hands together. "I'll be able to get a great view of your girl."
"Yeah? And my mother, too, don't forget," I retorted, laughing as he visibly sagged back against his chair.
"You think she'll ever like me?" he moaned and I shrugged. Although Rose had stopped coming years ago, Mom never quite warmed to Emmett on her numerous visits. I guess the guy did look pretty intimidating with all that sinuous ink and massive muscles topped off by a severe crew cut.
"I guess she'll have no choice, especially since you're marrying Rose," I replied, casting a sideways glance in his direction, and he grinned and winked, instantly bouncing back to his usual self.
The bell rang out and the room fell silent, a moment of anxious calm where prisoners held their breath and everyone focused on the double doors. Dozens of pairs of eyes united in the eagerly awaited moment they'd catch sight of their loved ones.
Soon, a babble of voices and clatter of fast footsteps signaled the stream of visitors. Both Ella and Mom were fairly short and I craned my neck to see them in the thick of the crowd.
"Edward!" Mrs. McCarty's voice pulled my attention away from the door. She looked surprised but not unhappy to see me. "What you doin' here, hon? I thought you'd been released."
"Oh, hi, Mrs. M," I greeted her with a smile. "Guess I was missing your Emmy too much."
Pleased I'd used her nickname for him, she smiled widely and walked on to take a seat opposite her son. Mrs. McCarty was a no nonsense lady who told it the way she saw it and that kind of straightforwardness was refreshing in this liars den.
Moments later, Ella was calling my name, breaking away from Mom's side to rush towards me. Even knowing it would be frowned upon, I wanted nothing more than to sweep her into a tight hug.
Ah, fuck it! When did I ever play by the rules?
Standing abruptly, I caught her just as she slammed into my chest, her arms instantly clamping tightly around my neck. Desperation vibrated through her embrace and much as I'd have liked to savor the moment a little longer, Clearwater stalked over to break it up.
A sneaky peck on her lips before I had to push her away was all I was able to get away with. I remembered only too well the punishment for Rose when the guards suspected her of smuggling drugs to Emmett and couldn't bear the thought of that happening to Ella every visit.
"I'm glad you came," I told them both as we all settled onto our respective chairs.
"How's it been," Ella asked and I managed a smile.
"Like I've never been away," I stated flatly. "I'm not rooming with Emmett this time but it's fine."
"Oh, which one is he?" she wondered, already glancing around the room.
"That would be me," Emmett admitted proudly, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation.
"You!" Ella exclaimed, crossing her arms across her chest. "You're Alice? The Alice…the one inked on my boyfriend's ass?"
Mom opened her mouth but wisely stayed silent.
Ella looked fiercely outraged and, for once, Emmett seemed uncertain…a flicker of panic in his eyes. I tried not to chuckle but it was too funny. He could handle a whole gang of angry men but a sharp tongued woman instantly turned him into a six-year-old boy being scolded for trailing dirt over a freshly mopped floor.
"Um, yeah," he mumbled in embarrassment and his mother turned in her chair to see who was eliciting such a reaction from her son.
"Hmm, I imagined you much prettier and maybe with longer hair," Ella mused, tapping her bottom lip with a forefinger, and I exploded into belly busting laughter.
Finally catching on to my girl's sense of humor, Emmett instantly relaxed.
"Alice? What's she talking about?" Mrs. McCarty asked her son who, for once, seemed at a loss for words.
Leaving Emmett trying to explain his nickname, I refocused my attention on the two women sitting across from me.
"How's Wilson?" I inquired, my eyes moving between them.
"He's doing much better," Mom replied and I sighed deeply in relief.
"He was shocked when I told him you'd been sent back here and refused to believe you had anything to do with the fire or that gun," she continued.
"Thank God," I said, relieved he was talking and didn't seem to be holding anything against me. Just knowing he was conscious was a weight off my shoulders.
"When did you see him last?" I asked and Mom shifted in her seat a little.
"Well, when you told me he didn't have any family, and since he'd been so kind to you, I decided I'd go visit him at the hospital," she answered.
"That's good, Mom. Is he still there?"
"Yes," she answered but didn't sound so certain.
"Is there something you're not telling me, here?" I looked at Ella first, who was nervously licking her lips, and then at Mom.
"Actually, I've been going every day. The doctors said they'd be happy to discharge him sooner rather than later if he had someone at home to help him but, as you know, he lives on his own and..." she trailed off.
"And?" I raised a brow expectantly.
"And...I talked it over with Rose and Ella and we decided he should come and stay with us…just until he felt strong enough to cope on his own, of course. We can move the dining room furniture around to make enough space to fit a bed in there. That way he won't have to struggle with the stairs..."
As she babbled on about her plans, I watched her carefully. There was something different about her I couldn't quite put my finger on but she seemed somehow livelier than I'd seen her in years. Having Wilson to fuss over might actually be good for her and I could only imagine how much he'd enjoy having his own personal harem of willing nursemaids catering to his every whim. I smirked to myself picturing him sprawled Nero like on a chaise lounge while Rose and Ella fanned him and my mother fed him grapes from a silver tray.
"So, what do you think?" Mom asked, snapping me out of my trance.
"About what?"
"About Wilson staying with us. Of course, I won't suggest it to him if you're not comfortable with it," she insisted.
"No, I think it's a great idea...and I know for a fact he likes Ella," I assured her.
"Edward, I have some good news," Ella announced, shifting forward in her chair. "Mr. Lahote called me this morning. There's still no news about the gun but the investigation into the fire has been closed out and they haven't found any evidence to suggest the gas supply had been tampered with. They're putting the leak down to a faulty connection."
Could this day get any better? Even though their conclusion wouldn't alter my being inside since that was down to the planted gun, the immense relief knowing the explosion wasn't a deliberate act was palpable. Wilson hadn't been hurt because I'd failed to reveal the details about my stalker and the way was now cleared for an insurance claim. Best of all, it meant no extra years would be tacked onto the remainder of my sentence.
"Wow! That is great news," I praised and Ella smiled as happy tears formed in her eyes.
"I never doubted it," she stated emphatically, reaching a hand across the table. I took it and squeezed gently.
"Thanks, baby. I'm just sorry it caused problems between you and your father," I apologized.
While I had no time for Charlie Swan, I didn't like Ella being forced to choose between us and hurting because she'd chosen me.
She sighed deeply. "It's nothing that hadn't been building for a long time. Please don't worry about it."
"And Ella knows she's welcome to stay as long as she wants," Mom jumped in, a genuine smile gracing her lips, and I was warmed to think she was fitting in at my home.
"Any more news?" I quizzed, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Um, I'm expecting a call from Phil later today. Mom's been having some contractions during the night. She's still got a week to go so I don't know if it's nothing or something but he's taken her in to be monitored," she explained.
"Sounds exciting." And I thought it should be but excitement wasn't the emotion reflected in her face.
"How's the dress coming along?" I continued, hurriedly getting off the subject.
"Oh, it's beautiful, thanks to Rose and Tanya," she beamed but then paused. "Only I don't think I'll be going to the wedding..."
"What? Why?" I interrupted.
"Because it just doesn't feel right to be out partying while you're stuck in here," she sighed.
"Ella, baby. Don't worry about me. This place is my second home," I protested, pleading with my eyes for her to believe me. "You should go…see your mother, meet your baby brother, have a little fun. Just don't dance with any handsome men, okay?"
It was meant to be a joke but as the tears rolled over her cheeks, I realized I'd gone too far.
"I don't want anyone but you," she whimpered and my heart crumbled. Just as I was considering rounding the table and pulling her into a tight embrace, the bell rang to end the visit.
"Fuck," I snapped in frustration as people already began exiting the room.
"Hey, Eddie," Emmett muttered under his breath. "Make the most of it."
"Of what?" I wondered, perplexed.
"You'll see," he sniggered with a waggle of his thick eyebrows.
I watched as he suddenly stood and pushed the table, its feet scraping harshly against the linoleum flooring as he bellowed, "What the fuck did you just call me, asshole?"
For a second, I was baffled until I saw him stalk his way towards Cameron's table. He towered over him like a snorting, raging bull while Cameron looked like he was about to shit a brick, holding his hands up as if they could possibly be enough to keep a furious Emmett at bay. Of course, the guards scrambled to break up what they thought was about to boil over into a nasty fist fight. Emmett glanced at me and jerked his head at Ella.
He didn't need to tell me twice. Rushing around the table, I gathered her into my arms, holding her body tightly against mine. We weren't the only ones in the room taking advantage of the distracted guards as they tried to reason with Emmett but ours was clearly the most emotional contact.
Like a desiccated sponge, I soaked it up and, as if no one was watching, tilted her chin to bring my lips to hers in a desperate kiss I should have been embarrassed for my mother to see. In those precious few seconds, I tried to convey everything my heart was feeling.
Unable to hold her here forever, I slowly released my grip. She smiled weakly and I brushed a palm over her hair. "Promise me you'll go."
"Okay, I promise," she sniffed. "But I'll save up my dances for when you get out."
"I'll hold you to that," I murmured as she slid from my fingertips and walked out of my life for another two weeks.
Of course, Emmett never touched Cameron. His aggressive display was enough to cause a panic among the guards but not enough to be an issue at his upcoming parole hearing.
I waited until Mom and Ella disappeared through the double doors before sitting back down. As if she'd taken all my energy with her, my heart was emotionally drained and I wanted nothing more than the comfort of my bunk to sort through my feelings and wallow in the uniquely Ella scent she'd left all over me.
A/N - Gah, gotta love Emmett.
More next Tuesday and if you want to see a teaser on a Monday friend me on FB, Claire Bamboozle.
Claire x
