A/N - Thanks for all of the reviews! I posted another chapter for my new fic Alliances today. Since I unexpectantly finished writing this one yesterday, I'm going to be posting that every day.
Chapter 50 - Release
Bella knocked on the door.
"Come on in." Lorenzo said holding the door open.
Bella walked inside and they both sat on the couch.
"How are you doing?
"I'm fine."
"I don't mean to pry but is something bothering you?"
"Um. No, really, I'm okay."
Lorenzo softly smiled. "Bella, I am always here if you need to talk. I won't judge you. And what you say to me stays between us."
Bella sighed. "I just can't get him out of my mind. I know he's dead. I should be so happy right now but I just can't seem to get it together."
Lorenzo nodded. "Go on."
"Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself. He got off easy. I'm the one who has suffered for everything that he has done. He's dead and I am still left with the memories of what he did to me."
Lorenzo took a deep breath. "What happened that day Bella that has thrown you like this?"
Bella wiped away a tear. "I went there. I allowed myself to think about everything that happened and it was like I was there again. Everything sick memory came flooding back. And then I taunted and teased him. I offered myself to him in exchange for him leaving all of us alone. And then I killed him."
"I know that it was horrible revisiting all of that pain that you buried and never dealt with. You need to see that it's been haunting you and affecting your choices. And as far as what you offered, I think that is what's really bugging you. Would you have gone through with it?"
Tears seemed to burst out of Bella. Lorenzo held open his arms and Bella moved closer to him and hugged him tightly.
"I don't know. I think that is what's driving me crazy. Why don't I know? How could I think that I even could?"
"Bella, just because you offered that doesn't mean that you wanted him. The fact that you were willing to go to any lengths to protect the people you love is beyond commendable. What he did to you was not your fault. You did nothing to deserve it."
"I made Luis mad. If I hadn't of done that…." Her voice broke.
Lorenzo was in tears. "No matter what you did or didn't do, that monster had no right to put his hands on you. What Luis and Salvatore did to you was reprehensible. And everything Salvatore did recently and everyone he's killed in the last few months, none of that is your fault. He made his own choices. He was trying to get revenge. Please don't blame yourself for any of this."
Bella sobbed. She knew what he was saying was true.
"Let it all out baby. Cry for everything you've lost. I won't let you go. You're safe."
Bella practically wailed as she let out all the emotion she held in for so long. She cried for over an hour before she finally fell asleep. Lorenzo grabbed a pillow and put it under her head and put a blanket over her. Her phone rang and he picked it up off the coffee table, it was Jason.
He answered it and walked into the bathroom.
"Jason, it's Lorenzo."
Jason was shocked. "Why are you answering Bella's phone?"
"She's asleep. She came to see me and she needed to talk about what happened." Lorenzo paused.
"Go on."
"I encouraged her to let it all out and she cried for about an hour. She's fine. She's sleeping on my couch."
Jason sighed. "Should I come get her?"
"No, finish what you are doing. If she's not in your hotel room when you get done, come to my suite and get her."
"Okay. Thanks for taking care of her."
"No problem."
Lorenzo walked back into the living room and sat in a chair and watched her sleep. His heart was broken having to see how much pain she had gone through; pain he could have prevented. But, he was glad that he was able to help her heal. He knew he could never make up for what he did. But, he planned to make sure he was always a part of her life.
About an hour later, there was a knock on the door. He got up and opened it. It was Jason.
"Hi, is she still sleeping?" He asked walking into the room. He saw her on the couch. "I'm going to take her back to our room."
Lorenzo nodded. He watched Jason pick her up and he held open the door. He hoped Bella would be alright.
Jason laid her on the bed and covered her up. She stirred and suddenly sat up. "Lorenzo?" She said, before realizing she was in their room.
"Hi."
"Did he call you?"
"No, I called you and he answered."
She sat up and grossed her legs. "Oh."
"He didn't give me any details, just that you were upset and fell asleep."
"He helped me deal with my Salvatore issues and I guess I was holding in a lot."
"Well, I'm glad he was there for you."
"Me too."
"Do you feel any better?"
"Actually, yes I do." She said smiling. She felt like a big weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"Are you sure? I had something planned for this evening, but it can wait if you're not up to it."
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
"Good."
His phone rang.
"Everything is arranged. Be there at 6:30." Olivia said.
"Thank you." He said hanging up the phone.
"What is that box over there?" She asked curiously.
"You'll see later. First, you have a spa appointment downstairs."
Bella grinned. "Really?"
"Yes. Milo will walk you down there."
"Does he get spa a treatment too?"
Jason smirked. The image of Milo getting a manicure made him chuckle.
"Ah no."
Bella smiled.
"So, get going. I don't want to be late."
"You don't have to ask me twice." She said going to the door. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Bella relaxed as the masseuse removed all of the tension from her back. She had already gotten a mani/pedi and a facial. She was in heaven. They finished and she took a quick shower and got dressed and then it was on to hair and makeup. When she finally went back up to the room, there was a note from Jason to look in the box.
She did and the most beautiful dress was in there. She grinned and stepped into it. Bella couldn't quite get the zipper to dress zipped and Jason appeared out of nowhere in a suit. "Holy shit you look good." She said looking up at him. Jason smiled and pulled her into him. "Not as good as you." She gasped as he zipped up her zipper and kissed her. "You taste good too." He said huskily. "Let's go."
