Mal is at work going over some paperwork; he was very concern about the broken young man. But he kept his mind on his work; he was sure when the young man was ready to talk. Then he or River would be waiting for Edward when he was ready to talk to either of them. Mal had his paperwork all done before lunch time. He was about ready to go to a diner or something. When Edward walks in with a bag in his hand. "Miss River, asked me if I could bring this to your lunch to you." Edward sit it down on his desk. Mal watch as Edward was struggling with himself to either stay or go. Mal saw this Edward felt so out of place. "Edward, have a sit." Mal pulled up a seat right next to his desk. Edward at first wasn't sure, if it was a good idea or not. But then Mal added; "come on, son aren't no harm in having lunch with a friend." Edward takes his seat right next to him. Edward hands were shaking very badly. "Edward, relax it's going to be alright. I won't hurt you; I understand you're afraid. But, you have to trust me." Edward had to choice weather or not to trust Mal. Edward takes the first step and another, he sits down right next to the desk. Mal had opened up his lunch and noticed that there was some blood in a huge cup for Edward. He gave it to Edward; the boy look very shocked and opened up the cup. Edward takes a long slip, Edward groan very loudly.
Mal had a big smile on his face, he is smiling as he watches Edward drank his cup of red blood. Mal had a feeling that Edward wasn't human. Not, because he had destroyed a lot of trees. But because, no one could be that strong enough to stop a van from crashing two people. But Mal will always, be thankful to the young man. He had put himself in harm way, so that his wife and daughter were safe. Mal was watching as Edward was still drinking his blood, he drank it very slowly. Edward couldn't understand, why Mal and his family were helping him. Mal had a hand, on Edward shoulder squeeze it affectionately. Edward had a light smile on his face; he was sitting in silence with Mal on his lunch break. Both of them aren't saying anything to one another. Mal is given, Edward some time to adjust. Mal figured that, when Edward was ready to talk he be waiting when he was ready. Mal had about ten more minutes of his lunch break left. Edward sit there; it was very strange not hearing Emmett making fun Edward sex life or better word lack thereof. Edward hated his life inside the Cullen household. But, he had tried to make time for them. But, he don't feel welcome in his own family or not a real family. Edward wished that, he could be a real family with Mal and his family. But it would, never be anymore true.
Finally Mal break was over with Edward; had gotten up to leave. When Mal pulled him in for a hug; Edward hug back. He wasn't close to recovering, but very slowly he was coming around. Mal hope that with time Edward could heal fully from this. Watching as Edward left the station, he gets into his wife car and is driving back to the house. Mal goes over to his office phone to call his wife. After three rings, she answered the phone. "Hey sweetheart, just wanted to see how everything is at home." She answered him and said; "that everything was fine." Mal was very concerned for Edward. River had a feeling, why her husband had called her. "Mal, Edward is back. I love you." Mal had a smile on his face. "I love you, too. Darling, I'll see you later." Mal is sitting back against his chair. He is wondering, if Edward would truly be alright. Then of course, if he had it his way. He would never, let him go back to his awful adopted family ever again. Mal had a feeling that one day. Edward would one day be his old self once again. Mal knew that Edward had come a long way. River may have sent Edward to see him. So, that Edward could used the break from the house. Then after spending thirty minutes with him on his break. Edward was really shocked, that he had asked him to join him on his break. Then after spending thirty minutes together. Edward had kept quiet the whole time he was there.
Back at the Reynolds house
River is getting ready to make dinner, when she see that Edward has made it back safe and sound. She smiled at that, River was wondering if maybe she tells Edward about her and her husband life story. River got out her photo albums. She walked over to the couch, saw that Edward was just sitting there looking at the wall. "Edward, can I show you something?" She asked him; he looked at her. Edward was wondering, what she wants to show him. River continues on before he could say no. "Edward, I want you to understand. Something about our family; you have to understand why we are such outsiders. Believe me Edward we all understand better then you think we do." Edward couldn't believe when she said; "our family." Edward was in total shock after that. "Miss River, I would like that very much." River much happy mood, she took the seat right next to him. River opens up her family album; she show Edward her mom, dad and older brother. Edward was looking through the photos with River. Edward had asked; "you, came from a rich family." River nod her head, "yes, I was once a promising ballet dancer. I was very smart and very young and full of promise."