I do not own Twilight.
I am going to post these three chapters together because they were, originally, one very long chapter, but I cut it into three and you all deserve them together :)
Enjoy!
I am beyond grateful for Emmett's presence when I get to the prison, though I'm not so sure how he feels about my presence; or, more specifically, Mike's presence.
Mike was irritated when I told him of the phone call and of Emmett's request and had agreed to let me go on one condition: he came as well.
Emmett is eyeing him as we are shown into an inconspicuous room, the walls whiter than anything I've ever seen. It feels like the beginning to a horror story and, really, it may just as well be.
"Hey man," Emmett says, holding out his hand. "I'm—"
"Emmett," Mike finishes for him. "Yeah, I've heard." He doesn't sound upset, but he doesn't exactly sound enthused to be meeting Edward's older brother.
Their handshake is short, but I can feel the tension in the room. They're sizing each other up.
"Emmett, this is Mike, my boyfriend." My introduction is meaningless because neither seem to be listening.
Emmett's eyes move from Mike's, to mine. They soften and I realize just how desperate he was for my interaction in this meeting but I know how hard this will be. Mike won't be in the room with Edward, but just knowing Mike is here, listening and watching, will put us all on edge, I'm sure.
"Thanks for doing this, Bella," Emmett says and I can see Mike burning a hole in the side of my head. I had denounced that nickname, to everyone except Edward's family, apparently. I know this is going to cause an argument on the ride home, so I pretend I don't notice his stare.
"Does he…?"
Emmett shakes his head. "Thought it would be better this way. That way he can't argue." He grins, knowing how Edward is, but just the thought of Edward not wanting me here cuts away at the throbbing wounds.
"So, what is this for, exactly?" Mike asks, and I look up at him instead of Emmett as he answers. Really, Mike is an outstanding guy. Most would run for the hills in situations like this. He must really love me. "I mean, what's the goal?"
Emmett nods like he was waiting for the question. "We just want him to talk, that's basically it. And the only one that's able to get him to do that is…" he trails off, but we all know he's talking about me.
The painted-over metal door opens and a tall, slim, young blonde walks through quickly and I'm at once thankful for the intrusion. Her hair is in a bun, a painted smile to her lips.
"Hello," she says kindly, extending a manicured hand towards me. "You must be Bella. I'm Beth. I work with many of the inmates on correctional treatment plans."
I shake her hand, and her smiling eyes glide from me to Mike.
"This is Mike," I say. "My boyfriend."
Her eyes go from smiling to understanding to wary.
"It's very nice to meet you," she says, extending the same hand towards Mike. I take his other.
Her head tilts towards me and I can see a slight worry line forming across her forehead. "I understand the implications here," she says, and I'm already shaking my head, "but I'm not sure Edward is ready for this sort of…interference."
The word interference is so foul in its context in relation to Mike's presence, but I realize that it is completely true. To Edward, Mike is an interference; an interference to his past life, an interference to the life he had wanted, an interference to his future.
I squeeze Mike's hand as I reply, "He's only here for me. He's staying out here."
Beth nods and the soft smile is back. "This must be hard for you, Mike. Bella is extremely lucky to have someone like you by her side, but if you ever need to talk things through—a counselor, perhaps—I would be happy to introduce you to a few of our familial counselors."
Mike's nod is hard and I know he would never take her up on the offer. It feels like my blood has run cold because what the fuck am I doing?
"Okay," Beth says, and claps her hands together once. "Shall we head on in?"
With as much strength as I can muster, I nod.