Hi!

Sorry for the delay. I've been real busy and also just got back from vacation.
I have started on the next chapter but I dont know when it'll be done. Also, for the ones who dont have stars I've been thinking of doing a blog with the story if that would be better for you let me know!

Enjoy!

Five Stages of Grief - Part 1

Edward's POV

January

Depression - 1 Week since New Year's

I woke up with a start, taking deep breaths. It felt like the air had been pulled from my lungs. I glanced around real quick to find out I had fallen asleep in my office. A glass of whiskey lay on my desk and it seemed that I had only taken a few gulps of it since it remained half full.

I leaned back in my chair and cleaned the sleep out of my eyes. My back aching in protest at the way I slept. I still had on the sweats I wore yesterday and I really needed to take a shower. Locking up my office I walked down the hall towards my bedroom. Ms. Cope was setting a tray of food on the floor by the closed bedroom door.

She jumped when she saw me. "Mr. Cullen, I thought you were asleep." She held her chest.

"No, Shelley. Sorry I gave you a fright." She nodded, giving me a sad smile and made her way back down the stairs. I picked up the tray and opened the bedroom door letting out a huge sigh.

Nothing had changed in my bedroom, not the sheets, not the blanket on the couch in the corner where I currently had been sleeping or the lump in my huge ass bed curled on her side. I sat the tray down on my dresser and made my way to the side of her bed.

"Bella," I whispered. No response. Was she still asleep? I sighed and pulled out some clothes to wear for the day. I went to the shared bathroom and slowly closed the door. Turning on the shower, I waited for the water to heat up.

While I waited, I looked at myself in the mirror. My sleep deprived eyes looked back at me. It had been a week since New Years', since Black's and Swan's deaths, since….. I closed my eyes and tried to push back the tears that threatened to spill. My fists clenched, and I opened my eyes again.

I stripped off and moved to the shower. My aching muscles protested and then relaxed at the water temperature. I quickly washed my body and hair before stepping out and putting a towel around my hips. The door then creaked open and I quickly turned towards it.

Bella walked in, her hair was all twisted into a bun and her sweats clung to her. Her face hadn't changed since we got home.

"Hi," I said with a smile. "Good morning." No response but she did look at me which was a change. Since we had been home she avoided looking at me. I'll admit it hurt but I didn't let her know it did.

"Need to use the bathroom?" I asked and she nodded. I moved out of her way as she went to the toilet on the other side. It had its own door and I waited till it was shut before grabbing my clothes and going into the bedroom to change. I quickly threw on some boxers and clothes and noticed the sheets were soaked in some places. Since the incident, Bella's body temperature had been off and on. She would sweat like crazy and then freeze. It was probably why her sweats clung to her the way they did. I quickly stripped the sheets off and laid them outside the bedroom door.

I called for Jessica to come get them and then shut the door. I pulled out a fresh set and was putting them on the bed when Bella walked out of the bathroom. She looked at me with a disapproving glance and I didn't understand why.

Once I was done, I looked at her. She was now avoiding me and I didn't understand that. "Do you want to take a shower?" She seemed to think a bit but then shook her head no. I sighed. I think it had been three days days since she took a shower. I know she hadn't washed her hair since the night of the incident because I was the one that washed it. It was an oily mess and like I said piled on top of her head in a bun.

She quickly moved towards the bed and climbed under the sheets and comforter. I sighed and went to grab the tray that Ms. Cope had brought in. I put it on her side table and lifted the lid. Ms. Cope had made her some chicken salad sandwiches with some fruit. I had to smile as I remembered that a few months ago, Ms. Cope didn't know what brunch was and here she was making it now.

Bella just looked at it and didn't move to touch it. "Want me to help?" She shook her head no and I backed up. "I'll be back in a few to check on you okay?" She looked at me in surprise. I had made it almost to the bedroom door when I heard her voice. "Are you leaving?" My heart had dropped hearing that sweet voice. She hadn't spoken since that night leaving me to go by her facial expressions and gestures.

I turned to look at her. "No, sweetheart, just to my office." I wanted to go to her and kiss her, maybe pay some type of affection but I didn't want her to shut me out so I kept my distance. I was also at the house constantly.

She nodded at my answer and turned towards the food again. I really hoped she would eat it. She had been picking at her food lately. I quietly left our bedroom and shut the door. Jasper was supposed to come over and show me something but he had yet to arrive. I pulled out my phone where I saw a few text messages.

Most of them were from my mom who was concerned about us. She wanted to come over and stay but I thought her presence would be too much. My mother could be overbearing at times. Alice also wanted to, but I didn't think that was a good idea. Alice could be way too much sometimes, and honestly, I hadn't forgiven her for her actions yet.

Emmett had sent me one asking how I was doing and that things were running smoothly. He and James were currently handling my illegal side of things. I was focusing on Bella right now. She was the one who needed me. Ben and Eric were still combing through everything at Cullen Enterprises and surprisingly' nothing had been stolen again. I hadn't moved accounts or changed much since I wanted to catch whatever fuckhead was doing it. I slowly had been taking money out though.

Once I reached my office, I took a seat in my chair and called Jasper. He picked up on the second ring. "I'm on my way." I heard him say and hung up. I stood up and looked out the window of my office. Mike was cutting grass and I had a few guards walking around. I had given L a few days off. He certainly deserved it. Other than the lawn mower going it was quiet and peaceful.

A little knock sounded at my door, and I went to open it. It was Jessica, she was holding a cup of coffee. "Ms. Cope asked me to bring this for you," she said in her small voice. I took the coffee from her, and she stood there awkwardly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cullen, I don't mean to be a bother, but how is Mrs. Cullen?" She shook her head. "I mean I know she's okay in hindsight but I'm talking about her mental state." Jessica then shook her head again. "I'm sorry I have no place to ask this."

I sat my cup down on my desk and smiled at her. "I'm aware of your friendship with her, Jessica." She briefly looked at me in shocked but nodded. "She's been a great friend to me," she said with pride and I nodded.

"She's..." I trailed off. "I don't know, Jessica. I know she is grieving but I don't know." I couldn't describe how I felt about Bella at the moment. I was literally at a loss of words.

Jessica nodded like she understood. "I hope I'm not overstepping, but if she keeps becoming reclusive and doesn't open up to you? Please, I beg you to find someone who she will open up to."

I looked at Jessica who seemed to be thinking of something else. Her eyes looked sad at one point, but she then gave me a smile. "I will, Jessica. Thank you."

She nodded and was about to walk out of my office. "If Mr. Whitlock shows up, tell him to come to my office." She nodded and left.

I headed back to my office chair and started pulling at the strands of my hair. I felt a few tears slip out but I quickly wiped them away remembering that night was hard. I have been starved, beaten and tested but none of that was as hard as losing my child.

The tears spilled then; I could no longer keep them at bay. Watching Bella bleed, cry, and knowing that my child was dead did nothing to hold them back. I quickly wiped them away and took a sip of my coffee. I had to come here to grieve because I couldn't do it in front of Bella. She needed me to be strong for her.

"Yo!" I heard from the closed door. It was Jasper. I got up to let him in. He walked in with a stoic face. I gave him a nod, but otherwise it seemed tense. I sat back down in my office chair and he took a seat across from me. Of course, not one to mince words, I asked him what his deal was.

"Why are you acting so weird?" I said, moving some papers around.

"I um-" he started and then shifted his legs uncomfortably. "I umm. I just don't know how to act, I guess," he finished. I looked at him confused but then nodded.

I shook my head. "Just give me what you got."

He then came out of whatever mood he was in and started acting like the Jasper we all know. "So, I've been able to pull some files and videos from Black's computer," he started and I cringed hearing his name but I also remembered he was dead and couldn't hurt her anymore.

"Some are still encrypted or were deleted and I'm trying to find them." I gave him a confused look. Wasn't that his job though? To find the unfindable? Jasper gave me a look. "Look, I'll find it, it's just going to take some time."

I nodded. "Okay, so what did you find?"

He showed me a video. It looked like an office and Black was behind his desk. Swan was across from him looking all prideful. I leaned in to see it better.

"I just wanted to thank you for the donation at the fundraiser, it means a lot." Charlie's face looked scared before he put it back into its stoic face. "But I'm really confused as to why I was called to your office about it?" Charlie questioned suspiciously.

Jacob leaned across the desk with his hands clasped in front of him. "What I need to talk to you about isn't for sensitive ears." Charlie's eyebrow rose and he looked around nervously. "I have some shipments coming in and I need you to look the other way."

Charlie looked flabbergasted at the request but Black's face didn't budge. "I'm sorry, I don't do that," Charlie said as he made a move to get up.

"Right, you pay others to do your bidding," Jacob said.

Charlie froze and slowly sat back down. "I don't know what you mean, Jacob." Jacob just stared at him and played the recording. I heard a lot of shuffling around. Then I heard "he paid me $10,000 to cut her lines" and the other voice, Black, asked "Swan?" The other guy, who I guess was the mechanic, said "yes". Charlie's eyes went wide and he started shaking.

"So, you see, you have no choice but to do what I ask?" Jacob said.

"For how long?" Charlie asked.

"As long as it takes," Black finished before the video ended.

Jasper played other snippets; really many were of Black's men filling him in on Swan's footsteps. His gambling problem, Swan's drinking habit. Jasper hit play on another video.

"So, what's this, Charlie?" Black threw something across the table at him. Charlie's eyes went wide. I couldn't see what it was due to the poor image but I assumed it had something to do with the gambling.

Jacob went to smack Swan and continued to punch him for a few moments. "You trying to run, Swan? I bet you are because you are doing a shit job at covering my tracks." A man then came into the office and it took me a minute to realize it was fucking Hawkins. There were many words discussed between the three but nothing important other than them trying to get Swan on their side.

After Hawkins left, Black began to speak again. "I'll pay this off under one condition." Swan, who seemed defeated at this point, looked at him. "I want your daughter." Charlie's face seemed to turn up a bit and it made me want to kill him all over again. My fists clenched but I had to relax. This fucker was dead and he wasn't coming back.

"Deal," I heard Swan and even Black looked shocked that Swan had agreed so quickly. "That was fast, Swan, you didn't even think about it," Black said.

"I don't need to, Jacob, she's not my daughter." Black's eyes went wide, and he looked confused. "Bella got sick a few months ago and neither my blood nor her bitch of a mother's matched. I saw her come out of Renee so it's obvious she's not mine. Lucky for you, she wasn't in the car with her mother."

Jacob's face twisted into one of rage and he went back to beating on him. Black was all twisted up and he looked at Swan like he wanted to murder him. "Now that it's settled, you will bring her to me, you r—" Black began to say before Charlie cut him off.

"Wait! She just started college on a scholarship. Our neighbors and some of my guys at work know how hard she's worked. No one will believe her if she drops out all of a sudden and leaves all of that for you. Wait till she's done so it doesn't raise questions. Please?" Charlie asked with hope in his eyes.

"You want me to wait two or more years to get what is mine?" Jacob shrieked but Charlie shook his head.

"I could introduce you to her and you could do the girlfriend and boyfriend thing. I mean maybe if you go that way you wouldn't have to wait. It would look normal too," Charlie said and I hated myself for not hurting him more before killing him. Just offering her up like she was a whore or some shit.

Jacob seemed to think about the idea, but we all know how he went with it. He stood up and shook hands with Charlie. "There's one more thing," Swan said and Black looked at him. "When she turns 23, she will be able to have access to Renee's bank account."

Black looked confused "You don't?"

Charlie shook his head, "I only found out about it after Bella's hospital visit. Apparently, Bella is the only one able to get it."

Black nodded "You want some of it?"

Charlie's face went into rage. "Yes! I deserve what's mine!" And the screen went black.

Jasper then put his computer down and started typing again. "What bank account is he talking about?" From my knowledge, Bella saved up money to escape. She didn't have anything. That's why she was looking for a job when she came here.

"It took me a bit to find it because I was looking for Renee Swan," Jasper said as he typed. "The account is under Renee Dwyer which is her maiden name." Jasper then turned the screen around so that I could look at it. "Of course, I can't access the amount. It's pretty secure." I looked at him like what the fuck. "It's some next level shit, Ed. Whoever opened it knew what he or she was doing." He clicked on something, and it went to another screen. "I can tell you that it was opened a little over 22 years ago. There have been deposits about every month, and it's only been withdrawn from twice in all those years."

"A little over four years ago, Renee added Bella to the account. A few months later, she was dead." I had this nagging feeling in the back of my head. Something was telling me there was more to this than a bank account. "And you don't know who is depositing the money?" Maybe if we could figure that out we would know."

"No, like I said whoever is doing it knows what they are doing. There's a different name each time and the account numbers to those names closed a few months ago." I sighed and groaned. "I can tell you that there hasn't been any money deposited since a few days after your wedding."

My eyebrows rose and that nagging feeling kept hitting me. It was like "pay attention the answer is there!" I couldn't quite figure it out just yet, but I was missing something that was right in my face.

"The only ones that could keep it contained that well is either a lawyer, accountant, or someone connected." I said, while also trying to keep an ear out to hear Bella.

"You think Renee was connected before she met Charlie?" Jasper asked. I nodded but wasn't convinced. "Or Bella's real father is connected."

I finished. "Renee could have ran once she found out she was pregnant." I began to say but apparently that didn't work since there was an account afterwards and withdrawn from twice. So Renee knew that whoever opened the account knew where she was then.

"Does Bella know?"

My eyes flashed to Jasper. I glanced towards the door that led to the hallway. "I'm not sure, she hasn't talked about it."

Jasper nodded and I sighed trying not to think about my current situation. "Alice and your mom have been on my and Em's asses about convincing you to let them visit."

I rolled my eyes; I knew those two wouldn't bow down. "Your father told them to settle down and give you guys' time to heal. I think your mother is more upset that she can't come to cook and clean, but you got workers to do it."

I heard all he said but was still on the father-bit. My father actually cared? I shook my head. "I told them when Bella was ready." Jasper nodded and I stared at him.

"Let's keep the father situation contained for now." Jasper nodded "Just until I tell Bella and she's ready."

"I only think it's you, me, and Emmett that know," Jasper said and I nodded. "By the way, I'm going to work hard getting these other videos unlocked," he said as he rose. "Give Bella my love." I nodded but quickly turned towards him.

"Earlier, you said Renee's maiden name was Dwyer. Was she related to the agent that questioned Bella?" I asked but Jasper was already shaking his head. "I already tested that out, it's just a coincidence. No relation," he finished but before leaving turned to me letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry, Ed, I can't imagine." I nodded without looking at him and he left my office.

Pulling out the whiskey I had in my desk drawer I took a quick swig before getting up and making my way down the hall. I paused at my bedroom door before walking in. Bella was curled up on her side and she was sleeping. I looked at the tray that held the food. She had taken a few bites but there was still a lot of food left. I sighed and picked it up and carried it downstairs.

Ms. Cope was cleaning up the kitchen while Jessica swept. She stopped of course when she saw me and nodded. "No good, huh?" Ms. Cope said as she took the tray from me.

"I just don't think she was hungry." I said while Ms. Cope nodded. Jessica on the other hand looked away, I wasn't sure why she did but I didn't say anything.

"I'm not punishing anyone but maybe you guys could come two days a week? Just until things are back to normal?" I wondered if one of the reasons Bella didn't leave the room was because she didn't want to be around anyone. Jessica nodded and Ms. Cope sighed. "I'll freeze some food for you and the Mrs. then." I nodded. "I do have some soup warming up for later. That should feed you for a few days," she quietly finished.

I nodded and thanked them both as they left. It was quiet and I just walked around my house with my hands in my pockets. Looking out towards the water that was by my home, I sighed. Just a week ago I was happy. I was going to be a father and now… tears pooled at my eyes, and I angrily swiped them away. I would grieve later. Right now I had to be strong for Bella.

January

Denial & Anger- 2 Weeks since New Year's

Bella POV

"Please," I cried out. "Please save him." My tears flowed from my eyes.

"I'm sorry he's gone," said the muddled face

"NO!" I screamed as my eyes opened to the worried ones of my husband.

"Bella!" he yelled "It's just a nightmare," he said as he patted my hand. What the fuck? I quickly rose from the bed and headed to the bathroom to pee leaving Edward in a shocked mess. I was a sweaty mess and literally sick of having the same nightmare.

I closed the door to the toilet and pulled down my pants and then I let out a cry. It was over, completely over now. The pad was clean and when I wiped no blood came out. It killed me inside. It meant my baby was completely gone.

"Bella," I heard Edward from the other side. I could hear the concern in his voice but didn't have it in me to care. I stripped my clothes off having not showered in days and turned the water on. I didn't hear Edward after the water came on but I'm sure he hadn't left the bedroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror naked. I had bags under my eyes, which didn't make sense since all I did was sleep. I still had yellowish-purplish bruises near my ribs and marks where I had "his" fucking hands on me. Looking at my stomach is what killed me the most knowing it wouldn't get big now with my son. The tears fell easily like they always did, and I hopped into the shower.

I let the water run over me and my tears fell. It wasn't fair at all. Why did this shit keep happening to me? I scrubbed my body hard, reminding me of when HE touched me. I scrubbed so hard my body was red. I washed my hair as it had been a while since it had been washed. I noticed a lot of it fell out when I was done.

After toweling off, I went back to the vanity and began to brush my hair where more of it fell out. I didn't have it in me to care about the mess currently all over the sink, so I made sure the towel was tight around me and headed to my bedroom.

Edward was still there looking at me in concern but when he saw me drop the towel to take out clothes he looked away. I don't know why but it bothered me. He had been there but he was so far away. I quickly dressed and saw Edward looking out the window. He was dressed like he was leaving but he hadn't left since it happened.

I sat back down on the bed and grabbed the remote. "You leaving?" I asked without turning towards him. I flipped on the TV and looked for something to watch, something to keep my mind distracted.

He turned towards me and blinked a few times. "There's something I need to take care of. I will probably be gone two hours tops," he said as he looked at me with a guilty look. "Will you be alright by yourself?" He had my attention then.

"By myself?" I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I'll have Laurent around, but I'll tell him to stay away from this area of the house."

He sighed. "Unless you need him," he said with a bit of anger in his tone and I sure as hell didn't understand why.

I turned back towards the TV and shrugged. I couldn't believe he was leaving in the first place! Especially after what had just happened. I guess he had already moved on. Well, I hadn't and it hurt that he had. I thought he changed, but apparently he hadn't. I guess this proved he really didn't want a baby.

"Just go do what you got to do," I said and turned towards the TV ignoring him.

"Bella," he said, defeated. I didn't want to hear his excuses, but he then said, "I'll see you later" and left. The tears started pouring out from my eyes then. I was alone and the only one to mourn for the loss of my child.

EDWARD POV

After talking to Laurent, I headed to Midnight Sun. Jenks wanted to meet at my house with the information he brought but I told him to meet me at Midnight Sun. I knew Jasper had contacted him after our adventure in La Push.

Emmett was at my desk going over some papers when I walked in.

He looked up when I came in. "Well, hello there!" he said excitedly. I gave him a head nod and he went to rise from his chair before I waved him away and sat down across from him.

He gave me an eyebrow because usually I would be demanding about sitting in my chair, but I wasn't technically in charge at the moment. "How are things here?" I asked, looking around my office. Everything was still in its place.

"Fine. James and I have been running Midnight Sun, of course. The other stuff? Nothing has popped off. It's been boring. We've collected from everyone that owed you money except Pablo at the street market. I've got to go see about that today. He refused to give James the money."

I felt the stirrings of anger in me. It was the first stirring other than the grief that followed me constantly. "Don't worry, Ed, I got this." Emmett said, giving me a sad look before changing his face to one of a smile. I waved him off but inside I was a fucked-up mess.

"How about a drink?" Emmett said as he rose, and I nodded. He went over to the small bar I had in the corner and poured us some shots. I rose and headed for the windows in my office. It was just a few months ago, I had been in this very spot with my wife. I also looked at the couch in the corner. Emmett handed me a drink and I gulped it down and he handed me another. "You look like you could use them."

I nodded and then went to sit down again but this time behind my desk. Emmett sniggered a bit before taking the seat across from me. "I was wondering how long it would take."

I smirked, "Old habits die hard."

Just then Jenks came into the office followed by James. "Wassup man?" James asked as he gave a bro hug. I returned it and he sat down on the couch that I had just been looking at. Jenks came to shake my hand and then sat across from me in the other chair.

"You have some information?" I said to Jenks as I drank up the other drink Emmett had made. "Yes, some." Jenks started while pulling out files from his briefcase. "The feds are investigating the Black incident of course. They found bodies."

I slammed my glass down. "Shit," I said as I looked away.

"They only found bones so my source says they will be examining them trying to find matches," Jenks continued. "On the other hand, you can come up with an alibi." I nodded trying not to think of said alibi.

"What about us? Do they suspect us as well?" Emmett asked.

Jenks changed his stance. "At this time, I'm not sure but we will handle it. If they do suspect you guys I believe they'll go after Mr. Cullen instead." I nodded. Of course they will. Any chance to bring me down they would do it. "I also think they have something because they have been asking Brady questions," Jenks finished and I grew pissed.

"You couldn't have begun with that?" I asked as I threw my glass across the room, Jenks was the only one who jumped.

"I'm sorry sir, but he has been trying to reach you since yesterday. He called me when he couldn't get a hold of you."

"Why call you if he couldn't get in touch with Ed?" Emmett asked and I thanked him for asking that question. My mind wasn't working at full capacity at the moment.

"I'm not sure, he was very formal when he called asking for Mr. Cullen to call him back," Jenks said. Em and I exchanged a look with each other. "Tell him I'll call him soon. Anything else?" I asked aching to go home.

"A bunch of residents of La Push were questioned. None of them have a clue as to what happened, according to my sources. Most of them didn't like Black, some even hated him." I nodded but I already knew that through Seth. "In my opinion, Mr. Cullen, I don't think the Feds give two shits about Black. They'll just want to pin it on someone so they can close it." I nodded.

"If Mr. Swan's bones are identified, that's where you will run into problems. They won't push an officer's death to the side no matter how corrupt he may have been," Jenks finished before standing up and making his way to the office door. "Good day, Mr. Cullen," he said as he exited.

It was quiet. All of us men were just standing there. "One of you get me a burner, I'll do this shit now." James walked to the cabinet on the other side of the room and pulled out a case that held some phones that hadn't been activated yet. He gave one to me, and I activated it and called Brady as soon as it was ready.

"This is Brady," he greeted in a tired voice.

"It's me," I said in a gruff voice while James and Em looked on.

"Oh, OH!" I think he suddenly realized it was me. "Heard you been needing to speak?" I heard movement on the other side, and a toilet flush. He was trying to cause some interference.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"I'm at home but just covering my bases," he said and I waited for him to get on with whatever he really wanted to discuss. "So, Swan and Black were identified. Looks like a murder-suicide. The bones had bullet holes." I knew this already because I fucking did it but why were they trying to get in touch with me?

I remained silent waiting for Brady to get on with it. "Some things were found in Swan's home that raised some interest. I haven't been able to look at everything but it raised a lot of questions on who he was."

I sighed. "It sucks that he died though, now he won't be questioned about it," I said while Brady let out a huff.

"The things they did find however brought up attention," he said in a stern tone. "Hawkins has fled. They finally found out he was working with Black and Swan which we already knew before because he was present that day in the room when your wife was brought in."

"Involuntary I might add." That night still boils my blood thinking about it, and I always regret listening to Bella about not suing some of them for that play. "The thing is you're not on the radar, but they want to talk to your wife." Brady finished. "What the fuck?" I shouted, she had nothing to do with this why would they want to talk to her?

"It's because of Swan, they want to ask her questions. She's not a suspect." He added like that would make this thing better or some shit.

"Well, they will have to wait. She's under the weather at the moment," I added.

Brady sighed over the line. "I'm just letting you know what's up. The Feds haven't put it in action yet, but it could be soon. I believe they're getting their ducks in a row or trying to. Agent Perez is still on the case." I clenched my fist thinking of Bella being questioned. I'm not stupid, I know where the line of questioning would go.

"Is that all?" I asked, wanting to get off the phone. I needed to get home and check on Bella.

"Yes, for now."

"Anything else call Em or me." I hung up and made my way to my office door. "Tell Pablo he has a week." Emmett nodded and I headed out.

January

Anger 3 Weeks since New Year's

Edward's POV

I stepped out of Em's jeep, James and Em behind me as I made my way into the street market. It was closing time for old Pablo, as most of his doors had been shut. I saw a young girl at the register writing down some information. She was unaware of our presence. Due to having done business with Pablo for years I knew this wasn't his wife or daughter but an employee.

Em had contacted me and he said even after going over with James, Pablo still refused to give him the money. Suffocating in my house, without my wife talking to me or even looking at me at this point, I was glad for the turn of events.

We walked into the empty market and closed the remaining door. The girl looked up at us apprehensively before changing her stance to seductive or what she thought was seductive. I had to fight to not roll my eyes.

I walked along the fruit basket row picking up an apple and taking a bite of it. "Pablo here?" I knew he was. We had been waiting a while for this place to go empty and I knew Pablo had come in here. I just wanted to see if she would lie.

"Yes, he's in the back." She pulled her shirt down some so it would show her cleavage. I nodded at Emmett to occupy this chick. He flirted while I walked up and down the rows of food. James circled the area where Pablo was in the back.

Once Em left with the girl, James locked up the remaining door and we headed to the back of the shop. Pablo was sitting in his office, counting his money like the freeloader he is. I stood in the entryway waiting for him to look at me.

Once he saw me and James, he stood up to run. "No, no, none of that, Pablo," I said as James pushed him back towards his desk. I looked over the contents of his desk. There was a pretty large sum of cash sitting there. He also had a storage unit in the floor that was open and full of cash.

"Well, well, well, what's this Pablo?" Pablo remained silent when I turned towards him. James punched him in the face. "Answer the question."

"Si, Señor Cullen, it's the cash I owe you."

I nodded. "Of course it is." James then made him stand up and kicked him in the back where he landed on his stomach at my feet. "The thing is, Pablo, you refused to pay my man when he came by twice." I then slammed my expensive leather shoe onto Pablo's fingers where he laid.

His screams aggravated me to no end so I moved my foot and slammed it down again on his hand. "Why did you refuse to give my man money?" I yelled.

"Señor! Señor! Stop, please!" His pathetic cries filled the air as he tried to get up but James had moved his foot onto the middle of Pablo's back.

I moved my foot and walked around his office. His cries were still annoying me but simmering down. I noticed two of his fingers bent at a weird angle. I guess they were broken now.

"I'm sorry, Señor, I didn't know!" he screamed from his place on the floor as James tsk, tsked him.

"Now, Pablo, I hate a liar even more. I know Emmett came back down here with James under my orders and you still didn't give up the cash." I sighed as I saw this globe-like thing on his desk wondering how it would look in his head.

"I'm sorry!" he shouted, and I nodded towards James to let him up.

Once he was on his feet, I threw the glass globe at Pablo. He moved, missing most of the force, but it did end up hitting him in the side of the head and he went falling to the floor.

Pablo held his head as he rose from the floor. "What was our agreement, Pablo? I offer you protection from the slimeballs up the block and you pay me in return."

"Si, Señor!" he yelled. Grabbing his head with his good hand, I pulled out my gun and aimed it at his head. "Mrrr. Cullen-n-n-n," he stuttered out. "Please, I have children." I hesitated just a bit. A fraction but it reminded me of something I didn't have. I pulled the trigger.

"Damn," James whistled.

"Clean this up when it gets dark. Make it look like he left town," I said as I left the office.

Walking into the house from the garage, I made my way into the kitchen. It was clean, immaculate, as I remembered Jessica came today. She really only came once a week nowadays. There wasn't much to do since Bella stayed in one room and I tended to clean up after myself.

I opened the fridge and pulled out stuff to make a sandwich. I pulled out some sub bread and began to layer it with cheese, turkey, bell peppers,eh, the whole works. After taking a couple of bites, my phone buzzed from inside my pocket. It was Emmett. I wondered what he needed help with now.

"What?" I said as I answered, putting my sandwich down on the table.

"Brady called me earlier, after that whole market thing. Agent Perez is pushing on talking to Bella. Swan's lawyers have also been in contact as well. She contacted Jenks, out of respect, she says. I guess she is still hung up on that botched missing person thing," Emmett rambled.

"She contacted Jenks?" I said, trying to get Emmett back on task.

"Yeah, she needs to talk. Jenks said she was pushy about it. Jenks said it needs to happen soon or they'll become suspicious," Emmett finished.

My hand that wasn't holding my phone clenched into a fist. Like I really needed this right now. "Tell Jenks to give me a few days." Hopefully by then I could convince Bella to get out. Good luck I thought to myself. She hardly left the bedroom, let alone the actual house. She hadn't been anywhere since it happened.

"Will do."

I hung up, going back to the kitchen table to grab my sandwich. I picked it up, trying to control my breathing. I didn't want my wife going anywhere near a police station. Everything lately has felt out of control. Things I couldn't help like my job, whoever the fuck was stealing from me, my marriage and a wife who refused to speak to me for some unknown reason. A fatherhood that I wouldn't get to have.

I threw the plate that held my sandwich in my hand against the wall. "Fuck!" I yelled. All these pent-up feelings were finally making their way out. I was angry, upset, and frustrated. At this point I was no longer the man who didn't show any emotions. I was a man with too many and no one to talk to about them. I felt alone. I couldn't talk to my wife. She was mad at me for some reason. I couldn't talk to anyone else, it would make me appear weak. I pulled my hair to the point of pain. I strolled over to my bar and decided to make a drink. After taking a few shots, I felt a bit calmer. I cleaned my mess up before heading upstairs.

I made it on the second floor landing and looked at my closed bedroom door down the hall. I slowly made my way towards it Hoping that Bella would be up or she wasn't in the same position she was when I left. I honestly didn't know what to do when it came to her. I tried talking, being there, and nothing.

I was also selfish. I had been waiting for her to talk but I lost a son too. A baby.

Opening the door, I was shocked to see Bella wasn't in bed but was concerned because she wasn't in the attached bathroom either. I noticed the balcony door opened. I rushed to it and saw Bella in her pjs looking out. Snow flurries had started to fall, and she had her arms out trying to catch them.

"Bella!' I yelled, going to her and wrapping her in my arms. "It's freezing out here." She was wearing thin pjs and I could see her shaking. "Come on." I picked her up and brought her back into the bedroom. She was like Ice, so I just took her to the bathroom and went to the shower. I turned it on hot and grabbed towels and washcloths. She remained still, as if I wasn't there. I quickly took off her clothes and mine and stepped in the shower with her.

"Come on, baby, you need to get warm." We stayed under the spray until she was limp in my arms. We stayed like that until she quit shivering and then I turned the water down some. "Bella," I said but was met with no response. It was the first time she let me hold her, but I honestly didn't know if my wife knew where she was now.

"Bella," I said louder this time. She looked up at me with rimmed red eyes. "Oh, baby." I quickly grabbed her close to me again and hugged the shit out of her. We stayed like that for I don't know how long before it seemed like she came to. She then proceeded to wash herself and her hair before stepping out of the shower.

I then followed her in a towel and we made our way to the bedroom. She sat down on the bed and I went to grab some underwear and some sweats out of her drawer. I helped her with them. She stared at the wall behind my head and refused to look at me. "Hey," I whispered but she didn't acknowledge me at all.

The fury in me boiled some. Why wouldn't she talk to me? What had I done to her to be treated like this? Was she mad because I had to leave that day or today? Other than that, I had been here waiting on her to talk, to scream, to feel, to do whatever she needed to do to heal.

I could handle that. I could handle her yelling, if it meant she would talk. I couldn't stand this silent part of her. It was too quiet; I didn't like it. "Bella, why were you out there?" She looked at me and then laid down in the bed and wrapped herself in the comforter. She looked so small, it broke my heart.

"I wanted to feel something. I'm tired of feeling numb," the small voice said, and it did something awful to me. She then turned to face the other side and I saw her shiver.

"I'm going to make you some tea," I said as I quickly moved out of the room. I had to escape for a minute. As soon as I closed my door and made my way to the kitchen the dam burst, and the tears fell. She looked so broken, worse than she did a mere three weeks ago. I didn't know what to do, she was so distant, so far away.

Remembering Jessica's words, I knew it was past time to call someone else. I knew keeping everyone away to try not to make her appear weak was the wrong thing to do. She was hurting, she was mourning, and she obviously needed someone other than me to help.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed the number of someone I knew who could help or someone I hoped would. After the third ring, the person picked up.

"Hello?" the soft, but poised voice said

"Rosalie?" I asked. "It's Edward, I need your help."