Morning! Fran betas. Dani, Ariel, and Gemma preread. You're all amazing.
The crackling of the fire in front of us is so peaceful that it almost lulls me to sleep. And maybe I would surrender to the heaviness of my eyes if I weren't snuggled warmly on Edward's lap as the night burns on. Now that I'm here, physically here with Edward but mentally also slowly walking into a new mindset, I'm afraid to close my eyes and miss anything.
Sleep can wait.
For now, I rest my head against his shoulder and breathe deeply. I know the scents surrounding me will wrap themselves around this moment, making it a night I will never forget. The earthly smell from the lake, the smoke from the fire, Edward, tightening his arms around me as we sit in comfortable silence with the crackling embers.
"I left my husband during a thunderstorm in Rhode Island." Just saying the words out loud, to someone other than myself or Rose severs another restraint in the prison he once forced me into. "The power had gone out, and I panicked and just ran."
When he sees the tears in my eyes, he shakes his head. "You don't have to do this right now, Bella."
"I know," I say, wiping my eyes to stop the tears from falling. As much as I promised myself not to shed another tear for him, this has to happen. It feels cathartic and necessary for the true healing I desperately need. "But I want to."
He eyes me carefully, gauging whether or not to press it further or let it go. As usual, he sighs his thoughts away and shifts us in the seat we share. "All right."
"My sister knew the day would come. And she was ready for me," I smile, thinking of Rose and all the plans she made for me while I spent my days with him in isolation. "Either I escape, or he'd kill me first."
"I like her already," Edward chuckles, eyeing the way our fingers dance together on my lap.
I shake my head at my next thought. "But he won't let me get away with this. He's acting like nothing has happened, but I know him. He's going to find me here."
I feel him freeze beneath me, his jaw stiffening as he contemplates our scenario.
"That explains the haircut and the gun," he replies, his hand coming up to run his fingers through my shorter curls. I smile and send him an approving nod.
"Stupid, I know. But I had to do something to throw him off."
In the scheme of things, it's not much. One little haircut and a beginner's shot behind a gun are all I have to stand against him.
"It's not stupid," Edward corrects. "Protecting yourself from someone who has hurt you is the right thing to do."
"I know it's not much," I shrug, "but I feel better about myself for even deciding to do something. The Bella I used to know would never stand up for herself. Maybe it was buying those bullets. I don't know."
"Did he make you that way? Feel like you weren't worthy of standing up for yourself?"
I nod with a heavy sigh. "One of the many things he did," I admit.
He's quiet for a few minutes, and I'm content to stay where I am in his arms next to the burning flames.
When he speaks again, there's a fire not only burning in front of us, but also in his words. "Those days are over, Bella. He won't be coming near you."
He seals his words with a kiss that leaves us both breathless. "I won't let him."
See you tomorrow!