Thanks to Fyrebyrd, Gabby1017, 2brown-eyes, and TheMetroDad for pre-reading, and to my beta, SunflowerFran. I fiddled a bit with this one after I got it back, so please remember, all mistakes are mine.

Bella

My hand is still clutched tightly to Edward's as we drive toward our apartment, and nervous anxiety is churning in my stomach. While I know I'll eventually have to process what just happened, I'll deal with the emotional fallout of my actions after I have my daughter back in my arms.

"You doing okay over there?" Edward glances at me before turning back to the road.

"Yeah," I whisper.

"If you wanna talk about—"

"No, I really don't." I shake my head. "I can't; not yet."

He only nods in response. The rest of the drive is quiet, both of us undoubtedly lost in thought. So much has happened in just the last few days, yet it feels like a lifetime has passed since I saw my daughter. And it has been weeks since the three of us have been together. It's hard to believe it's almost all over.

When our building finally comes into view, tears fill my eyes, knowing my girl is within its walls. My body buzzes in anticipation of having her back, safe with us. Time slows to a crawl as Edward parks the car, and the elevator moves slower than I ever remember it moving before. When the elevator finally opens, and our foyer comes into view, I practically leap from its confines and sprint past Alec and through the halls, seeking her out.

The sight of her almost brings me to my knees, her subdued, huddled form curled in her grandmother's lap. She doesn't notice us right away, but Esme does. Her sad, regretful eyes fall on me and then her son as he steps up behind me. His hands gently hold my shaky form upright. Esme whispers into Kaitlin's ear, and her sleepy-eyed face pops up from where it was nuzzled in her nana's neck.

"Mommy?" Her voice is small, shaky before she launches herself out of Esme's arms and crashes into me. I finally do fall to my knees, the emotion of the moment too overwhelming. Edward lowers himself right along with us, his arms wrapped around us both, and we all revel in the moment of finally being together.

"I missed you so much, Mommy ... Daddy. I woke up and Nana said I was on an adventure, but it was a surprise adventure," she says with excitement only an innocent child has.

"You were," I say, trying to keep my emotions in check. If she doesn't realize there was ever any danger, maybe she'll be okay and not look back on the last few days as anything but time spent with her nana. "What did you do with Nana?"

She goes on to ramble about shopping in a huge toy store and buying a pretty dress, going to the zoo and eating at fancy restaurants, all with a giant smile on her face. But then, it falls.

"Why did you send me away, Mommy? I thought we were going to have an island adventure until Daddy came back from his work trip. Nana said it was so you could have time with just Daddy, but he wasn't there. I don't understand. I really missed you." Tears fill her eyes, and I'm unsure if it's just the stress she's feeling rolling off the adults surrounding her if she's overly tired, or just frustrated and confused.

"Hey, it's okay, Kaitlin." I kiss her forehead and brush away the few tears that have fallen. "I missed you, too. And you had a good time with Nana, right?"

She nods her head.

"Well, it was a big mix up, you going away, but you had a good time, and now you're back," I say with a forced smile on my face.

"Was I bad? Did you send me to Nana because I was a bad girl?" She begins to tear up, and I can't hold mine in any longer.

"No, baby girl, you didn't do anything wrong. You weren't a bad girl, I promise." I smooth her hair back and try to calm her with my touch, but my sobs can't be held in, and we're both crying as we cling to each other. My husband is overwhelmed with emotion as well, the wetness of his tears on my neck proof of that.

We're so caught up in being reunited with our daughter, we miss most of what Esme is trying to say to us. I catch a stuttered apology, making me look up at her.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea you didn't know where she was." Her arms go around her midsection, squeezing as tears fall from her eyes. "Carlisle said Edward asked for some time, just the two of you, so I arranged for us to have a girl's weekend in New York, shopping and seeing the city. I had no idea she'd been taken, you have to believe me!" I can't bear to look at her pleading and tearful expression, so I turn my head, nuzzling into the sweetness of my daughter as she clings to me.

"Why didn't you answer when I called you yesterday, Ma? Where the fuck were you?" Edward spats angrily from behind me looking up at his mother, his arms never leaving us.

"I don't know. I think my phone must've been dead when you tried. We'd been at the zoo all day, and I didn't think much about—"

"And you didn't think your granddaughter freaking out about not knowing where the hell she was was reason enough to give us a fucking call?"

"I didn't know. She was so out of it when she got to me, so sleepy; I thought she was just confused. And your father said it was a surprise for her. I didn't know ... I didn't know." Her tears pour from her eyes. Edward and I don't address her heartfelt plea. Instead, we focus on our daughter.

The ringing of her cell phone cuts through the almost silence, and she rushes to answer it. I watch, knowing what she's likely being told; that her husband has suffered another heart attack.

"Yes, yes, of course. I'll be right there." She tosses her phone in her bag and looks to us, her mouth opening and closing several times until she speaks. "Your, um, your father was taken by ambulance to the hospital. They think he had another heart attack."

Edward only nods behind me but doesn't respond. I can't make eye contact with her either, knowing I'm the one that ended his life.

"I have to go," she says as she makes her way to the elevator. "I'll call you when I know anything." Before stepping through the open doors, she turns to us. "I can't tell you how sorry I am, Edward, Bella. You know I'd never do anything to hurt that little girl."

I finally look up and meet her eyes. "Thank you for bringing her home," I rasp.

She nods and turns to leave. When the doors close and she's finally gone, I focus all my attention on the little girl in my arms. She's clinging to me like a monkey, her arms and legs wrapped around me, and with Edward still holding us both, I have no desire to move, finally feeling whole for the first time in days.

"Well, isn't that a beautiful sight?" Edward is standing in the doorway between our bedroom and our ensuite, freshly showered and in only a pair of cotton sleep pants. "My two favorite girls." His smile is bright as he approaches the bed and reaches out a hand to brush first my cheek, then Kaitlin's. "My princess and my queen."

He lifts the duvet and crawls into bed, on the other side of Kaitlin, and gets under the covers before pulling us both into his arms.

"Mommy said it was okay to sleep in here tonight. I know I'm a big girl but, I wanna stay, if it's okay," Kaitlin says wearily. I smile, already knowing what he'll say.

"Princess, there's nowhere else I'd rather you be than right here in my arms," he says after kissing her forehead.

I smile and wink at her, my expression saying, 'See, I told you.'

"I love you, Mommy and Daddy," she says quietly.

"We love you, too, Princess," Edward says.

"But next time you want to send me on an adventure, please tell me first." She yawns. "I don't like surprise adventures," she half mumbles as her eyes fall closed.

We lie like that for a while, listening to her breaths even out, until we know she's asleep.

"Come and talk to me?" Edward asks in a whisper over our girl.

I nod and reluctantly let go of her, following him into the living room. We settle into the sofa, me curled into him, side by side, and his arm wrapped around me, holding me close.

"What's up?" I ask as I play idly with the drawstring of his pants.

He stills my fiddling fingers and brings them to his lips, placing a soft kiss on them before holding my hand to his chest. "Em called me when you were helping Kaitlin get ready for bed."

I nod, knowing where this is leading.

"He was D.O.A. at the hospital, obviously. Ma declined an autopsy, but the prick of a doctor is saying one might be required any-fucking-way, even though it was obviously a heart attack."

Again, I nod, understanding the implications of what he's saying. If the injection site were to be found, there would be all kinds of questions to answer.

"Um, Emmett said they did some preliminary blood work, so they might have enough answers to release his body for burial. He's trying to talk Ma into a cremation, but so far she's not saying what she wants to do." He calmly runs his fingers through my hair. "If she refuses," he whispers, "I might just make sure his paperwork gets mixed up, and he gets baked anyway." He kisses the top of my head. "I can't risk them finding anything."

"Thank you." I tilt my head up to look into his eyes. "For wanting to protect me."

"Hey," he says, his finger tilting my chin up just a bit more to place a soft kiss on my lips. "I'd give my life to protect you álainn ... even from yourself."

When the sun streams through the window, my eyes open to find the two most precious people in my life, safe in our bed. My husband and daughter are snuggled together, his arm protectively wrapped around her. Combined with the gentle nudges coming from my abdomen, it brings a smile to my face.

Everything I hold dear is in this room, and at this moment, I feel like nothing outside these walls can touch us. The people responsible for all the pain we've endured are gone from our lives, gone from this earth. But how can I bring new life into the world when I was so easily able to end another?

Memories of last night play through my mind in rapid succession, and I'm assaulted with images of confessions, guns, and death by lethal injection ... at my own hand.

I fly from the bed and barely make it to the toilet before I expel the contents of my stomach. I feel like I'm purging the evil that must live somewhere deep inside me, making me capable of ending another life.

I feel his presence before I feel his touch. With one hand on my back, he holds my hair back with the other. When I've finally stopped retching, he grabs a washcloth and wets it before wiping my face.

"You okay, álainn?"

I nod but then shake my head, confused by my own feelings. I turn to look at him, and his eyes are concerned, pleading for me to be okay.

"I killed him," I whisper.

He gathers me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. "If you hadn't, I would have. I wasn't going to let him hurt us again, Bella. No one touches my family and gets away with it."

I nod, knowing he's right.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispers into my ear.

It's little consolation, but I'll take it.

Edward made sure the cremation happened before the autopsy could be performed. Call it a rush on paperwork if you will, but it was signed, sealed, delivered and a done deal before the powers that be could push for an autopsy. To get the church to agree to us holding the funeral here was no small miracle, either. Let's just say the generous donation made by my husband assured the old school way of thinking by the local diocese wasn't an issue, and they overlooked their distaste for cremation in the case of Carlisle Cullen.

We're paying our last respects today, a full week after I stopped my father-in-law's heart. The church is still full nearly an hour after the service ended. I didn't expect so many people to want to stay behind and pay their respects to my husband, Esme, and surprisingly enough, me.

We've been standing shoulder to shoulder with Esme between Edward and me, with Emmett and Rose just beyond him, since the last prayer was uttered, in receiving line. People I've never met have offered their condolences to Esme and myself and have been kissing Edward's ass when they reach him and his brother, both businessmen and associates alike.

The next man to approach us is none other than Marcus Voltolini. His expression is warmer than I thought it would be, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Mrs. Cullen, my sincerest sympathy to you and your family," he says to me as he takes my free hand in both of his.

"Thank you," I say, my voice shaking. I didn't expect to encounter him today, so it's a shock to see him.

"Little Kaitlin must be heartbroken at the loss of her grandfather," he suggests.

My eyes widen, surprised he'd mention her at all, seeing how she was only present for the actual service before leaving with Carmen.

"She is," I say hesitantly. "We all are."

"Oh, I'm sure." He studies me for a moment. "Again, I'm so sorry for your loss."

I nod, unable to say anything else.

Senator Brandon steps up next to offer his sympathies to me, but I'm distracted by the interaction between Marcus and Esme as he speaks to her. I only give him half my attention as he rattles on about Alice's recovery in a rehab center as she waits for word of her husband. Esme doesn't appear nearly as stressed by Marcus' presence as I thought she would be, allowing him to take her hand and kiss her cheek. When he speaks to Edward, few words are exchanged, and he's quickly gone.

As the crowd thins and the line shortens, I can see the end of this long day. My feet hurt, my back aches, and the gracious smile I've had to fake all day I fear is permanently frozen on my face. Though the sight of the two officers across the room causes the smile to falter.

Banner and Newton are waiting in the wings, practically salivating at the chance to speak to us. I reach behind Esme to get Edward's attention, and his head pops up to look at me.

I nod in the direction of the officers, and he nods in return, giving his attention back to the man speaking to him and Esme.

I lean into Esme and whisper in her ear. "I'll be right back, okay?"

She glances at me and then turns back to her conversation.

As I step closer to my former boss and coworker, my stomach ties into a knot, but I don't let it show. With all the confidence I can muster, I approach them, a small smile on my face.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Just thought we'd come pay our respects," Banner says.

"Well, you have, and I'm sure the family appreciates the sentiment." I keep my thoughts to myself; that they probably showed up to make sure he was actually dead.

"Can you blame us for wanting to see it for ourselves? His kid," Newton says with a chin jerk toward the front of the church, "Jasper, hasn't been seen for weeks, and now his pops is dead? Yeah, something stinks, so we needed to check it out."

I tilt my head and narrow my eyes at him. "There are official hospital records and a death certificate. Carlisle died of a heart attack, plain and simple. He had a history of heart disease, so I don't see where there is anything to investigate. Jasper's disappearance has nothing to do with his father's death."

"Well, the old man was cremated. Just had to make sure it was legit. I'm sure you understand, Mrs. Cullen." Mike Newton's sneer makes my skin crawl.

"Well, you've seen it with your own eyes. If you don't mind, I think I need to get back to my husband and his family." I turn to walk away, but I'm brought up short by Banner's voice.

"I'm sure you'll be seeing us soon, Mrs. Cullen."

I don't turn to watch them leave, but I know they're gone when Rose steps to my side and wraps an arm around me.

"You okay, sweetie?"

"Yeah. I'm just ready for this day to be over."

"You and me both, Bella. You and me both."

"It was a lovely service, wasn't it?" Esme is seated on her sofa in her sitting room, sipping on a cup of tea. Dressed in her finest black dress, she is the picture of elegance, poise.

Never once today did she lose her composure, lose her control. I wondered more than once how deep their love really ran. If it were Edward being memorialized, I don't think I would have been able to contain my grief. Yet, I've only seen her shed a few tears.

"It was, Ma. It really was." Edward, ever the loyal son, hasn't left her side. He's seated beside her now, arm gently around her as the family is all gathered at the Cullen's home.

Emmett and Rose didn't stay very long after we returned from the church. They needed to get back to their girls. I wouldn't say anything, but I was jealous. My need to have Kaitlin in my arms was overwhelming. And since her return to us, her anxiety each time we had to separate was heartbreaking.

Esme's eyes are unseeing, focused on nothing, really, as we sit with her. I can only imagine how she's feeling. Even if theirs wasn't a great love affair, they were together for nearly forty years.

"I'm thinking of selling the house," she says out of nowhere.

"Oh?" Edward asks. "That's a pretty big decision. Maybe give it some time before you make any major changes. You just lost ... Da." I know it pains him to use that name for his father. Carlisle lost the right to be called Da a long time ago.

"No," she shakes her head. "I've given this a lot of thought. This house is too big for just me, and there are too many memories ..." She looks to me. "Good and bad."

"Well, if you're serious about it, let me take care of things, all right?"

Esme turns back to her son and nods. "Thank you," she says before turning to me. "And thank you, Bella. It means a lot that you'd be here for me today. I know it had to be ... difficult."

"I was here for Edward."

She knows I still haven't gotten over her involvement with Kaitlin's kidnapping, even if it was minimal, and I've kept my distance. My presence at the church was out of respect for my husband. Our feelings about Carlisle aside, Edward has an image to uphold. To any onlooker, he's the devoted son, heartbroken about his loss, and it was my duty to be by his side.

"I know," she says. "And I still appreciate it."

"You'll call us if you need anything," Edward says as he hugs his mother to him, breaking the tension in the room.

"Of course, son," she replies with a small smile.

"Well, we need to get going. Bella's been on her feet all day and Kaitlin is missing us, I'm sure." After a kiss to her forehead, he stands and reaches his hand toward me, helping me to my feet. With his hand at the small of my back, he leads me toward the door, but Esme's voice stops us.

"He tried, you know," she says, making us turn to face her. "He really did. He tried so hard to be a good father, but it just wasn't in his makeup, I don't think." She pauses, contemplation in her eyes. "I didn't make it easy for him, either."

"Don't, Ma. Don't blame yourself for his choices," Edward says from my side. "He's the one that decided to treat us the way he did, and he's the only one who will ever know why."

The internal war raging inside him plays out on his face. He knows what his father did, what he kept from Esme all these years, and I know it's tearing him up inside to keep it to himself. What I don't expect is for Esme to see it as well.

"Tell me, son. It can't be worse than I imagine."

Edward hangs his head, shaking it. "Oh, but it could be." He raises his eyes and stares into his mother's. "Did you really know the man you slept next to for all those years? What he did or was capable of?"

"I knew it from the day I married him. Carlisle and I may not have had a great romance, but he was the man my father chose for me. He provided for me, and I've had a good life. But I also knew he had his secrets."

My husband looks down at me, and I nod in response. She deserves to know. I give his waist a squeeze before he steps out of my grasp and once again sits beside his mother, taking her hand.

"Ma, we ..." He clears his throat. "We found out quite a bit over the last few weeks, and I'm not sure how much you know. I think you deserve to know, but I'm not sure if you're ready to hear it."

"Please, tell me. It can't be any worse than my imagination."

So, with a resigned sigh, he does. He tells her about old secrets; about an affair, a baby boy ripped from his mother's arms, a murdered friend. Even about a hidden love across an ocean, and a lifetime of covering up the truth. As I watch the pain grip her heart and tears cloud her vision, I find myself getting emotional as well.

"I always thought ..." Her voice cracks as the tears fall from her eyes. "Jasper always looked so much like his father, so I always suspected. But he never would admit ... And ... and ... and I accused him for years. Years, Edward!" she says, gripping his arm. "I even ... Oh, God!" She breaks down in sobs, grief wracking her small frame.

"Shh, it's okay, Ma." Edward holds his mother in both arms, trying to soothe her pain.

"And Renee," she wails. "She didn't deserve ..." Her eyes flash to me. "Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

Minutes, maybe hours pass, before her sobs quiet to sniffles. She's still holding onto her son as if he's her lifeline. It's a feeling I know all too well. He's like an unyielding rock in a storm.

"It was a few years after Jasper came to us when I began to accuse him. He was looking so much like Carlisle." Her voice is low, not much more than a whisper.

She shakes her head as she reminisces. "We fought about it for months. It got so bad I left, went to stay with my family in Ireland." She meets Edward's eyes. "When I came home, I was pregnant with you."

A/N: One final cliffhanger for you! May made me do it! LOL! Only two more updates for this one, and it'll be done! I'll be sad to see this one wrap, but I have lots in the works, so I'll definitely be around.

I'd like to send out a ginormous thank you to all those that took the time to vote for me in the Twi Fic Fandom Awards! I placed second as Favorite Newbie Author! It's been so great getting to know so many of you over the past year, and to know you like my writing enough to vote, well, it's amazingly awesome! I'm humbled and ever so grateful! To see the complete list of winners in this year's TFFAs, go to ... TwiFicFandomAwards dot blogspot dot com. You know the drill, revolve spaces and replace dots. ;)

Thumper the Humper and the Reluctant Handyman, my FAGE contribution, was nominated for the top completed fic for February! If you haven't read it, give it a shot. It's a fun, fast read. And if you love it, I'd appreciate your vote in the top ten poll. You can vote every day, so support all your favorites from last month! Twelve days left to vote!

Are you going to TFMU this year? I am, and I would love to meet you. This will be my first 'big' meetup, so I'm super excited! It's the weekend of June 29-July 1 in Atlanta, GA. Many are planning on arriving on Thursday, myself included, so if you can make it, I'd love to meet you! Details can be found on the group's Facebook page, TFMU Twi Fic Meet Up. Just a few more days to register early, before 3/22, for a chance at prizes. Registration will remain open beyond that day, but you won't be eligible for prizes.

For exclusive weekly pics and teasers, come check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. Thank you all so much for all the love you've shown this story. I adore each and every reader and review!