Chapter 21: Aftermath

A/N: SM, or someone who looks just like her, wrote Twilight. I do not look like SM and I wrote this.

Thanks for your reviews last chapter - good to know that we are all #TeamEsme - folks, I have a daughter and trust me I would've done what Esme did and more to save my girl from a rat like James. Wouldn't you? #TeamMom

Isabella was curled up asleep in her bed. Edward had stayed with her until the mild sedative Carlisle had administered took hold. Sue Clearwater, Bee's therapist, had recommended the sedative and Isabella was all too willing to put the events of the day behind her.

Sue had been called in as soon as the family were headed home from Port Angeles. The Police had agreed to question Bee only in the presence of her therapist.

Isabella had assumed the eerie calm she often showed when talking of upsetting events; this concerned Esme greatly but she hoped Sue would be able to pull her out of herself again.

The rest of the family had been questioned one by one to give their statements. Thanks to Esme recording the events as they happened, everyone's statements were corroborated.

Police also interviewed witnesses from outside the library who had seen James punch Isabella before putting her in the car. They had gone to intervene but James had taken off too quickly. There were also witnesses outside the cafe in PA who had seen what Esme had seen when James punched Isabella knocking her to the ground. Those witnesses admitted they didn't want to get involved in a 'domestic' situation so they had not intervened but when interviewed by Police they were open and shared what they had seen.

Chief Demetri was himself being questioned in Port Angeles by internal affairs, given that he had fired his weapon and killed a man. The FBI were also involved because Isabella's kidnapping was a federal crime. There was no question that Demetri had done the wrong thing but procedures and processing had to be worked through.

Media also had to be handled.

As Bee was now over 18 years of age the media were able to identify her in the news story. The family knew it was just a matter of time before the media dug up more about Bee's past and they were concerned with how the public attention may upset her. Emmett kept repeating that his 'Honey Bee' was tough as nails but Esme and Edward were less convinced.

Esme contacted her publishing house to get a recommendation for a PR agency to help them handle the media who had already camped outside their house, thankfully held back by police and FBI.

It was going to be a long night for everyone, after what had already been a hellish day.

After giving her statement, Bee had spoken for a long time with Sue. Edward had waited in the next room while Bee spoke with Sue but he paced anxiously, desperately wishing to hold and comfort her. He needed to feel her safe in his arms.

Bee agreed to a sedative because, in her own words, she longed for the peace of sleep. Once Bee was out to it and safely tucked in, the family regrouped with Sue in the lounge room. Bee had given permission for Sue to be open with the family and that was exactly what Sue intended to be with them.

"So you think the reason why Isabella is being withdrawn is because she blames herself for me being in danger?" Esme asked, incredulous that Bee could feel that way. She never hesitated to go into the cafe and support Bee, why would she?

All through the discussion with Sue, Esme was being held tightly in Carlisle's arms. He was so grateful and proud of his brave wife, but also recovering from the anxiety of her being in danger and being unable to help her.

Sue put down her coffee mug and paused before she answered: "You have to understand, she feels responsible. Although she doesn't believe she deserved to be treated the cruel way she was treated by her mother and by James, she sees it more that they were her problem, and that by being here with you she has brought danger to your door.

"That is why she went with James when he came to the library. She wanted to protect the children in the reading group, the librarian and your family from her problems."

Edward stood in the doorway to the lounge listening intently to Sue but also keeping an ear out in case Bee woke; he didn't want her to wake alone.

Sue continued, with the whole Cullen family and Rosalie, giving her their full attention: "I think a part of her gave up when James arrived at the library. As though there was an inevitability that bad things would happen to her because good things, like living with you, couldn't last for her as she doesn't believe she deserves 'nice' things, as she put it.

"Her reasoning isn't rational; she knows this. Although she is remarkably resilient, she is suffering from a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; not from James' kidnapping her, that was the trigger. This goes back to the physical and emotional abuse she has suffered before coming to Forks and before being fostered by your family. She's afraid that she will bring harm to you all by staying with you. Don't get me wrong, she is equally desperate to stay with you as she is to leave to protect you. She is completely conflicted."

Emmett asked quietly: "But with James dead, the danger is gone, right?"

"Yes, and part of her understands that. She is an intelligent person and she's going to find her way through this but ..."

"But?" asked Carlisle.

Sue looked around the room at this loving family, grateful that Isabella had found her way to such kind and compassionate people.

"But... she is worried that this is all too much for you; she is terrified to be alone again. Her life before living with you was a very lonely one. Her only comfort, and what kept her going through those times, was her love of learning and her dream of becoming a doctor.

"On the one hand she is frightened that she will bring more harm to you by staying and on the other she is terrified that you won't want her to stay."

Edward walked forward then, clearly very agitated: "That's absurd, of course we want her to stay. We are stronger together than apart; we proved that today."

He gave his mother a soft look, so grateful that she had saved his girl and so angry with himself for not being there on time and fighting off James to prevent him getting to Bee in the first place.

Sue gave an understanding smile and nodded: "Yes, you are right, even Bee knows that to be the rational, logical understanding of the situation. But Edward, the mind isn't always rational. Although she can reason that the danger is gone and she is finally free, her emotional self is having a hard time releasing the fear that she's been holding for so long - that James would come back one day and take her away.

"She loves all of you, especially you Edward and Esme. Her protective instincts are strong, you will have to be cautious around her. She may try to push you away as a means of protecting you. All you can do is reinforce with her that you won't go anywhere and that she has a home here with you."

Esme sat forward a little when she suddenly remembered their planned trip to New York: "We were planning a family trip to New York since I have a meeting with my publishers. Isabella and Edward were going to check out the apartment her Grandmother left her, as well as checking out Columbia campus. Do you think we should still go?"

Sue thought about for quite some time before she answered, because really there were positives and negatives to the idea: "Although I am sure the trip would be a diversion from all that has happened, I would recommend against the trip to New York, for now.

"She may emotionally interpret the trip as another step away from living here with you. I would recommend stability for now. Stay home, finish up classes and make your decisions about College from here."

Edward mentioned that he and Bee had actually finished up all their finals because they were on a specially designed advanced program.

Sue added: "That may be even better Edward, the two of you can finalise your College enrolments - something to plan and look forward to together."

Edward smiled: "I was going to teach Bee to drive because she doesn't know how. Maybe we could do that?"

His soft smile dropped and spoke more quietly: "I love her, Sue. I don't think I could stand it if she left me, especially for some fucked up, 'leave me to protect me' bullshit."

Sue gave him a sympathetic look: "I know she doesn't want to leave you Edward, she repeated over and over that she loves you. But she needs to work through all this. The learning to drive idea is great. Any activity that reinforces her place here with you; as part of your family."

She turned back to Esme and Carlisle: "I will come by each day at 4pm for a session with Bee alone. Then we'll all have a group session after a few days. Bee has given me permission to share all this with you, but if she changes her mind on that I will have to respect her wishes."

They all nodded their understanding, each of them privately hoping that Bee would not change her mind, knowing that recovery for them all depended on openness and understanding.

Sue said her farewells and Carlisle walked her to the door. Emmett and Rose started talking about other ideas to engage with Bee. Rose thought she could teach Bee the basics to maintain a car and Emmett thought he'd resume the self-defence lessons with Bee.

Edward took the opportunity to run upstairs and curl up around his girl. There was no fucking way he was going to let her leave him.

She was it for him, he knew it. They would go to College together, go to medical school together, do their residency together, then get married and have gorgeous kids together. She would be Mrs Edward Cullen one day; she was his and he was hers. He squeezed her a little tighter just to reaffirm to himself that she was still there with him before he succumbed to a short and troubled sleep.

The next morning Bee was asleep lying across Edward's lap. He was sitting up with his back against the headboard, slowly running his fingers through her hair and watching her sleep. He had barely slept, terrified that she would disappear if he let his guard down.

Watching her sleep was sort of fascinating to him; she looked so peaceful and so very young. She was still underweight but was certainly healthier than when she'd come to live with them. He could hardly believe that he had disliked her and teased her in the past. He was ashamed of his spoiled ways and wished he could take it all back. He knew he couldn't but was determined to never let her down again.

When she woke up and made eye contact with him, he stroked her cheek: "I am so sorry Bee. I slept through that damned alarm and was late to pick you up. If I'd just been there, I could've..."

She sat bolt upright, furious with him: "You could've what, Edward? Fought off James? Gotten yourself beaten up or killed? He had a gun you know. I was so glad you were late and that you were safe from him. I couldn't have stood it if he hurt you." Her tears were pouring down her cheeks.

Edward wanted to kick himself for upsetting her the moment she woke up: "Bee please, don't upset yourself. It's okay. We're both here and we're both safe. So long as we're together we'll be okay, yeah?"

She gave him a small smile and an almost invisible nod of her head.

"Let's shower, love," Edward said. "I want to wash yesterday down the drain, don't you?"

Again a tiny nod. Edward sighed, this was going to be like pulling teeth.

"I'll go to my room, use the bathroom and grab some clothes, I'll be back and then we'll have a shower together okay?"

Tiny nod.

He never thought he'd miss his feisty argumentative Busy Bee, but he knew he had to be patient and was determined to do whatever it took to help bring her back to herself.

Their shower was intimate yet chaste. He washed her and she washed him. Edward kissed where she was bruised from James' rough treatment. He ached inside to see the angry marks on her body. He was angry but he knew that anger was not what his Bee needed right now. She needed his comfort.

They were quiet as they dressed but it was a comfortable silence.

"What would you like to do today, love?"

"I just want to stay home. Is that okay?"

"Of course, I think the whole family is staying home today. Let's go have breakfast and then we can plan our day."

Bee looked hesitant.

He held her hand and pulled her down on his lap as he sat on the bed: "What is it love?"

She looked at him for a long while.

"C'mon, Busy Bee. You and me, we're a team. We're always honest with each other, let's not change that now. Don't let James ruin this."

At the mention of James, she realised that Edward was right. She didn't want James to ruin things with the Cullens, especially not Edward. She gave him a small smile, his expression was so hopeful.

"Fancy Pants, I don't want James to ruin this either. Last night he had me so turned around. I actually thought about leaving to keep you safe from my bad luck." She started to giggle and his smile took over his whole face.

He kissed her nose: "You know that's crazy talk, right?"

She sighed and leaned into his chest: "I was tired and emotional. I was so afraid when he arrived at the library and little Tanya went straight over to him and asked to sit in his lap. You know how she is?"

Edward nodded, grateful Bee was sharing with him.

"Anyway, I sat there and tried to keep reading but James kept playing with Tanya's hair. Her mother noticed my distress and pulled Tanya away but then James started going on about me being his Princess Bella. I knew I had to get him out of there and away from the children.

"When I said I needed to leave a note, he warned me that 'it better not be to that horndog he saw me with in the newspaper'. That's you, by the way... the horndog."

Edward bit her shoulder gently: "Only for you Bee, only for you."

She leaned into him and then continued to open up to him about what had happened with James: "Mrs Call started talking about how nice it was to finally meet him and how proud everyone was of the two brilliant students from Forks High School. He started bragging about my achievements as a little girl and all the while I just wanted to leave; I was so frightened that you would arrive because it was time for you to pick me up. It was clear he knew who you were and I knew if he saw you he'd lose it and the thought of him hurting you Edward, I couldn't bear it. So I quickly scribbled out the note hoping you'd understand my meaning."

She was sobbing now and so Edward just held her close to let her cry it out. There was a soft knock at the door and Esme opened it just enough to look in to see if the two were awake. When she saw Edward holding a sobbing Isabella she pushed straight in and walked over to them. She sat next to Edward and took her daughter's hands in her own.

"Isabella, it's all over now, sweetheart. You don't have to be afraid any more. You're free." Esme's words were soft but deliberate. She and Sue had spoken at length on the phone that morning about how to comfort Isabella but also how to help her conquer this inherent fear.

Bee's sobs slowed and she looked at her adopted Mother from the safety of Edward's lap. "Oh Esme, I am so sorry that James was so horrible to you. I didn't want you to ever have to be near him. You are so gentle and he is.. was... such a violent man."

Esme leaned in to keep eye contact with her daughter: "He's gone. He didn't hurt me. We are all safe and he can never come back again. You are free of him. You are free from it all."

Bee looked into Esme's eyes and listened hard to her words... 'free'... was that true? Was she really free? Renee and James were both dead. She turned to look at Edward: "They're gone?"

He gave her a reassuring smile: "Yes, love. They are gone. But we are here and we aren't going anyway. Isn't that right Mom."

A tear rolled down Bee's cheek as Esme pulled her into a hug even though Bee was still perched on Edward's lap.

"That's right," Esme said. "You are free from them now sweetheart. They can't hurt you any more and we are not going anywhere."

The three of them sat there in a strange awkward and yet completely comforting hug. As they broke apart, Isabella's stomach growled and they all laughed.

Esme stood up, kissed the top of Isabella's head and then turned to walk towards the door. "That reminds me of why I came up here in the first place. I've made a double batch of pancakes and everyone is waiting for you. So we'd better get down there or Emmett is going to explode."

She disappeared out of the door, leaving Edward and Bee still wrapped around each other but both feeling lighter and relieved. Edward placed Bee back on her feet, and she excused herself to wash the tears from her face before they made their way down to the kitchen hand in hand.

When they arrived, Emmett leaped up and snatched Bee from Edward much to Edward's annoyance: "Put her down Emmett."

"Nope. I'm just giving my little 'sis a thank you hug."

"What are you thanking me for Emmy?" She was giggling as he twirled her around the room.

"I am thanking you for being so brave yesterday. I am thanking you for being the daughter Mom always wanted, other than Edward of course."

"Hey, I resent that remark," laughed Edward punching his brother's arm playfully.

"I am thanking you for being Rose's friend."

Rose waved at Bee: "Morning Bee, sorry about Emmett."

Bee waved back: "That's okay, I'm getting used to Emmy's enthusiasm."

Emmett continued: "I am thanking you for being the one to finally steal Edward's V-card."

Bee giggled: "I didn't exactly steal it Emmett." Edward blushed, which made Emmett laugh even harder.

"But most of all my little Honey Bee, I am thanking you for coming downstairs so Mom will finally let me eat some pancakes!"

A/N: Well I hope you like it.