~ oOo ~
So, I've had a bit of a blergh day...
Home-renting issues; long story, but boils
down to a grumpy, disappointed me.
And what's great for turning my frown
upside down? An early Pinky Promises update!
Huge, ginormous THANK YOUs to
SunflowerFran and annaharding
Without you two, this would be one helluva
mess.
And also a massive THANK YOU to each and
every one of you for taking the time to read and review.
It truly does make my day to see the little numbers
tick up in the stats section, and I love the ping of my email
with every lovely review. You've honestly blown
me away with how much you love these characters
and how well you've taken them all to your hearts.
I try my best to respond to them all, but all the overtime
I'm doing for work at the moment is wrecking my brain!
This early update means I won't be posting on Sunday,
but I may or may not have a little outtake from the POV
of a certain ranchhand friend in the works for later in the week...
I won't keep you long, but I just have one more thing to say:
- I hope you're ready for a reunion ;)
~ oOo ~
Summary: When two little girls were allowed to walk
home from school one bright spring day nobody could've
predicted the events that followed. The way two families
were torn apart by the vendetta of a deranged man.
Nearly twelve years on, we'll watch as the two girls stolen
away from their homes at eight years old fight to take
back their lives. If only it were as simple as escaping. AU
Pinky Promises
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"Sweet dreams only, little sweet. Promise?"
Marley grinned sleepily, nodding. "Pinky promise, Ed—yawn—ward."
It made Edward a little wistful for the way she used to say his name, now that she'd started saying it correctly. Her sweet voice calling out 'Ed-wood' for the first time would always be one of his most treasured memories.
"Good." Edward gently tucked Mr. Eddie in beside her, making sure the covers were nice and tight around her legs like she preferred, before turning to leave on tiptoes. He didn't expect to see the dark silhouette of a body in the doorway.
"Holy shit."
"Sorry!" Bella held her hands up, wincing. "I didn't mean to make you jump."
"That's okay," Edward sighed, grinning when he realized it was Bella. "Everything all right?"
She nodded, eyes darting between Marley, already fast asleep and snoring, and Edward. Marley had insisted he be the one to read her a bedtime story, and he'd been far too happy to even consider saying 'no.' Without waking Marley, Edward crept from the room, joining Bella in the hallway.
"Where's the little man?" e whispered, edging down the stairs behind her. He focused on the swish of her ponytail instead of the pain it caused in his side. Edward made it to the bottom with a soft puff of relief; it hadn't been as bad as the way up. He'd carried Marley, knowing it was stupid to do so, but having missed her so badly he couldn't help himself.
"Right here," Bella said quietly, a smile in her voice. They walked into the living room together, Edward immediately spotting Bodhi. He was in some sort of nest-shaped cushion on the coffee table, chubby legs kicking above the edges, soft coos making Edward grin. "This," touching the side of the baby seat, "is the best invention ever," she told him, kneeling beside Bodhi in his nest. Taking a seat on the edge of the nearest sofa, Edward felt tears sting his eyes as he watched Bella tickle her son's sides, leaning in to kiss his head. He had her hair; her natural color, anyway.
"What is it?"
"A DockATot. It's American, apparently. Dad said Carl-Roman had one as a baby and it was a godsend. Figured we'd try it, and so far, Bodhi is a definite fan."
Basically, it looked like a pool noodle looped round and joined at the bottom, with a cushioned piece of fabric underneath for the baby to lie on. It did look comfortable, Edward had to admit. And Bodhi definitely seemed to like his DockATot well enough. Saying that, from what Edward had heard and seen so far, he was a pretty content baby anyway.
"Did you enjoy seeing everyone?" Bella asked softly, pulling Edward's thoughts away from the squirming bundle of joy in front of him.
"I did," he admitted easily. "It was really great seeing Nonna and Nonno."
"They're so lovely, Edward. You're very lucky to have them." She laughed, then. "Marley adopted them, did you see? She adores Enrico; even calls him 'Nonno,' and Contessa, 'Nonna.'"
"I heard that, yeah," Edward chuckled, resting back against the cushions. "They love her, too. I've been informed I need to bring you out to Rome, stat. Something about Nonna promising to show Marley the pool?"
Bella smiled fondly, taking Bodhi from his nest as he began to fuss. She sat on the sofa beside Edward. "She's obsessed with the idea of going swimming."
"Well, you just let me know when you're ready and we'll go for a holiday in Rome. I'll show you all the sights, Marley can swim in the pool as much as she likes, and my little buddy here can tag along, too."
Watching Edward lean over to speak to Bodhi, Bella realized something.
"You haven't held him yet today, have you?"
"Ah, no. Everyone else was too busy hogging him."
Bella laughed lightly, but it was true. She felt as though she'd barely held Bodhi all day. Everyone had wanted to kiss his little head, to feel the warmth of his tiny body. Charlie had shown him to all the guests; Marley at his side repeatedly pointing to Bodhi's head as she introduced her family and friends to 'baby Bodhi.' "Here, do you think you'll be okay? I don't want him to hurt your side."
"Quit your fussing, woman, and give him here."
As Bella settled the soft, warm weight of Bodhi against his chest, Edward tucked him close, suddenly awash with emotion as he stared down into his wide-eyed face. After his nap, she'd dressed him in a sweet pair of mustard yellow sweatpants with gray and white cuffs, and a pair of brown, faux-suede sneakers. On his top half, he wore a navy T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'Don't worry, be happy,' and a soft, pale blue denim shirt. Now, the shoes were long-gone, and he was sans hat, so Edward could feel his toes curled against his forearm, the feather-soft brush of blond curls on his cheek as he leaned down to inhale the scent synonymous with babies. He smelled perfect; a mixture of baby powder and Bella's perfume, and felt even better cradled in Edward's arms.
Abruptly, Edward came to a realization that both thrilled and terrified him.
He felt whole. For the first time, maybe ever, but certainly for the first time in a long while, Edward felt completely and utterly whole.
The quiet click of a camera made him look up, finding Bella tearing up behind her camera. "Sorry, I just…it's a beautiful picture. I didn't know if…if I'd ever get to see it."
Edward's heart thumped unevenly as he gazed at Bella, seeing a procession of emotions crossing her face. He'd wondered, too. As he'd lain on the ground with his head pillowed on her lap, blood seeping by the pint from his midsection, Edward's final thoughts had been of Marley, Bella, and the baby she carried. He'd wondered if he'd get to meet him – as he'd been convinced she was carrying a boy –, wondered whether he'd ever get to hold him, or hear Marley gush over how much she adored her new little brother, because he'd known she would.
"Bella…" he breathed, even then not knowing what, exactly, he meant to say.
She shook her head, sniffling and dashing tears from her cheeks. "It's okay, I'm just all kinds of emotional at the moment."
"C'mere." Smothering a wince, Edward held out his arm and gestured for Bella to come closer. He hadn't even noticed her moving from the sofa to get the camera, distracted as he'd been by Bodhi. She settled against his side, careful not to press on his wound. Edward hugged her closer, not caring in the least about the twinge of pain it caused. It was worth it to be able to hold her, just for a little while. "You really thought you'd get rid of me that easily?"
Bella shook her head, trying to laugh instead of cry, because yes, she really had thought she was going to lose him.
"Hey, listen to me, Bella." She tipped her gaze up to his, trust and sweetness and everything Edward loved about her shining back at him through those beautiful ocean eyes. "I'm here for the long haul, all right? I'm not going anywhere."
He couldn't be sure, but Edward was sure he saw a flicker of his own emotions mirrored back at him within Bella's gaze. She blinked slowly.
He wanted, so badly, more than ever before, to lean in and close the gap between their lips. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go. He wanted to feel her hair between his fingers, her skin under his palms.
He wanted her to want those things, too, but he didn't know that she ever would.
Coughing, Edward gently shuffled Bodhi back into Bella's arms. "I, uh, I'm gonna head up…" He gestured towards the ceiling, and she nodded blankly, turning her gaze down to her sleeping son.
"Okay, yeah. That's…that's fine. I'm just going to feed him and go up myself."
"All right." Hesitating on his way past, he reached out to brush his fingertips over the skin bared by Bella's off-the-shoulder slouch t-shirt. "Night, Bella. Sweet dreams."
"S-sweet dreams, Edward."
Walking up the stairs to his makeshift bedroom that night, Edward felt a shift in his psyche. He loved Bella, with all of his heart and soul, he knew that already. He'd known if for quite some time.
But it was in those moments, as he lay awake listening to her humming to Bodhi on their way to bed twenty minutes later, that he realized something else.
There was no doubt that he loved her, had been in love with her for months. But now, picturing her smiling between her children, happy, content, and safe, there wasn't a shred of doubt in Edward's mind that not only did he love her now, he'd love her always.
And maybe, just maybe, whether those feelings were ever reciprocated or not, he was okay with that.
~ oOo ~
Irina Denali was a sadist.
Of this, Bella was certain. In the weeks following Bodhi's birth, she set Bella and Rosalie new targets at their sessions each week. Most of them were relatively easy, all things told.
Relinquish some of the household chores, spend a little more time with family and friends other than their fathers and siblings, and engage in a new hobby. All of those things were accomplished quickly and without significant difficulty.
It was Irina's latest homework assignment that had Bella convinced her therapist wanted to torture her.
"Take Marley and Bodhi to the park," she'd said, wrapping up their last session for the week. She was away for the following week, so Bella and Rosalie had extra time to complete the task. They were now down to the last day before their first session back with Irina after her break, and they hadn't ventured anywhere close to the park.
Well, until now.
"You'll stay with us?" Rosalie asked Peter, nerves written clearly across her features.
Peter turned in his seat, smiling at his daughter. "Of course we will."
It was a bright, sunny day, although there was a chill in the air. It was autumn now, the leaves falling from their perches to cover the ground in a gold and red patchwork blanket. The children had gone back to school, so there weren't many people around. They'd come in two cars; Charlie's, and Archie's. The latter had volunteered to bring 'the cripple' as Edward had been affectionately dubbed, and Marley had dutifully followed her idol. She hadn't appeared nervous at all, clambering into the back seat of her uncle's car with Carl-Roman and Chase, but a minute or two down the road she'd had Edward call Bella to make sure they were following. They were two cars behind so Archie had pulled over to let them catch up, Marley waving her hands over her head the entire rest of the way so Charlie wouldn't miss her.
They were now parked next to the play area in Hampden Park, Archie managing to stall Marley while Rosalie and Bella bolstered their confidence.
"This is stupid," Bella eventually murmured, undoing her seatbelt and leaving the car quickly, before her fear could catch up with her.
"Atta girl," Charlie whispered, following.
The group convened on the pavement, Carl-Roman and Marley itching to get into the play area while Bella and Archie loaded their little ones into their strollers. Bodhi had fallen asleep during the car ride so Bella reclined him and pulled the canopy over so he could sleep without the sun beaming on him. It wasn't all that warm, but it was still bright.
"All right, play area?" Edward asked softly, eyeing the hyper, over-excited five and six-year-olds pressing their faces against the bars separating them from the fun.
"Yeah. Play area," Rosalie whispered, winding her arm through Bella's as she pushed Bodhi ahead. Marley and Carl-Roman walked quickly beside the girls, knowing better than to run off, Charlie and Peter both using their phones to document the momentous occasion.
Marley's and Bodhi's first trip to the park.
Settling herself on a bench close to the climbing frames, Bella breathed a long sigh of relief, offering Rosalie a shaky smile. "We did it, Rose. We're doing it."
"We are," she agreed, squeezing Bella's hand.
"Mummy, look! I'm doing it!" Their eyes flew to Marley, at the top of the big yellow slide.
It was the same slide they'd played on hundreds of times in their first eight years of life.
"You are, baby girl!" Bella called, tears spilling over her pale cheeks as she watched Edward catch Marley at the bottom, cheering and doing a silly dance with her to celebrate. It must have hurt him, but he didn't seem to care, and Bella didn't want to scold him. Not while he was having so much fun.
The wide, crooked grin on his face was almost painful to look at when she considered the fact that she'd almost lost it.
Without that smile, the world would seem much dimmer.
Marley and Carl-Roman quickly exhausted themselves, both loving the chance to charge around unimpeded for the first time. Charlie took over a hundred photos, managing to get a few of all four of his grandchildren when Marley and Carl-Roman paused to take a juice break.
He immediately set his favorite as his wallpaper, so that he could quickly look at the image of his eldest two grandchildren holding the youngest two on the bench.
Two hours after arriving at the park, Bella tucked Bodhi back into his stroller, persuaded Marley to put her woolen hat on, and Peter treated everyone – excluding Chase and Bodhi – to ice creams. Marley chose watermelon, to copy Edward, subsequently declaring it her new favorite. Bella snapped pictures of the pair sitting together, grinning over their ice creams, then laughed at the pink mustache Edward gave himself with an over-zealous bite.
"No, Edward! You're not s'posed to bite it, silly!"
"Oh, sorry, little sweet. How should I eat it?"
"That's okay, Edward. I'll teach you. Here, share my napkin. Your face is all messy."
Bella watched with a grin from behind her own cone. They truly were adorable together.
As an elderly couple strolled past, hand-in-hand with warm smiles on their faces, she wondered what they saw when they looked over at their group.
Did they see friends enjoying a treat on a chilly day?
Did they see a healing family, learning to be whole again?
Did they see a dad and his daughter playing thumb wars, watermelon ice creams melting over their hands?
Whatever they saw, Bella hoped the couple could tell how happy they all were, how content and relieved they were to be together again.
~ oOo ~
"She's amazing, isn't she?"
Bella looked up at Edward, not ceasing in her gentle side-to-side rocking motions. Bodhi was almost asleep in her arms, having fought it for hours. "She is. Her speech is just…it's brilliant."
"She's a little you, that's for sure."
Returning her gaze to Marley, playing on the floor with Rosalie and chatting non-stop, as usual, Bella smiled. "Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was meant to be," Edward murmured, looping an arm around Bella's shoulders to give her an affectionate squeeze. "Want me to take the boy for a bit? Your arms must be aching by now."
Hesitating, Bella finally sighed and carefully transferred Bodhi into Edward's arms. He settled against Edward's chest almost instantly, peering up at him through wide, trusting eyes. "Thanks. He's getting heavy now."
"Her speech is coming on so well, isn't it?" Edward commented when they still hadn't moved a few minutes later, still both watching Marley and Rosalie. They'd spent less time together since returning to England, but their bond was still clear to see.
"It is. Irina says it's mostly thanks to her being happier, more comfortable with her surroundings and the people around her."
Edward tipped his head down to gaze at Bella's profile, taking in the line of her jaw, her slender neck, and the gentle slope of her shoulder. He clamped his mouth shut for a long moment, biting back the temptation to find out if the skin joining her neck and shoulder was as soft as it looked with his tongue. "Do you think she's right? Marley's your daughter, you know her better than anyone."
"I think she's right, yeah. I always wondered why she didn't talk, but it makes sense that she just wasn't comfortable there. I'm glad she's happier now. I only ever wanted her to be safe and content, you know?"
A question Edward had wondered about for months popped to the forefront of his mind. "Is that why you left her at the medical center?"
Bella's eyes darted up to his face, finding nothing but gentle curiosity there. She'd expected judgement, but he was simply asking a question only she had the answer to. "Yes. I couldn't risk him coming after us and having Marley getting hurt. I had to hope the note would work and they'd call somebody here, but obviously it worked out a lot better that you were already in Montana anyway." She snorted, the sound far from amused. "I think that's the only time I've ever wanted to be wrong."
"Expecting to be found?" Edward asked, not wanting to say Smith's name; not even wanting to think it.
Thanks to Riley, Edward knew Garrett was in FBI custody, and would never be free again, but that conversation was the one and only they'd had regarding that vile excuse for a human being. Neither Bella nor Rosalie wanted to talk about him, and they'd seen less of Riley in the weeks since Bodhi's birth as he prepared the case against Smith, ready to take it to trial. The last they'd heard, the police weren't sharing as much information with Riley as he'd have liked and he was fighting to be allowed more access to the case.
For all Edward cared, Smith could rot in hell for what he'd done.
"I knew he wouldn't let us go easily, so I had to make sure Marley was safe."
"Mummy, I'm sleepy."
Lost in thought, Bella hadn't realized Marley had moved until she was tugging the hem of her T-shirt. Bella smiled and scooped her up, ignoring the twinge in her still-healing stomach. "Shall we head up to bed, baby girl? I think your brother is ready for sleep, too."
Marley stretched to peer at Bodhi. He was fast asleep in the crook of Edward's arm, suckling contentedly on his binky.
"Yeah, I'll tuck baby Bodhi in though, 'kay?"
"Okay," Bella agreed, always happy to indulge her daughter when it came to her love for Bodhi. "Say 'goodnight' to Auntie Rosalie."
"Night, Auntie Rosalie," she repeated softly, nuzzling into Bella.
"Night, sweetie. See you in the morning," Rosalie laughed, unfolding herself from the floor to tidy up the toy animals they'd been playing with.
After grabbing Bodhi's blanket from the sofa in the living room, Edward followed Bella up the stairs, arriving in the doorway to her room as she tucked Marley in and kissed her forehead. "She's too tired to tuck the boy in after all," Edward whispered, chuckling quietly.
"Looks that way," Bella shook her head with a smile, watching Edward move to Bodhi's crib. He laid her baby boy down so gently that he didn't even stir, tucking the blanket beneath his arms and into the foot of the bed without her having to remind him. Mr. Ted, his fluffy brown teddy bear, sat proudly in the bottom corner, watching over his sleeping buddy.
Seeing him, so easygoing and helpful with her children, Bella felt her entire body warm from the inside-out. He really was a beautiful man, only made better by his sunny personality and the adoration he showed her babies. Heat curled in her belly as she remembered him waking up, as she remembered seeing the look on his face when he spotted Bodhi for the first time.
Bella had passed out in the chair, Bodhi fast asleep in his Moses basket on the sofa on the other side of Edward's bed. She'd been dreaming, though of what, she couldn't recall. She woke slowly, unsure why, at first. It took a few seconds, then she realized.
She could feel eyes on her.
The prickle of someone's gaze resting upon her face made Bella freeze as her eyes peeled open, immediately finding the stare she could feel.
A pair of vibrant, confused green eyes were open for the first time in weeks. Bella felt tears stab at the backs of her eyes as she launched herself forward, hands clutching at Edward's.
"Edward! You're awake! Oh my God…you're awake." She whispered the words over and over, inordinately relieved, never having realized how much she wanted to see those emerald orbs until Edward was blinking slowly, clearly trying to focus and orient himself. He looked bewildered, to say the least.
Licking his lips, Edward rasped, "where am I?"
Bella sighed, reaching up to cup his cheek. He had quite a beard going on, though the nurses had offered to shave him. Bella had refused on his behalf, unwilling to accept that he wouldn't wake soon to decide the fate of his beard for himself.
"You're in the hospital. You…" She swallowed hard. "You were shot."
She watched with sadness as he frowned. His memories seemed to sweep in at once, realization dawning in his eyes. He squeezed her hand. "Are you okay? I don't, um…what happened?"
It had been difficult relaying the events to the police, but it was a whole other kettle of fish explaining it all to Edward. She readied herself with a deep breath and stroked his temple gently with her fingertips.
"You came in and tackled him, I think. I opened my eyes, and you were on the floor after the…the gun went off. I couldn't tell at first, who it hit. Riley and the police were already on their way up because they'd realized you'd come in ahead of them. They got to you pretty quick after they heard the gunshot, but you lost a lot of blood. We almost lost you."
Edward absorbed her words with an odd look on his face, almost like he didn't believe her. He shifted a little, wincing at the pain in his side. Carefully, Bella lifted the blankets to show him the dressing, proving that she was telling the truth. Slowly, recognition sharpened his gaze.
"And you…are you okay? I remember…I remember them putting you in an ambulance, I think?"
Without her permission, a smile spread across Bella's face. She squeezed his hand gently and nodded in Bodhi's direction. He frowned, tipping his head away from her slightly, though his eyes lingered on her face for as long as possible before swinging towards the sofa.
Bella saw the exact second he realized what, or who, he was seeing.
"Oh, God…" Edward breathed, sucking in a deep breath. He fidgeted a little, but Bella laid a hand on his chest and told him to wait a second. Once she'd used the buttons on the remote control to sit him up slightly, she moved around the bed and carefully removed Bodhi from his basket. He fussed for a few seconds, settling down in her arms as she perched on the edge of Edward's bed. He opened his sea-blue eyes wide, blinking long lashes at his mother.
She smiled down at him and smoothed a wayward curl. "Baby boy, this is Edward. He saved our lives."
Edward was crying when she looked back up at him, but he shook his head when her expression betrayed her worry. "I'm okay, I'm okay. I just…I didn't know if I'd get to…"
He trailed off, but of course, they both heard his unsaid words anyway.
"Can I hold him?"
Bella nodded, suddenly desperate to see Bodhi in Edward's arms. She carefully placed him between Edward's arm and his torso, knowing it would be all-but-impossible to keep her squirming son from tangling himself in the wires draped over Edward in any other position.
It was enough. Edward reached over and stroked Bodhi's soft cheek, tears pouring over his own. He wasn't holding him, but it was close enough. "What name did you decide on? You never told me."
Feeling an abrupt bolt of nerves, Bella fiddled with her baby's socked foot. "Bodhi. I stole your name, I'm afraid."
Edward grinned, his crooked, lopsided grin that he reserved only for Marley and Bella. "Bodhi. I like it. It suits him. I bet Chuck's chuffed."
"He is. He was a little sore that he got bumped down to the third name, but he's over it now."
Edward frowned. "Third?"
Bella swallowed hard. "Yeah, third. Bodhi…Edward Charlie Swan."
They'd both cried torrents of tears, a nurse rushing into the room when she saw the spike in his heart rate. The room had been overtaken with doctors and nurses wanting to see Edward and examine him then, and Bella had eventually had to take Bodhi home, so they hadn't spent much time alone since. His family wanted to see him, too, and Bella was busy with Marley, Bodhi, and preparing the house for Edward's discharge.
"Bella?" Edward's whisper broke her from her memories.
"Hmmm?"
He grinned, gesturing towards the hall. "I was just saying 'goodnight.' I'm gonna head to bed now."
"Oh, all right." Sighing, Bella shoved away her disappointment that another day with Edward had come to an end, feeling exhaustion creeping in. And Bodhi would be waking shortly for a feed… "Goodnight, Edward. Thanks for all your help today."
"No problem at all. I love spending time with you and the kids."
She smiled, watching him leave quietly. He paused in the doorway, gripping the frame for a second before looking back at her. "I'm proud of you, Bella, you know that? You're an amazing mother, and you're absolutely the best person I've ever met. I guess I'm just…I'm glad I get to call myself your friend."
Before Bella had a chance to respond, shock tying her tongue in knots, Edward was gone.
She wanted to say so many things.
So did he.
As he crawled gingerly into bed, popping two of the painkillers he avoided during the day so that he could be alert and helpful with the children, Edward sighed, reminding himself of his mantra.
Slow and steady.
In the coming days, weeks, and months he already knew he'd fall deeper and deeper in love with Bella, the enigmatic young woman he witnessed growing into a beautiful mother, daughter, and sister before his eyes.
As autumn turned to winter, to spring, to summer, Edward's physical injuries would heal, his mental ones aided by fortnightly sessions with Irina.
~ oOo ~
Before the sun had a chance to rise, the entire Swan-Hale clan – with the addition of a few Cullens; Edward, Carlisle, and Esme – gathered in Charlie's kitchen. Riley had called Charlie and Peter, asking them to round up their families.
He had news.
Much to everybody's worry and frustration, Riley hadn't said whether this news was good or bad, just that they needed to know as soon as possible.
Archie had driven right over with Carl-Roman and Chase, Kristen working as usual after a blazing row, and tucked them in upstairs where they'd both promptly fallen back to sleep. Marley slept soundly, even as Bella scooped Bodhi from his crib and carried him downstairs with her. She sat at the breakfast bar with Edward and her son, watching everybody else flit around the room nervously. Charlie and Peter were the worst, their agitation obvious, but Bella could see that Rosalie's nerves were also kicking in. She was attuned to her pseudo-sister, always had been, and didn't need to ask to know that Rosalie was struggling.
Still, she remained on the stool at the bar, cradling Bodhi against her chest and accepting the comfort Edward offered, his hand resting gently on her knee. As the sound of a car pulling up outside filtered through to the gathering in the kitchen, more than one set of eyes shot to the doorway leading to the hall.
"I'll go," Peter said quietly, leaving the room. When he returned moments later, it was with a stony-faced Riley right behind him.
Bella's heart began to race, her knee jiggling in place. Edward gave it a soft squeeze, reminding her of his presence. She sucked in a deep breath and forced herself to relax.
"I'm sorry to have woken you all so early. I received some news this morning that I thought you'd all want to hear."
Nobody seemed to know what to say, but they all looked to Charlie when he huffed and tugged at his hair, casting a quick glance in his daughter's direction. "Well, come on, out with it."
Riley looked around the room at the faces of the expectant family watching him intently. He huffed, meeting Rosalie's eyes, then Bella's. They both gasped at the simple, two-word sentence he uttered. "Smith's dead."
"D-dead?" Rosalie stammered, leaning heavily on Peter.
"Yes. We transferred him to a high-security unit as soon as he'd been checked into the station, and kept him under guard, but somebody got to him." Riley's fierce gaze betrayed his anger. "It happened three weeks ago, the same day we arrested him. I don't know why nobody has shared this information with us until now, but I came as soon as I was told."
Without speaking, Bella handed Bodhi to Esme with shaky hands, letting Edward stand and loop his arms around her. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe.
Smith's dead. Smith's dead. Dead. He's dead. He's been dead for three weeks?
It didn't seem real. It couldn't be…could it?
"How?"
It took a few seconds for Bella to realize that it was her who'd asked, and she quickly realized that she really did want to know.
Riley grimaced, looking to Charlie. Charlie nodded, giving his permission, but he winced when Riley murmured, "evisceration, amongst his other injuries."
It had a kind of poetic justice, Edward thought, that the man responsible for tearing apart the two families Edward loved the most would lose his life in the same way.
Torn apart from the inside out.
A small, sick part of Edward hoped it had been painful. He hoped Smith had suffered.
"I don't…um, I can't process…"
"It's okay, honey. You don't have to do anything right now," Peter told Rosalie gently, holding her close.
It was safe to say not a single person in the room was mourning the loss of the vile excuse for a human being Smith had been.
Bodhi began to fuss in Esme's arms, so she quietly stepped out of the room after taking the bottle from the prep machine in the corner. Bella's eyes followed her son's head until he was out of sight, then she peered up at Edward from beneath tear-laden lashes. Gazing down at her, he cradled Bella's face in one large hand, stroking the apple of her cheek with his thumb.
"We're…we're safe?" She whispered, her voice croaky.
Smiling, his lips kicking up slightly on one end, Edward huffed a breath. It was relief, wry amusement, and exhaustion all rolled into one. "Yeah, Bella. You're safe."
"Not just us," she protested, nodding in Rosalie's direction. "You, too. He'd have come back for you, you know."
"Well he can't now," Charlie interjected, crossing the room to wrap an arm around his daughter. Edward's presence meant he was included in the one-armed hug, but Charlie didn't care. All of his attention, at that moment, was focused on Bella and her wide, worried, blue-green eyes. "He can never hurt you again, sweetheart. Never. He's gone."
Silence followed Charlie's fierce statement. Nobody really knew what to say.
Until Riley cleared his throat, and the group recognized the beginnings of a smile dancing on his lips. "So, that's not my only news. Before you all lynch me, I have a feeling what I'm about to say next will go down a lot better."
Bella shot her dad, then Edward, bemused looks, seeing that they held no answers before following Riley's gaze to the hallway. She barely had the chance to recognize the man who appeared in the doorway before he was obscured.
Rosalie crossed the room in a blur, her gasp loud in the otherwise silent room. With her arms looped tight around the visitor's chest, she sobbed and repeatedly murmured, "thank God. Thank God, you're okay. You're okay."
Carlisle, Charlie, Edward, Archie, and Peter watched with confusion. Though Rosalie had warmed up and grown more confident in past weeks, she still hadn't returned completely to the affectionate child she'd once been. They thought they'd lost her; the sweet child who'd loved to hug anybody, who'd inherited her mother's loving, demonstrative nature.
And yet, here she was, almost completely entwined around a large man with sandy brown hair and heavy footsteps.
Bella felt her heart race as she watched Rosalie begin to tremble when a pair of strong, muscular arms wound around her back tentatively, a set of familiar, tear-filled, gray-blue eyes peering over the top of her head. Overcome by emotions she hadn't expected and wasn't fully prepared to deal with at that moment in time, Bella swallowed hard and sighed.
Suddenly, inexplicably, with the older children asleep upstairs, Bodhi safe in Esme's arms in the room next-door, Edward's arms wrapped loosely around her, and the arrival of a man she trusted implicitly – just as she knew Rosalie did – Bella felt safer than, perhaps, she ever had.
"Hey, Emmett."