In case you forgot where we left off...
I try to escape while the lights are still low before Garrett or anyone else can find me. Just as I am able to get through the door I am stopped by the woman who I saw in the bathroom earlier.
"Bella?" she asked.
"Yes. Something I can help you with?," hoping I can answer her questions quickly before I am spotted.
"Actually you can help me with something. My name is Ashley. Ashley Cullen. Edward Cullen's wife. I need to talk to you."
There are moments that take your breath away. At least that is what people say or at least I think that is what I think they say. I have always assumed that these moments are good ones, like hearing those three little words for the first time, the birth of a child, or seeing the love of your existence walking down the aisle or waiting for you at the end. No one ever speaks about moments that take your breath away from pain. Loss of your child, parent, or loved one. Or in my case coming to the realization that the beautiful woman standing in front of me is Edward's wife.
Taking a deep breath and I hope my voice does not give away how effected I am.
"How can I help you Mrs. Cullen?" I do my best to keep my professional mask on remembering that I am representing our charity despite the fact I want to push the woman out of my way and flee to my safe haven.
Ashley is calm, much calmer than I would be if I was in her place. I wonder if she has noticed the similarities of my daughter to her own. I am not stupid and realize that the child with her is Edward's daughter. I just didn't know that she married Edward.
"Bella, I know about you. I know everything about you, except I, um, we didn't know you were pregnant too," she begins to explain.
"It's obvious that Peyton is Edward's daughter, I mean that could have been Olivia with you in that photo."
"Oliva?" I asked. As soon as I said the name I knew the answer.
"Our daughter, Olivia. We call her Libby. You saw us earlier in the bathroom."
I nodded my head in response unable to have this conversation. Scanning the room I looked for a way to escape. I wonder where Edward went and why hasn't anyone come to my rescue yet. My mind began to fog and the tunnels were blackening my vision. Thrurrmp. Thrurrmp. Wildly my heart pumps blood throughout my body desperate to keep my brain functioning. I began to reach, grasping for anything to keep me standing, not wanting to fall. Not now. I begin to chant. Not now. Not. Now. NOT. NOW.
Ashley watches me as the panic fills my face and my body tenses.
"I'm sorry. I can't," whispers fall from my lips as I pull away and move through the door into the fresh air.
I take in gulps of air hoping they will calm me down. With my palms on my knees and breathe steadily. I focus on each breath as if it is the only thing I am able to do. It isn't until I feel the warm, familiar hand on my back that I am back into the moment.
I turn to see Garrett. He looks disheveled with his shirt untucked and a few of the buttons undone. His hair is a mess and his face that is normally relaxed is full of tension.
"Baby, you ok?" he asks. I notice the term of endearment, but don't have it in me to correct him. I actually want drown in his affection so I do the first thing that comes naturally. I let him pull me into his arms and for the first time in a very long time I don't feel alone.