A/N: I do not own Twilight.

Adjournment

Chapter 17: Beginning to Heal

Emmett had gone to the hospital to secure the location and ensure Johnathan was safe. He had stayed until the early hours of the morning to make sure the security detail was in place and left only after a small army of agents had been planted to maintain Johnathan's safety.

The trip to the hospital the next morning turned out to be a low key affair. Carlisle and Edward took Bella out through the private elevator and down to the parking garage where Esme was waiting with a darkly tinted government issue SUV. Carlisle climbed into the front passenger seat while the others buckled themselves in the back.

"You're still favoring your left knee," Esme frowned as Edward settled himself in for the drive.

"It's fine," Was his mumbled reply as he turned in his seat.

Esme refrained from further comment as she pulled out of the parking garage and onto the main street. The hospital was an eighteen minute drive; however, it would probably take them closer to an hour to arrive with Carlisle directing her to take random turns and circles just to throw off anyone that might be following their vehicle.

Bella had spoken less than ten words since Esme had informed her of Johnathan's condition. Physically he was suffering from were relatively minimal and would heal in time. There were two fractured ribs and some tearing along with a multitude of contusions mostly confined to his torso. The most troubling news was his obvious mental distress. John refused to speak to anyone including the hospital psychiatrist that had visited him within a few hours of his being admitted. That news alone had Bella in tears for the young man.

Forty-five minutes later, they arrived at the hospital and took the elevator up to the third floor where two agents were standing guard outside of his room. Edward had counted four other agents from the time pulled into the parking lot until they reached the third floor.

"Your father and I will wait here while you spend some time with John." Edward informed Bella once they were standing outside the room.

"If it's okay with Johnathan, I'd like to speak with him about a plan for his physical recovery but I will give the two of you a few minutes before I step in. I am going to touch base with his doctor and make sure he will be releasing Johnathan tomorrow morning" Esme smiled in sympathy at her daughter before watching the younger woman disappear inside the room.

Bella had been in a state of distress since hearing about John's injuries the evening before. Nothing had prepared her for the sight of her seventeen year old brother lying in that hospital bed. He appeared to have lost at least twenty pounds since she had seen him last. Older bruises were still visible but fading on his face. There were still dark, hand-shaped bruised on his arms that she could see. When he looked at her, his face lit up for a moment before his expression turned into one of shame as he dropped his eyes to his lap.

"Johnny," she breathed wanting to embrace him but unsure of what his reaction would be. They had always been so close, Bella being protective of her little brother. "You look like crap."

That earned her a half grin before he looked at her again. "So do you." He fired back. Three words. He had finally spoken three words. Maybe Bella could draw him back out of the shell that he had climbed into.

"Well that's quite a story and I will tell you all about it but you have to tell me how you are first."

"Angel, I can honestly say that I am not okay but I have never been so glad to see federal agents bursting into a room as I was last night. That monster killed a part of me." The last part was almost a whisper. "He needs to die."

Bella moved to sit beside him on his bed and put her arm around him. "I promise you that man will be dealt with. Carlisle is working on a plan to make it happen. In the meantime, I want you to promise me something." She waited until he looked into her eyes before continuing, "Esme is going to work with you as a doctor to make sure all of your physical injuries heal. She is going to suggest someone that you can talk to you about dealing with everything that happened on a psychological level. It will be difficult, but you have to promise not to give up. I need my little brother. Just ask Edward, I think I drove him crazy worrying about you the past few weeks."

"I don't know if I can promise anything right now."

"You can because you're strong. We dealt with that man and his brand of crazy for years. He hasn't broken either one of us. Do you hear me? You are not broken and we will all help you through this."

"But you don't know the things he did to me."

"I know enough. And when you're ready, you will tell me what you need me to know. Right now, we get you healthy physically. We fatten you back up." She smiled. "There are some things you need to know but we can get into that after you're released from this place."

"Are we safe here? What if he shows up?"

"There is a small army of feds in this hospital starting outside your door and leading all the way into the parking lot. This is probably the most secure place you can be right now." Bella assured him. " So, do you want to hear about how Edward and I survived an aerial assault on the building yesterday first or do you want to hear about how many federal asses I kicked during a training session?" She would tell him anything to keep him talking.

"I think I want to hear about how much time you've obviously been spending with Edward while I was gone. Your smile is huge when you say his name. Tell me. Do I have to play the brother card and threaten to kick his ass?"

"Not at all. He is a good man, John. Besides, if he gets out of line, Carlisle already promised to take care of him for me."

"What's it like?"

"What?"

"Having a father that cares?"

Bella felt overwhelmed by his question for a moment because for the first time in her life, that was true. Carlisle was her biological father and he did care – so much. "It's the best feeling. We've never had that before. We have a real family now."

"You. You have a real family now. I only have you. You are my sister. My only family."

"That's not exactly true." Edward said as he appeared inside the doorway. "I know a lot has happened in the past couple of months, but there is something you need to know. I think it might help you deal with all of this."

"Are you sure now is the time for this conversation?" Bella looked worried.

"If it were me, I would want to know." Edward moved to sit in the chair beside Johnathan's bed. "You remember when Bella was in the hospital after she had been hurt and you tried to give blood?"

"Yes. That's when you guys found out that she and I couldn't be related. That Carlisle and Esme were her parents."

"Well, they tested your DNA at the time as well. Carlisle didn't realize it at the time but the report showed something very interesting. Victoria or Tanya as you knew her. She is your mother however, Sebastian Jamison is not your father."

A couple of tears make their way down Johnathan's face at that news. "That man is not my father? Are you sure?"

"We are positive. The thing is, we did find a match on file. If you want to know who your father is, I can tell you."

John looked at him for a moment before asking, "Is it worse than that monster?"

"I will let you make your own judgment on that one. I personally never got along with the man." At Johnathan's questioning look, he continued. "DNA says that your biological father is Edward Masen Senior. I know it's a lot to take in right now. But Emmett and I wanted you to know that we are here for you. If you want to be a part of our family, we want that too. You're not only Bella's little brother. You are ours as well."

"That's crazy. I can't believe that it's true. Are you sure?"

"Positive. We aren't sure of the circumstances yet but it's certain that our father had an affair with Victoria eighteen years ago."

"See, kid. You not only have me, you have two big brothers. We will help you through this. We promise." Bella hugged him a little tighter and he rewarded her with a small smile.

"You guys really want to be my brothers?" John questioned.

"We are family no matter what. In spite of the fact that Senior was not the most upstanding citizen, we are still blood and we want to have a chance to get to know you better. If that's okay with you."

"That sounds good actually." Johnathan was firm in his decision.

Esme stepped into the room after tapping lightly on the doorframe. "Hello Johnathan. It's nice to see you again. I'm hoping you will consent to letting me take over as your doctor in your recovery. Would that be okay with you?"

"Sure. That sounds fine. When can I get out of here?"

"We need another blood panel. Some of your numbers are still off. Once those levels come up, we can spring you."

"And where will I be released to? He's still out there."

"That is a question for my husband. I'm not quite sure of the plan right now. For the time being, let's focus on your health and I'd like you to speak to a friend of mine this afternoon. If you're good with speaking to him, that is."

"A therapist friend?"

"Yes, actually. He specializes in cases of abuse like yours. He wants to drop by and meet you. Just to see if you think he would be someone you can confide in. No pressure." Esme assured the young man.

"Just to meet him. Nothing more?"

"I promise you don't have to speak about anything you're uncomfortable with. Just meet him. His name is Dr. Jared Cameron.

"Okay. I'll meet him, but I won't promise anything else."

"That's fine, sweetie. Just go at your own pace. You're the boss," Esme encouraged. "Edward, would you and Bella mind stepping out for just a few minutes, I would like to confer with my new patient in private."

"I'll be right outside, John." Bella gave him a smile of encouragement as they stepped outside. "He looks so different. Like he's not a kid anymore."

"Sweetheart, I don't think either one of you have been kids for a very long time. Just keep treating him like you always have. Keep encouraging him. You'll be fine and so will he." Edward lead her to the seating area where they would wait for her mother to finish.

In less than half an hour, they received permission to go back into Johnathan's room. He seemed tired, so Bella encouraged him to sleep. It wasn't long before Bella herself nodded off. Her sleep had been crap the night before due to her concern for Johnathan. Edward turned the tv on low and settled in for the duration. It was just past noon when Dr. Cameron arrived to chat with Johnathan. Edward took Bella down to the cafeteria to get something to eat while Jarod connected with the youngest Masen brother.

"What do you think? Is Dr. Cameron someone you feel comfortable speaking with about the abuse you suffered through with Jamison?" Esme asked after Jarod had gone.

"I think he is someone I can talk to about all of the crap that monster put me through. He's really nice." John added.

"I've known Dr. Cameron for a long time. He has worked with a couple of my former patients. Just remember nothing changes over night and that Bella, Edward, Emmett, Carlisle and I are here to support you as well."

"Thank you. Not just for helping me but for keeping my sister safe as well."

"No thanks are needed. You're family now." Esme assured him with a wink as she walked back out into the waiting room.

In just a few minutes, Edward and Bella strolled back into his room. "So, sis. I think it's time you tell me about the aerial assault. Tell me about everything I've missed." John instructed.

Bella grinned as she began her story. She was starting to see a little of the old Johnathan seeping through his obvious cloud of depression. She knew it would take time but she felt as if her brother were on his way back.

*A*

Carlisle was sitting with Esme in the waiting room when his phone pinged with a text message from Emmett instructing him to turn the television on to any of the major network stations. The two of them stood in shock as they watched the news report that Sebastian Jamison had been gunned down in front of a club known for its illegal card games run out of their back rooms. After two decades of torment to their family, Jamison was gone just like Victoria. The danger from Jamison was truly gone. Now, they need to know how much of a threat Nathan Santiago truly was to all of them.

A/N: Thanks to all fifty of you that are following. You are very much appreciated!