Big thanks to Brooke for all her wonderful ideas and contributions to this story, Arrow # 3!

Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight are owned by Stephenie Meyer. The original content and ideas of this story are those of TheGirlNtheYellowShoes.

Secret Gardens

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear." ~ Mark Twain

Thursday I was out back with Isabella as she danced around with an apple in her hand when a few men rounded the edge of the house. I froze, not knowing who they were. I felt myself relax when I heard the back door and Adam's voice at almost the same time. I turned to see him being followed by his mother. I grabbed Isabella's hand and pulled her closer.

"Well aren't you stunning." One of the men said. It was clear they were part of the king's entourage. The outfits they wore made them stick out like a red rose amongst a hay stack.

I smiled warily in the direction of the voice, nodding once as I made eye contact with the men.

"Hello Jameson, What can I do for you?" Adam said in his most husky voice. I froze again. The similarities in the name all too familiar. I tried to mentally calm my nerves, not letting my panic show on my face.

"Hello to you Adam. How's it going here? Almost ready for the event?"

I turned slowly towards Isabella and kneeled on the ground beside her, "Why don't we go in for a moment?" I said in a low voice.

She must have seen something in my face that concerned her because she looked over my shoulder and a moment later glared at someone before looking back at me, "mmmm okay." She smiled.

I stood and turned back towards the three men as they all eyed me curiously.

"Who's the beautiful young woman?" Asked a dark haired man with piercing blue eyes.

I looked at Isabella and back at the man not knowing if I should respond.

"Annabella, she's family, just in town for a visit. We asked her to extend her stay so she could enjoy the events this coming weekend." Adam was so coolly when he lied. He was almost too good at it. I looked at him and he winked at me, causing an involuntary smile.

"Well, Annabella, I'm Henry and it's a pleasure." The dark haired man approached me and held out his hand. I gave him my hand like Maggie had taught me and he leaned in to kiss it. "Strawberries." he said pausing for a moment.

"I'm sorry?" I was confused. Then I remembered I had put on some of my strawberry lotion this morning.

"You smell of strawberries. It's a wonderful scent." He smiled kindly.

"Thank you." I nodded as Isabella pulled on my dress.

"Lets gooooo." She said eyeing the man who's name was Jameson before turning to look up at me.

"Right." I said looking back at Henry, "I must attend to the little one." He nodded.

I picked Isabella up just then and made a b-line for the house, trying to pace my walk so it didn't seem like I was as eager to get away as I really was.

Once inside I went straight to my room with Isabella and sat her on the bed, taking a few deep breaths in the process, "Bella...." she sang.

I looked at her, "Are you okay?" She asked. I nodded.

"Yes, darling, I'm fine," I lied cooly.

"He's scary. I don't like him." She crawled into my lap as I sat beside her.

I nodded and pulled her close, "It's okay Isabella, I won't let him come anywhere near you."

*~*~*~*~*

Two hours later I was in the kitchen helping with food prep, some of the "entourage" as I'd referred them to Maggie were staying with us and expected a nice dinner. Isabella was playing with Rosey who had come over with her mother to help out and Mrs. Thoroupe yelled after them to stay in the yard while we were busy.

It must have been an hour and a half before I realized that Isabella and Rosey had grown quiet.

"Does anyone know where the girls are?" I asked curiously.

Maggie shook her head, "Last I saw them they were in the backyard," She shrugged.

"What?!" I looked at Mrs. Thoroupe who all of a sudden looked panicked.

"I'll go find them." I said immediately, taking off my apron.

She sighed in relief, "Thank you Annabelle." I nodded, wiping my hands off and grabbing my coat. I stepped out into the damp air as I pulled it on.

I immediately went to the well, I was worried maybe they had wandered back there alone. When they weren't there I walked back to the front of the house to see if they were out by the road people watching, which Isabella liked to do. That's where I was standing when I heard a high-pitched scream coming from the woods.

"Isabella" I gasped and took off running without thinking. Adam rounded the other end of the house behind me calling my name and Isabella's.

When I hit the woods I didn't slow, taking the branches in stride as they dug into my skin with my palms taking the brunt of the attack when I fell against on an old trunk.

"No... get away from me," I heard a whimper.

"Isabella," I yelled. I was so disoriented I started spinning in circles silently begging her to speak again so I knew what direction to go in.

"Bella," I heard Adam call.

"Over here." I called as I heard footsteps approaching, taking off in the opposite direction now that I knew which way I'd come from.

When I hit a small clearing I stopped dead in my tracks. Jameson was standing over Rosey who was lying on the ground with her dress pulled up and Isabella was hovering by a tree.

"What the hell are you doing, get away from her!" I spat rushing at him. He stood and turned just in time for his hand to thrust outward and send me flying backwards onto my butt. The air rushed out of my lungs at the impact and my eyes immediately began watering.

"You son of a bitch!" I gasped and stood back up. He turned to face me and I went at him again, this time dodging under his arm and sweeping Rosey up in my arms in one fluid motion before stopping right in front of Isabella. The adrenaline coursing through my veins. "You touch one of them again and so help me I will murder you." I growled.

He smiled and tilted his head to the side, "I'd like to see that."

I put Rosey down behind me beside Isabella and stood in front of them ready to pounce if necessary when Adam cleared the woods.

He stared in shock before responding, "What is going on here?" His tone murderous. Jameson just rolled his eyes.

Just then someone else hit the clearing, behind me and I spun around ready to attack when Edward caught my hands. His eyes wild.

"Edward." I breathed, relief washing over me.

"Get the girls out of here," He growled.

I nodded. "Adam...." I said to summon him to go with me. Adam didn't move, instead he glared at Jameson. I panicked, worried he might get hurt.

"GO," Edward yelled. I jumped, terror striking me through his voice. I picked Rosey back up and pulled Isabella to her feet before swooping her up too and headed back into the woods.

As I walked out, two other men, including Henry passed me to walk into the clearing. He eyed me in shock and it immediately turned to a look of guilt as he eyed the small girls in my arms.

When I reached the edge of the woods, Mr. and Mrs. Thoroupe were standing there with Maggie and Rosey's mother, Ada. They busted into tears when they saw the girls and after they were out of my arms I just collapsed where I was on the lawn, the adrenaline finally subsiding. I started to shake.

"What happened?" Maggie whispered, her voice scared as she knelt beside me.

"Jameson... he was in the woods with the girls." I breathed, grabbing my chest. It hurt and one of my ribs on the right side ached when I inhaled. I winced.

"Oh God." She shook her head.

I responded with a head shake, "I don't think he did anything, but he got bloody close. He was standing over Rosey when I hit the clearing." I busted into tears at my own words. The idea that I'd failed Isabella sinking in. Just then I felt two tiny arms wrap around my neck and I reached around to grab Isabella and pull her into my lap.

"Thank you," She whispered.

"I'm so sorry Isabella." I choked.

"You saved us," she said touching her hand to my face trying to make me see, willing me to understand, "you are my angel." she said before giving me a hug.

I felt a hand on my shoulder just then and looked up to see Mrs. Thoroupe. I was about to say something when Adam came walking out of the woods with Henry. His father immediately starting at him trying to find out what had happened. I picked up Isabella, eyeing Mrs. Thoroupe and she nodded before I headed towards the house, Maggie in tow.

The three of us sat in my room in silence, Isabella falling asleep in my arms after what seemed like forever. I tucked her into my bed and went to stand by the window. It was growing dark outside and I was dreading dinner time.

"I threatened him." I said finally.

Maggie stood and walked over to the window, leaning against the frame and staring at me. "I would have too."

"But I told him I'd murder him." I said looking at her, "and he seemed to like it."

She furrowed her brow, "You were protecting Isabella, Bella. No one is going to let him do anything to you for saying that." She shook her head.

I sighed, wincing slightly before turning to lean against the opposing side of the window frame.

A moment later there was a light knock at the door.

"Come in." I said.

When the door opened I gaped. I'd expected Adam or Mr. or Mrs. Thoroupe, but I had never expected to see Edward standing there. He looked over at the bed and saw Isabella sleeping and then looked me over again, as if trying to make sure no physical damage was done to me before entering the room.

"I should go see about dinner..." Maggie said after a moment of awkward silence. "Edward," she nodded towards him, passing him and he nodded back as she did. She turned and looked at me one last time before pulling the door closed.

"Are you Okay?" He asked after a moment.

"Yes," I tried to say but nothing came out. I bit my lip and put my hands together in front of me, walking towards the fireplace. Edward followed and stopped right in front of me as we stood at the end of the mantel. He reached a hand out and placed it on my shoulder, rubbing it lightly.

"The girls?"

I nodded, "I think... they will be okay." I let my eyes drift to the fire. Scared to look at him.

"It's all my fault." I choked out after a moment. Grabbing my side with one hand and covering my mouth with the other.

He grabbed my hand on my mouth and pulled it away, not letting it go. He turned it over and pulled it into the light of the fire to investigate my hand wounds. He glared at the dried blood and dirt. I'd forgotten all about the tree stump nearly taking me out and the unforgiving branches.

"No," He whispered, "It's not your fault. You can't watch her every moment Bella... sometimes, mistakes happen." He looked back at my face and I hesitated before looking up to meet it.

"I promised..."

"We all make promises we can't keep." He said knowing what I was going to say probably before I'd even begun to say it. I stared at him, my mouth going slightly agape again.

"Breath" he said inching towards my face, his sweet breath hitting my tongue. I inhaled unexpectedly and winched, buckling over in pain.

"Bella," He said shocked and reaching over. I stood back up, meeting his face closer than I'd expected. "What's wrong?" He placed his hand over my own on my right side, his other reaching up to touch my face. I felt flushed, pale as a ghost.

"It's nothing," I said after a minute to collect my thoughts.

"Don't lie to me."

"I just.... when I lunged at him... I think I might have cracked a rib." I shook my head and raised my eyebrows almost in disbelief at my actions. Apparently I wasn't the only one.

"You did WHAT?" Edward immediately snapped his head over in Isabella's direction, but when she didn't stir he looked back at me. He sighed heavily in irritation.

"Come," He said pushing me towards the chair by the fire. "Sit." I sat down as he walked over to my washbowl. He picked up the pitcher of fresh water and put some into the small movable bowl before grabbing a rag and bringing it back over to the fire.

He knelt down in front of me and I just stared at him. Taking in his beautiful features in the firelight. His bronze hair glowed, as did his delicate pale skin and the shadows of the room made my mouth water at the sight of his jaw line.

He put the rag in the bowl and rung it out before bringing it to my face and dabbing it to my forehead. "You're a brave girl." He said after our long silence, "To protect a child that's not even your own like that. To go after a man three times your size." he shook his head in disbelief.

"I..."

I stopped myself and watched as he brought the bowl up to my lap, setting it there before taking one of my hands and placing it in the bowl. I winced at the pain and closed my eyes for a long moment.

"You could have been killed." He said flatly. I opened my eyes back up to meet his, the piercing green burning right through me. He was angry.

"I know." I whispered.

We sat in silence as he cleaned my other hand and when he was done he returned the items to their places. I leaned back into the chair, a lone tear making it's way down my face when I thought he wasn't looking.

He pulled the stool from my washbowl over to sit in front of me and he looked at me sternly, "It's not your fault."

Unable to look him in the eyes, I started at his lips as he leaned in to place his hand on my upper rib cage right below my breast and began lightly feeling around. I cried out when he hit the sore spot and his eyebrows shot up in surprise as guilt shown in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," He said leaning forward, his forehead meeting my own. I could feel his cool breath on my lips and taste his sweet scent.

I closed my eyes at his touch and I shook my head against his, "its fine."

"No, it's not fine, he hurt you and he's going to pay the consequences for it." He growled. I leaned back and tilted my head so that he had to move his face into the light again. I searched his face, taking in all the emotion.

"Look at me Edward. I'm okay. I survived. The girls survived. Please don't. I don't want to see you get hurt."

He laughed dryly at my words, "That's not possible, love."

I froze at his words as he looked at the fire, cutting his eyes at me once, most likely to gage my reaction. I brushed off what he said. Knowing that this wasn't real and not wanting to be sorely disappointed when I woke up or found my way back to my family. Twilight deserved to stay on paper... in a book... in a series... or on a big screen... not in someone's head, heart and life. It's not real.

Another knock came at the door then and I sank back in the chair. Edward looked at me briefly before standing and going to answer it.

"Carlisle," He said opening the door.

"Edward." Dr Cullen responded. "Mr. Thoroupe asked me to make sure the girls are well." He walked in and Edward closed the door again. I just stared at the fire, not knowing if my legs would even hold me if I attempted to stand.

He came into view and leaned down towards me. "Bella" He said sadly, I looked up to meet his beautiful blue eyes. "How are you?"

I nodded, "Well," I whispered before Edward came into view.

"She's got a fractured rib and some contusions on her chest, lacerations on her hands. That's about it though, as far as physically." I cut my eyes at his comment. Wondering if he seriously thought this would mentally scare me for life - or maybe he just thought I was mentally impaired all around and that's why he entertained the idea of being nice to me.

Dr Cullen put down his bag and got out a bottle of what looked to be alcohol. "ok... well, lets get those cuts cleaned out good and then I'll double check the rib."

I clamped my mouth shut as I stood over my washbowl for him to clean my hands. Tears betraying me and sliding down my face. When he was done I couldn't make it back to the chair by the fire, my knees far too wobbly. So I walked backwards until my calves hit the bed and sat. My legs felt like jello. This whole day had been exhausting. Edward stood from a distance, eyeing me cautiously. I think he might have been waiting for me to finally fall apart.

After Dr Cullen was done checking my rib once more and listening to my breaths he looked over at Isabella but didn't touch her. "She looks relatively unharmed."

I nodded, "I don't know .... if.... um if he touched her...." I choked out wrapping my hands around my waist to keep my body intact. They both eyed me cautiously, ready to spring at me if I decided to collapse. "But she seems okay. I checked her for bruises before she fell asleep and she said he didn't..." I couldn't say it anymore.

Dr Cullen nodded, "I'm not going to check her right now then, I don't want to startle her awake and scare her more than necessary today."

I sighed and closed my eyes, thankful he wasn't going to wake her. I felt a hand touch my cheek just then and felt another pair of hands grab me. I must have been swaying. I opened my eyes to see Edward holding onto me, and Dr Cullen looking at him surprisingly.

"You should rest Bella," Dr Cullen furrowed his brow and nodded. "I'll have someone come up and take out your wash bowl to be cleaned from the alcohol, but you should stay put for tonight. Unless you're hungry?" he eyed me curiously.

I just shook my head no, I couldn't be bothered caring what he thought as far as my health went right about now. He nodded in response and turned towards Edward before walking out. Edward slid his hands under my legs and gently places another around my waist, lifting me. I sank into his chest, not much caring at the moment between reality and fantasy anymore. Screw them both in this moment for all I cared. He carried me over to the chair before setting me down and pulling a blanket over me.

"Rest" he whispered in my ear and as if my name were Ella Enchanted and I was under a do-as-your-told spell, I slipped into silent darkness.