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Karma police
I've given all I can
It's not enough
I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll
This is what you get
This is what you get
This is what you get when you mess with us
-Radiohead
"Break!"
I slam on the breaks, causing every one in the car to slam forward. I grunt in pain when the belt slams against my ribs.
"Just kidding."
"God damn it, Emmett," Carlisle turns to his child-son in the backseat.
"I was just seeing if he was paying attention."
"We don't need your help. Grow up!"
"Why are you here?" I ask, looking through the rear view mirror.
"To bestow my powers upon you, young Jedi."
"Okay, go up a few miles and take a left on Fourth street," Carlisle says, ignoring Emmett.
When we pull into the DMV I'm not even nervous. The four weeks healing on the couch left plenty of time to study. True to their word, I was forced to stay on the couch and let others do everything for me. When I insisted I be given something to do I was introduced to folding laundry. After the first basket I lied and said my ribs hurt. From then on I tried to let go and relax.
Having the blackout after dealing with Alec freaked me out. I took the doctors advice... and got tired of the nagging from Bella,and agreed to see someone. I gave it my best but really didn't feel like it was for me. Bella was insistent I do something, and we agreed to continue regular appointments with Dr. Carmen, in addition to Bella's individual sessions.
Bella has been hesitant to go into public since the incident, but Charlie is taking her out to lunch. Carlisle, knowing I was anxious about Bella going out with Alec on the loose, thought it would be a good time for me to take my test.
"We'll just wait in the waiting room for you. Good luck." Carlisle pats me on the back as I walk up to the line for testing.
~*E&B*~
I pass both the written and driving test with no problems. The amount of pride I have obtaining my license is embarrassing. It feels good to succeed and to do something normal in society's eyes.
"Lets see it!" Bella jumps me as soon as we walk in the door. I pull the card out of my wallet, and she screams, grabbing it from me.
"No goofy smile or anything!"
I laugh, placing the card back in my wallet. I walk into the kitchen and am shocked to see everyone there.
"Congratulations!" they all scream, and then I notice a cake saying the same thing on the table.
"Wow," I laugh, feeling my eyes go wide.
"We're so proud of you!" Esme exclaims as she pulls me into a big hug.
"Can we cut it now?" Seth is jumping up and down around the table. "Mom... mom... mom... mo-"
"What, sweetheart?"
"Can we cut it now?" He gives her his best puppy eyes, and his hands twist in his shirt.
Alice sighs. "Yes, we can cut it now." She looks up at me. "He's been asking that for the past two hours. We thought you guys would never get back."
I laugh and ruffle Seth's hair.
We spend the evening together until late into the night. Eventually, Charlie decides to head home, and as soon as the others leave Bella and I go to our room.
"Are you excited to start at Emmett's?"
I nod. "Yeah, I think so." My face is back to normal, however, I'll always have a scar by my right eye. My ribs are almost healed; I'll just have to be careful the next couple weeks not to reinjure them.
"How did you do today?" Going out with her dad today was one of the first times she's been willing to leave the security of the Cullen's home since Alec's grand show a month ago - especially without me.
"It was scary... but I'm glad I did it."
Bella took some huge steps back after the confrontation with Alec. We were all worried it would take her back to square one. She started seeing Dr. Carmen a few times a week, and Bella took hold of the situation and pulled through. She was scared and quiet, then she got angry – angry he had so much control long after she'd escaped him. After that she slipped back into the same person she was before he showed up - if not even better.
Leaving the house is the one thing she still struggles with. We have gone out a few times to see her mom's grave or to visit Alice at work, but Bella prefers to be at home. With Alec still free, I can't say it bothers me either. Going out with Charlie today was huge.
"What did you guys do?"
"He took me to lunch, this really good Mexican restaurant. It was fun." She doesn't say it with much enthusiasm, but I can tell she enjoyed her day. "He told me about his childhood and the crazy trouble he and his friends got into," she laughs. "I think he wanted to hear more about how it was for me growing up... but I just couldn't."
"I don't think he's trying to rush you. Do you?"
"No, I don't think he's trying to rush me, but I think he's really curious what my life was lke growing up."
"What are you worried about?"
She takes a minute to really think about it. "I don't know exactly - well I do I guess, but it's silly."
"What?"
"I don't want him to judge her." Her voice is small, and she looks down at her lap.
"Why do you think he'd judge her?" I know why she thinks this though. The way he reacted with us in the beginning was horrible. I really didn't think I'd ever be able to move forward and be even civil with him. I'm shocked we can actually enjoy each other's company now.
"I'd like to think he wouldn't... but she's also the woman who kept his child from him. She's like two different people. The woman who raised me and who I love, but she's also the woman who did something terrible to him."
"When you're ready, if you ever are, you share what you're comfortable with. His opinion doesn't matter. It was you and your mom. You love her, and that's all it comes down to."
She smiles softly at me. "Thank you."
I lean forward to kiss her. Things get heated, so I jump up and make sure the door is locked. It's been over a month since I've been with her. My ribs still protest, but I don't think there's anything that could hold me back. Once we're both undressed and under the covers Bella gets second thoughts.
"I don't know if I can do it in this house," she giggles.
As I slowly push into her I kiss her neck and whisper in her ear, "you just have to be very quiet."
I pull back to see her grinning, nodding her head, and it's perfect.
~*E&B*~
"Okay, these three kegs need to go to Port Angeles tonight, they have to be there by seven."
I nod my head and follow Emmett around the brewery. I'm in the Cullen's Brew uniform and feeling like after a month on the job I'm finally getting the hang of things. It's winter now, and there's a light snow on the ground. Soon, it will be the one-year anniversary of Bella showing up in Portland. So much has changed.
"Before you go though, I need you to clean out the Mash Tun. Also, all the kegs that were returned from last weekend need to be cleaned and sanitized. Remember they can't be contaminated at all."
Emmett is a different man at work than he is around his family. While he can still be fun, he's more serious and knows how to get a job done. Another guy quit unexpectedly, and I've been able to work all the hours I want. I've been putting in twelve-hour days, six days a week.
"If you have time it would be great if you could sanitize the fermenter too, but getting those three kegs to Port Angeles is the priority."
"You know I'll get it done," I laugh, wiping the sweat off my brow. We always have this conversation and never once have I not gotten everything done - even if it means me coming back after hours to finish.
"Awesome. Okay, man, I have a meeting and should be gone for a couple hours. Bryan's in the back, if you have any questions."
"Great, thanks, Emmett."
"Oh, I almost forgot." He comes back in the room with a smile on his face. "It's payday. You're doing a great job here, Edward, and I'm not fucking with you. You're picking this up faster than anyone else I've ever hired. Keep it up, and we'll get you brewing."
I can feel my chest puff up with just the thought of a paycheck. It's been so long since I've earned anything. I feel like I've been out of commission and useless.
I open the envelope and Emmett stands by me with a huge smile on his face.
"Holy shit," I say, laughing. It's the biggest paycheck I've ever earned.
"Overtime is one sweet mistress, wouldn't you say?"
Emmett offered me more money when I first started, but I insisted he not pay me anymore than what he was paying the guys who had this job before me; I didn't even have experience. He pays double time to all of his employees for overtime, and the results are awesome.
"Seriously, Edward - no favors - you're the hardest working guy I've ever had working for me. As soon as you learn the equipment, I'm bumping you up to assistant brewer pay."
"Great," I say, a permanent smile is attached to my lips.
"Okay, just holler at the guys if you need help."
There's a total of five of us that work for Emmett. One guy, Eric, runs the taproom out front that's only open on the weekends. Byran is the head brewer, next to Emmett, and Tyler is his assistant. Nick is a college student who helps sometimes out front with Eric when Emmett releases a new beer. There's a little old lady, Maggie, and she comes in weekly to do Emmett's books. Everyone gets along, and the guys have been great to me. For the first time I feel like I fit in. These guys are quickly becoming my friends; the Cullens are already family. Bella has been working for Alice, watching Seth, and with paychecks like this, we'll be on our own in no time.
I finish all of my jobs just in time to head to Port Angeles. Emmett's place is in between Forks and the brewery, so it should only take thirty minutes to get to the bar for the delivery. I split the insurance with Emmett, and he lets me keep the van to get to and from work until I can find a car of my own. Finally, my life is turning out the way I'd always hoped. For most people having a license and the freedom of a car is basic, but for me, it's more than just transportation. It's everything I've worked towards - freedom.
The guy tips me ten bucks at the bar, and I decide to stop and buy flowers for Bella on the way home, since I've never been able to do that for her. Before I can get to the store though, my phone rings, and Charlie's name flashes across the screen. My heart clinches, because something has to be wrong. Charlie never calls me.
"Hello?"
"Edward, are you home?"
"No, I'm on my way. I just got off work. What's going on?"
"Everything's fine but get home. I'm on my way there; I have news."
The line goes dead, and my foot drops on the gas pedal. Charlie's car is out front when I get home, and he's waiting by it.
"Bella doesn't know I'm here yet," he says, looking at the house.
"What's going on?"
"They found his car." His voice is a rushed whisper, and we walk to the back of his truck.
"What?"
"Alec's car. They found it in Arizona... with him in it."
"So they've got him!" My stomach is in my throat.
"He's dead, Edward."
The news hits me like a pillowcase filled with bricks.
Dead.
At first I'm pissed. What an easy way out. I wanted to see that fucker fry. I wanted to see him again; the first time was too brief. He needed to sit in jail the rest of his life for what he did.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"I thought you'd be happy."
"He's dead? Just like that." I snap my fingers. "He doesn't have to pay for anything he's done?" I pace around, and my hands find their way to my hair.
Charlie laughs darkly and kicks the snow below him. "That's why I wanted to talk to you first. I'm not sure how much I should tell Bella. He didn't just die, Edward. He was killed... and it wasn't pretty." My ears perk up at this information.
"I want all the details." I look him straight in the eye.
Apparently, Bella was right; she was more perceptive than the cops gave her credit for. No, Alec wasn't in the mob, but he wanted to play with the big boys. He pushed too many times and messed with the wrong people.
"Gun shot wound to the head but definite signs of prolonged torture before the final shot. They lit the car on fire with the body in it, in front of the house where his buddies were - a clear warning to them."
I lean against Charlie's car trying to process everything he's just told me.
"The specialized task force for organized crime recognizes the handy work, but there's no proving anything for sure at this point. They have informants that confirm some but not all of the details. The group he was working with was under the impression Bella was dead." His voice is hard and low. "When they saw her story on T.V. Alec had to flee, or they would have killed him there and then. She knew too much, had more power than she realized. When he showed up here, he didn't want her - he just wanted to silence her." My head swarms with this new information.
"He needed a reason to stay in town - something that didn't look suspicious; that's where Alice played in. We won't ever know for sure, but the investigators don't think he had any idea of her relationship with Bella. If so, he wouldn't have waited so long; he would've done something to get to her faster."
I have no words. It's hard to accept we live in a world with people like that. I can see in Charlie's stare he's not fully satisfied either. "His death was a slow, painful one."
He looks far off into the dark. "I've asked for the crime scene pictures." He's a cop and won't be satisfied until he sees the proof.
Charlie claps his hand on my shoulder. "We all wanted to confront him, son, but if he was caught, anyone of us could have gone to jail for killing him ourselves." I nod, because it's true. "Or, Bella would have dealt with a long trial - you wouldn't want her to have to face that."
He's right. I never thought about a trial, and if it had happened that way, Alec would just sit in jail. A painful, slow death is more what he deserved.
We stay outside for a while, and I know both of us are thinking the same thing. How will Bella take this news? Will it give her closure, or will it bring everything up?
"How much do you think she wants to hear?"
I shrug. "I don't know. I say start with the basics and answer the questions she has. She deserves to know whatever she wants."
"Jasper is the liaison for the family; we should wait until he gets here."
Jasper pulls up a few short minutes later and shakes our hands. He's been amazing during this case, and I'm sure he'll handle things with Bella well tonight. What happened with Alec really made Jasper realize how much he cared for Alice. The entire situation really put a scare into her. She had a hard time going back to work, wondering if Alec would show up. Jasper personally started checking on her apartment and looking out for her more. Alice decided however, she needed to be alone. She realized what she was doing and has taken the time to grow up a little and get herself together. She's letting Jasper in but only bit by bit.
Once Jasper has the papers he wants out of his car, we walk on eggshells into the house; no one wants to upset the strength she's found.
Esme shouts 'hi' from the kitchen. I walk in to see her doing dishes.
"We saved dinner for you; it's in the fridge."
"Thanks... do you think you could ask Bella and Carlisle to come down?"
She looks up from her task. "Sure, is everything okay?"
"Charlie and Jasper are here... there's some news on Alec."
Her face blanches. She tugs her yellow gloves off and disappears up the stairs.
Carlisle and Bella both come down in pajamas, looking confused.
We all sit around the coffee table, and I let Jasper and Charlie tell Bella the news. I hold her and wait for her reaction.
"Bella," Charlie starts and takes a pause. The suspense is making everything worse than it needs to be, but I don't blame him. No one knows how she will react.
"I got a phone call from the investigators in Arizona today." Bella's breath catches; her grip on my hand tightens, but her stare doesn't leave Charlie's.
"Alec is dead."
Carlisle and Esme gasp. Esme has tears that come immediately to her eyes.
Bella sits stone cold. "He's dead," she repeats back.
Jasper and Charlie nod their heads. We all sit and stare at her, waiting for her next move.
"How?" Her voice breaks the silence.
"Are you sure you want to -"
"Tell me how." She demands.
"Like you said, he was trying to get involved in larger... crime rings. Some of the men seem to have turned on him."
"Tell me how." Her eyes narrow - she can tell we're keeping things from her.
Charlie and Jasper look between each other then Charlie continues. "Their still collecting evidence, but it appears he was... tortured, quite thoroughly, before being shot in the head."
The air stands heavy and thick around us. No one speaks or moves. We all wait, on edge, for Bella's reaction.
I see her eyes start to water, but she sits perfectly still except for a nod of her head. "Thank you," she says hoarsely. She stands, letting go of my hand, never looking at any of us, and walks up the stairs. We all sit shocked, having no idea what to do.
"Should I call Carmen?" Esme asks.
"Lets give her a few minutes, and then we'll see," Carlisle says, and we all agree.
I can't take it anymore and quietly follow her up the stairs. Our room is empty, but I hear noises coming from our bathroom. I want to storm in there and help her, but from her reaction, I know she wants to be alone.
I slide down the wall and listen to her sob relentlessly. The sobs go from soft to hysterical. At times it sounds as if she can't breath. Esme and Charlie both come peek their heads in, but I shake mine. As hard as it is for me, I know she just needs time. I'm not sure how much time passes, but the noises soften and the bathroom door opens. I jump to my feet and wrap my arms around her.
"It's over. He's gone," I say into her hair.
She cries softly into my shirt and nods her head. She washes her face and comes back out of the bathroom.
"This is the last time I will cry about him, worry about him, let him control me or ever think of him again. His memory has no place in my future." Her voice is strong, and there's a strength in her eyes I've never seen before.
I can only nod my head. She nods back, straightens her clothing, and walks back down the stairs, leaving me stunned.
I follower her back down, and she sits back in her seat. Everyone asks if she's okay, and she just shakes her head asking them to stop.
"Did they find someone named Riley?"
Her question shocks us all, and I'm not sure how I feel about her asking this. On one hand he did help her escape, but on the other, he's just as guilty for her being there.
Jasper opens the folder he has in his lap and looks it over. "Everyone was arrested in the house connected to him... there's no Riley on the list I have."
She nods her head, and a tear slips down her cheek.
"How about Vanessa? I, uh... I don't know her last name. She was Riley's girlfriend and would have a baby now."
Jasper runs through his papers again. "I'm sorry, no."
"Well, they must have gotten away." The look in Bella's eyes tells me she doesn't believe that, but she's doing what she needs to get through this.
"Maybe," Jasper agrees. "There's still a lot the investigators are trying to find out. The house is a different one from where you... were kept. The people seem to be fairly new to the scene, as well. I can't promise, but I see no reason why you would be bothered for any part of the investigation."
"Are they going to look for the other girls?" she asks Jasper.
"Like I said, this is all incoming news. He had his hand in many things, and they'll be following many leads."
Bella nods her head. Everyone can see she's overwhelmed and stand to leave. Bella goes upstairs after offering a small smile to everyone in the room. Esme offers the guest room to Charlie, which he's happy to accept. Jasper is going to head to Alice's to let her in on the news. It's another twenty minutes before I can get upstairs.
"Wake us up if you need anything tonight," Carlisle says to me as he and Esme go upstairs.
I follow them up, unsure as to what I'll find in our room. When I open the door, I see that Bella is curled up in the blankets fast asleep. I lie down, wrapping my arms around her and stay awake all night. This was the final thing - the last loose piece. Bella is free from her past, and we can start our lives together now.
I can't even believe it, but the last chapter is done and with the betas. It will be up by Thursday at the latest.
Love you guys! Thanks for reading.