Here is chapter three

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Disclaimer: is there any point in this? I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THEM! Hehe

Chapter 3: Fear

I had given Emmett and Jasper specific instructions as to where Ethan's room was to be. Right next to mine. Now if I had a boy friend, not that I did, I could always go to the guest room downstairs but for now I was happy with this. The main reason for this was because Ethan had constant nightmares during the night and it was easier if we were closer. He was usually okay napping for an hour or two I had never seen him have a nightmare in that time frame. It usually occurred when he got into a deeper sleep and he tended to have at least two a night and they started around midnight.

I was happy he had taken to his new room so easily and was able to fall asleep so quickly. Turning on the frying pan I started to cook up some grilled cheese and ham for the boys. Emmett included even though he had eaten a almost a whole box of cereal. After a few moments I decided to question him, since it was clear he was expecting something more as well.

"Emmett? Didn't you just eat like a whole box of trix cereal?" He nodded enthusiastically when I looked at him again. "But your still hungry?" I questioned slowly. Even though I knew of his monstrous appetite I was surprised when he nodded with a sheepish smile.

"Yeah…I am fucking hungry okay! I am a big boy and I need all the food I can get." he rubbed his belly grinning. I sighed and turned to flip one of the grilled cheese on the flat top grill. Of course he was.

"And no more swearing! Ethan does not need to hear such foul language and every time you swear you will owe him a dollar! I will make sure he knows this!" I smirked at him before turning back to the stove. Knowing unless he cut down on the swearing he would definitely regret it. I did not really care if he swore when it was us but I did not want him swearing around Ethan.

"But I will be broke by the end of the fucking day!" He sounded rather sad about it.

I giggled slightly because this was true. He would. "Shush I am serious Em when Ethan is around cut the swearing." I said giving him a look to let him know I really wasn't joking. I would not have an issue since I really did not swear much unless I was screaming at Emmett. I could avoid most of them if I had to...probably...I would probably end up owing the boy a few dollars as well.

"Fine your no fun Bella." He pouted like a baby and crossed his arms over his chest before staring off into space. Avoiding eye contact and pretending he was mad at me for a few minutes. After he had his moment of pretend anger he spoke again. "Dad said he is coming into town this weekend to meet Ethan but to call if you thought it was too soon or some shit like that." Nodding my head to let him know I heard I continued about making the grilled cheese.

Dad had come by the hospital and I spoke to him but Ethan was asleep at the time so they still had not met. He had met Jasper a few times but not as much as Emmett. Emmett had been in there everyday talking about random things and funny things. He even had gotten Ethan to laugh a couple of times, and I have to say he had not sworn around the kid yet. For that I was surprised and rather proud of him. Though I knew it would be different in our own house.

Ethan still was a bit unsure about Emmett but defiantly more comfortable around him then Jasper or the doctors. If I was not around he had even relented to sitting in his lap. Usually when I was showering or talking to the doctors. He felt at least a bit more safe with him then anyone else.

"Alright Em, I will call him later and talk to him about it."

Emmett nodded and went back to day dreaming.

I laughed slightly, rolling my eyes at my over dramatic brother.

"Miss Bella?" A tired voice said from outside the kitchen. I turned my head with a small smile. "Hey Ethan.. have a nice nap?" I asked kneeling down to his level and getting a nod from the small boy. He nodded again and rubbed his eyes tiredly with his fists."Are you hungry buddy?" He looked up at me through his long lashed and blinked a few times before nodding. "Yeah…."

"Good, look we are having lunch with Emmett!" Ethan looked at him before waving at the grinning Emmett who was waving in his direction.

I lifted Ethan gently into my arms and set him down in the chair that contained a booster seat for the little boy. I grinned widely when he squirmed to get comfortable.

I went back to the stove to finish cooking. I heard Emmett speak up to Ethan, his voice a it softer then normal so he did not scare him…well it was a bit quieter. He had gotten allot better about calming himself around Ethan. However he did retain his enthusiastically personality. Not at all changing who he was with Ethan just giving him it in smaller doses so he could become accustom to him. "Want something to drink? "

"um…yeah?" It sounded more like a question then an answer.

"What would you like? Juice? Milk? Water?" Emmett asked enthusiastically, happy to be able to talk to Ethan once more.

"Um…ilk?" He said meaning milk. Emmett grinned before standing up and walking over to me. "milk right?" He wanted to confirm, even though it was pretty obvious what he said. I did not blame him at all for wanting to be sure. I nodded with a giggle handing him a cup with a straw. I had forgotten to have them pick up a few sippy cups but he was pretty good with cups in the hospital so it would be fine. He was almost three anyway time for him to get off the sippy cups soon anyway, but if we went out it could be useful.

I shook my head getting rid of my thoughts. I really did think too much for my own good sometimes. I silently watched as Emmett brought the cup of milk to Ethan half full just in case he spilled it. I had explained this too him earlier in the week. Once he was more sure of himself we could start filling the cups more, for now this would do. Ethan took the cup slowly, carefully and took a small sip.

"ank you" He said softly looking into the cup with a small smile but his face was full of nervousness. Clearly still adjusting to Emmett and the home. It would take some time for sure. Sighing quietly I flipped the last of the grilled cheese into a dish then made some french fries.

I sliced Ethan's into four pieces and put some french fries on the side with some ketchup. I put it in front of him and smiled a bit. He had been pretty silent the whole time he was in the kitchen. "here you go Ethan." He nodded a little. "Ank you miss Bella…" He said before he started eating slowly and enjoying his food.

I sat watching him, remembering the first time he was able to feed himself. It had been when the IV was taken out two days earlier when they had deemed him healthy enough to be free of the nutrients provided by the IV.

Flashback

"Hey Ethan I brought you some mashed potatoes, corn and meatloaf" Emmett said grinning as he came into the room like he was bringing an ultimate feast, I smiled at that but when I looked at Ethan it looked like one to him and his eyes were wide and happy at the thought of food. Though I doubted he even knew what meatloaf was.

I helped Ethan sit up and moved the tray in front of him. The meatloaf already cut into bite sized pieces for him. I passed him his plastic fork and he took it silently before he started eating. It reminded me allot of Emmett but for a two year old he was eating extremely fast and that was not a good thing at all. It was not only the fact he was eating quickly it was the look on his face as he did so. Clearly wanting to simply put the food in his stomach. He did not look like he was enjoying it, only eating for the sake of eating. Either way the way he shoveled the food in was a but discerning.

He could choke!

"Ethan?" I said stopping him from eating so quickly.

"No one is going to take your food, you have to eat it slowly and chew it before swallowing…I promise you can take all the time you need but you can not eat that fast our you will get sick okay?"

He frowned and flinched from my hand on his arm. He was biting his bottom lip and seemed extremely nervous but he nodded. All be it reluctantly.

So he slowly started to eat once again but Ethan's eyes scanned the room constantly like he was waiting for someone to try and take it away. I had my guesses as to why they would be but it did not stop me from asking him why. His answered made me sad but at least I understood.

"cause…it go way.." Which I interrupted as if he did not eat it quickly someone would take it away. After thinking about it for a bit of time I put the pieces together as to what he meant. I figured food was probably a scarce thing and he did not have much time to eat it when he did obtain some food. He probably scrounged around for food or given scraps. I could not be sure since he was only two years old he could not explain it to me in great detail.

`end flashback`

I was glad he had learned no one would take it and that he ate slower but was still very cautious when it came to his food. He was slowly starting to trust that it would not be taken from him. He had been given three meals a day, everyday for a week now. He was also learning if he said he was hungry then we would give him food.

I put three sandwiches on a dish for Emmett setting them in front of my monstrous brother along with a dish of fries. I got myself two and a few fries before getting myself a drink and sat down. I took a small sip of my water before eating quietly. Now and again I would look up at Ethan who was eating, his smile growing with every bite. Clearly enjoying the meal.

Though when he was nearly finished eating he reached for his cup and picked it up and sipped it before going to put it down. When he retracted his hand it hit the cup and it fell to the floor and milk spilled all over the floor. It was not much but enough to make a bit of a mess.

"Oh my…." I said before standing and going to get a rag. I turned to looking at Ethan and gasped softly.

He was shaking violently and his arms wrapped around himself mumbling. I dropped the rag and ran over to him. When I got closer I finally heard what he was mumbling. 'I'm sorry…sowwy, sowwy, no hurt, sowwy." He repeated over and over.

I picked him up, causing him to shake more at first but I held him firmly in my arms rocking back and forth humming softly and now and again saying soothing words. "Do not worry I will not hurt you, it was an accident, shhhh.' it took another five minutes before his eyes opened and he looked at me. A few minutes later he finally spoke directly too me.

"Sowwy Miss Bella…pwease…no huwt…" He whispered clinging to me. Obviously pleading with me to not harm him. I know it was all he knew but eventually we would get past this and he would start to understand he was finally safe from the people who had hurt him."I good…I good." He repeated his green eyes filling with tears once again as he clutched my shirt tightly.

"You're a very good boy Ethan, everything is okay. I would never ever hurt you and your never going leave. I will keep you here forever! Is that okay with you?" After drying his eyes he looked up into mine nodding and shutting his eyes tightly one more but a smile on his lips. "Nevew weave." He repeated in his baby voice. After hearing his words I new I would fight to keep this boy in my life. If they found his biological father or family I would still fight to be allowed to see him. Even in the short time I knew Ethan I knew he was going to be my baby.

Emmett had cleaned the spilled milk for me before heading off into the living room. Giving me some time to relax Ethan and get him through his moment. When Ethan was calmed down I brought him upstairs to use the bathroom and change into some new clothes since he spilled some milk onto it.

Once Ethan was in fresh clothes I scooped him up. "Want to see Uncle Jazzy? I want to thank his wife Alice, I guess Auntie Alice to you, for helping with your room. Is that okay?' I asked him with a small smile.

Ethan looked slightly nervous at the request but nodded. Ethan had not taken to Jasper completely but he was very calm around my charming brother and was getting used to him. My brother tended to have that effect on people. That calming effect, it was perfect for the rather hyper Alice. The two of them balanced each other perfectly. "You'll like Alice. She is going to have babies! You can be there big cousin." I said excitedly getting him to nod. However I knew he did not completely understand what I was saying. Soon enough I picked him up, holding him gently as we headed outside.

I walked slowly to the house next door and knocked three times and I smiled when the door opened to reveal Jasper with his lazy smile. "Hey Bells! Hi Ethan…do you like your new room?" This made Ethan smile at Jasper which made Jasper a bit happier.

"Yeah…it…big." I smiled kissing the boys head gently. "Good I am glad you like it!" He said as he stepping aside to allow me inside.

"Come on in Bella."

"Thanks Jasper…and for helping in the room too." I hugged him with my free arm before stretching and stetting Ethan down. He latched onto my leg and refused to let go. I sighed kneeling down in front of him. "It's alright buddy…your safe, here hold my hand we can go and see Alice." I said comfortingly as I stood I held my hand out to him. He reluctantly released my leg and grasped my hand tightly.

I slowly headed up the steps with Ethan in hand. "I will be up in a few Bella." Jasper said from the kitchen. I responded after a moment, figuring he was simply giving me and Ethan a few minutes alone to let him get used to Alice. "alright." Soon I was helping Ethan climb the stairs. Alice had refused to leave her room on second floor for the guest room on the first.

She had said simply.

'if I go into labor up here then Jasper or Emmett can bring me to the car I refuse to leave my comfy bed and my closet!'

I laughed for days thinking about it. She was too funny. The reason she was in bed was not. Of course even if things did not occur as they did she would of been put on bed rest soon, but during her fifth month she nearly lost both twins and was promptly put on bed rest. She barely got out of the bed since. She was determined to keep her children. She was almost eight months pregnant so the babies would be arriving soon!

We planned a baby shower after she had them so she could actually participate. I think that excited her greatly. Alice was definitely one of a kind and could not wait to meet her sweet babies. I could only imagined how spoiled they would be.

Soon we reached her door and knocked. Even the door was pink! I felt bad for Jasper.

"Come in!" I heard her ringing voice come from behind the door. I giggled and threw the door open. I held back a sigh when I seen her and Jasper's room for the millionth time. How did Jasper put up with this. My brother truly was a saint. The walls were a light pink and the dresser was pink, and the rug was pink, the lamps were pink, the doors were pink. Everything was pink. The only relief Jasper had was in his antique dresser that was black. Alice had incorporated it by having black bedside tables and the frame of there bed was painted black to match, but the sheets were again…pink.

I really hate the color pink by the way.

I held back my sigh and grinned at my friend.

"ALICE!"

Her eyes went wide and squirmed a bit in her bed to get comfortable.

"BELLA!" Se called back bouncing in her bed a grin on her face as she held her arms out. I walked over wrapping my arms around her the best I could before kissing her cheek. "I missed you Bella…" She said softly her eyes lowering slightly.

"I know Alice…I missed you too…OH I want you to meet…Ethan? Where did you go buddy?" I asked looking around. Then I spotted him not to far from the door, sitting on the floor with one of Alice's husky pups in his lap. Her female husky had puppies around three months ago.

He was giggling like I had never seen before the puppy licking his face and jumping around on him. He seemed very happy with the puppy in his arms.

"Well..seems Ethan is a little busy at the moment." I muttered turning back to Alice before moving to sit down on the bed next to her.

"How are the twins doing?" I asked patting her extremely large belly.

"they are fine Bella. But I am FAT…I can not even fit into any nice clothes I am stuck in stretchy pants and long T-shirts and I can see my feet! But enough about me. How are you doing?" She had listed off her problems and gotten to me in a matter of seconds before pointing to the boy in the corner. She truly had a way about changing the question to someone else. Though she made sure to answer the question at least.

I sighed softly. "one your not fat, your pregnant and everything is alright, a little rough but that's expected…he dropped a glass of milk earlier and had something close to a panic attack…This is the happiest I have seen him." I motioned to him and the pup. I had seen him happy but this was definitely the happiest I had seen him. It was a nice to see. So carefree and happy.

Alice leaned closer to me and whispered. "Want to keep the puppy? I am giving away most of them since I can not handle puppies and two babies? Plus he seems to like it so much.." Her dog had gotten out one day and when they found her she was pregnant and her pups all seemed to look like her so either the father was another husky or they simply took after the mother in features.

"Really Alice?" I asked with a smile. I was not at all excited to have to take care of a dog but it made Ethan happy so it was well worth it. I had never even thought of owning a dog anywhere in the future. Since I wasn't exactly an animal person. I did not mind them, it simply was allot of added work. As I watched Ethan being attacked by puppy kisses "Of course Bella." She peered over at Ethan.

"Ethan?" She said getting a wary glance from Ethan. "Do you like the puppy?" He nodded excitedly but calmed down quickly. "You want to keep him?"

Ethan's eyes got incredibly wide. "REALLY?" He said louder then I ever heard and I giggled slightly.

Alice nodded. "Yup he is all yours…but he needs a name…what should his name be Ethan?" Alice asked sweetly. This made Ethan's brow furrow in concentration. "Edward." He said simply. I tilting my head. That was an odd name for a dog."Why Edward Ethan?" I asked gently.

"Cause…he my daddy." He said softly looking at the puppy in his lap.

"Who said that's your daddy?" I asked him carefully. Worried about what he might say. "Dada ames says he not daddy… Edward is daddy…" He said quietly. "Daddy ames says Edward dead. I his….daddy ames….say Edward gone… daddy ames mean, he huwt me." He said holding the puppy securely. After a few moments he spoke again, looking down at the puppy. "M-Mama say I daddy ames 's n-now since Edward g-gone and dead."

My eyes pricked with tears which I wiped away with my sleeve. I could cry later…right now it was about my son. He seemed in a trance of sorts stroking the puppy. He seemed to recall all this easily enough which made me believe he had been told multiple times that this was the truth. It seemed to be used against him all the time. I also racked my brain, trying to figure out where I had heard the name Edward recently. I would figure that out later I supposed as I decided to talk to Ethan. I was sure it didn't have any connection anyway.

"Daddy James will never come back. I'll keep you safe and sound okay?" I said kneeling in front of him and hugging him gently. "and we can bring home our Edward later okay?" I said gently getting a nod out of him. I wondered if this Edward they told him of was really his father and if he was really dead...there was no real way for me to find out and that would be up to the police.

He slowly stood up holding the puppy who stayed contently in his arms as he walked over to Alice on the bed. "Tank you." He said sweetly. He looked at me then at Alice and I scooped him up setting him on the bed before climbing in as well.

"Your very Welcome Ethan. Hey want some Ice cream?" She leaned down whispering in his ear, and I heard every word but did not comment because Ethan nodded again moving closer to Alice. I guess it was easier for him to trust women even though his mother had been horrible to him. Either that or it was, his room, the puppy and now ice cream. Alice was good at winning over children. Alice giggled and rang her bell three times. I guess that meant ice cream because Jasper came up with a carton of chocolate ice cream. I found it funny they had created signals for simple things like ice cream.

We spent a long while in bed eating ice cream and talking before returning home and having dinner. Ethan had quickly took to Alice and he had been almost as relaxed with her as he had me. Though I could see a bit of tension in him. Perhaps he could sense that she was pregnant and something about it was making him more relaxed with her. There was not one incident during that time or during dinner.

As for our new puppy thankfully Jasper provided us with puppy essentials before leaving so he was eating his puppy food. I had a feeling this would be an adventure. He was thankfully paper trained and was working on outdoor training as well.

Everything went smoothly until bath time. I knew this would be hard because even in the hospital they had to sedate the boy while they cleaned his wounds and cleaned him. He did not like being naked with people touching him. It had taken him a bit to get used to me helping him into his clothes and in the bathroom. I knew it would be tough but I also knew eventually he would be alright.

"Ethan! Bath time?" I called knowing he was in his room.

"No! No miss Bella." He chanted when I opened the door. I walked over and sat down stroking his bronze hair gently.

"Ethan? I will not hurt you? Remember how we talked about me helping you with your clothes and stuff?" He nodded slowly. "And I did not hurt you then…and I will not hurt you in bath time. Come on I promise? You can play with bubbles?" I tempted him. He shook his head stubbornly his body shaking slightly. Obviously not falling for my temptation.

" would you want to keep on a pair of underwear in the tub?" I asked him knowing it may help him since when he was covered he felt safer. I know he knew I would not hurt him but it would take time and I was perfectly fine with taking things slowly and getting him as comfortable with me as possible.

He nodded a little his eyes very sad. "Come on buddy everything will be fine…I promise." I picked him up and brought him to the bathroom. I started to fill the tub adding bubble bath and toys, rubber ducks and a little sail boat.

I helped him undress and left him in his underwear as promised. I covered his broken arm in the protective plastic before I set him into the tub where he seemed to get worse in his shaking. Once he was in the tub I stroked his hair gently until he calmed down a bit.

"You can play for awhile okay?" I said gently. He looked up at me with his big green eyes and nodded before he went to the toys and started playing. I moved to sit down on the toilet seat. I could tell he was sending me wary glances from time to time. Obviously suspicious of the situation. Slowly but surely he began to relax as he started playing with his toys.

The boy was still somewhat think and that thin. It was better though…the hospital fed him well and got him to gain a good amount of weight before releasing him. Everything he ate while at the hospital was full of the nutrients and calories he would need to gain wait, healthy weight of course. He was still bruised but those were yellowing in color and he was looking better physically everyday.

Thankfully he allowed me to clean him and wash his hair after a little . I thought it would have been a bigger fight but he seemed alright with my slow and gentle touches as I cleaned him off and helped him rinse off. I know he trusted me to an extent but he was still learning to trust me and everyone around him.

It had taken some doing but he was finally clean and in bed with his arms wrapped around the puppy.

The rest of the next two weeks passed in a blur. Everyday something new would happen and it would make Ethan freak out. Bath times were better and he now allowed me to bath him without a fuss. However he still had nightmares practically every night and it took almost an hour to calm him down each time. I found it tiring and worrisome he was having so many nightmares. I could only wish that I could help him, but all I could do was sit in bed and hold him until he calmed down or cried himself back to sleep.

It was finally Sunday and the day my dad was coming over. He did not live far but he stayed away so Ethan could get used to things. Ethan was doing better around Emmett and Jasper and still adored Alice when we visited. She was the only other person he allowed to touch him. He did not trust my brother to even touch him yet. Alice was special in that way.

My dad was currently living in La Push with his girl friend Sue Clearwater. Though he was still chief of police here in Forks. It was not a far drive at all.

Today was not only my dad's visit it was also Ethan's third birthday. It was June 20th. His so called mother told us the exact date.

He was only three years old and been in my life a little less then a month but he had quickly become my whole world and I wouldn't have it any other way.

There yeah go, CHAPTER THREE

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