A/N: Slightly longer chapter; slightly longer lyrics (because I just couldn't cut them down any more, the song completely sums up Bree in the chapter)
Bella:
Got shackles on, my words are tied
Fear can make you compromise
With the lights turned up it'd hard to hide
Sometimes I want to disappear
(Raise up to your ability)
Yeah I'm scared but I'll disappear
Running around 'cause I'm filled with fear
Nothing good 'cause my life's a wreck
Rose and I watch carefully as Dexter and Hazel assess each other. Dexter, being slightly older, reaches forward to poke Hazel's arm. Rose chuckles at her son's actions, while I just find it too cute.
Hazel looks up at me, pouting slightly.
"What is it, baby?" I coo, rocking her gently in my arms. "Are you hungry?" I ask her. I've tried to get her into a routine of having her dinner before I have mine, so that I can eat undisturbed. "You don't mind if I feed her here?" I ask Rose. We've both opted to breast feed, but I can't be bothered to walk all the way upstairs to my room for privacy.
"Nah, it's fine," Rose waves it off before going back to making silly faces at Dexter. He grins in amusement and pokes her cheeks.
Hazel eagerly latches on to me and drinks quickly from me. I can't help but smile as I watch her.
"Though it may hurt, there's nothing that feels closer than when you breast feed," Rose comments, bouncing Dexter on her lap.
"I know. It's not possible to describe how much I love her," I gush, switching Hazel to my other breast.
Once Hazel's finished feeding, she soon falls asleep in my arms.
"Hey, Rose, could I ask you about something?" I ask. I've been thinking about this for a while, and I think Rose may be the best person to ask.
"Sure," Rose says, rocking Dexter to try to make him sleepy.
"Do you know much about Bree?" I ask her.
"Not really, why?" she replies, frowning.
"Just curious," I shrug it off. "Right, I'm going to put Hazel down in her cot," I tell her.
I walk carefully up the stairs, conscious not to wake Hazel up. As I'm walking up the second flight of stairs, I pass by Bree.
"Hey, Bree," I smile at her. Ever since she helped me out, I've been talking to her more and more.
She smiles back in response and then smiles down at Hazel.
"I'm hoping she'll sleep through dinner so that I can eat a proper meal," I grin to Bree. She nods, I'm assuming in agreement. "See you at dinner," I say, and then carry on upstairs.
I tuck Hazel into the cot and pass her the toy elephant. I make sure the baby monitor is turned on, pick up the other one and make my way downstairs.
The living room is much fuller now, with almost everyone sat inside. I notice Bree isn't here, though.
"Is Hazel sleeping?" Edward asks.
I nod as I take a seat next to him. "And she's been fed," I tell him, kissing his cheek. Edward turns so that he can kiss me on the lips, which I gladly participate in.
Soon, Esme calls out that dinner's ready, so we all head into the dining room. Edward sits next to me, like he always does, and Bree takes the seat on the other side of me. I smile a little at that.
The next few weeks pass by quickly and I'm so relieved when it's finally the summer holidays. It means I can spend all day with Edward and Hazel, something I take full advantage of.
"Edward, come on! We need someone to even out the numbers!" Seth whines.
I frown over at Edward. "What's this about?" I ask him.
"We need him so that we can play three-a-side basketball outside with Jacob, Emmett, Jasper, Embry and me, but he won't play!" Seth tells me before Edward can answer. I've seen Embry a couple of times – him and Seth are best friends, I think. Also, a couple of months ago Jasper finally asked out Alice – which, of course, she agreed to. Edward wasn't quite so happy, mainly because he's older than Alice.
"Go on, Edward," I urge him, kissing his cheek. "Hazel and I can survive by ourselves," I add.
Edward leans down to give me a deep kiss, swiping his tongue over mine. The moment is ruined when Seth starts making gagging noises, so after giving him the finger, Edward and he leave.
It's a rare sunny day, so I decide to make the most of it by taking Hazel outside. If we sit on the porch, the shade should still cover her up, so I don't need to worry about sunburn.
As I walk outside with Hazel, I see Bree sat on the porch.
"Hey, Bree," I smile over to her.
Her head quickly snaps up, her eyes puffy with tears evident on her face.
"Bree, what's the matter?" I ask. It's a stupid question, but I don't know what else to say.
She just shakes her head.
"It's obviously something," I say. "Are you hurt?" I ask, worried.
Bree shakes her head before frowning at me.
"I'm worried," I tell her. Her frown deepens. "You're wondering why I'm worried?" I guess, shocked. That can't be it, can it?
Bree nods her head and then breaks eye contact with me.
"I'm worried because you're my friend," I tell her, sitting next to her. "You're upset," I add. Hazel starts squirming in my arms, reaching out to Bree. "Hazel's worried about you, too," I add with a smile.
Bree looks up, her face calming a bit when she sees Hazel.
"She wants you to hold her," I push, holding Hazel out to Bree.
Bree accepts Hazel, who places her palm on Bree's cheek. A smile flickers on Bree's face. She only ever seems to smile for Hazel.
"You don't have to tell me, but I have…theories. About your past," I begin cautiously. Bree looks at me, as if to tell me to continue. "It's something to do with a baby, right?" I ask.
There's a long pause where Bree turns her attentions to Hazel. After a while, Bree nods slightly.
"Was it…Did you have a child?" I guess. Bree shakes her head. "A sibling?" I guess again.
This time, Bree nods.
"A sister?" I go for. Bree shakes her head. "You have a baby brother?" I go for. Once more, Bree shakes her head. I frown. "But you said you had a sibling?" I question.
Oh.
"You had a baby brother?" I whisper. Bree nods as tears fall down her face. Hazel attempts to brush them away.
I stay silent. I want to ask her what happened, but I'm not sure she could explain that without words.
"I'm sorry, Bree," I tell her, cautiously putting my arm around her shoulders.
She shakes her head, hands Hazel back to me and quickly stands up, moving away from me. I frown, trying to work out how to comfort her since she's clearly upset.
Hazel whimpers, tears forming in her eyes. Not a minute later, she lets out a loud wail.
"Shh, baby, it's ok," I coo, standing up and rocking her in my arms. Her cries continue as I try to work out what's wrong with her. I've only just fed her and changed her – I don't know what's wrong. She hasn't cried this bad in a while. "It's ok, mummy's here," I whisper, cradling her against me.
I glance up to see Bree looking at Hazel and me, wide-eyed. Before I can say anything, Bree runs off into the house. I'm left holding a screaming baby, who's showing no signs of become any quieter.
After trying everything I can think of, I go inside to see if I can find someone to help me. I rush into the living room where I find Esme, thankfully.
"Esme, I can't get her to stop crying," I tell her, worried.
Esme turns to me and glances down at Hazel, who's still crying but not screaming quite so loud. Esme motions for me to hand her over, so I gently place Hazel in her arms.
Just then, Carlisle bursts into the living room looking terribly frazzled. I've never seen him look so disgruntled.
"What's wrong?" Esme is quick to ask.
"It's Bree," he says, barely even noticing I'm in the room. "She's run away," he adds.
My eyes widen as I try to process what he's said. I thought she'd just ran up to her room; not actually ran away.
"What? Why?" Esme asks, trying not to raise her voice as she's managed to stop Hazel's cries.
"I don't know, but I've called-"
"I think I know why," I interrupt, biting my lip. Both turn to me, looking expectant. "Um, I was sat with her before outside. She looked like she'd been cried and I tried to ask about her past, but…I shouldn't have pushed it," I admit, feeling so damn guilty. "She was holding Hazel, but when I asked more questions she gave her back to me. Before she ran, Hazel started crying."
Esme and Carlisle both share a knowing look.
"I'm really sorry. I just…I just thought we were getting closer and she was upset and I just wanted-"
"Shhh, Bella, it's ok. It's not your fault," Esme says while I quickly wipe away any tears.
"I'll go call the police," Carlisle tells Esme before he leaves the room.
I bite my lip as worry consumes me. It's something to do with her past, I'm almost certain of it. All she admitted to was having a baby brother. I can't even imagine how it would feel to lose a sibling. I don't have any biological siblings, but so many people in this house have become siblings to me.
Esme hands Hazel back to me while she goes to help Carlisle make calls. I head up to my room, trying to think of how I can help. Despite what Esme says, it's my pushing that made Bree run away.
When Edward arrives home – sweaty from playing basketball all afternoon – I tell him about everything. He holds me when I cry and reassures me when I need it.
"I love you, Edward," I tell him, finding comfort in his arms wrapped around my waist.
"I love you, too, Bella," Edward says, kissing my forehead.
Our bubble is burst as Carlisle knocks on my door before coming in.
"The police have found Bree. She…she wants to speak to you, Bella."
A/N: Next chapter, the truth about Bree will finally be revealed...anyone have any last thoughts on what it might be?
Review = basketball outtake
Lyrics: Houdini by Foster the People