Chapter Twelve—Drowning

Edward

The morning after sleeping in Bella's home, I woke up to the flutter of something against my cheek. I smiled, recognizing the softness of her hair. My hands tightened where they were, on her back and hip as her head rested my chest. She mumbled that resembled my name, a tiny bit of drool at the corner of her mouth. I chuckled softly, wishing not to wake her. With the pad of my thumb, I wiped her lips softly and she sighed as her mouth parted under my touch.

She looked so beautiful and real in the light of the morning sun that fell across us through the adjacent window. I couldn't help but watch her, everything I felt for her came up to the surface. Feelings that been stirring for some time.

I traced her jaw, her ears and ran my fingers through her hair in total contentment. I knew the following week would prove to be difficult with arrangements for Hayley's funeral, but I also knew that with Bella beside me, I'd be fine.

As I continued to play with her hair, I saw a flicker of light in the corner of my eye. I turned to see the bathroom door ajar. Positive that I had turned the light off earlier, I gently laid Bella on her side to investigate. As I took a step closer to the bathroom, the door opened the rest of its way with seemingly no assistance. I stilled from both shock and curiosity. Why would she live in a haunted house?

I shook my head - just because a door opened on its own did not mean the house was haunted. Last month, my team and I were able to debunk a haunted rocking chair in a home, which only was loose ancient hardwood flooring. If someone stepped into the room, the chair would start rocking, but only because the floorboard under the chair lifted slightly when someone stepped on a specific board—easily debunked.

However, the closer I came to the opened door, the more uneasy I felt. I cursed that I had no equipment on me, most of it at home. As I entered the bathroom, the faucet pivoted to the left on its own, hot water, and steam billowing out in mere moments. The framed mirror over the sink fogged over and letters started to form in the misted glass.

I have to leave soon

"Jacob?" I said, looking back to where Bella lay on the bed. The light flickered several times in response, which was my guess. Thankfully, she was still sleeping peacefully. I turned back to the mirror, feeling foolish that I had to talk to it. "Why?"

She has you

I shook my head, I knew from the way she spoke of her friend that she loved him and it would hurt her to say goodbye.

Will you take care of her?

"Yes," I said. "For as long as she wants me, I promise I'll be here."

You love her

I hadn't really been able to process my feelings for Bella since I'd known her. There was something there since the very beginning. I'd been attracted to her from the moment I saw her in the lecture hall. The fact that she made my blood boil during my lecture was just another indication that I wanted her. I never lashed out at anyone, choosing instead to ignore. There was passion there, and a powerful need to protect and care for her.

Had that meant that I was in love with her? I knew I couldn't be without her, and not only because of what she'd done for me. I remembered how it felt to hold her, to kiss her and touch her. The way my heart raced when she was near, and the way my stomach flipped when she was not. Love? I'd never found anyone like her, and I found myself not wanting to look for anyone else. I just wanted her.

I smiled and ran my hand through my hair. "Yeah," I said softly. "It's crazy. It was so fast and so easy. But I can't deny it, I do."

She does too

I looked back to the bed where she laid on her stomach as her hand stretched to where I'd been sleeping minutes before.

"I think she does," I said thoughtfully. "At least, I feel it when she looks at me."

Thank you

"Thanks for taking care of her until I got here," I said as I placed my hand on the mirror. "When will you be leaving?"

Soon

I nodded and excused myself to air, which was strange. I walked back to the bed and watched, as Bella knowingly turned toward me, still fast asleep. She sensed my presence, which pleased and warmed me. I kissed her top lip and whispered her name.

She stirred, smiling as she stretched like a little kitten. Her sleepy eyes fluttered open slowly, and she scowled. "It's too early."

I chuckled and patted her bottom, telling her that I was going to start some coffee.

"Coffee sounds good," she whispered. "Some bacon would be great, too." I didn't miss the slight teasing of her voice. "Hmm, maybe some fruit?"

I grinned. "I'm your willing slave, love."

"M'kay," she said sweetly. "I'm going to get dressed. I have something stirring in my head that I need to get out." She didn't elaborate further, nor did I push her to tell me what she was talking about—that was fine. I was positive that she would tell me in her own time.

I quickly dressed and brushed my teeth, before she could kick me out of the only bathroom. Once I had breakfast going in her kitchen, I heard music coming from somewhere down the hall. Not wanting to burn anything, I decided to finish before setting out to find her. I plated everything on a set of mismatched plates and mugs, found a tray, and piled our breakfast on it.

I followed the sound of music and found her in a strange off white room. Every surface of it had splatters of paint and art of some kind on display, except for one corner that had large rolls up of what appeared to be fabric. In the same corner were various light stands and a handsome leather ottoman.

I smiled when I realized that it was a studio of some kind. I found her near a window and her beauty astounded me. Standing in nothing but my button up and a black apron, she looked thoughtful with a brush in her hand. The sun shone from the window nearby, casting light in all the colors of her hair.

Placing the tray on a nearby table, I went to her, unable to resist the undeniable call of her. She sighed as I wrapped my arms around her small waist, luxuriating in the scent of cherry blossoms, warmth, and just her. She placed the brush in something, wiping it in a hand towel that hung beside her easel.

"Sorry," I whispered, placing a kiss on her exposed neck, her hair piled haphazardly on top of her head.

"I am," she said, turning in my arms after setting her brush down. "I tend to get so focused and forget." She gestured toward her current project. "But as you can see you're hardly forgotten."

I looked behind her, studying the colors that lay on the canvas. I realized that she was trying to find the color of my eyes.

"Any luck?" I asked with a smile. She blushed as I had hoped, pouting.

"Your eyes change," she said with mock annoyance. "So it makes pinpointing their color that much harder." She sighed, looking thoroughly put out. "Maybe I'm not meant to, and it just means I'll have to keep studying them." Her eyes locked with mine, a tinge to her cheeks.

"Study away," I teased, kissing her softly. "But while we eat, I'm starving."

"Good, so am I."

Together we enjoyed breakfast in her studio, while admiring some of the pieces of art she had lying here and there. "Do you develop your own film?"

"I started using film as a medium about three months ago. A friend of mine, Jasper, has a keen eye for those things. He does the developing for me. He's been trying to teach me on his days off."

I had to ask. "Friend?"

"Friend," she assured me with a shy smile. I nodded, relieved. "Anyway, I don't have a darkroom, but once I've learned from the photography master, I plan to make the closet down the hall into one."

"Is photography what he specializes in?" I glanced through several self-portraits of Bella, many of not only her face.

"No," she replied. "Movies, too. I think his first love is being behind a camera filming just about anything."

"Hmm," I said, looking to where she sat. "Do you think he'd be interested in filming my team's outings?"

She smiled and twisted her beautiful, long legs beneath her. I couldn't help but follow her movements, all that silky skin. "I think he might." She smiled slightly, her eyebrow raised a bit as if in question.

For some reason, I felt that she was teasing me in a secret way. I shook my head and gave her a genuine smile, realizing that after a moment she'd been the only one on the receiving end of a smile in years. I returned my attention to the photos scattered over her table, a striking black and white photo, caught my attention. My hand stilled on a photo of Bella, again a self-portrait but she was entirely naked. I dropped the photo and heard Bella laugh behind me.

"It's all right, Edward. You can look."

I shook my head, stepping away from the temptation that lay on the table. I turned to her, those brown eyes of hers watching me intently. She looked pensive.

"Why are you still here, Edward?"

"I want to be," I whispered, looking away. I wasn't ashamed of what I felt, but maybe she would be. I was older, after all. I sat on the worn leather couch beside her, taking her hands in mine. "Do you want me to go?"

"That's not why I asked. I'm just worried."

"Tell me."

"I'm thinking you're only here because you feel obligated. I know you're concerned about me, and with Jacob not being around, you'd worry more. I know you feel you need to protect me as some kind of payment. And now with Hayley gone and the answers found, I don't know why—"

I kissed her then, to quiet her words, to put a stop to her thoughts. She gave in after a seconds, her fingers curling around the nape of neck. "You," I murmured against her soft lips. "You're the reason I'm still here."

She sighed as her hands tugged my mouth back to hers, her nimble fingers played with my hair. "I—I can't even begin to understand why," she said, stopping long enough to kiss me again.

"Understand?" I encouraged, kissing along her neck, pulling her onto my lap.

"F-fell so fa-asst-t," she mumbled softly, her words broken as her head lulled to one side. I kissed and nipped at the hollow of her throat. "I can't be without you."

"I can't either," I whispered. "Maybe it's not supposed to make sense, but hell, when has anything made sense in our lives?"

She furrowed her brows as she looked at me. "My life isn't easy, and yes, there are times where nothing makes sense." She pointed to my chest, and then to hers and said, "But this does."

I smiled, cradling her cheek in one of my hands. "I love you, angel," I said while I looked into her gorgeous eyes. "That makes perfect sense to me."

She smiled radiantly, capturing my face in her hands. "Really?"

I nodded and brought her mouth to mine in a slow, kiss. After a few minutes, she mumbled something incoherent while I nibbled on her top lip. "What was that?" I asked, running my fingers through her hair.

"I love you," she said softly, the words whispered against my lips. "So much."

I hummed, smiling as I took her mouth again. "Normally, I would never think it was possible to feel this way about someone so quickly. But with you, it was just fucking inevitable."

"You said a bad word," she said as she bit her lip. I grinned, blushing a bit. "You're so sweet and professional, Edward. I'd have never believed it would possible."

"Hey," I said in a low tone, my fingers grazing her sides. "I can be plenty tough." I flipped us so she was beneath me, earning a small oomph from in between her giggling as I tickled her sides.

"Edward!" She was trying to protect herself, and she looked truly happy. The happiest I'd seen her since I'd met her.

I stilled my hands, my face above hers. I smiled and kissed her parted lips. "You're one of a kind, Bella," I murmured, kissing the corner of her mouth. "I know I'm not supposed to ask this, but how old are you?"

"Why? How old do I look?" she asked innocently, but I could see the smirk dying to come out.

"I've been told before never to answer that question, because I'd always be wrong." I grinned.

"Smart man. I just turned twenty-six in September." She smiled, cocking a little eyebrow. "What are you? Thirty-two, thirty-three?"

I grimaced and her smile faltered. "Edward."

"Thirty-eight."

She smiled again. "Where do you get your Botox injections? I need to make an appointment in about ten years." She was giggling.

I gave her a mock glare. "You think that's funny?" She nodded. I growled and started to tickle her again. In minutes, we were both breathless, fingers tickling everywhere. My body reacted to how close she pressed against me, how her breath ran along my neck, and the feel of her hands on me.

She stilled as I had, her eyes locked with my own. With my very tips of my fingers, I tucked some wisps of her hair behind her ear, my breath hitching as she gasped. "I want to go slow with you," I whispered. "You mean too much to me to risk losing you."

Bella smiled a bit, nodding and agreeing with me. Her hand moved from my hair and along my jaw before caressing my bottom lip. "Slow is just fine with me, as you probably could guess, I don't do relationships often."

"It's been a long time for me, too," I said softly, hoping she'd understand what I was saying. I hadn't been with a woman in years; Hayley's disappearance had caused me to close myself up to the world.

"Me, too," she said with softness in her eyes that told me she understood. "Does this make you my boyfriend?" Her mock innocence was much too obvious. "Are we going steady?"

"Enough with the age jokes, angel," I growled, kissing her to stop her from continuing. After a few minutes, when my lungs protested I pulled away. "Do you think you can come with me today?"

"Where?"

"Aurora's Funeral Home."

~oOo~

It'd been a few days since authorities found Hayley's body, and the funeral was in two days. I avoided my home like the plague, fearing all the well-wishers who'd come to give me their condolences. Bella and I were looking through jackets for a new suit for the service as I remembered what happened over the previous few days.

I wished to no longer mourn Hayley, but celebrate the bright spot in my life that she was. Bella and my mother had worked together to scan stacks of photos and create a DVD to be viewed at the service.

I had sat with them, telling Bella and reminiscing with my mother about each photo we had come across. Bella had sat through every memory, every tear and laugh as I told her about my daughter.

Bella's fingers intertwined with my own, bringing me out of my thoughts, a small smile on her lips. "I don't want to wear black," I said. "She hated black, she said with all the colors in the world, why would she want to wear the color of the dark."

"Then don't," Bella said with a little smile. "I wasn't planning to."

"You weren't?"

She shook her head. "No. You're mother and I decided to wear a pale blue. We told Hayley's aunts to wear the same."

I sighed when she mentioned Tanya and Irina. Twice they had tried to see me, though they no longer doubted their sister's involvement in Hayley's disappearance, they believed that Kate was mentally disturbed.

"Well, then I'll wear blue, too," I said thoughtfully, ignoring the issue I was sure Bella wanted to address. There had been no new information on Kate, which made me nervous for the service. Would that evil woman try to come to her daughter's funeral?

"It was Hayley's favorite color," I murmured.

Bella nodded, squeezing my hand. "Blue it is."

~oOo~

Days later, I stood in front of Bella's bathroom as I tried to wrestle with my tie. Bella's soft, gentle hand rested over mine from behind to stop me. She squeezed between the counter and me, attempting to help.

"There you go," she said softly, patting my tie in place. "Come here." She made no move to kiss me but held me close to her. My arms slipped around her shoulders, relishing in her warmth and softness. A few minutes later, my mother knocked on Bella's bedroom door.

I sighed, my arms tightening around her for a second longer. I kissed the top of her head, releasing her but taking her hand in mine. "It's time to say goodbye."

~oOo~

The eulogies brought on tears as broken words from various family members spoke through the service. Bella was with me the whole time, her hand in mine. She was my anchor. Whenever my mother's sobs escalated, Bella would let me know with a simple stroke of her thumb that it was all right to cry as well.

I couldn't talk about Hayley to everyone, but I played. I played her song and another, and it was my way to show how much I loved and missed my daughter. A fellow colleague and friend Emmett, my father, Charlie and I carried her tiny white casket, colorful flowers draped over the top.

Bella surprised me by singing a lovely song in Latin of angels and wings before the last prayer. My tears flowed freely, as most people did around me. It wasn't every day that their small community buried a child. It broke my heart to find so many children in attendance. I recognized a few from dance and school.

They remembered her, even after three and a half years.

The October air was crisp and cold as we bowed our heads. Bella took my hand as she stood by my side after her song was finished. I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and whispered my gratitude and love for her.

I'd be a broken down mess if it hadn't been for her and my parent's support. She encouraged me to share my stories about Hayley when I needed to, cry even if we were in the middle of something, and seek out comfort from those around me.

My hand trembled as I grasped a white rose, my other clutching a handful of dirt. I sobbed as grains and clumps fell along her casket, Bella sniffling behind me. I cried out Hayley's name when I reached the middle and placed the rose over it. My father and Bella led me through a throng of people to a chair where Bella sat down beside me.

Taking her hand in mine, I brought it to my lips and kissed her palm. She stilled suddenly, looking across from where we sat. Her bottom lip trembled as more tears fell. "Jacob."

I closed my eyes and took her into my arms. We were both saying goodbye.

She started to mumble something against my chest, something incoherent. Within moments, someone behind us started to hum, then another. Soon everyone in attendance started to sing.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine."

The song continued, some sang, some hummed, but everyone joined in. As the last person, my mother, sprinkled grains of sand over Hayley's casket, two white doves flew over us, landing on the casket.

Several gasps and murmurs broke out amongst the people. Bella looked up from my chest, smiled at something across from us. "Thank you," she whispered, looking up at me for a moment. "For everything." The doves took flight.

~oOo~

Some days were harder than others were as time went on. Bella never discouraged my mourning. She and mother had suggested that I should consider some type of grief counseling, possibly something with my parents. I had to remember I wasn't the only one that lost a loved one. I asked Bella if she'd like to come with me, but she had refused. She had to protect herself from doctors who claimed they could cure her. I felt there was something else behind her apprehension; perhaps she had spent too much time in hospitals. I hated to think of what she could've gone through if she had. It was a subject of discussion for a later time. A month had passed since Hayley's funeral and life was slowly returning to normal. Well, as normal as a grieving father and ghost whispering girlfriend could be.

I had returned to work, lecturing, and teaching classes. Bella continued to create beautiful works of art and occasionally helped someone crossover. My mother and father had just returned from a small vacation, and soon the holidays upon us.

Charlie kept us informed of the latest news on locating Kate. There had been a few reports of her spotted in Arizona, but nothing panned out. He also discovered that Kate owned a gun, which did not dispel my worries. News was that she managed acquire about five thousand dollars before she left town, and I knew she'd run out soon enough. She'd be back for more, for me.

Bella and I had alternated where we slept; three nights we spent at her cozy little house and the rest in my own home. During this time, we discovered all the little habits of each other. She was sweet and a great cook, but a little messy. I snored and snuggled against her to the point where she'd have tingling limbs when she woke up.

Dates were every Wednesday and Friday nights, even though there wasn't a night we'd been apart. We hadn't really pushed our physical relationship, taking it slow. Neither of us wanted to rush, waiting for the right moment.

"Edward," she whined, pushing me off her shoulder a morning during the first week of December. "I barely feel my arm and thigh." I looked up at groggily from somewhere near her chest and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry," I mumbled as I looked over at the time. "Why are you up? It's Sunday." I crawled further up the bed and nuzzled her neck.

"I was dreaming of an elephant sitting on me," she said with a straight face. It lasted for three seconds before she was laughing.

"Elephant?" I growled. She grinned and nodded, biting her lip to keep from laughing again. My features softened when I remembered how the last time, she spent several minutes shaking away the pins and needles feeling from her limbs.

My eyes widened in concern, and I started to massage her shoulder. She looked at me in confusion but smiled when she realized I was trying to help her. Slowly, I rubbed circles with one hand along her arm, laying a soft kiss at her shoulder. She sighed deeply as her fingers curled in my hair. I whispered kisses along the smooth skin of her forearm and nipped at the inside of her wrist. My hand slid from her arm down to her leg. Slowly, I had her bend it, rubbing along her knee and up behind her thigh.

Concern turned to desire.

"Edward," she gasped as the tips of my fingers touched the hem of her panties. I held her gaze with mine and her sweet, decadent mouth parted. Sensing no hesitation or doubts from her, I moved over the curve her bottom and splayed my fingers across the small of her back. The tip of my nose ran along hers, her long lashes fluttered against my cheek.

"I love you," I whispered as I pressed a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth. Slowly, I took her top lip between mine, nibbling softly. She sighed and wrapped her arms around me, her fingers soon finding an exposed sliver of my skin above my waistband. I groaned and the sound muffled as Bella deepened our kiss further. Her back arched closer when I settled more of my weight over her.

"Bella," I gasped, her fingers curled at the hem of my t-shirt. I pulled away from her soft, wet mouth, crossed my arms over my chest, and pulled my shirt over my head. She gave me a sweet smile as she surveyed me, her fingertips hooked in the waistband of my sweats to pull me back to her. Taken by surprise by her move, she giggled as I landed a little heavily on her.

I kissed her smiling lips, leaving her breathless. "Edward," she gasped as I nipped at her skin where her pulse throbbed. Her hands ran over my back and into my hair, igniting something within me. My own hands skimmed up the sides of her beautiful legs up to her waist. With careful movements, my fingers slid over her ticklish sides, grazing the underside of her breasts as her t-shirt bunched around my wrists. She moaned and arched closer, pushing me away for a moment to pull her top off. I sat back to look her, a tinge of pink colored the cream of her skin. I felt her fingers at my jaw and her lips pulled up to a breathtaking smile. "I love you."

With her words and encouragement, the rest of our clothes were carelessly tossed. My hand descended to her softest skin, finding luxurious warmth. I watched as body undulated from my touch, captured her moans of pleasure with my mouth. At the cusp, she pulled me over her, kissing me deeply. "Please," she whispered.

I watched her expressive face and eyes as I slowly slipped inside her. Once my hips were flush with hers, I stilled and rested my head on her shoulder. She felt wonderful, warm and I felt surrounded. She encompassed every one of my senses until I was steeping in nothing but her. Felt only her.

I wanted her closer, needed her to be. I felt every curve as I settled fully over her and slipped my hands under her back to bring her chest closer to my mouth. My lips moved across warm and slick skin, tasted the sweetness of everything within reach.

We moved together slowly, deeply, neither of us wanting it to end. There was no need to rush; we both knew we had a lifetime to explore. I was no longer afraid of what my future held as long as she was by my side.

When I looked up at her as her body started to tightened around me, I saw everything in her haunted eyes. She loved me—truly. With a shuddering breath, I surrendered to her, to the feeling of completeness I thought I'd never find. With another whisper of my name, I knew she had surrendered, too.

~oOo~

The following morning, I felt Bella stir as she stopped the alarm clock. "Where are you off to so early?" I asked when she stopped the alarm.

"Meeting a new client, Angie is meeting me up there," she said, yawning several times.

I nuzzled her warm neck and kissed the skin there. "I'm sorry for keeping you up all night." I wasn't sorry one bit, since we spent most of the night talking and making love.

"Hmm, did you hear me complaining?" she said as she turned to her side and snuggled against my chest.

"I guess the jokes about my age will no longer be an issue," I teased, tugging on her hair a bit to pull her mouth to mine.

"Well, I've heard with age comes wisdom," she mumbled against my lips. I growled and rolled over her, earning her incredible laughter. "You know I don't have a problem with your age. I'm just trying to alleviate your worries."

"It doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you."

"Not one bit," she said and pushed me off her. "Now I have to shower and get ready."

"Any plans for lunch?"

"I don't think my appointment will take too long. McGill's at noon?"

I nodded and watched as she climbed out of bed, shivering when her feet touched the wood flooring. "It's cold," she murmured.

I couldn't help but smile at her, my eyes descending a little lower to see just how cold she was. "That's obvious."

She placed her hand over my face and pushed me back. "Dirty old man."

I chased her into the shower.

Forty minutes later, Bella was struggling to get her jacket on. "I'm going to be late." She knelt on the floor beside the bed and found her missing heel. "Thanks to you."

"I'm sorry." I grinned and kissed her softly. "See you in a few hours." She nodded and hurried out the door.

"Love you," she called out once more as she ran to her truck.

While I waited until lunchtime rolled around, I decided to check my email. I was excited to see an email from a potential client. Bella had agreed to do what she could with my team; I wanted to work with her. I did have my doubts, because I knew there would be cases where it'd be dangerous for her to go with me.

I looked over the email.

To: Dr. Edward Cullen

From: Rosalie Hale

Subject: The Lady in White

I've had my doubts about contacting someone about this matter. It's not something I wanted to believe was real. However, there are things happening that I can no longer ignore. My daughter and son say that there is a woman that walks along the river's edge and calls out to them. I've never heard this woman and it seems to happen at night. Last week, I woke in the middle of the night when I heard my daughter scream. I ran toward her room to find wet footsteps that led to the room. There was no one else in the room beside her and my son, but there was a pool of very cold water at the foot of their bed.

I'm a single mother, and can't afford to move anywhere at this time. I'm desperate. My children are not sleeping and I have nowhere else to turn.

Please help us.

Rosalie Hale

After reading the letter, I knew we'd have to take the case. When children were involved, it was important to help them before it could traumatize them permanently. I sent the information to Alice so she could start a search on the property and on the client herself.

As I looked through the rest of my emails, Bella's house phone rang. I answered, hoping it would be her.

"Hello," I said. "Did you forget something?"

"I'm heading home," Bella said softly. I could hear something in her voice that made my blood run cold.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, Angela, my agent called to confirm our lunch tomorrow. She had no clue about an appointment today."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm almost there," she said, refusing to elaborate. "I'll explain when I get there."

Minutes later, I was at the door when she drove up. "What is it, Bella?"

"Garrett paid me a visit." She wrapped her arms around me, and I noticed her body was trembling. "I was almost there, and bam, he was right there in my truck." She shook her head as I lead her to the living room to sit. "He said for me not to go there."

"We need to call your dad," I said firmly. "He may be able to catch her."

"I already called him."

"Are you all right?" I kissed the top of her head, and pulled her face up to see into her eyes.

"He showed me a gun," she whispered. "She had every intention of shooting me the second I walked into that house."

My breath hitched and pulled her closer, had to hold her. "I—I," I gasped, unable to get the words out. "Oh, God." Bella must've sensed how much her words affected me and climbed on my lap to get closer.

"I'm fine," she whispered. "This is one of those instances where talking to the dead helps me."

I nodded and kissed her softly. "I really hope this is over. Though I feel—" I had no idea how I felt about this entire situation. I knew I wanted her to pay for what she had done, but I didn't think a lifetime in prison enough to quell my need for justice.

"It's not enough, lifetime in prison," she said.

I shook my head. "I don't want to be a monster just because I want her to pay the ultimate price."

"I know what you mean, but you're hardly a monster for wanting justice."

We sat together, whispering and holding each other close as we awaited news from her father. It was almost twenty minutes after Bella arrived when Charlie called. She was already gone by the time the police arrived.

"Should we stay here or go to your place?" Bella asked as we ate lunch.

"She's been to my house," I said. "Even though she found a way to get to you, I think we're safer here."

Bella looked up from her plate of pasta, tears in her eyes. "I feel safe wherever you are."

Taking her face in my hands, I brushed her tears away with my thumbs. "I'll always be with you. You have nothing to worry about, I'd never let anything happen to you."

"I can't let anything to happen to you, either."

"Don't worry about me, Bella," I said, my voice rising slightly. There was no way she was going to pull something like she had with Laurent.

"The storm is going to hit in a few hours," she said thoughtfully. "We should go get some of your things." At least we were on the same page, because she wasn't leaving my sight.

~oOo~

Once we settled for the night, the sense of dread filled me. I knew she'd come. There was no doubt in my mind. Charlie wanted to have someone watch the house, but because of the storm, we were on our own. I checked and double-checked all the windows and doors before I headed to Bella's bedroom.

I smiled when I saw her putting something in her nightstand. I wrapped my arms around her from behind, earning a little hum that purred in her throat.

"Edward," she murmured and angled her neck to allow me access. I kissed above where her blood pulsed excitingly. "Thank you."

I turned her to face me. "Why are you thanking me?"

"For being with me," she said softly. "I know it's not easy, because of all the baggage—" I placed my fingertip over her lips to stop her.

"Being with you is easier than breathing," I said, placing a kiss over my finger and her lips.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Let's go to bed."

I smirked, earning a roll of her eyes. "It is past your bedtime." We tumbled into bed together, with her laughing and wrapped in my arms.

I was dreaming of Bella and me walking along a river. She was in a beautiful dress, her dark hair cascaded down her back, contrasting against the color of her dress. Turning, she gave me a breathtaking smile as her hand lifted to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. The sunlight caught on something on her hand, light reflecting off it.

The dream darkened and faded as Bella shot up beside me in bed. "Bella, what is it?" I wondered if her nightmares were coming back, they had lessened in frequency over the last month.

She scrambled to the nightstand and pulled out a revolver. She looked over at me; she must've noticed the question in my eyes. What was she doing with a gun? "She's here."

I sat up fully, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What? How do you know?"

"Garrett is here and if he is—"

"She is."

She nodded and jumped out of bed quietly. She slipped on her robe and headed toward the bedroom door. Scrambling to my feet, I grabbed her arm. "What do you think you are doing?"

"I'm trained," she whispered. "I know what I'm doing with a gun."

"She has a gun, too," I spat. "You're not leaving this room."

Suddenly, the room's temperature fell at least ten degrees. Bella stilled and little puffs of her breath were visible.

"Is he in here?" I asked.

She grasped my arm and tugged me toward the window. She opened it, trying to push me through it. "Bella! What the hell is going on?"

"Don't you smell that?"

I had as she said it—gas. I grabbed her and literally threw her out the window, climbing out immediately after. She jumped to her feet, pulling me to mine. "Run!" she screamed as ice and snow crunched under our feet, running across her large backyard. In seconds, glass, wood, and fire exploded behind us and licked at our skin as I shielded Bella from falling debris, tumbling behind a garden shed. She tried to move away, crawling on her hands and knees as if she was looking for something. "I lost my piece," she gasped. Kate could be anywhere, and we were defenseless.

I pulled her to her feet and pointed toward the house, the gun lay just a few feet from us. She ran toward it and rolled away just a shot from the trees that lined the backyard fired. "Bella!" I roared and ran after her.

"Move!" she screamed as she held up her gun at something behind me while she was still on the ground.

"Edward," a low voice said behind me. Bella fired and I didn't hesitate and fell to my knees just as I heard another shot. I looked up to see Bella's face crumble as blood blossomed across her chest.

"No!" I crawled and scraped my way toward her. "No! No! No!" Once I was close enough, I pulled her body beneath mine. My hands pressed over her wound. "Bella!"

I heard a gasp behind me and watched as Kate pressed her hand to her abdomen.

"Edward," Bella gasped, coughing. "It's just my shoulder. Did she drop the gun?"

"Yes," I said hoarsely, cradling her face with a hand. "She's bleeding from her stomach." Bella nodded and shifted slightly to look over my shoulder. She winced and fell back.

"Help me up," she said softly. I wanted to deny her, tell her to stay still, but she was stubborn and tried to push me off her. I wrapped an arm around her waist to help hold her stable. We looked over to find Kate leaning against Bella's garden shed breathing heavily.

"An ambulance should be here soon," I said, shivering from the cold and all the dangerous thoughts in my head. I could've lost her, all because of me. I turned to face the reason I lost my daughter, the reason I almost lost Bella.

"Why, Kate? Why come back to kill her?"

"Because she has you! She took everything from me!"

"You never had me, and you brought all this on yourself."

"I had you," she spat. "If I had known who the father was when I found I was pregnant, we'd be married, and our daughter would be alive."

Bile rose in my throat and Bella wrapped a hand around my arm as I took a step toward Kate. "Is that why you just disappeared? You had no idea if I was the Hayley's father?" I said, shaking my head in disgust. "Once you figured out that I was her father, you came back for money. That was your plan all along, wasn't it?" I held onto Bella as she struggled to stay upright. "Greed, all this was nothing but greed."

"Not greed, survival." Kate took in a shuddering breath that had her heaving. "Now I'll be taken to the hospital, stitched up and I'll be able to plead temporary insanity. I'll be free in less than two years."

"No!" I took another step toward her but Bella held me back, turning to her, I could see the fear in her eyes.

"Don't," she whispered, looking over my shoulder. I looked back at Kate and noticed the black mass from earlier linger near her feet. Kate gasped again, as almost smoke-like arms started to overtake her.

"What are you doing, Garrett?" Bella said softly. I could see the fear in her eyes as tears started to form. "If you kill her … you'll never see the light again!" Her words only seemed to speed up the process as the dark arms snaked around Kate's throat. She coughed and sputtered in an attempt to breathe again. I could see Bella shaking her head, whispering something softly.

"What is he saying?"

She sniffled, as tears fell from her eyes. "He said it was time to give you and your family peace. If she's still alive, it will never happen."

Sirens could be heard from somewhere down the street, as Kate tried to scratch at invisible hands at her throat.

"Garrett, you can't do this," Bella pleaded. The arms that surrounded Kate took more shape, gained density.

"Bella!" I heard Charlie call out behind me. He ran past us, his gun trained on Kate who was still struggling against an almost unseen entity. The snow that surrounded Kate's feet started to melt and water started to trickle from her mouth. "Are you all right?" Charlie and two other uniformed surveyed the scene, his attention on Bella. "What's happening?"

Before Bella could answer, Kate fell to her knees and gasped for breath.

"She's drowning." Bella closed her eyes. "He's showing her how he and Hayley died. He wants her to suffer the same fate."

We all watched as Charlie kicked Kate's revolver away from her. He stepped closer and Bella screamed for him to stay back. The form that surrounded Kate encompassed her completely as the officers and Charlie got closer to her.

Bella gasped and swayed beside me, I caught her before she fell. "Bella," I whispered. Her eyes snapped back to Kate as she started to sob. Her father helped Kate onto her back, trying to help her as her body started to shudder. It was too late; in seconds, she was gone.

Bella cried in my arms, gasping for breath and control. She shook her head and pulled at her hair. I clasped her wrists to stop her from hurting herself. "Bella, angel, tell me what's wrong? She's gone now, she won't hurt us anymore."

"I've never witnessed something like that before," she sobbed, her arms clutched around me. Her eyes were wide and luminous and tears poured over her lashes. "Thousands of arms just pulled them down, so many voices … so much pain. Oh, I never want to see and feel that again. Never."

I understood then, she always helped spirits crossover to the light, this time she witnessed something entirely different. "Garrett?" I whispered. "Did he go with her?"

She nodded as she shivered in my arms. "He sacrificed his soul to make sure you'd never have to suffer at the hands of that woman again." I pulled into my arms, kissing her softly. I walked with her toward one of the ambulances that started to pull into the decimated driveway.

"It's over now, love," I said softly.

"Where am I going to go?"

"You'll be with me and that's all that matters."