Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Based on the characters created by Stephanie Meyer, in her Twilight Saga series of books

WARNING: This story will contains scenes of domestic violence, strong language and other forms of physical violence, up to, and including death.

Chapter 4

Destruction and Repairs

"Alexander," Savannah yelled over her shoulder.

The large black head-gardener stepped through the kitchen door. He had been waiting at the kitchen table to receive his instructions for the day. When he saw the blood on Molly's face, concern and anger crossed his, but he quickly covered them both.

"Yes, Miss Savannah."

"Run for Doctor Wilton." Savannah's eyes were on the ceiling, aimed toward the west wing, but she looked down when Alexander hadn't left immediately. She saw his eyes on Molly and understood. "Then run for Doc Sam." Alexander smiled and was out the front door in a flash.

Then the crashing started. As the violence on the upper floor escalated with the sound of breaking furniture, Savannah sent Callie into the kitchen to heat water for both Molly, and whomever survived what was happening upstairs. Alison quickly cleaned Molly's blood from the floor then removed the soiled towels onto a pile just inside the kitchen door. Before long, Callie returned to the table with a large bowl of warm water, and Savannah began to clean Molly's cut face. She noticed that it wasn't deep, but it did continue to bleed. She was sure that Doc Sam would have to stitch it closed.

Savannah helped Molly to the kitchen and seated her at the table. Callie removed the bowl of water and washed it out, so the doctor could have fresh warm water when he arrived. By the time the conflict in the west wing had ended, all evidence of anything out of the ordinary had been removed from the dinning room. Even Orin's chair had been righted and awaited his return. Molly shooed everyone out of the kitchen and back to their seats. She knew that Orin Brandon would not approve of all of them being in the kitchen with her, and she did not want to be the target of a new deluge of his anger, once he had satisfied this bout on Vernon.

Savannah was terrified, partly because she wasn't sure who she hoped to come down the stairs first. With his improved behavior the last two days, she was leaning toward her husband. For Alison's sake, she also hoped for Orin to triumph over Vernon. As she looked toward her daughter-in-law, she saw fear in her eyes as well. Savannah reached out to hold her hand and gave her a small smile. Callie looked down at Mary Alice, and was surprised to see that she was still sound asleep. She took her seat and followed the example set by the other two women. She sat with the same stoic exterior that Savannah and Alison attempted to portray. And with nothing more than that one act of resiliency and courage, Callie recognized the pain these two women lived with and vowed to be of help to Alison, and Savannah if she would allow it.

Savannah kept her eyes on the doorway, while Alison kept her eyes on the cradle that contained Mary Alice. As footsteps sounded on the staircase, all three women stiffened. The sound of labored breathing grew louder as the footsteps crossed the foyer, until Savannah gasped and squeezed Alison's hand tightly. Alison and Callie turned at the same time, to see Orin Brandon shuffle slowly to his seat. He nodded to the women as he pulled out his chair to sit down, and Savannah immediately left hers. She rushed to him, and examined the few scrapes and scratches he had on his face. Mostly she was concerned for his breathing.

"Slowly, please." She whispered to him. "Doctor Wilton will be here soon," she told him.

"I don't need a doctor," he huffed between shallow breathes, but he turned to her with a small smile on his blue tinged lips. "I'm fine, mother."

The knock at the door startled everyone. Alison rose to answer it, waving Savannah off so she could stay near Orin and continue to calm him and relax his breathing. Doctor Wilton entered the house out of breath.

"Some of the roads are still full of debris, so I just ran here." He informed Alison. "What has happened."

"Mary Alice and I are fine," Alison saw the doctor relax a bit, "but perhaps you should take a look at the elder Mister Brandon. I'm afraid he's quite-agitated." Alison informed him, as they walked to the dinning room.

Doctor Wilton set his black bag on the floor next to Orin's chair, and began by checking his pulse. By the time he had finished with Orin, he was breathing easier and his scratches has been treated.

"Whatever it was that you have been doing, sir, you need to not do it anymore." Doctor Wilton looked down at his patient. "This is not good for your heart."

"I do understand," Orin replied. "But while you are here, you may wish to check on my son." Orin looked toward the doorway. "I believe that he may be making his way down, now."

Everyone looked toward the door, except Alison. She kept her eyes on the cradle containing Mary Alice. She heard Vernon shuffle toward his chair and sit next to her at the table.

"Get me coffee, wife," he demanded of her.

Alison rose and turned away from him to go to the buffet table. She poured coffee from the carafe and sweetened it to his liking. She tried to look over his head as she placed the cup in front of him, but her hands were shaking so badly she nearly spilled it. When the cup was finally placed safely in front of her husband, she started to take her seat. Vernon turned to Alison and glared at her at the same moment she glanced to her right to see if the doctor was moving to check on him. She gasped, and raised the back of her hand to her mouth when she saw Vernon's face. His left eye was nearly lost in puffy folds of purple and red, his lips were swollen and bleeding, and the right side of his face was beginning to turn a horrible shade of purple and black.

Doctor Wilton had been frozen in place until Alison had gasped. He watched Vernon glare at her, as she backed away from the threat of violence his physical presence radiated. When he got to Vernon, Alison had stopped and stood near Savannah's chair, unable to move. She was frozen with one hand gripping the back of the chair and the other still in front of her mouth. He would have to check on her later, but first he had to see to Vernon. He examined his face for broken bones and loose teeth. He checked Vernon's head and eyes for signs of a concussion. Then he began to examine the rest of his body. He found a couple broken ribs, but everything else was just soft tissue bruising.

Doctor Wilton began binding Vernon's chest, to secure the broken ribs, and gave advise for the bruising.

"You are going to be stiff and in pain for several days," Doctor Wilton told Vernon. "You should take it easy for the next few days."

"I'll have Alexander dig out that old wheel chair," Orin offered. "You remember that one your grandfather used for all those years." He told Vernon, then addressed the doctor again. "He can supervise the workmen from it." He then began to eat his cold breakfast.

After Vernon's ribs were bound, the doctor moved to Alison. She still had not moved, but her hand was slowly dropping away from her face.

"Mrs. Brandon," the doctor called gently, "perhaps you should sit for a moment." He guided her to the chair next to Vernon, with her back to him, and examined her eyes.

Savannah was at the doctor's side in a flash.

"Is she alright?" Savannah asked.

"Just some mild shock." Doctor Wilton straightened and looked at his hostess calmly. "She needs rest." He smiled at Savannah and nodded to Orin.

"Please stay for breakfast," Orin offered.

"It looks and smells wonderful, but I must be getting on to the hospital. Your man caught me just as I was leaving for the hospital, for the day. So many are still recovering." He nodded to each member of the family and Savannah showed him to the door.

"Thank you for all your help, Doctor Wilton." Savannah held the door for him.

"Mrs. Brandon, try to keep them all calm. I know it's a big job, but this sort of activity is not good for your husband's heart—nor, it appears, is it good for your son's health. As for the younger Mrs. Brandon, she lost quite a lot of blood in the birth of your granddaughter. She needs a calm and quiet environment to recuperate in."

"Thank you Doctor. I'll do all I can."

"I'm sure you will," and the good doctor smiled and left.

When Savannah returned to the dinning room, everyone was eating their breakfast in complete silence. She took her chair, and continued to eat her cold breakfast, as well.

"What did the doctor have to say," Orin asked conversationally.

"He said that this sort of behavior was not good for your heart, or Vernon's health." Orin began to chuckle. "And that Alison needs a calm quiet environment to recuperate properly."

"Well, we'll just have to try to keep it down a bit," Orin smiled at his daughter-in-law.

Vernon seemed to take offense to Orin's attitude. "Look at me," he yelled at his father. "Do you see my face? And you're worried about..."

Orin slammed his fist on the table hard enough to scatter dishes, in all directions, all the way down the table. Alison jumped up and backed herself up to the buffet table, without taking her eyes from Vernon. Orin looked at her in surprise, then noticed that she was watching his son, not him. Just then, Mary Alice made her discomfort, at the days proceedings, known. Callie quickly gathered her up, and excused herself. She also watched Vernon as she left the room.

"Why are these women afraid of you?" Orin pointed his fork at his son. "And why would a near stranger to this house presume to protect an infant from her father?"

It was then that Savannah understood that her husband had believed Vernon's implication that Alison had been injured in the hurricane. "Orin, please. Perhaps now is not the time." She rose to go to Alison. "Alison, would you mind going to your rooms. You look like you could use a rest." Savannah smiled and Alison left the room, hugging the wall and never taking her eyes off Vernon. "Orin, could we please talk?"

"Very well, mother," but his eyes also never left Vernon. "I believe you have finished, son. The workmen will be here shortly. Perhaps you should go out and prepare for them." Then he called for Alexander and had the wheelchair brought to the front of the house. "Now mother, what is it," he said after Vernon has shuffled out the front door.

"Orin, you must remain calm. I thought you understood this, but I see now that you had no idea." Orin recognized this as Savannah's way of getting to a point that he was not going to like. "You have to accept that you have punished Vernon enough. and that will have to suffice."

"What is it, mother," this time it was not a question.

"Will you give me one moment to check on Molly?" He waved her off impatiently. Savannah entered the kitchen just as Doc Sam was cleaning up from stitching Molly's face. She checked the work and paid the doctor. "When you're ready Molly, please step into the dinning room." Molly nodded and Savannah returned to her chair at the dinning room table.

"And how is Molly?" Orin asked, sipping at a fresh cup of coffee.

"She has several stitches, but will heal fine."

"Now, you will continue. I am calm, and I understand the need to not beat our son again. So, what is it."

"Alison was not injured in the hurricane." Savannah stated simply.

She watched as Orin turned several shades of red and purple, before finally calming himself.

"Alright," he finally said. "He and I will discuss that, calmly, at another time. But that does not explain Mrs. Preston's behavior with Mary Alice."

Savannah turned at the sound of Molly entering the room.

"Molly, would you please tell Mr. Orin what you heard earlier this morning?" Savannah looked at Molly, and smiled to reassure her. "It's alright."

Molly took a step forward. "Yes, Miss Savannah." She nodded to Orin. "I thought I heard a noise early this morning. It was just before dawn. Mister Vernon was coming in. I did not catch him as he came in, so I went up the stairs to see if there was anything he needed. I thought he might want some coffee. But when I got to their rooms..." Molly hesitated.

"It's alright Molly. You were well within the scope or your responsibilities."

"Mister Vernon was—yelling at Miss Alison. I only heard the last of it. He told her to keep her brat quiet." Molly took a step back and lowered her head.

"Thank you Molly. Have Tella take over the kitchen duties for the day. I would prefer for you to keep an eye on Miss Alison. See that she rests."

"Alexander," Orin bellowed, and the gardener came bounding in from the kitchen, where he had been waiting since he had pulled the wheelchair into the front of the house.

"Yes, Mister Orin."

"Have Vernon's things taken from the west wing, and moved to any room on the far side of the east wing. See that there are proper working facilities on that side of the house. He should have no reason to enter the west wing at all."

"Yes, Mister Orin."

"Do it now, Alexander. If Vernon asks, you are working under my orders today. And Alexander," Orin thought for a moment before making a final decision, "move Molly's things to the vacated room." Then he addressed Molly. "Molly, you will see to it that Miss Alison rests and assist Miss Callie with Mary Alice. That shall be your job until further notice."

"Yes, Mister Orin." And Alexander was gone in a shot.

"Yes, Mister Orin," Molly nodded and left for the kitchen, to inform the others of the changes in job assignments.

Savannah took a deep breath, and let it out slow before she said another word. "Thank you, Orin."

"For what, mother?"

"For staying calm. I do so fear losing you too soon."

"You have not always felt that way, mother."

Savannah looked down at her empty plate, and frowned. "That is true," she whispered.

"Have I pleased you in some way?" Orin smiled at her.

"These last few days-greatly-my husband."

"I am pleased to hear that." Orin Brandon rose from his chair and walked to Savannah. He kissed her on the top of her head then whispered in her ear. "It seems I have been wrong about a great many things. I only hope it is not too late to correct some of them."

Savannah looked up into the eyes of her husband. "No, Orin. Not too late...for everything."

"Good," and he walked toward the front door. "Now I must have a...calm...conversation with my son." And he left the house.

Savannah began clearing the table, as Orin stepped out onto the front stoop and stood next to Vernon. The workmen were approaching the house, so Orin waited until Vernon had given his instructions to the men before he began his conversation.

"I promised your mother that I would remain calm," he started without looking down at his son. Vernon continued to watch the workman, as they began unloading there wagons and seting up their tools and ladders. "She has informed me that Alison's did not sustain her injuries in the hurricane."

"I never said that they were directly caused by the hurricane."

"Not in those words, but you did imply. You were very close to telling me a lie." Orin took a few deep breaths to calm himself, before continuing. "You do realize that your behavior caused the premature birth of your daughter."

"Her daughter. I requested a son."

"We cannot choose these things. When it comes to childbirth, we get what we get, and are thankful if the child is healthy. Not only did you jeopardize the life of your child, you jeopardized the life of your wife as well. And now you say that you are denying the child, simply because she is of the wrong gender to suit you?" Orin had to take more deep breaths, and walk away from his son for a few minutes.

Vernon gave his father the time he needed to calm down. He was not ready, physically, to have another go-around with him. When Orin began to breath normally again, and had returned to Vernon's side, it was his turn to do the talking.

"I was not the one that wanted this marriage," Vernon continued to watch the workmen, but kept his father in his peripheral vision. "You were the one that decided that Alison was the one for me. You forced me to court her. You had me play the generous, lonely suitor, all so she would fall in love with me. It was you who made the proposal to her parents. I never claimed to love her. You insisted on an heir. She did not provide it."

Orin Brandon was taken-aback by his sons complete lack of emotion concerning his daughter, and what he had done to his wife. He took several more deep breaths, but they were becoming difficult.

"How can you be so completely devoid of feeling?"

Vernon looked at his father, "I learned from the best." Then he turned back to the workmen.

"Your things have been moved to the east wing. You will have no reason to be in the west wing." Orin turned slowly and returned to the house. When he had closed the front door, he leaned his back against it and gave a great shuddering sigh.

Savannah, hearing him enter the house, stepped out of the dinning room and stared at him, terrified. Orin was pale and his breathing was shallow. When he raised his head his lips were tinged with blue again, and his eyes were pleading and filled with fear.

"What have I done?" he breathed to her, then slowly slid down the door to the floor.

Savannah ran to her husband, yelling for Molly and Alexander. When she reached Orin, she found that he was alive but his breathing was very shallow, and his heart seamed to be racing. She loosened his tie and wiped the sweat from his face with her dress. When he arrived, she sent Alexander to fetch the doctor for the second time that day, then had Molly help her move Orin to the parlor. There, they situated him on the small couch, and waited for the doctor to arrive. Molly rushed to the kitchen and returned with a basin of cool water and a towel, so Savannah could continue to wipe the sweat from her husband's face and forehead.

Orin woke up to Savannah loosening his shirt, in preparation for the doctor's arrival. He reached his hand to stop her, and hold her hand.

"Wife," Orin breathed.

"Yes husband." Savannah's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I have wronged you in so many ways." He kissed the back of the hand he held.

She felt the coldness of his lips, as they brushed the back of her hand. "Don't," she used her free hand to continue to wipe away the sweat that poured down his face.

"No. Now is the time. You tried to warn me that my behavior would be an example to our son. And he became my son instead of ours. I have created an unfeeling spoiled child of a man. I have done this, and you still stayed with me. I was unfaithful to you, and you knew this, and still you stayed with me. Why?"

"Quiet, the doctor is on his way."

"Answer me, in case he does not make it in time."

Savannah held back tears, as she looked into her husband's eyes. "Because I loved you. Maybe not as much as I did when we first married. But I do still love you."

"I have been a fool." Orin closed his eyes and sank into the couch.

Savannah checked him, and found he was still breathing when Molly showed Doctor Wilton into the parlor.

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