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Chapter 34 – Letters

EDWARD

I snuggled into Bella's side, bringing her sleeping form against me. I smiled when I saw she had the toilet paperI'd brought back to her wrapped in her arms. I kissed the back of her neck, and she stirred a little, whispering my name, but didn't wake. I loved that she was dreaming of me.

Writing the letters to our families had brought forth how real things still were on the outside. We had been in our own little bubble here on the island, but the pirates had popped it. The fact that, at some point, we'd be going home was becoming very real. I looked at the sweet innocent girl lying in my arms, and I realized that I loved her, but I couldn't drag her into the insanity that was my life. I couldn't force her to deal with the crap that'd had me trapped in an insane asylum. It just wasn't fair to her.

I snuggled closer, holding her tighter, realizing what I had to do. I planned on staying, but I would send her back to civilization with Jacob, so they could be with their families. I didn't think I would be able to survive another stay in the crazy house. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't handle people looking at me with disgust, thinking I had done something so horrible. I just couldn't make her go through that with me.

With this realization, I knew that I couldn't move our physical relationship any further. She was a virgin, and I couldn't make her first time be a sad memory. I wanted it to be something beautiful that she would always remember with someone she loved. That was what a first time should always be. I hoped she would still hold me and love me like she had been doing for the past month, but I'd understand if she became withdrawn after I told her that I wasn't going back. I just couldn't do it.

She rolled over, draping her arm and leg over me and squishing the toilet paper between us. I couldn't help but smile at her, so sweet, so beautiful in my arms. I had hoped she would be in my arms forever. I was just sorry, now that I realized it couldn't be.

I woke up late into the next day to Jacob climbing over me and patting my face. "Up! Up!" he said. I gave him a tickle attack for disturbing my sleep and carried him out to find Bella milking the goat.

I leaned down and kissed her head. "Morning, beautiful," I said.

She chuckled, "Afternoon, sleepyhead. I figured after the night you had, working and running back and forth delivering our letters to the captain, you could use the rest."

Polly flew down from the tree onto my shoulder. I saw Oliver eyeing warily her and smirked. That's right, monkey boy, you stay away from us, you little shit slinger.

I had been tired, but I was excited to be able to contact Emmett and let him know for certain that we really were alive. I'd spent a good bit of the night making sure the badly injured men were stabilized, before running back to the cave to compose my letter to Emmett and have Bella write hers to her dad. I was grateful to Captain Tagger for offering to deliver the letters, and I just hoped Bella's father didn't figure out where we were and charter a boat just so he could come find us and shoot my ass, before my innocence could be proven.

That would be just my luck.

CAPTAIN TAGGER

Neither letter given to me was sealed.

I tried to resist and give them some semblance of privacy, but the letter to the girl's father seemed to call to me in a way that made my heart ache. I despised aching and took it out on my crew. They knew something was wrong, but no one dared ask, for fear they'd be thrown overboard.

I fingered the letter to Charles Swan once more and finally gave in. The first word on the paper made the aching in my heart throb.

Daddy.

I pressed on and continued to read.

"Daddy,

I know you think this is some sort of trick, especially since the letter is being delivered by what I am guessing is a shady-looking man, but I promise you it really is me. I haven't met the man that is delivering the letter, because Edward wanted to keep me a secret from the pirates that landed on the island.

That's right, Daddy, I'm alive and living on an island. I know, hard to believe. It has been one wild experience, but Edward is keeping me safe. He looks out for me, and luckily, he's a doctor, so he can fix anything I break with my Bella Swan grace.

God, Daddy, I miss you so much. My birthday just passed not too long ago. Edward celebrated with me, but he noticed I was sad. I missed you and that stupid diner I used to despise. When I get back, we are going there. At this point, diner food sounds freaking amazing!

Just so you know, I am never making those coconut macaroons you like so much again. I've had enough coconut and bananas to last me a hundred lifetimes. If I never see another banana or coconut for the rest of my life, that will be fine with me.

Just be ready to take some time off when I get back. You, me and lots of Little Debbie snacks. God, I miss those. We are going to sit around eating those and pizza all week. We can go fishing, but just keep in mind I really don't want to eat fish. We eat that almost daily, and I know we did at home, too, which I am thankful for. You taught me so many ways to prepare fish it really has been a life saver here. You would be proud of me. I do all the fishing. That's right, I'm living out your dream, and I fish every day, Dad. See, I knew you would be jealous. God, I miss you.

Just know I am fine and well taken care of, even though I am stuck on this damn island. It is better than the alternative, which is death. Just think of me as being on a very long tropical vacation, one that will leave me standing in the shower for an entire day when I get home. Soap! I want lots of soap! You really can only get so clean in a waterfall. Oh, to be truly clean. Put showering on my list of things I'm doing when I get back. So far we have showering, eating at the diner, Little Debbie snacks, pizza, and hugging you, but not necessarily in that order. You are first of course, and then the shower. Then we can go eat breakfast at the diner and relax, watching a game while eating Little Debbie snacks and order pizza for dinner. God, that sounds like a perfect day right now. I miss you so much, Daddy.

When Edward said I could write you a letter, I was so excited, but I just can't seem to fit everything onto one page. Just know that I miss you more than anything in the world right now, and I will be coming back to you eventually. It'll be a while, but don't lose hope. I love you, Daddy.

Okay, now on to the important stuff. I have mentioned Edward a couple of times in this letter. Just know he is a good man, even though I am sure you will hear some really bad stuff about him. He needs your help, Daddy. I have lived with him for over five months now, and I promise you he is not crazy or a rapist.

I know that last word has you shocked, but you will get the whole story if you look up his brother, Emmett Cullen. He'll tell you why he was falsely accused of both. Edward has explained everything to me, and I promise you he is not guilty, Daddy. He has been a complete gentleman the whole time we've been here. We owe him, Daddy, and we have to help him. He has saved me so many times it isn't funny. The man that delivered this letter is doing so, because several of the pirate crew members were attacked by a mountain lion. Edward, being the doctor, went to help them and saved their men.

The thing is, Daddy, not long ago, Edward himself fought off three mountain lions on his own to save me. I was surrounded by a momma and two cubs that were not very small at all. He only had a makeshift bow and arrow to use on them, and I thank God he came back to me. I was so worried that night as I waited for him in the hut. I was sure he was gone for good, leaving Jacob and I alone, when he went to find their bodies.

Jacob is a baby that Edward saved from the plane crash. See, I told you he was a good man. He saved him, and we take care of him, we both have grown very attached to the little boy. We love him like a son. Watching Edward with him makes me miss you. The only thing that makes it alright is that I know I'll see you again soon.

Just know when I come back that I will be bringing some chickens, a dog, a parrot, and a monkey. I think I may have to leave the goats behind. Edward and I talked about who will come and who will stay when we are rescued, and he has made some very good points about the goats being able to handle staying. I guess it depends on the size of the boat if we can bring the goats or not. Just don't be surprised when I show up with my own zoo as Edward calls it. He thinks I should be a veterinarian. He says I have a way with the animals. I think I just might do that.

Look at that. I finally found some direction in life, too bad I had to get lost on a deserted island to do it. Of course, you always said I did things differently, I guess this just proves it.

I love you, Daddy. I know I didn't say it much, but I hope you know it's true. I'm sorry I haven't visited you more often. There was no reason to avoid you by staying at school in Illinois. I know you pushed me to go to school and then to stay in college, because you loved me. I'm sorry that I didn't visit you more when I had the option. It's crazy how not being able to do something makes you want to do it so much more. I'm so sorry I pushed you away. Please forgive me.

I love you and miss you more than you can imagine.

Your, Bella-boo,"

I rubbed my wet eyes. Her letter would be delivered first.

CHARLIE SWAN

I sat in my chair, watching the phone and hating it at the same time. I knew Bella was gone, but I still somehow thought she'd call me to let me know she was alright. I missed our Sunday chats. Some days, I'd forget she was gone and wonder how she was doing in school out in Chicago, but then I'd remember she wasn't there anymore.

When I heard the knock on the door, I didn't bother to get up. No one worth talking to knocked on my door. There was no reason to answer it if they weren't coming in.

"Mr. Swan?" a man's voice called.

I knew right then that this guy was from out of town, because everyone else called me Chief Swan or Charlie. I hadn't been called Mr. Swan for years. I figured I had better see who it was that was lurking around my small town.

I opened the door to see a stern-looking man who had a scar down his cheek. He looked a little relieved when I answered the door.

"I'm glad I finally got you. Your schedule is unusual."

I looked him up and down, wondering how long he had been watching my schedule. I noticed he was fumbling with something in his hand, and I recognized the writing as Bella's. It was a letter addressed to me. I wanted to snatch it from his hand, wondering where he'd gotten that and why I hadn't seen it before.

He noticed me looking at it and quickly held it out to me. "She wanted me to give you this."

My eyes narrowed at him. "Who are you?" She never talked about any boys, and I didn't think she would hang out with this fellow.

He let out a breath, "Just someone that ran into her. I hope this gives you some answers and hope," he said and then hurried off the porch. I watched as he jumped into a rental car and took off.

I memorized the plate. I figured I could look him up after I read my letter.

What I found shocked me. The words I read did give me hope. My baby girl was alive!

I jumped up, ready to call the coast guard to go get her and bring her back, but I still had no idea where she was. I panicked a little when she told me she was on the island with a crazy rapist and truly hoped to God that she was right, that he was innocent. I would know very soon.

I looked over the contact information for Emmett Cullen and decided to take a little trip out to Chicago, to see just what my girl was dealing with.

EMMETT

I had Rose move her research to my place. She, the judges and lawyers could work and not be bothered, nor would anyone think to look at my place for them. We were all still on guard, since that crazy bastard had come after them at Rosie's.

We all jumped a little when the doorbell rang. I told the others to stay put and out of sight, and I'd get the door. I opened it to seen a strange man smiling widely at me.

"Haws you doin, Sir brother Emmett?" he said in some crazy accent.

I didn't really know how to answer that. "Fine?"

"So good, ya. Na, I gots a piece fo you," he said holding up a folded piece of paper that looked to be from Edward. "Cap'n put 'is number dare," he said pointing to what I think was a post office box address. I didn't know if that meant I could write Edward back or if it was just to get in touch with the shipman that had brought me the letter.

"Thank you."

I took it, and he smiled widely. "We's took from da Puerto Vallarta hospital in Cancun. He say yous want to fix dat."

I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but I figured the letter would tell me. "Would you like to come in?"

"Sures, dat be fittin nice."

I figured that was a yes. "Would you like something to drink?"

"I's a parched fish, so's dat be nice."

I led him to my kitchen table and offered him a beer and he took it readily. I sat down and started reading the letter. Edward had helped some pirates, and he wanted me to donate to whatever hospital they used to get supplies. I would have to look up a number and call down there to see what was taken.

Other than that, he seemed to sound happy from his letter. The girl who was with him was named Bella. He talked a lot about her. I was glad she was making him happy. Alice had said his time on the island was good for him. I was glad she was right.

"Well, Sir, I's be gone. I gots a ship ta catch," he said smiling. "Looks like yous gots good news. Dat's a fine ting ta see."

It was then I realized that this man had probably seen my brother in person not long ago. I jumped up and grabbed his shoulder. "How was he? Did he look okay? Was he doing alright?"

The man looked at my hands and then my face. He must have seen that I wasn't going to hurt him. I was just excited to get news from my brother.

"Yaw knows, he be fine, a bit squashy, but Cap'n gots 'em a blade to cuts him back. You sees 'em face now, I guess."

I wasn't sure exactly what all that meant, but I think he said Edward was fine. "A blade?" I asked

"Yessum, to cuts it back," he said moving his hand like he was shaving. I grabbed the man and hugged him. I finally figured out that he was fine, hairy, but the captain had given him a razor.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Iz jes a blade, is nuttin' fo' what he dids for me's crew. We's owed him a life. 'Lees we could do."

I laughed and hugged the man again. He patted my back laughing. "Yous good boys. Be takin' care now," he said prying himself out of my arms and heading for the door.

"Thank you," I said waving the letter at him. He nodded and grinned, tipping his hat and hopped into the passenger side of a waiting car.

It was a week later that I had another knock on the door, and I was nervous when I saw a uniformed officer standing on the other side. The last one who had showed up during Rosie's research meetings didn't end well. I noticed his uniform wasn't a normal one, or at least it was not a local one. I opened the door warily.

"May I help you?"

"Yes, I'm looking for Emmett Cullen, brother of Edward Cullen."

"Who's asking?"

"Chief Charles Swan, Bella's father."

"Bella, the girl stranded with Edward! You got a letter, too?"

"Yes, I did. I wasn't too thrilled about some of the information I found out. She insists that Edward is innocent, but I'd rather get the facts first."

I quickly invited him in and took him to the room the research was being done in. Everyone froze and looked up worried.

"This is Chief Swan," I introduced him to all the judges, and he gave me a questioning look. "The judge that presided over Edward's case was dirty, and we're gathering evidence to clear his name."

The Chief seemed to let out a relieved breath. "How can I help?"

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review!