Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. However, I do own this plot and storyline. I also own my own original characters.

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, products, 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 franchise. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: I want to thank Lexi M. DeRanieri for her insight with this chapter. I would not have been able to write this without her and her knowledge. Nurses are angels in disguise, so make sure you show them the respect they so truly deserve.

I also want to thank a member of my local fire and rescue department for helping with the terminology. JD works hard to make sure our community is safe, a true hero to me.

In addition, a huge THANK YOU to my writing team. I love you girls and appreciate all the hoops you have to jump through for me.

This is THE chapter, the one you've been waiting on. Please DO NOT breakout the pitch forks. Just be patient and I will try to post the following chapter as early as possible.

**Tissue warning** Characters death.

Chapter 23: Burn It to the Ground

EPOV

Home! We're finally home.

Sunday we make it to The Pinnacles reef off the Alabama coast. We plan to take three daylight dives and one night dive. The night dive is a little scary at first, but once you look around and see the creatures that come out at night, your fear vanishes.

Monday morning we start the voyage home, stopping along the way to fish, swim, and play. The marina is a sight for sore eyes as we pull up on Wednesday afternoon. I think all the diving is finally catching up to me. Sarah actually drives us home, as she's the more alert one of us all.

We bring two ice chests full of our catches back with us to the excitement of everyone on the ranch. The pups are beyond ecstatic to see us, and Dasher hasn't left Cassie's side since our return.

Jasper is pleased with the progress made on the courtyard barn. He had left Sam in charge of making sure the building stayed on schedule while he was gone.

The rest of the week, we spend unpacking, resting, and getting Cassie back on a schedule. However, there's a change in the living arrangements. One, I'm happy to say is working out perfectly.

Wednesday night, after everyone had gone to bed, I lay tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Lleu and Mac have been sleeping in Bella's room at night and we didn't want to separate them, so I came to bed alone.

Hoping a drink will help tame the restlessness, I make my way downstairs. When I walk into the kitchen, I'm startled to see Bella sitting at the counter with a steaming mug in front of her.

"Pretty girl," I call softly in order to not scare her. "Why aren't you in bed? What's wrong?"

"I can't sleep," she responds quietly, looking up at me. The dim light over the stove reflects in her eyes.

"Are you feeling all right?" I ask, concerned. Usually if she can't sleep, she's in pain.

"Yeah," she whispers. "I feel fine. It's just … I'm lonely."

"What do you mean?" I inquire, sitting next to her at the counter. "The house is full of people."

"My bed is lonely," she clarifies. "I got used to sleeping next to you and now I don't wanna sleep without ya."

"What do you want, pretty girl?" I request gently, hope clear in my voice. "I can't read your mind, so you gotta tell me."

"I want you to move into my room," she asserts. "Make it our room, but only if ya want to. I feel like we're moving fast, yet, not fast enough. Does that even make sense?"

"Perfect sense," I admit, kissing her hard. "I would love nothing more than to go to sleep every night with you in my arms."

We went to bed once she finished her hot chocolate, falling asleep instantly.

The next morning, when Cassie finds us both snuggled in Bella's bed, she just climbs in the middle and falls back to sleep. There's no big announcement or explanation needed. Sarah and my mother help us move my things downstairs, organizing the room and closet so all of our stuff will fit.

Our room, as Bella now calls it, will be getting a makeover soon, according to her. She's so busy right now; the makeover will have to wait.

Bella and my mother are in the middle of planning the big fundraiser that will take place in the middle of October. So currently, I'm putting together two different, lavish menus for them to choose from. At a thousand dollars a plate, the menu better be lavish. The invitations and sponsor requests were already mailed out and the response has been incredible.

Jasper and his crew are knee deep in the completion of the courtyard barn now that the main structure is up. He and Bella made a few changes to the interior layout but nothing that will knock them off schedule.

With Heidi's adoption finalized and her living on the ranch permanently, Emmett and Rose are walking on cloud nine. Cassie couldn't be happier that she has someone to play with, or get in trouble with is more accurate. Those two little girls keep everyone on their toes around here.

"All right, you two." I hear Rose chide, bringing me out of my musings. "That's enough paint for today. Go wash up so we can eat lunch."

Little feet are heard running through the house as they go to the bathroom in the downstairs hall. Rose walks into the kitchen, where I'm pulling the last batch of potato cakes off the griddle, covered in paint. I chuckle at her disheveled appearance, earning a glare in return.

"I thought they were gonna paint placemats for the fundraiser?" I question with a smirk.

"I thought you were smarter than your brother," she counters, narrowing her eyes. "Do I need to smack you, too?"

"Nope, I'm good," I concede, waving the spatula at her so she doesn't come too close to me.

After much discussion and thought, Bella and Rose decided to homeschool Cassie and Heidi this year. They're going to see if the girls make more progress by learning in a home environment. Both of them have severe medical problems and more than likely, always will.

"Bites," Cassie demands, running into the kitchen with Heidi trailing her.

"Where are your manners?" I ask her, raising my eyebrow.

"Bites, peas," she requests in a softer tone, big blue eyes looking up at me.

"Much better, baby girl," I praise, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "Go sit and I'll bring your plates."

"You are so good with her," Rose whispers, drying her hands on the dishtowel. "She needs that direction and you never hesitate to give it. Just like a father."

I'm stunned by her words. I don't know how to even respond as I feel arms wrap around my waist from behind. "She's right, ya know? You're amazing with her and the closest thing she's ever had to a father. You love her and want her to be happy, that's all that matters. You'll both find your way as your relationship grows," Bella confirms, softly kissing me between my shoulder blades.

"Love you, pretty girl," I choke out, my emotions getting the best of me.

"As I love you," she reiterates by kissing me softly. "Now, where's my lunch?"

"Go sit down," I order, smacking her ass as she turns to walks away. "I'll bring it to y'all."

She shakes her hips playfully as she heads out of the kitchen toward the giggling girls.

The next few days, I stay busy planting the fall garden. Everyone pitches in to help when they can. I even take the two little munchkins with me to the feed store to buy more seeds and plants. We turn everything into a learning situation if we can.

Bella's in the process of training two horses, teaching Alice her techniques so she can help with the training in the future. Alice has also been volunteering at Dr. Gerandy's office so she can keep up her hours. She plans to take the state exam next month and wants to make sure she isn't lacking anything.

Angela and my father have also been volunteering their time: Angela at the nursing home with Sue and my father at the small hospital in town where Emily works.

It seems like everything is falling into place and everyone is finding their niche. The fact that no one has seen or heard from Jane or Embry is still keeping us on edge though. The girls are never out of our sight, and the alarm is always set at night.

Another downfall, Mr. Brady has taken a turn for the worse. Bella, Cassie, and I visit him daily and Angela provides updates regularly. His heart is just too damaged from the last heart attack he suffered. My girl believes he's giving up, wanting to join his wife in eternal life. The day Bella receives that call is going to be heartbreaking, although she's prepared for it, the reality will be a completely different thing.

Unfortunately, that reality comes a lot sooner than we expected. Sue calls as we're getting ready to make our daily trip into town to visit Mr. Brady. He's been in and out of consciousness all morning, closing his eyes and taking his last breath shortly after lunch.

Bella's devastated as I drive us to the nursing home. She wants to see him and make sure all his wishes are followed. Mr. Brady held a special place in my girl's heart. She spends the rest of the day making sure everything is handled correctly, scheduling the funeral for two days later.

The following day, Bella receives a phone call from Mr. Brady's attorney asking if he can come out to the ranch to speak with her, to which she agrees.

Ricky, as he asks us to call him, arrives thirty minutes later. Bella and I lead him into the ranch office where Jessica and Billy join the three of us.

"I'm going to get right to the point, Ms. Swan, as I know you're still grieving over your loss," Ricky explains, taking a stack of papers out of his briefcase. "Mr. Brady had no other family and listed you as his next of kin. In his will, he left everything to you, Sue Clearwater from the nursing home, and a Miss Cassandra Swan-Newton."

Bella gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. "Cassandra's my daughter. She has special needs and cannot make decisions for herself."

"So she's underage?" he inquires. Bella nods her head. "Do you have a trust and guardian directive set up for her?"

"I do," Bella confirms. "Her Aunt Jessica," she states, pointing to the woman in question, "is the executor over both. All the money from her deceased father's life insurance and the death benefits from the military are in the trust, along with her inheritance from her grandfather."

"Mr. Brady made this easy for everyone. He sold all his property and put everything into three trusts: one for her, one for you, and one for Sue. We can either combine this trust with the one she already has or leave it as it is now, with you as the executor."

"Leave it as a separate trust, but can you add Edward as another executor, just in case?" she questions. "How much is in this trust, anyway?"

"I can have him added once you sign all the documents," he offers. "The total in the account now is seven-hundred eighty-thousand."

"Um … okay … that is … wow," Bella stumbles. "I'm scared to ask about the trust he left for me."

"Yours is over two million." He hesitates. "But there's a clause. If you have any more children, you have to create a trust for them as well."

"That goes without saying," Bella assures. "I would also like it if you could add Billy Black as the executor on that trust. I'll contact my family attorney and have my will changed to reflect it as well."

Bella signs the required documents and he obtains the rest of our signatures where they're needed. After explaining he'll deliver the executed documents to her attorney, he makes his departure.

"I cannot believe Mr. Brady did that," Bella mutters, shaking her head. "Actually, I guess I can. He was always looking out for us."

"That he was," Billy agrees. "That he was."

The next day, everyone from the ranch attends the funeral. Billy had offered to stay behind, to make sure nothing happens to the ranch, but Bella says he needs to be there.

The service is beautiful; Sue even sings Mr. Brady's favorite song. He's laid to rest next to his wife. My girl is unbelievably sad, but when Cassie drops a handful of wild flowers onto the casket after it's lowered into the ground, a radiant smile covers her face.

"That's a sweet girl," she praises her daughter.

Sue invites everyone back to her house for lunch, which the diner in town catered. It isn't a sad affair, more of a remembrance of the great life of a giving man. You could see the peace wash over my girl as she listens to the stories of his life and shares a few of her own.

As we're getting ready to leave, an older gentleman walks up to Bella. "Professor, how are ya?"

"I'm good, darlin'," he greets, hugging her. "How's my favorite student?"

"You better not let any of your other students hear you say that." She laughs as he winks at her.

"Aww, hell," he snorts, "they know you're my favorite. And since you're my favorite student, I might have a former student who needs a job. You said when we talked last you needed someone to help with the horses, correct?"

"Yeah," Bella sighs, "a barn hand. Just had a courtyard barn built and I want to expand the breeding and training programs."

"His name's Zack," her former professor explains. "Excellent student! Graduated in May. He doesn't want to work for a vet or corporation, just with horses. He's a blue jeans kinda boy. Sharp as a whip, but not real social."

"Have him email me his resume," she suggests. "I'll talk to him; see if he's a fit. He'd have to do chores too, not just take care of horses all day. Although that's a full-time job."

"Thanks, sweetheart," he grunts. "I'll see ya soon. Definitely at the fundraiser."

We load Cassie up and head home; the others are already back to work by the time we get there.

Bella receives Zack's resume the next day and immediately sets up an interview with him. She and Billy end up hiring him on the spot. He's shy, quiet, but gets along with everyone. The boy busts his ass daily, cleaning stalls and helping take care of the horses. He even moves into the bunkhouse with Tyler and Eric.

I just finished folding a basket of laundry when Cassie and Heidi come running into the bedroom, dressed in their bathing suits.

"Pool," Cassie belts out. She used to be so quiet, but now that she's learning to use her words, her voice is getting stronger.

"Yes, ma'am," I agree. "Let me change and we'll go swimming."

We swim and play in the pool for a few hours. The water is starting to cool off, so this is probably the last time we'll get to swim before fall sets in.

Three days later, Mr. Stephenson calls Bella in tears. His wife passed away in her sleep the night before and he needs help making the arrangements. Bella and Sarah are out of the house and on their way over there as soon as she hangs up the phone. I'm not sure my girl can take much more heartbreak.

Mrs. Stephenson didn't want a funeral. She was scared to death of bugs and told her husband she didn't want to be buried in the ground with them. Therefore, he is having her cremated and wants to spread the ashes in the ocean since she loved the water so much.

Therefore, the following week, Bella, Billy, Sarah, and Mr. Stephenson drive to Kemah to take the boat out and spread her ashes. We have a small memorial service when they return. Eric moves in with Mr. Stephenson to help care for their animals, but the old man decides after a few days, that Bella should just open the gate between the two properties and let the cattle roam with hers.

"It's your land now, sweetheart," Mr. Stephenson tells her firmly. "That includes the livestock."

"Well then, I expect you here to eat at least once a day," she rebuts, hugging him. "Ya still have us; all of us."

He does show up all the time now, even if it's just to chat or watch the girls play. He's lonely and missing his wife. Who can blame him?

They say all bad things happen in threes and I'm praying that isn't true. Unfortunately, my prayers go unanswered.

The loud barking of Dasher awakens me. As soon as I sit up to see what the problem is, Bella's jumping out of bed, chanting, "No, God, please no." She rushes to the bedroom door, almost ripping it off the hinges.

I pick up the pace at the sound of her screams and the alarms going off in the distance. I meet up with her in the hall with Cassie in her arms and Dasher on her heels. I grab the pups, who seem to be scared to move from the hallway.

Bella pushes the red button on the alarm pad next to the kitchen door just as the others come running down the stairs. A loud voice comes through the speaker next to the keypad, "Leon County Fire and Rescue, what's your emergency?"

"Barns," Bella yells, slipping her feet into her boots and handing Cassie to my dad. "The barns are on fire."

"Verify your location," the voice is heard. I hand the pups to my mother, she and my father turn to leave out the backdoor.

"Swan Lakes Ranch, 16402 FM 3," she replies, running toward the front door at the same time Jessica and Seth are coming through the back.

"We're dispatching units to you now," I hear the lady confirm as I rush out behind Bella.

I can make out the guys rushing around in a flurry as Bella and I run across the yard toward the barns. Billy is yelling out orders. "Turn on the emergency pumps, we can't let it spread."

Once in earshot of the guys, Bella's screaming, "Hit the release! Hit the release! We have to save the horses!"

It looks as if she's going to run into the barn when Billy grabs her. "It's too far gone, Bella, don't you dare go into that. We hit the release as soon as the alarms went off."

She drops to her knees and the agonizing wail that comes from her breaks my heart. "God, no," she cries out.

We're standing there, in the grassy area between the barns and utility building, watching the hay and stallion barns burn, when a cackling comes from the shadows behind us. I turn just as Jane steps into the ray of light coming from a floodlight on a pole at the edge of the yard.

"I'll kill you, bitch," Bella roars, moving toward Jane in pure rage. However, she halts in her tracks when Jane's hand comes from behind her back.

"You're not so big and bad now, are you?" Jane sneers. "Not when I'm the one with the gun."

"Put the gun down and I'll show you bad," Bella taunts, smirking at Jane. "You ain't woman enough to take me on."

"What do you want, Jane?" I finally ask, pulling Bella beside me. "I don't even know you; so enlighten me as to why you are doing this."

"Oh, it's simple," Jane giggles, her eyes wild. "You took what I love from me, so I'm going to destroy what, or maybe I should say who, you love."

"What are you talking about?" I inquire, confused by her words. "What did I take from you?"

"Tanya," she states, shrugging her shoulders as if her answer is obvious. "She said you were blind and stupid. I guess she was right about that. Tanya was my lover, and we were going to run away so we could be together, but her father had to go and fuck it up.

"She promised she would only stay with you long enough to pay off that jackass and drain you so we could live where ever we wanted."

"You're fucking crazy," Bella blurts out, taking a step toward her.

"I don't know what he sees in you," Jane rebuts, anger flashing in her eyes. "You're just a small town whore. Embry was right; your family gets everyone killed. Now you have that stupid boy's death on your hands, too. If he'd just listened, I wouldn't have had to leave him in the barn to burn. Actually, if all the tires had blown out as I planned; I never would've had to come to this shitty, little town. Everyone's always fucking up my plans. Well, not anymore. It's about time for the great Edward Cullen to know what true pain is."

Her callous words make my stomach turn, my hand tightening on Bella's just as the sirens are heard in the distance.

"You'll pay for this, bitch, if it's the last thing I do; you will pay," Bella growls out, threatening her as she lets go of my hand and steps closer to Jane.

"Actually, I believe this is the last thing you'll do," Jane coos, raising the gun, pointing it at Bella and me.

Bella turns, shoving me. I stumble backward just as shots rings out. Both Bella and Jane collapse on the ground. All I can hear is the outcry of my own agony as I rush to Bella.

I see Jane reaching for her dislodged gun, and I dive for it at the same time, struggling to get it out of her hands. Before she can pull the trigger, another shot resonates. I look over my shoulder to see Sarah holding her rifle; when I turn back, Jane is no longer moving.

Angela is immediately next to Bella, checking her over as I crawl to her side. "Where are you hit? Hey, stay awake, Bella. Tell me where it hurts?" Angela demands.

"My … side," Bella breaths out just as my father appears, first aid kit in hand.

"Sweetheart," he calls, clearly distressed. "I know it hurts, but try to stay with me."

My eyes never leave my girl, laying on the ground with blood soaking her pajamas. Not even the sound of the fire trucks pulling up and orders being shouted makes me look away.

I cannot believe this is happening, that Seattle followed me here.

People are yelling around me, paramedics surround Bella and Jane. I fight against the arms trying to pull me from my pretty girl. "Come on, Edward, let them take care of her."

I can feel the tears streaming down my face as I look up at to see Garrett, sobs breaking from me, burning my throat. "She has to be OK. Please make sure she's OK," I beg.

"They'll do everything they can," he vows, pulling me from the ground. As soon as I'm on my feet, Jessica flies into my arms, bawling right along with me.

They load Bella into the waiting ambulance, my father climbing in with her. Another group of paramedics is loading Jane, whose body is completely covered by a sheet. Red-hot anger spreads through me. I hope that crazy bitch rots in hell.

Garrett leads me over to one of the cruisers, directing me to sit in the passenger seat. I can hear the crackling voices coming through the car's speakers as commands are relayed and more fire trucks are enroute. The next call I hear draws my attention.

"Medic 4 to District 2," a male voice calls over the radio.

"District 2, go ahead Medic 4," the static clears as Chief Tanner's voice replies.

"Medic 4 heading South on FM 3 requesting Life Flight," the male voice reports.

"Standby, Medic 4," Chief Tanner rushes out. "Leon County District 2 to Life Flight command."

"Houston Life Flight, go ahead District 2," a deep voice comes across the radio.

"Leon County District 2 Medic 4 requesting Life Flight assistance," the chief relays.

"Go ahead Medic 4," the voice of Life Flight command directs as the paramedic gives the information.

"Thirty-four year old female with a GSW to the left upper quadrant of her abdomen. Patient is in respiratory arrest, manually ventilating with BVM. Blood pressure is 60 over 20. Bilateral IVs and two large bags of LR flowing wide-open. Patient is in Trendelenburg position at this time. She's bradycardic; heart rate was steady in the fifties, but is now dropping. We've administered one milligram of Atropine," the ambulance personnel reports.

"LF6 in route, standby to issue coordinates," the Life Flight dispatcher states, confirming they're on the way.

My heart shatters. My girl is failing.

Medical term glossary:

GSW - Gun Shot Wound

BVM - Bag-valve-mask ventilation

LR - Lactated Ringer's

Trendelenburg position - the body is laid flat on the back with the feet higher than the head by 15-30 degrees

Bradycardia - a slower than normal heart rate.