I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. 13
(EPOV)
It was just after breakfast as the group of us headed down to the riverbank. Masen was running ahead of us. Alice and Bella were following more slowly behind us talking quietly. Both had said that they didn't want to miss this.
"Okay, first thing we do is find a good spot," I told Masen as we reached the riverbank.
"How about here?" he raced over to a spot where the water was moving swiftly.
"A calmer area would be better," Jasper explained looking around. "Over there looks good." He pointed to an area slightly down river from where we were.
The river had formed a slight inlet. The girls settled on a fallen log as Jasper and I placed our things down by the riverbed's edge.
"Can I put the worm on?" Masen asked picking up his rod then making a grab for the worms.
I grabbed the container before we had worms everywhere.
"Let me help you. The hook can be very sharp," I warned him. "Why don't you pick out a worm from the container?" I suggested.
He bent down and managed to get the lid off with a little persistence. He dug his hand in and pulled out several worms dangling on his fingers that were also now covered in soil.
"Cool. Look." He held out his hand to show everyone.
"Ew…" Alice wrinkled her nose.
Bella rolled her eyes and just smiled.
"Put them back, please, before you lose them." Bella requested nonchalantly. Since she fished with Charlie for years so she was unphased by the worms. Masen dropped them in one at a time until he had one left. He wiggled it around with a big smile on his face.
"It reminds me of spa…ghet…ti," he sounded out the last word slowly.
"Again..ew," Alice blanched, suddenly her face became more mischievous. "Hey, Masen, have ever heard about the book How to Eat Fried Worms?"
I shot her a look of disapproval, I didn't want Masen to get any ideas to eat the worm.
"No." Masen shook his head as he looked very interested.
"It's about a boy who was dared to eat worms," Alice explained and the evil glint in her eyes grew. "You know how Uncle Jasper gave you a dollar for getting me to kiss a frog. Well I think we should dare Uncle Jasper to eat a worm. If he does it, I'll give you a whole ten dollars." Alice smiled cheekily at Jasper.
"Alice." Bella gave her an irritated look.
"What?" she batted her eyes innocently.
"I rather that you and Jasper didn't use our son to get back at each other or for foreplay, or whatever it is that you're doing," I announced lowly.
Jasper and Alice both had the decency to look contrite. However, it was too late.
"Will you eat him?" Masen was dancing in front of Jasper holding up the wiggling worm.
Jasper looked at the worm then glanced at Alice with one eyebrow raised. He took the worm from Masen. He bent over and washed it off in the water. He stood back up, tossed the worm in the air, opened his mouth and caught it in his mouth and swallowed it whole.
He grinned and then winked at Masen and then at Alice. I sighed heavily in defeat. I suppose there was no way around it after Alice brought it up.
"Awesome. Can I do that?" Masen was awed by Jasper display. He dove for the container of worms.
"No," Bella answered quickly, giving Alice a disappointed look.
Alice hunched her shoulders sheepishly and mouthed 'sorry'. Masen dropped the worm disappointedly.
"Your mom is right. Besides, we need to save these guys for the fishes. Can you find me another one for your hook?" I distracted him quickly.
Masen bent down and dug the dirt pulling a good fat one. "Here." I took it from him and got it hooked for him.
"Alright, now this is how you cast." I held down a button and flicked my wrist. The cast went nowhere. I heard giggling behind us and chose to ignore it. My ears burned slightly in embarrassment.
"It goes more like this." Jasper tried to cast and it landed about a foot away. The girls started laughing even harder. "Can either of you do it better?" Jasper turned and challenged them.
Bella stood up and strode over. She took the rod from Jasper and with a quick smooth movement casted the line out. It landed in a good spot several feet away. With a smirk she handed the rod back to Jasper.
"You know how to fish, Mommy." Masen looked up with wide eyes.
"I do. Your grampa Charlie taught me when I was a little girl." She smiled sadly hugging herself slightly. She reached over and showed me the proper way to cast. I was able to cast out almost as far as she did. I handed the rod back to Masen who was smiling gleefully. I glanced over my shoulder as Bella took her seat next to Alice. Alice said something too quiet to hear. Bella nodded sadly before looking back at us. She gave me another sad smile before glancing back at Masen. She started to smile more genuinely.
"Masen, you got a bite," she called out.
I turned to see his bobber was bouncing and the line was tugging.
"What do I do?" Masen's eyes were wide. He almost dropped the pole but I caught it. I helped him reel in a nice sized trout.
"Look, I caught a fish!" Masen squealed excitedly. He poked at it and jumped when it started flipping on the line.
"Whoa, he's sippery," Masen commented with glee.
"He's slippery." I corrected.
"Uh huh," Masen didn't catch I tried correct him. He was so wrapped up in the fish. I chuckled and let it go.
"Should we free him or get him in the bucket to cook for dinner?" I asked him.
"Wait, I want a picture of Masen's first fish." Alice called standing up. I helped get Masen posed with his fish and stepped back out of the picture. "Say, Cheese."
"Cheese," Masen had an ear-splitting grin on his face. She snapped a picture.
"Okay, now one with your mom and dad." She ordered, then proceeded to gesture for us to get in the picture too.
I knelt on one knee on one side of Masen while Bella crouched on the other side.
"Okay, one more time, Cheese!"
"Cheese!" We answered back in unison, the camera snapped again. Masen started to take off soon after.
"Uncle Japer, look!" He was in such a hurry that he bumped into Bella causing her to lose her balance. She fell backwards towards the river. I made a lunge for her but my foot slipped on a rock and I sent us both into the water. We both stood up spluttering, cold and very wet.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
Bella's face was registered in complete shock. Jasper had his hand over his mouth trying to conceal his laughter. Alice smirked and took a picture while her shoulders shook with laugher. Masen stared at us bugged-eyed.
Suddenly Bella broke out into peals of laughter beside me. She started laughing so hard she started to cry. After a moment she managed to control her laughter. "Why is it I always end up in the water when I go fishing with someone?" she still giggled.
"I don't know but if Charlie is watching he's probably laughing right now." Alice giggled with.
"Probably," Bella said wistfully, as she became more somber.
"I sorry," Masen looked upset.
"It's okay, sweetie, accidents happen." Bella smiled. "But that is one of the reasons why we say no running near the edge, okay?"
"Okay… I sorry, Daddy." He still looked upset.
"It's okay, I needed a bath anyways," I answered jokingly.
He grinned back at me.
"So, if I'm cooking that fish, we need to get it in the bucket." Bella made her way back to shore. She didn't react when I steadied her when she started to slip.
"I think we should let him go. I don't wanna kill him." Masen bit his lip.
"Here, let me see him then." Jasper knelt and removed the fish from the hook. He then tossed him into the river.
"I'm freezing, so I'm going to go change quickly. Do you want me to cast your line first?" Bella asked Masen as she rubbed her arms.
"I got it. I got too cocky last time. I know what I did wrong. Go ahead, both of you, before you get sick." Jasper picked up Masen's rod. "Can you get me a worm, bud?" Masen nodded and went for the container.
"Why don't you two just stay up there and get lunch ready. We can meet you back up there in about half an hour." Alice suggested.
I glanced at Bella who glanced at Masen who didn't seem to notice the exchange. Bella shrugged and agreed then started walking. I caught up to her and fought the urge to look at how her wet shirt clung to her body.
LB
We ran back to car realizing too late that we were going to be caught in a storm. I held the car door open for her and she dove inside before getting in myself.
I jumped in immediately, started it up and turned up the heat.
"I think I have some extra clothes in the car from practice if you want to change." I reached in the back and grabbed my bag, pulling out my sweatshirt and a t-shirt.
I turned back to her. Her shirt clung to every curve of her body. Practically around the breast. Her nipples were pressed against the fabric. My hand reached out so that my thumb brushed against her. She hissed with pleasure, as she closed her eyes and bit her lip.
"Is this okay?" I asked. She nodded and I reached down, slowly lifting up her shirt. Her bra had been white, but was now see through since it was wet too. I started off kissing her before moving to her neck while I caressed her breasts. She dug her hands into my hair and guided my head down until it was buried between the valley of her breasts. I brushed the fabric aside and kiss her breast tenderly before lightly sucking in her nipple. She moaned with pleasure and my pants tightened. Before this we hadn't done anything more than kissing.
"Back?" I mumbled into her chest. She pulled back and I glanced up at her hooded eyes. She bit her lip and nodded. I slipped though first then helped her back. She straddled me and I reassumed kissing the opposite breast. Her hips gently rocked into me and I moaned into her breast.
She pulled back then slid off my lap. "I think we should stop." She was breathing heavily while she looked at me apologetically. I kissed her lightly to show her I wasn't upset.
"You're probably right. At least, we are warm now." I grinned cheekily.
LB
Bella and I quickly made our way up to the house. I pulled my phone that was inside a ziplock bag out of my pocket. Holding my breath I checked it and was relieved that it was still working.
"The ziplock bag idea was a great one. Thank you, I would've lost it if you didn't suggest it." I thanked her.
"No, problem. It was a trick Charlie had learned after he lost one too many to the water when fishing over the years." She shivered as she spoke. "I forgot how cold the water is here."
"Why don't you jump in the shower first to warm up? I'll change and start some lunch for everyone. Masen prefers smooth peanut butter right?" I suggested.
"Yes, and make sure you cut off the crusts, please," Bella answered. "Thank you for offering to make lunch."
"My pleasure," I held the patio door opened for her as we entered through the kitchen.
Bella went into hers and Masen's room and I entered through the guest room and went to my bag to grab a change of clothes. I hadn't bothered to unpack in case we had to leave in a hurry.
I was just pulling off my wet jeans when I heard the shower start up. To avoid inapropriate daydreams I grabbed my shirt and phone and left the room. I pulled my shirt on as I headed back down to the kitchen.
I tossed my phone on the counter as I went to the fridge and pulled out some fruit to make a fruit salad. I lifted a bowl down and placed it next to the cutting board. I was starting to peel an apple when my phone rang.
"Finally," I muttered when I noticed it was Tanya finally calling us back. It took them long enough. I pressed the speaker so I continue working.
"Edward Cullen," I answered.
"Ah, Edward, it's Tanya. I'm returning your call. I must say I'm very excited to be working with you. I think we will make great partners," her voice purred on the line.
I rolled my eyes as I ignored her hidden meaning.
"Actually, Agent Denali, Bella Swan and I both called you," I replied while I sliced up the apple.
"Please, call me Tanya." She insisted. "So she and the boy are with you?" she prodded.
"Yes. She and my son are with me at the moment. We couldn't leave them there in danger," I answered.
"No, I suppose I can see why you didn't. But you should have contacted us immediately." She reprimanded.
"Well, I didn't look at the card you gave me until yesterday. I had forgotten all about it," I answered truthfully moving on an orange.
"What is done is done. Where can we meet to get a statement? She needs to be prepared to give us as much details as she can about Alec's dealings, the more names, dates and types of drugs the better." Tanya started off on a tangent. I interrupted her quickly.
"Bella had been unaware of any of that. She wasn't aware he was dealing or of his family real business before we talked to her."
"Are you sure she knows nothing? What else can she even give us then?" She sounded very unhappy. Her tone was starting to piss me off.
"How about the fact that he has been beating her on a regular basis. Of course, there is also child endangerment," I answered rather harshly. Were they blind to it? It took Jasper and me all of one minute to see it.
"Unfortunately, that information doesn't help us." Tanya's reply pushed my anger through the roof. I slammed the knife down on the table and felt a sting, but I ignored it.
"What do you mean that doesn't help you? He was hurting her daily and threatening her if she left he would kill our son. He targeted and trapped her unknowingly into a relationship for his self-gain. Somehow he found out she was pregnant before she even met him and started rumors around our small hometown that he was the father, purposely turning the town and my parents against her until she felt alone. He interfered with the mail and had the letters she tried to send me about Masen back unopened. He tried to claim my son as his own and started beating her when she refused to allow him. Then he killed her father when she went to him for help. How many more crimes does he need to commit for you to process him?"
"In order for him to be charged for most of those crimes Bella would have to press charges with the police and ask for a restraining order. We don't handle domestic abuse. If we can prove he messed with the mail we could process him, but that would be like a slap on the wrist for someone like Alec. He would be back out on the streets in a couple of years. Charging him for murdering a police officer is possible but he had been cleared of those charges and someone is already serving time for it. Bella would have to testify against him," Tanya's voice was cool as she responded back. "Look, he doesn't know she is gone yet. If she was to go back, so she could…" I stopped her there.
"Are you crazy? There is no way in hell she or Masen are going back. You act as if don't care what happens to them as long as you get evidence of drug charges against him!" I hollered. There was dead silence on the other line and then a huff.
"Edward, you have to understand that Alec's family has to go down no matter what it takes. If we have to take risks to get results, we have to do it. We have to leave emotions out of it." Did she just tell me that Bella and Masen were expendable?
"You, bitch," I hissed. There a small scuffle and a new voice came on the line.
"Mr. Cullen?"
"Who am I speaking to now?" I asked irritably.
"This is Kate, I'm one of Tanya's partners. We met briefly the other day. How are Bella and Masen doing? Mrs. Cope mentioned that he was feeling poorly," she sounded polite and a whole lot more caring than Tanya.
"He's better, thank you for asking. Bella is doing alright, but obviously she's scared for everyone's lives more than her own," I answered. I took a deep breath and calmed down since she didn't seem as abrasive. "There has to be something you can do. If you knew that she was being abused why didn't you do something?" I pleaded.
"As Tanya said rather bluntly, it was out of our area. However, we did try to speak with her but she was very reluctant to talk at all with us. Although we suspected abuse we never saw it. She would have to agree to have left with us and then pressed charges with the police still. We couldn't force her to leave. If she asked we would have helped her to the right people. Unfortunately, protocol sucks sometimes and doesn't make rational sense." I could see her point somewhat better now. We had practically had to threaten to drag her from there ourselves.
"Well, your partner makes it sound like they were…are expendable and she was just using Bella for information." I accused, still angered that Bella had been in danger and they just sat back.
"I apologize on behalf of her. Tanya is a bit tightly wound when it comes the Volturi family. She's determined take them down and came across crass. We wouldn't expect Bella to come back here and put herself, or your son, in danger," Kate still sounded sincere to her credit.
"So we should come back and have charges pressed and an official restraining order in place." I scowled not liking the idea of bringing them back there. There was silence on the other line for a while.
"In normal cases that would be advisable. I'm not saying in any way that he should go free but there are other things to take in to account. Seeing where we are dealing with a high profile family it might make it more dangerous and place a target on her back. If you escaped you should probably stay gone. In fact, get as far from here as possible, like out of the country. From our inside sources we know that Aro Volturi is on his death bed and doesn't have much longer. That means Alec will have to step up and he would need Bella and Masen at his side when he does. Right now they are a big secret that very few know about. Alec will come looking for them sooner than later," Kate explained and warned.
"My friend and I will keep them safe, we have military training. We also have a source still inside military intelligence who has been lending us a hand." I decided to inform her.
"I'll stay in touch too. I'll contact my superiors and see if we can lend more of a hand. All though she isn't witness to his dealings, she was to Chief Swan's death, perhaps we can use that to get her into the witness relocation program," She offered.
"Thank you." I nodded, thankful for her help.
"Kate," Bella's voice startled me and I turned my head. She was on the stairs looking pale with a few tear streaks running down her face.
"Bella, how are you, dear?" she asked.
"I'm alright as I can be. I know someone who might be able to help you. Aro's wife, Suplicia, was put in a similar position as I was. In fact, Alec isn't really Aro's real son," Bella said softly hugging herself.
"We knew about the paternity. However, we will look in to Suplicia. I doubt she would want to turn in her son though." Kate seemed a bit hesitant.
"I'm not sure if this helps, but Alec is gay, which is why he need someone like Bella," I spoke up.
"We are fully aware of Alec's friend, Royce," Kate sounded slightly amused.
Bella's eye grew large and she covered her mouth with her hand and she started to panic.
"Bella, what's wrong," I went to grab her elbow.
She jumped then looked at me opening and closing her mouth.
"Bella, are you alright?" When Kate got no answer, she asked me. "Is she alright?"
"I'm not sure. Something you said triggered something," I answered. "Bella, love, what is it?" I prompted.
"Royce…as in Royce King." Bella went forward until she was at the counter closer to the phone.
"Yes, do you know anything about him?" Kate asked.
Bella nodded and then seemed to realize Kate couldn't see her.
"Yes. He's the guy that our friend Rose is married to from high school. Our friend Alice said she has been in and out of rehab for substance abuse. She might be in danger too," Bella's speech was panicked.
However, I was pissed the hell off. "It was her then," I hissed angrily.
"Explain that?" Kate patience seemed to be wearing thin.
"Rose is the one who served Bella and Masen up to Alec on a silver platter!" I spat venomously.
Bella mouthed 'what' to me looking alarmed. I held up a finger to quiet her.
"When Bella first found out she was pregnant only a few people knew. Rose was one of those few and one of the only ones who knew Bella had tried to write to me. Before Bella officially met Alec he went around telling people she was pregnant with his baby and that she had cheated on me, alienating her from most the town. He also had a hand in returning the letters 'return to sender' to her. Then he swooped in as her savior."
Bella's eyes went from confused to furious. I had a feeling she was upset I didn't explain this earlier.
"The only way he could have found out about Masen is if Rose told him or Royce." I finished.
"Interesting. This was a bit more complicated than we originally thought. I'm definitely going to push for witness relocation. I'll be in touch." She hung up.
"When were you going to tell me about Rose?" Bella's voice shook as she accused me of keeping something from her.
"I didn't figure out it was Rose for sure until just now. I found out about the other stuff yesterday and I started to tell you, but you looked so tired and stressed the last thing I wanted to do was to add to the pile. So I changed my mind. I was going to tell you, just since it was about the past I figured there was no rush." I watched to see if she was going get more upset.
"Rose? Are you sure? Emmett admitted to the letters." Tears of frustration brimmed in her brown eyes.
I hated that I had to tell her another friend had betrayed her.
"Emmett, admitted to only one letter. Jasper and I saw Jessica and Lauren in town. They told us about the rumors. Then Mike confirmed what they said, only adding his thoughts that Alec had raped you, because he didn't believe you would cheat on me." I explained.
"I still find it hard to believe Rose would just hand me over like that? What if he gave her no choice?" Bella looked even more upset than after Emmett's confession.
"It's possible she didn't mean to or he did. But she has always been a bitch and only looked out for herself. Look at what she did to Emmett. She dumped him and married another guy straight away for money. She was the catalyst for everything for her own selfish need. She probably ran her mouth to Royce about how you were knocked up. Royce probably hand delivered the information to Alec. She might have not done it intentionally, she also showed little concern for you. Didn't she tell you to give Masen up after all?"
She started to rub her forehead and looked miserable. "I have a headache," she grumbled. I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I was upset with myself that I got so worked up that I upset her.
"Can I get you anything for it?" I reached out a hand to touch it and froze, realizing I was probably overstepping.
She looked up but didn't seem to tense, her eyes narrowed on my hand. "Edward, you're bleeding." She grabbed my hand to inspect it.
The cut on my palm wasn't bleeding anymore, just some dried blood.
"I've must have done it when I was talking to Tanya," I answered as she pulled me to the sink to clean it.
She washed it very gently, like she was taking care of Masen.
"Thank you," she told softly me as she gently padded it dry with a paper towel.
"For what?" I asked reaching above her for bandages kept in a cabinet.
"For saying what you did to Tanya about me. Defending me and Masen." She took the bandage and place it on tenderly. Her fingers traced the bandage then the lines on my hand.
"She was wrong and heartless. She wanted to put the people I love most in danger."
She glanced up at me shyly from underneath her eyelashes and it was all I could do to keep from kissing her. I expected her to saying something about not talking like that.
"Why wasn't I worth fighting for back then? Why did you give up so easily?" Her question pulled at my heartstrings.
"You got it backwards. I wasn't the one not worth it, plus I was young and so foolish to believe what I was doing was for the best."
The door opened and Masen bounced in. Alice was right behind him. I saw Jasper on his phone on the porch pacing.
"I caughted four fish. Uncle Japer only caughted one. And Auntie Alice caughted a fish too," He announced bouncing over to us. He hugged both our legs.
"It's pronounced caught. That's great, sweetie, your grampa Charlie would be so proud of you." Bella smiled.
"You fished?" I asked Alice. I wished I had stayed to see that unfold.
"Yup. One last thing I'm no longer a virgin about." Alice smirked.
"What's a virgin mean?" Masen looked confused looking at Alice. Alice's smirk fell and she turned bright pink.
"Um." She looked nervous as she started to squirm.
"It means when you're new at something and do it for the first time." Bella was quick to respond without missing a beat. Alice let out a sigh of relief. "Time to go wash your hands and use the bathroom before lunch." Bella instantly distracted him.
"But they're clean, see." He held his hands up for inspection.
"You have been touching worms and fish, please go. Auntie Alice has to wash hers too." Bella pointed to the stairs.
"Yup, come on. We will go together." Alice held out her hand. Masen grabbed it and she led him up the stairs.
I felt the brush of Bella's lips to my cheek. I touched the spot with my fingers as it still felt warm after she pulled away.
"You're wrong by the way." She managed to say before Jasper entered.
"That was Peter. Alec is back on his way to Phoenix, we think he knows," he announced. I saw Bella's eyes flutter and start to roll back just before she passed out. I caught her before she hit the ground.
A/N:
A little bit of fun, before the heavy in this chapter.
Yup, Tanya is a bit of bitch. She just doing her job and lacks some compassion. At least Kate is a help. FBI doesn't handle domestic abuse cases from what I could find. So Bella would have to go the police for charges to be filed.
I was asked about Charlie, Santiago is currently had been found guilty with the murder weapon on him so that case had been closed. It could be reopened, just difficult to prove without Bella's testimony. Beside he was off duty at the time and it appeared to be home invasion that just happened to be the home of a cop.
Edward is convinced that Rose told Royce or Alec about Bella being pregnant for selfish reasons. Bella thinks if it was her that she might have been forced(though she may just not want to find out that one more person betrayed her.) . One is right. But who?
Thank You For All Reviews
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Preview Alert
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Preview:
After my shower I joined them downstairs in the kitchen. When I spotted two sheepish looking people, I got an idea. I went over and made a point of checking the lock on the pantry door.
"Yup, that's another lock that works. Just checking the locks in all the rooms. How's the lock on your door, Alice?" I asked. I heard Bella snicker from the stove. Alice and Jasper both turned bright red.