Normal disclaimers still apply.

Chapter 13

I wake up early the next morning and help Bella make breakfast for everyone. After we eat, Charlie and I spend three hours decorating the outside of the house.

We've only just finished when the soft snow starts to fall. I help take the empty boxes and ladders back into the garage.

"Edward," he calls out softly and I turn and look at him.

"There are a few boxes here that I got from your room. They were sealed so I haven't gone through them, but here they are," he says tapping the stack of boxes.

I nod and move to him.

"I'll leave you be," Charlie says walking back out again.

I smile opening the first box. I see it's some of my baby stuff. Some baby pictures, rattles and even an outfit or two. My baby book and some of my original documents like my hospital birth certificate. There are some old paintings and pre-school things I had done. I also see some photos of my mom and me. Everything seems to stop when I was around six. This was the same time my father started getting jail time. I sigh moving to the next box – the second I open it I know this is my life from when I was in care. The whole six years, all piled into one cardboard box.

I take a deep breath and bring out pieces of my life story.

"Little bit," slips out of my mouth as I see the drawing she did for me. I used it as the front page of my picture book. The next page has several photos. Beneath the pictures the words "my family" is written. It says family, but the pictures are all of Bella and me. I turn the page and there is another written passage.

"The people in my family are me and little bit (Bella). She is my best friend, and my job is to protect her always. She has showed me so much love and understanding, and I hope that she will always be in my life. She taught me that everyone has someone they can trust and love."

I wipe my tears and move through the book. Once I'm done, I put it to the side and look through the loose photos in the box.

After I left the care home, my mind seemed to only remember the bad and painful memories, pushing out the good times that I had. Bella said I saved her, but the truth is, she saved me. Just like she has done now, she's saved me again.

I gather up all of the photos and pictures that I can find, which we did together. I take them with me into the house for safekeeping.

~SQ~

The next day I smile as we drop off Morgan at school.

"I want to do some Christmas shopping," I say looking down at the ground.

"I need to get some stuff picked up, too. Why don't we go to the mall? We can go our separate ways and meet back at the food court at one for lunch?"

I smile and nod at her.

At the mall, I'm able to find something for Charlie easily, as it's very clear that he loves fishing. Morgan was easy, too, but she's been a part of my life for the past six years. I know all of her likes and dislikes, as well as my own. Renee was a little harder, but I did find something after half an hour.

The hard part is finding something for Bella. I've been searching for an hour and it's a nightmare. Even with the knowledge that she would love anything I get her, I still find it hard. So far I have picked up a photo album, because I want to make her a memory book. I also went to the arts and crafts shop, to get clay and paints so that Morgan can make her gifts. I got some wood and charms so I can make Bella a new photo frame. Yet I'm still stumped for finding her a gift that is just from me; something special.

In the end, I'm picking up some paper and drawing pencils. Drawing is something I used to be good at, but I haven't done it in a very long time. I want Bella to see herself how I see her, and doing a drawing of her I feel is the best way, I think. I may even throw in a drawing of what I feel would be our dream house.

At half past noon, I start to make my way to the food court. As I'm going down the hallway, I window shop. As I pass this antique shop, a small sliver ring catches my eye. I walk into the shop and ask the man behind the counter if I can see it.

"What are these small stones?" I ask.

"They're birthstones: that one is June and this one is September," the man says pointing out the different stones.

I smile and nod. "I'll take it, please."

"Would you like anything engraved on the band?"

"Can you engrave it: Ed and Little Bit, forever friends?"

He nods. "It'll be ready in an hour."

I arrive at the food court and find that Bella has bought our lunch and is sitting with a load of bags.

"How have you got on?"

Bella raises only half her mouth and lets out a grunt. "Mostly down, just one more to go. I have to pick it up in an hour."

I chuckle as I move my plate closer to me. "I got something to pick up in an hour, too."

After a short pause, I look up at her. "What happens in your home on Christmas day?"

"We really start on Christmas Eve. Mom and I make Santa some cookies, while Dad tries to eat them all. Once we're done, we have some hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie. When the movie is over—around ten—Mom will give each of us one gift. It's always a brand new pair of slippers and a pajama set. After we all open our gifts, we head for bed. We're normally woken up around seven, by ..."

Bella stops talking and smiles at me.

"I think it's best to leave the next part as a surprise for you. Anyway, after that we open some gifts and then have breakfast. We normally play a game or go out and play around in the snow, until lunch time. After we eat, Mom always finds more gifts for us to open. Dad always goes into the station about an hour later for a few hours. He likes to make sure that everyone has a chance to see their families on Christmas. He's always back home before dinner, around six. After we have dinner, Mom takes off for a few hours to deliver small gifts and plates of cookies to each of the families she is working with. That's it really, busy, but laid back at the same time."

I swallow a little touched about how Renee and Charlie still try and make time for others.

"What happened when you ..." Bella trails off and I shrug.

"Mom and Ed never knew what the day was, never mind the month. I had gotten Morgan one of those small one foot musical trees. You know the ones that play music when you wind it up."

Bella smiles at me and nods.

"I would get her what I could and wrap it best I could. I'd get her clothes, not always the best brands, but they were new. Buying her anything like jewelry or collectibles was out of the question, because Ed or Mom would take it and sell it. At first I used to try to make us some food, but eggs are about my culinary limit. The last few years I'd take her to the Chinese restaurant down on South Street, because it was the only place open."

I feel Bella's hand on mine and I turn my hand and interlock our fingers.

"You tried, Edward."

"Sometimes I wonder if I'd done enough. She's ... she's seen so much. My mom forgot her so often and Ed ..." I shake my head. "I think he knew she wasn't his, and that's why he treated her like shit."

Bella looks at me in surprise. "You don't think she's Ed's daughter? Does that mean she's Edward's?" Bella asks and shakes her head.

"Yes, only my mother could marry two men that had the same first name."

"But your dad, I thought he was in jail?"

"He is, or was."

I shrug; the guy is incapable of staying out of jail for more than two days.

"He was out for about a month around the time she fell pregnant with Morgan."

Bella sighs as she rubs her head.

"It's okay; I had two great Christmas' with you at the home, so I know it can be happy. As for Morgan, we had good holidays together. Where they could have been better, she always seemed happy. That's all that really counts, right?"

"It is; everything else is just an afterthought."

I chuckle again, because she always tries to make me feel better.

"So, what are you going to do about college?" I ask.

"I'll reapply after the holidays."

"I'm sorry you lost your place because of me."

"Everything happens for a reason. I may've lost my place, but I got my best friend back. Plus, now James, he's," Bella closes her eyes, "he's out of my life for good. Dad said this time it'll be for good and no chance of him getting out. I know that Morgan is safe, and is the happiest I've ever seen her. So I have a lot to be grateful for."

"Me, too," I say softly.

"We should eat," Bella says with a blush.

We finish eating and part ways to get the rest of our stuff done. I head back to the antique shop, pay for and collect the ring. By the time I'm back out of the mall, Bella is waiting for me at the truck.

Bella and I drop off all the gifts at home, and go pick Morgan up. While we're at the school, we buy tickets to the school's Christmas show. We head home where Bella teaches me how to cook chicken pot pie.

"Hi," Renee says walking in.

"I made this for you in class," Morgan says handing Renee the picture.

"Oh, wow, this is amazing – I love it. Is this you?" Renee asks as she bends down to Morgan's level.

"Yes."

"Is this Charlie?" Renee asks with a smile, and I look at the picture and chuckle. I can clearly see Charlie's mustache.

"Yes, and that's you," Morgan points to the lady in the picture.

"You made me look so pretty." Renee walks into the living room and my mouth drops open as she hangs the picture up on the wall.

"Thank you very much, Morgan," Renee says before heading upstairs to change, like she does every day.

I sit down, speechless at Renee's affection for my little sister. Morgan looks at me and smiles before climbing up on my lap.

Apart from Bella and me, Renee is the first person to show interest in her drawings. Mom and Ed used to throw them out without even looking at them.

"Edward, do think you could help me in the kitchen?" Renee says when she comes back in. While she has a smile on her face, I notice it looks forced and I'm worried instantly.

"Morgan, do think you could help me wrap some gifts; I got you that thing you asked me to get?" As soon as Bella says that, Morgan is off my knee smiling happily.

"Remember that I'm here for you," Bella whispers as she walks out with Morgan.

Renee seems to stay quiet until we're in the kitchen.

"I saw your mom and dad today."

I don't say anything as I put the tea kettle on the burner.

"Your dad is back in jail, and I'm sure that comes as no surprise to you."

I shake my head at her. "Is he okay?" I ask unsure of what I should say.

"He's the same asshole he's always been."

I chuckle and look fondly at Renee. She's never been afraid of my dad and has always seen him for who he was.

"Your mom was denied bail by the judge and he has placed her in rehab, instead of jail until the court hearing."

I feel Renee's hand touch my arm and she moves her head to the side so she can see me.

"She wasn't in a good way, the withdrawals has and is taking a toll on her."

I move my head only enough so that Renee knows I heard her.

"She's requested to see Morgan."

I shake my head; there's no way Morgan's going to a rehab clinic to see anyone.

"I spoke to a few family judges and they agree that it's not the best place for her. Not to mention the way Elizabeth is behaving right now, they agree that it would do more harm than good."

I let out a long breath I had been holding because of the worry she'd get a chance to hurt Morgan more.

"What about Ed?" Not that I care about him, but I think I should at least ask.

"He's in jail moaning and fighting," Renee says shaking her head. "We believe we have a good case against both of them. They will be sent down. I just wanted to let you know, you're old enough to understand it."

I look at her. "What about Morgan? Are you planning on telling her?" There's no way I want Morgan to know. She should be enjoying this holiday, not being hurt by them.

"If you don't want her to know just yet, we will support you on that choice, too."

"You think she should know?" I ask confused by her answer.

"At this stage, no, but when your mom gets sent down, then yes. I think it's best to tell her what's happening, but not keep dragging it out. It's important to tell her, but she doesn't need every seedy detail. Sometimes hiding the truth can hurt as much as knowing the truth."

I bob my head agreeing with her. "I'm sorry," I say looking back to the kettle, which is about to whistle. I turn off the burner and grab the cups, putting the chocolate in them before pouring the hot water.

After watching me for a few minutes, she checks on dinner as I stir each cup. "What for?"

"For being bad and unkind to you, when you came to my home. For everything I've ever said and done—for what I did to Bella."

Again I feel Renee touch my arm and I look back at her.

"We ALL hurt; I could see it so clear on you. You've had one of the worst cases I've ever worked with. I hate that the system was meant to protect you and it didn't. I feel as if your parents and the system both failed you. You have to see, though, that even with all that hurt and anger you still looked after my girl. I saw you with her and you always were so gentle. I knew that it didn't change you, that the hurt didn't change you. As for your behavior, I saw it slowly this past year. You were becoming desperate to get Morgan out of there. I hated when James talked to you. I wanted to tell you—make you remember—but I couldn't. When I would see you with Morgan, I knew that there was still a chance for you to be saved. Charlie and I had talked about it; we were going to intervene when we got back. However, by then you were missing. So I guess I'm sorry, too, I waited too long to help. I almost feel like it's my fault you and Bella got hurt."

I shake my head and hug her. "No, it's not your fault – you saved a lot of us kids who needed help, me included. Thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself."

"No problem," Renee says softly.

"Hi ..."

I turn and wipe my eyes seeing Charlie standing there.

"Hi," I reply turning back around to my cups of hot cocoa.

"You want some hot chocolate?"

"No, thank you, son."

I nod and pick up the three cups and go to where Morgan and Bella are.

"Hey, girls," I say moving to them.

"You take this and I'll be back."

I grab the clay and paints and head back into Morgan's room.

Bella and I help Morgan make a cup and plate set for Charlie and Renee. We end up getting as much paint on each other as on cups and plates, but we have a lot of fun. This is what a family should feel like.

A/N: So things are going much better for everyone. What are your thoughts? Extra chapter to post either today or tomorrow, what is your preference?