Chapter Seventy Six

Peter

Kat was starting to relax a little, she began to understand that food and drinks would always be there, she didn't have to eat everything quickly before someone else took it from her. She tried cola and decided she liked it because the bubbles tickled her nose and milk shake when it was fresh and cold, strawberry being her favorite flavor. The one thing that still concerned her, apart from being beaten if she did something wrong was Ellie.

She knew Skye was fine, Rose brought her every day to play with Kat and my little Princess loved listening to the stories Rose would tell. She said it reminded her of Sophie which was sad and happy at the same time. It seemed Sophie had been the closest to a mother figure Kat had ever known. She was delighted when Skye started sitting up on her own,

I wish Ellie could see her."

Rose looked at me, we knew Bella was still struggling with all that had happened and neither of us were sure The Major would welcome any interference but I decided it was time to find out so when Kat went to bed that evening I spoke to Rose and we approached Carlisle.

"I'm not sure about that but it wouldn't hurt to suggest it. Perhaps Rose could go with you and take Skye. It might be just what Bella needs, to see they are both happy and doing well. Besides we still don't know what happened to Bella but if she was assaulted by Mendoza then Rose would be just the person to talk to her."

Rose nodded,

"I'll ring Jazz and see what he says Carlisle."

Rose

I rang Jazz but he wasn't answering his phone so I was forced to leave a message explaining our idea and asking him to ring back. It was the following day before he did so and he sounded so lost and worried that my heart went out to him.

"I don't know what to do Rose, every time I seem to be getting somewhere she just dissolves into tears and starts thinking about Renee and Phil although she has asked about the baby and Kat."

So maybe a visit from them would help, it can't hurt Jazz surely."

He gave in eventually which was just as well because I had already made my mind up that I was going to visit anyway.

"Peter will be with me, Kat seems to have taken quite a shine to him funnily enough."

Jazz didn't reply to this just grunted and then excused himself but I could hear Bella in the background calling out in distress.

Peter and I drove over to the motel the next morning after breakfast hoping Jazz would let us see Bella. Kate was really excited, firstly about the car ride and secondly to be seeing Bella again although she had a hard time remembering that Ellie's real name was Bella.

"I can show her how I write my name and Skye's and that I can read."

She clutched a picture book of baby animals which Charlotte had bought her and she knew all the names and could write some of them. Kat was certainly a quick learner, Charlotte had said she was like a sponge, eager to soak up knowledge and it seemed she had a near photographic memory although she could remember nothing of her life before the cellar except that Victor Mendoza had come for her on a birthday,

"I remember candles and a cake with pink icing."

Carlisle theorized that the trauma of her life in the cellar had jarred a latent gift into being. Whatever the reason she was learning at a phenomenal rate and we were all sure she was going to catch up with her age group and surpass them in weeks.

"Do you think we'll be allowed to keep the children Peter? I don't think I could bear to lose Skye now."

"I don't know Rose but I'm willing to fight for Kat if it comes down to it."

I couldn't help smiling as Rose turned and leaned over to stroke Sykes cheek. She sat in the back safe in her new baby seat wearing brand new clothes and looking just like any other baby, a far cry from the filthy little bundle we had seen in Bella's arms in that cellar.

"Any news on the blood results yet?"

I'd been concerned when Rose came to take Kat's blood telling her it was just to make sure she hadn't caught anything from living in the cellar. I wasn't sure how I would react to finding Mendoza was Kat's biological father, not that it made any difference to the way I felt about her, she would still be my little Princess but it would make me want to spend some time with the evil fucker who could treat his own flesh and blood so badly.

Rose

I knew what Peter was thinking because it was exactly what Emmett had said. Skye was very lucky, she had been saved from that terrible place before she was old enough to be damaged by it but that didn't stop us wanting to beat the crap out of Victor Mendoza. We had spoken to Carlisle about adopting Skye but he pointed out we had to get that agreed by the Volturi first.

"I'll do what I can Rose, for you and for Peter but it very much depends on the Volturi. If they see the children as a threat then I'm afraid the only thing we can do is to find them good human homes. At least that way they will be well looked after and loved. Let's wait and see what's happening with Bella. I have to ring Aro again once we know how she is."

Both Peter and I knew that Carlisle was probably the only person who could swing the Volturi in our favor but it was still on a knife edge and I knew it would destroy Peter to lose Kat just as it would kill us to lose Skye. For the first time I had allowed myself to dream of being a mother and I hated the thought my dream might crash and burn.

Carmen and Eleazar were coming to visit with the girls which also made me nervous. After all they had lost their mother because of her attempt to create an immortal child and although that's not what we had planned they might resent Kat and Skye.

"Right well here we are, you ready to see Bella again Kat?"

The girl looked at Peter and nodded although we could both see she was a little apprehensive at the thought.

"Do you think she'll recognize me Peter?"

"I think maybe she's worried you might not recognize her Princess."

I unstrapped Skye and she woke looking around her with those beautiful brown eyes and smiling as she recognized me. I picked her up and hugged her kissing the top of her soft little head and enjoying the smell that only came from babies, a clean sweet smell that made me smile even more. Kat came round and peered up at Skye,

"We're going to see Ellie but you have to call her Bella now Skye. She's got a new name just like you."

Kat took Peter's hand and we went into the apartment building riding up in the elevator which was a treat for Kat who insisted on pressing the button for Jasper's floor.

"Peter, do I call him Jasper, Uncle, or Major?"

We looked at each other and burst out laughing although it must be very confusing.

"I think you should just call him Jasper, that will be fine."

She thought about this then nodded,

"OK. Why do you and Charlotte call him Major though?"

"It's a long story Princess but I promise I'll tell you one day. We're here now and I need for you to be very gentle with Bella, she's having a very hard time with everything that happened to her."

Kat nodded sagely,

"I will Peter."

We knocked on the door and waited.