A/N currently unbeta'd but I'll repost when it's finished, didn't want to make you wait any longer.

Previously...

"I love you. More than anything." he whispered so low that only I would hear, "I want you to wear this. I know you can't wear my ring yet, but that shit changes soon. In my bedroom there is an envelope for you. It has whatever you could possibly need. Stay safe and wait for me."

I felt tears pricking my eyes and words failed me. I nodded and looked up at his face. He didn't look like he felt any of the anxiety or worriedness I felt. He had his game face on. I needed mine, but I couldn't find it.

"I love you, Ma," he brushed his lips across mine once more and grabbed a handful of my ass before lacing our fingers together and strutting through the courtroom doors.

I took a seat in the front row between Edward and Isabella and mouthed 'I love you' whenever Aro glanced back at me.

I was in a daze as the proceeding began, until two words broke through the emotional cloud surrounding me.

"...two years..."

I heard a sob from somewhere in the room, and I realized it was me. Isabella grasped my hand with one of hers and rubbed my arm. Edward put his arm around me and whispered reassuring words about how it wouldn't be long and something about good behavior.

None of it mattered as I watched Aro being lead from the room in handcuffs. He looked over his shoulder and winked at me before blowing a kiss. I whispered 'I love you' one last time before he disappeared around the corner.

"Let's go for drinks." Edward spoke quietly rising and pulling me gently with him.

Esme's POV

The ride to the house was quiet other than Isabella fussing at my brother for texting and driving. I was in a fog. I didn't pay attention to the way we went home or to the house as we went in. Isabella directed me to the couch and Edward placed a rock glass almost full with amber liquid in my hands.

They spoke to me but I didn't hear the words. My mother sat by my side saying prayers I didn't listen to. I sipped the liquid and let the burn take me over. I would be strong for Aro, but not tonight. I would let myself fall apart and in the morning I would put all the pieces together.

Isabella sat down next to me with Charly and a bottle. I never noticed Ma leaving. Isabella smiled at me and squeezed my hand. I didn't squeeze back. I watched Charly's little chocolate curls bounce as she wiggled around.

"I don't think she feels good." Isabella said softly and offered the bottle again. "I know she's hungry but she's not eating much." The baby grunted and finally took the bottle but spit it out after a couple of sips.

Edward appeared on my other side with another glass of whiskey and I took it without prompt this time. He didn't say anything, but that's just how he was. He put his arm around me and I leaned on his shoulder. I sought comfort in the brother I had left. I don't know how much time passed. Edward kept my drink filled as we listened to Isabella sing softly to Charly. Tears would leak out and my brother would wipe them away. Somewhere in all of it, the emotional exhaustion caught up with me. I didn't even notice when Edward carried me to bed.

When I woke up my head hurt, my heart hurt worse. I was thankful my curtains were draw and someone was thoughtful enough to leave a bottle of water and some pain killers next to my bed. I swallowed the pills and sipped the water slowly until most of it was gone. My stomach was queasy, but I manage to sit up. I wanted to get dressed and go get the envelope Aro left for me. I could ask Edward to go, but it felt intimate to me. Aro had told me, and only me.

I walked into the bathroom to start the shower but my stomach overruled that quickly. I knelt in front of the toilet groaning as my insides twisted and I felt like my entire stomach would come up. The whiskey was the only thing in my stomach and it burned coming back up.

As soon as I could stand I brushed my teeth and decided on a bath instead. I twisted the knobs and dumped some lavender bath salts in hoping the smell would sooth me. I stepped back in my room and texted Isabella asking her to bring me some water and pain killers.

I didn't wait for a reply before I stripped and sunk into the steaming water. I didn't turn the jets on. I wanted to move as little as possible. My stomach was still rolling.

A few minutes later Isabella popped in with two bottles of water, a pill bottle, and a plate of food.

"I'm sure you don't feel like eating but I brought you toast and a little fruit." She sat the plate down and handed me two pills and a bottle of water.

I downed them and sipped the water for a few minutes before my mouth didn't feel like sandpaper.

"Thank you." I croaked.

"Is there anything else I can get you? Edward poured a lot of liquor down you last night. You must feel like shit."

"I do feel like shit. I don't think anything but death would take it away. Would you hand me a small towel?"

"Of course." She pulled a small towel from under the counter and ran it under the cold water before wringing it out and laying it over my forehead. It felt like instant relief.

"Grazie. Grazie." I moaned and sank a little lower in the tub.

"You're not gonna fall asleep in there are you?" She eyed me suspiciously.

"I'll try not to." She rolled her eyes then.

"I'm going to go get Charly, but I'll be back to check on you. You should try to go back to sleep and sleep this hangover off."

"'Kay." I pulled the cold cloth down to my nose. I felt like complete shit, but I wanted to know what Aro left me. I knew there would be money and shit, but I was hoping there was a letter or something. Any link I could have to him would make me feel better.

Isabella left me alone for a surprisingly long time for someone who was afraid I would drown unsupervised. I didn't mind. The water was soothing and Aro's cross was warm and heavy against my stomach. I was just about to doze off when she walked in with a cranky baby and a black bag.

"What's that?" I tossed the clothe in the water.

"Edward got it for you. I thought it would make you feel better. It has some of Aro's sweats in it." She smiled hesitantly at me. "Now, out before you drown to death. Don't think I didn't notice you falling asleep."

"I think drowning implies death. You don't have to add to death." I climbed out of the tub and took the towel she offered.

"Whatever. I'll allow your sass mouth today because this is your day. But tomorrow will be a different story. Would you like some food? Something to drink?"

I peered into the bag and pulled out a pair of Aro's red sweats and hugged them to my body. I closed my eyes and fought the tears and the lingering nausea. I shook my head.

"I love you, Esme. I'm here for whatever you need." She squeezed me arm. "I"m going to get you some more water while you dress and then you can take a nap. You can text me if you need anything else."

I nodded because my throat felt constricted. I slipped on a pair of panties and a small cami before putting the sweats on. They were so big I had to roll the sleeves a couple of times. Edward either pulled them out of the hamper, which I would normally think gross, or he had sprayed Aro's cologne on them. I didn't care. It smelled like my man and it comforted me enough to fall asleep before Isabella ever came back with water.

The next time I woke I glanced at the clock to see I'd slept several hours. My head and throat felt better. I drank the bottle of water sitting next to the bed and took a couple of pain killers before I got out of bed. I brushed my teeth and pulled my hair up in a sloppy bun before sliding my kicks on.

I went to the kitchen to grab a water before I left to go to Aro's and found my mother and Isabella cooking. Charly was in her bouncy seat on the counter. The smell of food made my stomach growl even though I didn't have the desire to eat.

"Where are you going?" Ma asked wiping her hands on her apron.

"I'm going to Aro's."

She raised her eyebrows at me.

"I just want to get a couple of my things from there."

"Eat first." She said and quickly made a plate. I sat down at the bar and nibbled on it to appease her and I knew I needed some food in me. I hadn't eaten in almost 48 hours.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked reaching out and tickling Charly's hand.

"Lavoro. Lavoro. Lavoro." (work. Work. Work.) My mother sighed and made plates to have ready for when the men came home.

"Want me to go with?" Isabella asked. I shook me head. I was glad to have her by side for this and I knew she meant well, but I wanted to be alone. I wanted to disappear in Aro's room and be lost from the world where my brother was dead, my husband was in prison, and my family was falling apart.

"Okay. Let me know if you need me." She gave me another small smile and started the dishes. Charly fussed and my mother was quick to pick her up and snuggle her while singing softly in Italian. I made my exit, grabbing my keys on the way out.

I had just pulled the door open when someone grabbed my arm. I turned back startled to see Isabella holding her hand out. My brow furrowed and I was confused, thinking maybe she was trying to give me some pain killers not knowing I'd taken some already. I opened my palm under hers and she released what she had been holding. A set of keys.

"Edward and Blase brought it over for you. Aro said he wanted you to have it while it was away." She pulled me into a hug and I squeezed back. I dipped out the front door and saw Aro's Range sitting in the drive. I smiled a little bit, feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside. A man trusting someone with his ride was love.

I climbed into the Range and inhaled deep the lingering scent of Aro's cologne mixed with cigarettes and weed. I moved the seat up and started the engine. Music blared out and I knew Blaze had driven it back to the house. I turned the volume down and plugged my phone in letting August Alsina fill the vehicle.

The drive to Aro's was quick and I paid no attention to the car behind me with my father's men following. I pulled in the drive and they stayed behind parking on the street. I parked in front of the steps and got out. I couldn't remember the last time I had been to his house without him. I knocked and waited while his mother came to the door.

She made the sign of the cross and pulled me into a tight hug. She smelled like canollis and held her rosary in her hand.

"Oh Dios. Come stai?" (Oh, God. How are you?) She pulled me into the house with her. We didn't stop until we made it to the kitchen where several dozen canollis filled the marble counters.

"I'm okay." I tried to smile."I just wanted to be in his room."

She nodded. "He said you would be coming. You are welcome here anytime. I had this made for you." She pressed a key into my hand.

"I have these." I held up his car keys.

"It can be an extra, for your keys, for when he comes home." She smiled at me and patted me on the arm. "Would you like something to eat?"

In Italian culture, women are constantly trying to feed you.

"No, grazie. Ma fed me right before I left. If you don't mind I'm going to go upstairs."

"Bene." (Okay) She patted my arm again and I left her to her stress baking.

I stopped outside Aro's door and prayed to God to not let me fall apart before I turned the knob and entered. It looked the same as we left it the morning before. I shut the door behind me and walked over to the bed. My eyes stung and I climbed into the bed, finding his pillow and pulling it to my face. I wanted to surround myself with his smell as if I could trick my mind into believing he was with me. I kicked my shoes off and pulled his huge down comforter over me. I took a few calming breaths and wiped the tears away before I flipped on the lamp and opened the drawer on his nightstand. A huge manila envelope sat there just as he said.

I pulled it out and dumped in on the bed next to me. Cash, keys, jewelry I pushed to the side. I picked up the papers and looked through them. His bank account information stared back at me. He added me to everything so I would have full access while he was away. Tears filled my eyes and blurred the words on the pages. He promised to always take care of me and he was in every way possible while he was away. I stuffed everything back into the envelope, noting the credit cards with Esme Luciano. I smiled and cried and placed the envelope in the drawer. I kept out the smaller white envelope with my name sloppy scrawled across the front.

I took a deep breath again and wiped my eyes. I pulled out the paper and began to read.

Mrs. Luciano,

I love you more than my life, Ma. Don't forget it. If you're reading this first, know that I have added you to my accounts and am leaving you with everything I have to my name. Go shopping, get your hair, nails did. Whatever. Buy a car, or a house. We can fill it with bambini when I get back. I love you. I can't say it enough. In my closet there is a safe. Any weapon you could need is in there. The combination is the day we got married. Stay out of trouble, stay safe, take care of yourself and wait for me. It won't be long I promise.

Love,

Mr. Luciano

(Dios it feels weird saying that. Its worth it as long as you are my wifey.)

Isabella's POV

"I hope she's okay." I whispered to Edward since Charly had just fallen asleep.

"She'll be fine. This is part of the life." He stroked Charly's curls and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"You'll go away one day?" It wasn't really a question. I knew what the odds were. I knew what he was. This was a new age of technology and it was getting harder and harder to break the law and get away with it.

"I will try every day not to be taken away from you and our baby." He looked up at me with blazing emerald eyes.

"Our baby?"

"She is our baby. It doesn't matter where she came from. You're her Ma and I'm her papá. She will carry the Cullen name and will never know any different." He searched my eyes looking for an answer. "Unless you want her to. I don't think it's a good idea though. Let sleeping dogs lie or whatever."

I pulled the cover over Charly and thought about what he said. My throat tightened as I though about how my parents were dead and I didn't even know where my dad was. I didn't really know Anthony and I didn't know if he was really my brother. We could get a DNA test or something. He did look just like my dad though and what reason would he have for saying we shared a father if we didn't? I wanted Charly to have a happy life.

"Okay."

"Okay, what?"

"I agree." I said quietly. "I want her to have a happy life. I don't want her to know hardship or hurt or pain or anything bad." I scooted down and covered myself up.

"Your wish is my command, love." Edward grinned at me and turned the lamp off.

"Everyone thinks she's our baby already." He whispered in the dark. "I like it." He added quietly.

I felt him reach across the baby and take my hand. I entwined my fingers with his and squeezed hard.

"She doesn't feel good. She's been whiny and she's not eating good, but she doesn't feel warm."

"Take her to see Carlisle. Or he'll come here." He yawned.

"After the other night?" I rolled my eyes even if he couldn't see.

"Isabella, this is a famiglia. We take care of one another. Sometimes tension and emotion run high, but at the end of the day, famiglia is all we've got."

I wasn't so sure things were so easily forgiven.

"I'll call Alice if Charly doesn't feel better soon."

"Good. Ti amo."

"I love you, too." I whispered back, closing my eyes attempting to sleep.