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Chapter 87

Vacation?


Bella


"Respect ... that Becky really wants to take the pig to court. Not everyone dares to do that," Peter indicated to me just as I brought him up to speed.

But soon we began to work.

I had to distract myself. I couldn't do anything else useful anyway.

We had just turned on all our equipment and arranged the samples on the table when the phone rang.

"Mrs. Black? Norman here. There's a young man standing here who says he needs to speak to you. His name is Edward Stone," one of our porters explained to me.

I fell on my chair in shock.

Edward certainly didn't come here without a reason.

I hung up and immediately went on my way.

No one came on the premises unless someone vouched and signed for that person's confidentiality. That time, when Jake and Leah had shown up so unexpectedly during the lunch break, Norman had taken responsibility.

I hurried, but the hallways were long. After a few minutes I reached the exit and quickly moved on to the barrier where Edward's BMW stood.

I was traveling quite frantically, accompanied by inner tension. Therefore, of course, I stumbled.

Sure. Wasn't it to be expected otherwise?

Norman came to meet me after getting in Edward's way and helped me up from the ground.

I had only scraped the heel of my hand a little, with which I had intercepted my 'graceful' fall.

Finally with Edward, I immediately asked what had happened.

But he shook his head.

Okay. In private, then, I guess. He just looked concerned - and a little amused after my clumsy exit - but not angry or horrified. In that respect, I calmed down. The end of the world was probably not imminent.

Norman handed me the usual form, which I filled out completely for the guest. I chuckled when I got to one question.

"Are you pregnant?" I asked.

"Most definitely!" he replied immediately, chuckling.

"Why are you here?", but then I asked as we sat in the car and he looked for a parking spot at the back of the building.

"Maybe I am exaggerating, but I want to be with you," he said, talking about Mike being at school with his father and how the conversation went.

Edward wasn't sure what or if anything would happen here, but if it did, he wanted to be here. Maybe nothing at all would happen.

Peter and Edward knew and understood each other, to that extent they greeted each other in a friendly manner.

First of all, Edward insisted that I give him the first aid kit.

I refused rolling my eyes.

My hand wasn't even really bleeding.

But Peter had already noticed my hand and brought out the box.

Good, but pouting, I held still until Edward cleaned the barely visible wound with some antiseptic and then finally put a band-aid over it.

I would probably just about survive.

Being a well-behaved patient, I got one more kiss as a reward.

Edward said we should just keep working and not let him bother us while he sat at my desk in the corner watching us.

Just keep on working? I doubted it! Edward had studied biology!

"I'll try not to interfere!" he said, but I didn't believe a word he said.

And I was right!

Afterwards, I sat on my desk and watched Peter and Edward debate one of the results.


Not an hour passed in total when my boss called me into his office.

Edward, of course, went along.

"Hello, Nancy," I greeted the executive secretary.

"Hey, Bella. Go on in already. He's already waiting for you," she said kindly and I walked through the door with a strange feeling.

Edward came along and closed the door behind us.

Mr. Prescott was sitting at his desk with a glass of alcohol in his hand, looking shaken. Then he noticed me.

"What on earth did you do to Arnold Hanks?" he asked me directly, without getting up from his easy chair. It sounded cautious, not upset. Then his gaze slid a little beside me. "And who are you?" he asked Edward.

"Michael Hanks raped my son's girlfriend," I replied. "And this is my fiancé. Edward Stone," I immediately introduced Edward and took his hand.

Edward turned to me briefly in surprise, smiled hesitantly, and squeezed my hand.

"And this girlfriend filed a complaint?" he asked me. "How old are you?" he asked Edward.

"Of course," I said.

"Seventeen," Edward said.

Mr. Prescott immediately reached for his phone.

"Hello, Lloyd, this is Benedict. I have a question, do you have a minute?" he asked, waiting a moment. "One of my employees is involved with a seventeen-year-old. What is the legal situation? ... No, she just told me ... The young man is standing in front of me ... He doesn't give the impression that he is being coerced into anything ..."

Edward shook his head as a confirmation.

Some time passed before Mr. Prescott hung up.

"Excuse me, Mr. Stone," he began, now extending his hand to Edward and commanding him to sit down.

I sat for a while already, I knew my boss well enough.

"For the most part, we're dealing with government contracts. I can't afford to get involved in legal gray areas because of the private lives of my employees. Therefore, you will understand that I briefly contacted my lawyer. However, he confirmed to me that there is no law against your connection. As for me personally, I do not care what they do outside of work, as long as you do not violate any law ... In this respect, I congratulate you most sincerely on your engagement," he ended and also extended his hand to me.

I was a bit flabbergasted as he sat back down behind his desk and took a deep breath.

"Of course I have understanding for that. Companies that work for the government always stand under special scrutiny. A misstep by an employee would ultimately be blamed on you through a possible failure to exercise due diligence in selecting your personnel," Edward replied, and Mr. Prescott nodded appreciatively.

"How is your son's girlfriend?" he then asked sympathetically.

We summarized the day yesterday a little bit together.

"That explains why Arnold came to me, of all people ... He demanded that I fire you, Mrs. Black."

"And ... will you do that?" I now asked frankly.

"Surely not. You are one of the best lab assistants I have. And the days of being bullied by Arnold Hanks are long gone," he said emphatically, briefly recounting his school days.

I felt a little sorry for him over the course of his memories about it, but he could laugh about it today.

"You're on leave until further notice, Mrs. Black," he then said, as if out of nowhere.

"What?", I immediately jumped up from my chair in anger.

Edward immediately stood behind me and put his hands on my waist.

"Let him explain, dearest!" he whispered to me.

"With full pay, of course!" added Mr. Prescott. "I know it's not fair and that you enjoy your work. It looks like I'm kowtowing to Arnold Hanks, but it's not quite that simple, Mrs. Black ... Please understand my intention behind this. I'm sorry to admit that I know exactly what Arnold is capable of. Although I haven't met him in person since high school and don't do business with him directly, I am aware of how far-reaching his connections are. I regret very much what happened to this girl and I would like nothing better than to teach Arnold a proper lesson for it. To want to resort to means that stand in no connection with this act, just to save his wayward son from any legal actions, is more than questionable. It's definitely not right. But I can't put the future of the company at risk just to have a power struggle with him. If it were just me, I would fight this battle to the end. But in this company, together with you, there are one hundred and eighty-six jobs. I can't put them at risk!"

I fell back in my chair indecisively.

I didn't know what to say. But I could certainly understand his concerns.

Mr. Prescott brought me a glass.

Brandy, Whiskey, Bourbon. Haven't a clue.

I downed it while Edward held my hand.

"Rest assured that I do not enjoy having to punish you with this. As a little compensation - in addition to your salary, which you will continue to receive - my lawyer stands at your disposal free of charge." He handed me a business card. "You can also make use of this one in case your relationship is attacked. Whether by Arnold Hanks or someone else. If you are bored at home, I will give you something to do. Something that is undoubtedly not as exciting as your usual lab work, but which you can certainly do at home ... If there is anything else I can do for you, for your son or for his girlfriend, please let me know," he said sincerely.

I swallowed and thanked him.

"I expect a call from you regularly ... and, of course, an invitation to the wedding!" he concluded by extending his hand to me.

He also said farewell to Edward with a hearty handshake and probably murmured again that he was sorry he could not do otherwise.

In the lab, I briefly reported to Peter all that Mr. Prescott had said and gathered my things together.

Officially, it would say I was fired, but I could tell the truth to Peter without him gossiping.


"Mr. Prescott really isn't trying to annoy you or do a favor for Mike's father. He's really just concerned about his company ... and your well-being," Edward said as we then sat in the car.

"I thought so too," was all I said. He had a responsibility to carry, and he couldn't forget it because of a puny employee. "Wait a minute. My well-being? What do you mean?" then it struck my attention.

"He's just afraid that if HE doesn't do what Mike's father asks, he'll find someone who can really piss you off ... But please don't be afraid now. Mr. Hanks will not expose himself to the risk of challenging further charges against himself or his family. He really just wants to put some obstacles in your way so that maybe Becky will withdraw the case when she realizes the impact it has on those around her."

"So, he's going to try similar things with Eliza and Henry?" I inquired.

"I think so. But Eliza won't be impressed by that. She's as tough as Becky. It's only Henry we might have to speak to, to give him a heads up," Edward remarked.

I nodded and indulged in my thoughts the rest of the way to the hospital.

I could understand how ruthless Mr. Hanks was in part. He wanted to protect his child. What kind of parents wouldn't do that? However, there should be natural limits to this. A rape fell quite clearly under it!

"What are you doing with your vacation now?" asked Edward curiously after a moment.

"Mmm ... Maybe I'll fly to Hawaii for a few days. Or Maui," I considered, just to tease him.

I was speechless when he stuck his tongue out at me in a huff. He had never done that before!

My silence continued until we arrived at the hospital.


Becky and Jake lay on the bed together again.

In the meantime, even fully dressed. The IV was removed and the bandage on her other hand changed.

Becky looked pretty relaxed. She had fallen asleep.

The first thing Jake requested immediately was something to drink, since Becky was in his arms and he was quite limited in his movements as a result. He didn't want to wake her up.

I was already a little touched by how lovingly my son took care of his girlfriend.

Becky's parents had also been there before, but since Becky was to be examined by Carlisle and Dr. Bennett again shortly afterwards, they had driven away for the time being. The two doctors had probably kept Becky pretty busy.

I asked Jake how Becky was, and he told me that he was actually wondering how well she was really doing. Even yesterday. She couldn't have gotten over it so quickly, however.

"Becky's just not a girl who's easily intimidated," I said with conviction. "Just think about the volleyball game. She gets a ball so hard that she lies there unconscious, and not ten minutes later she continues to play as if nothing had happened. Even more determined than before."

"Yes, but a rape?" he doubted, skeptically.

"She doesn't see herself as a rape victim, just a victim of Mike in general. No matter what he did," Edward said. "And as long as you are with her, she feels absolutely safe. Safe is the incorrect term ... complete is more like it."

Jake looked at Becky in a very tender way and gently stroked her cheek.

"Yes ... complete ... Like a part of me is missing when she's not here," he muttered to himself as Carlisle entered the room.

He was surprised that we were here and we briefly told him that my boss had given me a leave of absence. Until further notice.

"Her parents are here," Edward then said.


We decided to intercept them directly and then went together to Carlisle's office next door.

Henry and Eliza were a little nervous because we wouldn't let them go to Becky.

"Don't worry about Becky. She's just sleeping a little right now. We may have bounced her around the hospital a little too much this morning," Carlisle immediately began to say with a smile. "But Becky is really doing excellent. Mentally and physically. The multitude of wounds looks alarming indeed, but as I said yesterday, they are mostly superficial abrasions. The only thing that should continue to be observed is her hand as well as the genital area. But there is also nothing to worry about. The healing should only be monitored," Carlisle summarized Becky's state of health.

"Then why may we not go to her?" asked Henry suspiciously.

"You may. Anytime. We just wanted to discuss something with you first while Becky is still asleep," Carlisle said, looking at us summoningly.

So, we told them what had happened this morning and that my leave of absence was the work of Arnold Hanks. At the same time, we warned them about the possibility of the same thing happening to them.

But they were not ready to be undercut by one Arnold Hanks and would continue the case. Without accepting the money from Edward! They would also have turned down Mr. Hanks' money. Henry emphasized that he had merely been taken by surprise to receive such an offer.

"There is no compelling medical reason to continue to keep Becky here, however, I don't want to expose her to her usual daily routine just yet. The injuries will require a few more days of rest. Also, I don't want Becky or Jake to come across Mr. Hanks or his son ..."

"Why Jake?" inquired Henry, puzzled.

"I give you my word that Jake would kill Mike!" interjected Edward, and I nodded in affirmation.

"Jake's temper also needs some time to settle down. Therefore, I would like to make the following proposal: I live with my family on an estate far outside the city. On the one hand, it is well secured against uninvited guests by alarm systems and the like, on the other hand, I have a fully equipped treatment room there. I would like to host the two of them together for the next few days there. My wife Esmé will take excellent care of them."

"Uh ..." Henry considered, but didn't seem to know what to say to that.

I chuckled softly.

"You are of course also invited ... whether you would like to stay there for a few days or just visit Becky. You are also free, of course, to form your own picture first and then decide," Carlisle added.

"Why are you doing this? Do you offer this to your patients all the time?" Henry asked skeptically.

Carlisle pointed to Edward and me, on whose lap I sat while his arms were around me.

In this room there were only three chairs since yesterday anyway.

Henry looked at us a little confused.

"Bella is Jake's mother. Edward is my son. That makes Jake my grandson and Becky will be my granddaughter-in-law ... Becky and Jake have already been with us a few times and know their way around the extensive grounds," Carlisle explained with a smirk on his face.

"I see ..." was the only comment for now, while Eliza also smirked.

They would think about it.


We went back over and Becky had woken up by now. She was lying on top of Jake, kissing him.

Edward had already cleared his throat loudly at the door and stopped Henry for another brief moment with an awkward stumble.

Then, as soon as Becky's parents could see the room, they sat nicely in front of each other on the bed and held hands.

Sweet!

We reported what Jake had already overheard anyway, at least until Becky's lips must have distracted him. They were clearly enthusiastic about Carlisle's proposal, who was already finalizing the release papers.

Becky went into the bathroom with her mother and got dressed.

"How come my daughter has clothes here, anyway?" wondered Henry now suspiciously.

Edward answered him almost truthfully.

He had only added that Jake would have explained to him exactly where Becky's room was, what he was supposed to bring, and where he would find it.

Henry nodded while Jake changed in the room.

He had already exchanged his sweatpants for his jeans and he was just pulling his T-shirt over his head.

Henry marveled at Jake's muscular torso.

That was no wonder. It already appeared a bit unnatural on a boy like Jake, but he looked more and more similar to his father.

"You're pretty strong, my boy!" noted Henry.

"Yeah ... I do a lot of sports."

"You're not doing drugs or anything, however?"

"Certainly not! People who take that stuff destroy themselves. Besides, Carlisle would probably notice at some point and give me hell together with Mom," Jake replied.

I smirked.

One could see Henry trying so hard to dislike Jake, but he would probably lose to himself.


Emmett was already standing leaning against the BMW when we all entered the parking lot.

I had already forgotten about him. We drove in four cars. Plus my motorcycle. Jake had taken the key from the Golf yesterday and then forgot to give it to Leah at the hospital. So, the Golf stood in front of the school all night. Leah had brought him the Audi this morning in case he needed a car.

Becky and Jake drove in that one.

Carlisle took his Mercedes, as he also had to drive back to the hospital later.

Emmett drove my bike home and then would transfer to Carlisle's car.

Becky's parents drove in their own car and Edward and I sat in the BMW.

Terms like climate change, waste of resources and stuff like that went through my head.

I smiled sentimentally as a velvety voice of memory whispered in my head, 'The waste of limited resources is everyone's business.'


In the main house Esmé already welcomed us.

She had quit her job last week after her employer plain and simply tried to exploit her. She had worked for an interior designer whose customers had always asked for her advice more than his and his store was recommended more and more widely. He had scheduled appointments with customers mainly in the evening so that Esmé would also be present in the store all day. He paid no attention to private appointments. Like for Leah and Becky's volleyball game, for example. After he summoned Esmé to drive to a client's house for the weekend for the umpteenth time, she had grown tired of it.

Henry and Eliza paused a bit as Esmé hugged the children in greeting.

And - well - it was noon, a wolf as well as four humans were there, and Carlisle had announced us. Of course, Esmé had already conjured up something to eat. Stuffed peppers with rice.

The table was even set already.

Esmé was resourceful, in a way. The table decoration was quite large, and she had also spread tall glasses and bottles across the table. So, it was not noticeable that the vampires passed their poorly filled plates to Jake one by one.

During the meal, Carlisle divulged some more information.

The house had various guest rooms as well as employment opportunities. The whole area was enclosed by a high metal fence and secured by surveillance cameras and the like. Nobody from the city - except our friends - knew where this property was located.

Henry and Eliza ate in silence and wondered.

Becky's parents had then retired and talked with her for some time, and also with Jake and Carlisle afterwards.

They would not stay. Becky should relax for a few days and according to Eliza's explanations she would be able to do that best without parental supervision. It had taken a while for Henry to realize that. But they would talk on the phone every evening and come over the day after tomorrow, Friday. According to Esmé's 'strict' instructions, they would come for dinner.


Thank you for reading!