Edward's P.O.V.:
"Welcome home." Esme happily greeted us when we got home.
"Thank you." We greeted in return.
"Is Carlisle home yet?" I inquired, looking around, already knowing the answer.
"Not yet. Is something going on? How was school?" Esme questioned, becoming concerned.
"No, everything is fine. School was fine." I vaguely answered.
"Some new girl caught his attention—again." Rosalie condescendingly answered.
"Thank you, Rosalie. The girl didn't catch my attention—other than she collapsed at lunch. According to Bella, she's fine. She's been homeschooled most of her life and is trying some trial run thing or whatever for a week." I answered, watching Esme, not realizing Carlisle was back.
"Oh, you've met Nevaeh." Carlisle spoke, making me jump a little; I didn't hear his thoughts.
"Sorry. Are you ok?" Carlisle questioned, raising an eyebrow after apologizing.
"Yeah, sorry. I didn't hear your thoughts is all. And you know Nevaeh?" I apologized before asking.
"Vaguely. I met her earlier this morning—before she went on her first day of her trial run for school. How did she do?" Carlisle answered before asking.
"Bella said she had some kind of attack and collapsed at lunch. What? It's the truth, isn't it?" Rosalie answered, sneering a little.
"Bella?" Carlisle questioned, confused.
"I was wondering that as well." Esme spoke up as Rosalie and Emmett walked away. Alice and Jasper stayed.
Alice stayed because she was being nosey.
Jasper stayed because Alice stayed.
"All I know about Bella is that she's Nevaeh's student guide or some shit. She is supposed to stick with Nevaeh and guide her around the school for the week—except physical education. Something about her not being in good health. She went home after her asthma attack." I answered, annoyed.
If she's related to who I think she is, it would make some sense.
"She probably should've waited to start school until tomorrow; this morning was a lot. That school is decently clean with little dust. I suppose with other students going in and out, it could have been her asthma, but I highly doubt it; she more than likely had a panic attack." Carlisle spoke up.
"I didn't do anything to the girl!" I snapped.
"I didn't say you didn't." Carlisle calmly insisted, making me realize I snapped at him.
"Why would you think that?" Esme questioned, concerned.
"Bella said she had her attack after saw Edward and was told that he was adopted and that his last name was once Masen." Alice answered for me while I calmed down.
"And then her last name had Edward silent the entire way home." Jasper stoically added.
"Moon?" Carlisle inquired, sounding interested.
"Yes. So, that is her last name?" I questioned, watching Carlisle. But I didn't need him to speak his answer; I could see it written on his face.
"Yes, Nevaeh Moon. Her father's name is Creed Moon. And then, she has an older half brother named Cassius. Funny. When I first met them, I mistook Creed for her father, but he was seventeen when he had her—and fourteen when Cassius was born." Carlisle answered, watching me closely.
"What's going on? You sound strained. Why shouldn't she have come to school today?" Alice questioned.
"Cassius walked into the clinic, yelling, demanding to know where Nevaeh was. When Creed asked why he was looking for her, he mentioned that he was going to take her virginity by raping her, and that he had been anally raping her for some time now. Officer Swan shot and took him away—after he was seen by a different doctor. I will give Cassius some kind of credit; he's able to admit it's rape and not that she enjoyed it. Nevaeh and Creed are going to have a lot to talk about. He didn't know. Or if he did, he didn't want to believe it. And Nevaeh never said anything because Cassius manipulated her into believing what he was doing to her wasn't bad. She believes he doesn't intentionally hurt her, but at the same time, she doesn't like the "in-bed" game." Carlisle explained, pissing me off even more.
"History is repeating itself." I muttered.
"What was that?" Carlisle inquired, not quite hearing me.
"I knew her nana. That's what Bella said Nevaeh calls her grandmother or great grandmother. Hell. With her family, Nevaeh may be her great, great granddaughter. I don't know how far back they're going, but I knew her. Halley Moon. I'm pretty sure that's who we're talking about because she's the only girl with the last name, Moon, I knew really well when I was alive—save for her mother. I used to babysit Halley."
"Anyway, Halley had an older brother, Cosmo; he was about my age. I caught him raping Halley and I beat the ever-loving shit out of him. I would have killed him had it not been for Halley; she didn't need any more trauma at that time. She was a good kid. A little strange, but good, nonetheless. She didn't deserve that. Nor did she deserve the family she was born into. Her father beat her. Her mother favored her younger brother, Leo, and ignored her—and the beatings. Cosmo raped her—I don't know how many times before that day. But he sure as hell never did it again; I made sure of that. He ended up in some hospital with brain damage. And then Leo demanded she give him whatever he wanted. He tried demanding she give him the cat I got her when she returned from some hospital, where I'm pretty sure they did electroshock therapy. Oh, I put a stop to that as well. Her parents were afraid of me after I beat Cosmo to an inch of his life, and they couldn't prove it. But him raping Halley came to light. Plus, I suppose my dad being a lawyer helped my case as well. But I made sure Halley got to keep Bubby. I don't know what happened to any of them after I was turned." I answered, pausing once to let everything set in.
"Bubby? That's what Nevaeh calls her emotional support cat. My nurse for the day told me that Nevaeh said her great grandmother gave him to her." Carlisle explained.
"They must like that name." I responded in disbelief.
"She's a nice girl. Her dad said she must like me because she was just blurting things out—something she never does. I guess she never talks to people she doesn't know because she has trust issues." Carlisle continued to explain.
"Let me guess: she's autistic as well?" I questioned as Rosalie and Emmett walked back down.
"No, but she does have autistic tendencies—according to Creed. He also informed me that she has asthma, basic anxiety, severe social anxiety, ADD, Tourette's Syndrome, and mild depression. And then she mentioned something about randomly falling over for no apparent reason often." Carlisle answered with a sigh.
"You don't believe that?" I questioned, seeing something on his face.
"I don't believe she has Tourette's Syndrome, no. She often twitches in her seat, but I believe that's part of the ADD. And maybe it's because we just met, but she seems like a happy girl. Creed mentioned that she's no longer on her mother's insurance, and he can't afford all of her medications yet, but he only asked for her anxiety meds to be sent to the pharmacy. So, I don't know. I need to examine the girl more in order to learn more about her. And it's clear she needs to speak with someone, but I don't think Creed wants to take her to a therapist—and she doesn't seem like she wants to see them either. So, if you wouldn't mind, I told Creed (while Nevaeh was passed out), that she could talk to you." Carlisle answered and explained before speaking to Esme.
"If she wants, I can most certainly speak with her." Esme happily agreed.
"You're not going to make us watch this girl's ever move, are you?" Rosalie questioned, already complaining.
"No. Just keep an eye on her at school for the week. I don't think she's going to be continuing public school after this week. She's been homeschooled since the second grade; I don't think she's going to be able to handle the change very well." Carlisle calmly answered.
"Why was she homeschooled all that time after going to kindergarten and first grade?" Alice questioned, curious.
"From what I understand, she was severely bullied." Carlisle answered, upsetting Alice before she became scary and determined.
"Alice… Don't scare the girl. Don't rush her with your—enthusiasm. If she's as anxious as we've been told, we don't want her panicking." I firmly told Alice after seeing her thoughts.
"Aww, poo; you're no fun." Alice playfully pouted.
Normal P.O.V.:
With Nevaeh & Creed:
"Daddy, can't you go any faster?" Nevaeh complained from the passenger seat with Bubby in her lap.
"No, I can't; I have to go the speed limit. You need to relax; Nana isn't going anywhere." Creed calmly answered Nevaeh.
"But Daddy, I need to tell Nana that I found Edward's relative like me—and that his name is also Edward. We need to hurry." Nevaeh anxiously insisted.
"The only thing we need to do is calm down and relax. If you don't or can't relax, I'll turn the car around, and we'll go home. Do you want that?" Creed sternly told Nevaeh, not taking his eyes off the road.
"No. But we still need to hurry. She's been waiting forever to hear about Edward's family; she said she had to return something to them. And we don't know how long she'll be around. She's older, and anyone can go whenever." Nevaeh answered, sulking as she sank into her seat.
"Nana is fine. I just talked to her a few minutes ago. And yes, I know any day could be anybody's day. And when Nana's time comes, it comes, and it won't be your fault or anyone else's. Just as your mother's death wasn't your fault." 'And knowing those people, they're not going to let Nana die until they suck all of her money out of her—and get whatever it is that they want.' Creed calmly told Nevaeh before darkly thinking to himself.
"But it was somebody's fault—and I couldn't do anything to help her. So, it's my fault as well." Nevaeh replied.
"Yes, it was somebody's help, but there was nothing you could do to help her. Nevaeh, I love you very much, but you're not strong enough to take on a group of men—let alone even one. I'm sorry. Not only that, but the police told me that when they found you, you were tied up in a closet." Creed became calm and sympathetic.
"But if I had called the police before—or told anyone what Mama's boyfriend was doing…" Nevaeh started but stopped because she couldn't stop crying.
"Mrow!" Bubby mewed as he rubbed against Nevaeh to try to calm her down.
"Nevaeh, Baby. Everything is going to be ok. None of that was your fault, just as what Cassius was doing wasn't. And you did your best: you called me and asked for help. If anything, I'm the one at fault because I didn't get to you fast enough, and your mother and you paid the price for that. That man and Cassius are sick men. Ok?" Creed pulled into a gas station parking lot and held her face, making Nevaeh look him in the eyes.
Nevaeh only nodded her head because she couldn't speak with the sobs that wracked through her body.
"Ok. I'm going to fill the gas up all the way and then I'm going to head in to pay. Do you want something from the store? Something to drink or eat?" Creed informed Nevaeh before asking her.
Nevaeh shook her head; she didn't want anything.
"Are you sure?" He asked. Nevaeh nodded.
"Ok. Lie back and take a nap; we have a little ways to go yet." Creed instructed.
"No. If I go to sleep, you're going to turn around and take me home. I need to see Nana." Nevaeh cried out.
"No, I won't. I will still take you to see Nana. But you need to relax. Rest, so you have enough energy when you see Nana. Ok? I promise to take you to see Nana. Please, rest." Creed promised Nevaeh as Bubby climbed up Nevaeh and started rubbing his head on her face.
"Ok." Nevaeh gave in and put her seat back.
"Good girl. And don't unlock or open the door for anyone. I have my keys." Creed sternly instructed.
"Yes, Daddy." Nevaeh replied, closing her eyes.
'Thank God.' Creed thought to himself.
An Hour & A Half Later:
"Nevaeh, wake up. We're just about at the nursing home to see Nana." Creed shook Nevaeh awake.
"Huh? Oh, ok." Nevaeh muttered, slowly waking up.
She sat up—or rather tried sitting up, forgetting that she was strapped to her seat in the laying position.
"You have to push the button on the side to sit the seat up." Creed calmly told Nevaeh, trying not to laugh at her.
"I know that." Nevaeh mumbled, embarrassed, as she got her seat up.
"Where do you think you're going?" Creed questioned as soon as Nevaeh opened her door once he was parked.
"In to see Nana. That's why we're here. I know where her room is." Nevaeh answered, standing up.
"That may be true, but you are not to go anywhere in there on your own. Do you understand me? You can go in, but you are to wait at the front for me. I have some things I need to get for Nana." Creed sternly told Nevaeh. The only reason he let her go in by herself (with Bubby) was because he saw her impatient face.
"Yes, Daddy; thank you." Nevaeh replied with a smile before heading inside.
'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting to tell her something?' Creed asked himself. And then it came to him:
"Shit! Her name! Don't mention your name or who she's there to see. How could I forget those? Those should've been the first things I told her. Damnit!" Creed yelled at himself, hurrying to get what he needed.
"Hello, welcome to Shady Place for the elderly. How may I help you?" A woman greeted Nevaeh when she walked in with Bubby.
"I'm here to see my nana." Nevaeh answered, waiting by some chairs.
"Ok. What is your nana's name?" The woman questioned, going to her computer.
"Nana." Nevaeh answered as Bubby clung to her shoulder.
"Ok. What is her last name? Or better yet? What is your name?" The woman questioned, staring at Nevaeh, making her uncomfortable.
"I have to wait for my dad to come in." Nevaeh spoke, looking around.
"Ok. I see we're going to have some trouble here. You're going to have to leave now." The woman firmly told Nevaeh.
"I'm here to see Nana." Nevaeh persisted, standing still.
"Don't make me call security." "Wait a minute, Jennifer." A man walked over, interrupting the woman, Jennifer.
"Sir?" Jennifer questioned, confused.
"It's been some time, hasn't it, Ms. Nevaeh? Nevaeh here, is Halley Moon's great granddaughter. You're here to see your great grandmother, yes?" The man questioned and explained, saying "great" in a way that confused Nevaeh.
"Yes, I'm here to see Nana." Nevaeh answered.
"And as always, you have your cat, I see." The man added, noticing Bubby.
"Yes, Sir." Nevaeh replied.
"Ok. Well, you know where to go, yes? Or do you need me to guide you?" The man questioned, causing Bubby to dig his claws into Nevaeh's shoulders a little.
"Ow. Bubby, that hurts. Yes, I know where to go, but I have to wait for my dad." Nevaeh answered.
"Oh, your father is here as well?" The man questioned, trying to hide his displeasure.
"Yes. He'll be in in a little bit; he had things he needed to get." Nevaeh answered.
"Ok. Well, why don't you head on to see your grandmother? I will let your father know where you are." The man continued to push Nevaeh to see Halley.
"No, thank you. Daddy told me to wait here; I should do what he says. I don't wish to get into any trouble." Nevaeh replied, standing still.
"There won't be any trouble; I promise. You can go see your grandmother now." The man continued.
"No, she cannot. Nevaeh made the correct decision to listen to what I told her." Creed spoke, walking in with a few bags.
"Mr. Moon." The man greeted, trying to remain polite.
"Mr. Trust." Creed replied, not bothering to hide his disdain.
"No Desiree today?" The man, Mr. Trust, questioned, watching Creed.
"No. She is no longer with us. I'm surprised you hadn't heard. If you haven't, you should check online. Now, if you'll excuse us; I brought Nevaeh to see Nana. Good day. Come on, Nevaeh." Creed answered before ushering Nevaeh away.
"Good day." Mr. Trust replied, waving.
"Oh, and just so you're aware: Nevaeh will continue to visit Nana, but it won't be as much; I have custody now, so I will bring her once or twice a week from now on." Creed added, turning to look at Mr. Trust.
When he turned back to Nevaeh, he covered her ears with his hands.
"Damnit!" Creed heard Mr. Trust curse. He didn't want Nevaeh to hear him. That's why he covered her ears. And he knew once Mr. Trust found out about Desiree and her murder, he would be irate.
"Is something going on?" Nevaeh inquired, looking back at Creed.
"Never you mind; it's not something for you to worry about. Now, watch where you're going. Go see Nana while you can." Creed replied with a small smile.
"Why don't you like Nana?" Nevaeh questioned, catching Creed off guard.
"Why do you think I don't like Nana?" Creed questioned, finding his voice.
"Mama said that's why you won't bring me to visit her like she did." Nevaeh answered.
"*Sigh…* Nevaeh, I don't dislike Nana; she's my grandma and I love her very dearly. And as much as I'd love to visit her more—love to let you visit her more; I just can't. There are things going on that you don't need to worry about right now. Maybe when you're older, I'll tell you. But for now, just let it be and enjoy your time with Nana as much as you can. As you said earlier, we don't know how long we have with someone. Ok?" Creed honestly told Nevaeh.
"Yes, Daddy." Nevaeh softly replied, giving up—for now. Creed could tell she wasn't going to completely back off. But for now, she was content.
'I really do love my grandmother and would love to be able to bring Nevaeh to her more. But there's the fact that we're over two hours away. But the main reason is that I just don't trust this place. I don't trust Mr. Trust and I don't want Nevaeh anywhere near him. I can't believe my parents put Nana here. Well, I can; they always said they were going to. But I never imagined they ever would.' Creed thought to himself, making it to their nana's room.
Knock. Knock.
"Who is it?" An old, shaky voice questioned.
"It's Nevaeh and Creed." Creed answered as Nevaeh excitedly bounced from foot to foot.
"Come in." Halley replied.
When they walked in, Halley was lying in bed, watching something on tv.
"Hi, Nana." Nevaeh excitedly greeted Halley, going to hug her.
"Hi, my sweet girl." Halley hugged Nevaeh in return.
"Hi, Nana." Creed calmly greeted, hugging Halley after Nevaeh.
"Oh, my boy. How are you?" Halley questioned, hugging Creed.
"I'm fine, Nana. How are you?" Creed replied before asking.
Halley was a small, frail old woman with thin, dark silver hair and dull green eyes. She was almost one-hundred-seven. She was born on Christmas Eve of 1908; it was now September 2015.
"I'm fine. I'd be better if I weren't here." Halley answered.
"I know, Nana." Creed sighed, watching Halley with a sad smile.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm fine. And I'll live. How are your parents?" Halley firmly told Creed before asking.
"Yeah. I honestly don't know. I disowned them years ago when Nevaeh was a small child. All I really know is that they're both remarried and none of their children talk to them." Creed answered with a sigh.
"Oh, yes. I think I remember you telling me that before. How are your brothers and sisters?" Halley answered before asking.
"Uhh… Mars and Ares are dead. Last I knew, Luna was in rehab. And I haven't heard from Aurora since before Nevaeh was born." Creed answered, thinking a little.
"Oh, right. I think you told me that as well. Where is Desiree?" Halley questioned, sounding a little confused.
"Desiree passed away, Nana." Creed somberly spoke.
"Oh. When did that happen?" Halley questioned, sounding shocked this time.
"A few months ago. But that's something we shouldn't talk about." Creed answered before motioning at Nevaeh from behind her, hoping Halley would see and understand.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Halley immediately apologized, upset. She honestly didn't know about Desiree: Creed and Neveah could see on her face.
"It's ok, Nana. Daddy said it wasn't my fault." Nevaeh replied with a small, sad smile, causing Creed to smack his face.
"Well, of course, it wasn't your fault. Everyone gets sick, and your mother was just like everyone else in that sense. The cancer and bad heart just beat her is all." Halley insisted, shocking Creed and confusing Nevaeh.
"Mama had cancer?" Nevaeh inquired, looking to Creed, confused.
"It's news to me. I knew she had an abnormal heart arrhythmia, but nothing too out of the ordinary." Creed answered Nevaeh, being honest with her.
"Umm… Nana, I brought Bubby to visit you." Nevaeh changed the subject, seeing the frustration growing on Creed's face.
"Oh, Bubby. It is so good to see you again. You look just as good now as you did fifty or even a hundred years ago. You got fat living with my sweet girl." Halley cheerfully greeted Bubby, who jumped next to Halley to rub against her.
Creed held his tongue despite wanting to say something about how cats don't live that long. Though, if he was being honest, when Halley told Bubby he got fat, he could have sworn he saw him nearly fall over before curling into a ball at Halley's hip.
"He's always been a sensitive cat. But he'll tell you otherwise, of course." Halley told Neveah with a smile, making Nevaeh smile.
'I will say, Bubby is certainly a strange cat. But he makes Nevaeh happy—and helps keep her calm. Nana gave him to her eight years ago, just before she was put into this place. Two peas in a pod those two. If they weren't three generations apart, I'd say they could be twins. It's good to see Nevaeh smiling a real smile again. I just wish it would last.' Creed thought to himself as he watched Nevaeh and Halley.
"Oh, Nana: I have big, big news. I would have been here sooner, but we moved back to a place called Forks, Washington: it's two hours away from here. And Daddy told me I wasn't allowed to come to your room by myself; I had to wait in front of the front desk and wait for him." Nevaeh's words broke Creed out of his thoughts.
"Good. You listen to your daddy; you shouldn't be here by yourself, ever. That doesn't include Bubby or coming to visit me. You promise me you will listen to your daddy." Halley strictly told Nevaeh, shocking Creed. She had never been so strict with Nevaeh before.
"Yes, Nana. And as promised, I didn't tell anyone my name, but that one man came to the front and saw me; he told the lady at the desk who I was. I'm sorry." Nevaeh explained and apologized.
"It's not your fault, Dear. I'm sure whoever that man was, was a snake in the grass. But what is your big news?" Halley insisted before changing the subject.
And there it was: Creed saw in Halley's face that she didn't trust Mr. Trust and didn't want Neveah here as much as he didn't. Yet, at the same time, he could see the hurt of not seeing Nevaeh at all. He could also see that Halley didn't want Neveah to know much as well.
"Edward. I didn't meet him, but I saw Edward's family member like I am to you. His name is Edward Cullen; he was adopted, and Bella told me that his last name used to be Masen like your Edward. And I know it's him because he looks a lot like your Edward. Oh, and Bella goes to school in Forks; she's my student guide for the week. That means she sticks with me except for when she's in gym while I try school for a week. Daddy said if I do well, I can start going to school. And if people bully me again, not everyone will because Bella said she'd be my friend. And her friends are very nice." Nevaeh excitedly spoke, speaking a mile a minute.
"Oh, that is so great. My sweet girl has a friend—who isn't furry." Halley happily replied.
That was news to Creed. He knew about Isabella Swan and that she was Halley's student guide at school. But he didn't know she told Nevaeh she'd be her friend. He, too, was happy for Nevaeh. However, he still didn't know about her going to school.
"Are you happy about Edward too, Nana? I know I haven't met him yet, but I will one day. I'll see if Bella will introduce me to him. Her friends said she was friends with Edward and his brothers and sisters. Her friend said that Edward and his siblings were loners, but Bella was able to make friends with them. She even dated Edward, but they broke up and she started dating someone named Jacob." Nevaeh questioned Halley, desperate to make her happy.
Nevaeh was by no means stupid. She wasn't all that smart, but she wasn't stupid; she could tell when something was off. And she knew how unhappy her nana was.
"Oh, yes. I am very happy. And as long as you're sure he is who you say he is, I have something for you to give to him. Well, a few things. But don't you open them until you give them to Mr. Cullen. That's what his last name is, correct?" Halley firmly told Nevaeh, watching her closely.
"Yes, Nana. And I promise." Nevaeh promised with a big smile.
Creed changed his position and stood in a spot Halley motioned for him to before she sat up.
"Be a dear and dig around under my mattress. You should feel a small package." Halley instructed Nevaeh.
Nevaeh became hesitant but did what Halley told her to do nonetheless. Sure enough, she pulled out a package the size of a piece of paper in length and width. It was, however, a little thicker than a thin cardboard box you'd get in the mail.
"Don't let anyone here see that, do you hear me?" Halley strictly told Nevaeh.
"Yes, Nana." Halley replied with a small smile.
"Here. These are for you, Nana; I found them in trunk while I was clearing out the attic the other day." Creed informed Halley, handing her some older pictures.
"Oh, thank you." Halley emotionally told Creed, looking through her old pictures.
"There's Edward." Nevaeh happily pointed to an old picture of Halley and Edward years ago.
"Yes, there he is." Halley replied with a smile.
"And Nevaeh picked these out for you. Go ahead and give them to her." Creed told Halley before insisting Nevaeh give her the things she picked out for their Nana.
"Oh, Nevaeh, I love them. This one looks just like Bubby. Thank you, Love." Halley emotionally thanked Nevaeh, hugging her.
Nevaeh picked out several stuffed animals for Halley, hoping they'd help her not feel so lonely—and hopefully not to forget her.
Once all the stuffed animals were out of the bags, Nevaeh replaced them with the package for Edward in the fabric bag. Creed continued to bury the package with the other bags.
"You're welcome. I had it specially made for you a few months ago." Nevaeh replied, happy she made Halley smile.
"Oh, I love you two so much." Halley emotionally told Nevaeh and Creed.
"Uh-oh. Can I use the bathroom?" Nevaeh requested, holding her stomach.
"Of course. Go ahead, my sweet girl." Halley replied with a smile.
"She is so sweet." Halley told Creed, watching Nevaeh walk to the bathroom.
"Yes, she is." Creed agreed, watching Halley.
"Ok. Don't sugarcoat anything. What happened with Desiree?" Halley questioned, becoming very serious.
"Your acting has improved. Is that how you act and behave for everyone here?" Creed noted before inquiring.
"For everyone except that Mr. Trust. He's the one who greeted Nevaeh when you got here?" Halley answered.
"Yes." Creed answered with a frustrated sigh.
"Desiree?" Halley asked again.
"First, what did you give Neveah? Don't even: I saw you." Creed firmly questioned.
"I just gave her a mild laxative. It takes about half an hour to activate. And then it only least five or ten minutes. Now, what happened to Desiree?" Halley answered before demanding.
"Jesus, Nana. But I suppose—if you want to have a serious talk… Desiree was violently murdered by her boyfriend. The same boyfriend who beat Halley and started touching her in the middle of the night. Nevaeh was there, witnessed it, and blames herself for it wholeheartedly—even though she was tied up and locked in a closet, bleeding out. He went after her as well." Creed solemnly explained.
"Sheesh. I didn't particularly like Desiree, but she didn't deserve that. Although, I knew I didn't like her even more after she brought that man into their lives. My sweet girl. But she's ok now?" Halley muttered before inquiring.
"She's alive if that's what you mean. Psychologically, however, she's not doing well. She wakes up screaming every night. Now, it's your turn. Did Desiree really have cancer and a heart problem?" Creed answered before questioning.
"She said she was diagnosed with liver, brain, pancreas, and kidney cancer in both kidneys. I think she mentioned lymphoma as well, but I don't remember too well with that. And she also told me she had a mild heart attack while you had Nevaeh for a month. She said she told you all this." Halley answered.
"No, she didn't tell me any of that." Creed answered, becoming angry.
"Your face will freeze that way. I suppose if she told you any of that, Halley would have been taken from her and given to you more. If she would have done that, what happened to Nevaeh wouldn't have happened to her." Halley spoke in an accusing tone. Creed decided to leave it alone.
"Be straight with me. What do these people want with you? Why the hell are they prolonging your life when you just want to die? Why did your sons and their partners put you in here?" Creed demanded, watching Halley.
"*Sigh…* They want immortality. *Sigh…*" Halley answered, deeply sighing.
"Excuse me? Do you know where the fountain of youth is? I know you're almost one-hundred-seven. But Christ—you're not exactly a beautiful young girl anymore. Not that you're not beautiful now; you're still very beautiful." Creed responded in shock.
"Don't lie to me: I like an old shriveled up prune. But thank you for the compliment. I know all that, but they believe I'm some kind of link to immortality—or that I have something that is. It ridiculous." Halley answered, annoyed.
"Ridiculous? Nana, it's ludicrous. It's one of the stupidest things I've heard in years now." Creed lost it; he was pissed.
"I know. But you be honest with me. How are Luna and Aurora?" Halley replied before demanding Creed.
"As I said, as far as I know, Luna is in rehab. And Aurora, I haven't heard from for damn near sixteen years now. Nevaeh will be sixteen on Christmas Eve, and the last time I heard from Aurora was three months before Nevaeh was born. I'm convinced she's dead. But without a body, there's no way to prove that." Creed answered Halley.
"What does Nevaeh know?" Halley questioned, narrowing her old, dull eyes.
"She believes Luna is in rehab and Aurora ran away. She knows that Mars and Ares are dead. She knows nothing about this place, but I also know very little about it. I know I don't want her knowing anything about it. And I really don't want her knowing anything about our family other than what I told her." Creed answered, running his hand through his hair.
"Good. I don't think she should know much either. I told her about Edward because he was my best friend—and the best part of my life. Him and Bubby. Though, he's the one who gave me Bubby." Halley agreed before reminiscing about Edward.
"You truly loved him." Creed noted, watching Halley.
"Yes, I did. And if I hadn't been so young, I would have told him. But he was seven and a half years older than me. And he was going into the army to serve our country. I know you probably don't like this subject, but I hope Nevaeh can find a guy like him before it's too late for her. How is Cosmo? I realized I never asked about him." Halley replied before asking.
"He attacked Halley. He admitted earlier, when I took Nevaeh to the clinic that he anally raped her—and wanted her virginity." Creed answered, waiting. He knew he was about to get it.
"I told you to watch out for him. I told you something like this would happen. But at least she's still got her hymen intact. You keep an eye out for her. Make sure she has someone else to keep an eye out for her as well." Halley firmly told Creed.
'That wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.' Creed thought to himself.
"How is Nevaeh doing with her anxiety and all that other stuff?" Halley inquired, bringing Creed back to reality.
"Worse since her mother's murder. I took her to see Dr. Cullen this morning; he recommended she talk to someone. He said his wife was available twice a week, but I get the feeling he's going to ask her first. I think it'd be good for Nevaeh—to have someone outside of me to talk to. But I know it has to be up to her. But I think since Dr. Cullen suggested his wife, Nevaeh might agree to it. You know her; she doesn't like or trust anyone. She liked and trusted him; she just kept blurting things out. But that's about it." Creed answered.
"How often do you plan to bring her to visit me?" Halley quickly asked that heartbreaking question when they heard the toilet flush—again. They also heard Nevaeh sigh in relief.
"Once or twice a week. We're over two hours away. And I just don't want her here around Mr. Trust and the others here." Creed answered.
"Good. The less she's here the better. I don't want her anywhere near this place as much as possible. She must never be alone here." Halley explained.
"I agree. But I can't just not bring her here." Creed replied just before Nevaeh walked out.
"How are you feeling, Sweet girl?" Halley questioned, going back to her act.
"Better. But I'm hungry now." Nevaeh admitted.
"Well, I guess that's our cue to head out." Creed informed Halley and Nevaeh.
"Aww! Do we have to?" Nevaeh questioned, whining a little.
"Yes, we have to. We'll stop on our way home to get you something to eat. And if you want to come again on Friday, you'll behave." Creed firmly told Nevaeh.
"Yes, Daddy." Nevaeh mumbled, a little upset.
"Don't worry, Sweet girl: you'll visit again. We'll play Scrabble next time. And maybe you can convince Edward to meet with me some day." Halley sweetly insisted.
"Ok. I love you, Nana." Neveah replied, hugging Halley.
"I love you, too, my sweet girl." Halley replied, hugging Nevaeh with some tears in her eyes.
"I love you, Nana. We'll see you in a few days." Creed insisted, hugging Halley.
"I love you, too, Boy. You take care of that beautiful girl of yours." Halley replied, hugging Creed.
"Oh, you know it." Creed replied, standing up straight.
"See you later, Nana." Nevaeh insisted, turning to head out.
"Go on, Bubby." Halley instructed, patting Bubby.
"Right. Don't forget Bubby." Creed reminded Nevaeh.
"Right. Sorry, Bubby. Come on." Nevaeh apologized, lifting Bubby into her arms before heading out with Creed…