A/N I would also thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I am having problems with depression again and the doctor has put me on medication. I'm finding it hard to concentrate at the minute. But I promise to do my best to update the story.

Narrated by Shelly Cope.

Chapter 28

Teddy

It had been several weeks since the balls were put in Teddy's car. With permission from his landlord, he had a camera fitted. He hoped to catch whoever had been pranking him. He knew the kids across the road were to blame, but his parents defended them. It was strange how Marie had big boxes to collect the balls. Jasper and Emmett now have the balls in their kids' ball pits.

Rose asked Teddy if it could have been Chelsea who put the balls in his car. She had a key to his house and knew where the car keys were kept.

However, Teddy told Rose that Chelsea lacked the intelligence to pull off a prank like that. Her parents were wealthy and deposited a large amount of money in her bank monthly, so she wouldn't waste her money pranking people. She spends all her money on designer clothes and shoes as well as weekly spa visits.

He was adamant that it was Marie who had done it. She must have had help from the kids. He was convinced the lock was popped by a member of the basketball team, possibly the one from the trailer park.

Emmett lost his temper with Teddy for saying that about one of his pupils. Emmett told him he would have no trouble suspending his ass if he ever found out he was treating the kids from the trailer park any different than the kids from town.

Esme knew the only reason Teddy had a problem with the trailer park was because that is where Siobhan came from. As far as he knew, her family still lived there.

Despite hearing about the video of Marie shouting at him, Teddy hadn't seen it yet. All copies were supposedly deleted by Emmett and Rose, according to gossip. It appears his family knows something about Marie and the kids, but they are not sharing it with him.

Teddy has been watching crates of different sizes being delivered and picked up across the road. An architect wouldn't need them, he thought to himself. Teddy was more than ready for her to pull another prank on him.

He was determined to discover the contents of the crates. He didn't trust her.

His family had told him he was paranoid.

Izzy

Izzy was still worried about Leah. She was struggling in Forks. Although she had settled at home and was a great help to her. Especially when she was having terrible nightmares. Izzy just wanted her to be happy at school as well. She was a social butterfly back in New York. Izzy could see how unhappy Leah was.

Speaking to Rose about her concern, she suggested that Leah join the school newspaper. It's published once a month unless they run a special edition for Spirit Week or football. They needed both a reporter and a photographer. Izzy saw this as a great opportunity for Leah and bought her a new camera.

Leah loved it and often brought some of the newspaper team home for a planning meeting.

An article called 'Meet the Teachers' has been running since the beginning of the school year. One of the reporters went across the road to interview Teddy. Izzy ensured she was monitoring her from her studio. She was sure he wouldn't do anything to intimidate the young reporter, but she didn't a hundred percent trust him. She made sure the interview took place on the porch so she could keep an eye on them. Teddy wasn't happy about having his picture taken by Leah.

However, she noticed that Teddy realized he was being monitored. He ensured the message was passed on and that he didn't need monitoring, as he would never be inappropriate with a student.

Izzy, however, with no one noticing, was painting pictures of Teddy. Without the stubble and glasses. Teddy's appearance should include the birthmark. The Teddy she loved, her Teddy from Kindergarten. She often sat daydreaming wondering what he would be like if he was still the Teddy that loved her when they were younger.

~T&I~

Izzy

Monitoring the time, Izzy tried to be out of her studio when the kids returned from school. Today, Leah called and asked if she could bring her friend home because there was something she needed help with. This made Izzy a little nervous.

"Marie, we're home," Leah said through the intercom, which was attached to her studio.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. I just need to clean things up," Izzy replied.

Leah took her friend, Gemma, into the kitchen to make a drink.

"Honestly, Gemma. Marie would have seen an injury like that. She'll know what to do," Leah reassured.

"If she thinks I need to go to the hospital, I can't go to the one in Forks. My mom doesn't have health insurance. I'll have to visit the free clinic in Port Angeles," Gemma confided to Leah.

Gemma was ashamed, as she knew how people judged her because she lived in the trailer park. After all, her daddy was in prison. They had taken her three brothers into foster care and her mom was a drunk.

"That won't be a problem," Leah reassured. "You will love Marie. She is fantastic. I couldn't have wished for a better stepsister."

"Hi girls, did you have a good day at school?" Izzy asked.

"It was fine until we had art. Ms. Cheswick did nothing but pick on Gemma and me," Leah replied.

"I'm going to have to speak to Emmett about this. It's getting ridiculous," Izzy seethed.

"That's kind of what we wanted to ask you, Marie. Last week, Ms. Cheswick stood on Gemma's foot with heeled shoes on. The heel pierced a hole in the top of her foot. We think it was on purpose, as she seems to have a problem with Gemma living in the trailer park," Leah began.

"It's gone a funny color and it's really hot. Gemma's mom is uninsured, so she can't use the hospital in town. She doesn't have a primary care doctor. So that only leaves the free clinic in Port Angeles. She will need an adult with her as she's not 18 yet. I thought that you would probably know of alternative treatments for this type of injury."

"Sit down, let me look," Izzy said.

She noticed dirt in the hole in her foot. It had gotten infected.

"That bitch has crossed the line now. Let me make a call to Carlisle. Nothing I could give you will get that infection cleared up. You don't need to worry; it will be okay." Izzy reassured.

Izzy called Carlisle as she knew he would be home, and he could be discreet. Izzy wanted to know why Chelsea had a problem with people who lived in this place they call a trailer park. She didn't even know anything about them, and she knew she couldn't ask them.

"Carlisle, it's Marie. I was wondering if you could help. Leah's friend Gemma is at our house. That bitch Chelsea has been bullying them. Last week, she stood on Gemma's foot. The thin heal pierced a hole in the top of her foot. It looks infected. Her mom doesn't have health insurance. Could you come and look at it? I will pay for her treatment," Izzy said. "I don't know why she has a problem with Gemma. She's a sweetheart. All because she lives at a place called Trailer Park."

"Don't worry sweetheart, Esme and I will come straight away. I'll look at it and see what needs doing," Carlisle reassured.

"Doctor Cullen is coming over to look at it. What did your mom say about it? Could she not have driven you to the free clinic? Not that I'm judging or anything. I just wondered," Izzy asked.

"No, Mom lost her license for being drunk while driving. My daddy is in prison. He will never come home again. He had a fight with a guy at a bar. When the guy fell, he hit his head and died," Gemma spoke quietly.

"Well, we can't take responsibility for what our parents do. My mom is also in prison. She did horrible things to a lot of people, including me. But she doesn't define me as your father doesn't define you," Izzy said as she hugged Gemma.

Gemma smiled at Izzy. She is the first adult who hadn't ever judged her.

Leah heard a knock on the door and answered it.

"Hi Carlisle, this is Gemma. It's her right foot that Chelsea stood on," Izzy informed. "Esme, can you come into the kitchen? I want to ask you something. Leah, you stay with Gemma. Just come and get me if you need anything."

"What can I help you with?" Esme asked.

"Where is this place Gemma lives? It's called 'trailer park'. Why does Chelsea call her trash?" Izzy asked.

"First, I will speak to Emmett if she is calling her trash. But a trailer park is a place people live in. Let me find a picture on my phone so you can see it. These places have a poor reputation because they are home to low-income individuals. Many good people work hard and live there. Unfortunately, the people all across the country have given these places a bad name," Esme advised as she showed Izzy a picture of a trailer park on her cell phone.

"Okay, her mom drinks, and her daddy's in prison. Her brothers are in foster care. Is it possible for her to live with us? She doesn't seem to have much, and Leah said the popular people at school call her names because of her clothes," Izzy asked hopefully.

"Honey, it isn't as simple as that. Let's see how her foot is. If we can prove neglect. Then we can look at emergency foster care," Esme said as she stroked Izzy's arm.

"How can I be an emergency foster care?" Izzy asked.

"It takes a lot of courses and background checks. Carlisle and I are emergency foster parents. If she needs to be taken, we can put our name forward. Just don't worry, we will take care of her," Esme replied.

Annoyed, Izzy plotted to get back at Chelsea. A plan started forming in her head. She could only do this with the help of other people. But first Gemma needed taken care of.

~T&I~

Poor Gemma had a badly infected foot. Carlisle knew Izzy had to be kept out of this. He couldn't risk people finding out who she really was. He was going to report this as neglect on Gemma's mother's part.

Carlisle called Emmett and Rose about the situation. He could see that Gemma was malnourished. He understood Izzy's concern for her. Izzy was once in this same position.

Emmett admitted he had gone to the principal twice about her situation.

Rose met them at the hospital. She was going to state that she had taken Gemma to the emergency room. She was worried about her foot. That way when it comes to having Gemma removed from the home, it would be because of a concern at school, and the hospital.

They found out that Gemma hadn't had any vaccinations, so they started them. They had also started an IV antibiotic.

Carlisle called Children's Services to have her removed from the home.

Due to her age, the social worker predicted she would end up in a group home, possibly somewhere in Washington State.

Esme asked if they could foster her. She only had a short time left in high school. Moving her might jeopardize her chances of going to college.

Gemma was now living with the Cullens. She loved it there. Alice had taken her to Target, and she had brought her clothes. A lot of clothes and shoes. She looked so different. Her clothes fit her, and her hair shone. She smelled better and didn't look tired.

If Leah wasn't at the Cullens, she and Gemma were both at Izzy's.

Gemma had even taken her driving test and now had a small secondhand car.

~T&I~

"What I need you to do is to photograph her right shoe. I need a picture of the inside of her shoe to see what brand it is. Then the sole and size. Whatever shoe she wears the most at school," Izzy told Gemma and Leah.

"Why?" Leah asked.

"She left Gemma struggling to walk. Let's see how she handles a slightly smaller shoe," Izzy grinned.

It took a couple of weeks before Izzy had enough information to teach Chelsea a lesson. Helen was coming on Monday, which only left them two school days.

The shoes were from Gucci. But Izzy didn't care about the cost. She wanted that bitch to feel how much pain Gemma was in.

Nervously, Leah and Gemma went into the art room. As usual, Chelsea was in the supply cupboard with someone. They quickly swapped the shoe.

"Can I ask why you girls were in the art room?" asked Mr. Masen.

"I forgot my bag, sir. Ms. Cheswick is in the supply cupboard with someone. We were embarrassed, so we just got my bag and came out as quietly as we could sir," Leah replied.

"Really!" Teddy replied. "Okay off you go to lunch, girls."

"I've left my lunch money in the car. I'm not used to having money, it's taken me some time to remember," Gemma said, smiling. She needed an excuse to put the shoe in her car, so she wasn't found having it in her bag.

"I'm surprised mom never packed you up. She would have given you enough food for an army," Teddy chuckled. Turning, he made his way to Emmett's office.

This could be his escape from Chelsea. She might get fired for misconduct.

But he was out of luck. As he and Emmett were walking down the hall, she was walking towards them. She was giggling with Mr. Brennen, the Math teacher.

Chelsea had been told about taking her shoes off during lessons. It was a health and safety issue. So, she had put her shoes on before dinner. One of her shoes had begun to pinch. It had become more uncomfortable as the day went on. Her foot was hurting badly. She took her shoe off to check that nothing was in the shoe. She noticed it had rubbed on her heel, and she had a big blister. She couldn't figure out how it was happening. She wondered if her foot had grown during the day. That was her only explanation.

"Does anyone have a Band-Aid?" Chelsea asked her class.

There was muttering of 'no' by all the students. Some of them gave her a strange look. What teenager would keep a band-aid with them at school?

"I just need to pop to the nurse. I need a Band-Aid," Chelsea informed the class.

She hobbled to the nurse's office, hoping for a band-aid and pain relief.

"Hi Jan, I don't suppose I could have a band-aid? My shoe has been rubbing, and I have a blister," Chelsea asked.

"Yes Chelsea, but I've got to fill out the accident book because I'm giving you the band-aid," Jan advised.

As she was writing in the book, Jan spoke. "You should have broken them in by wearing them around the house. I never wear new shoes until I've done that."

"They're not new shoes. I've had them for a while. They're Gucci. But these are my old ones. My foot has grown since this morning. I'll just have to buy some new shoes in a bigger size. Thanks, Jan, see you later," Chelsea said with a smile.

Jan just sat with her pen halfway to the book. Hearing someone laughing. She looked around to see Rose standing in the main office.

"Did she just say her foot has grown since this morning?" Jan asked.

"Yea. She gives blondes a bad name," Rose said as she made her way to Emmett's office. She had to tell him this.

~T&I~

Teddy was called into the office of the head of the department to inform him for the next six weeks he would teach the seniors sex education. He had hoped that someone else was going to do those lessons. He felt anxious that his past would be revealed. So many of the parents have not let that go.

~T&I~

Teddy

Teddy was sitting in his classroom getting leaflets ready for the sex ed lesson with one of his three senior classes. It was the class he hated. All the basketball team was in this class, and he knew how much they didn't like him. He had never hurt Marie, but Seth was very protective of her, and he would give him the stink eye. But he was never rude or caused him any problems during class.

The window was open slightly and Teddy could hear some students talking.

"Today we start the sex ed, don't we?" Seth asked.

"Yeah, it's going to be epic. I can't believe Masen is going to teach us. The things I've heard about him. He can't preach to us about STI's."

"Why, what do you know? Share."

"I was having my haircut by Lauren, and she told me he lost his virginity when he was 14 years old. He obviously never used a condom because he got chlamydia."

"I heard that his parents got him tested for every STI there was."

"I heard he used to go to parties and share girls. A threesome so I heard my uncle say.

"Jessica told me that he used to skip school and smoke a lot of weed."

"He even got arrested a few times. He has the nerve to judge us."

"He was sent to boot camp but he cried all the time he was there."

"Maybe that's why Dad wants him to stay away from Marie."

Teddy looked up from his notes, horrified by what he just heard outside.

He panicked. He hadn't had a panic attack for years. He picked up his cell and called Emmett.

"What are you calling me for, you lazy jerk? Too lazy to walk down the hall to my office?" Emmett laughed.

"Help," Teddy got out before he passed out.

He woke up in the emergency room with his mom fussing around him.

"What happened?" Teddy whispered.

"You had a panic attack. You haven't had one for years? What triggered it, son?" Carlisle asked.

"I have to teach the seniors sex education," Teddy began.

"Well, you knew you would have to, son," Carlisle interrupted.

"Yes, I know that, Dad. But I had the window open while I was getting ready for my afternoon class. I heard some of the boys under the window talking and laughing about my past. Jessica and Lauren have been filling everyone in," Teddy replied with tears running down his cheeks. "Why do people still talk about me?"

"I don't know, sweetheart," Esme said rubbing his arm.

"We will speak to Emmett. I'm signing you off work for the next week," Carlisle informed.

~T&I~

They had given Teddy some mild anxiety medication to take short-term. He just couldn't stay in his house. It was closing in on him.

He went outside and sat on the porch.

He noticed Marie was sitting on her porch swing. She had taken her rocking chair into the house after she was told not to play her guitar and sing out on the porch.

He couldn't understand why she dressed like a throwback from the 60's. Alice raved about her clothes, but he couldn't see the appeal.

He watched her drawing. She began to hum as she drew. That made Teddy stand up and look across at her to see what she was doing. She wasn't wearing headphones, so she wasn't listening to music.

Nothing around her seems to distract her.

Then she began to sing.

Love is real, real is love

Love is feeling, feeling love

Love wanting to be loved

Love is touch, touch is love

Love is reaching, reaching love

Love is asking to be loved

Love is you, you and me

Love is knowing we can be

"Oh my God, it couldn't be. That's Izzy," he whispered.

He crossed the road, not thinking of the consequences.

Love is free, free is love

Love is living, living love

Love is needing to be loved.

"Izzy, I love you. I've never stopped loving you. I can never make it up to you for what I did to you. Please forgive me," Teddy begged.

Teddy heard her take in a sharp breath. Panicked, Izzy stood up, dropped her drawing, and ran into the house, followed by a growling Bobby. Leaving Teddy sat on her porch, shocked.

The song is Love by John Lennon.

Thanks always to Kellie (Klcivinski) for my pre-reading the chapter and for all her support.

Also, as always, thank you to EdwardsFirstKiss (Donna) for taking time from your busy schedule to edit the story. Also, to catch my English into American English.

Any mistakes are all mine.