A/N: There is discussion of domestic violence in this chapter. If you have ANY concerns about content please send me a PM.

Edward was startled awake by the sound of the phone ringing. He left the recliner where he had been trying to sleep most of the night. He could not stop thinking about everything that had happened. As he hobbled to the phone, he hoped with all his heart Bella was on the other line.

"Hello?"

"Hey there, Edward! It's Roger, Roger Jones. How the hell are ya this morning?"

Edward's heart sank. He knew he had screwed things up with Bella. The way she had left last night confirmed it. He wished she had never promised to call when she knew she wouldn't.

"Edward, ya there?"

"Yes, sorry, Roger. I am here. How can I help you?"

"I wanted to know how I can help you bud. It's so cold this morning, and I think the roads are still a little slick. I need to run a few errands for Mary, and I thought I could pick you up and take care of anything you might need. Before you say no, it is no trouble. I am getting out anyway!"

Edward ran his hand through his hair. He did need to go to the grocery store, and he needed Joe to cash his check and get his weekend supplies. "That would be nice, Roger. I appreciate that."

"I'll be there in an hour."

Edward was waiting outside when Roger pulled up. As he got into Roger's car, Edward said, "I appreciate this. I need to make two stops, if that is okay?"

"Of course it is. I have a grocery list from Mary, and I need to stop by the bank. Where do you need to go, Edward?"

"The grocery store, and do you know Dolly's Liquor Emporium? That's where I cash my paycheck. The owner is a friend."

"Sure, I know ol' Joe. My father was a good friend of Dan's; such a shame." Roger was quiet for a moment, "We will stop there first. It's on the way to the bank. Then we will go to the store. Does that sound like a good plan?"

"Yes, sir, it does," Edward responded.

Edward was grateful Roger stayed in the car while he went into Dolly's, but the clinking of bottles in the three large bags he carried back to the car gave him away. Edward did not look at Roger when he put the bags into the backseat, and thankfully, Roger did not comment. They finished the errands quickly after that. Roger only had a small list for the grocery store, and Edward bought the same things each week. It also helped that on Friday and Saturday nights, he ate at Thelma's. He let out a sigh, thinking about Bella again. What if he had missed her call?

"Are you alright over there?" Roger asked.

"Yes, I, well, I think I screwed up last night," Edward admitted.

"Oh?"

"I met this girl, and I really like her, but last night I did something dumb, and she said she would call me today, and I have been worried that I missed her call while I was out, but I doubt it."

"Call her. I am sure you did not screw up as badly as you think. I bet she is busy today. Give her some time."

Edward thought about what Roger had said. Maybe he was right. It was Saturday. She worked late last night, and there was Beverly. By the time Roger dropped him off, he almost felt better.

Edward grabbed his groceries and beer from the backseat.

"Oh, Edward, I almost forgot. Mary is making a pot roast for dinner. We would love to have you. Bring your special girl! I can come pick you up if you need me to."

"That's very thoughtful. Bella, that's her name. She will have to work tonight, but dinner sounds good. I can walk, though. It's warming up, and the fresh air and exercise are always good for me."

"Dinner is at six! We look forward to it!" Roger called out the window to Edward.

"I will be there."

Bella came in the backdoor of Thelma's a little before noon.

"What are you doing here?" Jimmy questioned.

"I work here," Bella responded, punching in,

"Not til four, you don't!" Jimmy smirked.

"Listen, Jimmy, Bev is going to be out until Wednesday. After all that went down last night, I told her to pack the boys and go to her mom's in Mount Pleasant. I told her I would handle things until she got back."

"Why Tuesday?"

"Because I am going to have a little chat with John on Tuesday after the Rotary meeting at the Elks Lodge. This shit ends here, Jimmy. She can't stand up for herself right now. I am going to do it for her. I am hoping to convince her to move in with me. Let her see how strong she is, how much she does not need him."

"Bella—"

"Don't try to talk me out of it, Jimmy. My mind is made up."

"I wasn't going to. I was going to say you call me if you need some backup. I would love to take a swing or two at that guy."

Bella smiled. Sweet Jimmy, of course, he would worry about her. "I will be fine, but stay close to the phone just in case." She grabbed her apron and went out to open the bar.

The rest of the afternoon and evening went smoothly. A slow but steady crowd kept the time moving. Every time the door opened, she hoped it was Edward, but by nine that night, he had not shown up.

Bella was stooped down behind the bar, restocking napkins, when the door opened.

"B-Bella?" Beverly hiccuped.

Bella stood up, and when she saw Beverly, she jumped over the bar and helped her best friend onto a bar stool.

"Jimmy!" Bella yelled. "Bring me some clean rags and ice!"

Beverly had been badly beaten. Her left eye was swollen shut. Her right was not much better. Bella feared her nose was also broken. She had a large gash on her forehead that was still oozing blood. Her split lip probably needed stitches, and the dark bruises on her jaw made Bella concerned it could be broken or dislocated.

Jimmy met Bella's eyes as he handed her the supplies. The shock on his face made Beverly cry harder. "That's all tonight, folks. We are closing early. You can leave cash to close your tabs." Jimmy announced to the three or four stunned patrons. Jimmy leaned into Bella's ear. "I will be in the kitchen if you need me." Bella nodded.

Once the bar was empty, Bella locked the door and turned to ask Beverly what had happened.

Beverly gulped in a huge breath of air and winced. "Well, I went to Mama's last night. I got the boys tucked in and was about to lie down when the phone rang. It was John."

"How does John have your mother's phone number?"

"I don't know. Anyway, he felt terrible about what had happened. He was drunk and wanted the Mayor to think he was a big shot, and things got out of hand. He apologizes to you too, Bella."

Bella rolled her eyes. He could keep his bullshit apology.

"He asked when I was coming home. I told him I didn't know, that he scared me when he threatened you, and I didn't want to be with someone that would hit my best friend."

Bella's heart broke, "Bev, you know you do not deserve this treatment either."

Beverly nodded slowly in agreement. "He started to cry and beg. He was sorry, he was going to change. He would confess to his wife that he loved me and that their marriage had been dead for a long time. He promised he would be more patient. He told me he loved me." Beverly's words caught in her throat.

"Did he show up at your mother's house, Bev?"

"No, he asked me to come home so he could apologize in person, so I could see in his eyes how sorry he was. This morning, I got up early and came home."

The sound of the ringing phone interrupted Beverly's thoughts. Bella was not going to leave Beverly to answer the phone. She knew it was someone mad that Thelma's had closed so early on a Saturday night. After the fifth ring, though, Bella yelled back at Jimmy to answer the damn phone.

"Thelma's Bar," Jimmy answered on the sixth ring.

"Hello Jimmy, it's Edward. I'm a friend of Bella's." Edward slurred.

Edward had been anxious and keyed up all evening. Roger had dropped him off at home after dinner, and he stalked around the apartment like a caged tiger. He tried to talk himself down from panic. Bella is at work, he told himself. She might call when she gets home, but after two hours of pacing, chain-smoking, and drinking, he called Thelma's.

"I know who you are, Edward. What can I do for you?" Jimmy sounded irritated.

"I was wondering if I could speak with her?"

"I will have her call you, Edward. She's busy right now with something," Jimmy said distractedly. Before he could respond, the line went dead.

Beverly whispered, "Do you think that was John?"

"No," Bella responded, praying she was right.

"Bells, that was Edward. I told him you will call him later." Jimmy called out from the kitchen.

"Thanks, Jimmy."

Once it was quiet again, she asked Beverly to continue. "He came over around eleven. At first, he was sweet. He cried on his hands and knees, begging me to forgive him. He promised me and the boys could move into his house, get married, and become a proper family. When I told him I needed to see the signed divorce papers first, things got nasty." Beverly started visibly shaking.

"It's ok, Bev. We are going to figure this out together. You are staying with me tonight. Tomorrow we will get your things. You can stay with me as long as you need to. I do not want you to worry about John anymore. I will take care of him."

"What do you mean?" Beverly asked, her face anxious.

"I am going to tell him he is going to leave town, or I am going to the police for what he did."

"Bella, no one will believe you. He owns everyone in this town. You saw the Mayor last night. He did nothing! John will kill us both before letting either of those things happen." Her voice was hysterical.

"I need you to trust me, Bev. I have this handled. Let's go home. Can you walk?"

Beverly nodded. Bella shut off the front of house lights and walked Beverly to her car.

Once home, Bella helped Beverly out of her car and into the house. "Do you want some tea or something?"

"A hot bath," Beverly answered.

Bella wrapped an arm around Beverly's waist and helped her down the hallway to the bedroom. Bella put Beverly on her bed and went into the bathroom to fill the clawfoot tub. Bella added some soothing lavender and Epsom salt to the water—anything to help Beverly relax and heal.

As Bella helped Beverly undress, she saw more bruises. Her shoulder blades had dark purple marks where it looked like she had been slammed into a wall or the ground. She had bruises around her neck and wrists. She was covered in cuts and abrasions. Bella fought the rage boiling inside her. She had to stay calm. Beverly had seen enough violence.

When Beverly was settled in the tub, Bella pulled out a first aid kit and carefully cleaned the blood from her face. She bandaged the wounds and gave her a light kiss on the top of her head. "If it's alright, I will leave you to your bath. I will be in my room, so let me know when you are ready to get out. I want to help you."

Beverly nodded and sunk deep into the soothing water.

Bella made herself busy changing the sheets on the bed and getting out soft, warm pajamas for Beverly to sleep in. She ran to the kitchen to make a cup of tea for Beverly and left it to cool on the nightstand.

"Bella?" Beverly called weakly.

Bella went straight to the bathroom and helped Beverly out of the tub, wrapping her in a fluffy towel.

"Thank you," Beverly said, dissolving into tears.

"You would do the same for me."

Bella helped Beverly to bed and turned out the light, "I will be right down the hall on the couch with my Louisville Slugger." Bella lightly chuckled. "I want you to get some rest."

"I will. I love you, Bells."

"I love you too, Bev. Sleep tight."

With that, Bella shut off the light and went to plan the demise of John Winfield.