Hello again, friends! I am back with another (action-packed) chapter of Riptide!

I wanted to continuously thank y'all for all of your support! We've hit over 200 reviews! I am blown away! I am so happy you love the characters and the world I've created just as much as I do!

For this chapter, not to spoil it, I've done research to the best of my ability. Don't roast me if it's not totally accurate! :)

I have a lot more twists and turns planned for Riptide, so I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Please let me know what you think in your review, I will greatly appreciate your thoughts and opinions!

Here is Chapter 15.

Glancing at my watch, my sandwich was sloppily slapped together as my nerves took over. Edward would be here in fifteen minutes to pick me up. I had taken an impromptu nap, making me run late.

Why was I nervous about the trip with Edward? We would be leaving our little bubble of Clear Lake and venturing into my childhood hometown. My mother hopefully wouldn't show up in St. Petersburg. I knew when I had asked her to leave, she would flee there. I guess I was nervous about Edward seeing such a vulnerable part of me, part of my life.

After quickly eating my sandwich, I grabbed a tote and threw some essentials it—an umbrella, a sweater, and my phone charger. After adjusting my black cotton sundress I slipped on my sandals and waited on the couch. I checked my phone, realizing I had a missed call from Mom. Tears watered my eyes as I shook my head. I was not going to call her back.

I thought of my dad, how did he feel today? Was he desensitized to the past events of this date, an utter mess, or somewhere in between? It wasn't his fault Mom had limited my contact with him. Is he the same as I remember? I would never know unless I talked with him, but I was a little too overwhelmed right now to consider a relationship with him.

A gentle knock startled me from my thoughts and I raised from the couch to answer the front door. I wiped the buds of tears from my eyes before opening the door to face Edward. As soon as the door opened fully, Edward pulled me into his arms against his chest.

"How are you, Bella?" He murmured against my hair.

"I'm okay," I mumbled against him. I could feel the vibration of his heart beat within his chest against my cheek. He kissed my temple before pulling back to look at my face. His brow furrowed slightly and his face full of compassion, Edward read my face.

"Ready to go?" he asked gently.

"Yes, let me just grab—"

"I've got your bag." He said releasing me and striding towards the couch to pick up my tote.

"Thanks," But my voice betrayed me and tears flooded my vision.

"Hey," Edward said gently, "It's going to be alright." He dropped the tote at our sides and took me into his arms again.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

He cupped my chin and angled it towards him, "Do not apologize for anything, Bella. I know today is especially hard to endure."

My knees grew weak and I stumbled into him, almost collapsing.

"That's the thing," I managed to say, "it hasn't gotten easier, only a bit more manageable." Edward carefully slid our bodies to the ground, almost cradling me.

"I understand," He said, peppering light kissed on my forehead.

Sobs wracked my body, dominating any words I wanted to speak.

I wanted Riley's life to still have meaning. His death was entirely my fault. I had forgotten my life jacket. It should have been me. He took his life vest off for me. How could I even live with myself?

I want to feel Riley's arms around me again. His warm embrace and playful tickles. I want to hear his voice repeating my nickname. I want to hear his annoyed exclamations when I would bug him while he had friends over. I missed every little thing about him. I wanted everything back.

Riley's death reminded me of the turmoil of life in the aftermath. The separation of my parents, seeing Dad for the last time, seeing Aunt Irina for the last time. Why didn't I try harder to resist my Mom?

Riley had so much to give to the world. All of my friends' elder siblings pushed them away and taunted them, but Riley would actually play with me. When Mom was going through her moods, he would whisk me away to do something fun.

He told me he wanted to be a doctor. He said he wanted to save lives. Why would the world take such a giving, compassionate soul away? He wanted to go to college, marry, have children. His life was swept away from him in those waves.

I wanted him to see me graduate from high school, college. Prove Mom wrong and choose my profession in art. He encouraged my creativity even when I was eight. He saw something in me Mom never did and he cultivated that passion. I want him there when I marry, give birth. I want him just to still be with me.

Most importantly, I want him to meet Edward.

Edward Cullen, who I most certainly saw myself with forever.

The hole that had never been quite as filled since Riley died in my chest seemed to open further, and I almost cried out in pain. It threatened to overtake me, pull me into its darkness.

I only had one reason to fight against it.

Edward.

I want to be here with him and make Riley proud. If I didn't have my parents to make proud, I would sure as hell try to make Riley proud.

As a newfound feeling of determination filled my entire body, the deep hole in my chest had subsided. My sobs weakened and the tears flowed fewer and farther in between. Sensing a change, Edward lifted his head which was resting against my hair. I looked up at him, through my thoroughly saturated lashes, into his deep green eyes. I couldn't place all of the emotions swimming within his eyes. His thumb softly brushed my cheek, wiping away the infrequent tears. In his eyes, I saw a similar quality to Riley's eyes—compassion.

"Okay," I said hoarsely, "I think I'm ready to go."

"Are you sure you are up to traveling today? We can go another—"

"Yes," I said a little more confidently. "I want to go today." I reached up with my hand, that had been cradled in his chest, up to his cheek. His stubble slightly tickled my palm.

"Okay, Bella, let's get on the road then," He smiled softly and his eyes shone.

Auntie Irina had given me a warm bath and let me dress in my favorite purple nightgown, even if it had a few little holes. She braided my wet hair into two braids which dampened my nightgown. She put on my favorite show Arthur while she scrubbed the kitchen. I laid on the couch, belly full and clean, eyes tired. My arms and legs ached badly and I had pink Band-Aids over the larger cuts I had gotten from the water.

"Auntie?" I called out. She hurried to my side, stroking my hair.

"Yes, baby?" She responded softly. Her voice sounded different. Like it was kinda scratchy.

"When is Riley coming home? He said he would read me Goodnight Moon, tonight."

"Oh, Bella," my eyes further widened against sleep when I saw her eyes become watery. "The rescue teams are trying to find him, baby. Hopefully, he will come home and maybe he can then read to you."

The front door flew open, hitting the wall with a large bang. My parents rushed through the door. Their eyes were wide, fear written on their faces. Mom was crying and Daddy's eyes were glassy.

"What happened?" My Mom roared. Auntie ushered me to her bedroom, telling me to lie down and try to sleep. But I couldn't sleep without Riley reading me my book. She shut the door firmly. I scrambled to the door and pressed my ear against it.

"There was an accident," Auntie began, her voice breaking. "They were on the boat and they must have crashed. They are still searching for Riley. They found Bella floating in his life jacket about eight miles away from the docks. We don't know exactly how long she was floating out there before she was found." Auntie Irina's sobs made it hard to understand her.

"This is all your fault, Irina! If you had been watching them properly...Riley wasn't allowed to drive the boat by himself! I told you!" Mom screamed.

"Renee, you need to calm down, we don't know exactly what happened," Daddy told Mom.

"Don't fucking touch me, Charlie! My child is missing, and it's her fucking fault!" Mom's bad words caused me to whimper. I didn't like when she used angry words.

"Renee Samantha Swan, you need to calm down now. Think of Bella." Auntie Irina sounded mean, I've never heard her sound mean ever.

"You are not my mother," she snapped, "You never were and you never will be. Don't talk to me like I'm still a fucking child."

"Renee," Daddy assuaged. "Let's take a seat."

"Fuck you, Charlie, how can you be so fucking calm!?"

"I know that it's needed right now. Do you see how distraught your aunt is? Do you think she meant for this to happen?" Daddy's voice sounded like he was crying now. "Isabella is here, she is safe. We need to wait for the Coast Guard to do their job and bring our son back to us."

"Let me see her," Mom whimpered.

"You need to relax, or you're going to scare her further."

"My babies," she sobbed. I heard footsteps to Aunties bedroom and I scurried to hide under the bed, muscles hurting.

"Isabella?" Auntie called. She stepped around the bed. "Oh, Bella," she sighed. She stilled near the edge of the bed and kneeled down. She moved the quilt and peered under the bed. "Come here, sweet girl," she cooed. She didn't sound mean anymore. She reached out her arm to me. I gingerly accepted and whimpered as my body hurt crawling to her. She cradled my small body to her chest once I was out from my hiding place. "Momma wants to see you." She stood up, carrying me into the living room.

"My Isabella," Mom sobbed. Auntie placed me into her arms as Mom sat on the couch. She buried her head into my curled body, and I winced in pain.

"Be careful, Renee," Auntie said quietly, "She's extremely sore and bruised." Mom looked up at her and glared, her mouth opening to say something.

"Renee…" Daddy began. He sat close to Mom and stroked my cheek. His chocolate brown eyes shone with tears. I never saw my Daddy cry before. Mom looked back down at me and rocked me. I reached for Daddy and he took me into his arms, holding me against his chest to where my cheek lie on his shoulder. I began to cry.

"Bella?" Edward's smooth voice jostled me from my sleep.

"Woah," I began, rubbing my eyes, "are we there?"

"Yes, just passed the city limit." He reached over the console and intertwined his hand with mine.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep," I said sheepishly.

"Not a problem," He chuckled lightly.

"Still, I can't believe I fell asleep for two and a half hours."

"Well, I would say two hours because you didn't blackout until we entered Lake Monroe." He squeezed my hand playfully.

After giving Edward the directions to the cemetery, we finally stood at the edge of the display of graves. I took a deep breath, swallowing the beginnings of tears and grabbed Edward's hand in mine, flowers in my other. He searched my face for any signs of another breakdown. I gave him a small smile in reassurance.

I led him down the familiar rows to Riley's resting place. I removed my hand from Edward's to run it over the smooth polished granite memorializing Riley Lee Swan.

Riley Lee Swan

1985-2001

Beloved son, brother, and friend

Love you forever and always

Kneeling down, I traced each engravement with my fingers, as I had done since I was a little girl. I placed the small bouquet of flowers down at the foot of the gravestone.

"Hey, Riley," I began, "Miss you. A lot has changed since the last time I visited." Silent tears slid down my cheeks. "I met someone, Riley." I looked up at Edward and smiled. His green orbs were glassy with unshed tears. "His name is Edward, and I think you two would get along so well. He's a doctor, just like what you wanted to become. He's making the world a better place, just as you wished to do." Edward kneeled beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I wish you could meet him, Riley."

"Hi, Riley," Edward murmured. "I'm Edward Cullen. Your sister is such an amazing woman. You would be so proud of the woman she has become." I leaned into his side, his words touching every part of my soul. "Your sister has utterly changed my life. If she is such a light in the world, I can't imagine what you were like. She loves you, Riley, she speaks so fondly of you. Thank you for being an amazing brother to her. She would not be the woman she is today without your influence."

My chest started aching, but not out of grief. Edward's words made my heart flutter and my body warm.

Edward and I sat in silence for a while. The lack of words was completely comfortable and necessary.

"Riley, I love you beyond words. I miss you, forever and always." I ran my hand over the warm granite once more.

"It was nice meeting you, Riley," Edward said softly.

"Bye, see you soon." Edward stood and helped me up. His arm encircled my waist, and I leaned into him. I said one last silent goodbye and we turned around to head back to Edward's car.

"Are you hungry?" I asked. As if on cue, Edward's stomach rumbled. "Nevermind," I added, laughing gently.

"I could eat," he replied, flashing his crooked smile.

"Great, I know of a great place."

I guided Edward around St. Petersburg to my favorite local cafe. Lucy Lou's was known for their comfort food, and that's exactly what I needed. We pulled up to the cafe, a freestanding, vintage looking building and of course, Edward opened the car door for me. I don't know if I could ever get used to his manners, it truly surprised me every time, igniting the butterflies in my stomach.

We stepped inside the cafe to meet the hostess.

"Welcome to Lucy Lou's, table for two?" An older woman asked, Floridian accent dominating her speech.

"Yes, ma'am," Edward replied, grinning. She led us to a booth and handed us menus.

"Enjoy your meal, you two," She smiled brightly.

Edward skimmed the menu. "What's good here?"

"Pretty much everything. I used to get the 'Little Lou' cheeseburger with fries. I'm probably going to get that. I've heard the grilled chicken melt is good too. Their fried chicken is delicious too."

"Hm, I'll get the cheeseburger then too, if you suggest it."

"Definitely."

Edward took my hand from across the table, but his eyes looked over my shoulder.

Suddenly, the color drained from his face.

"What the fuck?" he whispered.

"What is it?" I asked, about to turn around.

"Don't." He said quickly, startling me.

"Edward…?"

"It's him." He all but snarled, his face reddening.

"Who?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"The guy from the bar."

Panic and fear flooded my veins like ice.

I turned around, despite Edward's warning. And there he was. The greasy long blonde haired guy. He was a few tables down, clearing the remnants of a family's meal. His hair was pulled back into a low bun and he wore a black apron. I saw him smirk as he caught the eye of a fiery, curly haired waitress, giving her a not-so-subtle wink. She passed him and giggled, smacking his butt as she made her way to our table.

I felt sick to my stomach.

"Hey there, my name is Victoria and I will be your waitress today. What can I get y'all to drink?" Her high pitched voice rang through my ears.

I looked to Edward for guidance.

He quickly composed himself. "We need just a minute to look over the menu if you don't mind," he said evenly.

The contents of my stomach didn't settle.

"Oh, uh, sure," Victoria said, swinging her hip and flipping her hair as she left.

"Shit…" Edward's hands pulled at his hair. "I need to call my dad…" He grabbed his phone from his pocket and pressed on the screen a couple of times. Meanwhile, I was trying to keep my breathing steady. My assaulter was in the same room as me.

"Dad," He began tersely, "The guy from the bar that I punched...and assaulted Bella? He's standing twenty feet away from me. What do I do?" Edward sheltered his face with his hand to avoid being recognized. I kept my eyes on his.

"Of course I am fucking sure it's him."

I laid my hands flat out on the table and tried to remain calm.

"Sorry, okay, thank you for your help."

The diner sounds around me were beginning to sound funny, like I was underwater or they were far away. My eyes blinked rapidly as I lost the ability to focus on my hands.

"Bella, Bella!" Edward jolted me out of my state. "We are going to walk calmly outside the diner, to not make a scene. Then you go sit in the car. I will call the police. We're going to get this fucker.

I nodded absentmindedly. Edward slid out of the booth and then helped me to my feet. I leaned heavily on him, as my stomach still felt sick and my mind spun.

I couldn't see where I was going, so I relied on Edward. I didn't know if people were looking at us or if he saw us. All I felt was the sweet relief of the muggy Floridian heat as Edward pulled me outside.

"Can you get to the car?" Edward asked voice laced with concern. I shook my head.

"I need to sit down," I managed to gasp out. Edward relocated us around the corner in a bit more private part of the street. He assisted me into a sitting position, back against the brick wall.

"Put your knees up, like this," he carefully moved my legs. "Put your head in between them and make sure to take deep breaths."

Once he made sure I wasn't going to pass out, he called the police.

"Hi, I need an officer at 37th and Richmond, at Lucy Lou's Cafe. One of the busboys is a wanted criminal back in Clear Lake, about three hours east of here. My father, who is currently in Clear Lake is speaking to our police force as we speak so we can get this sorted out. He is charged with sexual assault. I am standing at the corner of the building. No sir, I don't have him within eyesight...my girlfriend, the victim of his assault is with me and we exited the building upon seeing him. I am pretty sure he didn't see us. Okay, thank you."

His words processed through my head as I was able to steady my breathing and spinning head. Edward kneeled beside me, rubbing my back comfortingly.

"You're fine, Bella. He is never going to hurt you again." His words smooth, breath lightly tickling my ear. "I'm never going to let him hurt you again."

We sat there, him whispering comforting words in my ear until we saw a police cruiser pull up. Edward stood up upon their arrival, offering a hand to pull me to my feet. I stood close to his side as two officers exited the cruiser.

"Did you call with the tip?" The larger man asked. He stood about at Emmett's towering height and just as large as Emmett's body. His dark eyes and hair complemented his olive complexion.

"Yes," Edward nodded.

"I'll need to discuss the situation with you and then we can detain the suspect. Because the crime happened in a different county and city, we can not arrest him just yet. I'm Officer Benjamin Antar, this is my partner Officer Liam Mueller." The man next to Officer Antar nodded. He too was tall, but less physically built than his cohort. His blonde hair was cropped short and his dark blue eyes were guarded yet compassionate.

Edward explained the situation again, skipping over mentioning Riley, and the officers took extensive notes.

"Did you recognize the man, miss?" Officer Mueller asked.

"Yes," I said briefly.

"And you're sure it is the same man who assaulted you previously?"

"Yes."

"Were there any witnesses to the assault?" Officer Antar cut in.

"I was a witness," Edward spoke up.

"And you already filed a statement back home?"

"Yes, sir."

"We have enough information to detain the suspect, but we will need both of you to come to the station." I inwardly groaned. I was exhausted, despite my many naps today. I also wanted this situation to be cleared up quickly so Edward and I could go home.

"Please stand back here while we go into the diner." Edward and I stayed in place as the two officers rounded the corner to enter the cafe.

"It's all going to be over soon," Edward pulled me to his chest.

"What the fuck? What'sa going on, I didn't do nothing!" The greasy haired man spat at the officers as they pulled him outside, bound in handcuffs.

"James Hunter, you are being detained for sexual assault." Edward shielded me from "James'" view as he was being dragged to the cruiser and his rights were being recited.

"What the fuck? No fucking way? You've got the wrong guy. Take these fucking cuffs off of me!"

I heard the struggling of his movements against the officers as they moved closer to the car. I heard Edward suck in a deep breath as he must have seen James.

"It's fucking you," James spat. "You're the one who fucking punched me."

Edward's body tensed. I foolishly peeked around Edward's bicep to look at James. His eyes were wild and some of his stringy hair had escaped his hair tie. He lunged against the officers towards us.

"And you. We had some fun, huh?" He taunted. Edward seemed to vibrate with rage. "We would have had more if this asshole hadn't ruined the moment. Fucking dipshit." James' face contorted into a sneer.

"James!" Victoria's high pitched voice cried at as she ran out of the diner, still in her apron. "What the fuck, baby?"

"It's just a misunderstanding, sweet cheeks." James mocked.

"Baby, what the hell? Officers, let him go, he didn't do nothing!" She ran towards James, throwing herself at the officers.

"Ma'am, step back," Office Antar threatened.

"He's fucking innocent! Leave him alone!" She wailed.

I put a hand on Edward's bicep to remind him to stay calm.

"Into the car, Mr. Hunter," Officer Antar shoved him towards the car.

"You're going to regret this, motherfucker," James rumbled.

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