The Breakers Chapter 25

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

Chapter 25

EPOV

I watch the clock on the nightstand as the minutes slowly pass, the pale lavender gray of early morning creeping beneath the curtains. I've been awake for over an hour, though I'm still exhausted. My sleep was restless. Visions of Wayne's body lying in a pool of blood, remembering snippets of our conversations, wondering what his last minutes were like kept my mind in a semi-conscious state all night. I'd drift off to sleep, lulled by the feel of Bella's body next to mine, only to be jerked awake by a vision or a thought.

I press a kiss to Bella's naked shoulder and pull her tighter against my chest. Part of me wants to kiss her awake and make love to her again, while the other just wants to hold her, breathe her in. I know she's exhausted. The last few weeks have been so stressful and I know she's worn out. My accident and recovery, Christmas, adjusting to a new puppy, the freak out with the strange man ... Wayne's murder; it's been one thing after another.

Sighing, I nuzzle into her hair and inhale deeply. Tangerine and grapefruit, a trace of salt from her sweat ... me ... all mingle together, coating her skin. I groan softly, hoping I don't wake her up, even though my dick has other ideas.

That of course leads my mind down a path that goes back to yesterday, and last night ... and of the things we said to each other. My heart skips a beat as I remember telling her I want her and Peyton, forever. Then it races as I recall her saying the same thing back to me. My fingers skim across her stomach, aching to go higher, go lower, but I let her sleep instead.

My mind travels back farther, to Boston and saying goodbye to yet another person I loved. The whole trip is still pretty much a blur, but I do remember talking to the cops and answering their questions. At first the two detectives I talked to were a bit antagonistic. I suppose talking to a recently paroled ex-con brings that out in people, but once Ryan and I explained, in detail, my relationship with Wayne, they'd changed their tunes pretty damn quickly. Having Bella there didn't hurt either, especially after she told them about the man that showed up in Corea that claimed to be Ryan.

I watched as the wheels turned in their heads, and I could tell when the dots started connecting ... the same way they had to me.

I know it was Aleksei. There was no one else it could be; nothing else made any sense. I know I should have voiced my concerns to Bella, but I didn't want to freak her out ... anymore than she already was. After saying his name to Carlisle, even though he tried to convince me otherwise, my gut feeling that it was Aleksei, that he was here, back, only intensified. Finding out Wayne had been murdered made that feeling grow to an almost consuming level ... though my guilt was keeping it company.

If Wayne died because of his connection to me ... I don't know how I'll ever live with myself. My parents dying was a freak accident. My grandmother died suddenly, an aneurism that no one could do anything about and my grandfather's death was due to old age … and a broken heart. I'll forever feel guilty for not being with him when he died, but I know it wasn't my fault he did. But Wayne, if Aleksei murdered him in cold blood, well then, that's something completely different.

If anything happens to either Bella or Peyton because of that motherfucker, not even the fear of going back to prison will be enough to keep me from killing the son of a bitch. I won't think twice. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

I shift against Bella and align our bodies just so while I fight to keep the dark thoughts at bay. I have no time for them, nor the inclination to spend any more time thinking about things I can't control. Right now I need Bella and then I need my Sprite. My light. My best friend.

The fingers of one hand finally get to roam higher, while the fingers of my other dip lower. I caress and flick, roll and circle until her breathing changes and I'm graced with the soft, knowing … indulgent smile I hope I'm lucky enough to see every day for the rest of my life. She wants it. I want it. I want her.

"I need you, baby," I whisper as I roll her over, settling between her thighs as if I haven't been inside of her for days instead of hours. We make love slowly, climbing then falling gently, together, as if we're the only two people in the world.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

"Excited much?" Bella asks me as I pull her up the stairs to her parents' front door a few hours later.

"I feel like I haven't seen her in forever." I really do, too. I'm definitely going through Peyton withdrawals.

Bella knocks on the door before opening it and leads us inside. She hangs up her coat on the hall tree and then turns to me. "You might not be so excited when she sees you wearing that," she points at my Brady jersey, "when it's not a game day. You're going to be in so much trouble for messing with the mojo." She giggles when I mutter a "shit" under my breath.

"Edward," Renée says sadly as she greets us in the foyer. Her arms are around me, squeezing tightly before I can even say hello. I let myself get loved on for a few minutes; she needs to give it as much as I need to get it. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. Are you okay? Is there anything you need?" she asks and then sniffs when she finally pulls away.

"Thanks, Renée. I'm okay. Just trying to deal, you know?" I shrug.

She smiles sadly then lays her hand on the side of my face. "He was a good man." She shakes her head slightly, as if to keep the unwelcome thoughts away. Standing on her tiptoes, she kisses my cheek. "We're all here for you if you need us. Remember that, Edward. We love you and when you hurt, we hurt."

I swallow thickly and take a deep breath, nodding. I hear Peyton giggle from the kitchen and my ears perk up, a smile spreads across my face. "There's fresh coffee and cinnamon rolls in the kitchen. Go help yourself." She shoos me and I give her a grateful smile and hurry toward my favorite laugh.

"Any left for me?" I ask as walk in. Peyton's mouth is open wide, and a gooey cinnamon roll with icing dripping off the side is poised for the taking.

She drops it with a plop onto her plate and flies off her chair. I squat and open my arms, almost falling over backward when she flings herself at me as hard as she can.

"Edward! I missed you!" she shrieks, and gives me the sweetest kisses all over my face. Kisses that mean everything. Kisses that make the pain of losing Wayne fade, just for a moment, while I soak up her unconditional love.

I hold her close. The corners of my eyes sting, but before the tears that are starting to form have a chance to fall she leans back and pokes me square in the chest with her finger. "If you jinx our team, you're in big trouble, mister."

I roll my eyes when Bella giggles and mutters an "I told you so" before she takes a drink of her Coke.

"What? You're telling me your Tom can't overcome me wearing his jersey on a non-game day?" I tease, shifting Peyton on my knee so I can tweak her nose. "Might want to think about switching him out for a different guy then."

I laugh when she scowls at me; she even crosses her arms over her chest. I scoot her off my lap and stand up. "I'm just teasing, P. I'm sure Mr. Brady will be just fine. Now, tell me what you've been up to. How was your spelling test?"

We sit at the table and listen as Peyton fills us in about the goings-on at school and the movie that Charlie and Renée took her to yesterday. Hearing her voice, listening to her ramble and describe things in the way only she can makes the world seem like not such a bad place … or at least my little part of it. Brady pats into the kitchen and circles the table, hoping that someone takes pity on him and gives him a treat. I smirk when I see Renée's hand dip beneath the table with a piece of cinnamon roll she pinched off Charlie's plate.

Once breakfast is done, Bella, Peyton, and Renée go to get Peyton's bags which leaves me some much needed alone time with Charlie. I need to talk to him.

"So, how are you? I'm sure Renée has already asked you, but you probably didn't get time to answer because she was kissing you all over your face," Charlie asks. He sits back in his chair, legs stretched out in front of him with his arms casually laid across his stomach. His eyes though, his eyes are anything but calm. They're ablaze with worry and concern, for me and for Bella and Peyton, too.

I curl my hands around my mostly empty coffee mug. I tip the cup back and forth, watching the now cold liquid slosh from side to side. "I don't know, Charlie," I begin, blowing out a frustrated breath. "I'm mad as hell that someone did that to Wayne. I mean, all he did was help people, you know? I just don't get why someone would want to hurt him that way. I feel … if this ..." I stammer and then look up at him.

"What?"

"If Wayne was murdered because of me, what am I going to do?" My words are whispered. I'm so afraid of them being the truth that I'm scared to even say them out loud, but I have to. I'll need to talk to Carlisle soon, but he's grieving. I can't lay this on him while he mourns the loss of his best friend. And if it's true? How do I ever look him in the eyes again?

Charlie sits forward and places his elbows on the table. "What aren't you telling me? What did the police in Boston tell you?" he questions. His voice is intense, demanding.

I run my hands through my hair and relay to him all the questions the police asked me and how I answered them. By the time I'm finished, his entire body is tense, his mouth set in a grim line. I look at him and say, "I know it was him. Aleksei. I feel it … here." I press my fist into my stomach. "He was here in Corea. He talked to Bella. He knows Peyton's name … he killed Wayne. I don't know why and I don't where he is, but I do know if he shows his fucking face, I'll kill him. He won't hurt Bella or Peyton. I promise you, Charlie. I won't let him anywhere near them. I'll die before I allow him to get close enough to either one of them."

My voice shakes, my hands twitch, and I'm having trouble catching my breath. "I promise," I force out once more.

Charlie scrubs his face with hands. He tips his head back. I can hear him inhale then exhale slowly, and I wait for him to look at me. I won't lower my eyes; I'll look him straight in the face and listen to whatever he has to say. I owe him that, even if he tells me to get as far the fuck away from Bella and Peyton as I can.

I won't leave, nothing except for Bella could make me, but we're talking about the man's daughter and granddaughter. Of course he's going to be worried.

"You really think it was him?" His voice is low, menacing … dangerous.

"Yes." My answer is simple, emphatic.

"Well, then we just need to make sure it doesn't come down to a choice between you and him, now don't we?" He holds my gaze, unflinching. His words are final, as if he's already made some kind of decision, but from the looks of him, it's one he won't be sharing with me.

We sit, neither one saying a word for a few moments until I hear Bella and Peyton as they come down the stairs. I huff and rub my hands up and down the top of my legs. I'm not sure if I should say anything else; of course I have no idea what I would say anyway. I'm so conflicted, warring between my intense desire to lock Bella and Peyton away somewhere safe and doing whatever it takes to find Aleksei and end this … whatever this is right the fuck now.

I stand when Bella calls my name and I look at Charlie. "I'm sorry for this, Charlie. If I would have known I was putting Bella and Peyton in danger I never would have ..." I choke on the words because as awful as I feel about the possibility of anything happening to either one of them, the thought of not having them at all makes me sick to my stomach.

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence, son. You already paid for your mistake … and his. This, if it is that piece of shit, is most definitely not your fault. Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

He reaches out and pulls me into a hug. I'm so surprised I don't move. He steps back when he hears Bella walk in the kitchen and he gives me meaningful look before he walks away. The goodbyes are short and sweet, and Charlie is all smiles as he kisses Bella and Peyton, ignoring the strange look Bella gives him.

"Everything okay with you and my dad?" Bella asks once we pull out of her parents' driveway. I slip my fingers between hers and lift them to my mouth, kissing the inside of her wrist.

"Just fine, baby." I lay our joined hands on my thigh and squeeze, letting my thumb move back and forth over her smooth, cool skin. She sighs, but it's a happy, content one. The sound washes over me and my fingers relax their death grip on the steering wheel. We're going to be fine, I tell myself over and over as we drive slowly through town.

A day at home with my girls is just what I need, I think happily as I pull into Bella's driveway.

We play a game before we eat lunch. We watch a movie, all snuggled on the couch, Bella on one side, Peyton on my other, with Brady in my lap and I can't imagine anything better. I help Peyton with her homework while Bella gets dinner started. It's a perfect day.

Peyton goes upstairs and I stroll into the kitchen, the aroma in the air making my mouth water.

"You're making stir fry?" I groan in anticipation.

"Yep. No eggplant tempura though." She smiles and my heart sort of dips and dives at the mention of our first dinner together.

"I was so fucking nervous that night," I say with a shake of my head. I step closer to her and curl my index finger around hers. "I had no idea what to say to you, how to act. All I knew was I wanted to be here with you and Peyton more than I'd ever wanted anything." I step between her legs and press my hips against hers, marveling for the umpteenth time how well her body fits against mine. Lowering my face to hers, I slide my free hand around her neck and hold her still as I brush my lips across hers. "With you and Peyton is the only place I'll ever want to be."

While I kiss her, standing in her kitchen with Peyton upstairs and the smells Sunday dinner filling the air, everything else fades away. The pain from losing Wayne, the fear of Aleksei, the guilt over bringing danger right to the doorstep of the people I love most in the world, disappears, leaving just me and Bella in this moment, right here, right now.

"Mmmm, you didn't kiss me like that that night," Bella says with a smile. Her free hand is on my chest and beneath her fingers my heart swells … and so does another part of my anatomy when she swivels her hips just so.

I nip at the sensitive spot behind her ear and chuckle, enjoying when she does the half-whimper half-breathy squeak she always makes when I do that. "That's because I was too afraid of fucking things up. I did go home and take care of business in the shower though … twice."

We both laugh and it feels so fucking good just to let go and be together. "Well, you don't have to worry about messing things up anymore, you know. You're kind of stuck with us now."

Her cheeks are flushed with the faintest hint of pink, her lips slightly swollen and chapped, and her eyes sparkle in the fading light of early evening. She takes my breath away. Her strength, her belief in me and in us … her love, it's more than I ever expected.

I cradle her head in my hands and we stare at each other, neither saying a word because really, none are needed. We know, without a shadow of a doubt that we're forever.

The timer on the rice cooker goes off, bursting the intimate bubble we've been in. We sigh at the same time when I step back and she slips out from in front of me.

"Will you go tell Peyton dinner will be ready soon?"

I nod, reaching for her hand and hold it loosely, stretching our arms. I need just one more touch, even though it's never enough. "Love you," I tell her gently.

"Love you, too." She flashes me a quick smile as I walk out of the kitchen and go to find Peyton.

"Sprite, dinner's almost ready," I tell Peyton as I lean against her door frame. She's sitting on her bed, legs crossed, tapping away on her iPad. Brady watches from his perch on the end of the bed, his little head tilted to the side as if trying to figure out what his favorite human is doing making all that noise.

Of course, his ears perk up at the mention of the word dinner. The little guy never misses a chance to join us for a meal.

"Okay," she answers without looking up. Whatever she's doing, and it could be anything from reading a book to playing Words With Friends against her Uncle Emmett, has her totally engrossed.

I sigh as I watch her for a few minutes. It feels like forever since our ice cream date and I've missed her. Missed her smile, missed her snark, missed her questions about the most random things imaginable. Even spending the day with her today doesn't feel like enough.

The last few days have been such a whirlwind, such an intense roller coaster of emotions. As soon as Bella and I woke up this morning, I begged her to let us go get Peyton right away. I needed Bella last night; we needed each other, to be able to connect and reaffirm our love. Not that it's in question … it's in every word, every touch, and every look, but we needed time last night to lose ourselves in each other. But this morning, I needed Peyton. I needed her innocence to offset the evil of Wayne's murder. I needed her unwavering loyalty to remind me of what's important in life. I needed her unconditional love to show me that even though I had an awful past, I was still worthy of her and Bella.

I needed my best friend.

"Are you going to watch me all night? You know you can come in if you want to," she tells me as she glances over at me.

I push off the door frame and lay across her bed, scooting Brady in front of me. "Whatcha' doing?"

"Watching a movie."

That's all she says; she doesn't even look up to answer. I get an uneasy feeling when the silence stretches so long it's uncomfortable. I pick at her comforter, wondering what's bothering her. I don't have to wonder for long though.

"Are you and Mom ready to tell me what's going on now?" She finally lifts her head and looks unwaveringly at me. I knew she was going to push for answers. All day I've felt like she's been waiting and her question lets me know she has indeed.

I didn't expect anything less.

"Come on. Mom's got the stir fry almost ready. Let's eat and we'll talk, okay?" I stand up off the bed and hold my hand out to her.

She drops her iPad on the bed and climbs off, calling for Brady as she slips her hand in mine. As we walk down the stairs she says quietly, "I'm sorry Wayne died, Edward. He was nice man and I know you and him were good friends."

I swallow back the rush of emotion and gently swing our hands. "Thanks, sweetheart. I'm going to miss him a lot."

She looks up at me, and I swear I can see the wheels turning in her head. Sometimes it would be much easier if she wasn't so damned smart.

Once dinner is served and we've all had a chance to eat for a few minutes, I interrupt Peyton's chatter. "All right, P. You know things have been a little weird around here lately and I know you have some questions."

She looks from me to Bella and then nods her head. "I can tell something's wrong. I hear you and Mom whispering and when I've been at the restaurant with Xavier, he always looks worried."

Just hearing that she's been aware, at least on some level, of what's been going on upsets me. I hate the thought of her being confused, but scared to ask questions.

Hate it with a fucking passion.

"I know you're upset that we won't let you walk to the restaurant after school anymore, but there's a reason for it," I tell her and take a deep breath. "Someone came to the house last week."

Peyton scrunches her eyebrows as she looks from Bella to me. "Who came to the house? We didn't have any company."

Bella gives me a look and then tells Peyton, "We aren't sure who he was. He told me his name, but he lied about that, and now we need to be careful until we find out who he really is."

"What did he want?"

Now that's the big question, isn't it? What DOES he want? "We aren't sure, Sprite, but until we find out, we all need to keep our eyes open. That's why you can't leave with anyone from school that isn't on your 'ridiculously long list' and why we don't want you walking alone after school." I don't want to terrify the girl half to death, but I don't want her taking any chances either. I mean seriously, this is Peyton. She talked to me and made me her best friend within thirty minutes of meeting me … plus, he knows her name.

"We just want and need you to be really smart about this, Peyton. If someone talks to you without your mom, myself, or someone you know around, you need to find someone you know right away. Even if they say they know me and your mom, if you don't know them, you have to promise to find someone you trust." My heart's breaking because I know I'm adding more fuel to the fire in making her scared, but I would rather have her scared than … gone. I cut off that thought immediately. No, that isn't going to happen. I won't let anything happen to my girls.

"O-okay. I'll be careful. I promise," Peyton tells me and I can tell she is worried. I get up from my chair and walk over to her, grabbing her in a hug.

Holding her tightly, I whisper in her ear, "It's okay, sweetheart. I promise it will be okay. We'll get this taken care of. I love you, P."

"I love you, too." She snuggles into my chest for a moment and then looks up at me. I can tell there's something else on her mind because, just like Bella, she bites her bottom lip and tilts her head to the left. "Um … are you going to be okay? You're going back out on the boat tomorrow," she says, the last few words not any louder than a breath.

God, I think, we all need a fucking vacation.

I take her small hand in mine. "I have to go back out there. You know that right?" I wait until she nods her head, which she doesn't do immediately.

"Yeah, I guess. I know Pop needs you. Can't you get another job? I don't think Pop would get mad at you if you did." She's so earnest, so innocent, that I have to lay my head down on her leg to collect myself so I can answer her.

"I know what happened to me scared you, sweetheart, but it's my job. I made a commitment to your Pop. Do you know what that is?" I ask. She's so smart sometimes it's easy to forget she's only seven. When she shakes her head I change my word. "I promised him I'd help him. I also promised Wayne and Carlisle I would stay and do my job. Wayne's not here anymore, but that doesn't mean I can break my promise. Do you understand?"

This time she nods quickly and answers with a soft, "Yes."

"I'll be fine. Pop, Uncle Emmett, and Jasper will take care of me and I still have my lucky seashell to keep me safe. Try not to worry, okay? I know this is a lot, P, but we're all here for you. If you get scared or confused or have a question, always know you can come to me or your mom … or anyone else. You've got your pick." I grin and lean forward to kiss her nose.

She giggles and I breathe out a sigh of relief, hoping that soon, this whole mess will behind us all.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

"Edward! No, please don't go! Stay with me!" Bella's voice startles me awake. I sit up, fighting with the blankets and reach for her. My heart hammers in my chest as I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. Her hot tears soak through my t-shirt, and her stuttering breaths fill the air around us.

"Bella, shhh. It's okay. I'm here. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." My words are rushed and not at all soothing, at least to my own ears.

"Jesus Christ," I mutter, kissing the side of her head over and over again. My own hands shake as badly as hers as she clutches at my damp t-shirt. Between her sleeping almost on top of me, the blankets that she buried us beneath, and the adrenaline rush of waking up so abruptly because of her thrashing and screaming, I need a damn shower.

I hear her take a few stuttering, wheezing breaths. She convulses involuntarily as her body calms. Her hair is a tousled mess and a few strands stick to the side of her face. I tilt her chin so I can look into her eyes. They're still wide with fear; whatever caused her nightmare is still haunting her.

"Are you okay?" I whisper, brushing the pads of my thumb across her warm, tear-stained cheek.

She doesn't answer; she just burrows farther against my chest. I continue to hold her and whisper nonsense until she picks her head up.

"It was the man, the guy that came to the house," she whispers and lays her head on my chest. I scoot backward and lean against the headboard and cradle her across my lap. I can feel her heart thrum, and her body is rigid, tense, even when I begin to slowly rock her back and forth.

"Tell me, baby," I murmur, kissing her forehead.

She sighs, shifts, and turns so that her head's in the crook of my elbow. "I don't remember much," she begins. "Just flashes of things … you and him fighting. You being on the boat with Dad and the guys only this time when you fall over, they don't get to you in time." Her fingers trace circles on my shirt, leaving trails of warmth in their wake. Even through a layer of cotton, feeling her touch me sets my body on fire. "Then I saw him again, standing out front. You saw him, too, and he ran away, toward the woods. You wanted to follow him, but I begged you not to go. You told me you had to, that it was up to you to save us and you started running into the trees. I tried to follow you. I asked you to stay with me, but you just kept going. When I went into the woods you were … gone. I couldn't find you," she tells me brokenly, her voice getting higher and higher and more spread out as she tries to catch her breath.

I can feel her fear; she starts to shake again in my arms. I'm about to lay her down in the bed so I can wrap myself around her when she says, "The tattoo on his hand, it was letters, not a picture."

I freeze. Now it's my turn to shake. "What do you mean letters?" My voice is tight; my muscles locked in place. "What else, Bella? Is there anything else you remember?" I almost afraid to find out the answer, but it's obvious she remembers more than she thought she did.

She closes her eyes. She's quiet for such a long time, I wonder if she's fallen asleep. When she opens her eyes, I'm staring at her, waiting for what feels like the ax to drop. It does. "He had a scar, through his right eyebrow."

Motherfucking son of a bitch to the fiery pits of hell and damnation.

My whole body tenses, from my toes all the way up to my shoulders. I can't breathe. I can't feel. I can't move.

"No, no, no, no," I begin to chant, pant, and I feel like the walls are caving in on me.

Bella sits up and kneels in front of me. Her hands frantically run up and down my arms and then she throws her arms around my neck. "What's wrong? Edward, what is it?"

"It's him," I croak and squeeze my eyes shut.

"Him? Who?" she cries out and when she puts two and two together her eyes grow so big. "It's Aleksei isn't it?"

I don't answer; I just hold her tighter. After a few minutes, I say, "Tell me again what he looks like."

I listen as she tells me. Some of what she says sounds like him, height, build, the scar on the eyebrow, but the rest of it doesn't; the tattoo, the color of his hair, the way he spoke.

"Fuck, I don't know, Bella. My gut tells me yes, but I'm not sure. I mean he's been on the run for seven years. It would make sense he's changed his appearance, so I really can't say without seeing him myself. And if I saw him, I'd never let him live long enough to get a good enough look at him. Whoever the fuck it is, I promise you he won't hurt you or Peyton. I swear it, baby." I cup her cheeks and hold her head so I can look at her. Leaning down, I kiss her to remind myself that she's here and she's safe.

I rest my forehead against hers and we sit, totally wrapped in each other, without saying a word. Eventually, her grip relaxes on my shirt and her breath evens out. She's not asleep, but she's close, so I lower her to the bed. I turn her on her side and pull her back against my chest, so close that my body is almost completely wrapped around hers. Arms, legs, every part of me that I can use to touch her, I do. I use my body as a shield, ready and willing to protect her with all that I am … whether it's from her nightmares or from something more dangerous.

"I'm not going anywhere, Bella. I promise. I'll keep you safe," I whisper as her breathing evens out.

She lets out a soft sigh and I feel her body melt against mine. "I know you will. I trust you," she whispers and then she falls asleep.

I don't close my eyes at all.

~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

"Babe, Brady wants to go out," Bella tells me, not looking up from the book she's reading.

I glance over the back of the sofa and sure enough, Brady is walking in a circle in front of the door. As soon as he can tell I'm looking at him, and I swear the little guy is actually thinking, Dude, get up and take me out unless you want me to pee all over your shoes.

I throw down the remote, glad, though I won't tell her, to have a chance to get away from the show on the TV that Bella is not watching but won't let me change off of. Storage Wars, really? I shake my head and slip my shoes on, opening the door. When a chilling breeze wafts across the front porch, I grab my hoodie off the rack by the door.

"Keep this locked, baby. I'll take my key," I tell her, grabbing my keys off the table by the door. "Be right back." I chuckle when Brady wiggles through the door, not even waiting so he doesn't have to squeeze through it.

He obviously needs to go badly because he practically rolls down the stairs. I reach out and double-check the door, not taking any chances, and pull my hood up over my head to ward off the damp, cool air. Brady makes his way over to the other side of Cherry and traipses around in the grass for a few minutes before he does his business. For all he was in a hurry to use the bathroom, he sure does take his time when he wants to. I let him wander a bit and I lean against the side of the Blazer as I watch him. He takes a step, then stops, turning his little head around to see if I'm paying attention. I laugh at him and then turn just a bit, noticing that the right rear tire of Bella's baby looks a little low. A quick glance at Brady to make sure he hasn't run off and then I bend over, inspecting, pressing against the edge of the tire. It definitely gives more than it's supposed to. Worried about the others, I walk slowly around the back to the other side then up, breathing in relief when it appears that it's just the one tire that will need air in the morning. I walk around the front, letting my hand glide over the smooth, cool metal of the hood. It really is a fucking awesome piece of machinery, I muse with a slight shake of my head, palming my cock briefly to adjust when a memory … Bella walking to her pride and joy that very first time we talked in those fuckhot shorts, flashes in my mind.

I close my eyes and allow myself a moment to indulge, remembering long, smooth legs and how that very first inhale of her citrusy scent made it so I'll never be able to look at fruit the same way again. And with that, I'm hard and ready to go back inside and love on my girl. Peyton's spending the night with Xavier and Seth, even though it's a school night. Bella is normally very reluctant to deviate from the routine she's set for Peyton, but they've missed her and she needs a chance to get away from the tension that's always in the air. I look left and right and Brady, of course, is nowhere to be found. I take a few steps, scanning quickly and hear a snap of a twig and the rustle of leaves in the trees that surround Bella's house on all but the front side.

Damn dog, I swear, you take your eyes off him for thirty seconds and poof … he's gone like a thief in the night.

"Brady," I say harshly, walking toward the trees. My steps are careful. There isn't any snow on the ground; the slight warm up of the past few days has let most of it melt away. And by warm up, I mean a sultry 39 degrees … but with the sunshine we've been privy to recently, it's been enough to leave only the snow nestled safely along the edges of buildings and tucked away from the sun to remain.

"I hear you," I mutter again. "You are in so much trouble when I catch you, mister. No treats for you tonight."

There's more rustling, more cursing by me when I slip a little on a patch of mud. I brace my arms on a tree, my body twisted around like a Gumby doll as I try to right myself. I manage to stand up, somehow out of breath, so I bend over at the waist to try to not sound like a wheezing asthmatic.

It takes my eyes just a moment to focus, but when they do, my veins turn to ice. I'm frozen still, rooted to where I stand like the tree I'm desperately trying to hang onto. I blink rapidly, desperately hoping that doing it enough times will make what I've seen not so. When I open them again and look down, it hasn't worked.

Cigarette butts. Footprints. The bright yellow wrappers of banana Laffy Taffy.

Him.

He was here.

Holy motherfucking shit.

I turn and run in a flat out sprint toward the house. My boots slip in the mud, my steps are awkward and uneven, but all I can think about is getting back to Bella. If he's still close by ... I stop that thought before it can go any further. I'll kill him, it's as simple as that, if I see him.

It's not far between the Blazer and the house but the few steps I have to take seem like miles rather than feet. I jump the three steps leading to the porch in a single motion.

I stop, dead in my tracks, when my eyes focus in front of me.

Open door.

Splintered wood.

Silence.

"Oh, Jesus, no," I whisper on a haggard breath.

I step into the house, as if in a trance, and what I see makes my heart stop and my head roar.

"Bella! No!"

BPOV

As soon as Edward is out the door, I throw my book down on the floor beside my chair, and then turn off the TV I was neither watching nor listening to ... I just like messing with Edward and seeing how frustrated I can get him. All his little grunts and huffs, it was all I could do to pretend to concentrate on my book.

I knew Brady would have to go to the bathroom and I also knew Edward would take him out. I'd been not very patiently counting down the minutes so I could surprise him with a nice, hot, bubble bath. The last few days have been such a ... well, they've been pretty damned awful to be honest. The stranger, who we all know was Aleksei, finding out about Wayne, the funeral and watching Edward deal with being in Boston again, talking to Peyton, the nightmare ... all of it has taken its toll.

I just want some quiet time with Edward. There's nothing better than feeling his strong legs around me, his chest pressed against my naked back ... his hard cock nudging my ass. I make sure to add an extra squeeze of the mint-scented bubble bath and lay out two of the fluffiest towels I can find. While the bathroom fills with delicious mint-scented steam, I grab his iPod and and attach it to the docking station on the counter, turning down the lights, and lighting a few candles. If I had time, I'd go back downstairs and snatch a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator, but he'll be back any minute.

The mint is already working wonders; I feel more relaxed already. I hope it does the same for him. I need to touch him, let my fingers trail through the coarse hair on his thighs, take him in my hand and stroke him until he begs me to make him come.

I just want him.

Just as I'm about to undress, I hear the strangest noise from downstairs. Reaching over, I turn the tub off and poke my head out of the bedroom door. I listen for the sound of Brady and Edward, but hear nothing. My body moves on its own and I take a few steps into the hallway toward the staircase.

"Edward?"

Nothing. No answer, not even a sound.

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end and my skin prickles.

"Babe?"

A few more steps down and still no answer. I can feel a cold draft and wonder if maybe Brady wasn't quite done using the bathroom so Edward rushed him back outside before he could make a mess. It's been known to happen. I reach the bottom of the stairs and my eyes fly toward the door … the broken, splintered door.

I feel a whoosh of air behind me and before I can turn around, a strong arm is wrapped around my neck, squeezing so tightly it's hard to breathe.

"Hello, again, Bella," hisses a voice that is most definitely not Edward's.

My eyes immediately fill with tears. Fear, anger, guilt war inside of me. My fingers scratch and pull at his arm to no avail. He's wearing a denim jacket; my efforts do nothing but make his forearm flex which in turn presses even harder against my throat.

I open my mouth and try to scream, but immediately there's a hand stopping any sound from escaping. Between the hand covering my mouth and nose and the arm around my neck, I can't breathe let alone make any noise to yell for Edward.

"It's so nice to see you." His voice is accented, unlike the first time I heard it, and even though I have yet to see his face, I know it's him again.

He walks us sideways toward the middle of the living room. His chest is pressed flush against my back and I can feel the cold of his belt buckle seep through the thin jersey knit of my pants. He must have come in from outside. He must have been watching, waiting for this chance to get inside.

As if he can read my mind he whispers, his hot, foul breath in my ear, "I've been watching you and Edward … your little girl, too. Such a nice family. Too bad Edward won't be able to enjoy it after tonight." He chuckles and the sound makes my already labored breathing come out in shorter, faster bursts.

"What do you want?" I manage to force out, my eyes watering from the fear and the pain. My eyes dart around the room, looking for something, anything to use to help me get away from him.

He chuckles and the sound makes my blood run cold. "Why, my sweet, sweet Bella, I want Edward to pay for what he's done to me," he says, confusing me.

I manage to turn my head just enough to get a good look at him. I don't know why I'm surprised to see it's the same man as before, but I am, or maybe it's just knowing this is the man that almost destroyed Edward that makes my stomach twist.

It's that thought that makes me squirm and kick. My elbow connects with his stomach but instead of doing any damage all it does is enrage him.

"Such a little hell cat." He chuckles again, and then I feel the press of the barrel of a gun. His arm is still wrapped tightly around my neck and his other is across my stomach, the metal of the gun hard and heavy through my t-shirt. "Let's see how much fight you have in you after I get through with loverboy."

He drags me so that we're standing right in front of the door; only a few scant minutes have passed. I know it's only seconds until Edward comes back, and there's nothing I can do to warn him. Tears flow even more now, out of frustration at not being able to do anything. My chest heaves and I try not to think about the gun buried in my stomach or the despicable, evil man behind me. I don't think about his hand touching my skin or his fetid breath in my ear. All I can do is pray that somehow, someway, we're able to make it out of this alive.

The sound of Edward's footsteps on the porch makes my heart race. I can feel sweat bead and fall down my chest, between my breasts and down my back. My vision blurs as I try to catch my breath, and when Edward bursts through the mangled door, eyes wild and frantic, my heart breaks.

"Edward, so nice of you to join the party. I was just telling your Bella here all the fun we're going to have together. Well, at least I'm going to have fun. Not so much for you I'd imagine." He cackles maniacally.

Aleksei leans down and I close my eyes, but I feel his disgusting lips on my cheek. Edward lets out a strangled roar, shouting, "If you touch her again, I'm going to fucking kill you!"

"Yeah? I don't fucking think so, Eddie. I'm the one with the fucking gun." Aleksei sneers and lifts the gun from my side and turns it toward Edward.

Knowing the gun is now pointed at Edward makes all coherent thought leave. I start fighting, pulling on his arm. My elbows flail as I twist and turn. I can hear Aleksei grunt and huff as he tries to keep a hold of me. I lower my chin, hoping that I can at least get my teeth close enough to his arm to bite. I try to dig my nails in, but the denim of his jacket is too thick for it to make any difference. My arms are free so I reach up and try to pull his hair, scratch at his face, but he's so fast, so strong. Every move I make he counters. Edward's screaming, threatening and out of the corner of my eye I see the gun swing from Edward and back toward me.

I manage to catch him along his cheek. I can feel my nail scrape, dig, draw blood.

"You fucking bitch," he snarls, squeezing my throat even tighter. My vision blurs and my head swims as I struggle to get enough oxygen. With the final bit of strength I can feel in my weakened body, I fling myself forward and then back into his chest. His grip loosens from around my neck just enough for me to cry out, "Edward."

EPOV

Aleksei hits her with the butt of the gun and she falls to the ground, unconscious and still. She's not dead, but she looks it with blood trailing down the side of her face and growing paler by the second.

My heart stops.

Everything is bathed in crimson, like her blood.

Rage.

It's all I feel.

I want him dead. I want to kill him, slowly, painfully, and hear him beg for mercy.

I have none.

After everything he's done, after the seven years I paid for his crime, after losing my family, my identity, he still thinks I need to pay … that I owe him?

Fuck that shit to hell and back.

"I'm going to kill you for that," I say and even I'm shocked by the cold, hard edge to my voice.

Aleksei sneers and then shakes his head. "Like I said, Eddie," he spits out my name, "I don't fucking think so." He levels the gun at me and I suppose it should scare me, but it doesn't. I'm not that frightened, misguided kid I was seven years ago. I've seen shit, done shit, heard shit he can't begin to fathom, no matter where the fuck he's been hiding out. Nothing compares to being inside. Nothing.

I laugh. He cocks his head and stares at me like I'm insane, but little does he know that I've never been more in the moment than I am right now. Here, in the home I want to share with the two people I love more than my own life, I'm one hundred percent sure of what's going on.

He's going to pay.

We circle one another. It's all I can do not to look down, even though the pull to go to Bella, to touch her and feel her heartbeat is screaming at me. I can't though. Not until he's gone from our lives.

"Nice set-up you've got going on here, man. I never would have pictured you for fucking the same chick over and over, but I must say, she's a choice piece of ass," he taunts me.

"Why the fuck did you come back? What do you want?"

I try to keep him talking. I'm waiting for just the right moment to take him down, because there's only one of us getting out of here alive and it sure as hell is going to be me.

"To make you pay," he states simply, as if I'm an idiot for not understanding. "Do you know what it's like to always be looking over my shoulder for the cops? To never be able to trust anyone? To never be able to stay in one place long enough to get anywhere?" He glares at me, his beady, black eyes flat and soulless. "Because you couldn't keep your fucking mouth shut, I'll always have to run."

"You never should have shot that man, Aleksei. You already had the cash," I tell him.

I watch as his eyes rove around the room quickly, before settling on me once again. His arm has begun to shake from holding the gun up for so long, but there's no way I'm risking him pulling the trigger … not yet anyway.

"Why the fuck not? I didn't need him anymore. Why not kill him?" he screams.

He's so close to losing it. The gun wavers, his finger twitches. I freeze.

His eyes are all over the place, his pupils huge. "It's all your fault! Why couldn't you just run with me? Why did you have to be such a fucking hero? If you would've just let him die, we'd be living the life. Pussy, drugs, money … we'd have had it all, but no," he hisses. "You had to ruin fucking everything!"

His arm dips and he looks down. I take a step, but he hears me, and lifts the gun, pointing it at Bella.

I halt immediately.

He swings his arm back around and once again I'm looking down the barrel of his gun. I'm only a few steps away from him, close enough to see the sweat that covers his face, the tattoo that Bella remembered. I can smell the scent of the woods on his clothes, see the mud that cakes the side of his shoes.

"You know, it was so fucking easy to find you," he says and tilts his head to the side. "All it took was killing that old, washed-up PO you called a friend, and a look through your file, and voila, here I am. I was only looking for you. I didn't know I'd find a whole town full of people you'd come to care about. I didn't expect to find her," he jeers and points with his chin at Bella's still unconscious form on the floor by his feet, "or her little brat. You don't deserve it, you chicken-shit bastard. You deserve to be alone, like me."

Bella groans and he lowers his arm. When she groans again, louder, he glances down at her. I take a chance and lunge at him, hitting him square in the chest. We fall backward, over the end table and it breaks beneath us as we hit the floor. I hear the gun skitter off to the side toward the front door. I'm on him in an instant and swing my fist at his jaw. I feel teeth loosen beneath my knuckles and it feeds the flames of my anger.

"You son of a bitch," I scream, hitting him again and this time I feel his nose break. Feel the cartilage mesh with bone, watch as blood spews, coating his skin. His eye is next then I move down, landing blow after blow to his ribs. I hear the sickening sound of cracking bones; I can feel them break beneath the skin.

"Seven fucking years. I was locked up for seven, long, fucking years because of you," I shout. I feel blood spatter across my cheek as I land another punch to his already bruising jaw. "I was almost killed. I had to fight off motherfuckers hellbent on making me their bitch for years. Every night I'd lay in bed and wonder whether that night would be the night I'd have to kill someone to protect myself."

I'm breathing so hard that it's all I can hear. He lands a few well-placed hits to my stomach, my ribs, probably cracked a few, too, and I can feel a lump forming near my eye, but it's nothing. I barely feel it.

"You fucking killed Wayne, you sorry sack of shit," I scream, my anger and fear getting the best of me and I feel tears fall down my face. My hands go around his neck, my knees dig into his sides, and all I can think about is ending this … ending him.

A bark from Brady makes me turn my head and in the next instant, I'm sprawled out on the floor, fingers stretching toward the gun that's just out of my reach. Aleksei is on my back and we struggle, both trying to grab the gun. His elbow flies and hits me in the side of the head and it blurs my vision long enough for him to reach the gun first. He rolls me over onto my back and stands up, pointing the gun right at my chest.

"You should have killed me when you had the chance, Edward," he pants.

I don't even have time to think, to blink, because right when I see his finger curl around the trigger, there's two men racing into the house, only one I recognize.

Charlie.

Then there's shouting, a gun goes off. I hear a thud, but I need to get to Bella. I roll over, my cracked ribs making me wince against the pain shooting to every part of my body. I pull myself along the floor the few feet it takes me to get to her.

"Bella, oh shit. Baby, wake up," I beg as I pull myself up. I run my fingers through her hair, ignoring the fact that my fingers are now coated with her blood. She's so pale.

I lift her, ignoring the piercing ache in my chest and side. "I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry," I tell her over and over again. Tears fall from my face and splash onto hers, mixing with her blood. "I love you. I'm so sorry. I promised you no one would hurt you and I failed. Please, please wake up."

I hear voices, loud and chaotic, but no more gunshots.

I lift my eyes from Bella's when I feel a hand on mine and look up to see Charlie.

"It's over, Edward. He'll never hurt you or Bella again."

Charlie POV

"Honey, Bud's here," Renée tells me. I heard the doorbell and assumed it would be him so I was already up and walking toward the entryway.

I meet him as Renée brings him toward the sunroom. "Can I get you a beer or anything?" I ask him after shaking his hand.

"Nah, I'm good. Let's sit. I have some information for you."

Turning toward Renée, I give her a quick, and what I hope is reassuring smile. She nods and then lets her shoulders droop just slightly. She's as worried as I am and knows full well why Bud is here and what the information more than likely entails.

Once we're seated, he doesn't waste any time. As soon as Edward left the house on Sunday, I called Bud. He's an old friend from my college days so I've known him a hell of a long time. We're not best friends, but close enough that I knew he'd help me if I asked, so I did. He's a detective from Bar Harbor and while not the most advanced police department in the country, he had access to the information I needed.

"You were right, Charlie. This Aleksei Petrov is one piece of work. I called Boston PD and talked to the detectives that are working the case for your friend, Wayne. His rap sheet is longer than my arm," he tells me and then hands me a folder full of information.

I read, getting more and more worried by the sentence. Armed robbery, possession, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder … nothing he's been convicted of, only implicated in, but holy shit, the list is daunting.

For just the briefest of moments, I question what the hell Bella is doing with Edward, but shake it off as soon as it comes. This is not who Edward is, he was never like Aleksei, and I cringe at second-guessing him for even a second.

"Damn, Bud." I sigh and close the folder. "If Edward's right and this guy is hanging around Corea, we have to do something. This monster belongs in prison, not wandering around with the freedom to hurt Edward or my family."

"Why don't we go talk with Edward and maybe we can figure something out," Bud says and stands up. I can tell he feels as off as I do about all of this.

I nod and lead him back through the house. "Née, I'm heading over to Bella's with Bud to talk to Edward for a bit. I'll be home soon." I walk over to where she's doing the dishes from dinner and kiss her cheek. "Save some dessert for me." I give her a little swat on her ass and chuckle when she squeaks and then glares at me.

Damn I love that woman.

I climb into his truck and we start toward Bella's. "Nice town," he says as we drive.

"It is. It's small, but it's home, you know? Renée and I raised our family here, and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else."

He flicks the blinker and turns when I tell him to as we pass the Booze & Bait. "Do you think either of your kids will ever move away?" His question is just to make conversation, but it's something I've given a lot of thought to recently, ever since Edward's accident.

I sigh and run a my fingers through my mustache. "Emmett won't leave. He loves the water and working on the boat as much as I do. It's in his blood. Bella," I have to stop and close my eyes. "She loves Edward. I have no doubt that at some point in the future I'll be calling him son and it'll because they're married, not because I'm trying to make a point. I sure as hell don't want her to move away, taking my granddaughter with her, but she doesn't belong here … neither does Edward. He came to Corea to start over, because it was someplace that was familiar and where no one knew who he was. I respect him for that, but working on the water isn't for him. He's great at it, don't get me wrong. He works his ass off and has learned faster than I ever expected, but he doesn't need to be out there."

My jaw clenches and I look out the window, speaking softly but sure. "We almost lost him once, next time we might not be so lucky, and I won't put my daughter through that. If this Aleksei asshole thinks he's going to mess with my family and take away the reason for Bella and Peyton's happiness, well he's got another fucking thing coming. No one is going to threaten what Edward's worked his ass off to get, not if I can help it."

"We'll figure this out, Charlie," Bud replies after a moment where there's nothing but the sound of my heavy breathing.

"Damn straight we will," I murmur. "I love that boy as much as if he were my own and I'll be damned if he's going to live, looking over his shoulder and wondering if today's the day that piece of shit is going to crawl back out from under whatever rock he's been hiding under and try to take all Edward's worked for away."

We pull into the driveway and park behind Bella's monstrosity of a vehicle. We both get out of the truck and when I see Bud reach for his gun, I freeze.

"Charlie, get back in the car and wait here," he hisses and moves slowly, armed and ready, toward the house.

Of course I follow, no way in hell I'm staying put if my kids are in danger. I walk around the front of the truck and suck in a sharp breath when I see light from inside spill out onto the front porch through the open door. Now that I'm out of the truck, I can hear yelling, Edward's voice screaming over and over again.

I'm almost to the door, right behind Bud, when I hear an eerie, evil voice say, "You should have killed me when the chance, Edward."

Bud doesn't hesitate and I follow right behind, rushing inside the house. Immediately I take in the chaos: splintered wood, broken lamp, a spilled drink on the floor. There's a man, disheveled and bloody holding a gun and pointing it at Edward. I start to cry out, the scene almost too much to understand, when I hear Bud tell the man to drop his weapon.

The man, whom I assume is Aleksei, turns, eyes blank, well the one that's not swollen shut. He cackles and points the gun at Bud who doesn't even blink before firing his gun, shooting the man once in the left side of his chest.

It's like watching a movie in slow motion - the man's eyes go wide then he looks down. His hand loosens its grip on the gun and it drops to the floor with a loud clatter. He's completely still for about a second or two before he falls over, landing with a whoosh.

I can't move; it's like my feet are encased in concrete, until I see Bella … and hear Edward groan as he crawls toward her.

"Oh, shit, Bella!" I cry out and Bud looks up from where he's kneeling beside Aleksei.

He drops his wrist and says succinctly, "He's dead," before he looks in the same direction I am.

He's in motion in an instant, on his feet and whipping out a cell phone. "This is Detective Larson, Bar Harbor PD, calling in with a 10-12. I need back up, CSU, and a rig for two victims to … hang on," he says and then turns to me. "Charlie, I need Bella's address." I tell him and he picks his phone back up, repeating what I say. "There's been a shooting, suspect is presumed dead from GSW to the chest."

I make my way toward Bella and Edward. He's a mess, covered in blood, clothes torn, but it's like he doesn't even notice, all he can do is whisper softly to Bella. I kneel down beside him and touch her, heaving a huge sigh of relief when she's warm. I see the blood on the side of her head and the bruise that's bloomed.

"Bella, I'm so sorry," he tells her, and my heart breaks for him, listening to how devastated he sounds.

I have no idea what's gone on here tonight, but I know whatever it was, they are both lucky to be alive.

I reach out and touch his arm, afraid to startle him. The poor boy is barely holding it together. When he looks at me, I slowly tell him, "It's over, Edward. He'll never hurt you or Bella again."

He starts sobbing, cradling Bella's listless body against his. She groans and my whole body sags in relief. "Oh, thank God," I whisper and bend over and kiss the side of her head. "Daddy's here, baby girl. You're okay. You're safe."

Edward holds her tighter, and continues to talk to her, completely oblivious to anything going on around him.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump. "Shit," I mutter when I see Bud standing there.

"Are they okay?" he asks as he looks down at Edward and Bella. I'm holding one of Bella's hands in mine, unable to let go to even stand up and talk to him.

My mind's been numb, frozen in shock, but slowly the last five minutes are catching up to me. I begin to shake as I picture the gun pointed at Edward, hear the sound of the gun as it exploded, remember what Aleksei looked like as the life drained out of him.

"Oh, God." I moan and hang my head. I have to take a few deep breaths to keep my composure. I rub my eyes with my free hand to rid them of the tears that have fallen. Holy hell, I don't think I'll ever forget what it felt like to walk in this house tonight.

"Charlie?" Bud questions and squeezes my shoulder. I wave my free hand and take one more breath before I look up at him.

"Yeah, Bella must have been hit on the head and Edward, well, I have no idea what's happened to him. I don't see any bullet wounds or anything and he's talking so I think he's okay. Besides, there's no way in hell you're getting him to let go of Bella right now."

"I'm going to go make some calls. I need to call my Lieutenant and fill him on what happened, then I need to call Boston PD and tell them Petrov is dead. What a fucking mess," he mumbles.

I look to my left and see the body, still and lifeless in the middle of the floor.

"We need to move outside and clear the scene for CSU. Let me grab some blankets and see if you can get Edward to carry Bella outside," he tells me before he turns around.

"Edward," I say his name softly but sternly so that he hears me. It takes me a few tries but finally he stops talking long enough to look at me. "We need to take Bella outside, son, and wait for the ambulance. They'll be here soon."

He looks at me blankly for a few seconds before he whispers brokenly, "I'm so sorry, Charlie."

"Hush, now, Edward. It's okay. You're safe now, Bella's safe, and so is Peyton. It's over." I stand and urge him to follow by pulling on Bella's arm. "Come on, son. We need to go outside."

He struggles to stand, hissing and moaning with every motion of his body, but he refuses to let go of Bella. She groans again when he finally gets upright and he leans down and says softly, "I've got you, baby. I'm right here."

I hold his elbow as he tentatively walks toward the front door. He doesn't even look at the body on the floor; his eyes are locked on Bella as he lets me lead him from the house. He's in so much pain, but all he cares about is keeping her still, close.

I guide him to the chair in the corner. When he sits, I drape a blanket across his back. I take a moment to kiss the top of his head and whisper that I love him. I know he hears me because he closes his eyes, but only for a moment. He bends down when Bella moans and I watch, holding my breath, as she slowly opens her eyes.

"Edward," she rasps. She licks her lips, swallows, and her eyes close only to open again. "Aleksei?"

"He's gone, baby. He won't hurt you ever again." Tears stream from his eyes and I have to turn away. His pain, his heartbreak, the sheer relief that she's safe is more than I can handle.

She breathes out and turns toward his chest, twisting her hands in his tattered shirt. "I knew you'd keep us safe, Edward. I love you." Her voice is faint, but her words ring out loud and clear.

"I love you, Bella. Always and forever."

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~