A little bit of time has lapsed, as noted in the first sentence.
I made a stop at my father's office after one of my scheduled therapy appointments the next week. Ben was currently escorting me every time I left my apartment, mostly for my own peace of mind, and because I trusted him implicitly. He stopped outside the inner office door after Maggie walked us back.
I was surprised to see my brother there, he and our dad seated at the table with papers spread out in front of them. "Daddy, Emmett," I acknowledged them both politely.
They watched me as I sat, and I worked hard not to squirm at the thought of how my scars looked. Dad started speaking first. "We've discovered the identity of the mole," he announced without preamble.
My eyebrows shot up. "That's great news." My eyes flicked to Emmett, whose presence hulked despite being seated, and I noted the hard expression on his face.
"Randall," he sneered the name. My face surely conveyed my shock, as my head swiveled from one to the other.
"It's true," my father confirmed. "We have a prepaid cell phone that he was using to communicate with DeLuca and Newton. I was standing there with him, about to give him a goddamn commendation, when it rang in his hand. I recognized Aro's attorney's phone number, despite him trying to hide the phone. Needless to say, he was shocked when I wound up arresting him instead of awarding him."
I dropped my gaze to the table, trying to put a name to my feelings. "I was so careful not to say anything in front of any of the men on my detail. I mentioned Newton to Liam in the store, but I'm positive Randall was out of earshot."
"He confessed to bugging your apartment," Emmett said. My face heated at what that meant he'd heard. He took a huge breath and huffed it out. "I've been thinking over things that happened Bella, and I realized that I am really fucking pissed at you," he growled.
My head jerked up at his sudden change of subject, and I stared at him defiantly. "I know how you feel about-"
"No." His impassive interruption brought my oncoming tirade to a halt. "You are smarter than the woman who got herself kidnapped. I spent so much time keeping an eye on you, I even left my wife alone to oversee your safety."
"Goddammit, Emmett!" I cried, rising half out of my seat while my face flamed at the thought that he hadn't wanted to help me.
"I'm not finished!" His hands fisted on the table, knuckles white. I glanced at our father and noted that he was looking at his paperwork, trying to give us a minute. I sat back down and turned my attention to Emmett again as my eyes pricked with unshed tears. "I would gladly do it all again. I love you, Bella. Do you have any idea how it felt to hear that he had you? And then to realize that it was your fault that he did, because you abandoned all common sense?"
"I know! I know, okay? I struggle every day with my own stupidity. I made assumptions about Black because I despise him, instead of using my brain. I didn't fight on that sidewalk because I panicked, and I knew he wouldn't hesitate to kill innocent people."
"It just took me some time to realize that I'm not mad because you fell in love with Edward. I'm downright pissed because you abandoned who you are that day, and I don't understand why." His voice was frustrated, and I understood that sentiment all too well.
"I don't either," I whispered, clutching my hands in my lap. "It wasn't intentional, because I've explored that theory ad nauseum with my therapist. I was egotistical to think I didn't need Black because he's a useless piece of shit. I was arrogant to assume that he was brought in to this office without checking first." I inhaled deeply, recognizing and processing that I still smelled fertilizer. "However, what happened on the sidewalk was my fight or flight instinct cowering in the face of a man I'd studied endlessly. I knew what and who he was, and I fucking panicked."
Daddy placed a glass of water in front of me, and as I glanced up I realized that he'd gotten up and was standing at my side. "You don't have to do this. Emmett can get over his feelings faster than you'll get over your PTSD. And while we're at it, I apologize for letting Emmett go as far as he did in your hospital room. You know I generally don't get between the three of you when you have disagreements, but this time I should have. So, I'm sorry. I've spoken to Edward, and told him I don't agree with what was said. I believe that he forgives me, but we may have to see how he feels about your brother," he leveled a steely gaze at Emmett.
"Edward has been an enormous help," I pointed out, looking straight at Emmett as well. "He comes to most of my appointments, and he's gotten pretty good at defusing my panic attacks." I scrubbed my hand over my face. "There are still days where I'm terrified to leave the apartment."
"And I know you have the strength to work through this," Emmett assured me. "Rose gave me the 'come to Jesus' talk, and I realized how rude I've been. So I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted while I was trying to work through my feelings. It scared the shit out of me, B, to see you tied to that chair covered in blood." He paused, almost seeming to catch his breath, and I shivered. "And I've paid a personal visit to Officer Black, and let me just say he's adorable in the street uniform." He waggled his eyebrows, and I laughed. It felt good to be able to laugh with my brother again.
"Randall has been dealt with, and Aro has accepted a deal to give up everything he knows. His attorney was passing information, so he's been charged as well. Aro is down to a public defender, who has cooperated wonderfully with the DA. The pair of them will spend many years in prison."
My father's assurances eased my mind a great deal, but I knew it would be a topic of discussion at my next session nonetheless.
I felt lighter as Ben and I left, and I asked him how it was going with my paralegal. He and Angela had been dating for about a month, and they were enamored with each other. When I unlocked my apartment door, I told Ben to head off on his date, because I was going to be okay.
My heart was waiting for me inside, and I would be more than okay.
I found him in the kitchen, my apron tied around him as he moved from the stove to the fridge. There was soft classical music playing from the radio, and I just watched him being domestic for half a minute. The love inside me swelled up, and when he set his stirring spoon down, I moved forward and wrapped my arms around him. The scent of Edward, woodsy and clean, and the smell of chili coming from the pot replaced the olfactory memory that constantly plagued me.
"Hey, love, I'm so glad you're home," he said as he held me, the sound rumbling in his chest under my ear. "How was your visit with your dad?"
"Emmett was there. He's still a little mad at me, but he apologized. And they caught the last guy."
Edward pulled back enough to meet my eyes. "Really?"
I nodded. "It was Randall," I said bitterly. His left eyebrow rose. "He bugged the place, by the way. Dad is sending someone tomorrow to remove the devices, but they've turned off the receiver he was recording on. And then Ben will be relieved of his duty where it pertains to babysitting me."
"How do you feel about that?"
"Violated all over again." I buried my face in the apron, pleased that it already smelled of him. "I don't want to worry about it, though. I want to have a nice dinner that you made for us, and cuddle on the couch watching anything at all on TV."
"You're an angel, Bella," he crooned in my ear, squeezing me tighter.
"If I am, I have two broken wings."
"You're my angel, and that counts for something. The chili is ready, so why don't you change into your pajamas and I'll bring our dinner to the couch."
"That's sounds perfect."
I want to point out that although Bella has always accepted responsibility for the mistakes she made, they all know that Mike is ultimately responsible for what happened. So, it's a step in the right direction for them all.
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