Repentance - Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25:

Life felt like a circus lately. Work, school, Masen, Edward, sleep. I wasn’t sure I even ate some days. Edward was so demanding. I felt horrible for him. He hated being in Portland. He hated being away from Masen and I. I didn’t particularly like it either, but I knew Esme could take better care of him than I could.

Edward had finally given in and taken some of his pain medication, which helped initially. Lately however, it, or the situation all together, had made him moody and angry a lot of the time. His physical condition wasn’t progressing as fast as he had hoped and it was really frustrating him. I was concerned he was pushing himself too hard too soon because he wanted to be back home.

He called and text messaged me frequently and I was finding it difficult to keep up with him, Masen and my school work. Edward wanted to talk for hours it seemed like every night and I did miss him and I wanted to talk to him too, but I also had homework and a child to bathe, feed and get to sleep.

I felt like an emotional basket case. If everything else I had to deal with wasn’t enough, Alice and Jasper kept randomly showing up at my apartment at various times in the evening.

I had been on the phone with Edward, listening to him complain and trying to make Masen dinner, when I heard a knock at the door. I knew it would be Alice and Jasper. It was then, that it hit me for the first time. Edward had done this. Edward was having them keep an eye on me.

“I’m sorry, Edward, I’ll have to call you back. My babysitters are here.” I hung up on him, infuriated.

I swung the front door open to see Alice and Jasper standing outside with smiles on their faces. I got theatrical. “I’m alive!” I said loudly. “I’ll still be here the next time you just drop by for the hell of it!”

Alice giggled and Jasper looked at her, worried.

“I know Edward has you both keeping an eye on me. I’m fine, really. We have consumed enough of your time. Please, live your own lives and stop worrying about me.”

Alice looked taken back and shocked as she gasped and held her hand over her chest. “Bella, Edward may have put us up to this, but he did so for good reason. He isn’t here and that creep has never resurfaced. Jasper and I would be concerned even if Edward wasn’t paying us.”

I felt the heat rush to the surface of my skin. “Paying you?” I screamed.

Alice ducked her head. “Oops.”

“I cannot believe him!” I turned around and went back inside the apartment as Alice and Jasper followed. Jasper hung behind Alice like a lost puppy, unsure of what to do.

“Bella, I mean, we tried to refuse him, to refuse the money, but he wouldn’t let us.”

I shook my head. “I’m capable of taking care of myself. James doesn’t know I live here. He is smarter than to ever show his face in this city again. He’s not just going to show up here! Even if he did, I have you, Edward, and 911 on speed dial and my cell phone is strapped to my hip.” I theatrically motioned to my cell phone that was clipped to the belt on my jeans.

“I’m sorry, Bella. We all just love you and worry about you.” Jasper chimed in.

“I appreciate it. I really do, but I’ve got enough on my plate without having you two stopping by all the time with lame excuses.”

Alice and Jasper apologized and I hugged Alice tightly before seeing them both out. “I love you, Alice. I’ll be okay.”

Alice and Jasper reluctantly left. I knew Edward had been calling while they were over. I felt my phone vibrate on my hip numerous times. I just couldn’t believe that he would pay our friends to keep an eye on me!

I got Masen situated at the table before calling Edward.

He answered the phone on the first ring. “What are you talking about babysitters?”

“Edward Cullen! I cannot believe you! What is wrong with you? You’ve been paying our friends to keep an eye on me behind my back? Do you think I’m completely helpless? Do you think I’m stupid?”

Edward was quiet for a moment before he responded. “No, Bella. I don’t think any of that. I think I know first hand how dangerous James is and I know if anything happened to you, I couldn’t live with myself. I just needed to know that you were okay.”

I sighed. “Is it not enough that we speak practically 24 hours a day, Edward?”

Edward sighed. “I’m sorry. I just want to be there so badly.”

“Oh, Edward. You’re so pitiful.” I sighed, feeling bad for him, but still upset at his antics. “Don’t get mad, but I don’t think Masen and I are going to come see you this weekend.”

“What? Why? Bella, I said I was sorry. It’s only because I love you so much. Why can’t you understand that?”

“It’s not because of that Edward. I have an ultrasound scheduled at 7:00 a.m. on Monday and I have a huge mid-term paper I have to get done this weekend. Besides, next week is Thanksgiving. We’ll drive down Wednesday night and stay through the weekend. I already took the time off work.”

Edward pouted. “I really wanted to see you both. I was looking forward to it so much.”

“I know, baby. It’s just a bad weekend.”

Edward sighed. “Ultrasound for what?” he asked suddenly.

I nearly laughed. “An ultrasound for our unborn baby!”

Edward scoffed. “I knew that, Bella. I meant, why, what is the purpose?”

“Just to make sure everything is okay, check the size, and determine the sex.”

“You’ll have to reschedule. I want to be there for that. I need to take you to that appointment.”

Here we go. Edward had serious issues with being away. He hated that he couldn’t do everything and fix everything. “I’m not rescheduling, Edward. I’ve put it off long enough. I won’t let them tell me the gender. I’ll have the technician just write it down and put it in an envelope and I won’t open it until we’re together, okay?”

Edward sounded so distraught. “You shouldn’t have to go to that appointment by yourself. I should be with you.”

“It’s fine, Edward. Really. Alice is coming with me.”

Edward was really quiet. I knew this upset him. He wanted so badly to be a part of this, and so did I, because seeing your unborn child was something words couldn’t describe. It just wasn’t feasible in our current situation.

“Did she take you to all your appointments with Masen?” he asked somberly.

I took a deep breath, trying not to remember Alice and my father practically having to force me to go to my appointments. “Yes, Alice and my dad took me to most of them.”

Edward was quiet, and I knew he was trying to formulate some sort of plan. I made a mental note to call Esme and tell her not to let him talk her into anything crazy. I wanted Edward better, and I wanted him home. I didn’t want him worried with road trips and my appointments. Besides, he has physical therapy on Monday mornings and he didn’t need to miss it.

“Edward?” I asked, not sure if he was still there. We were both lost in our own thoughts. “Masen’s finished with his dinner. I need to get him in the bath. I’ll call you before bed, okay?”

“What about you? Have you eaten, Bella?”

Shit. “I had a snack,” I lied. “I’m going to make something as soon as I get Masen down. I didn’t have time to make anything for myself because I had to entertain my visitors you paid for!” I said sarcastically.

Edward laughed lightly momentarily. “Make sure you eat, and call me. I love you.”

I smiled. I couldn’t wait for normalcy and routine to return to our strained relationship. “I love you, too.”

I hung up and returned to my motherly duties.

***

I spent the weekend entertaining Masen and trying to finish my mid-term. It dawned on me on Saturday afternoon, when Edward called for the sixth time that day already, that I probably would’ve gotten more done on my paper if I had of just gone to Portland. At least then Masen and Edward could entertain each other and I could have some peace and quiet.

Edward and I’s relationship was very strained. We were both on edge. I won’t lie, I was scared about James. I was concerned he could find me. I thought about it every night before I went to sleep. I moved the end table in front of the door every single night after Masen went to sleep. I even went as far as to set two delicate wine glasses on the end table balanced on top of each other so I’d hear them break if someone tried to open the door. I just didn’t want Edward to worry about us. It didn’t help that I knew the pressure was on. The fraternity had been shut down on campus. They were questioning tons of people, and had 24 hour surveillance on Victoria. Apparently it was worse than we thought, and not only the rapes, they think a lot of the guys were involved in criminal activity, particularly selling drugs that help you stay awake to cram for exams. Not only was I concerned about James finding me, but I was concerned about any of the other fraternity brothers knowing my identity. I’d even thought about quitting school after this semester and giving it some time to let things cool off. I mean, I’d have to anyway with the baby coming.

The closer it got to Monday morning, the sadder I got. I didn’t realize how badly I wanted Edward there with me at my doctor’s appointment. I was really excited about finding out if it was a boy or girl though, and it killed me that I would have to wait until Wednesday to really find out.

I didn’t get much sleep Sunday night so I was up bright and early at 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

I had one missed call, which I assumed was Edward. However, I also had a voicemail, and Edward didn’t usually leave me a message. He knows that I’ll call when I see his missed call.

I ignored it for a moment and jumped in the shower so I could get out before Masen woke up and demanded all of my attention.

Once out of the shower, I put on some decaf coffee and sat down on the couch. I dialed my voicemail to listen to the message.

“Hey, Bella. It’s Investigator Lawrence with Seattle PD. I know we haven’t talked lately, but there wasn’t really much going on with the investigation until now. We found James. Victoria slipped up and met him outside town yesterday afternoon. We took him in for questioning and arrested him. We didn’t actually get to question him because he already has an attorney. The Judge set his bail extremely high, but Bella, he bailed out late last night. I don’t know where he got the money. The bail was set high because we knew he’d be a flight risk, but his father came through. Unfortunately there isn’t much we can do. Right now he’s looking at aggravated assault and attempted murder, but the charges are pending until trial. We didn’t have any physical evidence to hold him on rape charges. I’m sorry, Bella. Give me a call when you get this message. I’ve been in contact with your father. We’re going to try to get some protection for you.”

I sat on the couch shaking. I never even thought this would be a possibility. Laurent couldn’t afford his bail and that’s why he was sitting in jail all this time. I never dreamt that James had access to that kind of money. I called my dad first.

“Hello?”

“Daddy?” I cried.

Charlie sighed. “Bella, calm down. It’s alright.”

“What do you mean it’s alright? He could be anywhere! He’s going to come after me!”

“Calm down, Bella. Let me explain what is going on. They’re taking a bit of a different approach now.”

“What do you mean?”

“James is. Apparently his father is a bigwig attorney in Seattle. His mother is a doctor. They have more money than they know what to do with. It seems like James is back and with a more cleaned up appearance and demeanor. He may even get back into his classes. I can’t be sure, but Investigator Lawrence and I think he will blame everything on Laurent as his defense.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” I said as I felt my stomach turn cartwheels.

“I really don’t think he would come after you at this point. He obviously thinks he has a decent chance at beating the charges so I don’t think he would jeopardize that. He’s in no less trouble if you were dead. It wouldn’t benefit him at this point. Just lay low for now and in the meantime Investigator Lawrence is trying to get someone to keep an eye on you.”

I sighed. “Great. Thanks, Dad. I need to call Edward; I’ll talk to you later.”

“I love you, Bella. Don’t let this upset you. Let me know how your appointment goes.”

“Okay.” I hung up and sat starting at my phone. I didn’t want to call Edward. I didn’t want to tell him. He would freak out.

My phone rang again before I could finish my next thought. It was Edward.

“Hello?”

“Bella? Where are you? Are you alright?” he asked, frantic.

“I’m at home. I’m fine.”

“I just got a message from Investigator Lawrence...”

I cut him off before he could finish. “I know, I got one too.” I tried not to cry, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to deal with Edward right now. I wanted to stay locked in my apartment for the rest of the day.

Edward went on and on about my safety and that I needed to get Masen and come to Portland. He didn’t understand that I couldn’t just leave my job and my life behind in Seattle and wait around for James to be tried before a jury. I was scared. I was down right terrified, but I wasn’t giving up my life because of it. I worked too damn hard to get where I am to give it all up.

The only thing that finally appeased Edward to let me leave the house was that he would stay on the phone with me the entire time. I know it is ridiculous, but it’s the only thing that would calm him down.

I continued to get myself ready and Masen ready. Masen talked to Edward for a little bit while I did what I needed to. Masen was staying with Rose until Alice and I got finished with my appointment.

Alice arrived right on time and she was practically beaming from ear to ear. She could tell by the way I looked that it hadn’t been a good morning. My cell phone was laying on the coffee table on speaker phone.

“Bella, what’s wrong? No reason to be upset, it’s going to be a great day!”

I shook my head, trying to tell her not to ask but it didn’t work. Edward chimed in and went through all the morning’s events and reiterated why it was so important that Alice and Jasper keep an eye on me.

Alice looked nervous, but ensured Edward they would make certain I was okay.

“So, why don’t we leave all that mess behind,” Alice started. “I have a surprise for both of you!”

“You do?” I asked. “What is it?”

Alice smiled and pulled her MacBook from her messenger bag and held it up in the air.

“She’s holding her MacBook up,” I told Edward, who obviously couldn’t see what she was doing. “I don’t get it, Alice.”

Suddenly Edward chimed in. “Oh, Alice! That’s a great idea! Skype?” Edward asked.

Alice beamed. “Exactly!”

“Oh!” I said, finally cluing in. Alice brought her MacBook so we could Skype with Edward at the ultrasound. “So, Edward, does this mean we can find out the gender today?” I asked.

“No!” Edward pouted. “I want to be there.”

I sighed. I was so anxious to find out if I’d have another little Edward. “Fine,” I conceded and we headed out to the appointment.

The technician doing the ultrasound wasn’t all that thrilled about our Skype plans but she eventually agreed as long as she wasn’t in the shot. Alice set the computer up on this little cart that rolled and angled it just right so that me and the monitor were in view. I could look to my left and see Edward on the screen. It almost felt like he was really there. He looked a little rough although all of the swelling on his face had gone down. Almost all of his bruises were gone now, but he still looked tired and emotionally spent. Not to mention he was in dire need of a haircut. His hair was all over the place. It looked like a bird’s nest on his head.

It startled me when Edward started speaking at the same time the technician squirted cold goo all over my lower stomach. “Bella, you’ve grown a lot. I feel like I haven’t seen you in so long.”

“This is nothing compared to what I will be like in a few more months,” I told him. I looked over to see him completely enthralled and sitting there staring intently with his mouth hanging open.

We heard the heart beat first. I had heard it faintly before but Edward hadn’t. The technician turned the volume up loudly so Edward could hear it clearly.

“Wow, that’s crazy. It’s beating so fast.”

“It’s beating at a normal rate. He or she has a strong heart beat; it sounds perfect.”

The technician switched instruments and turned on the ultrasound monitor. The baby still seemed so tiny. Edward, Alice and I were all mesmerized and stared at the screen in silence as the technician took some measurements and made some notes. I could see it’s little fingers and toes. They looked perfect. I never remembered being this excited with Masen. Every time I saw him during an ultrasound I completely panicked and looked away.

The technician jotted something down on a post-it note and put it in an envelope. She sealed it tightly and handed it to me.

“So, you can tell if it is a boy or girl?” I asked.

The technician nodded. “Yes, it’s very clear. I got a very good picture.”

I looked at Edward and he was absolutely beaming. “Are you sure we can’t find out now?” I begged him.

“No! I want to be with you. It’s only a few more days.”

I sighed and agreed. Alice found out a few weeks ago that she was having a little boy. She had spent a fortune on him ever since. I was so jealous. I wanted to know. I wanted to start planning and thinking of names and all of that fun stuff that I took for granted with Masen.

The technician printed off a couple of photos before my doctor came in to follow up. He was careful not to give anything away as to the gender of the baby. He did say it was a little smaller than it should be, and that I hadn’t gained enough weight. I wanted to hit him upside the head for saying that in front of Edward.

Edward gave me a nasty look. He didn’t even have to say anything. “I’ve been eating everything in sight!” I said in my defense, and I did eat a lot, when I had time.

The doctor told me everything else looked perfect and to just put on a little more weight before my next visit. Saying goodbye to Edward on Skype was harder than I thought it would be. It had been well over a week since I’d seen him and I missed him.

“I’ve got to go to work and then I have class tonight. I’ll try to call you in between.”

Edward nodded his head. “Okay, I love you. Please be careful and be aware of your surroundings.”

“I will. I love you too.”

Alice snapped the computer shut and we headed home and I headed back to the busy schedule that I loathed.

**CHAPTER 26 - CLICK HERE **