Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Manic Mondays and Loose Lips

I groaned as my alarm went off. I knew that I really needed to drag my ass out of bed and get ready for school. I needed to be out of the house early this morning because in my haste to get home last night, I forgot to stop and put gas in my car for the week.



When I got to the kitchen for breakfast, I found mom and Bella standing by the stove. Mom was making eggs for Alice and Bella was feeding Tanya a bottle. I sat down next to dad and started wolfing down some cereal.



"Hey if either of you want to ride with me this morning you had better hurry, I need to stop at the gas station on the way." I told Alice and Bella.



"Thank you for the offer but I need to leave school a little early this afternoon if I am going to make it to Port Angeles on time. Which reminds me, Esme, I'll be back no later than 5:30."



"You aren't coming straight home from school?"



"No. Oh my God. Dad said that he told you about my appointment. I'm sorry. I didn't know that you weren't told about it."



"Oh dear. I have the hospital fundraiser committee meeting this afternoon. Carlisle? Can you leave the office early?"



"No can do. I am booked this afternoon and down two nurses. I'm going to be running late getting home as it is."



"Darn it."



"Don't worry, Esme. I'll cancel."



"I can babysit." I offered. You would think that I just sprouted a second head or that the one that I had started to spin around on my shoulders.



"Are you sure? I mean don't you have plans?"



"I'm sure. I have babysat post NICU babies before by the way. I can provide references if you would like. And my only plans were to come home and watch TV."



"Thank you, Edward, so much."



"No problem. You coming Ali?"



"No. I have to work after school so I'll drive myself."



I walked outside, got in my car, and took off for the gas station; I noticed that the mornings were starting to get a chill to them. It would not be long until winter hit. I had seen Bella's little used car in the drive as I had left and briefly wondered how well that was going to handle in the snow and ice? I wondered how old her tires were. If they were balding, she would need to get them replaced before the snows hit. I laughed as I pulled into the gas station and saw chief Swan's cruiser there. Why the hell was I worrying about Bella's tires for? That was the job of the man standing at the pump next to mine.



"Morning Chief!" I greeted him as I got out of my car.



"Morning Edward. How was my granddaughter this morning?"



"Hungry apparently. Bella was feeding her when I saw them."



"Yea. That little thing can eat like her Mama. I swear Bella was always hungry and I never understood where she put it all because she used to be so tiny. Sue is feeling better so Bella and Tanya should be able to come home tomorrow after school so they will be out of your hair."



I do not know why but the idea of Bella and Tanya going home bugged me. Ah, it must be because Tanya and I must have bonded the other night while I was holding her.



"Its fine, Chief. It has really been no problem having them there."



"Tanya hasn't woken you with her three in the morning, 'I want attention' fits yet?"



"Is that what that was Saturday night? Again, no problem Chief. I helped Bella out a little holding her and got her back to sleep."



"Ah. Speaking of helping Bella. Those girls, Lauren and Jessica, are nothing but bad news as I am sure you know."



"Yeah. I know. I don't think any of us are ever going to forgive Jessica for the way that she dumped on my sister."



"I heard about that through the grapevine. Will you do me a favor Edward?"



"Sure Chief. Just name it."



"Will you and your friends watch her back for me at school? Keep her from getting hurt? She's been through too much already. I am just thankful that the damn media blitz died off before she left Phoenix. That was a veritable shit storm to endure even if they weren't allowed to print her name or her picture as she was still a minor. The asshole press just wanted to make her life hell for pressing charges against two popular athletes in town."



"What?"



"Oh Shit! I thought you knew. She said last night on the phone that you knew."



"I knew in the abstract. I figured it out by some of the comments that she made, but she never went into the story or any details."



"She's going to kill me."



"I won't tell her you said anything. It can just be between us."



"Nah. I'll come clean with her. It's not like she hasn't shared what she remembers before. I'll stop by your house after she gets home from school this afternoon and talk to her."



"She said she had an appointment in Port Angeles this afternoon. I'm babysitting for her."



"Oh Crap. I forgot about her therapy appointment! DAMN! Are you sure that you are ok with sitting? I can come over and watch her."



"I'm good. The NICU in Port Angeles has been empty since Tanya was discharged so I have haven't been volunteering and truth be told I am kinda missing holding a baby in my arms."



"I guess I will just talk to her when she get home tomorrow night. You're a good kid, Edward. I'll see you later."



"Bye Chief Swan."



When I got to school, I sat in my car lost in thought. I had new answers to my questions and again the truth brought mixed emotions. It was horrifying and I was pissed to find out that it was not one guy, it was two. On the other hand, I was damn proud of her for standing up to them and everyone else and pressing charges. I just hoped that she won those scumbags were rotting in prison.



A/N:



More answers about Bella, but there is more to her story. There will be more this weekend as I am alone and the house is quiet. Well, I still have the five cats but the mostly sleep.