Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

A Fresh Start

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 20:

Esme POV

I have to give it to Charlie. When he says something is going to
happen, it is going to happen. Reggie Cobb was in the laundry room by himself. The units were running. His normal coworkers were called away for another assignment by the night sergeant. Going through the large air vents that ventilate this place was easy enough.

They were too high on the tall walls for a prisoner to scale them and sneak away. Not an issue for me. I used my fingernail to silently open the screws that were mounted inside the vent, further discouraging prisoners from trying to use the air vents as an escape.

Mr. Cobb never heard me land behind him.

“Hello Reggie.”

He turned around very surprised. Then like the true predator he is,
his eyes went straight to my body. I decided to wear black leather
pants and a tight black leather top that showed off me cleavage. I
have a great body. Sometime over the years playing the doctor’s
wife, I have forgotten this. Maybe it was time I started acting my age a little more. I missed Carlisle but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying my time to myself and not being around Edward.
I had been around Edward since I woke up as a vampire. At first he
was an annoyance. Eventually I came to see him as a poor
replacement for the son I lost. Then after he met Bella I believed he had finally brought something wonderful to the family after putting up with him for years.

Now, I think if he found Bella I may actually kill him. No.
I know I would.

But first I had other business to take care of.

“Who the hell are you?”

I didn’t answer him. Instead I walked to the door and locked it.

“My name is Esme. You won’t tell anyone I am here.”

“Of course not.” He was smiling. I smiled back.

“No. That wasn’t a question. You really won’t be able to tell anyone I was here. The dead don’t talk Reggie. At least most of the dead.”

I walked up to him slowly. He didn’t have enough sense to be afraid. He couldn’t take his eyes off my breasts.

I got within arm’s reach and he hit me in the face. I didn’t get out of the way. According to Charlie and Special Agent Tunney, the guards took a long lunch break usually this time of night. No one heard his screams while he grabbed his bruised hand. He didn’t even strike hard enough to break his hand. That must be why he needed a lead pipe in his car.

“What are you doing Reggie? That wasn’t very nice.”

He looked around in a panic. He looked at the camera on the wall.

“Don’t bother looking at that camera. It has had technical difficulties for the past 6 hours.”

“What are you doing here?” He was beginning to get frightened. But he still couldn’t take his eyes off my body.

“Have a seat, Reggie. We have some issues we need to discuss.”
He didn’t move so I gently pushed him five feet into a fold out chair by a washer.

“What do you want?”

“You got a haircut. Charlie Swan told me you had long hair. I’m
curious. Why did you hit me when we both know you can’t get an
erection? Not after what Charlie Swan did to you.”

He said nothing. He wouldn’t look at me any longer.

“Look at me Reggie. Look into my eyes.” I placed a finger under his
chin gently and raised his head.

“Reggie, you remember Charlie Swan? The man who fried your
testicles. Your tiny little balls? You remember him, don’t you?”

Reggie nodded his head slowly.

“Do you remember what he said to you about death?”

“Ye… yes.”

“Reggie, I heard you pled not guilty at your arraignment. Is that
true?”

“Yes.” He whispered.

“Why would you do that Reggie? Everyone knows you are guilty.”

“My… my lawyer told me to.”

“I see. There is a problem though. How many women did you rape?
80? 90? 100 or more?”

“I don’t know.”

“The FBI has identified 92 victims so far. 92 young girls you had your filthy hands on. 92 girls you violated in the most personal way. I understand a few of them were 14 and younger. You and your lawyer know if this goes to trial every one of those girls is going to have to relive the moment you raped them and tell a jury and a court room full of people about what happened. Then after they do this, your lawyer will attack every detail of their testimony. He will cross examine each girl for hours about the worst moment of their lives. They will go from accuser to defendant. Meanwhile you will sit there and get a perverse pleasure out of listening to all of the things you did to those girls. Does that seem like justice to you, Reggie?”

“I… I have a right to a trial.”

“Rights are a funny thing. Those girls had a right not to be raped but you took that away from them, didn’t you? Now here is the problem for you. Ironic actually. The one girl you didn’t get was my daughter. Charlie Swan’s daughter as well. You touched her though. You hurt her. Do you realize that for a year I thought she was dead? Do you know what that did to me? To her father? Do you have any idea of the anger, depression and self-loathing I went through? Of course you don’t. You don’t understand love. You only understand causing pain.”

“What are you?” Reggie asked in a shaky voice.

“Reggie, I am running out of time. I would love to play with you all
night. I would love to tear you apart piece by piece. Unfortunately we don’t have all night. Charlie only was able to get a small window for me to do what needs to be done. Don’t act surprised. He told you that you would die. He thought about hiring someone in prison to kill you but I felt this required a more personal touch. Take off your pants Reggie.”

He didn’t stand. He didn’t move.

“Take off your pants Reggie. If not I will slowly cut off that pathetic organ you call your penis. Drop your pants Reggie. Now.”

Reggie stood up and slowly dropped his pants.

“Underwear as well.”

“Why?”

“Do as you are told.”

He hesitated so I helped him out before he could see what
happened.

“It’s bad isn’t it? Feeling exposed like this? Feeling vulnerable?”

“Yes.” He whispered. Reggie was very scared now.

“On your knees, Reggie.”

He didn’t move.

“Reggie, do not make me force you. You know that I can.”

Reggie slowly dropped to his knees.

“Kiss the ground, Reggie.”

“No.”

“Reggie, the more times I give you instructions that you refuse, the harder this is going to go.”

He was crying. But he slowly bent over. I dropped to one knee and
whispered in his ear.

“Reggie, it’s okay to cry. They all cry eventually right, Reggie?” I
walked to the corner and grabbed the broom that was leaned against the wall. I suppose Reggie saw me because he squealed.

“Shhh. This has to be done Reggie. Your psychotic mind cannot
possibly understand the emotional pain you put those girls through and their families. But you can know what it is like to be raped.”

I shoved the broom stick up his ass. He screamed.

“It’s okay Reggie. You go ahead and scream as loud as you want.
This is going to hurt.”

Charlie POV

The phone rang. I saw that it was Agent Tunney.

“Albert.”

“Charlie. Good to hear your voice. I know we had talked about your
daughter possibly testifying in the punishment portion of Reggie
Cobb’s trial. Talking about waking up with no memory and such.”

“Yes Albert. We talked. I have not mentioned it to her yet.”

“I’m glad Charlie. There apparently won’t be a trial. A tragedy has
occurred.”

“What kind of tragedy, Albert?”

“Reggie Cobb was raped to death with a broomstick off all things,
tonight in the laundry room of the prison he is being held. Strangest thing I ever saw. Apparently the prisoner who did it got a little carried away and shoved the broomstick all the way through his ass straight into his heart. Unfortunately the camera in the laundry room wasn’t working. We may never know who committed this terrible act.”

“That is a damn tragedy, Albert.”

“Yes. Anyway I just thought I would let you know in case you had
mentioned this to your daughter.”

“Luckily I hadn’t. I appreciate the information, Albert.”

“Not a problem, Chief. I understand you are working in East Texas
now. Congratulations. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to call Charlie.”

“Same to you, Albert. Thank you for everything.”

I ended the call, sat back and smiled.

“Who was that, Charlie?” Sue asked.

“Just an old friend I met when I was searching for Bella. He was
calling to congratulate me on finding my daughter.”

“So how bad was it?”

“How bad was what, Sue?”

“How bad was what Esme did to Cobb?”

I had to smile at the thought.

“It was pretty bad, Sue.”

“Good. The fucker deserved it. Dinner is almost ready. Come set up
the table.”

Jasper POV

We had just arrived back in the States. Alice had apparently lost her desire to shop in Paris. She had pretty much lost her desire for
everything. I had never seen Alice sad, much less as depressed as
she has been this year.

Her visions had slowed down. She had one two weeks ago. Carlisle
and Edward were called by Aro to answer for the Bella Swan issue.

They survived. Aro wasn’t interested in Carlisle. He actually
considered him a friend. Learning of the breakup of the family, he
decided Carlisle was not a threat. While he wanted Edward, the
breakup of the largest vampire coven in the world next to the Volturi of course, made Aro less inclined to take Edward. He was not happy Carlisle allowed Bella to get away but since she was dead now, it really didn’t matter. Edward begged for death and Aro refused and told him to leave. Alice saw nothing after that. In my personal opinion, no one at the Volturi really wanted Edward around.

We were settling in our hotel in New York when another vision hit
her. She stayed in a daze for a full minute before coming out of it.

“What did you see? Anything important?”

“I saw Rose and Emmett. They were… They are going to be in some sort of dance hall tomorrow night. I don’t know where.”

“Why would you have a vision of Rose and Emmett in a club? I can’t imagine that is unusual for them.”

“Yes. Except the music in the background. It wasn’t typical of what
they would listen to. It sounded like country music. Rose was
smoking a cigarette. They were both watching a group of people but I couldn’t see who.”

“This happens tomorrow night? Rose was smoking? Is this all?”

“Yes, except…”

“What?”

“Jasper there was another vampire with them. A female in red
leather pants and a very tight t shirt. I only saw her from behind but I could swear it was Esme.”

Strange.

“Was Carlisle there?”

“No.”

I grabbed my phone and dialed Carlisle.

He answered on the first ring.

“Jasper!”

Wow. He sounded very happy to hear from me. Almost too happy.

“Carlisle. I was just calling to see how you and Esme are doing.”

“Oh.”

“What’s wrong Carlisle?” He sounded very depressed.

“Esme actually left me Jasper.”

What the fuck?

“Uh… I’m sorry to hear that Carlisle. Do you know where she is? Why she left?”

“No. I don’t know where she is. She went to Forks to sell the house. She called me from there and told me the memories of Bella were
too much for her. She said she couldn’t stand that I allowed us to
follow Edward. She transferred ten million dollars from our various accounts to an account in the Caymans. I was going to track it but she told me…”

“What Carlisle?”

“She told me if I ever loved her I would respect her wishes and not
search for her or allow Edward to do so.”

“I see.” I looked at Alice who seemed to be thinking very hard.

“So what can I help you with Jasper? How are you and Alice doing?”

“Getting better. How is Edward doing?”

“The same.”

“He is still with you?”

“Where else does he have to go? Even the Volturi refused to kill him. Again.”

“I’m sorry. He has brought destruction to everything you worked to build, including your marriage and you are still stuck with him. I wish the Volturi would have killed him. His immaturity has cost so many people. Most of all it cost Bella though, didn’t it?

Carlisle said nothing. Nothing needed to be said.

“I have to go Carlisle. If you need to talk, feel free to call me.”

“Thank you, Jasper.”

I ended the call and looked at Alice who was quickly setting up the
laptop.

“What are you doing?”

“I am going to call Rose and you are going to trace the call. That
vision wouldn’t have come to me for just any reason. I need to know where they are. That is where we are going to be.”

“Fine. I’m pretty sure if I can find the right signal I can use her phone as a tracking device as long as she has it on.” I didn’t know what Alice hoped to accomplish by this but at least she was showing interest in something.

“How long do you need?”

“At least a minute.”

“Okay.” Alice dialed the number.

“Hello.”

“Rose? It’s Alice.”

“I know. I have caller ID. What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to see how you and Emmett are doing? I was
wondering if perhaps the four of us could get together and visit. I
miss you two.”

“The family only recently broke up Alice. We probably all need a few years to ourselves.”

Yep. Something was definitely wrong. Rose would never talk to Alice like that.

Okay, normally she wouldn’t talk to Alice like that.

Okay, after not hearing from her in a while, I don’t think she would talk to Alice like that.

“I understand Rose. Could you at least tell me if the two of you are
well?”

“Yes. We are doing great.”

“Even Emmett? I know how depressed he had been.”

“Yep. Emmett is much better. Time heals all right? We all need to
move on. Advice you should take Alice.”

“Well I was a little closer to her than you were Rose.” Yep. An
argument was about to start. The same argument they have had
since Bella disappeared.

“Maybe if you had kept your fucking mouth shut instead of calling
Edward so quickly before I could find out more, none of this would
have happened.” Alice said, firing the first shot.

“I’ve said I was sorry for that Alice. I’m through apologizing. If you
think I am going to run around crying and begging your forgiveness, you can kiss my ass. I didn’t make her run off. That idiot brother you loved so much did that.”

“Same old Rose. You take responsibility for nothing.”

“Go to hell, Alice.”

“You want to say it to my face?”

“I would love to but I would have to get on my knees, you little bitch.”

“Where the fuck are you, Rose? I’ll stand on a box for you and we
can see if you can knock me off.” Yep. Alice was pissed. Luckily this
civilized conversation between former siblings had lasted long
enough to give me Rose’s position. That was interesting.

“Emmett and I are hunting in Siberia. You are more than welcome to come down here and kiss my ass in person, bitch.”

I believe Alice was about to respond, but the call ended. She looked at me.

“Siberia. You got her exact location?”

“Yes, I did. But it wasn’t in Siberia.”

“Where was it?”

“Dallas, Texas.”

“You think they bought it?” I asked Rose.

“I don’t know. You are the one who is supposed to know shit.”

“I don’t know everything. If I did, I sure as hell would have stopped
you and your husband from seeing her in the fucking airport. I damn sure would have seen Esme Cullen before it was too late.”

“Well I think Emmett and I are going to visit her tomorrow night.”

What the hell?

“The fuck you are!”

“Why not? If she knows Esme and Esme told her everything there is no point in hiding. It will make Emmett happy.”

“Fuck Emmett. You agreed with me, Rose!” Damn these fucking
Cullens.

“Yes. And now I have changed my mind. If she knows about
vampires and her husband does then it won’t make a difference. If
you get to talk to her why don’t we?”

“Because I will destroy…”

“Yes, yes, yes Peter. You will destroy us. Burn us to ash. Torture us.
We get it. So do it already or shut up. We are going to see her
tomorrow night. If you are going to kill us do it. If not, shut the fuck up. I’m tired of listening to it.”

Rose Hale just walked out on me. I didn’t even get to finish my
threat. This shit was getting ridiculous.

Bella POV

“Are you sure we should be going to the Icehouse Bo?”

“Why not?”

“Because you haven’t been there once since we have been together, that you haven’t gotten into a fight.”

“That last time was totally not my fault.”

“You kicked a bikers Harley over, Bo.”

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

“You started a fight with the Hell’s Angels.”

“I had my boys with me. We managed. I think we made a good
showing.”

“Bo…”

“Mary, I promise. I won’t start any fights tonight.”

“You promise? No fighting.” I asked, raising my eyebrow.

“No. I said I wouldn’t start any fights. If one of the other guys gets in a fight you can’t expect me to leave, can you?”

I took a deep breath.

“Bo. We are going to have to grow up one day. We are a married
couple who own a business. We can’t keep partying like this and
expecting nothing bad to ever happen. You are going to get hurt.
Why don’t we just go to Roadies?”

“I like the pool tables better here. Plus they got a DJ so I don’t have to listen to some crappy band.”

“They have a DJ because no band in their right mind would come to this place.”

“I promise, I will remain calm. Even if someone comes up and dry
humps you on the dance floor I will… ah hell honey, you know if that happens the shit is gonna hit the fan.”

God why did I let him talk me into dressing like this? Tightest blue
jeans he could find in our closet. Red tank top that hugs me like a
second skin and doesn’t even come down to my belly button. You
look hot babe. I love to see you dress like this darlin.

Hey did you see that guy look at you? I’m going to kick his ass. He
wants me to dress like an off duty stripper and then gets pissed
when guys look at me.

I swear he talks me into dressing like this on purpose. Then on
Sunday he will talk me into wearing a fucking dress to church.
It was going to be time soon to have a talk about staying away from places like this.

I did agree with him about one thing though. This place was kinda
fun. Our gang already had confiscated a few tables in the corner of the building next to the dance floor. I looked to the floor and saw
Stephanie slow dancing with some cowboy I had never seen before.

Maybe she will fall in love and I don’t know… move out? I would
miss Hunter though. I suppose I would miss her too. I did love her.
She was probably my best friend. But sometimes a girl wants to cook naked in her kitchen, ya know? Oh well.

We sat down and I had a long neck in my hands before my butt hit
Bo’s lap. If I stayed on his lap all night he would not be able to fight.

If I hurried him out promising sex in the parking lot he wouldn’t have time to get in a fight outside.

I swear the man treats fighting like a hobby instead of the violent act it is. It is kind of fun to watch him though. I let him dance with me a few times but I mostly straddled his waist and kept his mouth on mine all night. I had a few beers. Maybe more than a few. I had to go to the bathroom. I stood up and realized that I may have had more than a few beers. I looked in the other corner and Stephanie was a step away from blowing her cowboy in the parking lot. Bo hadn’t said anything about it. I need to hurry back or he might get bored and take an interest. I looked to the other side and saw… Esme. She was standing in front of a table, watching the dancing. What the fuck was she doing here? Oh well.

My eyes dropped to the table she was standing by and I saw Rose and Emmett Cullen, Mccarty,Whitlock, whatever the fuck they wanted to call themselves tonight. At least when I changed identities I kept with a name.

I thought about walking over. But it was way over there. My legs
didn’t feel so steady.

Shit. Esme smiled at me. The other two were looking at me. I
focused a little more and saw there were more vampires at the table!

Two more. A weird looking blonde dude and a short little dark haired girl. Oh fuck this must be the other Cullen couple.

“Are those more damn vampires?” Bo asked me, walking up behind
me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Yep.”

Bo started laughing.

“They serving True Blood in here or what? Must be a fucking
convention in town.”

“That blonde is smoking. She must not know it causes cancer.” I
giggled. “Esme is over there. She looks great.”

“Yeah.”

“What do you mean yeah?”

“I was just agreeing with you. Don’t get all bitchy.”

“Fine. I’ll let it go. You better never say Renee looks great though.
We will definitely….have… problems. How much have I had to
drink?”

“Enough apparently.”

“Help me walk over there. We should say hi. It’s the polite thing to
do.”

“I thought you had to go to the bathroom.”

Oh yeah.

“I kinda forgot.”

“Okay. Let’s go see the vampires. God knows I didn’t know enough
before. Always room for more.”

Jasper POV

“Hello Rose, Emmett. Esme you look… different.”

“What the hell are you two doing here?” Rose asked.

“What the hell are you doing here Rose? YOU kept this from me?
Esme? How dare you! How long have you known?” Alice was angry.

“I am just here to dance and enjoy the music. I found Rose and
Emmett here stalking Bella.”

“We’ve known for a few months Alice.” Emmett said.

“Why isn’t she with us? Sitting with us? Who is that guy with her?
What the fuck is going on?”

“Alice shut up.”

Whoa. Esme just told Alice to shut up. I needed to get control of this situation. I started emitting calm.

“Jasper, I’m already calm. If you start trying to manipulate my
emotions and I am going to calmly shove your wife up your ass.
Understand?” Esme asked.

What the fuck?

“Esme you feeling okay?”

“Never better Jasper. What can I say? Single life suits me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me Esme? I understand Rose is a bitch but you should have told me.” Alice said, still fuming.

“I couldn’t be sure.”

“Sure of what Esme?”

“That the Volturi wouldn’t find you Alice. If they realized Bella was
alive they would never rest until she was turned.”

“Besides Alice. She doesn’t remember you.” Emmett said.

“What?” we both asked. Esme answered.

“She was kidnapped in Indiana. By a serial rapist who drove all over the country taking girls. He couldn’t overpower her so he hit her over the head and left her for dead on the side of the road just outside of Tyler Texas. A man found her and took her in. The blow to her head gave her permanent amnesia. She fell in love with the man who took her in and they were married. The man whose lap she is currently occupying while checking his tonsils with her tongue. Charlie Swan found her the day of her wedding. Rose and Emmett found her when they saw Bella in an airport returning from her honeymoon. I found her a few weeks later in Forks. She was searching for information about her past. She came to the house. I knew I couldn’t go back or tell Carlisle because Edward would find out. Edward cannot interfere in her life again. So I told her everything. Her and her husband. As long as she is hiding here she is safe. As long as none of us ever come in contact with the Volturi.”

Alice and I were silent while we contemplated this.

“What if the Volturi find her?” I asked.

“Charlie moved here. He has two wolves living with him. Leah and
Seth. Charlie and their mother are living together. Peter Whitlock is a descendant of Bella’s husband.” Peter? That fucker!

“He is dedicated to keeping both of them safe so Bella can breed
future little Peters. A truly frightening thought but we can all hope for girls. Between all of us and the La Push Wolf Pack who will come if needed, we will kill the Volturi or die trying.” Esme said as if discussing the weather. She seemed like a different person. She was dressed… I had never seen her look like that. I’m not sure I had ever seen any part of her breasts much less as much as I was seeing now. A guy just walked by and checked her out and she smiled and winked at him.

“So Bella has no memory of our friendship?” Alice asked quietly.

“No. She knows who you are. That is it.” Esme replied, eyes
watching the dance floor and slightly smiling. “Oh look, she and her husband saw us. She is coming over.”

“Hello Esme.”

“Hello Mary.” Mary? “Bo, good to see you.”

“So what brings you… here?” Bella asked her while hugging Esme.

“I thought I would come try to pick up a man.” Esme smiled. Bella
laughed.

“Let me guess? For dinner?” Both of them laughed.

“Very funny Bella.” Esme said rolling her eyes.

“Hey it’s my pretty stalker and her big guy.” Bell said leaning over the table in front of Rose.

“It’s good to see you Mary. Bo you look well.” Rose said. Bo nodded.

Finally she turned to Alice and I. Alice was feeling a myriad of
emotions. I couldn’t keep up with them all.

“Now ya’ll I don’t believe I have met… ya’ll. Bo, how much did you
say I had to drink? Do they have twins or am I seeing double?”

“You’re seeing double baby.” Bo seemed to find this highly amusing.

“Soooorrrryyy. I have been sitting on my husband’s lap all night
keeping him distracted and must have lost count. I am Mary and I
bet ya’ll are Alice and Jacob… no. Don’t tell me… Jasper. Jasper
right?”

“Right Bella.” A few times over the past 15 months I had thought of what finding Bella alive would be like. The reunion we would all
have. I never imagined it would be like this.

“She doesn’t like to be called that.” Esme immediately reminded me.

“You tell em Esme.” Bella laughed.

Alice was about to say something to Bella when we all heard it. Even Bella.

“Get your hands off my man, you fucking slut!”

“Ahh shit, that’s Stephanie they are talking to.” Bo said finally
speaking a sentence.

We all looked and saw two females were pulling a blonde by her
hair.

“Those fucking bitches!” Bella said suddenly. Apparently her legs
weren’t unsteady anymore. She ran across the dance floor.

“Hey bitch!” One of the girls attacking the blonde turned towards
Bella.

Bella Swan, the nicest girl I had ever met in my existence just
punched a girl in the eye. The girl dropped hard. The one holding the blonde’s hair turned toward Bella and hit Bella in the eye. Bella didn’t go down. She bent over and came up swinging. Other girls from the table Bella had been at jumped in. I looked up and saw her husband still standing with us and smiling. At least twenty girls were fighting on the dance floor now. I looked at Emmett and Rose who looked as shocked as I was. Esme was laughing. Bella’s hair just got pulled.

Bella kicked the girl in the gut and scratched her face.

Bo laughed. “It was nice meeting ya’ll but we are about five minutes away from Mary having to be arrested by her father. I really need to get her out of here.”

We watched as he ran into the mass of girl’s bodies fighting each
other. A man just grabbed Bella. I prepared to attack him but Bo hit him in the jaw. A friend of his hit Bo in the mouth. Some guy in a cowboy hat hit that guy. Bo finally grabbed Bella and threw him over his shoulder. He grabbed the blonde who was the first one attacked and threw her over his other shoulder and ran outside.

Bella was swinging at people on her way out.

“Should we do something?” I asked, to no one in particular.

“No. Let them work this out.” Esme replied still smiling.

We followed Bo and Bella outside and saw him dump both girls in a large truck. He was still laughing. I smelt blood. His lip must be cut. A large group of people came running out of the bar. A few guys and girls jumped in the back of Bo’s truck and he drove off.

The rest got into trucks and drove off right behind them. I could hear the sirens in the distance.

“So this is probably a good time to leave.” I mentioned casually.

“Follow me. We can go to Bella’s house and catch up outside.

Maybe have breakfast with her and Bo in the morning. Something
tells me we won’t be going to church in the morning.” Esme said.

“You go to church with her?” Alice asked.

“Yes. Are you going to follow me before the cops get here? I doubt

Charlie would be happy about us being here. He is on duty tonight.”

By the next morning we had been caught up on everything. It was
surreal. Bella had lost her memory. Peter gave her a new identity
because he knew she was supposed to be with his great, great
nephew. Peter had been trying to keep her hidden.

“I can’t believe this shit.” Alice understated.

The door opened and a guy walked out, squinting in the sun. He
staggered to a truck and drove off.

“Shall we go inside?” Esme asked.

She walked in without asking us to follow. I walked in and saw a
mass of bodies on the floor. They were all passed out. One pretty girl was on the coffee table half naked. I could see a naked guy lying on the back porch. We were all silent. Rose and Alice looked shocked. Emmett was smiling. Esme just chuckled. The bedroom door opened up and Bo walked out in boxers. He had a red silk thong on his head and a red bra wrapped around his wrist. He didn’t seem surprised to see us.

“Mornin. Make yourselves at home. Everyone should be rising in the next couple hours. I got to find Chris’s clothes before he goes bare assed around the neighborhood. Esme would you start some coffee? I don’t think Rocky in there is going to be much in a mood to be the happy homemaker today.”

“Of course Bo.”

We stood there not saying a word. Esme started the coffee and then went to the freezer. She pulled out a wrapped package that smelt like frozen meat. Bella opened the bedroom door. She was wearing a big, worn out camouflage shirt that hung to her knees.

She walked straight to the kitchen where Esme handed her the frozen meat.

Bella placed it on her eye and turned toward us.

“Mornin ya’ll. Sorry about cutting out visit short last night. Things got crazy quick. Let me get my friends out of here and Chris dressed and we can all visit.” With that she walked out the back and we heard her telling Bo to get the ladder out because Chris’s clothes were probably on the roof.

I turned to look at Alice. She looked like she wanted to say
something but there was really nothing to say.

I looked at Esme.

“So Bella seems… different.”