I was pacing in the conference room in the publishing house while Edward read the letter from Child Protective Services, claiming that I’d neglected my child. Now, while we were traveling from Forks to San Francisco, there were moments where Seth was put into some questionable situations, but he was never neglected. He was always fed, had clean clothes, and went to school. Sometimes our address was my dilapidated truck, but he was always loved and protected.
Tears welled in my eyes as I feared the worst. I could lose my child. I could feel my body quake and my lungs grow tight. The air left the building, making me try to clamber for every breath.
“Bella, gorgeous,” Edward cooed, standing in front of me. “Sweetheart, I need you to breathe.”
“Can’t. Do. It. I’m. Gonna. Lose. Seth,” I gasped, grasping his arms. Hysteria threatened to bubble over as I stared at him. I fell to my knees. I couldn’t catch my breath. Edward took my face in his hands, and he moved to sit behind me. He exaggerated his breathing, whispering words of comfort in my ear. With Edward’s calming presence, I managed to settle down. I noticed that Jasper was in the room with us, holding my hand. “I’m going to lose my son,” I whimpered.
“Over my rotting corpse,” Edward said fiercely. He moved me so I was safely enfolded in Jasper’s arms. He looked at me, caressing my cheek. “I’m going to call Caius, baby. He’ll help us, help you.” He pressed a tender kiss to my lips before gracefully getting up to pull out his phone.
“We’ll support you, sweet girl,” Jasper murmured, hugging me tightly.
“You can support me until the cows come home, but if the social worker sees that I’m a bad mother, Seth will be taken away,” I whimpered. “I can’t lose him, Jasper. He’s my world.”
“The social worker will see the gorgeous home, how much you love your child and write off the allegations, Bells,” Jasper said, hugging me tight.
Edward sat down, taking my hand. “Caius is clearing his schedule. We can go any time.”
“Do we need to bring anything?” I asked, getting up from Jasper’s lap on shaky limbs. I stumbled, but Edward caught me and enfolding me into his arms. The dam broke and I sobbed against his shirt. I heard Edward talk, but I was lost in my grief, anger, and betrayal. Grief for the loss of my innocence and security. Anger toward Jacob and Billy for hurting me thoroughly. Betrayal of whomever made that bullshit allegation that I neglect my child.
“Come on, gorgeous,” Edward said. “We can pick up Seth and meet with Caius.”
“Seth has to meet with Caius?” I asked, wiping my cheeks.
“Caius knows that you’re a good mom, but he wants to talk to Seth,” Edward explained, kissing my cheeks, and settling on my lips. I pulled back, nodding solemnly. He embraced me again and we packed up our stuff, leaving the publishing house. Edward parked my car in the visitor’s spot at the school. I walked into the front office, asking for Seth to be called out of class. I tried to maintain my composure, not wanting to scare my son. He came down to the office, confused as to why I was taking him out of school. I just hugged him tightly, vowing to tell him once we’re outside.
In the car, I sit in the passenger seat and twisted my fingers. Tears welled in my eyes as my heart stammered against my ribs. Edward reached across, threading our fingers together. “I’m here, gorgeous.”
“I … I d-d-don’t …” I stammered. “Can you tell him? Please?” I buried my face into my hands as I tried not to completely lose it.
Edward kept his hand on mine as he turned to face Seth. “Seth, son, I bet you’re confused, and we promise that you are okay,” Edward began.
“I’m more than confused,” Seth grumped. “What’s going on?”
Caius Del Vecchio
Jane, Caius's paralegal
Caius's Office
Martha, the social worker
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