Worth the Fight Teaser

 “Alice, can you go into my closet and find my cast condom?” Bella asked her friend. “I’m covered in sand, dirt and … fuck it, the beach. I’m covered in the beach.” She ran her hand through her hair, grimacing when she remembered the laceration along her hairline from her drugged clumsiness. “I can’t wash my hair. Damn it.”

“Not in the shower, but I can do it for you in the sink, Hells Bells,” Alice said. “Where was that cast condom?”

“It should be in the closet, in my underwear drawer,” Bell explained, shifting on the bed.

Alice went into her closet, ruffling through the drawers. She found the ‘cast condom’, pulling it out and carrying it to the bathroom. While she was in there, she turned on the water and cleared off the bench inside. “Come on, Gimpy. Let me help you.”

“I need a shower cap. I think I have one from my trip to the Wynn when I dumped Jake’s ass,” Bella deadpanned. Standing up, she slipped the crutches underneath her arms and hobbled to the bathroom. Bella sat down on the toilet and wrapped a towel around her body, removing her clothes.

Alice found the shower cap. With Alice’s help, they wrapped her cast in the cover. Leaning heavily on her friend, Bella sat down on the bench with her towel. Alice pulled the removable shower head, angling it away from Bella. “Holler when you’re done. I’m going to make some more coffee and we’re going to have a chat after you’re all cleaned up. It’s a lovely day. The view over the lake is just what you need.”

“I don’t know, Alice,” Bella grumbled. “Possible concussion and sunlight?”

“Work with me, Swan,” Alice said. “We need to talk.” “Okay, okay,” Bella agreed.

The cast condom ... a lifesaver, let me tell you! 

Falling for a Dark Soul Teaser

 Sitting in the waiting room of my psychiatrist, I was growing more frustrated. I liked the doctor who I was seeing, but he was never on time. I’d usually wait, at least, a half hour to see him. I learned that the hard way when I tried to schedule an appointment during my lunch. I ended up missing the entire afternoon, along with a meeting with Jane and Eric of York Towne Clothing.

Suffice it to say, I moved my appointments to the end of the day or on the weekend. Today, it was the former. I’d bugged out of the office a half hour early to make it to my appointment on time, only to wait. I only dealt with this because I’d felt a connection with the doctor, Dr. Daniel Spencer.

He reminded me a lot of Phil.

The door opened and my doctor poked his head out. “Come on in, Bella,” he said, giving me a slight grimace. “I’m sorry about the delay.”

“If I didn’t like you so much, it would be a problem, Dr. Spencer,” I chided, following him to his office. “I also understand why you are behind schedule. You actually care about your patients.”

“I do care about my patients, very much. Please, have a seat. Do you want some water? Coffee?” he asked.

“Water would be nice. It’s too late for coffee. If I drink coffee now, I’ll never be able to sleep tonight,” I snickered, sitting down and crossing my legs.

“I’ve got another four hours. I desperately need the coffee,” he quipped, ducking out of the office. A few moments later, he came back into the office, handing me a bottle of water and putting his coffee on the side table next to his chair. “How are you doing today, Bella?”

“I’m alright, I guess,” I shrugged, sipping my water. “Focusing on work and rebuilding my relationship with Edward.”

“How did the belated birthday celebration go?” Dr. Spencer asked.

“He was completely surprised and we both enjoyed our time together,” I smiled. “I’m still feeling like it’s my fault that he was in that car accident and I know he blames himself for what happened on the night of his birthday. We’re both trying to come to grips with what happened, but we’re dealing with our guilt.”

“Bella, we’ve talked about this. It was not your fault that he was in that accident. Nor was it his fault for his upbringing that caused his inherent distrust,” Dr. Spencer chided.

“My mind gets it, but my heart is taking its sweet time to play catch up,” I snorted humorlessly. “I just wish I could move past this guilt, and fear.”

“Have you tried driving?” Dr. Spencer asked.

“Every time I try, I end up having to take an anxiety pill,” I choked out. “I can’t stop seeing those gouges in the mud and the damage to the trees. I see Edward in that hospital room, a sickly shade of gray and with tubes coming out of him, every which way. He’s got some serious injuries to his ribcage because of those animals who beat the shit out of him as a kid. It was exacerbated by the car accident. He wouldn’t have been in that car accident if I’d only spoken with him that afternoon. I was the one who told him to come back later. I forced him back, driving in a deluge …”

“Bella, sweetheart,” Dr. Spencer murmured, crouching in front of me. “Focus on me. Focus on the here and now.” I closed my eyes, feeling tears coming down my cheeks as Dr. Spencer, squeezed my hands. “Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. That’s a good girl.”

I listened to Dr. Spencer as he talked me through my panic attack. His deep, resonant voice kept me rooted in the office, but my mind was spiraling around Edward, my parents, Katie and my irrational fears. I blinked a few times, finally seeing Dr. Spencer’s dark brown eyes swirling with concern. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Never apologize, Bella. What happens in this room, stays in this room,” Dr. Spencer said quietly, handing me my water. He sat down on the cocktail table as I continued to calm down. “Better?”

“Slightly,” I sighed. “Tiny victories. I didn’t have to take a pill.”

Falling for a Dark Soul Teaser

 “Esme?” I called, walking into the kitchen. She hastily wiped her eyes, turning around and giving me a watery smile. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” she answered. I arched a brow, like how I did with Edward. “I can see why he loves you.”

“He hasn’t said it, but I understand why he’s hesitant,” I shrugged.

“My son had such a difficult life and he always kept everyone at arm’s length,” Esme muttered. “Even his father and me. Edward doesn’t trust easily, but he let you in.”

“He’s easy to love,” I murmured. “And those people who hurt him deserve to rot in hell.”

“Trust me, many of them are,” Esme replied darkly. “Edward lived in about twelve homes before he came into our custody. Out of the twelve foster families, nine of the parents were arrested for child solicitation, molestation and wrongful death.”

“Somebody died in their care?” I hissed.

“A little girl,” Esme growled, “In a home in Dwight. Anyway, they were put away for life. The district attorney wanted Edward’s testimony because he’d told his case workers, but they didn’t listen. He stopped telling them and took the abuse until …” She walked over to a cabinet and poured herself a glass of bourbon. “Want some?”

I nodded and sipped the drink. “You wouldn’t let Edward testify.”

“He was finally accepting that he was a part of our family. Carlisle asked him if he wanted to testify but my son told him that no one cared what he said years ago. Why would they care now?” Esme frowned. “I never, in my wildest dreams, imagine seeing Edward as comfortable as he is with you and your sister. He never smiled. When he did, it was forced.” She took a sip, leaning against the counter. “He’s brilliant, ambitious, funny but he never let down his walls. To see him today? It’s like he’s a whole new person. I’m crying because I’m happy that he has someone that loves him unconditionally.”

“When we first met, Edward and I did not get along,” I snorted. “Oil and water, really.”

“He told us about how he treated you and the guilt he felt afterward. If anything, you’d figure he’d be understanding since Katie is in a similar situation with losing her parents,” Esme shrugged. “But, she has you.”

“Unlike Edward,” I frowned. “I also think that’s why Katie and Edward are so close. They’re kindred spirits, really. They both lost their parents at a young age without the ability to understand why it happened or cope with that sense of loss.”

“You also lost your family,” Esme argued.

“But, I’m twenty-eight. I have the coping skills to work through it. Yes, I struggle with their absence. I have days where getting out of bed is a struggle,” I shrugged. “Therapy has helped. Katie and I go to a grief counselor. I got the name from the preschool I enrolled Katie in. I didn’t know anyone when I moved here from the Pacific Northwest. I toyed with the idea of seeing a psychiatrist, but I didn’t want to take medications unless absolutely necessary. I miss my mom. There are moments when I wanted to call her to tell her all about Edward …”

The oven dinged and Esme checked whatever was inside. “I hope you like lasagna,” she said.

“I love it,” I smiled.

 

A Single Step Teaser

“You’re doing excellent, Bella,” Marcus crowed. “I think we can have you running before you know it! Perhaps you and Edward can do the next Ironman race!”

“Watching him compete in that race was exhausting. I couldn’t even imagine participating,” Bella smirked. She blinked to Edward, who was working at his computer. He’d competed in a race in early June, improving his time slightly, but he said it would be the last Ironman he’d do. His body was too worn out and his knee was very swollen by the time he completed the race.

“Why don’t you try to do a 5K, Mom?” Jake said from a weight machine. After okaying it with Alice and Edward, the boys came to the center to work out while Bella went to physical therapy. Seth played with a soccer ball in the gym while Jake worked to build up more muscle. He was being recruited to play on the varsity football team. “Start small?”

“Do you think I could do that?” Bella asked Marcus.

“You’re getting stronger every day. Your stamina is improving and I think it would be good for you to have a goal,” Marcus said, leaning against the elliptical. “From the moment you rolled into the center, your goal was to walk. Well, thanks to my awesome boss, you are walking. And walking quite well, too.”

“I still feel clumsy,” Bella shrugged. “But, I’m walking.”

“I think that you are coming close to the end of your physical therapy, Bella. What’s your end goal? Running a 5K? Doing an Ironman triathlon?”

“I’ll just watch Edward do the Ironman,” Bella quipped as Edward walked over to them. “That was something, baby.”

“I thought I was going to die at mile fifteen of the marathon,” Edward snorted. “My legs were throbbing; my head was aching and I just wanted to lay down.”

“And who got you going again?” Jake quipped. “Come on, old man!”

“You’re a punk, Jake,” Edward laughed. “But, I appreciate you dragging my ass for a mile. I’d been slacking in my training. I’m not old! Battered beyond all recognition? Yes.”

Marcus, Bella's new physical therapist

Edward is just done ... during the Ironman

Jake Biers

Seth Biers

A Single Step Teaser

“Mother fucker!” Bella yelled, falling down and catching herself on her hands. “Why can’t I do this?”

Edward crouched down, helping her back up and carrying her back to her chair. “Bella, you’re doing great.”

“I’m not,” she snarled. “I can’t walk. Yes, I’ve taken steps. I can drag my feet with the help of the bars, but as soon as I pull my hands away, I fall. I’m clumsy and awkward. I hate this.”

“Gravity is hindering your recuperation. You need to get your gait back,” Edward said. “You need to remember how to move your legs.”

“How can we do that?” Bella asked.

“The aquatic treadmill. You’ll have the buoyancy and freedom to get your groove,” Edward suggested. “I think for now we’ll massage your back and work on your strengthening exercises. Tomorrow, we’ll meet at the pool and do some exercises in there, followed by the treadmill.”

“Okay,” Bella sighed. She rolled herself to the rear of the center. When she arrived at the table, she locked her chair and stood up.

“You should be proud that you’re able to stand so easily,” Edward said, moving behind her as she shuffled to turn and  slid onto the table. “You’re improving.”

“Just not quickly enough for my opinion,” Bella muttered, pulling her leg up to take off her shoes and socks.

“Prior to your stroke, did you ever have a serious injury? You were an athlete, a runner,” Edward asked.

“Nothing too serious. The most serious thing that happened to me was having a C-section for Seth because he was born breech,” she shrugged.

“Breech?”

“Ass first. It’s bad for the baby, running the risk of cutting off their oxygen supply, so they performed surgery to take him out,” Bella answered, rolling over onto her stomach.

“And how long did it take before you felt better? After your C-section?” Edward questioned, lifting her shirt. Her began massaging her lower back, kneading the knots surrounding her spine.

“How long until I was ‘healed?’ Technically, I was all better after eight weeks. I didn’t feel like myself until I … well, I never felt like myself since the C-section,” Bella answered honestly.

Edward heard sadness in her response, but he wouldn’t press her since they’d moved from the private room. They’d moved on Bella’s suggestion. She said that if they were in that private room, she’d want to do naughty things to Edward. The horny male in Edward wanted to do those naughty things. The consummate professional, however, agreed with his girlfriend and they continued their physical therapy out in the open. “Bella, I know that you want to snap your fingers and everything will be perfect. You were confined to a wheelchair for over a year and a half. The connection from your spinal cord to your legs is frayed, but healing. What did your first doctor say?”

“That I’d never walk again,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

“You’re walking. You’re standing. You’re defying his expectations,” Edward said.

The Magic Within Teaser

After a few more days ‘recuperating’ at her mother’s home in Forks, we locked up the house and blinked back to the castle in Seattle. When we got back, Bella began working with Carmen, Charlotte and Marcus’ mother, Kathryn, to plan for the memorial of our fallen comrades – Maggie, Marcus and Tanya. I knew their remains had been brought to Seattle and cremated, as according to the fae customs. We just needed to have a memorial and honor their bravery, their strength and their loss.

The castle, which had been buzzing with creatures from all over North America, was empty, save for my sister, her mate, Peter, Charlotte, Emmett and Rosalie. The rest of the creatures were staying with Eleazar and Carmen in their home, just next door to the castle. They were providing us the necessary space for our healing but were close by in case we needed their support.

I was much better, almost to full strength, but I knew that Rosalie was dealing with horrific flashbacks, night terrors and extreme anxiety. Bella spent a great deal with time with her, trying to help Rosalie with her emotions since she’d lived it. I’d felt Bella’s overwhelming shame for what Jacob had done to her. She still felt dirty and unworthy of me or the   happiness she now had. Through our connection, I heard Rosalie describe the awful things that Jacob did to her and she’d need a great deal of help before Rosalie could truly heal.

“Lord Edward?” came the gruff voice of Peter. I looked up from my seat in my office. I was working on the preliminary plans for a magic school, to teach the next generation of creatures. He glided inside and sat down, dwarfed by the fae-sized chairs. We’d been in our human forms, getting used to our human bodies again. “I’ve put in my papers at my hospital, resigning my position. Charlotte has done the same. We’re looking for permanent residence here in Seattle.”

“Hold off on that,” I said. “I think that … with the magic school … we may need to relocate. Some place remote. I’ve been looking at real estate in Montana and Wyoming. We could …”

“Both locations are beautiful,” Peter said. “It would be nice to have a secured location, far off the beaten path, but near a larger city for those of us who need jobs. Granted, with long lives and smart investments, Charlotte and I don’t have to work.” He blinked to me, smirking. “You, on the other hand, are set for the rest of your immortal life.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, sitting back and closing the computer.

Peter handed me a large envelope, addressed to me via the legal aid office. I opened the envelope, pulling out a thick packet of paper from my old law firm. I scanned the paper, my eyes widened. “Carmen filed an unlawful termination suit against my old firm.”

“She was pissed off that they’d fired you when you were on FMLA. I provided testimony that what they did was unfair and illegal, backing up her claim. Rather than be dragged into the courts, and into a huge legal battle with the powerful son of disgraced congressional candidate, Carlisle Cullen – who was brought down by his own children. They saw you as a man without scruples and they offered you a significant monetary settlement,” Peter said.

I flipped the pages, finding an eight-figure settlement on the next page. That, coupled with my released trust and inheritance from my biological father, I would be set for my immortal life. “When did she do this?”

“She started it when I came to Seattle,” he answered. “She used my connections as a doctor to further along this process.” He sat forward, arching a brow. “Carmen also found an inheritance for Bella, too. Renee had left her a decent trust. We’d found the paperwork in the home in Forks.”

“A lot has happened while I was recuperating,” I mused.

The Magic Within Update

The Magic Within Chapter 33 on  Ficpad

The Magic Within Chapter 33 on Stars

The Magic Within Chapter 33 on AO3

The Magic Within Chapter 33 on FFn

The Magic Within Chapter 33 on Wattpad

I was caught in a dark, confusing limbo. I registered pain but wasn’t able to do anything about it. I felt freezing cold, even colder than normal. I felt hollow, lost and confused. Memories of the battle assaulted my mind and remembering my fight to the death with Jacob Black was in the forefront.

Every slash of his paws was ingrained in my memory as they tore through my skin like wet tissue paper.

Every painful bite of his powerful jaws radiated through my body, with sinews and ropes of muscle being pulled from me, causing me agony.

However, the death blow of Jacob’s teeth ripping my throat out made me shiver in torment. I felt as he tried to end me, but I threw him over the cliff. I vaguely remembered seeing his body land on the rocks below, naked and with a rocky spear through his stomach with my ice sword through his heart.

I collapsed as Jake took his final breath and Bella pressed her bleeding wrist to my lips, trying to revive me. It took every ounce of strength to drink from her vein and I felt its healing properties make its way through my body, but I felt myself drift. My body was protecting itself, shutting down. After I heard Bella’s anguished cry, I drifted off and I stayed in this limbo.

While floating in that gray haze, I was vaguely aware of the passage of time. I could sense when the healers as they came to work on my battered, bruised and broken body. I smelled Bella, her tears, but could do nothing to comfort her. My body was stuck, unmoving.

After each healer came to work their magic on me, I fell deeper into hibernation. It wasn’t a coma because I was somewhat aware. It was not sleep because I was not resting, but I was unable to wake up. It truly was limbo.

All I wanted was to be warm.

Not warm.

Blazing hot, almost scalding.

I needed Bella. I needed her body against mine.

I needed to feel.

The Magic Within Teaser

I was caught in a dark, confusing limbo. I registered pain but wasn’t able to do anything about it. I felt freezing cold, even colder than normal. I felt hollow, lost and confused. Memories of the battle assaulted my mind and remembering my fight to the death with Jacob Black was in the forefront.

Every slash of his paws was ingrained in my memory as they tore through my skin like wet tissue paper.

Every painful bite of his powerful jaws radiated through my body, with sinews and ropes of muscle being pulled from me, causing me agony.

However, the death blow of Jacob’s teeth ripping my throat out made me shiver in torment. I felt as he tried to end me, but I threw him over the cliff. I vaguely remembered seeing his body land on the rocks below, naked and with a rocky spear through his stomach with my ice sword through his heart.

I collapsed as Jake took his final breath and Bella pressed her bleeding wrist to my lips, trying to revive me. It took every ounce of strength to drink from her vein and I felt its healing properties make its way through my body, but I felt myself drift. My body was protecting itself, shutting down. After I heard Bella’s anguished cry, I drifted off and I stayed in this limbo.

While floating in that gray haze, I was vaguely aware of the passage of time. I could sense when the healers as they came to work on my battered, bruised and broken body. I smelled Bella, her tears, but could do nothing to comfort her. My body was stuck, unmoving.

After each healer came to work their magic on me, I fell deeper into hibernation. It wasn’t a coma because I was somewhat aware. It was not sleep because I was not resting, but I was unable to wake up. It truly was limbo.

All I wanted was to be warm.

Not warm.

Blazing hot, almost scalding.

I needed Bella. I needed her body against mine.

I needed to feel.

Shaky Ground Update

Shaky Ground Chapter 37 on FicPad

Shaky Ground Chapter 37 on Stars

Shaky Ground Chapter 37 on AO3

Shaky Ground Chapter 37 on FFn

Shaky Ground Chapter 37 on Wattpad

“Edward? Do you mind watching the fort?” Rose asked, poking her head out of the kitchen. “We’re going to pick up groceries and some other necessities with Bella for her new digs.”

“Sure, Rose,” Edward nodded.

“We’ll be back,” Alice chirped, dragging Bella out the door, with Rose and Esme in tow. When the door shut, she turned to Bella with a smirking grin. “You have some sexy lingerie to buy and when was the last time you had a wax?”

Oh, boy …

The afternoon was spent in an impromptu day of beauty. Bella had her toenails painted, along with a full-body wax. After that, they went to a nearby mall and picked up some new lingerie, bra and panty sets. They also went to pick up towels, new sheets and pillows for her new bedroom. A few hours later, they returned to the apartment with the goodies. The guys were all seated on the couches in the living room. Emmett had set up the television, along with the cable and they’d found some sporting event on TV.

“You got the cable set up,” Bella chirped.

“The silence was killing me,” Emmett said. “And Edward’s iPod had some pretty shitty music.”

“Language, Emmett,” Carlisle said, elbowing Emmett’s side. “Little ears.”

“I’ve heard worse, Dad,” Jake shrugged. All of the men cringed, remembering Jake’s shady upbringing. “Can I get something to drink?” Carlisle nodded and Jake hopped up, walking to the kitchen.

Bella frowned, shifting uncomfortably on her feet and feeling the pain from the long day of movement. Jake’s life was so much better now, but it was hard to forget that he’d such a horrible life prior to this. “I’m going to put this in the linen closet. Then, we can go out to eat before Edward and I go back to his place? Pizza or Chinese?”

“Chinese,” everyone responded, Jake included after he’d finished sipping his water. Bella nodded, walking to her bedroom and putting her new sheets and towels into the linen closet. She picked up her bag, tossing her new purchases from Victoria’s Secret inside. She sat down at a high-back chair, grimacing as she rubbed her calf muscle and sighing as she remembered Jake’s past. What else had that little boy experienced? What else did he see?

“Hey, gorgeous,” Edward said, sitting down on the chair across from her. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, giving him a stiff smile.

“Really?” he asked, arching a brow, moving her so she was sitting on his lap. Bella snuggled against him, idly playing with his freshly cut hair. “Talk to me, Bella.”

“Just that little remark by Jake … it makes me wonder … how much did he really see?” she choked out.

“Carlisle said that Jake was witness to some pretty gruesome things. He and Esme have observed his therapy appointments. With that, William Black could have been put away for long, long time with the crimes Jake has witnessed,” Edward said. “Starting with his mother’s murder. His father’s death in the quake was blessing in disguise, really. Saved the tax payers a lot of money.” He brushed her hair away from her face. “Jake is resilient. Yes, he had a horrible beginning and a shitty father. But, he’s with Carlisle and Esme now. They love him.”

“Do you love him?” Bella asked.

“Very much so,” Edward answered. “What is it, Bella?”

“I don’t know. I love Carlisle and Esme and I’m grateful that they’ve taken Jake in, but what about us? Why couldn’t we have …?” Bella trailed off. Edward’s eyes widened and she blushed. “Never mind. Stupid thought.”

“No, not stupid thought. I get it. And I have an answer. Your injury, our fledgling relationship and subsequent move, it was too much, too fast.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. “That didn’t stop me from getting approved for foster care, just in case things didn’t work out with Carlisle and Esme, but Jake took to them well. But, I think we need to get our friends some food. Emmett was grumbling that all you have is girly rabbit food.”

“I do not have girly rabbit food,” Bella grumbled.