Chapter 13 #3
“I’m not doing anything of the sort. But I care for Bella. She’s my friend, and I don’t let anybody talk to my friends with that kind of menace.”
“Oh, the Rochesters were right about you. Always clinging to social status. But you’re not getting any of our money through Bella. She gets nothing. Our daughter is dead, and I’m not dealing with her mistakes.”
It was Bella’s grandfather who said that last part, shocking me. Bella let out a wail, and I turned, putting my back to them as I pulled Bella close.
“We’re leaving,” I whispered.
But then I turned at the sound of glass shattering, and realized that Reece was right in the old man’s face. He hadn’t touched him, but Mr. Long had dropped his glass, shaking.
“The next time you speak to me it’ll be through our lawyers. Bella is mine. I’m going to take care of my kid always. If you even dare to contact her, my lawyers will be on you so fast you’ll have to get your other hip replaced. You get me, old man?”
“Don’t you dare speak to my husband like that.”
“Lady, I’m not some kid that you can try to whip about.
I don’t know what this dog and pony show was for, but I’m done.
Fuck you both.” And with that, Reece whirled, and I tugged Bella towards the front door.
Without saying a thing, Reece moved towards me, pulled a crying Bella into his arms, and tucked her underneath his chin.
Tears threatened, and I quickly opened the door, ignoring Henry the butler, and ran towards the SUV so we could get Bella situated.
“I’m going to sit in the back with her,” I said, and Reece just nodded tightly.
We buckled Bella in, and I held her close as she cried silently, and then Reece was in the front seat, tires squealing as he pulled out of the long driveway.
He didn’t say a damn thing, but the white on his knuckles told me that he was ready to hurt someone.
I wasn’t sure if there was anything I could say, so I just held Bella as she finally quieted, and pulled away, wiping her tears.
She stared out the window, but I took her hand, tangling her fingers with mine.
When Reece parked near an overlook where we could see the sunset, I let out a shaky breath, and he turned off the engine.
Without a word he got out of the SUV, and I undid Bella’s seatbelt. “Let’s go get some fresh air.”
“Okay.”
The smallness of her voice nearly broke me, and I kissed her temple, before Reece was there to open up her door, and pull her out of the car.
I followed, sliding my hand into Reece’s as he helped me out of the large SUV.
He closed the door behind us, and the three of us stood on the lookout, with Bella between us.
“I’m sorry,” Reece said, his voice shaky.
“I am too. I wanted to show them that you weren’t a monster. That you weren’t what they said you were. And I just wanted my grandparents. I knew they didn’t love me. They never did. They call me Mom’s mistake.”
“I’m going to go back and kill them,” I blurted. Reece gave me a look that I couldn’t decipher, but Bella let out a shaky laugh.
“I don’t want you to go to jail. I’m sorry though. For what they said.”
“I don’t have any words,” Reece finally let out, before turning her so she faced him. Bella’s back was to me, so I could see Reece’s eyes.
And it was right then and there that I knew without a doubt I loved him. No matter what happened now or in the future, I loved this man.
“We’re going to have a talk about what those people said. I know we talked about therapy, but maybe it’s time we both go,” he said dryly.
Bella let out a watery laugh. “Yeah, maybe. I know Mom used to go.”
That surprised me but I didn’t say a word. From the look on Reece’s face, his thoughts aligned with mine.
“Good. Then maybe we can figure out what to say. As for your grandparents, I’m going to talk to my lawyers, and we’re going to make sure that we never see them again.
Not until they apologize or get their heads out of their asses.
And I do realize that I keep cursing around you and threatening them, but it’s been a day. ”
That made me laugh, and thankfully Bella did too. “You’re allowed to curse. You’re the parental unit.”
“I am. I’m your parental unit. I’m going to take care of you, kid.
Always.” Reece met my gaze, and I wasn’t sure what he wanted to say, but there wasn’t anything to put into words.
Not between the two of us. I felt like an outsider being there, as this was such a private moment. But I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“You’re mine, you get that right? I lost so many years, Bella. I’m not going to lose anymore.”
“Is it okay if I call you Dad then?” Bella asked, her voice watery.
“And there you go,” I said with a laugh, before I burst into tears.
Reece gave me a look, his eyes full of unshed tears, before he pulled Bella into a hard hug, kissing the top of her head.
“Yeah. Call me Dad.” He cleared his throat, before he opened up one arm and pulled me into the hug with them.
“Sorry. I get emotional. And it’s been a weird night.” I tried to laugh it off, but he kissed the top of my head as well, and then the three of us were standing there and holding one another, this moment forever etched into my memories.
“Does this mean we can get ice cream now?” Bella asked against Reece’s chest, and this time it was Reece who laughed, and a little bit of the darkness began to lift. Not enough, it would never be enough, but we were a unit.
“Ice cream. Maybe dinner first.”
“Let’s do ice cream first. We deserve it,” I teased.
“Anything for my girls,” Reece said, and I ignored that familiar twinge.
Because these two were a family. Finally.
And every ounce of me ached to join them.
I just didn’t know if it was for the best. But I ignored those thoughts, and smiled at the man that I loved, and the little girl who had far too quickly taken my heart, and smiled.
They were a unit, and I would do anything to protect them.
Even if it meant walking away. But for now I wouldn’t tell them that. No, those private thoughts were just for me.