Chapters 10 - 19

Chapter 10



Belle groaned in frustration at her daughter as a spray of water was sent in her direction and a wail of protest was issued. Her large size made it difficult to do things with Aimee, and since she’d decided to be fussy during her bath, and try mommy’s patience. “Come on Aimee, we’re almost done.”

“Want a hand?” Shawn asked as he watched her struggle with the obviously unhappy little girl. Belle was soaked and he couldn’t help up smile at the soap bubbles in her hair. “Looks like you’re the one getting the bath.”

“She’s all yours.” Belle said pushing herself to her feet and trying to stretch her kinked up back. “She’s decided that there will be no hair washing tonight.” She sat down on the closed toilet lid and watched as Shawn quickly sweet talked their little girl. “I don’t know if it’s me or her who’s more aggravated.”

“Don’t get yourself all worked up.” Shawn said quickly washing Aimee’s blonde hair and wrapping her squirming body in a soft towel. “You’ll be able to do things like this as soon as you’ve had the baby.” He looked down at her frowning face and felt a tug on his heart. “Hey, don’t look so dejected.”

“I’ve been going through all those forms today.” Belle said as Aimee accidentally hit her in the face with her waving arms. “It’s all a little overwhelming right now.” She grabbed Aimee’s small hand before she could be hit again.

“I’ll sit down with you after we get her in bed.” Shawn said trying to calm his crying daughter. It was unlike her to be so fussy and he wondered if she was getting sick. “If that’s what you want that is.”

“I thought you had an all nighter?” Belle asked taking Aimee and heading towards the nursery. “That’s what you said when we were downstairs.”

“I’m sorry.” Shawn said pulling a sleeper out of the drawer and handing it to her. “I lied. I was annoyed with the way you reacted to my question and I guess I was trying to make you angry or hurt. I’m sorry.”

“You had a bad day, it’s happened before.” Belle said shrugging her shoulders and tickling her daughter. Aimee screamed in response. “I just wasn’t in the mood for your attitude. And I don’t think I’m ready to go with out the bandage just yet.”

“You don’t have to go with out it all the time.” Shawn said wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling the back of her neck. “I just feel like you’re hiding from me, and you don’t have to. I miss seeing all your face.”

“But it’s not my face Shawn.” Belle replied standing Aimee and watching her attempt to walk forward. “It’s not what you loved to caress before. It’s not the same face as you’re used to.”

“Your mom told me it looks amazing compared to a few months ago.” Shawn said sticking his tongue out at Aimee and chuckling when she did it back. “Have I ever judged you before Isabella? No. What makes you so scared to show me?”

“I don’t know.” Belle admitted pulling Aimee close to her. “I keep feeling like I need to look like the old me for people to like me. Maybe it’s vanity, I don’t know. But I do know that I’m scared.”

“Don’t be scared.” Shawn said smoothing Aimee’s ruffled hair. “You don’t have to worry about anyone who loves you feeling repulsed or afraid of you. They all love you the same way they did before you got hurt. And as for Aimee, the older she is when she sees you for the first time, the harder it will be for her.”

“I never thought of it that way.” Belle said turning around to face him. “She’s never been around any, well, different people other than me.”

“Da da.” Aimee said reaching out to her father.

“You’re not different Belle.” Shawn said taking Aimee and holding her high over his head. “You are an abuse survivor, and that’s something that you’ll have to have with you for the rest of your life. But only you have to know it. Ok, so you’ve agreed to see Kasey, the four year old who started our argument. You have an appointment to have your bandage changed on Monday May 21st at one and I see her at twelve fifty. How about I just let you take her to the appointment?”

“That’s sounds good to me.” Belle said watching as Shawn slowly rocked their daughter to sleep. “Shawn, what if I decide to leave the bandage off?”

“Then you start a different healing process.” Shawn replied placing Aimee in the crib and ushering Belle from the room. “One that starts with Rex’s trial the first week of July. You have to show your scars to the jury and I’m going to be there for that. It’ll be easier on you if it’s not a surprise on me and my family at the trial.”

“I know.” Belle said wondering if she had the courage to show him the mutilated side of her face. “I’m afraid of the reaction of everyone. I want the jury to feel sorry for me so they’ll lock Rex away. But I don’t want you to feel sorry for me.”

“I love you Isabella.” Shawn said taking her in his arms and holding her gently. “I hate your father and Rex for what they’ve done to you. It’s their fault that you’re scared and venerable, you had nothing to do with it. But you have to understand that my family and I do feel sorry for you, it’s a natural Horton Brady reaction. But I love you too much to be consumed by my sympathy.”

“I love you too.” Belle said kissing his cheek softly. “I’ll make my decision on Monday whether I leave it off or on, but if I do leave it off, I’ll be bringing bandages home with me incase I change my mind.”

“That’s fine with me.” Shawn said kissing her back. “Now, you said you had forms to go through. Anything you want to share with me?”

“Actually yes.” Belle said moving from his arms and picking up the folder containing the adoption information. “I think I may have found the perfect family.”

***

“Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Horton is ready to see you now.” Cassie Brady said gently to the nervous couple. She knew that they were meeting with Mickey because they wanted to adopt Rex and Belle’s baby and she like the look of them. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water would be great.” Shannen Johnson replied. Her nerves were already on edge and she knew that coffee would make them worse.

“All right.” Cassie said with a smile. “Come right this way.”

Shawn and Belle looked up as Mickey’s office door opened. Cassie showed a young couple into the room and quickly got them glasses of water before turning to leave. She gave Shawn a thumbs up, her signal of approval, before closing the door.

Belle smiled at the couple she’d chosen. Shannen Johnson was an athletic looking blonde with emerald green eyes. She wasn’t dressed in a business suit like some of the couples that she and Shawn had spoken to earlier in her pregnancy, but wore a simple turtleneck sweater over fitted blue jeans. Simon Johnson was her image of a cowboy with the ruffled blonde hair, blue eyes with the plaid shirt and jeans. Only accessory missing was a cowboy hat.

“Thank you for coming.” Mickey said as the young couple seated themselves opposite Shawn and Belle. “I’d like you to meet Isabella Black and Shawn Brady.” He waited until the group bad exchanged greetings before continuing. “A few months back you applied to adopt Baby Black who is due to arrive in just a few weeks. Does this offer still stand?”

“Yes sir.” Shannen said smiling at her husband. “We’re looking to adopt a few more children as well in the next few years. We’ve always wanted a big family. Adoption is our only option and it’s nice to know that we can help children have a better chance at life. Oh, Miss Black, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to infer that you can’t give your baby a good chance.” She blushed knowing she’d just insulted the young woman.

“I know what you mean.” Belle said with a giggle. “But you’re right. I can’t give my baby the best chance, and it has nothing to do with money or love. There are a few things you should know. Shawn and I have an eleven month old baby girl at home already. My father wasn’t happy about me being pregnant and after the baby was born I was married off to another man. I was abused and raped. That’s how this baby was conceived. I don’t think I could love her as much as Aimee because of the way she was conceived. I think I might resent her, and that’s no way for a child to be raised.”

“You’re not the first mother to think that way.” Shannen said reaching out and giving Belle’s hand a squeeze. “Quite a few of the children we’ve applied for have come about the same way. But while we’re being honest there are a few things you should know about the way we’ve raised our body. We were twenty six when we adopted Matthew and Brandon and they were eleven. They came from an abusive home and we couldn’t control them at first. Afraid of sending them to public school I started to teach them at home. They flourished and I continued until May when the both graduated with high school degrees. I didn’t teach them the usual school curriculum. I added in useful courses like horse handling, sewing and cooking. We run a bed and breakfast in the summer months and the boys help out with the business. I’d like to continue to raise my children in this way and a lot of parents think that it’s no way for children to be brought up. That’s why we don’t already have more children.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad to me.” Belle said looking over at Shawn.

Shawn looked from Belle to Mickey and laughed. “My little brother would kill to stay with you guys. He loves horses.” He wrapped an arm around Belle’s shoulders and shook his head. “But I agree, that doesn’t sound bad at all. No politics to deal with like in public schools, and they actually learns a trade of sorts to get them started.” He looked down at Belle’s smiling face. “So?”

“I think that I would like very much if you and your husband would adopt my baby.” Belle said softly. “You sound like the perfect parents and your boys were lucky.”

“Thank you.” Simon said as Shannen threw herself into his arms. He was Irish born and his accent was hard to understand so his wife usually did all their talking. “You’ve just made us very happy.”

Belle smiled at Mickey who was drawing up paperwork for them. “Not as happy as you’ve made me.” She said as Shawn kissed her cheek. “Not even close.”



Chapter 11



“Good afternoon Dr. Watson.” Belle said as she quietly slipped inside his office, Kasey Young’s hand tucked securely inside her own. Kasey had cried when they’d told her that she would be going with Belle today instead of Shawn, but she’d adjusted to Belle’s soft tone and patient ways.

“Good afternoon Belle.” Dr. Ian Watson said smiling at her over his shoulder. She was one of his most delicate patients, and he had taking a liking to her. Her injury had hit close to home for him and knowing what the results could be made him feel better. “And who is this young lady?”

“Dr. Watson, I’d like to you meet Kasey.” Belle said giving Kasey a little push forward. Shawn had instructed her to get the little girl comfortable with the doctor at all costs, he was taking over her treatment. After hearing the detailed story from Janet Young made it easier to connect with the child. “Kasey, this is my doctor, his name is Ian Watson.”

“It’s nice to meet you Kasey.” Ian said extending his hand to shake her small one. She hesitated, peering out from behind her long brown hair, before softly placing hers into his. “Are you Belle’s little sister?”

Kasey shook her head at the silly doctor. Belle had blonde hair, not brown.

“Gee, you’re both so beautiful I thought you must be sisters.” Ian said winking at Belle. He could see the white bandages that adorned the small girls face, and poked out at the neck and sleeves of her shirt and knew why she was there. “Are you sure you’re not at least related?”

Belle’s heart soared at the giggle that chimed from Kasey. “Kasey is here to see what a healing burn looks like.” She explained gently as the girl started to retreat from the middle of the room. “Her mommy thought that is would be good to see what my cheek looks like after seven months of healing.”

“Kasey do you know what degree your burns were?” Ian asked crouching down so he was more on her level. He’d never treated a child so small before and knew that she was due in to see him later that week. She held up 3 fingers on one hand and two on the other. “Second and third?”

“Kasey has burns on her face, and upper body.” Belle explained taking off her sweater and laying it on a nearby chair. She found it warm in the office and wondered if she was going into labor early, she’d been like this with Aimee. “Second on her face and third on her body. She gets new bandages later this week.”

“Kasey, why do you hide behind your hair sweetie?” Ian asked brushing his own light colored hair out of his eyes. She was a pretty girl, he could tell by her eyes. “You’re too pretty to hide. Do you think that for today while you’re here you could tuck hit behind your ears?”

Belle held her breath as she watched Kasey raise her head and look straight into the doctors eyes. If Kasey could show her bandages to a doctor and herself, then there might be hope for her to recover emotionally. Little fingers flew to her face and the thick, long hair was quickly discarded behind her ears. Tears welled up in Belle’s eyes and she wished she had the courage to do that for Shawn.

“See Kasey, that wasn’t so hard.” Ian said as the young girl took a few steps forward. He noticed Belle’s tears and chuckled. “Look at her. What a cry baby.”

Kasey turned to look at Belle. She didn’t understand the tears, but she understood the baby. She placed her hand gently on the bulging stomach and yelped when something inside touched her.

“That’s my baby.” Belle said giggling through her tears. “It kicks like that all the time. Sometimes it hurts, other times it tickles.” She beamed at the smile she received from Kasey.

“What do you say you be my helper today?” Ian asked softly. “I could sure use a helper, this patient here is tends to hide her face when ever I take off her bandage. If you help her hair, then she couldn’t hide.”

Kasey smiled happily at the prospect of helping someone. Her mommy loved it when she helped her, and she loved to help.

Well then, let’s get you up here.” Ian said gently lifting her up onto the examination table and standing her up. “And we’ll get Belle to sit right here.” He motioned for Belle to sit in front of the girl and winked at them both. “And now, you hold her hair in a pony tail, watch your hands, and now, we begin.”

“What happens if I decide to leave my bandage off this time?” Belle asked before the doctor could touch her. “I mean, if I decide to show Shawn and his family what it looks like underneath this?”

“Then I give you a box of preformed bandages that I have on file and I show you how to put them on yourself.” Ian replied easily peeling the sticky edges from her skin. “Then you go home and start over.”

***

Shawn groaned as he leaned back in his chair. Belle’s appointment had been over for two hours, and still she and Kasey weren’t back. Fear was starting to settle in, wrapping itself around his heart. “Where are you Isabella?”

Shawn’s head snapped up at the sound of his office door opening. Kasey boldly jumped into the room, her face smiling, and her long hair done in an intricate style, away from her face. The white bandages were gone, replaced by the neutral color of the special ones Belle wore, the ones she was supposed to be measured for on Friday. “Kasey?”

Kasey grinned at the man sitting in the chair. She was pretty again, the white was gone off her face, and she was wearing make up for the first time. With a giggle she charged into his arms, wrapping her small arms around his neck and squeezing with all her might.

Shawn was taken off guard by the child and gasped when she jumped into his arms. She’d never even shaken his hand, not that he hadn’t offered it. A face in the doorway caught his attention and he noticed Belle poking half her face around the door. Her right hand lay on the doorframe, a white box clutched firmly in her fingers.

“Belle took me to the salon!” Kasey exclaimed excitedly still hugging his neck. “I got my hair washed, and cut, and look at what the lady did!” She jumped back and spun around, showing off the shorter neater style that made her look like a little kid again. “And I got my fingernails and toenails painted blue! Oh, and look what Ian did! I got new bandages!”

“I see that.” Shawn said locking eyes with Belle and silently thanking her. “You look very pretty. Hey, is that a new sweater?”

“Yeah.” Kasey said tugging on the sleeves of the baby pink sweater set. “Ms. Black bought it for me when she saw Belle and I in the salon. She said that since her granddaughter is too young to wear such pretty clothes that she thought I should have it.”

“That was very nice of her.” Shawn said grinning at her again. She’d done a 360 in less than 4 hours and it was an amazing sight. “And you are wearing make up too aren’t you? You look pretty with that shade of lipstick. Does it taste like strawberries?”

“Yes it does.” Kasey replied raising an eyebrow at him. “How’d you know that?”

Shawn grinned at her expression, it was much like his mothers when he knew things before he should. “Just a guess.” He winked at Belle before she ducked away so he could continue to talk to her. “I know another special lady who likes that very same lipstick.”



Chapter 12



Shawn silently kicked himself in the ass as he made his way into the darkened house. Paperwork and research had caused him to spend hours in the office, hours that he could have spent with Belle. He was sure she’d removed the bandage, she’d never brought home a sterile box before now. He quietly left his briefcase on the table, and dropped his jacket on top of it.

“Come on Aimee, I know it hurts but you need to sleep.” Belle said softly as she paced the Brady’s living room with her crying daughter. “Shhh…”

Shawn’s head whipped around at her voice. It was past midnight, she should be asleep. He headed through the kitchen and stopped short when he saw her in the living room. A strip of white medical tape looped around her neck and he wondered if an infection had been discovered that day. Her robe draped around her expanding figure and the scent of vanilla mixed with roses greeted his nose. It was obvious she’d just gotten out of the shower, but the white tape made him uneasy. Aimee was a different story. Her small face was red from crying, and her small hands were clamped over her ears. “Belle, what’s wrong?”

“Ear infection.” Belle responded with out even thinking. She hadn’t heard him come home, but she’d felt his presence when he’d walked into the room, and it comforted her. “Your mom took her into see Lexie, but all they can do is give her medication. She’s only slept for about half an hour since this morning, and she’s so tired.”

“Is there anything else we can do?” Shawn asked as his heart broke for his hurting daughter. He hated to see any of his girls in pain, and he wasn’t sure if he could handle her crying, he had to do something.

“Hope her medication makes her feel better and she goes to sleep.” Belle said turning to face him. She completely forgot about the dressing over her cheek and she shook her head. “You mom said tried blowing warm air from a hair dryer in her ear, but she just screamed harder. I brought her down here so your parents could get some sleep.”

Tears welled in Shawn’s eyes at the new bandage. It was just like the ones that she’d worn before her release from the hospital, the ones he’d only seen in pictures. “Belle, what happened?” He asked as he stepped forward and touched the cotton material with his fingers.

“Oh.” Belle said reaching to her cheek and noticing the bandage. “I’m sorry Shawn. I just got out of the shower when she started screaming again, I forgot to take this off. I didn’t want you to see this.”

“Is it another infection?” Shawn asked moving his hand from Belle’s cheek to Aimee’s head. He gently rubbed his fingers along her neck and shoulders, the same way he did when Belle cried.

“No.” Belle said with a giggle. It was obvious Shawn had not heard what she had said, or he wouldn’t have asked that last question. “Shawn, my bandages are waterproof remember? If I had on my normal bandage I wouldn’t have this one on. I left it off Shawn.”

Shawn’s eyes lit up at her words. “You did?” His fingers moved back to her cheek and a look of confusion crossed his face. “But why this?”

“I can’t get the new skin wet, I had to cover it to shower.” Belle said as Aimee’s screams, which had started to quiet, resumed. Shawn’s hand flew back to his daughter and she soothed slightly. “I, I… I thought I was ready to show you, but now I’m not so sure.”

“Don’t be afraid Belle.” Shawn said reaching out and taking Aimee from her arms. His hand was getting tired of reaching out and touching the small girl. “Kasey told me that you look beautiful now, I told her you were always beautiful, just like she is. You did an amazing job today. Her mother has never seen her so happy.”

“Ms. Young wasn’t upset that I took her out was she?” Belle asked pulling her robe tightly around her body. “I tried to reach her before hand, but I couldn’t get her to answer her cell.”

“No she wasn’t angry.” Shawn reassured her. “She was shocked that you’d do that for her little girl thought. It seems as no one had ever done anything like that for any of them, her husband scared all her friends away and Kasey wasn’t allowed to go play with other children.”

“That’s sad.” Belle said vowing to make sure Aimee had hundreds of friends of every race and kind. “I’d like to see them both again, Kasey is like a little magnet. The girls in the salon did everything she asked them and they all loved her. Mom was so taken with her, I had to take her credit card before she bought out the whole store. It was just too cute.”

“And it was worth it.” Shawn said as he felt Aimee snuggle into his shoulder. ‘Like mother like daughter.’ He thought with a chuckle. “She told me everything that happened that night, right down to what her father said as he stuck a needle in her arm. The bastard told her that when she woke up she’d be in a better place where only people just like her could go. He told her that only white people would be there and that she could do what ever she wanted while there. ****, how could someone do that to their own daughter?”

“I don’t know.” Belle said as tears slid down her cheek. “People are cruel, too cruel for me. I wish Aimee would grow up in a better time, I don’t want her to know that these things go on in the world.”

“But Aimee will be taught the same things we were.” Shawn said pulling her to his chest with his free arm. It felt like heaven to have both his girls in his arms at the same time. “Aimee will know that everyone is the same even if they look a little different. Just think of the friends she’ll have. Zac will teach her how to get into trouble, when JT comes to visit he’ll teach her how to play fair, and Theo will show her that everyone can play together. They’ll all be close, just like Phillip, Mimi, Brady, you and I were.”

“I hope you’re right.” Belle said smiling up at him. “I just want her to understand the world we live in. I want her to understand why I wasn’t here for her first few months, why her sister lives in Colorado, and why you and I weren’t married before she was born.”

“She will.” Shawn said kissing her softly. “And you and I will have all those answers for her someday. But right now, let’s get her into bed.”

“Ok.” Belle said grabbing the bottle and soother that she’d brought down with her. “And Shawn, maybe we can work on that last one, what do you think?”



Chapter 13




Belle winced in pain as she carefully unwound the tape from around her neck. She and Shawn had fallen asleep before she could take it off and now she was paying the price. “Ouch!”

“Do you need some help sweetie?” Hope asked as she heard Belle yelp from the bathroom.

“Um…” Belle said biting down on her lip. Hope had only glanced her face the day before, and it scared her to think of having her second mother a close proximity when it was revealed. But if she kept this up, she’d rip all her skin off. “Actually yes.”

“What are you trying to do?” Hope asked as she quietly pushed her way into the bathroom. She was shocked by the white bandage on her daughters face. “Belle?”

“It was only to keep the water off when I showered last night.” Belle said calming her fears. “But Shawn and I fell asleep before I could take it off and the tape is really sticking to me.”

“Let me do it.” Hope said sitting the very pregnant girl down on the closed toilet lid. “Here’s a hint for future reference.” She opened the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of baby oil. “Rub a little bit of this on over the tape, get it good and wet, and it will pull right off.” She quickly worked as she explained to Belle. “Like so.”

Belle closed her eyes as Hope pulled the tape away from her neck. There were only five pieces of tape holding the cotton to her face, and now one was gone. “I never thought of that.”

“Do you want me to take off the rest for you?” Hope asked softly. She knew that Belle was afraid to show her cheek to anyone and didn’t want to make her feel afraid like she always did. “I can just wet it for you if you’d like.”

“No, you can finish it.” Belle said in a shaky voice. She looked up and caught the older and wiser eyes of Shawn’s mother, and noticed that the two shared the same chocolate color.

“Honey, no one will ever look at you like you’re different.” Hope said softly as she saw the fear and shame in Belle’s blue eyes. “We all love you and anyone who sees you as different is the one who should wear a mask. You’re a loving mother, and you’re beautiful. One half of your face possesses more beauty than most people do in their entire body.”

“Thank you.” Belle said holding back tears. The Brady’s always knew what to say to make her feel better, even little Zac.

***

“Belle, can you help me?” Zac asked as he stood near the door holding his jacket.

“What’s up sweetie?” Belle asked as she stepped into the kitchen. She moved over next to the small boy when he motioned for her to.

“Tomorrow is mother’s day.” Zac whispered hoping his mother was still in the shower. “I want to take my money and get my very special mommy something from the store. I can’t get her to take me, and daddy and Shawn are gone. Will you take me?”

“Are you sure you want me to take you?” Belle asked as her heart went out to the small child. She didn’t go out unless he absolutely had to.

“Stop it.” Zac said as she moved her hand to her cheek. “You don’t need to care. You’re pretty to your family, and that’s all that matters. I think you’re almost as pretty as mommy, and that makes you one of the prettiest people in the world.”

The Next Morning

“Where are you going Zac?” Hope asked as her youngest son jumped up from the breakfast table and headed for the stairs.

“I’ll be right back.” Zac said looking back at his family. He and his daddy had made breakfast for Belle and his mommy, and they all looked very happy. “You all stay there.”

“Do you know what he’s up to?” Hope asked Bo, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Nope.” Bo replied finishing up his pancakes and bacon.

Belle concealed her grin behind her cup. She knew that Zac had spent two hours in the flower shop and then another twenty in the jewelry as she stood outside as he asked her to. Bo had given him two hundred dollars to get something for his mother, and he made sure to spend every cent.

“What are you two up to Brady?” Hope asked not believing a word her husband said. She was surrounded by romantics and didn’t put it past any of them to do something for her, or even Belle.

“Close your eyes!” Zac called from the living room. “All of you.” He waited a few seconds before calling out again. “Are they closed?”

“Yes.” Hope said with a smile.

Zac worked quickly, setting his gifts on the table. “Hold on one second.” He ran back into the living room and lifted his niece from where he’d left her on the floor for a second. He placed her in her seat in the kitchen before sitting back down. “Ok, open them.”

Belle gasped when she saw the box in front of her; Hope had one identical to it. “What’s this?” She asked looking over at Shawn who had a confused look on his face as well. “And … how did Aimee get in here?”

“Happy mothers day.” Zac said kissing his mothers cheek before moving to give one to Belle. Shawn didn’t know what to get, and Aimee’s too little, so I did it.”

“Zac, how did you afford it?” Shawn asked glancing at his father who shrugged his shoulders. “You didn’t come to me for money.”

“I did it all by myself.” Zac said taking money out of his pocket and handing it to his father. “All by my self. I do have 5 years of birthday money in my bank.. or I did.”

“Zac, you were saving that for a dirt bike.” Hope said looking at the beautifully wrapped boxes. “Who wrapped these for you?”

Zac grinned at his mother, she always had questions. “Gran.” He said with a giggle. “She came over yesterday while Abby was here and she did it. She did a good job!”

“I think they’re lovely.” Hope said reaching out and undoing the bright red bow. “But honey, you didn’t have to spend your money on me.”

“I wanted to.” Zac insisted becoming impatient. “And I wanted to get something nice for Belle too. So stop asking questions and open them!”

Belle carefully undid the bow with shaky hands. Zac, a six year old child, had gone out and bought her a mothers day gift, and she’d had no idea. “Zac, how did you do this?”

“Open it and I’ll tell you.”

Belle burst into tears when she opened the box. A dozen red roses, six white roses and one yellow rose lay decoratively inside with a pink ribbon and baby’s breath. Draped carefully around the ribbon was a thin gold chain and pendant. WORLDS GREATEST MOM was written in delicate writing with a single heart shaped stone, Aimee’s birthstone. “Oh Zac!”

“The red roses are from Shawn, the white from Aimee and the yellow from the baby.” Zac said matter of factly. “Yellow roses mean, um… oh yeah, friendship. That’s the perfect flower from the baby. You will always be friends, no matter where you live.

***
“One more piece.” Hope said carefully holding the fabric to Belle’s cheek in case she really didn’t want to remove it. The young girl was lost in thought and she hadn’t wanted to disturb her. “What I can see looks really good Belle. How does it feel?”

“Tight.” Belle replied coming out of her daze and stretching her mouth open. “I was supposed to put a cream on it after my shower, but I never got to it.” She closed her eyes as Hope pulled the bandages a little way away from her face. “I…”

“Do you want me to let you do this honey?” Hope asked placing it back against her cheek and smiling. “It won’t hurt my feelings any if you do this on your own.”

“No, do it.” Belle said opening her eyes again. “I need to have this done; I need for someone other than a doctor to see me.”

“Ok then.” Hope said slowly pulling back on the bandage until it was completely released from her face. “Oh honey, it doesn’t look bad at all.” She lightly stroked the raised skin with her fingers before leaning forward and placing a kiss on it. “It doesn’t look bad at all.”

Belle collapsed in to Hopes arms and cried. Hope had kissed her, that meant that she wasn’t afraid to touch her. “Oh Hope.” She sobbed pulling back.

“I love you like a daughter Isabella.” Hope said smiling softly at the teary girl. “But I’ll tell you, as a person with opinions, I have seen people with worse scars from acne problems.”

“Thank you.” Belle said drying her eyes and smiling. “I just wish I could use make up on it. But Dr. Watson said it would irritate the skin and hinder the healing process. I want to be able to have my surgery when planned.”

“You will.” Hope said hearing Aimee giggle from her room. She took the bottle of cream from Belle and gently smoothed it on her cheek and neck. “Someone is awake, why don’t you go to her. She will like to see you, since I’m sure you hid it from her yesterday, am I right?”

“Yes.” Belle said dropping her eyes. “I just hid it behind my hair though, I left the bandage off.” She sighed before shaking her head. “I’ll go get her before Shawn does.” She nodded at her mother and left the room. Softly she crept through the darkened bedroom and slipped into the nursery.

Aimee was standing up, holding onto the crib rail reaching for her bunny whom she’d thrown on the floor. She smiled at her mother and giggled.

“Hey sweet girl.” Belle said picking up the stuffed animal and handing it back to her daughter. Her ears had returned to their regular color and her smile meant she must be feeling better. “Did you have a good sleep? Oh you look so much happier today!” She bend to pick up the small child when, for the first time, Aimee said a word that she had never said before, reaching up to be picked up.

“Mama!”



Chapter 14




Belle smiled as Shawn approached her with tears in her eyes. He’d come down to breakfast late, and she’d been the only one sitting there. Her hair was pulled back from her face, her makeup, only lipstick and mascara, done, and her smile wide. “Shawn?”

“Oh Isabella.” Shawn said reaching out for her. From a distance he couldn’t even see her scars and the color Marlena had warned him about was gone. “Oh Belle, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Belle said as she stood to hug him. Tears welled in her own eyes as she wrapped her arms around his chest and snuggled into him.

“I was expecting worse.” Shawn said with a chuckle. “Your mom had me terrified of what I might see when the bandages came off. She told me that there were thick deep scars with redness that would never fade. I think she was trying to prepare me for the worst, even though it wasn’t that bad.”

“She was.” Belle said nodding as he lightly stroked the skin. Her heart melted at the look of love and amazement in his eyes and she allowed the tears to slip out of her eyes. “It will get better too. I’ll still have the surgery, and the scars from that will be under my hairline. No more scars.”

“I don’t think you even need the surgery.” Shawn said kissing under her eye and trailing his lips down along her cheek to her neck. “You look beautiful, I just don’t know what to say.”

“Aimee called me Mama.” Belle said blushing crimson at that little fact. Aimee had started calling out dada when she was little more than five months old. “I went in with my hair back and she called me mama.”

“She knew that the real you was hidden under those bandages.” Shawn said kissing away her tears and holding her tightly. “She just needed to see her entire mother’s face. Oh I love you Isabella.”

“I love you too Shawn Douglas.” Belle said wincing as a pain shot through her abdomen. “Oh, oh, oh…” She said pulling back and doubling over in pain. “Oh, oh. I think it’s time. I think it’s time.”

Shawn immediately jumped into father mode. It may not be his baby, but it was his responsibility to make sure it arrived safe and sound. “Ok, let’s sit you down.” He said easing her back down into the chair she’d been in before. “Ok, you’ve got a long way to go from here. I’m going to call the Johnson’s, then I’ll call the hospital. I want you to sit there and wait until mom comes down.”

“Ok.” Belle said as the pain faded. She quickly looked at her watch to see how long there was between each contraction so she’d have a general idea on how long it would be. “Call one of your aunts to come get Aimee, or even Jenn if you have to.”

“I will, don’t you worry about anything.” Shawn said grabbing the cordless off the counter and heading for the stairs. “You just relax and stay calm, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He dashed up the stairs towards his parents room. “Mom, come quick. It’s time, Belle’s in labor!”

***

“How is everything?” Shannen asked as she hurried up to Mrs. Brady. “Has she had the baby yet?”

“Not yet.” Hope said turning to smile at the young woman. “I’m glad you made it in time. The labor has been easy, but so far she hasn’t gotten very far. Only a few centimeters. But her water has broken, it broke early. She’s on an inducing drug now, they hope that the epidural they gave her will help too.”

“Do you know if I can see her?” Shannen asked as her husband started talking to the other Brady family members. “I’d like to see if I can be there when she gives birth, if she’ll let me that is.”

“She’s asking for you Shannen.” Shawn said poking his head out in the hallway. “And the doctor said it’s fine for you to be here, Belle already asked. It was the first thing she said when she got here.”

“Thank you.” Shannen said following him into the large room. Belle was sitting up on a bed, looking comfortable. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel fine.” Belle said rolling her eyes at herself. “I feel fine now I should say. I was feeling pretty awful for a while there. I guess things aren’t going as nicely as they’d like them to. I had Aimee with out any drugs and I barely made it to the hospital before she got here. I guess this one is going to be difficult like her father.”

“Simon is difficult too.” Shannen said giving Belle’s hand a squeeze. She wondered what the doctors were giving her and what the effects could be on the baby. “Don’t feel like you have to have drugs to speed up your labour if you don’t really need them.”

“Are you Shannen Johnson?” Karen Bader asked as she stepped into the room. “I’m Dr. Bader, Belle’s doctor. Congratulations on your baby by the way. I’ll give you a run down on Belle’s condition. Her labor is slow, too slow. Her water broke three hours ago and she has not dilated at all. Her breakage was complete, there is very little fluid left for the baby. We’ve given her an epidural to keep her comfortable and are dripping Potosin to speed things up a little. If we haven’t seen any results in a few hours we’ll take her for a C-Section, she’s already agreed to it. Don’t worry, we’ll do everything we can to keep both her and the baby safe.”

“Thank you Dr. Bader.” Shannen said shaking the woman’s hand. “I don’t want you to think that I don’t trust you, I have a sister who was induced for no good reason and there were problems with her baby. I don’t want that to happen with us.”

“Don’t you worry.” Karen said smiling. “This drug will only effect Belle. It stimulates the uterus and causes it to contract. It makes the labor more painful, but that’s why we gave her the epidural first.” She smiled at Belle who was wincing slightly. “I’d like to examine her now, if you two would step out into the hall.”

***

“One more Belle, come on you can do it.” Shawn said as he squeezed her hand in encouragement. “Come on, come on.”

“Ugh!” Belle cried as she pushed forcefully to expel the baby from her body. “I can’t Shawn, I can’t do this.” She dropped her head back in exhaustion. “I can’t.”

“Yes you can, come one Belle.” Shawn said kissing her head. “Come on, the Johnson’s’ want to meet their baby. Come on, so we can get home to Aimee.”

Belle screamed as another contraction ripped through her body. She pushed with everything she had and suddenly she felt a void.

“It’s a girl!” Dr. Bader exclaimed holding up the screaming baby for everyone to see. “Congratulations all of you, she’s beautiful!”

Belle sighed happily as she collapsed back into her pillow. It was over, the baby was here and she could finally move on with her family. “She’s lovely.”

Karen stood awkwardly holding the baby. She wasn’t sure who to give the child to, her mother, or her mother. “I…”

“You take her.” Belle said shaking her head in reply. “You’re her mother. You hold her.”

“Thank you.” Shannen said gladly accepting her baby and cradling her against her chest. “Oh.” She cried as the tiny baby wailed in protest to the cold air. “Thank you so much.”

Belle closed her eyes to block out the picture before her. It was her baby that she had just delivered, but someone else would be called mama. Someone else would be there when she took her first steps and said her first word. She opened her eyes, fighting the tears that wanted to spill. Glancing up at Shawn she noticed him looking at the small child with a longing in his eyes and suddenly she was afraid of her decision. ‘Am I doing the right thing? Can I give up my baby?’



Chapter 15 - Rated R




Belle sat quietly looking out of the window of her new house. Shawn had surprised her when she came home from the hospital with the news of their first home. She couldn’t help but be depressed over the four bedroom house that held one nursery, when deep down inside, she wanted it to have two. Shaking away the tears she wondered how she could miss a baby so much when it had been conceived as a result of a rape.

“Belle are you coming downstairs?” Shawn asked poking his head into the room. “Everyone’s here and Aimee’s going to throw a fit if someone doesn’t move that cake closer to her.”

“I’m coming.” Belle said slowly rising from her window seat and tossing the teddy bear onto the bed. Shannen and Simon had given Belle a teddy bear named Autumn before they boarded the plane for Colorado with the baby. They told her that fall was the nicest season on their farm and she was the nicest person they’d ever met. With that they boarded the aircraft with the baby, the baby Belle had never even held.

“You’re still thinking of her aren’t you?” Shawn asked as he noticed the depressed look on her face. He’d caught her crying in the weeks since the baby arrived and he didn’t know what to do for her. “I know it hurts honey. But this is for the best.”

“I know.” Belle said wiping away a stubborn tear, one that just didn’t want to obey her. “I know it is. Now it’s just you me and Aimee. But I can’t help but wonder if I did the right thing. I mean, she was a part of me too.” She balled up her fists and leaned against her chest. “Why couldn’t she have been yours? Why?”

“Shhh….” Shawn said holding her as tight as he could. Everyone had warned him that this would happen, and he was ready for it. “I know you wanted the baby to be mine, I did too. But that’s not what happened and there’s nothing we can do now but move forward. You have surgery in three weeks and then it’s a new beginning for us.”

“I know.” Belle said straightening up and composing herself. “I will stop crying Shawn. I won’t be like this forever. I just wish I could stop right now. I feel like I’d spiraling out of control on a rollercoaster.”

“It’s normal for you to feel like this.” Shawn insisted lifting her face so she could look into his eyes. “It’s ok for you to feel like this until you feel like you can’t control the things you do. Can you control the thing that you do?”

“Most of the time.” Belle said swallowing hard. She knew that he’d been talking to their mothers and Dr. Bader, but she had no idea that he could calm her like this. “I just feel like I can’t control my tears.”

“That’s ok.” Shawn said kissing her nose and rubbing his against it. “I love you. That’s what I want you to concentrate on. That and Aimee.”

“Ok.” Belle said pushing her hair out of her eyes. A squeal followed by Hope’s voice echoed through the quiet bedroom. “I think she has my sweet tooth.”

“I think you’re right.” Shawn said leading her from the room and guiding her down the stairs. “Now, let’s celebrate with our daughter and make sure she knows how much we love her. Think you can do that?”

“I know I can.” Belle said fingering the chain and pendant that hung around her neck and smiling. “Let’s do it.”

***

“Belle, are you in there?” Shawn asked tapping lightly on the bathroom door. He’d come home from work to find the house quite and Aimee gone. “Belle?”

“I’ll be out in a minute.” Belle called from the tub. She’d spent the past two hours in the warm water and she hated to get out. Rex’s trial began the following morning and she wasn’t sure if she could handle it. The tub was her way of relaxing. “How was work?”

“Boring.” Shawn called back as he undid his tie and tossed it into a corner. “I had a slow day. I wish that I’d get some cases that involved me using my brain. I did see Kasey today though. She had her first surgery two days ago. She looks great, in pain, but great. She said to say hi.”

“I’ll have to go over and see her.” Belle said pulling the plug on the tub and climbing out. “Your grandparents took Aimee for a few days. They said that with the trial starting tomorrow we’d probably have enough on our hands with out her around.”

“They’re probably right.” Shawn said unbuttoning his shirt and moving to search for something more comfortable. “How are you holding up? Are you sure you’re ready?” Her post partum depression had finally passed and now the trial was pressing down upon her.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Belle said wrapping a large towel around her body and spritzing body mist on her arms and neck. She glanced in the mirror and frowned at the pale skin of her cheek. Her scar looked so good she feared what the jury would say the next day when they saw it. “Are you ready?”

“I’m just going to sit there and do nothing with Mom and Dad.” Shawn said grabbing a pair of sweats and turning back towards the bed. He stopped short at the sight of a nearly naked Belle sitting on the bed frowning. “Wow.”

“Wow what?” Belle asked looking up at him with a puzzled expression. She reached for a brush and pulled her hair out of the bun she’d put it in.

“I haven’t seen you in that little clothing since the last time we made love.” Shawn said trying to keep his body under control. He found himself aching for her at night and when she wasn’t around, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could control himself. “That’s what’s wow.”

“Oh.” Belle said realizing she was still in her towel. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking when I came out. If you could hand me my robe from behind you I’ll put that on.”

“Here you go.” Shawn said as they each stepped forward until they were only a foot or so apart. “You still wear vanilla.”

“I always have.” Belle said swallowing hard. His unbuttoned shirt showed his defined chest and she took a shaky breath. His body was doing things to her that she’d forgotten about, and it scared her. “I…”

Shawn didn’t give her a chance to speak. He crashed his lips down on top of hers, and pulled her gently against his chest. It had been too long since they’d kissed like this, since that night she’d had her nightmare and bit his neck. “Isabella.” He whispered breathlessly against her lips. “I need you.”

“I…” Belle said looking up into his eyes. The coca colored depths were begging for her and her body was yelling at her to go to him. She pressed her lips against his, knowing that if she got scared he’d stop.

Shawn lifted her from the floor and carried her to the bed. Gently he laid her back against the white comforter, careful not to hurt her or move too fast. He didn’t know what was happening to him, but he couldn’t control his need for her. It was like an animal had replaced his entire body and he fought to keep his touch gentle. “You are so beautiful.” He whispered bringing his lips to kiss her neck. Slowly he trailed down the visible skin, pushing the robe away as he went along.

Belle fought to keep her senses straight as Shawn’s touch became more needing and less loving. ‘I know it’s him touching me, I can calm down, I have to.’ She turned her head to the side to allow him easier access to her skin. She shivered as he gently spread the robe open and gently brought his lips to the newly exposed skin.

Shawn looked up at her closed eyes and wondered what she was thinking. He was trying so hard not to strip down and plunge inside her. “Belle, what are you thinking about?”

Belle forced herself not to cry as he asked her that question. All she could think about was Rex. She moaned shakily and hoped that he’d understand and stop. She couldn’t tell him not to touch her like that, it would tear him apart.

Shawn smiled at her moan. So far he’d only explored her breasts, gently kneading the soft flesh and nibbling on the peaked nipples. Taking the noise as approvial he kissed his way down to her navel before slowly inserting one finger inside her waiting core. Her body clamped down around him and he wished that it was his arousal and not his finger. “Oh Belle.”

“No!” Belle screamed bolting upright and pulling away from him. “No, no, no.”

Shawn jumped back from the bed at her reaction, not understanding what had happened. “Belle, what is it?” He asked reaching out to touch her cheek. “Belle…”

“No, please don’t.” Belle sobbed as her body seared with phantom pain. Memories of the brutal sexual attention Rex had given her flooded her mind and she screamed again. “No, please don’t hurt me again.”

Shawn knew exactly what had happened now. “Oh Isabella I’m sorry.” He said reaching out for her again. He eased her into his arms and held her as she cried in pain. He’d forgotten about the way he’d abused Belle, forcing objects inside her body, and he felt terrible over it. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t let him hurt me.” Belle sobbed into his bare chest. Pain flowed through her system making all of her ache. “Please don’t let him.”

“It was me Belle, I was the one who just did it.” Shawn said feeling like he had to make her understand that he’d been the one in the room. “Isabella look at me. I was the one who just went inside of your body, and it was only my finger. Look, there is nothing else around that could have done it. I’m so sorry.”

Belle gasped at the realization of what happened. “Oh.” She whispered backing away from him. Again she’d over reacted at a touch, and she’d hurt their relationship at the same time. “I thought he was doing it again.”

“I know you did.” Shawn said reaching for her. “Don’t walk away form me Belle. If you walk away, he wins and you lose. Do you want him to win?” He opened his arms, deciding to let her come to him.

“No.” Belle said resting her head against his chest and sighing. “I really thought it was him. I always think it’s him!” She groaned as her legs started to shake, threatening to collapse her. “Why can’t I feel you?”

“Because you’re overcome with memories.” Shawn replied gently pushing her down onto the bed. “Come on, get into your bed clothes and we’ll cuddle. I’m sorry, I should have used better judgment and not tried to get you into bed. You’re not ready, and I understand that, I just miss you.”

Belle’s heart went out to him at the sound of his voice. “I miss you too.” She whispered as he moved to grab her gown. “It’s not that I don’t want you Shawn. I do, God, I want to feel you inside me again and I want us to be happy. But the things that he did to me are impossible to forget! I hate him! I want us to be able to make love all night long, but how can that happen if you can’t even touch me intimately and I freak out?”

“Time.” Shawn said helping her dress and climb under the covers. The air was warm, but he felt cold all over. Her rejection had cut him deep, and he wondered if there would be a time when it could be Shawn and Belle again, and not have Rex lurking in the shadows. “Time will heal you, and it will bring us closer together. Don’t worry,” he said climbing in next to her and pulling her warm body close to his, “we will be ok again. I promise you, I will never hurt you and I will always make sure no one can hurt you.”

“Thank you.” Belle said pulling away from him and rolling over. She loved to rest her head on his chest as they slept and tonight would be no different. “Will I know when time has healed me enough to be with you again? I mean, I thought I would be ok as long as I concentrated on you, and look what happened. Can I tell the difference?”

“Yes.” Shawn said kissing her nose, making her smile. “You will know and when that time comes, I’ll be here. I don’t care if it’s five hours from now, or five years, we will be lovers again.” He rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed, ‘please don’t let it be five years, I don’t think I could bear it.’



Chapter 16

Belle sat nervously in the quiet court room wringing her hands in her lap. The past two weeks had been extremely difficult on her and she just wanted it to be over. The defense lawyer had tried to make her look like a bad wife, and mother, saying things like she’d been cheating on her husband and that she attacked him first. Sighing she dropped her head and leaned on her hands.

“How are you holding up?”

Belle’s head whirled around and she nearly screamed. Her father was sitting behind her where Shawn should be sitting, and evil grin on his face. “You’re not supposed to be here.” She said moving her chair as far away from him as she could possibly get it.

“I’m not here for you Isabella.” John said sneering at her. “I’m here for Rex. I don’t think that things were as bad as you made them seem and I don’t think he should have to go to jail. You were a slut and a bitch, I don’t blame him for hitting you. Furthermore, it’s not his fault that the stove flared up and you were burned, and I’ll support that testimony.”

“Get away from me before I draw attention to your threats.” Belle said calmly hoping that her family would hurry up and get there. “I don’t think the media would be favorable if they found out the things you’ve been saying to me. I’ve said it before and it’s not an idle threat; I will strike hard if you ruin this trial. Basic Black was entitled to me, and I will make sure I get it if Rex gets off.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” John hissed watching over his shoulder for the news crew that was sitting at the back of the room waiting to watch and report on the trial. “You have no grounds or proof.”

“I do and I would.” Belle said reaching into her pocket and pulling out a tape recorder. “Mickey thought it would be best if I kept a recorder on me at all times during the trial in case someone says something to me that shouldn’t be said. In this care, I have the proof I need to say that you are withholding information, you know he hit me, and that he hit mom too. There is nothing you can do now other than leave.”

Shawn’s temper raged when he stepped into the courtroom and saw John talking to Belle. They had taken a restraining order out against him and so far it had been working. “Dad, look over there.” He said nudging his father who was talking with Marlena.

“Oh shit.” Bo said seeing what Shawn pointed out to him. “He’s not supposed to even be here it breaks the restraining order.” He balled up hands into fists but stopped when he watched closer. “Look at that. She’s got him lined up good now. She that tape recorder in her hand, what ever he said she got on tape and it looks like she’s threatening him with it.”

“That’s my girl.” Marlena said grinning at her calm daughter and her obviously angry ex husband. “Let’s go over before she goes too far.”

“Fine.”

Belle smiled triumphantly as her father got up and stalked out of the court room. She’d done it, she’d stood up against him and won. Discretely she slipped the recorder back into her pocket and leaned back in her chair. ‘Mickey will be so proud of me.’

“Hey.” Shawn said taking his seat and kissing her neck from behind. “We saw what happened, are you ok?”

“I’m fine.” Belle said smiling at him. “He was throwing out words and I got everyone of them on tape. Let me tell you, one slip up from him and I’ll own Basic Black before he can blink.”

“You’ve a little more confident.” Shawn said with a laugh. “What does Mickey have ready for today? He’s thrown out a few curveballs for us in the past few days and I’m not sure that I can take any more.”

“There is one more.” Belle said looking down at her lap. She still had one secret that she had kept from Shawn, one that was going to win this for her, and ruin it for her at the same time. “But I can’t tell you. You’ll find out, just promise that you won’t blame me.”

“Blame you for what?” Shawn asked as the courtroom erupted in a buzz of conversation.

“All rise for the honorable judge Broe.”

“Promise me Shawn.” Belle pleaded over her shoulder.

“Ok.” Shawn said as the proceedings started. “I promise.”

***

“Miss. Black can you explain why you didn’t feel happy in your marriage?”

Belle inwardly groaned at the question. It had been asked three times that day and more in the past week. “I was forced into my marriage to Rex. I was in love with Shawn Brady and we were having a child together.” She said feeling weary. “I was taken from the hospital directly to a small farm about 9 hours away. I got there and was told that I was married to Rex Brady. There was no ceremony, only a signed piece of paper, a paper I did not sign.”

“You did not sign your marriage license? But your handwriting is on it.”

“I do not remember signing it.” Belle said biting her lip again. “I could have signed it in a drugged state, or it could be a forgery. My father is an ex ISA agent and he had connections to do all sorts of things.”

“Why didn’t you leave your husband and return back to Salem?”

“The first morning I spent in the house with Rex I refused to bear his children and he broke my arm.” Belle explained knowing what the questions were leading up to. “Then he beat me every day from them on. There were days I couldn’t even make it to the kitchen to cook for him I was so battered.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the pain. “And we only had one key for the truck, and he had it all the time.”

“Miss Black, when did you start cheating on your husband?”

“I never cheated on him.” Belle said raising her chin slightly. “What you are referring to Mr. Palmer were tapes of me performing various sexual acts with other men. Those tapes were made my Rex and I was forced to do those things. I would never sleep with another man other that the father of my baby, Shawn. I never even willingly had intercourse with Rex, I was raped.”

“Do you have proof that you didn’t perform those acts willingly?”

“I do your honor.” Mickey said standing up with a tape in his hand. “I’d like to show this to the jury.”

“Proceed Mr. Horton.” Judge Broe said silencing the defense.

Belle locked eyes on Shawn’s face as the tape was placed in the machine and started. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he watched her beaten and forced to perform many disgusting acts on various men. He looked like he was ready to vomit when she was tied down and the objects she had told him about were used on her bleeding body. The tape was a backstage type video and it showed Rex filming and directing her to do things.

“Enough Mr. Horton.” Judge Broe said noticing some of the jury turning green at the screen’s images. “Thank you. Mr. Palmer, do you have any more questions?”

“No your honor.”

“I would like to present the jury with some photo’s if I may your honor.” Mickey said pulling and evidence envelope off a near by table. “These were taken the day that Belle was admitted to University hospital. Her face as you can see wasn’t treated for the burns and had become green with infection. Also, her ribs and torso are bruised and battered. Now, it was stated that she had been burned in a flash fire from the stove. But doctors have explained that the flames would have burned her hair as well as her skin, and her hair was perfectly intact. Isabella Brady was not harmed on any account of her own, she was abused by her husband. Marlena Evans was also victim of Mr. Brady’s violence as this picture of her face shows bruising. I plead with you to convict Mr. Brady of attempted murder, because with out treatment, Miss. Black would have died of her infection. Thank you.”

“Carson?”

“Nothing your honor.”

“Jury you are dismissed until your decision has been reached. Court will resume at ten o’clock tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”

Shawn watched in disgust as Rex was led from the room a smile on his face. ‘Smile you bastard, because if you’re released it the last one you’ll ever give to Belle. I’ll kill you before you ever get to see her again.’



Chapter 17

Belle sobbed as she threw her tired body down onto the soft bed that she shared with Shawn. He had refused to come home with her insisting that he had things to do at the office. Now she was alone in the huge house and she felt like she’d lost him. “Oh Shawn!” She cried reaching for the teddy bear that never left her pillow. Autumn had been her rock for the past few weeks along with Shawn, but seemed quite useless on it’s own.

“Belle?” Shawn asked as he crept into the bedroom holding a dozen roses in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. He quickly discarded the items and crossed to her. “Honey what’s wrong?”

Belle threw herself into his arms when she realized it was him talking to her. “Oh Shawn, I thought you were gone!” She sobbed into his shoulder. She felt like she was out of control again and wasn’t sure what to do to stop it. “I thought you were going to leave me.”

“Why would I leave you.” Shawn asked cradling her on his lap and sitting down on the edge of the bed. He hadn’t seen her cry since her baby blues had disappeared and he worried that maybe they were coming back again.

“Because of what he made me do.” Belle choked out through her sobs. “I didn’t want to do those things, I really didn’t.” She buried her face in his chest and held on to him for dear life.

“I know you didn’t mean to do them.” Shawn said smoothing her hair and kissing her hair softly. “I saw the tape Belle, I saw what he made you do. I know you too well to think that you would do things like that if you weren’t being forced to. I love you.”

“You don’t hate me?” Belle asked with a hiccup. “I was afraid you’d think I was a whore or a pervert because of what I did.”

“Shhh….” Shawn said sitting her up and making her look at him. “You were forced to perform those acts and I know you didn’t want to do them, I could see it in your eyes. It was like you were hiding behind your skin, keeping your soul safe from him and those men. I am sorry Isabella, I should have looked harder for you and brought you back from him.”

“I was hiding from them.” Belle said touching his cheek with her hand and holding his face. “I never wanted to sleep with anyone other than you, I love you and no one else. I just wish that…”

“Don’t.” Shawn said not wanting to know what she was about to say.

“I have to.” Belle said fighting tears. “I didn’t want to have sex with those men, because Shawn, I had sex with each and every one of them. They did things to me that I only heard about from Phillip or Brady, things that were straight out of a porno video. It’s not only what Rex did to me that makes me afraid, it the other things that I did.”

“I don’t care what you did, I only care about you.” Shawn said holding her close to his chest and rocking her slightly. “But you don’t have to be afraid of me Belle, I would never hurt you. You asked me to stop that night and I did. I didn’t ask questions, I didn’t wait to see if you were serious, I backed away and dressed.”

“I know.” Belle said blushing at the thought of him naked before her. She had wanted him so bad, but as soon as his arousal reached it’s peak, she’d panicked and had to stop. “I know you stopped, and I’m so glad you did. But I’m not sure if I’ll ever be the same again. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to have you touch me.”

“You will someday.” Shawn said helping her to her feet and smiling at her. “I brought you something but they might be a little crushed since I tossed them on the dresser when I saw you crying.” He handed her the roses and grinned sheepishly. “I thought we’d celebrate the victory that you’re sure to get tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you.” Belle said burring her nose in the fragrant blooms. “I guess I over reacted to your wanting to go to the office. I wanted you home because I was afraid of what I’d do if I started to think of what happened.”

“What do you mean you were afraid of what you’d do?” Shawn asked watching her try to hide behind the flowers. “Belle…”

“I tried to kill myself Shawn.” Belle blurted hiding her entire face from him. “Right after I was raped I tried to kill myself. But he caught me and all he did was throw it in my face. I wanted to die Shawn, it was a better alternative than living with him!”

Shawn was speechless at her words. “Isabella no.” He said pulling her back into his arms. “Never think of doing that again, I love you.” He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly. “Please don’t ever consider that again, Aimee needs you too much.”

“I don’t think I could really do it.” Belle said feeling numb all over. She’d decided that Shawn would never know about her feelings of suicide, they would only freak him out. “But I’ve considered it many times since then. I can’t control them, I just make sure I hide anything sharp.”

Shawn’s hands moved to her arms at the word sharp. Slowly, he moved to unfasten her watch allowing it to drop to the floor. Turning her arm over, he cried at the red scar that ran along the area the band would have covered. “Oh God.” He whispered bringing her arm to his lips and pressing his lips into the skin. It was as if he was trying to make the mark go away by showing it that someone loved her.

“I’m sorry.” Belle said trying to pull her arm away from his grasp. She was embarrassed by her actions and thought that maybe she’d see about having it removed when she had her surgery. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t.” Shawn said dropping her hand and reaching for his own watch. He slipped it off his arm and turned it over to show her something. A red scar ran along the same area of her own on the same hand, the left one. “I was a coward too, and I almost took Aimee with me.”



Chapter 18

Belle sat alone in the bedroom. Shawn had fled the room after his confession and she didn’t know what to make of what he had said. ‘And I almost took Aimee with me.’ Echoed through her head, vibrating off the insides of her brain. “What did he mean by that?” She asked the empty room. She was unsure if he was saying that he almost murdered her first or if he mistakenly dropped her.

“I was on the boat.” Shawn said as he reappeared in the door way. His hair was ruffled from him running his fingers through it one too many times and his eyes were red from crying. “I was on the boat with her at the end of June and I couldn’t take it any more. I reached for my knife and cut my arm. I didn’t even remember that she was in cabin until I was ready to pass out, an hour or so later.”

“So she would have drifted until the boat was found.” Belle said finishing off the story for herself. “Oh Shawn, how could you? It’s one thing for one of us to end it, but to endanger her is going too far.”

“I know.” Shawn said moving to join her on the window seat. The stars were shining brightly and it was ironic that the mood in the room was so dim. “I know, and I realized it before I was too far gone. I pulled myself to the radio and called for help. I told them that something had broken loose and I was hurt. To this day it’s all my parents know. They don’t know what I did.”

“You lied to them?” Belle asked wondering what else they were hiding from each other. She knew that she only had little secrets like some of the people she’d been forced to sleep with. “Shawn, that’s not like you.”

“I know it’s not.” Shawn said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back against her chest. “But can you imagine the things that they would have done if I told them. I would have probably lost Aimee, they would have had my rights reduced. I couldn’t do that Belle, I couldn’t lose her. It was her that saved me from myself, I couldn’t let someone take her from me. So I lied.”

“What made you want to end it?” Belle asked feeling safe in his arms. “I mean, what made you snap?”

“Do you remember when we went on the boat the summer you got pregnant?” Shawn asked playing with a strand of her hair. “We were sailing out into the ocean when you yelled that you could see porpoises and whales. You were thrilled and speechless over what you were seeing. Well, I was sailing, Aimee was asleep, when I saw them. Glistening grey bodies under the surface. I snapped, I remembered what you had thought of them and I realized that you were never coming back and I couldn’t deal with that.”

“I saw a shooting star the night I did it.” Belle said watching the twinkling stars above them. “The first time I saw a shooting star I was with you. I remembered wishing that we’d be together forever and I realized that it was over for us. I didn’t want that, and after what Rex had done to me the night before I didn’t want to live like that. So I went in the shower and used my razor.”

“We’re quite a pair.” Shawn said remembering the shooting star that he’d seen that night as he lay dying on the deck of his fathers’ boat and wondered if by chance they had done it at the same time. “Belle, do you remember the date of that night?”

“Yeah, it was August the twenty first.” Belle replied sighing. “Why?”

“It was the same night for me.” Shawn said looking up and watching as a large bright streak slid across the sky. “Did you see that?” He asked wondering if this meant they were getting a second chance.

“Yeah I did.” Belle said with a smile. “Do you thing that maybe we’re going to be ok now? I mean, unless you have more secrets from me that is.” She snuggled deep into his embrace and started to feel tired.

“No, I don’t think there are any more.” Shawn said searching his memories for tidbits of secrets that he might have forgotten. Only one came to mind, one he had forgotten about. “Brady and I got ourselves into trouble one night though. We went to a club, yes I know I was underage, but we ended up doing some drugs. I don't remember anything from that night, except being with a girl. I'm sorry, I wasn't faithful to you like I said I was. I'm sorry.”

“You didn't do it just for the fun of it.” Belle said with a small smile. “You said you were on drugs, that's different. I don't condone what you did, but there is nothing we can do to change that now. Did you ever hear back from the girl? Did she ever contact you?”

“No I never did.” Shawn said wondering what would have happened if she'd ever come back into his life. He sighed pressing feather light kisses to her temple. It was nice to just sit there and hold her, not having to worry about the complications of sex. “I don't know what came over me that night, all I know is a guy offered me the girl of my life while I was in the club and I accepted in a moment of weekness. I don't remember much after that, no details or anything like that. If I did, I'd tell you.”<br />

"I know you would." Belle said snuggling into his chest. "I figured you'd have been celebrating the birth of your daughter in that time."

"I was too busy mourning the loss of you." Shawn said as he continued to place the soft kisses on her warm skin. "I felt like you died, even thought I could still feel you. If you weren’t with me you were dead, and I hated your father for that."

“I hate him too.” Belle said shivering from the kisses. “I didn’t understand at first why he did it. Now I understand because I’m not listed as Aimee’s mother on the certificate. Did you know that my name is not on it?”

“It’s not?” Shawn asked slipping out from behind her and moving to the security box that he kept under the bed. He’d never bothered to look at Aimee’s birth certificate, he just put it in the box when it arrived. Ripping open the envelope he slumped down at the word UNKNOWN typed on the paper. “How could he do this?”

“It’s listed there now Shawn.” Belle said pulling her knees up and resting her chin on them. “Mom checked it for me and found out what he had done. She marched me over to have it fixed before you found out. I am legally Aimee’s mother and that’s all that matters now. We should soon get a new paper in the mail, they told me 15 months and that will be up on Tuesday.”

“So there is no way for your father to say she’s not yours?” Shawn asked slipping in behind her again and leaning against her back. “Then we’re set. Your father can’t hurt us anymore. Unless he has one of those tapes then he’ll never be able to hurt us again.”

“Shawn, there are about ten men who have those tapes.” Belle said turning her head to look at them. “Rex sent each one of them a tape once he was done editing it. I had to name them to Mickey so they could be charged with rape or assault. One man is charged for child pornography. I don’t even want to think about them.”

“Then don’t.” Shawn said picking her up and walking to the bathroom. “Take a long bath and I’ll find us something to eat. You’ll feel relaxed and I’ll know you’re ok.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Belle said as she started to close the door. “And I think it’s time that we talk about what lies ahead of us now and not what’s in the past. After tomorrow there is nothing keeping us from getting what we want, and I intend on taking complete advantage of it.”



Chapter 19

Shawn let out a whoop as he and Belle made their way into the pub. His entire family had gathered to celebrate the win or rant about the loss that happened in the court that morning. “We did it!” He hollered to the waiting Brady’s. “Attempted murder, abuse and sexual assault! The whole lot!”

Cheers erupted from the people crowded into the Brady pub. People hugged each other, and the hugged Belle, they celebrated the win the only way the Brady’s knew how. They enjoyed Caroline’s superb cooking and threw back Shawn Sr’s drinks like there was no tomorrow.

“Can I have your attention!” Bo Brady called through the room. He wasn’t one to command attention, but there were things that had to be said before everyone went home for the night. “Thank you all for being here to help Belle celebrate justice. I can tell by the dazed look on her face that she has been enjoying herself.” He laughed heartily at the flush that crossed her face and reassured her, “don’t worry honey, we’re taking Aimee, enjoy your drink.” He turned his attention back to his family. “Belle won her case, and now we hope to put her past behind her. We have been calling her Belle Black for a year now, but it recently came to my attention that her name was never legally changed back to her maiden one. Not that I don’t want her to be a Brady, it’s just the wrong one for her. So I’d like to present Belle with her annulment papers, they finally came through and all I need is for her to sign them.”

Belle smiled as she stepped forward to take the pen. She giggled at the obvious stumble in her walk and wondered if she’d be able to hold her pen. “Bo, I don’t know if I can write.” She whispered as she took the pen in her hand and watched it shake.<br />

“Just think of what happens as soon as Mickey sends those in tomorrow.” Bo said laughing at the drunken girl. “Seems Belle here has had too many drinks to sign her name. Not hard to tell she just turned twenty one is it?”

“Shhh…” Belle said not wanting to be made fun of. She pursed her lips and flawlessly added her script to the page. “There, make fun of me will you.”

“Ladies it’s official, the next time we call her Mrs. Brady she better be married to my son!” Bo called as the room erupted in cheers and drunken hollers. “I mean it too Belle, I do want you to be a Brady. I need a daughter around more often.”

“Don’t worry dad, she’ll be a Brady soon enough.” Shawn said kissing her flushed cheek. “But I do think she’s had enough to drink now. I want her to be able to walk to the car in a little bit.”

“I can walk just fine Mr. Brady.” Belle said turning to storm away from him and screeched when she flopped to the floor. “Ok, no more for me.”

Shawn laughed as he reached down to help her to her feet. “Good choice. You need practice before you can drink that much you know.” He kissed her firmly and wrapped a supportive arm around her. “But I think we should head home now. You have your consult tomorrow morning and I don’t need you to have a hangover when they take those pictures.”

“Oh I forgot about that.” Belle said smiling. Rex’s trial had dragged out over four months so her surgery had to be postponed until the start of November. “Yeah I agree. I could use a shower and a good night’s sleep.”

“Let’s sneak out so they wonder where we went.” Shawn suggested pulling her towards the kitchen. “Leave them hanging instead of they doing it to us.”

“Can you drive?” Belle asked concerned that he had been drinking like she had. “I mean, did you drink at all?”

“I had a drink at 6 o’clock, I’m ok to drive.” Shawn said noting that it was well past midnight. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t even consider driving if I was intoxicated, I’m smarter that that.”

“I know you are.” Belle said climbing into the car and doing up her seatbelt. “I’m sorry, I guess I need more to drink before I start to get careless.”

“That’s good to hear.” Shawn said starting the car and quickly leaving the parking lot. He wanted to make sure she got a full night’s sleep so she felt good in the morning. “I remember the first night I drank like that. You don’t, you slept through it. I went out with Brady and he got me trashed, I came home and threw up so many times, I don’t know how you slept through it! Mom brought me water and a towel and dad gave me a lecture on drinking responsibly.”

“I didn’t have that much to drink.” Belle said leaning back and closing her eyes. She felt sleepy and wondered if it was normal. “But I am tired. I wonder if you’re supposed to be tired, or if I’m just exhausted after the trial.”

“Probably.” Shawn said pulling into their driveway. It was nice to be so close to the center of the town, yet having a huge backyard for Aimee. “But you’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”

“I hope so.” Belle said noticing a sharp pain in her head. “Ugh.. .I thought the headache was supposed to come the day after you drink?”

Shawn laughed at her comment. “Belle Black, you’re a nut.” He said helping her out of the car and kissing her softly. “Go take something for your head and get into bed. Don’t worry about mixing the drugs with the alcohol, it’ ok, I’ll be around.”

“Thank you.” Belle said turning to the house and letting herself inside. She could smell fresh roses and spotted a vase full of them on the table. “Oh, are those from you?”

“No.” Shawn said shaking his head at her. “I had planned on getting them tomorrow after your appointment.” He pulled her back and checked out the flowers. They looked innocent enough and he gently reached into the blooms to retrieve the card. As his fingers closed around the card he howled in pain and quickly withdrew his hand. Blood seeped from a deep cut on the back of his right hand and he wrapped it in a towel that had been lying on the table from dinner. “Shit.”

“Shawn.” Belle said rushing forward to check his hand. “What is in there.”

Shawn quickly dumped out the flowers sending water everywhere. Tied tightly to the center rose was a hunting knife. Grabbing the card he quickly scanned the paper. “Shit.” He cursed heading into the kitchen for a garbage can. “Belle, I want you to put these in the garbage and stay here. There is a gun the top drawer of my desk, go get it.”

“Shawn, what is going on?” Belle asked as she watched him tie the towel tightly around his hand and grab a second gun off the top of the China cabinet. “Shawn?”

“Shhh..” Shawn said placing his fingers on her lips. “I want you to go get the gun and wait here. If anyone comes you can shoot in self defense. Don’t say a word and hide as soon as the roses are in the can.” He kissed her nose before turning and silently creeping up the stairs. He moved like a cat making no noise, checking out all the hiding spots in the house.

Gently he pushed open the nursery door and gasped. The perfect room for their little girl has been destroyed. The bed had been slashed repeatedly, teddy bears were decapitated and thrown around the room, the lamp was broken and the window was wide open. “Oh.” He said spotting a huge handle sticking out of the bed, right where Aimee would have been if she was home. “Fuck.” He slammed the window and locked it before running back down to Belle.

“Shawn?” Belle whispered as she heard someone come into the room. She’d slipped into the closet in the living room, gun in hand. “Is that you?”

“Come out.” Shawn said slamming his gun down and running his fingers through his hair. “Someone’s been her. No, your father has been here. The roses were from him. He’s royally pissed off over something Belle. Aimee’s room has been destroyed and if she’d been in bed she’d be dead.”

Belle burst into tears and threw herself down on the couch. “I knew I should have kept my mouth shut about all this.” She sobbed curling herself into a tight ball and hiding her face. “He took Rex’s side and now he’s coming after us.”

“No he’s not.” Shawn said quickly setting the motion sensor that protected the house. “No, I won’t let him hurt you again. Come on, the house is empty now, let’s go to bed. I’ll lock the door and window so nothing can get in or out, ok?”

“I’m scared Shawn.” Belle said as he picked her up and cradled her against his chest. “I’m so scared.”

“Don’t be.” Shawn said kissing her forehead and heading up the stairs. His hand was throbbing and he wondered if there had been something on the knife that could make him sick. “I’ here, and I’ll be dammed if anyone will hurt you. I won’t let them Belle, I won’t.”