“I wonder how long Drew has wanted to hit her?” I hear my mom's question as Bell takes my fist and inspects it. Everyone ignores my screaming sister, who is holding her nose.
“She hit me, I’m going to press charges!” she claims, and I snort, “Sure, but just know I have cameras all over this place, so what I did was self-defense, and it’ll be you who will be locked up!”
Elizabeth's eyes widen with fear, blood coating her hand as she holds her nose while Dad says, “I think the first time I really saw Drew wanting to hit El was when you allowed her to tear Drew’s first tutu that she had hung on her wall. El was ten, and you told her no for the first time after she wanted to go shopping because Drew had a performance. That was her retaliation, and instead of scolding her when she cried, you took her shopping and let Drew down.”
I flinch at the memory and Bell’s jaw ticks, as Mom whispers, “I really didn’t need that reminder, Joel. I’m already aware that I was a shitty mother to Drew.”
“Sorry, darling,” Dad replies before he sighs, “Elizabeth, get up!”
“She broke my nose,” my sister cries, and I roll my eyes and remind her, “And you went to break mine, stop with the double standard, Elizabeth.”
“Your sister is right, she only defended herself, and honestly, your hatred of Drew whenever she gets just a snippet of attention is fucking pathetic. You need to grow up,” Dad says, and Elizabeth gasps as she stands, her nose completely forgotten as she snaps, “Daddy!” and places her bloodied hands on her hips.
Bellamy snorts as he kisses my knuckles, and I smile up at him, causing him to smile back. He tries to wrap his arm around me, but I quickly move and admit, “I’m sweaty,” but he just shakes his head as he puts his arm around my back and holds me close.
I sigh with contentment and lay my head against his heart, where my name is, and watch as Dad finally tells his youngest some hard truths.
“You’ve been a nasty, spoiled little girl, Elizabeth,” Dad snaps while Mom stands back and allows him to finally discipline their daughter after he gives her a warning look, “You treat your sisterlike shit. You decided to screw her ex-boyfriend, who you knew wanted to hurt her, in a classroom, and who stood by you until we got to the school? The person you continued to treat like dirt, all because Drake wanted her and not you! She held your hand. She ensured you didn’t get arrested, she covered for you, time and time again, when you snuck out, and even kept you in her room when you were high!”
Elizabeth looks down in shame, but he isn’t finished, no, he decides to shock not just her but me too as he growls, “You took advantage of your mother's grief and guilt, you took advantage of the worst and best time of her fucking life after having your sister and marrying me! Did you know she lost your brother?”
I freeze before looking up, and Dad's face is full of anger while Mom's eyes tear up.
“What?” Elizabeth whispers.
“You were a twin, that is why your mother overcompensated with you. You took advantage, causing her to neglect her oldest child, who never complained. You continuously brought up that you were born early but never seemed to consider the pain you were putting your mother through if you never got your own way, and I’ve had enough!” Dad shouts the last bit, and even I flinch, not used to him getting this angry.
Bellamy growls, gaining Dad's attention, and he winces and says, “Sorry, sweetheart,” realizing his shout made me jump, and he commands gently, “You and Cage go to Dante’s with your mother, I’ll meet you there in a moment.
I swallow hard as my sister's sobs echo. I nod as Bellamy gently pulls me to where my mother is, whose tears stain her cheeks.
“Come on, Mom, I’m craving a bolognaise,” I say, and Mom lets out a watery chuckle and reminds me, “You always crave a bolognaise,” and I just shrug with a smile as I link my arm through hers and gently pull her away from the scene before me.
“That was a really good punch though, sweetheart, you’ll have to teach me how to do it,” Mom says, and I laugh while Bellamy groans, “Fucking Trick…”
***
A few hours later I bite my bottom lip as I gently run the needle along Bellamy’s chest, ensuring the outline of the rose he kindly set on his chest underneath my name, is perfect.
We’ve been here for about half an hour after spending time with my parents. After I took Mom to Dante’s when she finally settled down, she finally explained about my baby brother.
His body was malnourished. Apparently, my sister took everything in the womb, so basically, she’s always been greedy. My mom actually laughed when I joked about it, and he was buried next to my granny.
Mom struggled at first with Elizabeth. She couldn’t bond with her because she felt guilty that my brother, Ethan, had died. When she finally got that bond, she really did overcompensate. Honestly, throughout my childhood, I can’t remember one good thing about my mom, and it's sad, especially since Elizabeth knew how to play with her.
Dad joined us after half an hour and didn’t mention my sister. He asked how Trick could teach me how to punch when he was in Hill Crest, and I just laughed at the scowl Bellamy had.
Turns out he wasn’t expecting to see his friend a few days ago.
Humming from the tattoo gun echoes, and I quickly dip it for more ink.
Randomly he says, “I’m in awe of you and your kindness, your ability to forgive and I fucking love you…”
I smile softly and lean down before pressing my lips against his, giving him a soft kiss before I pull away and whisper, “I love you too, and wherever you go, Bell, I will follow.”
He nods in understanding. If he wants to go home and begin the role he trained for, then I will follow him. I’ll be by his side.
I kiss him again before I continue my work and allow the peace to wash over us while he goes back to rubbing my thighs. Everything feels right, everything but that nagging feeling that my period is definitely not coming, and true fear washes over me.
