Love My Pain (Cape Falls Book 6)(35)

“It’s okay to hate them. They weren’t there for you.” He pulled her back against him, and pressed a kiss to her neck.

“I thought I deserved their lack of love, Edward. That I had done something wrong, and that I had fucked up all this time, but I hadn’t. I hadn’t messed up, and I was good. I did everything for them.”

“It’s their loss, baby. Completely their loss, and it’s my gain. You’re strong, baby. You’re not weak.” He wrapped his arms around her waist.

“They were the ones that were weak,” she said.

“Yes, Isabel. You were the strong one. There are not many people who could have done what you did. You were the one that handled shit even when you weren’t supposed to.” He kissed her head and held her close, refusing to let go. “This is how I know you’re going to be an amazing mother. You love fiercely. You love your sister, and you did everything you could to protect her. That doesn’t make you weak, that makes you strong. You’re a strong woman, Isabel. You’ve just got to realize it in here.”

Silence fell in the small trailer. From the memories that Sophie had told him, and what he knew of Isabel’s past, he could see them both as kids messing around.

There were not any photographs of them as kids, but he was able to imagine a cute little girl, playing all by herself until her sister came along.

Isabel spun in his arms and wrapped hers around his neck. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

He grabbed her ass and pressed her against his cock.

“You’re very welcome. I hope it helps you to see what I see every time I look at you.”

“Yeah, it does. I really do love you, Edward.”

“Good,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I’m not letting you go.”

“I don’t want to be let go.” She sighed. “Sophie called me.”

“She did.”

“She said you’re being a poo-poo head.”

“She wants to turn my house into Santa’s grotto with presents and stuff. Who is going to clean that up when she goes back to college?”

“I will. I’ll clean it up. Please, can we go all out this year? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I will do everything.”

He sighed. “It’s still a couple of months away.”

“I know, but I want her to have this one Christmas. Please.”

He rolled his eyes. “I think you already know that I’m a sucker for you. All you ever need to do is ask, and I will give.”

“Good, can we please leave now? I don’t want to be here another minute.”

“With pleasure.” Edward took her hand, and led her back out toward his car. He had hoped to give Isabel another feeling when it came to how she viewed her life growing up. Everything he had heard, he had known she was a strong woman. A woman who clearly didn’t see her own worth.

He didn’t think this would be the end of their struggle. He was in constant talks with the doctor, getting advice and tips on how best to deal with each different stage. He was just really happy that they were making progress.

Reaching out, he took her hand, locking their fingers together. They were going to get through this together.

****

“He really left?” Isabel asked.

Peter was handing her the glasses, and she was placing them on the shelf behind the bar.

“Yep. I went and checked the edge of Cape Falls. There was no sign of him. No sign of him at all. I even went by his ex, and she hadn’t seen him. Ryan decided to make the break.”

“I’m happy for him.”

“What about you? Are you thinking of heading out?”

She shook her head. “No. Cape Falls is my home. If Edward wants to leave, I’ll go with him.” It had been a couple of weeks since he had taken her back to the trailer park where she had grown up.

Isabel didn’t know exactly what had happened. All she knew was she felt different, stronger. Once all of the glasses were on the shelf, she picked up the box, and headed toward the back.

“You really do love him?”

“Of course. He’s amazing.” She tucked some hair behind her ear as she grabbed another case of beer, and carried it through to the main bar. Placing it on the floor, she was aware of Peter watching her. “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. It just seemed to take a long time for the two of you to get together.”

“Edward is a gentleman.” She couldn’t help but smile as she recalled the past couple of months they were together at his home. Well, not together, together, just friends. He was her best friend.

Peter snorted. “Believe me when I say that Edward is anything but a gentleman.”