Welcome back to the world of the Branded gang. It is now six years later and some things have definitely changed. I hope you'll follow yet another part of Bella, Edward and the gang's journey through life and you'll enjoy it as much as you enjoyed Branded.

This will be slower coming than Branded was, as I haven't finished writing it. I have taken some of your suggestions to heart and will try to make the chapters longer this time around.

Adam and Pandora are back!

So please, read, review, and share the love. The reviews from Branded were great, they made me smile and want to continue with the story, not to mention I met some wonderful new friends.

So Stephenie Meyer still owns it all. I just own a nasty fever and chills at the moment, not to mention I'm under attack by a strange swarm of mosquitoes!

"I used to say that dying was easy, living was harder. There were nights that I prayed that there would be a freak windstorm or a tornado that would come crush me under the weight of the roof and kill me. There were many times when I prayed that my abuser would slip up and I'd finally be free.

"Death was always on my mind, yet I couldn't end my life. For some reason my body kept on going; my lungs inflated and deflated rhythmically; my heart, as broken as it was, continued to beat.

"His torture was slow, painful, and soul-crushing, yet my spirit endured. I could never understand why. It seemed as if my sole purpose in life was to suffer for his enjoyment. It wasn't logical, it made no sense. I spent almost as much time hating God as I spent wishing for my death.

"The abuse started when I was fourteen. My parents died in a car accident, leaving my older brother Emmett to raise me. He had no idea that his best friend had started physically abusing me. At first, he hit me. Then he raped me.

"Emmett had no clue as to what was going on. I was good at hiding the bruises, the cuts, the burns, the broken ribs, the concussions, and the brutal sex abuse for over a year. James had not only branded me as his own, but he'd convinced me that Emmett would put me in foster care if he found out what was going on. I was young, naive, and terrified. I had already lost my parents; I couldn't lose my brother too.

"It wasn't until the night that he almost killed me that Emmett found out. He showed up at James' house, found me unconscious and reeking of bourbon. James told him that I'd shown up drunk at his house and fell down the stairs. When Em carried me out to his Jeep he found that I was bleeding from the ear. Turns out I had a life-threatening brain bleed.

"After spending weeks in hospital, the lawyers of my parents' estate felt it was in our best interest to send us to live with our godparents, Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Em and I packed up and moved from Phoenix to the tiny town of Forks, Washington. It was the best thing to ever happen to me, to us.

"There, I met a family of angels who showed me that my life had value, that I was worth saving and after a while I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. I finally had a reason to hang on, to persevere.

"The Cullens and their children Edward and Alice took us in and loved us unconditionally. They didn't think ill of me because I was broken and scarred. Whenever I had an episode, or a freak out, they stood by me. When the nightmares became too bad, someone, usually Edward, was there with me. When I gave them no reason to love me, they loved me even harder.

"Life was far from perfect. I was so traumatized by what had happened that any time I talked about the abuse or even thought about it, I would vomit. It became so bad that I damaged my vocal cords and was unable to speak for an extended period. We were all scared that no one would ever hear my voice again.

"Edward and I developed a close relationship early on, much to the chagrin of my wonderful therapist and friend Dr. Victoria Taylor. She had concerns that the abuse was too fresh and that I was attracted to the security that Edward provided. She feared that intimacy would also be an issue. I won't say that she was totally wrong; it was a struggle, but through Edward's undying patience I was able to find ways to overcome the fear and the intimacy issues. Please don't ask me to elaborate, I don't want to make him blush. I will say this: you need to trust your partner and take things into your own hands.

"Edward, honey, you have been my rock through it all and I don't think there are words to convey the gratitude and the love I have for you for all that you've done for me.

"See, there are good men and women out there and we survivors of abuse deserve to find them. We are worthy of love. We deserve happiness.

"Our abusers may have taken our innocence and our trust, but they cannot take our souls. We are all strong women and men; we have survived some terrible things and although it seems like it's not worth going on, it truly is.

"I was lucky to have all the support that I did. Some of you may not be as fortunate. Don't let it get you down. Help and support can be found in strange and wonderful places.

"When I lost my voice I turned to art therapy to help work through my issues. The paintings you see on the screen behind me are a result of my own AT sessions. Through my pain, I discovered the freedom found in painting and am now using it to help others. I began selling my pieces at the urging of my therapist and I'm proud to say that they have raised over $40,000 for various shelters and abuse programs across the United States.

"I am now teaching therapists the benefits of AT so that people who cannot speak of their pain for whatever reason can still express themselves.

"My story has a happy ending. I was saved. My abuser is dead, killed by an armed guard as he attempted to rape me one last time. The girl who wanted to die, who felt worthless and ruined is now graduating from Dartmouth with honours, still very much in love with her angel and looking forward to a long and happy life.

"Sadly, many victims of abuse won't find their happy ending. That's why I'm speaking out. If I can help even one person avoid going through what I did, then I've done my job; my suffering will not have been in vain. Please, if you are being abused or know someone is, SPEAK OUT! Suffering in silence won't make it stop. You are worth saving. We're all worth saving.

"My name is Bella Swan and I am a survivor. Thank you."

The room erupted into loud applause. Bella felt the blush creeping up her cheeks as she stared out at the auditorium filled with other survivors, family members, and therapists. The emcee came on to the stage and thanked her before dismissing the crowd.

She had been giving these talks off and on for the past four years, and each time she felt as if she was still letting go of the poison James had infected her with six years ago.

Edward waited patiently for Bella to talk to the organizers and some of the attendees before walking out on the stage to give her a hug. "You were amazing love. You're always amazing."

"Thanks," she said, tightening her hold on him.

"You're going to give me a swelled head if you don't stop calling me your angel."

"Deal with it. It's true. Let's find Emmett and Rose. I'm famished."

They located them at the back of the auditorium. Emmett grabbed her in one of his trademark bear hugs and swung her around. "Belly, you make a brother proud."

"Thanks, Em. Hi Rose," she broke off the hug with her brother to hug his gorgeous wife, who was also her best friend.

"You were great sweets. I'm so proud of you."

Bella blushed. "Come on guys, you've heard me talk a million times."

"We're still proud of you," Edward said, lacing his fingers through hers. "Shall we go to dinner?"

"Did someone say dinner? I'm so hungry I could eat a bear!" Emmett growled, "and I'm sure Rosie must be famished since she's eating for two now."

Bella's jaw dropped. "You're pregnant?"

A huge grin spread across Emmett's face as he placed his huge hands gently over Rose's belly. "Belly, you're going to be an aunt."

Too much in shock to speak, Bella stared at her sister-in-law's stomach, her mouth agape. Edward stepped forward to congratulate them.

"So, Aunt Bella, what do you think?" Rose asked quietly.

"I...I'm thrilled. Congratulations!" She threw herself at Rose and Emmett, hugging them. "Let's go celebrate."

After an exciting evening out with Em and Rose, Bella decided to take a hot bath to unwind. Edward ran it for her while she checked her e-mail.

"Edward, honey, there's been another offer made for one of my paintings," she called from the bedroom.

"That's fantastic!"

"Oh, and there's an invitation to speak at a conference."

"You're really making a name for yourself," he said as he left the bathroom to stand behind her. "Who would have ever thought that the girl so afraid to talk about the abuse she endured that she threw up every time, would become a sought-after public speaker?" he said, running his fingers through her long brown hair.

"Guess where the conference is?"

"Please say Jamaica," he laughed.

"Montréal. Polish up your French because we're going to Québec!"

"When?"

"In four weeks. Do you think you can go?"

He scrunched up his face. "Baby, I don't know. My shifts at the hospital are pretty tight this summer. I'll have to see if we can juggle the schedule a bit.

"That's all I can ask for." She tilted her head back for a kiss, which he couldn't deny giving to her.

Edward eventually pulled back. "Your bath is ready."

"Say it in French, please."

"Mademoiselle ton bain est prêt."

"Merci, Edouard," she replied, rolling the r sounds.

"God, you're sexy," he said as he captured her lips with his and kissed her hard.

"Je t'aime, Edouard."

"Go take your bath before I divert you to the bed."

Bella lowered herself slowly into the tub, savouring the heat. Edward always drew the best baths; just enough hot and cold, the perfect mix of bath salts and bubbles. It was heaven in tub form. The hot water encouraged her muscles to relax and with a big self-indulgent sigh, she submerged under the water staying there until her lungs were ready to explode.

In a brief flash, she could almost feel James' hands circling her throat and cutting off her oxygen. Panicking, she surfaced and gasped loudly. A sob came out and before she could stop it, a torrent of tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Not wanting to alert Edward to her obvious distress, she splashed around a little bit to cover the sound. Then she submerged her head into the water again and screamed; her cries were trapped in iridescent strawberry-scented bubbles. She was too afraid to pop them for fear her tormented anguish would escape loudly and betray her.

For years, Bella had fought off the memories of her abuser, James. There was no reason to fear him; he was dead and gone six years now, a lifetime ago.

Years were spent in therapy dealing with the emotional damage, months spent with medical professionals trying to ascertain any permanent physical damage.

Why was he haunting her? Had the speech she'd given re-ignited the memories? She'd given that particular talk so many times before with no flashbacks. Maybe, she thought, I should call Victoria.

Edward entered the bathroom, took off his pajama pants, and slid in behind her. "Thought you might want me to wash your hair."

"Mmm," she moaned as his fingers raked through her wet locks. "Thanks."

"My pleasure."

The smell of strawberry-scented shampoo filled her nose as her loving boyfriend began to massage it into her scalp.

"Great news from Rose and Em tonight, eh?"

Bella pulled her knees up under her chin and sighed.

"Love, are you okay?"

"Yeah, don't mind me. I'm tired and emotionally drained."

"Aren't you happy for your brother?"

"Of course I am. How could you think otherwise?" she snapped back. Instantly she felt rotten. "Baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so bitchy. I'm thrilled for them. Emmett's going to be a fantastic dad. I hope they have a girl. He needs a little girl to dote on. Rose is going to be a great mom too. She's very compassionate in a no-nonsense way. They'll play off each other well."

Edward poured water over her head to rinse the suds from her hair. Once they were gone, he massaged some conditioner on the ends then wrapped his arms around her. "Something's off, Bella. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing, I'm just tired."

Lips wrapped around her earlobe and she melted.

"So, seriously Bella, what's bothering you?"

"Mmm...nothing."

A hand moved to cup her breast. "Really, Bella, you've got to be kidding me. You're the worst liar ever." The other hand moved down her stomach, over the scars James had left behind and to the juncture between her thighs, a.k.a. Pandora.

"Ed...ward..." she groaned as a finger dragged slowly up her nether lips.

"So are you going to tell me or do I have to resort to dirty methods to get it out of you?"

A finger slipped inside and Bella came unglued. She started to cry.

"Oh my god, what's wrong? What did I do?" Edward's tone was panicked.

Huge sobs tore through her. Edward held onto her tightly and rocked her until they subsided. He stood up and grabbed a towel before helping her out of the now cool water. She shivered against him. He turned on the shower and led her into the hot water to warm her up and to rinse the conditioner out of her hair.

"Love, it's okay. We don't have to talk about it now, but if you don't want to tell me, we can call Victoria tomorrow or go see Dr. Alex. Please don't bottle anything up."

"Bed, please," she said quietly. "I just want you to hold me."

"Of course. It's one of my favourite things to do. You never have to ask."

Snuggled into Edward, Bella cried softly.

"Love, I wish I knew what was wrong so I could know what to do."

"I'm just sad. Can we leave it at that?"

"Why so sad?"

"Just am. Do I always have to have a reason?"

Edward thought about it for a moment. "No, I guess you have a point. Please just know that I'm here for you." He kissed her forehead.

"Why do you have to be so perfect?" she sniffed. "It just makes this harder."

"If I recall correctly, you weren't thinking I was so perfect this morning when I left the toilet seat up."

"Okay, you're not completely flawless but you're close."

"What's so hard?"

"Other than Adam, who is poking me in the stomach?"

Edward laughed. "Adam has a mind of his own, you know that."

Bella laughed lightly, reached down and gently stroked Edward's engorged member. "I don't know if Pandora feels like having company tonight, Adam."

"Adam will survive. So now that you've totally skirted the question, what, besides Adam, is so hard."

"Promise not to tell anyone? I feel horrible; I'm a terrible, horrible person."

"No you're not. Never, Bella."

"I'm jealous, Edward."

"Jealous of what? Of whom?"

"Emmett and Rose."

"Why would..."

Bella saw the light bulb turn on over Edward's head.

"You want a baby."

Bella began to cry again. "Yes. Yes, I want a baby and I'm feeling so sorry for myself that it's pathetic. What kind of sister am I if I can't be happy for my brother? After all he's done for me and I'm being a greedy little bitch."

"It's okay to feel like this, love. Just don't let it consume you."

"I want to have your baby, Edward."

"I told you before, a million years ago, that a baby would be gravy," Edward said, stroking her cheek, "all I want and really need is you. I can live without children as long as I have you."

"It's just not fair. Just when I think I've left James in the past, dead, something happens and I'm back to square one. I'm a big genetic dead-end phony. How can I stand on stage and talk about being a survivor when James still runs my life?"

"Don't you think for one second that you're any less of a survivor because of a small setback. Everyone has them. Let's get some sleep and we can talk about it tomorrow."

"Okay. Can you hum a few bars for me?"

"Of course."

Edward began to hum her lullaby as she drifted off in a fitful sleep.

"NOOO!"

Edward's arms wrapped around Bella protectively and held her tight. "Shh, love, it's okay."

Bella's eyes opened and Edward's heart broke. He hadn't seen pain like that in years. "What happened?"

"He was in my dream."

"You haven't dreamt of him in a long time. What was he doing?"

"Laughing. He was laughing," Bella hiccupped.

"That's it?"

She closed her eyes as if in deep concentration. "No, he was holding a baby. A boy. He had green eyes and crazy bronze hair. He looked like you."

"So he was holding a baby and laughing?"

"Then we were off on the cliff on the EOTW." Bella sighed sadly.

"So he was standing on the cliff on the Edge of the World with a baby." Edward wished James would stop appearing in dreams involving his and Bella's special place. "Then what?"

Bella buried her face in Edward's bare chest and cried as if her heart was shattering. When she composed herself enough she spoke again. "He looked at me, laughed again, and said that he won because he took something of mine away, then he dropped the baby off the cliff."

"It's okay, love. It's all symbolic. It's just your subconscious rehashing what we already know; that James may have taken away your chance to have a 'baby Edward.' It doesn't mean that we can't still have children. We can adopt.

"Baby, it may have happened on the Edge of the World but it's not the end of the world. We'll get through this."

Bella hugged him and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't sleep and it's not fair to you. I'm going to hang out in the studio for a bit."

"Love, it's three in the morning. Graduation is in two days. You need to rest."

"I'll be fine, Edward. You have a lot of work to do. Please sleep. I'll nap tomorrow."

"Fine. I love you, Bella."

"I love you more, Edward."

The studio had become Bella's safe haven. It was nestled at the back of the house, looking out on the backyard. Esme had converted the sun porch of the older home into a beautiful space for Bella to paint year round. In the summer, the large windows opened to let in fresh cool air at night and it was heated by an old wood stove in winter.

After sorting through her supply of blank canvases, Bella settled on an 18x24 rectangular one, stared at it for a moment, letting it whisper to her. The canvas always told her what it should be; what paint she should use, which brushes and what strokes. Until she met other artists in university, she often wondered if she was crazy. Most of her classmates assured her that it was natural, in fact, some of them talked to their canvases, clay, and planks.

One deep breath, one last listen. Bella picked up a brush and began.

Edward's alarm went off with an annoying shriek. He slapped it off and rolled over to hug Bella. She wasn't there.

"Aw shit, Bella," he mumbled as he got up and walked toward the bathroom. After draining his bladder and brushing the overnight scum from his teeth and tongue, he padded quietly down the hall toward the studio where he found Bella curled up in a ball shivering on the couch. He grabbed an afghan from the wicker basket chair in the corner and covered her.

A splash of green on the canvas caught his eye. He stared into the unfinished face of a green-eyed cherub with wild bronze hair. He reached out to touch the face, and sighed. Bella had struggled with not being able to conceive for years. She had feared that Edward wouldn't love her if she couldn't bear him any children. Sure, he'd love to have a little Eddie or baby Bella running around, but not so much that he'd fault her for something so utterly beyond her control.

"Sweet peaceful dreams, love," he whispered as he placed a kiss on her head.

Edward returned to the kitchen to grab a coffee before heading upstairs to shower. He had a long day ahead of him on rounds and since he was just a neophyte in the medical world, it seemed to drain him all the more. Bella keeping him up with nightmares wasn't going to help matters either. He decided to put in a call to their old therapist and friend Victoria back in Forks to get her opinion on this latest development.

So, what did you think? I realize it's not as angsty as Branded was (at this point) but there's lots of angst to be had, right? Maybe this story should be a happier one. Haven't they been through enough? Nah...hold tight...bumpy roads ahead.