The Fire That Burns Within

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

The big woman who turned out to be Miss Belle had brought me into the kitchen and poured a big glass of coke "It's against the shock, them sugars will help" she said. I took the glass and drank it in one go, never in my life had a coke tasted that good. "Now then, will you tell me what's goin' on?" Miss Belle said as she poured me another glass. As soon as I started talking everything came out, the tortures, the humiliation, everything. When Miss Belle got that I had been kidnapped she had called in the waitress and instructed her to call the police. It would take a while for them to arrive because they had to go to the mansion first but I didn't mind at all. Miss Belle brought me to the emergency room where they did all kinds of tests on me. She didn't leave my side at all and I was so grateful for that.

The tests showed that I was malnourished and the scar tissue on my back had started to get infected. They wrapped my back with special antibiotic bandages and gave me an iv to get vitamins and minerals in me. Miss Belle made sure to distract me constantly with stories about her hometown in Tennessee but still my mind would drift to Noel... Was he save, did he get out in time... I had no idea. My nerves grew with the passing hour. Eventually a police officer came in, he took of his hat "Are you Roselyn Weston?" he asked and I nodded. He asked all kinds of questions and was writing everything down. When he was finished I couldn't keep it in anymore. "There was a guy, about 25 years old, strong looking and bright emerald eyes, did you find him?" I asked. He checked his phone and nodded. "Yes miss we did, unfortunately this young man did not survive the ordeal. He had passed when we arrived at the scene." He said solemn. It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. As heavy sobs came Miss Belle held me and comforted me the best that she could.

He had given his own life to safe my life and the life of our baby. Sure he was my kidnapper at first but it wasn't like he had a choice. He did it for his sister. In the long hours of solitude in the cabin he would provide comfort with his jokes and stories.

He tried to protect me from Ramos and payed the ultimate price in the end. I loved him like a brother and now I would never see him again. The pain was so intense, it felt like there was a hole inside my heart that never again could be filled. Miss Belle stayed by my side even though the nurses tried to get her out. She took care of me and comforted me with motherly notions. Finally I drifted into an uneasy sleep with the help of medication.

When I woke up the next morning I looked straight into the eyes of sweet Miss Belle. "Good mornin' sweetheart" she said while she opened up the curtains of the small hospital room. I looked around, a small field bed stood next to the window, Miss Belle had even slept here. "I... I wanted to thank you... for everything" I said my voice broken from crying.

She looked at me and within seconds I was embraced by a strong hug. "Oh honey you ain't got nothin' to thank me for, when I saw you stumble in to my bar... Well my heart broke, and to hear what those no good people did well... it made me want to kill them myself!" Her cheeks flushed red with anger and it touched me so deeply that a tear dropped down my cheek.

"Oh honey I didn' mean to make you cry" She said as she grabbed a handkerchief "No it's not bad tears, it's just you remind me of my mom" I said and she grabbed my hand "Well Rose, my late husband and I were never able to get ourselves some young'uns, but if you want to I'll be like a mom for you" I looked at her in disbelief, I couldn't believe someone wanted me, broken and traumatised as I was. Yet in her face I could see she was honest and true and we fell into each others arms and cried, but this time they were happy tears.

Someone knocked at my door and I cringed and hid in Miss Belle's arms. It was an agent from the FBI who'd come to take over from the local police. He was able to tell me that they kept close eye on Ramos the whole time but he was to fast and to smart for them. He kept me out of sight when he knew they where close. I asked about Noel's sister and her safety, and he assured me that she was indeed safe and in a very good environment where she could receive all the care she needed.

I asked if Joe was also safe and he confirmed that and informed me that he was being transferred to this hospital right now. I couldn't believe my luck, I had given up hope of seeing him again. "So when can I go see him?" I asked anxious to get to him. "He hasn't arrived yet miss, but there is one more matter to discuss" I looked at him with irritation.

"Fine what" I said. "We have failed to capture Ramos and for your own safety we need you to go back in the witness protection program. Since Ramos was able to track you in the United Stated we've arranged for you to go to a safe house in France." He stood there as he brought this news. I looked Miss Belle in the eye, afraid to lose her already.

"Will there be a spot for me in that dohicky program of yours?" she asked the agent. "Well, uhh , you aren't family..." He began but the look in Miss Belles eye scared him "I'll make arrangements" he said and he walked out of the door already dealing and talking over the phone.

I looked at Miss Belle with disbelieve "You'd do that for me? But you barely even know me" she took my hand in hers and said "My dear child, I've got nothing that keeps me here now. My husbands gone to the Father and the business was not my life's dream. All I've ever wanted was to be a momma and you are givin' me that chance" she dabbed a handkerchief under her eye. "Now Rose, I'll go check when your dad will get here and arrange a midwife for that little 'un in your belly" I nodded and smiled, I never expected to have a mom again and yet here she was. I placed my hand on my stomach,

"Don't worry now, we'll be all right" I whispered to my baby.

Joe arrived not long after that. As soon as he saw me his eyes lit up and he embraced me, it was like I was 7 again and I just held on to him. Eventually my legs grew tired and I had to go lie down again. As Joe stroked my hair with his wrinkled hand I whispered "You remember me". He placed his hand on top of mine and said "How could I ever forget the most beautiful rose in existence" and with that the tears came streaming down again.

"Oh goodness, I didn't mean to interrupt this dear moment" said Miss Belle as she stood in the doorway. "No matter, let me introduce myself, I'm rose's dad" Joe said as he stood up and shook her hand. He looked so much better than before. Joe saw me looking at him and started explaining. Ramos had never been able to get close to me before because of his protection. Ramos found out that joe had a favourite coffee shop where he'd stop on his way to work. They'd poisoned him and made it look like Alzheimer. At the nursing home this had continued or so they thought, Joe'd kept up appearances but didn't take the pills they gave him. This way he was able to work my case and try to get me back. I couldn't believe my luck, in one day I found my dad and Miss Belle.

The day was filled with joy as Joe and Miss Belle exchanged stories, it really took my mind of the pain of the past months. When the midwife came and did the ultrasound she asked if I wanted to know the gender. "Yes please" I said. "Okay then let's see here...

It a little girl and she's in perfect health for so far we can see"

Tears of happiness rolled over my cheeks and I knew that it would all be okay.

Epilogue

I sat on the veranda in the warm summer air. In the garden before me a girl with brown curls and green eyes darted around trying to catch the soap bubbles that Joe blew for her. "Poppa not so high, I can't reach em" she giggled. Joe laughed and took her upon his shoulders. As I watched them dance around a hand fell upon my shoulder, it was Miss Belle. "Joe dear, do be careful with her" she warned but I could see in her eyes that she enjoyed watching them too.

Life was good like this, we lived in a small village in the south of France. Joe and Miss Belle had fallen hopelessly in love and me and my newborn daughter had been their witnesses at their wedding. Traumas had made it difficult for me to function out in the world but luckily there was no need for me to do so. Joe and Miss Belle lived with us and cared for us.

I was deep in thought that I didn't even notice the big green eyes staring at me. "Mommy, are you there?" she giggled. "Oh yes darling, what is it?" I smiled, she was always able to lift me up from my depression. "Will you tell me about daddy?" She asked while bouncing on her toes.

I patted the spot next to me and she sat down. "Your daddy, my dear Noëlle, was the bravest man I knew..."

The end

I really hope you liked my first story here on wattpad, Thank you all for taking the time to read it. See you soon!

Sharon