The Teachers Inmate

Chapter Two.

The next day Belle pushed all her thoughts of Alex aside, so what he was getting out soon? He obviously didn't want anything to do with her. He had made it more than clear when he ignored her for ten years.

She had a job she loved, a loving fiance', her own apartment and car, she was doing just fine without him.

She parked in front of the elementary school she worked at and grabbed her coffee and her bag.

She walked to her class, smiling at the other teachers she passed in the hall. She loved her job teaching first grade, her students made her days.

She was settling into her classroom when her phone buzzed on the desk next to her, glancing at the number she saw it was Maggie. She debated not answering but couldn't do that to her dearest friend.

"Hello?"

"Hey, how is it going?" Maggie sounded cheerful as always.

"Normal Monday blues," Belle said with a forced laugh.

"Belle, I'm sorry I just dumped the whole thing with Alex on you. I just wanted you to hear it from me before someone else told you."

"It's okay, I know how happy you are to have him back."

"I am happy, I know he messed up but...he's my brother and I love him," Maggie said.

"I know that and he wasn't the only one who messed up. I was there too."

"Maybe when he gets out and gets settled you two can talk, face to face about what happened."

"I don't think he's going to want to talk to me Mags," Belle said gently.

"He's my children's uncle, you're their godmother...you'll have to come to some sort of an agreement. I won't lose one of you."

Belle smiled, Maggie had always been one of the kindest, most sincere people Belle knew. From the minute they met all those years ago at Alex's beach house Maggie had been a constant friend.

"I love you," Belle said.

"I love you too, but since you love me...I need a favor."

"I knew you needed something," Belle said with a laugh.

"Mom and Dad won't go get Alex tomorrow when he gets out. Can you watch the kids while I go? Jeff has work."

Belle paused, she knew how important this was for Maggie and nobody was saying she had to see Alex.

"I...I guess so." She said.

"Thank you, Belle! I promise I'll pick him up and take him to a hotel or something and be right back home."

"You're welcome Mags."

"I can't wait to see him and introduce him to Jeff and the kids," Maggie began rambling and Belle fell silent, only half listening.

"Maggie, I have to go my kids will be here soon for class."

"Oh right, I'll let you go. Thank you, Belle."

"You're welcome."

Maggie hung up and so did Belle, she actually had an hour before her kids started pouring in but she needed the time to collect her bearings.

Belle had kept slightly in touch with Alex's family, Maggie obviously the most but his mother had always been civil to Belle. His father hated Belle more than he hated Alex if it was possible and while he had released all the money Alex requested be given to Belle without a fight he made sure she knew it his sons money.

Alex had never spoken to or contacted Belle after the trial where he told her that he loved her.

For the first few years she hung onto that, believing it more than anything else but after his constant pushing her away she finally let it go and allowed herself to live.

Her phone buzzed on the desk next to her and she glanced at it seeing Landon's phone number her short term boyfriend and future husband.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey Baby, I just read online that Alex is getting out soon. Did you know? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.

"I knew but...it's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal? Belle, baby he raped you."

"No...no, he didn't he never forced me, I told you that." She insisted.

"You were seventeen sweetheart, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." She promised.

She had told Landon pieces of what happened with Alex but like everyone else who wasn't there, he drew his own conclusions on what really happened. Nobody but Maggie and Jade believed Belle that their relationship wasn't built on his position over her, she had loved Alex and the sex had always been consensual.

"I just don't want to see you in a place where you could be hurt or feel used again."

"I don't, I won't even see him, Landon. Nothing is changing," She said.

"His sister is your best friend," He pointed out.

"And...that's going to be fine, we'll figure it out."

"I love you, I just hate what that bastard did to you."

The tabloids had painted Alex as a villain and Alex had willingly let them. Belle had tried everything in her power to try and prevent him being cast in that light but in the end, it was useless.

"It's going to be fine, I promise."

"I read he was getting out and I just...I couldn't imagine what that must be like for you. Are you sure you shouldn't take some time off work?"

"No, I need to work."

"Okay, I'm here though if you need me."

"I know, I appreciate it but I'm fine really. It was so long ago."

"Okay, I have to get back to work. I love you."

"Me too," She said with a smile.

He sighed heavily and the line went dead. Landon was a good guy and Belle was happy with him but she couldn't bring herself to say those three little words he was dying to hear.