tough | b.swan

28 - Reality: Part Six

Carlisle stares at the tense scene in Blake's kitchen as he arrives. Bella, Flynn, Alice and Embry all stare off, stood on the 4 sides of the kitchen island. As far as he's aware, Alice managed to stop anything from being exposed - thank god.

He looks around at them. "You really think this is what she needs?" He says quietly. "You and you - go cool off." He points to Embry and Bella. "Flynn, I assume you'll want to talk to her so you may as well come and distract her. Alice, go have a few words with Hadley."

Everyone slowly leaves, leaving Flynn and Carlisle alone. "You really trust those two to walk away? I'm surprised Alice managed to pry them apart." Flynn finally says.

"Alice is stronger than she looks. Is she in bed?" He asks, following Flynn up.

Blake is fast asleep still, unaware their secrets were almost spilled over her. She stirs as Carlisle sits on the bed and strokes her hair back. She gives a small, sheepish smile as she looks up at him. "Hi..." She croaks.

"Hi. I heard its been an eventful evening for you." He says.

She nods small. "Yeah... I'm sorry."

"Don't be silly. I'm sorry - I gotta look at that hand again." He says gently.

Blake sighs and sits up, wincing as she moves her hand; she wasn't aware of it when she was high - she wasn't really aware of much, to be fair. She watches Carlisle for a moment before she looks at Flynn, leant on the wall by the big window. "What happens now?" She asks quietly.

"You know what happens Blake. You try again." He says gently. "But, if you would like, I can come and stay for a few weeks. Help you over the hardest parts."

Blake sighs, wincing as Carlisle does something that makes her fingers hurt. "Is this what my life is going to be?" She whispers. "People babysitting me all the time."

"You know it isn't like that, kid. But you also know what it's like in the first few weeks." He says.

"This counts as just a slip up, Blake." Carlisle says. "By definition, a relapse is the return of a habit for several weeks or a period of time. This is one slip up."

"Doesn't feel like it." She whispers.

"It won't. You are 2 years sober. I still count it." Carlisle smiles.

Blake smiles small in return. "Thanks... I'll be okay." She looks to Flynn. "I just... How do I confront Embry?"

"When he's cooled off, just sit and talk about what happened and what was said. I'm sure neither of you meant it." Flynn says.

"Will you sit in? Mediate? We both get a little... Heated. Ow!" Blake tries to pull her hand away as Carlisle chuckles.

"Alright alright, there, I'm done for now." He says, letting her pull away.

-

Embry walks up to the house later that evening, after a very very long run. It's been a long day, but he's ready to talk; and he just wants to see that she's okay. He opens the door and looks around trying to listen to listen to who's here and where.

"In here." Flynn calls.

Embry heads into the dining room, him and Blake sat side by side. Her dinner is mostly still on her plate but she never normally has much of an appetite after something like this. She looks at Embry and then looks down, playing with the thin ankle bracelet she wears.

"Come join us. We should talk." Flynn says.

Embry stays stood in the arch way. "We? No, my wife and I need to talk."