Finding Eden (A Sign of Love Novel)(74)

"I'm really sorry for . . . everything," I murmured, looking at Carolyn.
She furrowed her brow and shook her head. "I know," she said. "I can see that you are. And I'm sorry that happened to you, too. If only you'd brought Eden back sooner." An accusatory look passed over her face and I felt even guiltier. Then again, Eden and I had needed that time together so desperately. How could I even begin to explain that to her mother of all people? Carolyn took a deep breath, looking away from me. "The good news is that the police are going to put a couple officers here on detail so no one bothers us or gets to the front door without us knowing. You're safe here, with me." I assumed she was talking about both of us, but she was only looking at Eden.
I frowned slightly. All I wanted was to take Eden home with me and start some sort of a life together, have her to myself, be able to protect her myself, to prove that I was worthy of that.
Carolyn stood up. "Eden, I'm going to make you a fluffernutter sandwich." She smiled warmly. "They were always your favorite and if any situation calls for comfort food, this one does." She rushed out of the room calling behind her, "No crusts, of course."
Molly shook her head and brought her hand up to it as if she suddenly had a very bad headache. Eden's face was confused. I assumed, like me, she had no idea what a fluffernutter sandwich was.
The doorbell rang and the next five hours were spent being interviewed by the police as Eden and I told our stories, individually, together, over and over and over until I felt almost desensitized to it. People came in and out, some in uniforms, some in street clothes, the officers all held the same incredulous look on their faces when they heard our story. At first I was fearful, wary, but as the day wore on, I was able to relax just a little.
The police seemed stunned by most of the events of the day of the flood, especially by the role Clive Richter played, both in bringing us back to Acadia, standing by while Hector tortured us and tried to murder me, and then shooting me in the leg. I didn't know what would happen with him, and despite the many people who listened to our story with horror and compassion in their eyes, I couldn't help the fact that my gut clenched in nervousness when I considered Clive would now know we were alive, if he didn't already because of the news coverage.
I kept my eyes focused on Eden when I could and looked her way as often as possible when she was turned away for some reason. I watched her talk to a young-looking detective in a suit and she seemed to feel comfortable with him, even laughing softly several times as he jotted down notes. He looked at her with a sort of reverence in his eyes. My stomach twisted in jealousy and I had to remind myself that a reaction like that wasn't normal. We were out in the big society now, the world. Lots of men were going to look at Eden and try to make her laugh. I didn't have to like it, but I also didn't have to act like a jealous idiot.
I had called Xander once the police arrived and a couple hours later, he rang the bell and began being questioned by the police as well.
I hadn't been prepared for that day, and despite my nervousness, something inside me also felt relieved. It wasn't hanging over our heads anymore. And it didn't seem that us not coming forward sooner was an issue anyone was going to press. And maybe now I'd have a name. Surely someone out there knew who I was? Was it possible someone like Eden’s mother cared that I had been missing all these years? Guilt knotted in my stomach when I considered the fact that I could have put someone out of their misery much earlier than this. But I hadn't been ready, and that was the simple fact of the matter.
Finally, as the sun began to set outside the windows, we said goodbye to Xander and then a little while later, the police started to gather their things and leave Carolyn's house, too. Eden came around behind me and leaned over my chair, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and kissing my neck. "We did it, Butterscotch," she whispered. Butterscotch. How long had it been since I'd heard Eden call me Butterscotch? I closed my eyes and welcomed her physical and emotional comfort. Her strength, her resilience, it had given me courage before and gave me resolve now. We did it. We. I wasn't sure if I could have coped with this day without her, but together, we could, I could.