A soft knock on her door woke Belle from her deep and dreamless sleep at first she was confused, why was she at Jades? still in her clothes then the memories came flooding back and she bit back a cry.

"Belle, honey...there's someone here to see you," Jade said softly.

"I don't want to see anyone," Belle replied.

"I don't think he's taking no for an answer, he said he's Maggie's brother."

"Alex?" Belle asked, her heart picking up speed.

"No, he said he's a lawyer."

Belle sat up in bed her mind trying to conjure up a picture of Ethan, Alex's younger brother and the middle child in the family. She had met him only five or six times in the span of ten years and that included Alex's hearing and Ethan's wedding that Alex took her too.

"Tell him I'll be right out," she said.

She forced herself from the bed running her fingers through her hair and taming the ebony curls the best she could. She was wearing the clothes she slept in a wrinkled t-shirt and jeans that had a rip in one knee but she supposed there was nothing she could do about it.

When she reached the small kitchen Ethan was sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee, he was wearing a suit a briefcase on the floor next to him. His hair was neatly combed and if it wasn't for the puffiness around his eyes and the redness you wouldn't know that he was mourning a heavy loss.

"Uhm, Hi." Belle offered.

"Hi, Belle. I'm sorry to drop in like this."

She took a seat across from him, he reminded her of Alex. Always so polite and kind, charming even.

"It's okay, I'm just surprised to see you."

Ethan had never weighed in on what happened between Alex and Belle. He had been there all through the hearing and had ever been cold towards Belle but he also mostly stayed away from her.

"I'm here because of Maggie."

Belle felt her throat tighten with unshed tears but she managed a small nod, there were only two reasons Ethan would be here. Maggie or Alex.

"I heard from Alex that Mom and Dad took the children, is that right?"

'Yes."

"And Maggie never mentioned to you what would happen if something like this would occur?"

"No."

"Okay, well she and her husband both agreed and made arrangements with me. If something should happen to both of them sole custody of both children goes to you."

"Me?" Belle asked, not quite believing what she heard.

"Yes, if you're interested."

Belle couldn't hold back the tears that started down her cheeks and she blindly reached for the tissues.

"I'm sorry," She said quickly.

"It's okay, I can tell this was a surprise."

"I never....she didn't even mention it."

"If you do agree to take both children you're also entitled to a large sum of money for their care, as well as the house and all its possessions. The Children each have a large amount of money reserved for when they turn 21 which you will watch but not have access too."

Belle gave a feeble nod but was too in shock to do anything else. Ethan turned and began producing papers from his briefcase. Laying them in front of Belle.

"You can sign now if you want or you can have another lawyer look it over."

She bit her lip and looked at the papers, Maggie trusted Ethan to do this and Belle wanted to as well but she barely knew him.

"What do they mean?"She asked.

"Well if you sign it basically is you stating you intend to take custody as well as agree to the terms set in the will such as staying in the area and allowing the family to have contact with the kids."

"And all I have to do is sign this and they're mine?"

"Legally yes, for now. I should warn you my father will fight you on this, Belle. He will probably take you to court, he'll try and make you look unfit but if you do this...I'll represent you in court...for free." He said softly.

"You would do that for me?"

"No, but I would for Maggie. I know my sister and my brother...I don't blame you for what happened with Alex you were a child but...if he felt that strongly about you...then I will do whatever I can for you."

"Thank you."

"I lived in that house with that man...I don't want my niece and nephew to go through that life."

Belle gave a small nod and then grabbed a nearby pen taking a deep breath she signed her name on the papers. Ethan directed her to a few more pages to sign and initial. When she was done he put them back in his briefcase.

"Okay, get your shoes let's go get your kids."He said.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

She stumbled to her feet, a part of her so excited to have the kids back and another part of her sick with worry for the battle to come.

She told Jade what was happening and then followed Ethan to his BMW and climbed into the passenger seat, they drove to his parent's house in an awkward silence. When they reached the lavish mansion he climbed out and headed straight for the door, he didn't knock as he let himself inside.

"Mom, Dad! Come here."

Belle stepped inside closing the door behind her and keeping quiet.

His father came from the left where she knew the study was instantly scowling when he saw her. His mother came down the stairs and looked confused.

"Get the kids now, they're going with Belle."

"What? don't be ridiculous."

"Dad, I was Maggie's lawyer. She left those kids to Belle and you have them here illegally. I don't want to get the cops involved but I will if you don't hand them over immediately."

"Ethan, why are you doing this?" His mother asked tears in her eye.

"It's what Maggie wanter Mom, I'm defending Belle in this. If you push we will go to court and I'll represent her."

"Of course we will be going to court!" His father roared.

"Ethan...Belle...please..we just lost Maggie don't take our grandchildren too." His mother begged.

"Mom...this is what Maggie wanted. I'm sure Belle will be more than willing to let you see them," Ethan said and Belle managed a weak nod.

A part of her felt guilty for taking away the kids from their last family members but she held on to the fact this is what Maggie wanted.

"Get the kids now, I won't ask again," Ethan said.

His mother turned and moved up the stairs and Ethan hesitated before following her. Belle looked around the house she hadn't been in for over ten years.

"If you're looking for Alex, he's at an AA meeting getting the help he needs after the damage you caused." His father spat.

Belle winced but didn't reply, a second later Ethan and his mom came down the stairs. Ethan was holding Seths hand and his mother carrying Olivia.

"Aunt Belle! Do I really get to come to stay with you!?" Seth asked running to her.

"Yeah looks like it."

Their mom reached where Belle stood and then slowly, carefully handed over the baby. Pausing to drop a kiss on her tiny head and wipe away a stray tear.

"Anytime you want to see them, call, text..."Belle said gently.

His mother offered a weary smile and then turned to disappear somewhere else.

"Let's go," Ethan urged.

"Just one more family member caught under the spell of that lying bitch," His father said.

"What's a bitch?" Seth asked as they walked out the door.

"A very very bad word," Belle said.

Ethan lifted Seth into a car seat that he had int he back seat, then took the baby and strapped her into the other one.

"You came prepared," Belle said.

"This is Maggies other car...it's yours now."

Belle bit her lip as she climbed into the passenger seat and Ethan started towards Maggie's house.

"The house is yours, it's paid off and will be yours as long as you retain custody of the kids," he said.

'I...I don't..."

"Belle, you live in an apartment. Take the house."

She fell silent for awhile and then he pulled up in front of Maggie's house where his car was waiting in the driveway.

"Thank you," She said honestly.

"My brother....he made mistakes but he did love you."

"I love him too, very much. I never saw him as a villain, that's how he wanted it."

"No...that's how my father wanted it, don't get the two confused."

She gave a small nod and he climbed from the car. She followed him then turned to pull Seth from his car seat, he anxiously ran to the backyard . Belle leaned in to pull Olivia from her car seat.

"Belle?" Ethan spoke.

"Yes?"

"A piece of advice. My brother has so many demons even now, stay away from him. Don't give my father any evidence that you're not fit to have these children."

"You don't have to worry about that, your brother despises me."

"Is that what you think?" He asked looking at her.

'Yes."

"Okay, I'll be in touch." He said.

He turned and got in his car backing out onto the street and driving away. Belle watched him go, balancing Olivia on one hip and then turned and followed Seth into the backyard.