Chapter 3

EPOV

I wasn't sure if my leaving Bella for a moment or her injuries were the cause, but her ludicrous thinking had pissed me off. There she sat, not even two feet from me in the passenger seat, out cold. I always knew that she felt bad about waking me at such a late hour. You would think after having done so for two years or more, and the constant remembrances at every chance that she would have taken the hint that I didn't mind. But no. Instead, I looked over to her sleeping form, bile lodged uneasily in my throat at the knowledge and physical evidence of what that fucker had done to her. At the same time, it sent my blood boiling. The fact that further pissed me off was how she felt she needed to apologize to me. What the fuck for? It wasn't like she sat there and took it without a fight. I knew Bella, and she didn't have to tell me the story for me to know she'd fought back. She always did, but he had obviously won this fight. I really hoped against hope that the test stick I'd found on the island in her apartment belonged to someone else. I'd take any explanation over that of Bella actually being…

No. NO! I wouldn't let my train of thought move in that direction because then I'd only get myself more worked up over something that could be nothing.

Taking in a deep breath, I released her small, warm hand, realizing that I had not let go of it since taking off and reached into my jacket for my phone. As the phone rang, I watched her chest rise and fall in deep, almost ragged breaths; her body twitched from what I assumed to be after effects from the damage to her body.

"Hello?" Esme, my mother, picked up with a sweet voice. What she was doing up at this hour, I had no idea.

"Please, tell me Dad's home tonight." I all but shouted into the phone, unable to control the anguish in my voice.

"Oh sweetie, he uh…he's at the hospital. He was called in. Ed-Edward? Honey, what's wrong?" I felt horrible calling her so late, knowing how I sounded. The panic in her voice told me she'd picked up on my distress.

"It's Bella. She's beat up pretty bad, Mom." I fought against the sob begging to let go.

There was a long pause and then her firm tone came through. "What happened?"

"That son of a bitch is what happened. Can you call Dad; let him know I'm on my way?" I cried in a broken whisper, finally letting go of the lump in my throat.

"Of course I will. Do you want me to meet you there?" Oh how I loved my mother. She always knew what I needed and when I needed it, but I had to refuse her. As much as I would love to have the comfort of her arms, I knew that if she saw Bella in such bad shape it would break her.

"No. You don't need to see her this way, Mom. Trust me. I appreciate the offer and I know she would too, but I promise I'll fill you in on how she's doing in the morning. Love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

As soon as the line went dead, I brought my fist to my mouth, trying to muffle the sobs that ripped through me. I felt defeated. While the logical thing to do would have been bring her to the hospital, I had hoped my father, Carlisle, would have been home tonight. He was Chief of Staff at Northwest Hospital here in Seattle. Bella, had been part of our family for years now and knowing her the way I did, I knew that she would want to be in a familiar, safe place when she woke later. With her history, I couldn't blame her at all for her dislike of hospitals. After all Bella had been through tonight, the last thing I wanted was for her to wake and feel panicked by the uncomfortable and horrific memories she had involving hospitals. If I had been able to take her to Carlisle's, I could have comforted her. She would have had the peace and quiet she needed to get herself together, rather than the annoying beeping of the fucking machines and the prodding and poking from various staff members. Besides, with Carlisle's extensive medical office at home, hopefully most of what was wrong with her could be treated there.

From the corner of my eye, I could see her starting to stir once again as a soft whimper escaped her lips. For the first time since things had started going downhill with Bella and James, I was struck with an utterly helpless feeling. I didn't like it. In fact, I fucking hated it. I was going to have to rely on my father and his staff to take care of her; every fucking time before that, it had been me. I'd always been enough until now. I wasn't sure how to handle someone else stepping in. I'd always been the one to clean up her wounds, but I guess I knew deep down that Bella's condition called for the expert care only a hospital and professional staff could provide. This time I knew there were broken bones somewhere. I prayed that she hadn't hit her head hard enough to cause a concussion, but judging from the appearance of the gash on her head, the chances of her not having suffered one were slim to none.

My thoughts continued to run away with me; I jerked my car to a screeching halt outside the emergency entrance of the hospital. Carlisle was waiting outside, an anxious look etched upon his face. He met me at Bella's car door, and before I could even open the door, his palm was on my shoulder. I froze momentarily, swallowing down more cries as I was not willing to show how fucking much this affected me, though my eyes and trembling body surely gave it away. As I opened the door, I heard Carlisle gasp behind me. I ignored him and slipped my arms as gently as I could beneath her body, lifting and bringing her against my chest. I could see faint movement behind her swollen eyes, indicating that Bella was beginning to wake. Before she could completely come to, she rested her head in the crook of my neck.

Behind me, Carlisle had apparently called a staff member for a wheelchair.

"Get that out of here," I told him, frustration coming out.

"Son, she needs to sit back. We do this with all emergency patients, you know that." I didn't wait for further information as I brushed past him.

"Well, Bella isn't 'all' emergencies, Dad. What she 'needs' is me, and I'm fucking carrying her." I hated being so harsh with Carlisle. He'd done nothing that warranted such a tone from me, but I couldn't have given two shits at the moment; and in all honesty, I needed to hold her against me. I had the sneaking suspicion that if I left her for any moment of time, I'd lose my shit, and all my walls would tumble down.

"Follow me," was all Carlisle said as he brusquely pushed past me.

Once we were finally in a room, Carlisle asked me to lay her down on the exam table. I'll admit, I hesitated at first, knowing Bella would more than likely come to and be in pain while being examined. And the moment of truth had arrived. If Bella was going to get the care she so obviously needed, I was going to have to bite the bullet and relinquish control into my father's skilled hands. I trusted him with my life, but to entrust Bella's care to someone other than myself would be my biggest effort of the night. Carlisle was gentle as always, but the moment he added pressure to her ribcage and chest, Bella let loose a groan that was laced in so much pain it nearly sounded inhuman. I jumped from my seat, taking her right hand firmly in mine, gently running my fingers through her hair as I whispered words of comfort in her ear. It seemed to work as her breathing returned to normal and her cries stopped.

Thank fucking God for that.

I watched as Carlisle's brow furrowed in concern. And then he looked at me.

"Dad, what is it? What's wrong?"

"I can't be sure without x-rays, Edward, but I'm fairly certain she's got two broken ribs and possible internal bleeding somewhere. In order to be sure there are no further internal injuries, I'll need to perform an MRI as soon as possible." Okay, I was a lawyer and had absolutely no medical background, but I knew quite a bit from growing up with Carlisle as a father. I knew there was reason to be alarmed at the mention of x-rays and MRI, especially after having seen the pregnancy test earlier in her apartment.

"Wait. Dad, before you go on with that, there's something I should tell you. Tonight, when I got to Bella's apartment, I found a pregnancy test on the kitchen island. It was in a plastic bag, and it was positive. When I started tending to Bella, she mentioned something about 'my baby'. I think it would be safer to run a test first." My voice was once again choked up.

Carlisle's eyes shot up to meet mine in horror. Great, I wasn't the only one to see how bad this situation could be.

"You're right, Edward. I'll just take a blood sample and have it tested before ordering the MRI." He gave me a reassuring smile and headed for the door, stopping at my side before walking out. "She's going to be all right, son."

Words failed me at that moment. Tears fell silently as I looked away and nodded- not wanting him to see how strained my emotions were. Once the door shut behind Carlisle, my head bowed to rest against mine and Bella's clasped hands. I shuddered as I took in a deep breath, trying to remain calm, but it escaped me until I felt the familiar, soothing sensation of her fingers running through my hair.

BPOV

Upon opening my eyes for the first time since Edward and I had left my apartment, I was overcome with fear and panic. The unmistakable sterile smell of the hospital assaulted my senses, and the blinding white light forced me to shut my eyes once more- the brightness caused my head to throb. I wasn't sure what was going on with my head, but I didn't like it. I knew I kept drifting in and out of consciousness, and I hated that because it meant I was losing my control. All I could remember were bits and pieces, which all included Edward. What really bothered me was the swelling in my eyes- I could hardly make out any visuals. I was being forced to rely on smells and what I heard.

I awoke, briefly, as Edward picked me up out of the passenger seat. I could remember Edward and Carlisle arguing, but about what I wasn't sure. Everything was fuzzy because I kept slipping in and out of consciousness. The next thing I knew, I was in indescribable pain as something pushed and dug into my body. Edward's touch and soothing voice seemed to make it all go away- even if it was just for a moment. But now, I was waking up again with no recollection of having fallen back asleep.

The warmth of Edward's hand entwined with mine was like a lifeline to me. I couldn't and wouldn't let go as long as I still had the strength. The silkiness of his hair brushed against my knuckles; I could hear his uneven breathing and felt the tremors in his hand. I knew that before this, even the tiniest cut to my lip would get him all worked up, so it wasn't hard to imagine what kind of state he was in now. My eyes could just barely make out the beautiful, unique bronze color of his unruly hair. His head rested against our hands. Without a second thought, I stretched one arm out to run my fingers through his hair, something he'd always enjoyed. I gently squeezed his hand with the one he still held. His head slowly shook back and forth on our hands as I heard what seemed to be a scoff.

"Here you are, in horrible pain yet, you're comforting me," Edward whispered; his voice weak and strained with emotion.

"Edward," my voice cracked. "Why are we here? I thought you were taking me to Carlisle's." I didn't mean to change the subject on him, but I wasn't exactly up for another emotional chat right then. I was already stressed enough knowing that eventually I was going to have to come clean and tell Edward all that had happened between James and I. He would want details, and I really wasn't sure if I could handle something like that.

So not looking forward to that conversation.

"I was, but Dad was on call and had to come in. Besides, it appears as though it was for the better. He wants to do some x-rays and run an MRI." Edward's eyes focused on me as though he were looking for something. "B, I um…I saw the pregnancy test in the apartment. You also mentioned something to me about your baby. I know that an MRI can be potentially dangerous during a pregnancy, so I hope you understand why I had to tell Dad."

What?

Edward lowered his head once more- it didn't take a genius to realize he believed I would be angry with him, which I wasn't. I was more confused about when I had supposedly mentioned my baby to Edward. I dreaded talking about this with him because it would only remind me of my previous plans for the night. That and I knew that when I told him about needing to patch things up with James' a few days from now, he would be livid. Edward had been trying to talk to me the past month or so about leaving James and getting out of the situation. Each time only infuriated him more as I tried to justify my reasons for staying.

You were more like grasping at straws, dear.

I guess I also had a lot to think about. I could justify staying with James because of the baby beforehand. If I wanted to be completely honest with myself, I had invested so much of my life with James that I wasn't sure I would even know how to go about life without him. I realized that my plans to reveal my feelings to Edward would have been a spur of the moment thing. Sure, I had thought over it relentlessly for years, but would I have been able to adjust? I'd like to think I could have, but there was that voice in the back of my mind that told me I would bring with me the fear of being hurt and burned the same way James had done to me so many times. Of course, it was all in my head as I knew in my heart that Edward would never truly hurt me. He and James were like night and day, and if I had never seen them together before James had returned from Iraq, I'd question how they'd ever been friends.

"B? Bella? Hey…" Edward's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I focused on his bright green eyes; his face was close enough for me to make them out. I had spaced out on him again, and he was worried.

"Sorry. Edward, I'm not angry you told Carlisle. The test said I'm pregnant, and I'm sure it was accurate. What is he saying I need to do?"

"Well, when I brought it to his attention he said he'd run a blood test to be sure. If you really are pregnant, he can't perform the MRI."

I watched as his eyes glanced up, and then back to where our hands were joined.

"How long have you known?" He asked me quietly, his thumb rubbing the top of my hand softly.

"I just found out tonight. E, can we please not talk about it now? Just give me a day or so. Everything is too fresh right now and I just…I can't go back there right now." My throat throbbed at trying to hold back a sob. Edward clenched my hand tighter in his own, locking eyes with me and sighing.

"You don't have to explain to me, B. I get it okay? Listen, do you want me to call Dad in here and see if we can't get you something for the pain?"

"Edward, I would love that, but I'd rather hold off on any pain medication until we get the test results back. When is he supposed to draw blood?" I winced, knowing a needle would be shoved in my arm soon. I despised needles. Always have, and adding insult to injury, I grew faint merely upon the sight of blood.

"He should be back soon. Do you want some water?" he asked, his voice gentle. All I could manage was a nod as the utter dryness in my throat left it feeling as though it were on fire. It wasn't until he stood and started to walk away that I began to panic. I intensified the hold I had on his hand even more and weakly tugged.

"Something else?" he questioned, freezing in his tracks.

"Where are you going?" My voice wavered. I knew I wouldn't bode well without him in the room with me, especially with me being in the hospital.

"Going to get your water; there aren't any cups in here, and I highly doubt you'd drink water from my hands." Nothing could hide the small chuckle that escaped past his lips.

Don't be so sure about that Eddie boy.

Fucking subconscious, apparently the bitch couldn't even let go and mind her own business in hard times.

"I'll text Dad and ask him to bring you a bottled water okay?"

"I'm sorry," my voice just a whisper, "It's just you know how I am about hospitals, and this is the first time I've been inside one since…"

"Hey," he walked back to his seat beside me, putting our hands against his heart. "You don't have to explain to me and Bella; stop apologizing. I know better than anyone what you went through with Renee and I more than understand why you feel the way you do."

Even though it was three years ago, the memories and emotional stress were still fresh. My mother, Renee, had died three years ago from a drug overdose. I blamed it on her husband Phil. He played minor league baseball and had gotten roped in with the wrong people. They introduced him to numerous drugs- cocaine being his drug of choice. To this day, I'm still unsure of whether he knew my mother's past struggles with drugs. As far back as I could remember, Renee had been hooked on one drug or another. Because of that, I had learned at a very early age how to take care of myself. It wasn't out of the ordinary for me to be left fending for myself for days at a time while she toked it up with her latest boyfriend- whether it have been Phil or someone before him. I did all the cooking, cleaning, and at the young age of ten, I was doing random housework for my neighbors to pay as much of the bills as I could. To some, that might seem impossible, but it's the truth. It wasn't until I turned thirteen that Renee suffered her first overdose on heroin. The hospital called in child protective services, and then they, in turn, contacted my father, Charlie Swan. He was Chief of Police in Forks, Washington. I was sent to live with him. While I'll admit life was better for me living with him, it wasn't stress free. Not at all.

Charlie was an alcoholic. His addiction didn't go overboard until Renee failed to show at my high school graduation. It was nearly two years later that she suffered a fatal overdose. I never had the chance to say goodbye to her and it haunted me still. I remember the night he received the phone call. From what we could gather, she had been on her way to pay me a surprise visit, but her addiction took her before she had the chance. The Seattle police informed us that Renee had been involved in a head-on collision. When they found her, the drugs had already begun to take her under with the repercussions of an overdose. We were brought in to the hospital at around three that morning and found the doctors and nurses rushing about frantically, trying to resuscitate her. Somewhere in the madness, Charlie disappeared. I assumed he had gone to buy a bottle to drown his sorrows; the first in a long line of bottles that eventually led him to suffer alcohol poisoning. I had come home from work late one night and found him unconscious and breathing shallowly at the foot of the staircase with an empty bottle of Everclear lying by his side. I went with Charlie by ambulance to the hospital, and had called Edward and James for support. I was in no shape to be alone that night. When Charlie was discharged from the hospital two days later, he checked himself into Schick Shadel Hospital, a rehabilitation facility. Edward and James often alternated staying with me during the time Charlie was in rehab. James had never been good with dealing with emotional situations such as mine, so Edward, once again, was the one there for me.

Things improved once Charlie returned home. To my knowledge, he hadn't had a single drink since. We were slowly rebuilding our relationship, not that there was much of one to start with, but with the help of those around us, we had hope.

The sensation of something wet and warm smoothed lightly against my cheek. I realized then that I had drifted off once again. The whole losing consciousness thing had become really fucking annoying. I inhaled, wincing as I did so, while at the same time relishing how good the warmth of the cloth felt against my battered face. Edward's fresh, woodsy scent washed over me.

"What are you doing?" I asked him in a whisper.

"Just cleaning you up a bit, I'm not hurting you, am I?" His hand froze.

"No. It feels nice. I can't believe I passed out on you again. What's wrong with me?"

"Well, I should probably let you know that Dad came in about ten minutes ago and drew blood. We're waiting on the results. He also brought you some water."

"Good. At least I didn't have to face the needle." I heard Edward scoff as he began wiping the cloth over the tender spot where I suspected my cheekbone had broken.

Edward sighed heavily. "Bella, Dad thinks it's best to admit you for tonight. He thinks it's highly possible you've got a concussion or internal bleeding. And once he confirms if you're pregnant, he's going to want the resident OB/GYN to check the baby."

"No! Edward, I don't want to stay here. Take me home, please." The tears stung behind my eyes. The warmth of his palm cupped my cheek.

"Relax, B, it's only for tonight. He said tomorrow you can be released. So far there isn't anything serious enough that would call for you to remain here longer than that. I've already talked him into allowing me to stay tonight, so you won't be alone, okay?"

A light knock sounded against the door as it opened and Carlisle walked into the room. He came to stand beside Edward, placing his hand over mine.

"Ah, Bella, sweetheart, glad to see you're awake. I've just received the results from your lab work and you are, indeed, pregnant. I'm sure Edward has already informed you that you'll be staying tonight. I know it's difficult for you, but I really would feel much better if I could keep an eye on you overnight. Is that okay?"

I swallowed the large lump of nerves in my throat and nodded.

"Are you allergic to any medication, Bella?" Carlisle asked as I heard the shuffling of papers that I was sure were in my medical file.

"None that I'm aware of."

"Okay, well, we're going to be moving you to your room within the next forty minutes to an hour. My head nurse, Kate, will be by soon to help you clean up. Before we move you, I'm afraid I'll need to wrap your ribs. Afterwards, I'm going to administer Darvocet for the pain and to help a little with the swelling. Also, we're going to give you a mild sedative to help you sleep tonight. Everything will be safe for the baby. An OB/GYN will be by your room sometime in the morning to check and make sure everything is okay, then I'm going to need to get a couple of x-rays. If everything looks good, I see us releasing you around noon tomorrow."

"Thank you Carlisle," I rasped out, gripping the bottle of water that Edward held out to me.

"Oh and one more thing before I leave you, Bella, you need to think about whether you're pressing charges. The cops have been notified and will be by in the morning. I would have asked your permission, but it's standard hospital procedure and I had no choice." The sullen tone in his voice did not escape me. I had been a fool to think telling Edward would be my most difficult feat. I hadn't even taken the police into consideration and, now, I was actually looking forward to the sedative, because lord knew, I would need it tonight if I had any hope of sleeping. Once Carlisle left, Edward placed his palm gently at the crown of my head.

"Listen to me, you don't have to think about that right now. You can-" his phone ringing cut him off. "Hold on." I watched as he moved away, pulling his phone from his back pocket. The moment he did so, his face went red with rage as he began breathing heavily.

"Edward, who is it?" I knew damn good and well who it was on the other end of that call. I couldn't help the fear and anxiety that buried itself firmly in the pit of my stomach.

"James," he bit out as his eyes locked on mine.

Then he answered.