Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

I heard Charlie and Renee outside the door.

''Is she awake?'' Charlie asked. And then they were inside, Renee by my side faster than I thought humanly possible. She hesitated for a moment, but then slowly bowed down and hugged me.

I fought the urge to push her away. My mind telling me it was okay, but my instincts fighting to cringe away from the contact. Charlie took my hand and looked at Edward.

''Could we have a moment alone with our daughter,'' Charlie said. It wasn't a question.

''I'm not leaving her,'' Edward answered sharply.

I looked at him and mouthed ''Go hunt. I'll be okay.''

He bowed down to me and kissed my forehead. ''I won't go far,'' he whispered into my ear.

I was alone with my parents. I still didn't speak, so the conversation consisted of them apologizing. I didn't blame them and I hoped they knew that I could never blame them for any of this.

Only an hour had passed and Edward was already back by my side, his sweet golden eyes on my face. Charlie and Renee left then, leaving me alone with my love.

He sat down on the chair next to the bed and took my hand into his. He brought it to his mouth and gently kissed my palm. He closed his eyes as he took in a deep breath. I moved my other hand to stroke his cheek and he leaned into my hand. I held it there for a moment and as I pulled it away he opened his eyes.

He looked at me again as I opened my mouth and said ''Edward'' in a low murmur.

His eyes lit up at the sound of my voice. He softly touched my cheek. We stayed frozen in that position for a moment.

Then he took his hand from my cheek and held my hand with his own.

''Bella, how are you feeling?'' his voice was careful.

''I'm okay,'' I managed to whisper. ''How long have I been here?''

''It's been a week now,'' he answered.

''A week?'' Had it really been that long?

Understanding my confusion he added ''You slept most of the time, so it might seem like less to you.''

''Oh,'' I choked.

''Bella, do you want to talk about it?''

I looked at him and as the memories flooded back, I winced. ''Not right now.''

''Okay, whenever you're ready.''

A moment of silence. ''Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most. I'm sorry I couldn't stop this from happening, from you being hurt.'' He was dry sobbing.

I moved my other hand, the one he wasn't holding to his lips. ''Stop it. There's nothing you can do about it now. It happened and nothing will change that. We can only heal and move on.''

He smiled a little, but it didn't touch his eyes. ''You are amazing,'' he stood up to kiss me, but I turned away.

''Sorry,'' I mumbled turning my head back towards him.

''It's okay, I understand if you're not ready.''

''I love you so much.'' What had I done to deserve this angel?

''Words can't describe how I feel about you. You are my life, forever,'' he said quietly kissing my hand. Edward was always so much better with words than me.

Another moment of silence, but it wasn't awkward. It never was between us. We could just sit and look at each other without any words.

I knew he was waiting for me to open my mouth. ''The man who...'' I couldn't even say it.

I saw Edward's body tense and his eyes fill with anger. ''They haven't caught him yet, looks like he was just passing through here. His scent was long gone.''

''Oh,'' I sighed.

Edward took my face into his hands. ''Don't worry, love. We'll catch him, he isn't going to hurt you anymore.''

I couldn't stop the tears from overflowing. ''I'm so sorry.''

''Bella, you have nothing to apologize for. None of this is your fault. That monster will pay for what he did, I promise you. I will protect you, I will never leave you again.''

''Thank you... for making me feel safe again.''

His eyes held such sadness, that I couldn't look into them anymore. I didn't want him to feel hurt so I quickly asked ''When can I go home?''

''Your physical injuries are almost healed. I'd have to speak with Carlisle, but I think there is no need to keep you here much longer.''

''Couldn't we go now?'' I asked with hopeful eyes.

''I'll go speak with Carlisle.'' And he was out the door. I knew he wouldn't go far and that made me feel better. He returned with Carlisle.

''I'm not sure it would be wise to dismiss you already. You still have healing to do.''

''Please,'' I begged.

He looked at me and as understanding just how much I wanted to get out here he nodded. ''I'll go start the paperwork.'' He swiftly left the room.

''Thank you,'' I whispered.

''Anything for you, my love.''

Edward started to pack up my things. I hadn't noticed before, but there were dozens of flowers on a table across the room.

''They're beautiful.''

Edward looked at the flowers and then me. ''Not compared to you.''

Charlie came in then. ''I heard you want to go home.''

''Yeah, dad. I don't want be here anymore.''

''Okay. I'll call your mother to come and pick us up - she and Phil are at the house.''

''Dad...'' I tried to choose words that wouldn't hurt him in my mind. ''I want to go with Edward.''

They both looked at me, Edward's face happy, Charlie's puzzled.

''I don't think that's such a good idea. I...'' he started, but I stopped him.

''Please, dad.'' I could see his face soften.

''Okay, Bells, if that's what you really want.''

''Thanks, dad.''

Carlisle appeared at the door and called for Charlie. I figured he had to sign some papers so that we could leave. Edward stood next to me and put a bag with my stuff on the chair he had been sitting on.

''Are you sure about this?''

''I am. I don't want to be away from you anymore. With you I feel safe.''

He gently squeezed my hand. ''I put some clothes for you on the desk. Will you be able to dress yourself or should I send someone to help you?''

I tried to sit up, the pain in my stomach wasn't so bad anymore. I flipped my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. Edward held me up with his strong hands until I found my balance.

''I can do it. Go, I'll be okay.''

''Okay, I'll be back in five minutes.''

He turned to look at me once more before leaving the room. I nodded at him and he was gone.

It took me a minute to remember how to work my legs, but I managed to get to the table without any incidents. I took my clothes from the table and went back to the bed. I removed the white hospital gown and looked down at my body. I was covered with half-healed bruises. There were a lot on my stomach and sides. There were also scratches on my legs and as I ran my hand through my hair I felt a little stitch in the back of my head.

I put on my clothes and went to the bathroom to make myself a little more presentable. I washed my face and combed my hair.

When I went back to the bed Edward was leaning on it and as I got closer he stood up.

''Ready to go?'' he asked enthusiastically. I nodded and gave him a smile.

He took my bag into one hand and slid the other around my waist to support me. I couldn't move very fast, but he was patient. I could've let him carry me, but I didn't want to see the weird looks we would get.

We neared the exit and I saw Jasper and Carlisle standing there, probably waiting for us.

''Carlisle and Jasper will be riding home with us, the others went home to prepare some things to make you more comfortable.''

''Okay,'' I nodded.

We exited the large front doors of the hospital and walked towards the parking lot. I stopped as soon as I saw it, Edward's silver Volvo. The exact same silver Volvo as he had had. I could feel my panic, my heart started beating faster, my eyes got wider and my breathing increased.

Sorry for taking so long :)

I'm pretty sure I'll be able to add the next chapter over the weekend.