Yeah, I know I suck for waiting so long to update. Don't hate me! Please just read on!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except this story line.

I exhaled deeply and winced as I felt a bruise stretch. It was then that I remember once again what had happened. I'd told Edward I'd love him, he was shocked so I ran away, Stupid. It wasn't that it was a shock to get beaten up. No. That I was used to.

The real shock was acknowledging the body that rested underneath mine at this precise moment in time.

My eyes flew open and my head shot up as my heart thudded painfully, in anticipation. My eyes flew to his jaw, the purple bruising that fluttered along it, melding into black in so areas. I gazed at his eyebrow that was split on the side, dried blood caked to the side of his face. I gawked specifically his the swollen, black eyes. What intrigued me most about the way he looked, was that he was still beautiful.

As I stared at his lovely face, he began to stir, he crinkled his face up and tried to roll over but stiffen when, I assumed, he felt me on top of him and encircled in his arms. Very slowly he opened his eyes and his gaze slowly trailed towards mine. He seemed confused for a minute, and then recognition dawned on his face.

"Well", he mumbled groggily, wiping his eyes and wincing as he made contact with his bruise.
"I'm disappointed that all of that wasn't a dream".

I felt offended at first, but decided against acting out of irrational thoughts.

"Oh" was all I could say.

"But", he amended, "I'm very glad this part wasn't" he smiled as he clung me closer to him. I blushed despite my previous offense and snuggled my face into his chest. He began stroking my back and I felt exuberantly relaxed. It was then that I remembered that he'd gotten this way because of Embry.

"How's the other guy?" I asked softly as I lifted my head and traced his chin gently with my index finger.

"Let's just say no one gets away with saying mean things about you and gets away unscathed" he said with a dampened anger in his voice.

I blanched, shocked that the fight was over me.

"What? Me?" I squeaked out and he smiled softly at me.

"I wouldn't punch someone for any other reason" he said matter-of-factly and I blushed again.

"Well, uhm", I trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"Are you mad?" he asked, sounding slightly afraid. I snorted in disbelief at this silly, beautiful boy before me.

"Are you stupid? You defended my honour and you think I'm mad?" I guffawed and he gained a sheepish expression on his face.

"Okay good" he smiled.

His gazed then darted to the door at the exact moment I heard it creak open. I jolted upright and had to hold my breath to keep from screaming and I twisted something in my side. It felt as though my bruises all travelled to that one spot for the time being, and then, as Edward placed his hand on my hand, the pain faded. He was sitting now too and we both looked at the smug looking Pixie in the door way.

"Edward" she smiled smugly and nodded towards him.

"Alice" he said, returning the nod as his mouth twitch at the corners. Alice then turned to me.

"Idiot" she smiled and I laughed slightly.

"Pixie" I retorted and she got a look of mock disdain upon her petite face.

"Well, I'm glad you both came to your senses. Also, Edward, Carlisle asked if I knew where you were. He says there is a boy with a broken nose and quite a lot of bruising, claiming that you did it" she beamed at the lovely man beside me. I gasped audibly at the sound that Edward had broken Embry's nose.

"It's really broken?" Edward asked, sounding both surprised and smug.

"Yep, and suspected eye socket break as well" she added and my eyes widened further. I turned and looked at Edward and he smiled sheepishly at me before swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

"I told you I love you" he shrugged and kissed my head before walking out of the room.

Alice turned to me with a face full of "I told you so's".

"Don't" I said, desperate not to hear the obnoxious self-righteousness of my sister.

"Don't what?" she said, sounding genuinely confused.

"Don't say you told me so" I clarified and she rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't going to. I was going to run over there and throttle you myself for not calling me and telling me that you and Edward made up" she explained and I blushed.

"It only happened last night, and when I went to run to him, I got really sore and really sleepy, so I fell asleep and woke up a few minutes ago" I digressed and she nodded in understanding.

"Alright, I guess that's a valid excuse. Oh but Bella how exciting is this? Finally, someone other than me who loves you for who you are" she giggled and I smiled despite myself.

"Yeah, he's pretty great" I smiled softly and Alice came and sat next to me on the bed.

"I'm very happy for you" she whispered and I stray tear escaped the corner of my eye.

"I am too" I replied, my voice thick with emotion.

At that moment a nurse came in to check up on me, and clicked her tongue at the still dark colouration of my bruises.

"You're going to be here a few more days, Hun" she told me and I shrugged, discouraged.

"I figured as much" I sighed. Alice rubbed my back soothingly and I smiled at her, grateful that she was always so willing to comfort me.

"Want to go for a walk?" she asked and I contemplated for a second before nodding at her.

We made our way around the hospital grounds, marvelling at the beautiful jacaranda trees that stood in full bloom. I was closing my eyes in a blissful prayer of thanks to God for blessing me with Edward when I heard a commotion around the corner.

Alice and I glanced at each other before rounding the corner. What I saw shocked and confused me.

Carlisle and Edward were in a heated discussion with a police officer, while a very dishevelled looking Embry stood by two people who looked like his parents were yelling frantically. I looked at Alice and she had gone pale. We walked over to the group and everyone stopped to look at us.

"Ah, Bella, perfect timing", Carlisle said with a genuine smile.

"Perfect timing for what?" I asked and Edward looked stressed.

"Please don't drag her into this" he pleaded with his father.

"Go speak with her for a moment, to see if she's willing" he murmured gently and Edward nodded. He gently took my arm and walked me away from the group.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew it was completely irrational to have butterflies at his proximity, given the heavy feeling of the situation.

"Bella, my father thinks you and I have to make statements against Embry" he sighed, sounding defeated. Something in his voice said there was a hidden double meaning in the sentence.

"What happens if we don't?" I asked gently.

"I get charged with assault for breaking his nose and eye socket" he huffed and my eyes widened. I pivoted on my foot and stomped around the corner. Edward followed after me, calling my name but I ignored him.

"Carlisle" I called and he looked at me expectantly.

"Yes Bella?" he said, sounding hopeful.

"I would love to make that statement" I said.

Do you hate me? Love me?

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