Hit a bit of writers block on this chapter. Not my best, but I hope you all enjoy—a little treat at the end of the chapter for everyone.


Chapter Seven

A Month Later

"You ready?" I heard Edward's chipper voice call out.

I kept my eyes clamped shut, hoping that maybe if he thought I was asleep he'd leave me alone. Today was going to be nearly one of the worst days of my life. While I was starting to recover from my injuries sustained merely a month earlier. I still had to under-go intense physical therapy to get full use out of my arm. As far as the internal stuff went, apparently that was going to take a little longer to full recuperate from. I was able to sit up on my own, and stand for a few moments before I get weak and nearly fall on my face. The physical therapy, while not my idea of fun, is nothing compared to what the end of my session would lead to.

"Bella, come on. I know your scared—I know that you don't want to do this. If you want to keep him off the streets then you need to do this," Edward said as he stroked my newly bared arm.

Thankfully I was rid of the heavy cast that had covered my arm for almost a month. I sighed giving up my facade and opening my eyes.

"Does he HAVE to be there?" I asked, my eyes pleading with Edward.

"If there was anyway to keep him out of that room when you take the stand then I would do it. Unfortunately, everyone is entitled to a fair trial—which means that he can be present during it. I'm so sorry about that though," his green eyes looked beyond pained.

Over the past month, I had told Edward and Carlisle all the gory details of my sham of a marriage. Even though he tried to hide it, to cover it up, I knew that he cried a little every night. It killed me to have to hurt him like that. To have to see, what living with and through what Jacob put me through, did to him. I realized a few days ago, that if it weren't for Edward, and the rest of the Cullens—I would probably be dead by now.

"Please don't apologize—" I sighed, grabbing hold of his hand. "It's my own fault. I knew what kind of a situation I was in. I knew what was going on. I could have left—I was just—afraid. He's a scary guy Edward. He would have hurt Jason if I left, I know he would have--"

As if on cue, I heard the laughing shrill of my young son as he ran into my newly appointed bedroom. The one I had started sharing with Edward. I refused for him to continue to sleep on the couch, and I knew I could trust him.

"Momma!" Jason squealed as he leapt onto the bed.

"Hi baby," I smiled softly at him, as he pulled himself into my lap, laying his head against my chest so that he could face Edward.

"Hi Edvard," he smiled his toothy grin at Edward.

"Hiya Jason. How you feeling today?" Edward asked, winking at Jason.

"Good," Jason said, his finger shoved into his mouth.

While Jason had taken to Edward and the rest of the Cullens easily, he was still a shy boy—and usually quite nervous. He had recently started having nightmares that woke both of us with his blood-curdling screams. He'd cry into my shoulder, and all he'd say is 'Daddy scares me Momma.'

"Why don't you go find Emmett Jason. I'm sure he is up for a game," I said, squeezing Jason to my chest, before he clambered off and ran out of the room.

"Jacob won't touch him—or you. I promise you Bella. Now, let's get you ready to go, you have a big day ahead of you," Edward said, as he peeled back the blankets. I sighed heavily, before swinging my legs over the side and let my toes touch the hardwood floor. Instantly Edward's hands were on my back, ready to help me brace my weight.

"I can do this—please," I begged, more just not wanting Edward to watch me dress—so he couldn't see the mounds of still yellowed bruises that covered half of my body.

"I can get Rose—or Alice," almost as if in reading my mind. Not that I wanted any of them to see my horribly ravaged body, but I knew that Alice or Rose wouldn't think less of me upon seeing it.

"Thanks," I smiled softly at him, as he helped me sit on the edge of his large king sized bed, before he left the room.

I let my feet dangle, trying to think of anything but my testimony and seeing Jacob's face.

"Heard you needed a hand," I heard Alice's chirpy voice, but heard two sets of footsteps. I turned toward the door and saw both Rosalie and Alice coming in, and shutting the door.

"Thanks—you both didn't have to come though," I smiled politely.

Great, just what I need. For both of them to see my awful looking body. I wanted to cry, but held myself together.

"Well I thought I'd help out. Emmett is chasing Jason around the house, pretnenting to be a big scary monster—Edward and Jasper are the 'hunters,'" Rosalie rolled her eyes.

"Boys, can't live with them—even though sometimes I wish we could," Alice added in.

"Alright, I grabbed you a pair of jeans and a shirt. We are so stopping for a shopping trip today too. You poor girl, you need your own wardrobe," Rosalie sighed, as she helped me up, supporting most of my weight.

Alice helped me get my shirt off—her eyes grew wide at the sight of my back and shoulders, where most of the yellowing bruises were.

"Has Edward seen these?" her voice was thick, and I heard the unmistakable gasp that came from Rosalie.

"No--" I paused bowing my head. "I can't bare to see the pain that he tries to hide in his eyes. I don't want him to see the physically of it all--"

"He needs to see this Bella—Edward," Alice called, before I could say one more word.

"Yeah Alice," he said coming in the bedroom—pausing just inside.

I wasn't sure if it was because he saw the yellowed bruises, or because of my lack of clothes. I wanted to hope for the second, but almost knew it was the first one.

"When will this stop shocking me," he croaked, as he all but ran to me, and pulled me into his chest.

I didn't hear him tell the girls to leave, but I heard the door shut silently behind them.

"I am so sorry," I mumbled through the tears that streaked down my cheeks.

He pulled me away, still keeping his hands on my shoulders.

"Silly Bella, what do you have to be sorry for?" he asked, before lightly touching his lips to mine.

It was short, but so sweet, and I was completely hooked onto his smell and taste. It took every thing in me to not pull his lips back to mine. I just stared up at him, with what I knew was the cheesiest smile on my face.


Special Shout-Out Thanks To:

731

JTW16

Flora73

HayleyHoo

TwinkleDee

SerzShaaz

EvenStarSinger

For the kind reviews.