Author's Note: This story took forever to take form. I couldn't find it in my brain, but I'm okay with it now. Thank you for all your well wishes and for continuing to read along. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter Ten

Back at the farmhouse, I helped Bella and Rose inside the house. Charlie was shocked when he caught sight of Rose's bruised face and body. While she was obviously a beautiful woman, the marks littering her skin made it difficult to see. I carried her things upstairs to Bella's room as Bella began to treat her wounds.

"Edward, what happened?" Charlie asked, horrified. He'd pulled me aside to the kitchen to give the girls some privacy.

"I don't know much, other than that Rose called Bella and asked her to come and help her. Royce came home drunk and was hittin' her. When we got there, we helped her grab a few things and got her out. Royce and I had a small altercation, but nothin' serious."

"That bastard. What kind of man lays his hands on his wife?" Charlie voiced the question I'd been asking myself since I met this Royce fella. He was garbage. There wasn't much to be said. We sat at the kitchen table, both of us deep in thought. I hoped Rose was smart enough to stay away from Royce. For the sake of herself and her unborn child, I had hope that she'd file for divorce and take legal action against him.

After Bella patched Rose up they joined us in the kitchen. Despite Charlie's obvious affection for Rose, he left almost as soon as they entered. I looked after him, briefly before turning to her.

"How are you doin', Rose?"

"I'm okay. I'm sorry for interruptin' your date with Bella. She's just the only person I know I can trust."

"Don't apologize. I'm glad we could come help. And I'm happy to finally meet Bella's best friend, even though I hate that it had to be this way."

"Yeah, I've heard so much about you these past few weeks. You were right, Bella, he is dreamy." Rose teased and Bella's face flushed red.

"You're the worst, Rose." She groaned, dropping her head. I pulled her gently into my lap and kissed her cheek.

"I think you're dreamy, too, love. Don't worry." Bella blushed but continued to settle against me. Rose sat across from us and rested her hand softly against her still-flat tummy.

I was unsure if it was appropriate for me to ask Rosalie what her plan was now that she'd gotten away from Royce. Bella seemed to read my mind as she asked the question spinning around my head.

"I-I'm not really sure. You know I've never been alone. I married Royce right after Daddy died. And Royce convinced me to combine our accounts before things went bad. I don't have anything of my own. How am I supposed to support me and a baby with no money?" Her eyes welled with tears. It made me uncomfortable because I wasn't sure if I had any advice to offer her.

"You know me and Dad will help you every step of the way. You can stay here as long as you need and we'll find you a job. This is a new beginning for you," I nodded alongside her. With the compassion the Swans had, Rose wouldn't be left to handle anything alone.

"I'm not sure if this means much, but I'm willin' to help any way I can." I offered. Bella squeezed my hand and Rose smiled appreciatively.

"Thank you, Edward."

They stayed up for another half an hour before Rose yawned and Bella suggested they hit the hay. She agreed, going upstairs to finish her nightly routine. I helped Bella to her feet and wrapped my arms tight around her waist, then pulled her tight against my chest. It was overwhelming to see what Rose was going through, to know a man that promised to love her no matter what was the cause of her pain shook me to my core. What I felt for Bella was strong, but insignificant compared to what I imagined a husband should feel for his wife.

"I will never hurt you like that, Bella. With God as my witness, I swear I'll never be the one to cause you harm." My voice was husky with emotion. She held me just as tight. We didn't say much after that. I felt like the words 'I love you' were jumping to escape my mouth, but the time wasn't right. With everything Rosalie was suffering through I didn't want my first confession of my feelings for Bella to be brought on by angst.

And what if she thinks it's too soon? My heart stuttered at the thought. I decided to stay quiet, instead placing a soft kiss to her crown. She hummed.

"I'm sorry we couldn't have our date. Thank you for understandin'."

"Don't apologize. We can go on a date any day. Rose needed you today." Bella pulled away, cupped my cheeks in her hands, and rose onto her tiptoes. Her lips were sweet against mine. The kiss was more romantic than any we'd shared before and promises of care and devotion passed without words.

"Get some rest, darlin', I'll see ya tomorrow."

"I wish you didn't have to go." Her words were a whisper against my cheek, tinged with disappointment.

"Me too, baby. Maybe one day I won't have to."

"Yeah," she smiled, kissing me again. We said one more goodbye and I felt like I could feel the missing endearment as I walked out of her front door. It was almost like the 'I love you' was screaming that it was meant to follow the goodbye.

I wondered if she could feel it missing, too.

On the way home, I reached into my pocket and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft and sent a warm, comfortable peace to stop the butterflies in my stomach.

"Hey, momma."

"Oh, Edward. How're you doing, baby?"

"Real good. I, um, I met a girl." Momma let out a squeal that my little sister inherited and used to drive me crazy when we were growing up together.

"A girl?! Is she sweet? When can I meet her? Oh, I bet she's gorgeous. You're going to give me the prettiest grandbabies!" I laughed at her, not surprised by how quickly she jumped ahead in my relationship with Bella.

"She's kinda perfect, ma. She's kind and lovin' and the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life- other than you, of course, momma." Instead of responding, the line went quiet. A few seconds passed and I worried the call cut out till I heard the low sniffles from her line. "Are you cryin'?"

"I'm just so happy for you, Edward! Oh, my baby boy is in love."

"I think I fell in love the moment she made me that first tomato sandwich," I admitted. That sent her on another spiel as she gushed over the idea of a woman cooking for me. Not a minute later she put me on speaker phone and demanded I tell our entire 'love story' from the second I laid eyes on her to the whole family.

"Edward, what's her name?" Momma asked after we'd been talking for nearly an hour. I'd long since arrived home and made my way into my living room. I was shocked that I'd failed to mention Bella's name while I was telling our story.

"She's my Bella."

"Bella. Bella Masen." She whispered, almost as if she'd forgotten I was on the phone at all.

"Don't go plannin' the weddin' yet, momma. I haven't even told her I love her yet."

"You will. You've found your The One. Just like I did with Eddie. I won't ever forget the night I first saw him, we-"

"Lizzie, baby, I'm sure Edward remembers the story. Let the boy go to bed. You know he has to be up early in the mornings." I heard my Dad call from the background. Mom sighed and agreed. She told me she loved me and that she expected updates on my relationship frequently now that she knew about Bella.

"I love you, too, Ma. I'll call you soon. Goodnight. Tell dad goodnight for me." The call ended and I sighed. I'd always been close to my momma. A momma's boy at heart and without shame. Her reassurance and confidence in my relationship with Bella relieved the doubts that lingered after I felt like the missing I love you was tangible in our goodbye.

As I crawled into bed and began to drift off, my momma's words echoed around in my head and heart.

Bella Masen.