BPOV

I awoke in a dark room under light blankets. They felt too heavy for my torn and bruised figure. With my eyes still closed, I tried to switch positions when I realized there was a pair of very strong arms around me from behind; there was also something in-front of me, blocking my attempted movements. The thought of opening my eyes was seriously painful, and I didn't want to risk the peace I had found in my sleep. I had no nightmares, I felt no hands pawing at my body, there was no pain, no fear, no shame. I felt truly safe for the first time in years; He was dead and gone, never to hurt me again. I had a life ahead of me, one that had a family, and a magnificent man that was going to be my husband. Suddenly I couldn't wait to open my eyes and take in the world.

"She's waking up; I can hear her heart speeding up." I jumped. That was not a voice I was used to waking up next to.

"It's okay honey; it's just Carlisle and I. You're okay, Bella." Esme was looking at me with a very sincere half smile on her face. I took a minute to breathe before I decided to talk.

"Hi. Where are we?" I know that it's dumb, but I felt uncontrollably awkward waking up with Esme and Carlisle in bed with me.

"We are in a hotel room in Phoenix." Esme said very cautiously. I think she was trying to figure out whether or not I was going to have a nervous break-down. While she was still trying to decipher my mood, Carlisle spoke.

"How are you feeling honey? Would you like some pain medication, maybe a little Oxycodine, and some Prozac? Or…" He was cut off by Esme.

"A massage, a warm bubble bath, a fluffier pillow, a new car, a better hotel room, a new cell phone…" Esme and Carlisle continued to list off everything I could possibly think of, but why? They were trying to placate me in the only way they could think would work because of my situation. I think they were drawing from when they first came to know Rosalie. She is incredibly vain and shallow and materialistic but come on people! I couldn't stop the laughter that came from me at that moment. They looked at me like I had grown a second head.

"I'm alright, really." Now I had a third head.

"The pain meds would be nice, minus the Prozac. Other than that, I would just like my family." Esme looked as though she was going to melt into a pile of goo at any given moment. Carlisle too, looked extremely touched.

"Alright honey, I'll get you something." Carlisle made a point of kissing the top of my head before leaving the room.

"Darling," Esme began, "are you sure that you're alright? I know that you have to be feeling many things right now, and, you don't have to, but if you ever want or need to, you can talk to me. I'm always here for you." Oh no. She had this look in her face that was the equivalent of a cute puppy begging to be loved. She wanted me to accept her – not as Edward's mother, but as my own. I'm sad that she thinks she needs permission or something – she should know that she is the only real mother I've ever had.

"Thanks Mom, I'm just not really up to it right now. I'm okay." In the blink of an eye I was being cradled in Esme's arms. I had said what she needed to hear, and now there was no going back.

"I love you so much Darling! You will always be protected, and you will always be loved." Esme cooed in my ear.

"Always." Carlisle added in as he kissed me once again on the top of my head and handed me a pill and a glass of water. I took it gratefully – the cut on my leg was throbbing along with my head and every other part of my body.

"It's still quite early, so why don't you try and get some more rest and then we'll get some food in you and decide what to do after that." Esme said.

"Okay. Can I see Edward for a second?"

"Edward and the rest of the family aren't here right now. Alice said you would need some time to rest and relax, so we sent everybody home to Forks. We can join them whenever you are feeling up to traveling." Carlisle explained. "You can call him when you wake back up and have eaten."

"Alright then." I said through a stifled yawn. That pill was quickly taking affect.

"Is it alright if we stay in here with you while you sleep?" Esme asked. I answered with a simple nod as I climbed further under the covers. I fell back asleep the same way I had woken up – safe, secure, and loved.

Hi everyone! I'm sorry that this update has taken so long, but it's been a rough few months. I want to say thank you to everyone who has continued to read and leave comments. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and as always, please leave comments so I know what you're thinking and what you'd like to see.

Dvsinger1