Chapter Twelve

Yeah, time lapse... sorry.

Bella wished she could go back in time.

Months, maybe even years. She wished she could tell her self what to do, what not to do. How to avoid this shit storm she currently found herself stuck in and ensure she would never get hurt.

But time travel was more of a wishful thought than a real possibility.

Bella quietly racked her brain on where she could be at the moment, considering terrible shots of pain were coursing throughout her body every few seconds. Had she fallen again? That didn't seem right. The headache that started to form at her attempt of recall made her stop instantly and instead pray that she would wake up and remember what the hell was going on.

She did hear voices around her, the lapse in silence distracted her slightly from the pain in her body. She tried to make out what they were saying, but she couldn't. Bella knew there were other people around her, but it was like she was submerged underwater. There were sounds all around her, but she couldn't place them.

It must have been hours before Bella was able to find the motivation to pry her eyes open. She didn't know what to expect to see when she did so, but the sight of Edward's worried expression, his face inches from hers made a smile form on her lips.

Edward was here.

"Oh thank God." He said as his head fell forward.

Instinctively she raised her hand to his face, but clear wires tugged her arm back. Persistence won that small battle though, allowing her palm to touch his rough, stubble covered cheek. Her prayers were answered. Her Edward was here with her, in the flesh.

"I was so worried." He said quietly, carefully removing her hand from his face.

Bella stared at her hand as he lowered it to her lap. Was there something on her hand? She shook her head as she examined her palm. It seemed fine, why did he move her hand?

"Mrs. Reynolds, I need to ask a few questions." A strange voice said from her right.

Bella didn't bother hiding her cringe at the name. She wished she had stopped herself though, the contorting of her face hurt like a bitch.

"Who are you?" Bella asked after she finally tore her eyes off of Edward.

The man stepped closer to the side of her hospital bed, gripping the railing. The man screamed authority, his posture was rigid and he wasn't tiny. His suit was perfectly tailored and the shirt he wore underneath seemed freshly pressed. He must hold a lot of power somewhere.

But his close proximity instantly made Bella anxious, causing her heart to speed up at an alarming rate. Machine after machine surrounding her went haywire. She practiced taking deep breaths to calm herself but the attempt was for naught. The only thing that helped her heart rate slow was Edward.

He resumed his perch on the edge of her bed, gently rubbing her arm. For a split second her eyes locked on his lips, zeroing in on the sharp curve of his upper lip, and for that split second she wished she could kiss him.

"Are you alright?" A woman said from the doorway.

The man in the power-suit next to her took a small step back and waved the woman off bobbing his head up and down quickly.

"Look Mrs. Reynolds, I just need to get your statement and I'll be on my way."

"What statement?"

The man pinched his nose, exhaling heavily out his mouth. "You were found in your apartment, beaten, unconscious. Do you know who did that to you?"

Bella bit her lip, trying again to clear the fog that had taken residence over her short term memory. She remembered Edward leaving her apartment, James' anger and most importantly his fist.

"Yes." She said in a small voice.

The man took out a small notepad and clicked his pen as he asked, "Who?"

"My husband."

Edward heaved himself off the bed and started pacing. His entire body was rigid and his face was practically crimson.

The man threw questions at her left and right, her answers only being quick head movements.
"Has this happened before?" Nod. "Did you ever report him?" Shake. "Has he threatened you?" Nod. "Have there been witnesses to any of his attacks?" Shake. "Has he ever taken you against your will?" Nod.

The growl that escaped Edward's lips at the last question affected Bella in two ways. One, it was hot as hell. Two, it was scary as hell too.

"Mr. Cullen, your being privy to Mrs. Reynolds' questioning is a gift that I never grant to people. I expect you to be quiet for the rest of it or I'll have to ask you to leave."

Edward looked over at Bella, his face contorted in a look of pure pain. He forced a small smile her way before excusing himself for a smoke.

"Mrs. Reynolds, explain your relationship with Mr. Cullen to me."

Bella took an unsteady breath before speaking. She told the officer about their growing up together and relationship in high school. How they had broken up and she ended up with James and how by some miracle Edward reentered her life recently.

"So your relationship with him is purely platonic?"

Bella was offended by the insinuation. "Excuse me?"

The officer smiled at her for the first time since she woke up. "I've seen the way he looks at you Mrs. Reynolds. That man never stopped caring for you." The man stood up from the hospital chair beside her bed with a groan. "I'll do everything in my power to get James in jail." He started buttoning his coat as he asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

In a bout of unexpected strength Bella said, "I want a divorce. I want the best lawyer in the city on my case. I want a restraining order. I don't want to ever deal with him again. I want that son of a bitch out of my life."

The officer nodded and waved slightly, promising to return before she was discharged, before leaving her hospital room.

Bella let her head fall back against the pillows once she was finally left alone. So many different questions swirled around in her head but she feared she wasn't strong enough to listen to the answers. One question gnawed away at her more than any of the others.

Where was James?

And many many MANY gracias' to my dear and not-so-near friend Erin. Her lameness=my inspiration.

Next chapter, EPOV.

Reviews are better than questions.