I would like to give a gentle reminder that I am not a police officer, lawyer, or in any way an expert in how the criminal justice system in the US (or anywhere) works. All of my knowledge comes from an Intro to Criminal Justice course I took my junior year of college and many, many episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Also keep in mind that while I am trying to be somewhat accurate/realistic, this remains a free work of fiction that I only write in my spare time. I thank you in advance for your understanding, especially because everyone has been so great about it so far!

Glad you guys liked the last chapter…we're about halfway done with the story, and almost done with James : ) I'm sure you'll be just as glad as I am for him to go bye bye.

That being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well and be sure to leave a review if you would be so kind!

… …

Edward Cullen

I was incredibly proud of her. But I was also worried.

I tried to be confident; to believe that everything would work out, but things weren't that easy. Life wasn't that easy. These last few months had proven that.

Bella seemed to still be in a daze, and the next few days passed in a blur. We must have gotten lucky with Officer Weber, because she was taking the case between Mr. Hunter and Bella very seriously. I wasn't sure how these things worked but this seemed to be a step in the right direction, and the other criminal charges that the DA's office promised would be charged to Mr. Hunter would only help Bella's cause.

He was still in the hospital. She had missed anything vital…unfortunately, but had done enough damage that he would be kept there at least until charges were pressed. I was more than relieved, even though I wouldn't be happy until he was behind bars or dead. But for now, this would have to be enough.

… …

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, lingering in the doorway.

Bella sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. "I think I'm just tired," she said quietly. "Thank you though."

I nodded. "Just…just call if you need me. I'll be downstairs."

"Thank you."

I closed the door to the guest room she had been staying in behind me, trying to be quiet. She had been feeling off all morning, and I was worried that all the events of a few days were really catching up to her. And I wouldn't blame her. It was surreal, what had happened here just two days ago.

I myself was still having trouble with it, and I hadn't even been the one to pull the trigger.

As much as he had deserved it; as much as he had it coming…it was hard to come to terms with. I was still so proud of her. I had seen the gun, and I knew that he had planned to use it on her and wouldn't have felt a drop of remorse about it. Maybe he would have spared the baby…but could we have trusted him to keep his word? He was a monster. If he could turn a gun on his pregnant wife, then I didn't think he would have had that much of a problem harming his unborn child.

I still wondered how I had gotten into this situation. This was, after all, supposed to be just a job. A way to get experience; to get into the workforce through a powerhouse like James Hunter. It had supposed to have only lasted a few months.

But I was glad it wasn't just a job. I wish it had happened differently, that Bella hadn't been through hell and back, but I knew I couldn't change it. I was relieved that I had gotten the job, and I had been here for all of this. And that there was a chance for both of us to be happy in the future.

… …

Isabella Hunter

I stared up at the ceiling, willing myself to just fall asleep.

But sleep was elusive, just like it had been for the last two nights.

Coupled with the fact that I could not turn my mind off, I hadn't been feeling well. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. I kept replaying that morning in my mind, and when I closed my eyes, I saw him hitting the floor. When I had been able to sleep, all I dreamt about was him shooting me instead of the other way around. At this point, I didn't want to sleep. I didn't want the nightmares.

I winced at the twinge in my back and tried to reposition myself. But nothing was comfortable anymore. It had been like this for the past week or so, but it was only getting worse. The only real comfort was feeling the baby kicking, just like he was now. I smiled at I touched my stomach, but it was quickly replaced with a grimace as the baby kicked sharply.

I had been lying awake for hours now, and I knew that a peaceful sleep wasn't coming, so I gave up.

The guest room had been home for the past two days, but I felt like I was finally ready to get back to my old routines. To try and make sense of everything that had happened and move past it. I wasn't sure that it was really possible, but I would try my hardest.

"You're up."

"I was never down," I said wryly, grimacing at Edward.

He had been sitting in the kitchen, and immediately put the paper down when I entered the room.

"Want me to make you something to eat?" He asked, watching me closely.

I raised my eyebrows at him, and he finally cracked a smile. "Okay, I can't cook."

"I know. But don't worry, I'm not fixing anything. I'll just have some toast."

"You should probably eat more than that, Bella."

"I can't," I said simply.

My stomach was in knots, had been since…it happened.

He didn't argue, and put his arm around my shoulders when I sat down in the chair next to him.

"I'm worried about you."

I smiled sadly. I hated that all of this had happened, and that he had to deal with. But I was happy that he cared so much, and that he was so concerned. It wasn't something that I was used to.

"Edward…"

"Bella…" he mimicked, frowning. "It's a legitimate concern. This has all been a blur, and the baby…"

"The baby is fine," I assured him.

"He's not the only one I'm worried about."

"I'll be fine, too."

"You will be. But you're not yet, are you?" He asked.

"No," I admitted. "I'm not."

He brushed his fingers over my shoulder, rubbing gently. "How can I help? How can I take care of you?"

"Just be you."

We were silent for a moment, basking in each other and trying to let the events of the past few days resonate.

"Before I forget, someone from the DA's office will be coming by today," Edward said, drawing me out of my own thoughts. "They want to talk to both of us, and I'm assuming they're going to want to look for evidence. They might have a warrant."

"They don't need one," I replied. "They can look at whatever they want; take whatever they want. Anything to help the case against him."

"Good. And the receptionist from the mental health clinic by dad suggested called…they have an opening tomorrow. Do you want to go?"

I thought for a moment. As much as I didn't want to relieve everything, not just about the incident a few days ago but about the last ten years, I knew I had to. It was the only way to get past it. "Yes," I agreed. "I think that would be a good idea."

"Me, too. I'm glad you're going," Edward said with a small smile.

"It'll be good for me." I glanced over at him. "And for us."

… …

My eyes were red and puffy and my head hurt, but I felt a million times better when I exited Dr. Harrison's office. It would take more than one appointment to see real results, but just getting everything off my chest made me feel like healing was possible.

"Hey." Edward stood as I reentered the reception area, looking at me with concern. "How was it? Are you okay?"

"It was good. I'm fine, just…it was a lot to talk about. Stuff I hate talking about. But it actually felt good," I admitted.

He nodded, offering me his arm. "Good. I've been worried about you. I know this isn't an instant fix, but…"

"It can only help," I finished for him. "Thank you. For being worried, for caring…for taking care of me."

"Anytime," Edward said, but I knew it was a promise, and that he took it seriously. And that helped, too.

… …

"The DA's office just called! They pressed charges," Edward said, bursting into the guest room. I dropped the book I had been reading in surprise, and Edward climbed onto the bed with me. "Bella, it's starting."

"What charges?" I asked, my heart beating fast.

"For now, just the domestic abuse. It's not a lot, but it will keep him away until the DA's office files the other charges. They aren't pressing charges against you for the shooting, because he actually admitted to hitting you first and that he was planning on hurting you. I don't know why, or what could have possibly been going through his mind, but it only helps us. He still thinks he's untouchable, I guess. But he's not."

I let out a deep breath, feeling relieved immediately. It still felt too easy, but I figured that at this point, I was due for a lucky break. That was something Dr. Harrison had made me realize last week, and Edward, too.

"Thank god."

He pressed a kiss to my cheek, and just like every time he touched me, my heart started pounding like crazy and my cheeks flushed. I turned my face to the side to face him immediately, and he looked surprised but smiled at me for a moment before gently pressing his lips to mine.

His hand came up to my face, and cupped my cheek gently as we continued to kiss languidly. It felt like it had been ages since we had kissed, and I had missed it. It felt so right.

And we had never really kissed like this before. It was incredible.

Several minutes passed before Edward pulled away, but instead of moving back immediately, he pressed his forward to mine for a moment first. "I love you," he whispered, and I felt like I was melting. I had never felt this way before him, and I hoped that he felt the same way about me as I did about him. But based on the way he was looking at me, I felt that my odds were looking pretty good.

"I love you, too, Edward."

… …

Thanks again. I love all of you and appreciate everything you've done for me and my stories. Each and every one of you is amazing- I hope you know that!

See you soon, hopefully. I graduated (!) on Saturday and haven't amped up my work schedules yet, so I'm hoping I have a little more time to put words on paper. Also, I can't believe that I graduated with my bachelor's degree- hasn't sunk in yet!