I want to point out that I know practically nothing when it comes to trial or lawyers so I apologize for the mistakes ahead of time. But any way here's the new chapter! Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to Mrs. Meyers. Also a thanks to my beta Ema2010 for editing! I keep getting messages about this chapter not showing up and it has to have just been something with fan fiction, but it's up now; sorry for the inconvenience.

B POV

An unperturbed Rosalie walked up to the stand, looking calm and collected, and frosty gold eyes devoid of any emotion. She took the oath and Mr. Volturi's questioning began.

"Ms. Hale, why did you invite Bella to your house the day you met her?"

"We got along well, it was Friday and I was bored." she shrugged. All she needed was the nail file to complete her bored look.

"Was that your only motivation?"

"Yes."

"What if I told you that the day before, your father was treating her at the hospital.

What would you say to that?"

"I didn't know that."

"I see. So why did you and Ms. Swan bond so quickly?"

"She was very nice and sweet. She seemed like a person I could be friends with."

"And that was it?"

"Yes."

Mr. Volturi glanced at Charlie quickly before resuming, "So did Ms. Swan sleep in your room that night?"

"No, she sleeps in Alice's bedroom."

"So isn't it possible that Ms. Swan could have snuck over to Mr. Cullen's room without anyone's knowledge?" he smirked.

Rosalie glared at him before her face morphed back into indifference, "I suppose."

"You suppose," he drawled, "When did you find out about Ms. Swan's…predicament?"

"The day that Edward went and brought her."

"Brought her from where?" he asked, seemingly curious.

"From the man that Charlie had sold Bella to for the night." she said, and Mr. Volturi's eyes widened fractionally.

"How did you come to that conclusion?" he gaped.

"Edward overheard Charlie on the phone that he was bringing someone to Seattle. He made that connection of Bella, because she told him she was going to Seattle on Friday." Rosalie explained.

"If your story is true, how did Ms. Swan escape?"

"My brother told our father about it, and asked him to help her."

"And Dr. Cullen believed him?" he frowned.

"Yes."

"How much money did Dr. Cullen pay?"

"He gave Edward fifteen thousand dollars."

"How did Edward find where she was?"

"He followed Charlie's car."

"How do you know that this isn't all made up, Ms. Hale?"

"I trust Bella and Edward." she snapped.

He nodded coldly and stepped down, seeming displeased.

"The session will now end for today. I expect to see you all here Monday at four o'clock." the judge ordered. Mr. Andrews gathered his things and we all filed out of the courtroom.

My mom ran up to me, "Oh Bella, I'm so sorry you had to go through all this." she cried, wiping her eyes.

"I know, Mom. It's not your fault." I gave her a watery smile.

She returned it and turned to Carlisle and Esme, "Do you mind if Phil and I drop by? I'd like to talk to Bella, and of course get to know you all."

"Yes, of course, Mrs. Dwyer." Esme smiled. "You're welcome for as long as you'd like."

Mom thanked her and we all climbed into our respective cars, driving to the Cullen's house.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied unconvincingly.

"You aren't," he said gently, "You're worried about everyone else, but you should be focusing on your own well-being for right now. Renee doesn't think less of you." he stated.

"I know she doesn't blame me, but she does blame herself. It was my fault though, because I stayed with Charlie when I could have sided with her." I admitted.

"Bella, none of this is your fault, do you hear me? The only people responsible are Charlie and Jacob…not your mother, and definitely not you. Understand?" he said vehemently.

I smiled and entwined my left hand with his right one, and the rest of the ride was spent in comfortable silence.

We all arrived around the same time, and Esme quickly ushered us all into the living room.

"Your home is beautiful." Mom gushed.

"Thank you, Esme here designed and decorated it herself." Carlisle praised.

"I want to thank you again for helping Bella."

"She's like a daughter to us, Mrs. Dwyer, and we protect our family." Esme said.

Mom gave them another appreciative smile and then turned to me, "Bella, are you staying here until the next trial?" she asked.

"If it's okay with you, Mom, I'd like to." I said shyly.

I got approval from both Carlisle and my Mom. We continued to chat lightly for another hour until Mom and Phil left to their hotel for some sleep.

That night, after I'd taken my shower, I found Edward lying across my bed.

"Would you like me to sleep with you again tonight?" he asked.

"Yes, if you don't mind." I said nervously.

"Of course not, Bella." he said with an edge to his voice.

"What's the matter, Edward?" I asked as I lay down next to him.

"Nothing that concerns you."

"Tell me." I whispered.

"Caius Volturi." he sighed.

"I thought you said we would win the case?" I panicked.

"Yes…but he's also involved with our kind." he said mysteriously.

"Y-your kind?" I stammered fearfully.

"He is one of the leaders of the Volturi."

"What are the Volturi?"

"They are vampires. They make sure the rest of us are following the laws and not exposing ourselves. Which, we did." he explained.

"So they're after you guys!" I cried.

"No, not after us, Bella…after you." he said quietly.

"Oh, okay." I said in relief.

"Bella, why are you so calm?" he demanded, "They're going to try and kill you. Not that they'll succeed, but…"

"Better me than you guys." I grinned.

He shook his head at me, "Not true, Bella. But don't worry, because I'll make sure nobody ever hurts you again." he vowed.

"If you're so sure, then stop moping." I yawned, cuddling closer to him and shutting my eyes. He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my head.

"Morning." I croaked out many hours later, squinting my eyes open to see Edward smiling back at me. I imagined how horrible I looked right now.

"Good morning to you as well." he said, pecking my lips quickly, "What would you like to do today?"

"Could we go to the meadow again?" I asked.

"You seem to like it there a lot." he remarked, "Just dress warm. It's a bit chilly outside."

I nodded and climbed out of bed, getting ready for the day. When I went downstairs, Edward set a cheesy omelet in front of me at the table. I nearly moaned in appreciation.

"Are you ready for Monday?" Edward conversed as I ate.

"As long as you're sure we'll win."

"I meant for school, actually. You're all that anyone will be talking about.

"I hadn't even thought about that. I've been so worried about everything else." I groaned, not wanting to go to school.

"It doesn't matter what they say about anything. They don't know what you've been through no one does. So don't let anything they say get to you." he said sincerely, his gold eyes worried.

"You're right." I appeased.

"Now, are you ready to go to the meadow?"

I set my plate in the sink, "I am now."

"Do you want to drive there or do you want me to carry you?"

"How about you drive then we hike?" I suggested, not really a fan of hiking, but I knew Edward liked to.

We headed to his car and he zoomed off.

"Edward, why did Carlisle change you?" I asked idly as we drove.

"My mother asked him to." he replied, "We were all dying of Spanish Influenza. Somehow she knew he had the power to save me, so she begged him to, right before she died."

"Did you ever resent him for it?"

"For a while I did, during my newborn years. But I don't anymore, especially now that I've meet you." he smiled crookedly at me, parking the car.

"Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?" he smirked as we started to hike.

"Yes, I'm sure," I said, tripping and landing on the ground at the same time. He laughed and helped me up.

It took two hours and countless stumbles to reach the meadow. But it was all worth it see its breathtaking beauty.

"Edward, is Alice going to plan our wedding when we do get married?" I asked hesitantly as we sat down.

"If that's what you want, then yes." he responded doubtfully. We both knew Alice would plan the wedding regardless of what I wanted.

"I love your sister, but don't let her go overboard." I pleaded.

"I don't think it's possible to rein Alice in, but I'll try." he chuckled.

"Thank you." I said.

"You're welcome. And I've been meaning to ask you something, if it's alright with you."

"Okay…" I trailed off nervously.

"After everything that was said at the trial and what you've been through, you know I won't force you to do anything you don't want to, right?" he asked worriedly, his brow furrowing.

"Of course Edward, I trust you." I said gently.

"And you know that even after we get married, if you don't want to make love, that's alright, right? I've waited so long, I can wait a while longer." he promised. My heart shattered.

"Thank you for that, but I want us at least to try." I said, my face heating up in rejection, "And I understand that you aren't attracted to me physically. We don't have to do anything at all."

Edward blinked a few times, then burst out laughing. My face turned beet red.

"You think I'm not attracted to you? Bella, that's absurd. You're very appealing." he assured humorously.

"Thanks. It bothers me that lies are being told about our relationship though." I huffed angrily.

"I know, but we haven't done anything, and I know that the jury believes us. Mind reader, remember?" he cracked a smile.

The conversation grew lighter after that, and we just talked with ease. We asked each other mundane questions for hours, getting to know each other better. Before I knew it, it was already dark. Edward carried me back to the car and we stopped for food on the way to his house. I fell asleep in his arms shortly after we arrived.

Edward shook me awake early the next morning, and I paled, remembering we had school today.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked after I got dressed.

"Yeah. I'm just nervous." I admitted, trying to make myself look presentable.

"I'll be right there next to you, Bella. We'll get through this together." he vowed, kissing me. We headed downstairs and Esme made me pancakes. I ate quickly, my nerves not subsiding.

"Ready to go?" Edward asked, grabbing our bags.

I nodded and we headed out to his car, driving to school in silence. My heart thumped wildly as we approached the school, and not even Edward's soft voice could calm me down.

"It'll be fine, Bella. Trust me." he whispered after he'd parked.

And I did trust him. So I sucked it up and plastered a smile on my face, being brave…for him. We walked through those doors together, hand in hand, and I ignored the hundreds of curious eyes that stared at us.

Please review. I hope all of you liked the chapter!