AN: Two more chapters. Enjoy!

Chapter 20

Edward was walking away across the autumn leaves that littered the ground. The yellows, reds, and oranges shattered into a fine, brown dust under his feet. It was one of those dreary days where the sun hid under the clouds and the chill could be felt in your bones.

I ran to catch up, stumbling over large roots. I screamed after him, "Where are you going?"

He kept his brisk pace.

"I'm not joking, Cullen! You stop right this minute!"

Turning slowly, my love gazed at me with a face that appeared carved out of stone. "I have places to be, Bella."

I caught up and tried to force his arms, that were held tightly to his sides, around me. "We need to shoot a turkey! Thanksgiving is just around the corner!"

"Two turkeys have already been shot," he pointed out, as he glanced to my waist. Blood was pouring out from a gaping hole my favorite mauve fleece. I saw Garrett magically appear next to me. His body was littered with holes. Edward continued, "You birds need to stick together. I really should go find Jane. She loves cranberry sauce."

"You have got to be kidding me!" I screamed and I started to shake him.

My voice echoed through the cloudy gloom.

I woke up with a start. My side ached.

Edward held my hand in both of his and was muttering to himself. His hair was a tousled mess of red and his face was streaked with dried tears.

"Hey. Am I dead?"

Edward stared at me like he was seeing an apparition. Eyes welling up with fresh moisture, Edward whispered, "You're awake, my Bell."

"Appears so. How bad is it, Dr. Poetry?" I tried to joke. The hospital room reeked of cleaners and the walls were bland tan except for a framed poster of snow covered mountains. I was connected to all sorts of beeping machines that played an obnoxious song that added to my discomfort. "Where's all my flowers and balloons?"

Edward couldn't contain his grin. "There's my smart ass. You've only been out for a couple of hours. You are going to be just fine. The bullet missed all your important bits."

"Then why the tears?" I squeezed his hand tightly. Garrett's face flashed in my mind. The way he tried to protect me from Felix's bullet. "Is Gar—"

"He's fine, my love," Edward reassured me. He kissed my palm. "The surgery was successful. The bullet grazed his appendix. Luckily, it's a part he really didn't need. You can see him tomorrow. I'll wheel you there myself."

"If we're both going to be okay, shouldn't you be happy?" I asked tiredly. Everything ached. I was tired and sad about everything that happened. I hated the look in Edward's eyes. I answered for him, "You were planning on breaking things off with me."

"Bella! No!" He exclaimed, but I could still see the way his mouth turned down slightly. It was his tell tale look.

I tried to stretch my sore muscles. I winced at the pain. "I know you, Edward. Your adorably frustrating emo is coming through. Was it Garrett jumping in front of me that's making you act so weird? Are you thinking I would be better off with him?"

"I was frozen! My mind knew I had to protect you, but I couldn't move!" He grabbed his knees and closed his eyes tightly. "I could have lost you forever! I should have been the one to save you! He was your hero! You should be with Garrett!"

Men were curious creatures. I always wondered if testosterone made them so silly. Instead of just being happy that I was alive, Edward was concerned with his role in that survival. The most important part for me was that the man I loved was safe, but I really had to be rational. If our roles were reversed, would I have frozen in fear? Probably.

That is the nature of being afraid. It is perfectly acceptable to be fearful to the point of being unable to move. I couldn't be angry with Edward about his being upset at his inaction. I would be that way too. I would however squash his attempt to sacrifice our love.

I was way too tired to deal with this shit.

"Bullshit." Patting my bed, I commanded, "Climb on in, Buckaroo!"

Edward looked at me like I was crazy. "I can't—"

"Get in. Now." I held up a remote control. "Does one of these control the morphine?"

"The T.V. and it calls the nurse."

I made a face, "Damn it. Why am I here if drugs aren't readily available?"

"Oh Bella," Edward slowly climbed in. His long limbs curled around my body. Except for the pain, it felt like everything was right in the world. "Am I hurting you?"

I placed my hand on his face. "The only thing that could truly hurt me is if we aren't together anymore, Edward. Don't you get it? You're my Lord Byron! My Romeo! My Benedict! My Don Juan! My adorable pain in the ass!"

"Those are a hell of a lot of nicknames, Buttons." He pressed his forehead to mine.

My fingers locked with his. "Sure is. You've made me a sap. I think I like it."

"Garrett is—"

"A warrior. A soldier. A man trained to fight and deal with situations like the one we found ourselves in. You sir, are wonderful in so many ways but not equipped to deal with a madman." I kissed him once, twice, three times. "I will not lose you in a foolish attempt to play a role that could take you away from me."

Edward's face twisted in sadness. "My Bell, you stood up to him!"

"It has never been said that I was the type of gal who thinks first." I placed my head on his chest. "I was such a stupid, stupid girl. I was so close to not hearing this delightful heartbeat anymore. I would miss the tune it beats for me. I would also miss french fries."

"Always end with a joke."

I kissed his heart. "Always."

He moved me carefully up and held me tight. Our noses were touching. He quietly said, "Forgive me for my weakness. "

"Only if you forgive me for my idiotic bravado," I countered. I placed his hand on my heart and mine on his. "Infinity, remember?"

"Forever." He kissed me gently. Too gently. I needed more.

His eyes seemed so much brighter. We were a pair. Two really was a perfect number.

"When do I get sprung? I need sexy times." I winked at him.

Edward got his bossy face on. "You've been injured! You need to heal. Dad wants to keep an eye on you for a couple of days."

"Why?" I groaned.

"My parents are extremely fond of you. My mother threatened to stay by your bedside and read healing Buddhist chants," he admitted. "I don't blame them. You're pretty special."

"I knew I liked them." I bit his neck softly. "Let's do something fun."

He pulled away slowly. "Nap together? That was we can get you healthy?"

"I was thinking we can cross something off my bucket list. Let's do it in the hospital! Being hit by a bullet made me horny!"

He laughed. It vibrated through me and down to my very soul, though I was still offended that he wasn't trying to squeeze my boob. "It's not funny, Edward!"

"I would love to have passionate, mind-blowing sex in this hospital bed with you. Unfortunately, I'm certain that the nice pain killers that are being pumped into you are wearing off. You're going to be feeling uncomfortable soon."

"Damn it." I grabbed his chin. "Can I at least get some kissing?"

"Kissing is definitely a good idea. I need your lips on mine, Bella Swan."

Here we were kissing on an uncomfortable bed on one of the worst nights of our lives and our mouths caressing felt like true joy. The intensity of our love poured out of each of us and into the other. It was beautiful.

"What the hell is going on here, Isabella Marie Swan!"

It was beautiful until my father walked in. Oh shit.

"Hi Daddy. Meet my boyfriend."

Welcome to the family, Edward.

XXXXXX

I sat on the side of the bed and gazed out of the window to stare at a flock of geese flying south. The V formation always amazed me in the perfect way the birds would conform to what was expected of them.

When I was young and my mother went off on one of her adventures, I would stare at the sky and watch for my feathered friends no matter the season. I would dream that I could sprout wings and fly with them to search for her in the warmer climates that would call to my mother's fractured soul.

Now I just gave them a farewell wave. Edward was here and my mother was buried six feet under. I didn't need to search for her anymore. My home was with him and much to my father's annoyance, Edward was making it a reality and moving in to help me during my recovery.

I heard a chair being wheeled in and I said without turning around, "My chariot has arrived."

"Hi Bella," Jane greeted me. I turned to find her looking at me with a grim expression on her daffodil face,

"Are you here to smother me with a pillow?" I shook my head at her. "Haven't I been through enough?"

She looked down at the wheelchair. "I really needed to talk to you."

I stared at this woman who decided that I was her enemy. Jane almost destroyed what I had with Edward. It was unacceptable to me. I wanted this over and I wanted Jane out of my life.

"Say your peace and leave." I held up the controller that would call the nursing staff to my aid. "Get violent or obnoxious and I'll have Myrtle take care of you."

Myrtle was a very cranky, battle ax of a nurse who I found frightening. Her uniform might be covered in teddy bears carrying balloons, but the woman was mean and like to jab needles in patients' arms like the masked manic in a horror movie stabbing her victims.

Jane looked terrified as well. She swallowed and looked me in the eye. "He still loves you."

"Of course, Edward loves me!"

"No! Riley said he still love you! He broke off the engagement!" She looked anguished and her small hands gripped the handles of the chair. "He admitted that there have been other girls that reminded him of you. He's been cheating on me and trying to recapture what the two of you had."

Tears streamed down her eyes. I remember that feeling when all of Riley's misdeeds came to light. The betrayal and sadness from a broken heart tearing me in two. I never would have done what Jane tried to do to me, because I was a far better person. Obviously.

Riley also didn't have one woman to use as a scapegoat when he destroyed our relationship. He was ruining a huge group of women all at once. Gleefully.

This time he used me as his excuse and Jane took the bait. She made me feel a myriad of emotions. Pity and sadness for her came first, but that faded quickly.

I was pissed off.

"I'm playing my teeny tiny violin for you right now, Dr. Jane. Mother fucking boo hoo." I folded my arms and glared at her. "Riley is a lying shit. He can't tell the truth. I think he was born without the ability to. Did he tell you how our epic love ended?"

"It was a misunderstanding."

I snorted. "I misunderstood that he was engaged to a lot women that weren't me. All at the same time."

She looked at me in confusion. "He—"

"Is the one you should be blaming for the end of your relationship. Not me." I folded my hands on my lap and looked at her with a frown. "You almost ruined something wonderful. It wasn't fair to target me."

"Would you ever forgive me?" She asked very quietly. Her eyes were still dripping fat tears onto her lab coat.

"Not now," I admitted truthfully. "I would never do to someone what you did to me."

"For what it's worth, I'm truly sorry."
Edward came in behind her. "What are you doing in here? I'll call security!"

She turned to him and shook her head. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I wanted to apologize."

"Did you?" He spat.

"Yes," she looked timidly at him.

"Then leave." Edward walked past her to give me a kiss. He turned to see her still looking at us sadly. "Do you need me to call my father in here?"

"No. Bella, I hope you feel better soon." Her head down, Jane began to walk out slowly. Edward sat next to me and kissed my temple. This was what real love felt like.

I suddenly felt very sorry for Jane. I had new love now, but I remembered the uncertainty I had about my life after Riley stomped on my dreams. The anger I had towards her had now disappeared. I blamed the medication. It was making my emotions unstable.

"Jane!" I called out.

She turned slowly around. "Yes?"

"Don't give up on love. There's somebody out there for you. Just make sure to be careful and choose wisely next time."

Her smile to me was brighter. "Thank you!"

Edward put his arm around me. "You're too nice, my Bell."

"I'm a damn saint." I snuggled into his side.

"Ready to head home?" Edward traced my arm with our sign. Forever circles.

"Can we check on Garrett?"

He kissed me and pulled away with a grin. "Absolutely."