Chapter Twenty-Five

A/N Ok I'm not going to make excuses this time mainly as there's no excuse good enough lol. I think that I'm going to just do an epilogue now unless there's something that you want to know happens now

I want to thank everyone that has read and reviewed my story I love you all.

Beta d by Lissagirl26 Thank you again for a brilliant job :D

Edward's POV-Day 2

This morning I was woken up before it became light by a heart-wrenching scream. I scrambled up from my position on the settee and sprinted up the stairs towards Bella's room. I did not spare a moment trying to open the door; instead, I just slammed my shoulder into it. What I saw on the other side of the door saddened me tremendously.

Bella was as white as a sheet lying in the bed struggling as thought someone was holding her down. She must be reliving that night in her dream. I didn't even think about what I was doing before I was across the room and crouched next to the beautiful, traumatised girl that needs me right now.

I shook her shoulder while trying to wake her with my voice, "Bella, honey, wake up. It's not real, I am real, and I'm here. Your ok, wake up. I'm here for you." It took a few moments of shaking, but soon she had shot up into a sitting position eyes wide but aware. She sent her gaze sweeping round the room before they fell on me and she had a relieved look.

Before I could blink, she had thrown herself off the bed and in my arms; she had her head burrowed in my neck. Although she made no sound, I could feel her shaking with her sobs. The pain shot through my chest and I wished that I could take away everything that was making her suffer. That was going to be a task and would take a while but looking down at the vulnerable girl lying in my arms, I knew it was going to be worth it in the end. She was worth it.

I had a suspicion from the phone call off my brother last night that they had a plan in action. It made me happy to know that my whole family loved Bella as one of us. This girl was amazing and I just wished that I could let her know just how much she meant to all of us. The thing was I didn't want to come on too strong and scare her away.

I stroked her back, in what I hoped was a reassuring way and it seemed to help. She stopped shaking so much. I sighed in relief when it seemed she had settled down. Suddenly I remembered what had helped relax her before so I stood up with her in my arms. She squeaked in shock before relaxing into my arms.

It saddened me to realise she weighed very little but I started walking without dwelling on that fact. I made my way to her front room without saying anything to her. She was too withdrawn into herself for anything I said now to make an effect. I would wait forever for this girl and it shocked me. I had never felt anything like this with anyone before.

What was weirder was, I had not known her all that long and yet it felt so right to talk to her, to protect her, to hold her close as I was now. I wanted to let her know how I felt but I knew she wasn't in the right place to hear those words, if she ever would be.

I sat her down on the settee in her front room and put in the first DVD that my hand touched. She whimpered as I moved away from her,"Don't worry, I'll be right back. Just relax honey." She made another protesting noise as I moved away but I was relieved to see that she did in fact relax slightly into the back of the settee.

As quick as I could I ran into her kitchen, found two glasses, filling them with water, and threw together some sandwiches using what I could find in the fridge. Then just as quickly, I carried it back to where I had left Bella on a tray. It looked as though she had relaxed more while I had been in the kitchen and she was staring at the TV intently.

She still had tear tracks on her cheeks but I was thankful that she wasn't still crying. I put the plate on her lap and the glass in front of her on the table without saying anything again. We ate in silence as we watched the film, or should I say she watched the film I was more interested in making sure that she was ok which meant my attention was on her.

When she finished I took the plates back to the kitchen and washed them. I would allow her to talk when and if she needed to. I was shocked when I sat back down and she settled down to lie against my side. I smiled to myself, as she seemed to take a deep breath and then fully relaxed into my side.

I smiled to myself, maybe there was a chance that she could feel the same way but I still new that I would have to let her heal a bit first. I was relieved to see that her only experience with a guy, if you can call that piece of dirt a guy, hadn't affected her so much that she could not move on from it. I just knew that it was going to take her a while.

"Are you alright now Bella?"

"I think so. Can we just not move for a while?"

"If that's what you want. Are you going to be alright at school tomorrow?" The nod of her head was the only answer I got.

"Would you feel better if we could move you into my lessons?" The smile that graced her features after my question warmed my heart. I laughed slightly "I'll take that as a yes than shall I?"

I locked eyes with her and the draw I felt captivated me. I couldn't look away and it seemed the same for her as well. I didn't know what to do, the pull to kiss her was strong and yet I didn't want to do anything that would make her uncomfortable or run screaming from me. The only problem was that she appeared to be slowly leaning towards me of her own violation. I looked deep into her eyes to see if there was anything in her eyes that showed reluctance but she seemed determined and I could see a look in her eyes that I couldn't recognise.

I opened my mouth to ask her if she was sure, when I noticed we were so much closer than I remembered. I was practically touching her already. I pulled back abruptly when I saw the flash of hurt in her eyes. "Bella. Stop." I said quickly, she had started to back up away from me. "I didn't pull away because I don't want to." Now she froze." I do not want to make you uncomfortable or do anything that might cause you any hurt. I wasn't sure if you'd want me to kiss you, or if you feel like I am pushing myself on you."

Before I could think she had flung herself on my lap, and had her arms wrapped around me neck. "Edward nothing you could do would ever cause me hurt, unless you left." This time it was me that had the massive smile on my face.

"Well in that case I'll never leave you." With that, we were back into the original position although we had both moved closer this time and instead of pulling back, I moved forward. Our lips touched and instantly I felt sparks and I had butterflies in my stomach. It seemed as though our bodies and minds had been made for each other. When we pulled away, she moved herself back into my lap but this time with her back to me and relaxed into me.

It was in this position that we stayed in all night until her dad returned from work, he didn't seem to be happy about our position but gladly he made no comment. I left her house at about eight and was happy to see as I left her, standing at the door with a beautiful smile still firmly set on her face. When I arrived back home the whole family smiled when they saw me and it was then that I heard what they had been up to at school.

It was in this moment standing with my family I knew, Bella had a place here and anyone of us would do everything and anything in our power to protect her.