A/N I know, it's been forever! I'm so sorry. Things have been... complicated. Thank you to hockeymomof4 who left me my 1000th review for Broken. Not only that, she reviewed every chapter along the way! Also much love and thanks to SabLuvsLogan who made me a beautiful banner for Broken. You rock my socks sweetie.

I don't own Twilight.

EPOV

I still needed a few minutes alone so I went straight to my room. I could tell immediately that Bella had been there and I looked around to see what she could have possibly been doing in my room during my absence.

With my sharpened senses I saw almost right away the bloom that was lying gently on the sofa. The soft scent of it was barely discernable from the distance I was standing from it but grew stronger as I approached.

If my heart had been beating it would have stopped in that moment. I recognized the flower. Did Bella know what it meant? Could she finally have discovered my secret from all these months? Did she know what I had been trying to tell her?

Your love is reciprocated... the meaning of the ambrosia flower.

I needed to see her, to find out if she knew what it meant when she left it for me.

As I approached her room I could hear her slow, even breathing indicating she was asleep. I slowly opened the door to peek in at her.

She looked like an angel. The room was dark except for the light of a discreet nightlight plugged in beside her bed. Bella's apprehension about windows had yet to lessen so no natural light entered her room and Alice had chosen the small nightlight to offer some illumination and security for Bella should she wake in the night. I realized the day must have exhausted her more than I thought since she had napped earlier and was sleeping already.

I raked my hands through my hair in frustration. I needed to know if she understood the flowers. How was I supposed to wait until morning to find out?

Then I noticed that her hand was resting on her scrapbook. It lay open to the page with a single white poppy pressed to it. Written underneath the bloom in careful script was the name and meaning of the flower.

Bella knew.

I froze in place, unsure of how to feel or react. She had to know now that I loved her. How would she react once the fact settled in to her mind?

The flower she left me… could she possibly love me in return?

Your love is reciprocated…

I didn't want to scare her by staying in her room while she slept so I silently went back the way I came to wait for her to wake.

BPOV

Slowly, reality crept in to my fuzzy dream world. I stretched my arms above my head but refused to open my eyes and admit reality just yet.

Then it hit me and I paused mid-stretch.

I slept.

I didn't dream.

I haven't slept without nightmares in months. I didn't remember what exactly I dreamed about, if anything, but there was no lingering fear or the shaking that always seemed to accompany the terrors that stalked me in the darkness when my mind was most vulnerable.

What could possibly have kept the nightmares at bay? It came back to me all at once.

Flowers.

Edward.

"Edward?" I called, knowing he would hear me. He appeared beside me faster than I could blink. The last few months had gotten me used to vampire traits so I wasn't surprised.

He smiled at me and I could see, for the first time, the warmth that might have always been there. Had I really been that blind? How could I have missed it? I smiled back at him and reached for his hand. He took mine in his grateful, as I was, for even the slightest contact.

"How did you sleep?" he asked me in a quiet voice. Neither of us wanted to shatter the moment by speaking too loudly or moving. Silly as it seemed, I couldn't help how I felt.

I surprised us both by nearly laughing. "You tell me. I'm sure you were around to know."

His hands tightened around mine briefly before he answered. "No nightmares at all?" he asked.

"Nope, not a one. It feels almost too good to be true…" I said, and I wasn't speaking only of nightmares.

"Thank you for the flower," Edward said suddenly, changing the subject. I couldn't help the blush that heated my face.

"Ambrosia…" I said on a whisper.

"Your love is reciprocated…" he murmured back. I couldn't help the blush that crept over my face as I cast my eyes towards the bedspread, which suddenly became fascinating to me.

A cold finger slid under my chin and raised it until my gaze met his. He searched my face for a moment before mercifully letting the subject go.

I wasn't ready to talk about my feelings for him or his for me just yet. To talk about it would feel… wrong, somehow. I couldn't explain why. Maybe I wasn't ready for it to be real.

"Can we talk… about yesterday?" I asked slowly. I didn't want to speak of the musical therapy session but I knew that I needed to. Edward nodded.

"Of course. Anything you need."

I thought for a few minutes. "Thank you for what you did. I know it couldn't have been easy for you," I said.

"Silly Bella," he said with a smile. "I'd do anything to help you."

Too close to what I didn't want to discuss.

"Still, I wish you didn't have to be there for that. I don't like that you saw me like that… or that you had to feel what I felt. I didn't know music could feel like that. It was … painful. But it was real. I know that you and Jasper must have been using your gifts but you played everything I felt. It was like… I can't even describe what it was like."

"How did it make you feel afterwards?" he asked.

"Cleaner, somehow. I've never been so without words before." I couldn't hide my frustration.

"Sometimes words aren't necessary. Just feel," he whispered. I nodded at him before closing my eyes.

I gripped his hands tighter as my mind rewound the past day, back to the therapy session with Edward and Jasper. I felt my body clench and release as each word and corresponding music rushed through me. My breathing became harsh, almost labored, as I relieved the painful moments. I could hear Jasper's unrelenting voice as he took me to places that I would rather hide from. River, window, Charlie… alley, victim… and the one word that I had hidden from since it happened. No, no more hiding... since I was attacked.

Rape.

I was raped.

Once it was over once more, I felt relief… and resolve.

I opened my eyes to meet Edward's worried face.

"I need to call Charlie."

JPOV

I had been worried when Edward started talking to Bella about the musical therapy session. I knew it was slightly selfish of me but I was trying to protect my place in Bella's life as her counselor. Plus, Edward didn't have the years of training that I did. I liked to believe that Bella and I had built a strong rapport in the preceding few months.

It turned out my worries were without basis. Bella went through the same cycle of emotions but to a much lesser degree, leaving her feeling nothing but profound relief.

Had we finally turned a corner with her? I might have believed so, if Alice's visions hadn't intensified. She wouldn't tell me about them, but I could feel her worry.

From upstairs, I heard Bella speak.

"I need to call Charlie," she said clearly. I glanced over at Alice out of habit. Our years together had given us a deep understanding that often did not require words at all. She nodded at me and smiled, indicating that the visit would go well.

I picked up the phone and started to dial.

***

Alice and I were in the dining room so that we could be close if Bella needed us. Edward was beside her in the living room, trying to calm her raging case of panic. Everyone was home, wanting to show as much support for Bella as they possibly could without smothering her. I could hear them all, trying to pretend they were doing anything but focusing completely on the living room.

Carlisle was in his office, of course, but not behind the desk for once. He was seated on the sofa; book in his lap, reading poetry he had memorized years before to his wife. Esme was seated on the floor with her head resting on his knees. She radiated contentment mixed with concern for her newest daughter. Even Emmett and Rosalie had stayed home. The bond between Rosalie and Bella had surprised me as very few things had ever had the power to do. I supposed it was only natural with their similar experiences. Rose was nearly as nervous for Bella as Bella was herself. Emmett was trying valiantly to distract her with lewd suggestions which, in his defense, usually worked. It wasn't working.

I paced the floor, Bella's nerves threatening to take over everything. I'd never felt so much nervous energy. She was ready to explode. I took a deep and completely unnecessary breath before tapping in to Alice's emotions. Since she new the outcome of the visit, she was calm, and I could draw strength from that. I felt her deep wellspring of love for me feeding in to the calm she knew I would need from her. It steadied me, as it always had. I sent my gratitude to her before sending out waves of calm to Bella.

The doorbell rang. It was time.

I could hear Edward shift to let Charlie in. I couldn't take it anymore and moved to the hallway, where I could see the living room clearly but Charlie and Bella wouldn't be able to see me. Not that either one of them would have noticed me. They were focused on one another.

Charlie was nearly as consumed by nerves as Bella was.

Everyone was giving me a headache. I sank down against the wall and put my head into my hands before sending a wave of calm across the entire house. Immediately the tension eased.

"Edward, it's good to see you son," said Charlie from the doorway. I could hear him shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"Charlie, please come in. Bella's been anxious to see you."

Footsteps crossed the foyer and entered the living room where Bella hadn't moved a muscle since the doorbell rang.

No one spoke when the footsteps stopped. The silence dragged on until it throbbed with the emotion of unsaid words.

Charlie broke the silence first.

"Bella," he began hesitantly, "you look… well." I sent out another round of calm to Charlie and Bella. I would seriously need to hunt once he had left.

"Thank you," said Bella's quiet voice. From my seat in the hallway I could see her flush slightly under Charlie's stare. "I'm glad you came."

Charlie moved, finally, and sat next to Bella on the sofa. She inched away from him slightly and I felt his pain at her reaction. She didn't move completely away from him though. I was proud of her.

"Of course I came. Bella, honey, you're my daughter. You're the most important thing in my life. The only important thing. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. There was never any question that I would come if you needed me to."

I felt something tear inside me and it was a heartbeat before I realized I was feeling Bella's emotions and not my own. I could smell the tears that started streaming down her face.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry," she wept. I was stunned. I had never heard Bella refer to Charlie as anything but… well, Charlie. But this was something different, something deeper. It was the hurt child in Bella needing her daddy. "I'm so sorry."

Slowly, carefully, Charlie wrapped his arms around Bella. I felt more than heard Edward move to stand beside me and give them some time together.

"Ssh, honey, don't cry. There's nothing to be sorry for. You didn't do anything wrong."

"But I did! I pushed you away. I shut you out and hurt you. I didn't mean what I said at Thanksgiving."

"I know baby. I've always known. You were hurting. I just wish I could have been what you needed." Charlie's voice cracked on the last word a bit as he confessed his feelings to his broken baby girl.

"Please don't hate me," Bella whispered.

"Hey," said Charlie as all movement in the house stopped. "Look at me." Bella refused to look up so he gently slid a finger under her chin to lift her face to his. "I would never hate you. Ever. The only thing I hate is how much pain you are in and that I can't be the one to put you back together again. When you were little it was so simple. A kiss on a scrape and a tickle was all that you needed to be ok."

"I wish I could be that girl for you again. I wish I could be the daughter you deserved."

"Bells, you are so much more than I ever could have deserved. I know I'm not one for words or talking about feelings and such but you are the best thing that has ever come into my life. I wonder every day what I could have possibly done right to deserve a daughter like you," Charlie finished with tears in his own eyes.

The love he had for his daughter was overwhelming. It filled every inch of me, all the way to my fingertips. Charlie was a quiet man but the love that he felt for Bella was all-consuming and powerful. I couldn't contain it within myself so I threw it from myself into every occupant of the household.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too honey."

BPOV

I had done it. I had talked to Charlie, been in the same room with him, cried in his arms. Apparently it was a day for cleansing. It was New Year's Eve, so I guessed the timing was appropriate.

I sat in Alice and Jasper's room while I watched Alice and Rosalie get ready to go out for the evening. Everyone had plans for the holiday except Edward and I. Carlisle and Esme were staying in as well but they had some sort of plans in the house. I didn't want to know what they were. I saw them very much as parent figures and I didn't need to know what they did behind closed doors. I had seen Carlisle carry what looked like a thousand cream colored roses with a hint of pink at the tips upstairs though. I guessed Edward wasn't the only romantic in the family.

I watched the girls get ready without a trace of desire to go with them. I wasn't ready to leave my sanctuary of the Cullen home. I was safe here, and I had no inclination to be anywhere else. Plus, Edward and I would be together. My heart sped up a little at the thought, causing both Rosalie and Alice to pause and glance over at me. Rosalie's eyes were concerned, but Alice's were a little too knowing and excited.

"Are you ok, sweetie?" asked Rosalie.

"Sure, I was just thinking about starting a new year," I replied, knowing my answer was lame and didn't explain my heart rate one bit.

Rosalie moved to sit beside me.

"It's a brand new year, with endless possibilities for you. And I know it will be a good year for you."

"Really?" I asked, afraid to hope. "I thought Alice was the fortune teller in the family," I teased.

"I don't have to be able to tell the future to see that. I just know."

I looked up at her perfect face. "You look beautiful. Have fun tonight," I told her. She smiled and hugged me.

***

The house was quiet after the two couples departed. I didn't expect to see any of them until late the following day. Alice had said that it would pour rain all evening and well into the new year so they would be fine being out during the day.

After dinner I found myself in Edward's room listening to music. We didn't say anything. There had been so much silence between us for so long that it felt comfortable and complete.

"What are you thinking?" he finally asked me after we had been sitting in companionable silence for over an hour. His hands were flexing back and forth, as if there was something they longed to be doing.

"I was just thinking how nice it is to be with you like this. I can just be and whatever I'm thinking I know is ok," I responded, hedging just a bit because I knew what I was really thinking wasn't something he would like.

"Bella, what aren't you telling me?" he pressed, knowing I was keeping something from him.

Darn vampire that reads me like a lie detector.

I sighed. "You really want to know?" I asked, trying to buy time.

Edward sighed. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

Fine, I would tell him. "I was thinking that sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be better for everyone if I just wasn't... here... anymore. I know it's not easy being around me. It can't be. I'm starting to feel a bit more like the girl I know I was a long time ago, but it doesn't feel familiar anymore. It feels like an echo of the past and a ghost trying to take over."

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, which I had noticed was a habit of his when he felt exasperated with something. Usually me or Emmett.

"I could tell you all day long and all night that it wouldn't be better at all, but I know it wouldn't do any good. That's something you are going to have to work out for yourself. You remember what Charlie said to you this morning?"

I nodded. I would never forget anything Charlie told me.

"Would he be better off without you?"

I thought about that. No, Charlie wouldn't be better off.

The CD we were listening to clicked off when the last song on it ended and the next automatically started. Familiar strains of a song I loved started to fill the room. I looked at Edward, debating what should have been a simple choice.

Time, is going by, so much faster than I

And I'm starting to regret not spending all of it with you.

Now, I'm wondering why, I've kept this bottled inside

So I'm starting to regret not selling all of it to you.

Slowly, I reached for his hand. His eyes widened in surprise and awe as I took his hand carefully in mine. I tugged gently until he realized what I wanted and stood up, following my lead.

So if I haven't yet, I'm gonna let you know…

I slipped carefully into his arms, breathing in his unique scent, and we started to move to the music. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the moment, content and at peace for just this brief snapshot of my life.

You're never gonna be alone from this moment on

And if you feel like letting go, I won't let you fall

You're never gonna be alone, I'll hold you till the hurt is gone.

I felt Edward rest his cheek on top of my head and let out a little sigh as we moved gently to the music, dancing to a song that suddenly felt more like a promise than music.

And now, as long as I can, I'm holding on with both hands
'Cause forever I believe
That there's nothing I could need but you
So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know

You're never gonna be alone from this moment on
If you ever feel like letting go, I won't let you fall
When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on
We're gonna see the world out, I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone

Oh, you've gotta live every single day
Like it's the only one, what if tomorrow never comes?
Don't let it slip away, could be our only one
You know it's only just begun, every single day
Maybe our only one, what if tomorrow never comes?
Tomorrow never comes

Time is going by so much faster than I
And I'm starting to regret not telling all of this to you

You're never gonna be alone from this moment on
If you ever feel like letting go, I won't let you fall
When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on
We're gonna see the world out, I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone

I'm gonna be there always
I won't be missing a word all day
I'm gonna be there always
I won't be missing a word all day…

"Happy New Year Bella."

The song Bella and Edward dance to is Never Gonna Be Alone by Nickleback. Finally, Alice's vision! Thank you so much to those that reviewed and PM'd reminding me that there are people that love Broken and want to read what happens next. I cherish you all!

I finally finished putting together the photos from Broken. Links are on my profile for all of the flowers, the angels, and other Broken goodies. I was trying to get them all in the right order but Photobucket did not cooperate so they are in no particular order, which annoys me and I will figure out how to fix at some point. :)

Reviews are love!