Okay, new story…very close to my life. Kind of. (Okay, not this part.) I'm humbled by the reviews and responses that this story has already received. The alerts, reviews and hits are truly humbling. Thank you so much for taking the time read the ramblings from the depths of my brain. Much love to all of you!
Also, none of this belongs to me. Never will. I just like to play with the characters created by Stephenie Meyer.
*Angst Warning*
*Violence Warning*
*Tissue Warning*
Chapter Twenty-Six
EPOV
As the final chord struck, I pulled Bella into my arms and crushed my lips against hers. She was surprised but eagerly accepted my kiss. The curtain fell and the students erupted in cheers and screams. I pulled away and hugged my girl. My fiancée. We swayed back and forth as the cast scattered off the stage, anxious to see their families.
"I love you, my Bella," I said as the lights came up behind the curtain. "I'm sorry about kissing you…"
"No, you're not," she giggled. "You've wanted to do that forever. Staking your claim on me, Professor. Why don't you just pee on me? Raise your leg?"
"Shut it," I teased as I kissed her nose. Our flowers were placed on the edge of the stage along with the envelopes. I placed the wireless microphones onto a table in the back and we headed to the choir room to drop off our flowers and gifts.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," Bella said. "I'll meet you out in the lobby, Professor."
"I love you, baby," I cooed against her lips.
"Love you more, Edward," she said as she grabbed my ass. With a wink, Bella darted out of the office and headed to the green room which had a bathroom inside.
BPOV
After I went to the bathroom, I walked to the choir room to pick up my cell phone from Edward's desk. When I entered the room, I saw a very haunted Ashleigh standing by the door. "Ms. Swan?" she said in a dead voice. "I need your help."
"Ashleigh, are you okay?" I asked as I walked over to her. Covering her entire face was bruises and scratches. Her posture was defeated and she was filthy.
"No, she's not okay, you fucking cunt," James spat as he shoved her to the ground. "I should kill you for being worthless, you bitch." He pulled out a gun and cocked the hammer, aiming it at Ashleigh.
"Don't!" I screamed as I angled myself between Ashleigh and the gun. "Let her be. You found me, asshole. Just let her go."
"You'll come willingly?" James asked, arching a brow. His blue eyes were colder, more calculating. His body had more muscles and his face was pulled into a permanent sneer. The man who was once attractive to me was now a cold-blooded killer. A rapist. The devil in the flesh. A perfect representation of all that was evil in the world. And you're going to go willingly? You are more stupid than you look. Let him kill the student.
"I'll come willingly," I said as I tucked my hair behind my ear.
"You BITCH!" he roared, pulling my arm out of socket as he glared at my engagement ring. He spun me and slammed me against the wall. I yelped in pain. "You're mine! Not his! Filthy slut!" He pounded me against the wall causing my body to groan in agony. James grabbed my finger and yanked the ring from my hand, throwing it onto the floor like it was poison. He then twisted my left ring finger, breaking it painfully.
"STOP! Please!" I begged.
"Come on, you fucking bitch," he snarled, pulling me out of the choir room. I stumbled behind him as we walked to a beat up red Ford Taurus. I recognized it as Ashleigh's car from school. James pressed me against the car, pinning me against the cold metal. He snapped a pair of hand cuffs on my wrists. "Now, my pet, we're going for a little ride. You sit in the backseat and don't make a fucking sound. If you do, you'll be gagged."
He cupped my cheek and smiled evilly. I pulled away. He pushed me against the car before throwing me on the ground. He opened the back door and shoved me inside of the car, slamming the door on my right foot. It crunched and I could feel it begin to throb. Clumsily I scooted across the dirty car until I was sitting up behind James.
"Oh, no, little girl," he sneered. "Other side."
I scooted across the backseat so I was in the line of sight of James and slumped against the tattered upholstery. James pulled out of the parking lot and drove toward the highway. "Say goodbye to your life, my pet. You're mine."
Tears filled my eyes as I watched the high school get further away. How I was no longer Edward's fiancée. Emma's mother. I was a mistake. This was a mistake. At least this way, Edward and Emma won't be hurt by James. I'll only have to deal with his punches and attacks.
"Fucking stupid…" James mumbled. "I told that blonde bimbo to fill up the gas tank. I want to get out of Illinois before…God DAMN IT!" He pressed down on the gas of the car, glaring out of the windshield. We were traveling west on I-90, driving nearly eighty miles an hour. "My brilliant sidekick neglected to fill up the gas tank. We need to stop for a fill up. You are to remain in the car while I take care of this."
"I need to pee," I snarled.
"When we get back on the highway, we'll stop at a rest stop. You'll pee in the fucking pushes, my pet. Perhaps, we can have a good time like we did in our meadow?" he said, licking his lips.
"Don't. Touch. Me," I said, menacingly quiet. I narrowed my eyes to firm slits before turning back to the window. James growled but didn't say anything. Fifteen minutes later, James pulled off the highway and into a parking lot of a Wal-Mart. He wrenched open the back door and dragged me over to him by my hair. "Fuck! STOP!"
He smacked me with his hand, causing my head to whip to the side. "You. Are. Mine. If I want to touch you, I will, my pet," he whispered. One of his hands wrapped around my neck and he squeezed my throat. His other hand moved to my breast and squeezed it painfully. "Perky. Just like I remembered." He tightened his hold around my neck and I could feel my vision blurring. My eyes drooped and he threw me back in the seat. I coughed as he got back into the car, driving to a nearby gas station. "Don't make a fucking peep, Isabella." He skulked out of the car and proceeded fill up the gas tank.
I curled up on the backseat, closing my eyes. My left hand was throbbing from his damage to my finger and my ankle was easily twice its size. Tears ran down my cheeks and James got back into the car. He peeled out of the gas station and we were back on the road. My mind drifted and soon I was unwantedly slipping into slumber.
xx FLTM xx
"Wakey, wakey, my pet," James snarled as he slapped my cheeks.
"Fuck off, asshole," I snapped. THWACK! Blood filled my mouth and groaned.
"That smart mouth is going to get you into trouble," James sneered. "Potty time, Isabella."
"Where are we?"
"A field. Now, get up," he said as he pulled me up. He stood me up. I collapsed against the door of the car as I put weight on my foot. "So fucking worthless. Can't even walk. Why am I keeping you? Oh, right. Your tight little cunt that feels so amazing around my cock. You want to know my last sexual experience was, Isabella? My cellmate jammed his cock in my ass. Perhaps, I'll do the same to you. Payback's a bitch."
"Please, no," I whimpered.
"Not now. We only have time for you to piss," he said as he threw me over his shoulder. James carried me to the middle of a field and he hiked up my dress and tore my panties away from my body. "Easy access for later, my pet. Now, pee."
"I can't do it with you watching," I whined.
"You think I'm stupid enough to leave you in the middle of a field? Pee, you bitch or you will be sitting in your own urine for the rest of our trip," he growled. He shook me as though to encourage me to pee faster. I closed my eyes and soon, my bladder was relieved in the middle of a field while my psycho ex-fiancé watched. I think he even came based off the moans he emanated. "Oh, yeah baby…you're so amazing. Just like that. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"
I finished peeing and he tossed me to the side. His zipper was lowered. I began scrambling away, in fear of him taking what won't have. That was only for Edward. Edward…my Edward. I'm so sorry, Professor.
"Where are you going, little girl?" James asked as he kicked my back.
"No. Please don't rape me," I begged, continuing to crawl away.
"Not yet, my pet. I just need some relief. Watch me as I come all over your body, slut," he spat. He gripped his pitiful excuse of a cock and began fisting himself. He walked over me and hovered over me. His grunts were animalistic. His other hand moved to his balls and he pulled on them as he moaned. "Soon, this will be you, my pet." Streams of his acidic release rained on me and I cowered, trying to avoid feeling it on my skin. With a final grunt, James put himself back into his jeans and picked me up. "Hmmm, you look so pretty wearing my spunk, my pet. Does your thing do this to you? Cover you with his seed?"
I turned away from him, setting my jaw. He pulled on my hair, forcing me to look at him. "Answer my question, slut."
"No. Edward respects me," I said, glaring into James' eyes. "He loves me."
"He won't be able to love you once I'm done with you," James said calmly. "You've earned the next leg of the trip in the trunk, my pet." He reared his hand back and punched my jaw. Blackness swirled around my vision and I slumped against him.
When I came to, I was inside of the trunk of the car with a backpack under my cheek. My mouth was taped shut and my legs were taped together as well. My dress was stiff from the residue of James' semen. I don't know where we were but I did know that we were moving. I could feel the car vibrate against my aching body. There was no part of me that wasn't sore. I took some solace that Edward didn't have to endure this. If anything happened to him or to Emma, I'd willingly forfeit my life.
I sobbed for most of the time that James drove but managed to get myself together when James filled up the gas tank again. He drove again for a short time and pulled over. He opened the trunk and unceremoniously pulled me out of the car. He tore off the tape from my mouth. It pulled off the top layer of skin as well. "The next part of our journey, you will sit in the front seat with me. You are to not talk but look straight ahead, my pet. If you can handle this, you'll get a present after we stop."
"You'll let me go?" I asked, arching a brow.
He grabbed my chin and got close to me. "No. You. Are. Mine. Are. We. Clear?" he whispered.
"Crystal," I muttered through pursed lips. James leaned forward and kissed me briefly. I fought the urge to vomit once his lips touched mine. They were slimy and not at all like Edward's tender kisses. Instead, James' kiss felt like he was claiming me.
"Enjoy it, my pet," James cooed against my mouth. His tongue was forced through my lips only to be met with my teeth. He growled and backhanded me, sprawling me on the concrete. I couldn't even catch myself since my hands were still bound behind my back with the handcuffs. I could feel my skin scrape on the concrete and my ribs were barking at the feeling of my body weight crashing on top of them. James sighed as he picked me up and threw me in the front seat, my dress hiked around my waist.
James got into the car and leered at my body. "Still such a pretty pussy. Even after what happened to it."
"Yeah, perv. Pull down my dress," I spat. "I don't want to give the damn truck drivers a free show."
James snarled and ignored my request. He took off on another highway, pushing the car as far as he could. I managed to wiggle my dress so my body was covered and not bared to James or to the world. I closed my eyes and apologized to Edward for betraying him. I should have just let James hurt Ashleigh and run away. I hated that I let James touch me. Kiss me. Come on me.
Forgive me, Edward. Please be able to love me if I can survive this. I just know that I'm going to be so broken.
NO. I refuse to be James' victim. I will survive this and will get back to my love.
"Why the hell are you smiling?" James asked.
"You won't break me, James," I said, looking at him. "I'm not the same weak, sniveling little girl from when we were younger. I have a man who loves me and a daughter is the light of my life."
"You keep telling yourself that, bitch. When I'm done with you, they'll need dental records to identify your body," James said as he smacked my face. "It won't be long now, my pet. We'll have our fun and your thing won't be able to save you."
"He's not a thing," I yelled. "He's my fia…husband, you asshole."
"You're treading a fine line, Isabella. I suggest you shut the fuck up before you end up on the receiving end of a bullet," he said as he took out his gun from his belt, holding it to my head. "I'd rather spend some time with you but if you don't shut up that mouth of yours, you'll be dead before you know it."
I quieted my mouth and stared blankly out the window. I didn't recognize where we were or any of the cities we were driving past. James eventually put the gun back into his belt and gripped the steering wheel with both hands. "Where are we going?" I asked.
"So you can tell your thing?" James sneered.
"No. Because I don't recognize anything," I replied.
"I may as well tell you since it'll be your home until you die," James shrugged. "We're going to a cabin that my parents have in the northern woods of Minnesota. It's secluded from the world and no one will be able to hear your screams, Isabella. You'll be a skeleton by the time anyone finds you."
"How much longer until we get there?" I questioned. "It's nearly midnight now."
"Another six hours," James said.
"Don't you need to sleep?"
"No."
"Well, okay, then," I said as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. It was getting colder and I was shivering. James was dressed in a pair of jeans and a heavy fleece jacket. I just wore my tattered spring dress. I was freezing.
"Stop chattering your teeth."
"I'm cold," I spat. "Turn on the heat."
"Deal with it, little girl," James spat as he rolled down my window, blasting me with frigid air. I tried to curl up but couldn't do much since my hands were bound. We spent the next three hours with the windows open as James drove in his warm fleece. I couldn't stop shaking and I was certain that I was blue. James eventually took pity on me when I was convulsing uncontrollably. He rolled up the windows and thankfully, turned on the heat. "God, you're so fucking dramatic, bitch."
I wanted to make some snappy response but I just leaned closer to the vents that blew blissfully warm air. James drove for another hour before he filled up the gas tank at a small twenty-four hour market. He got food and tossed it into the trunk before we started on the last part of our journey. He drove on the highway for forty-five minutes and then turned off on some county road that had seen better days. Another forty-five minutes later we pulled up to a tiny shack in the middle of the woods. James parked the car behind the shack and sneered at me. "I'm assuming you can't walk."
"I think you broke my foot. So no," I said. As he drove, I made the decision that I would fight for my life. But, I needed to give James a false sense of my weakness. My foot wasn't broken. Severely sprained, but not broken. James grumbled as he stomped to the other side of the car. He hefted me over his shoulder and walked me to the shack. Inside, he flopped me on a rinky-dink bed. He uncuffed my wrists and pushed me onto the bed, cuffing my one wrist to the bed frame. Using another pair of cuffs, he cuffed my other wrist in a similar fashion. James gave me a parting glare as he left the shack to get the food.
Once he left, I looked around the cabin. It was one huge room with a basic kitchen and the bed that I was currently laying in. Other than the main door, there was one other door that led out the back way by the kitchen. I wiggled my hands and felt that the bed frame was fairly loose.
James came stomping back into the cabin and put the food on the kitchen table. He popped open a beer and lit up a cigarette. "This will be nice, Isabella. We can reconnect. I'll help you remember the wonders of me. We always had such fun in bed, baby. My little slut. You loved it rough."
I kept my mouth shut and stared at a water stain on the ceiling. James didn't care for my silence and he jumped on top of me, pinning me to the bed. He pulled up my dress and put out his cigarette on my stomach. "Fuck!" I screeched.
James glowered at me and removed my cuffs. He pushed me on the ground and cuffed my hands around the bottom part of the bed frame. "Fucking bitch. Stop whimpering. I'm trying to sleep," he snarled as he rolled over on the bed, leaving me on the ground.
xx FLTM xx
I woke up to James' incessant kicking of my ribs. I cried out as I turned over to see him smiling sadistically at me. "Wakey, my pet. Since you were so good on the car ride up here, you've earned a reward, Isabella." He scooped me up and latched me to the bed with the cuffs. He took out a small pocket knife and ran it over my skin. I bucked against the blade which nicked my flesh near my collar bone.
James growled and straddled my waist. I noticed his jeans were undone. "Hold still, my pet," he purred. "I don't want to hurt you."
Fat chance, asshole.
He used the knife to tear open my dress and cut through my bra. He stared at my bare breasts. He licked his lips. "Definitely still very perky. Perfect for me to come on. You know, if I trusted you, I'd make you suck my cock, slut. But, I just know that you're going to bite me. That would not be good. So, I'll have to handle this little problem myself," he chuckled, taking out his cock. "I want to be buried in your tight pussy, Isabella. But, that will be my finale, my pet. Before I kill you. Your thing will find you with my seed in your womb. Betraying him in the ultimate way."
No, Edward. I would never do that. I love you. Please, know that…
James pumped his cock until he roared as he came all over my bare chest. I averted my face, to avoid the release spouting out of his dick. "NO! You will keep your face forward, slut!" James yelled, grabbing my chin as he continued forcing his semen from his penis. It covered my face and hair. He then ran his fingers through his semen, spreading it over my breasts. He pinched my nipples painfully, digging his nails into my skin. I squirmed trying to get away from him, but was unable to since I was bound to the bed.
He got up off my chest and smiled at my body which was half on display for his perverse pleasure. I closed my eyes and imagined Edward's soft smile and warm heart. I love you, Edward. Only you, Professor. Please forgive me. I love you. I love you. I love you. "Drink, Isabella," James spat as he picked up my head, forcing a water bottle to my lips. I clamped my mouth shut. James temper flared and he punched my jaw again. My mouth opened and he poured the water down my throat. It tasted funny. I tried to spit it up but he held my jaw open as I gagged the water down my throat.
My vision got blurry. My tongue felt like it was too big for my mouth and I drifted off into a drug-induced slumber.
The days and nights blurred. James was vicious and cruel, hitting me, stubbing out his cigarettes on my stomach, masturbating on my bare skin. My dress was all but ruined. He kept me in a half-drugged state. No part of me was not covered in bruises.
"Fuck," James spat after he finished his routine of masturbating on me. "I need more food. I should have gotten more at the damn store." He picked me up off the bed and slammed against the wall. His fingers wrapped around my neck, cutting off my air supply. "My little slut, I need to leave you. You will stay here like. A. Good. Little. Girl." He emphasized each word with forceful shove to my head. He threw me onto the floor and cuffed me to the bed frame. "God damn it. No more special water. If you are gone, cunt, you're dead. You understand me?"
I curled up in a ball, not responding to his question. With a roar, he pulled my greasy hair and snapped my neck back. "Do you understand, you fucking whore?"
I nodded minutely and he slammed my face against the ground, kicking the back of my head. I groaned loudly as he pushed away from me. I faintly heard him gather the keys and leave the cabin. The car sputtered to life and I heard him drive away. I was in agony. I know that I had several broken ribs, a broken wrist and my head was pounding. I knew there was more wrong with me since I just felt groggy and off, but I needed to push it down and get away.
"You know, James, you're an idiot," I slurred. I lifted the bed and removed my hands from the bed frame. "I'm half drugged and I know not to leave someone bound to a bed that is not attached to the damn floor." I heaved my body up off the ground and leaned against the wall. My head was pounding even more along with the agony of putting weight on my foot. "I need to get out of here."
With strength I didn't even know I had, I shoved my way out the back door and began trudging my way through the heavy greenery. It was cold. Wicked cold. Apparently northern Minnesota missed the memo that it was spring. My shoes were long gone and my dress was in tatters. But, I kept pushing myself further away from the ramshackle cabin.
It was early in the morning. Perhaps around six or seven. The sun had just come up and the forest was dimly lit. I stumbled, fell and crawled my way through the underbrush. My mantra was begging for Edward. I was coming home to him. I know I was broken and that the nightmares and insecurities would come back full-force, but I could survive it with him. I was strong but the love we shared was stronger.
"I'm coming home, Edward," I grunted as I continued to push myself further and further away from the house. "Please say that you still love me. I'm so sorry." My head continued to throb as I kept moving. It was by far the worse headache I'd ever had but I couldn't stop. I had to get away.
Tears were running down my face as I stumbled over the thick underbrush and uneven ground. Unfortunately, I could feel my body scream in revolt to what I was forcing it to do. Black tinted the edge of my vision. The pain was unbearable and I just knew that I was close to blacking out. Just a few more steps, I begged my body. However, I fell over an uprooted branch and face planted onto the ground. In the distance, I heard many pops as I lost my battle with consciousness.
xx FLTM xx
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
"She's waking up, Dr. Martinez."
"Good. Her family has been waiting. Can you go get them?"
"Of course, Dr. Martinez."
"Isabella, open your eyes for me, sweetie," cooed a deep male voice. I cracked my eyelids that felt like that they had been welded shut. I was blinded with a bright light. I moaned quietly. The doctor must have realized my issue and I heard a quiet click. "Sorry about that, Isabella. Open your eyes. It's not as bright."
Hesitantly, I opened my eyes to see a short, Hispanic man with kind eyes and a round belly. "There we are," he said. "I'm Dr. Martinez. How are you feeling?"
I opened my mouth and it was dryer than the Mojave Desert. I coughed weakly. Dr. Martinez poured a glass of water and placed the straw next to my chapped lips. I sucked down some water and swallowed it, enjoying the feeling of the cool water on my throat. No funny taste. Not drugged. "I hurt," I whispered. "Everywhere."
"That's understandable, Isabella," he said as he offered me more water. "You've been through quite an ordeal."
"What…what day is it?" I asked quietly. "Where am I?"
"It's Friday, May fourth," Dr. Martinez replied. I jumped at the date. "Relax, Isabella. As for where you are, you're in Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota."
"M-M-Minnesota?" I squeaked.
"Yes, sweetheart," he soothed. "Now, you're family is anxiously waiting for you to wake up. Especially your fiancé. He's been a nervous wreck since he arrived."
"He's here?" I whispered, almost inaudibly. "Edward's here?"
"I'm here, love," Edward muttered from the doorway. Dr. Martinez moved to the side and I looked at my fiancé. His face was covered with a full beard and he looked thinner. His green eyes were filled with unshed tears as he gripped the edge of the door. Faster than a blink of an eye, Edward was by my side and he was nuzzling my neck. "My Bella. Oh, my love. You're back. Baby, I've missed you so much. I love you. I love you, baby. I'm never letting you go."
I lifted my arms and hugged him. Tears fell from my eyes as I knew that he still loved me. But, it hurt to keep my arms around him so they limply fell back to my sides. He pulled back and gently cupped my cheek. "My Bella," he whispered. He sat down on the chair next to my hospital bed and stared at me, tears falling down his cheeks.
"Edward," I cried. "I'm so sorry…"
"Shhhh, love. You do not need to apologize," he said as he kissed my right hand. He gingerly threaded his fingers through mine, keeping his green eyes on me.
"Now, Isabella, in regards to your injuries…"
"Right, that," I said.
"You got pretty lucky," Dr. Martinez explained. "Our biggest concern was your previous head injury. But that was the main cause for your increased healing time. Why you were asleep longer than most. Anyhow, I'll start from the top down. You have a minor concussion and we're going to keep you here for the remainder of the weekend to monitor you. Your previous head injury has been aggravated and we want to make sure that there are no lasting effects."
"So that explains why I have timpani drums banging in my brain?" I asked.
"Yes," Dr. Martinez chuckled. "Moving further down, you have some torn tendons in both of your shoulders because of how you were bound. Rest will be the best medicine for that. And no heavy lifting. Your left wrist and left hand have been broken severely. You have several pins holding it together."
I lifted my left arm and saw it encased in a pink cast. "Emma picked out the color," Edward said sheepishly.
"She's seen me like this?"
"No, love. I told her that you had have surgery and you needed a cast. Emma insisted that you get a pink cast," Edward explained. "At least it's hot pink. Not baby pink."
"We could have put you in a rainbow cast, Isabella," Dr. Martinez teased. "Anyhow, you have three fractured ribs and four additional bruised ribs. You're wrapped to provide you with some extra support. Your fiancé has been shown how to wrap your body since he'll be your primary caregiver during your recovery."
"So, you've seen them," I whispered, dropping my gaze to a beautiful floral arrangement.
"I have, love," he said as he gently pressed his hand to my cheek. I turned my face to look at him. "I don't care that you have them. You're back and alive, baby. I love you, regardless of what that monster did to you. I realize that you will have a long road to recovery, but I'm not going anywhere, Bella." He released my hand and reached behind his neck. He unclasped a chain and on it were my engagement ring and my key pendant. Using the bed's remote, he raised me up and put the chain around my neck. "I'm yours, love. That's your engagement ring but in my mind, you're already my wife. I don't care what you look like or how badly you've been hurt. My heart is yours."
"I love you, Edward," I said, tears falling down my face. He leaned forward and looked at me intently. In his eyes, I could tell that he was asking if he could kiss me. I nodded and with the utmost tenderness, his soft lips brushed mine. A strangled sob escaped me as I pulled him closer. He cupped my face and held me to his chest, right above his heart.
Dr. Martinez finished describing my injuries and my limitations. My right foot which was initially a sprain is now a stress fracture. When I left the hospital I got to look forward to wearing a boot. I also had some minor bruising on my left foot as well. I had scratches and bruises on my face but thankfully, nothing was broken. Nor would the scratches scar me permanently. "Isabella, Mr. Cullen, I have some good news, too," Dr. Martinez said.
"Please tell me that James died and is burning in the fiery pits in hell," I said as I turned to look at him.
"Yes, he's dead, love," Edward said as he kissed my forehead. "He was shot by federal agents when he realized that you were gone. He pulled a gun and he was shot nine times. He's never going to hurt you anymore."
"Federal agents?"
"Yeah. The FBI was involved since he was wanted in multiple states. I even went on television begging for anyone's help. It was several tips that led them up to the cabin in northern Minnesota," Edward said as he brushed my hair from my face. "Now, good news. We both need to hear some good news." He turned to face Dr. Martinez.
"Even with all of the trauma your body endured, Isabella, I'm happy to say that you're pregnant," Dr. Martinez smiled.
"I'm pregnant?" I mumbled. "With a baby?"
"You're roughly six weeks along, Isabella," Dr. Martinez. "Conception was the middle of March."
Edward gently placed his hand over my lower abdomen. "A baby…" he murmured, caressing my stomach. "Our baby. We're going to have a baby."
"What about the scarring, Dr. Martinez?" I asked as I put my hand over Edward's. "From before."
"You will be a high risk pregnancy, Isabella, but your precious gift appears to be healthy and growing normally," Dr. Martinez said with an impish grin. "Once you return to Chicago, make an appointment with my dear friend, Dr. Joelle Warren. She specializes in pregnancies like yours. And congratulations." He winked and left.
"A baby," Edward whispered reverently. He looked at me. "It's a miracle, Bella. Do you know that? I prayed for your safe return every day you were missing. I prayed for a miracle and instead of one, we have two. Two miracles, love. We're having a baby."
"I'm afraid, Edward," I whispered. "So afraid. What if I miscarry? I won't be able to survive that…"
"Bella, our baby is so strong. She survived the ordeal that you had and is still growing and thriving. She's a testament to her mother," Edward said. "I'm not a firm believer in prayers being answered. You were brought back to me and to our daughter. And we're having a baby." He bent over and kissed my belly, mindful of my wounds. "Hi, baby. This is your daddy and you're our miracle. I love you and mommy with all of my heart. I can't wait to meet you, my sweet baby. And I can't wait to make mommy my wife officially."
"You still w-w-want m-me?" I cried as I listened to him talk to our 'baby.'
"Of course, I do, Bella," he said as he took my face in his hands.
"Even a-after w-w-what J-j-ames d-did t-t-to m-me?" I sobbed.
"What James did to you was horrible but it won't change how I feel about you, love," Edward said as he kissed my forehead. "The doctors and agents told us how you were found. How you looked, but I don't care. James didn't touch you that way and that makes me incredibly happy. I wish I could have an opportunity to kick his ass before they shot him for what he did to you. But NOTHING that he did will ever change the fact that you are my soul mate, mother to my children, my only love and I vow to keep telling you that until the day I die, Bella."
A sob ripped through my lips as I collapsed against his chest. Each cry killed my aching ribs, but to hear him say that made my heart burst. He gathered me in his arms and held me while I cried. I knew that I had a long road to recovery but with my fiancé, my true love, the father to our children, I could do anything.
A/N: You made it? You didn't want to kill me? I wanted to kill me. Poor Bella…but, I gave her a HEA. A BABY! So, yeah, we're winding down. Up next will be Bella's return to Chicago and some minor angst (nowhere near what we just dealt with.) For the next chapter, it'll probably be in Bella's point of view since her brain is all sorts of fucked up. She's happy she's back with Edward but James really mind-fucked her. Leave me some love! I need it after this chapter. I gave you guys a baby!