PRM ch 28

A/n: I'm so glad that you all agree with me about the slow burn...and well, this is one of my favorite chapters...it's a little tissue worthy but honestly, I love Batteredward so much it hurts to see him hurt and I feel like he is starting to learn what love really is...therefore, I love this chapter.

Enjoy.

BPOV

My phone alarm went off at seven am and as I got up to go to the bathroom I noticed that Edward was awake, as well.

"Good Morning, Edward." I said, quietly.

"Good Morning, Bella." He said as he attempted to sit up some in his bed. The effort it took reflected the weakness his body still experienced from his injuries.

"Here, let me help you." I said as I walked around to the control box and tried to adjust the bed.

"Is that better?" I asked as I fluffed his pillow some.

"Yes," he said, almost sad like so I took a moment to study his face.

"Edward, just because I had to help you with your bed doesn't mean that you are weak. After all you've been through, and with your injuries, hell most of them are still visible, it's okay to need to some help." I had a feeling that he was going to berate himself for the insecurities and weaknesses that Tanya had instilled in him over the years.

"Thank you." He said as he closed his eyes.

I went to the restroom, splashed some cold water on my face and patted it dry with a towel. When I came out of the door Carlisle, Esme and Alice were walking in.

"Here ya go, Bella. I brought you some shower supplies as well as a few changes of clothes. If you want to shower before Jake gets here." Alice said with a smile as she handed me an overwhelmingly huge bag that appeared brand new.

"Thanks, Alice. A shower sounds good." I said before I turned to Edward.

"Will you be okay for a bit while I freshen up?" I laid my hand on top of his as his eyes smiled weakly at me.

"Yes, Bella. I'll be okay with my family." He said with a half smile and a chuckle.

"Good." I patted his hand and said hello to rest of his family.

A hot shower sounded good and I knew it would fully wake me up before Jake arrived.

EPOV

"Edward, you look a little more rested this morning. I trust you slept well, son?" My dad's voice asked in a professional manner.

I was still unsure about letting my guard down with my family. God knows I wanted to be myself with them again, to be back in the folds of my family, but fear held me back.

"Would you like me to get you something for breakfast?" My mother's sweet voice asked as she fussed with my blankets and straightened my pillows.

I fought back a smile, "Yes, mom, I'd like something to eat but I'm not sure they'll have what I want here." I said, almost regretfully. I hadn't had my mother's cooking in so long, it was almost sure to be like a novelty to me now.

"Well, then I guess it's a good thing I whipped up a batch of my homemade banana nut muffins for you then, huh?" She said with a smile as she pulled a Tupperware container from her bag.

I couldn't fight the smile then. She remembered that they were my favorite and she made them especially for me. I also couldn't fight back the tears that streamed from my eyes at this gesture of love that she showered on me.

"Oh, my baby boy, you didn't think I would forget did you?" I looked up to see tears come from my mother's eyes, too.

"No, ma'am. It's just...things...I didn't...I don't..." I couldn't stop blubbering long enough to form a coherent reply.

She stroked my cheek and wiped my eyes, "Edward, you are always going to be my son. No matter what I will never stop loving you. Now, eat up while they are still warm. Do you want some juice or water?" Esme's mothering instincts would always remain strong and it hurt to know how much pain and grief I had probably caused her all these years.

"I'm sorry, mom." I said quietly as I tore my muffin in half.

"Shh, son. There's no need for that. Just eat up, regain your strength. I need you healthy and on your feet again." She said with a pat to my forearm before she sat down beside me in the chair.

Just then a soft knock rapped on the door and a rather large, dark skinned man walked into the room. "Am I interrupting?" He said as he closed the door behind him.

"No, of course not, Jake, come on in." My father said as he walked around to shake his hand.

So this was Jake. He was a scary looking guy but he seemed friendly enough.

"Hi, Edward. We haven't been properly introduced yet, but I'm Jacob Black, private investigator and old family friend of Bella's." He said as he stuck his hand out to shake mine. His grip was strong and sturdy, he could do some damage with those hands.

"Nice to meet you, Jacob." I said before I took a drink of water.

Just then Bella came out of the bathroom followed by a large amount of steam.

"I feel like a new woman." She said with a smile as she looked up to notice Jake, as well.

"Hey, Bells." Jake said as he gave her a hug.

I felt a momentary pang of jealousy at that sentiment. I was certainly envious of a person that could be so free with their body and greet a friend with the simplest gesture such as a hug.

I hadn't known that type of soft touch in so long, it made me ache for it.

I looked around the room as my family, Bella and Jake carried on conversations and interacted as though it were nothing. Then I realized, to them it was just normal, to follow through with everyday activity such as to carry on meaningless conversations about the weather, the latest ball game and something else of inconsequential matter.

My eyes welled up with tears as I turned my face away from them, unable to bear this ache for normalcy. The feelings of hurt for being left out. The anger at Tanya for the destruction she had caused in my life.

"Edward?" I heard Bella's voice call me as I wiped my face and turned to see her look at me with worry on her face.

"I'm okay. This is all still a little foreign to me." I spoke barely above a whisper. I noticed then that all of my family was gathered around behind her and looked at me with concern, love and worry on their faces, as well.

"How about we get this show on the road?" Jake said and tried to break up the tension that I currently experienced.

"Is that okay, Edward? Are you ready for Jake to begin?" Bella asked as she squeezed my hand.

"Yes, but could we speak privately? I'm not really ready to talk about all of this in front of my family, yet." I said with a twinge of embarrassment.

"Certainly, son. We'll wait outside and when you are ready for us, just let us know." My dad said as they all made their way to the door.

I hated that I couldn't let them stay but I just wasn't ready to let them hear all about my humiliation at the hands of Tanya.

Bella got settled on the edge of my bed as Jake sat down in the chair next to my bed.

"Ready Edward?" Bella asked quietly.

I nodded and closed my eyes, not at all sure that I was ready but I knew I had to try.

A/n: Probably one more update sometime today...depends on how much more writing I can get done...