Chapter 36: The Fight

Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Also, thank you for those of who have commented and offered well-wishes in my difficult time. It means a lot to me. Writing these stories has been my strength (as silly as that sounds) and has grounded me.

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Chapter 36: The Fight

"If there's anything more, we'll contact you," a detective said as he shut the folder. "We have a pretty good lead on where Mike is and his prints were clearly on the note that was attached to brick that shattered your front window."

"Thank you," Edward said through clenched teeth.

"We'll also increase patrols in your neighborhood. If you say anything suspicious, contact us right away."

Edward and I nodded and got up from the conference room at the police station. We had spent the past two hours talking with the police and detectives about the threat that was thrown through our front window. Jasper had met us at the police station, acting as our representation. We didn't need an attorney, but he wanted to make sure that our complaints were heard and understood. Seth was on vacation, unfortunately and he couldn't be at the police station. Jasper, thankfully, stepped in. We drove back to the house, with Jasper following us. Edward and I were quiet. It was a tense silence. Not between us, but in regard to the horrendous situation. "Bella?"

"What?" I whispered.

"I think until things settle down, I want you staying with Carlisle and Esme," Edward said. "I'm calling my insurance company to get an estimate for the repair on the window. I need to get some wood to cover it and I don't want you to be in the house by yourself."

"I don't want to be away from you," I said, tears filling my eyes. "I'm falling apart here."

"I don't trust Mike. I'm afraid he will come back and hurt you."

"He can hurt you, too," I said, lacing my fingers through his.

"Please, Bella," Edward pleaded. "As soon as I get the window boarded up, I'll be at Carlisle and Esme's. I promise."

"Have Jasper help you," I said, sounding like a petulant child. "How long are we staying?"

"I don't know."

"I would like to so I can figure out what to pack," I sighed.

"Shoot for the rest of this week," Edward said, kissing my fingers. "We'll come back over the weekend."

I nodded mutely and looked out the window of Edward's Volvo. We pulled up to our home and got out of the car. Slowly, we headed into the frigid house. The large hole in the front window caused the heat to quickly evacuate the premises. Edward and Jasper went in first, just to make sure that there was no one in the house. I followed close behind and went up to the bedroom, packing a bag for both Edward and I. When I was done, Edward carried the large duffle in his hand and placed it in my car. He told me that Esme was expecting me. I reminded him to hurry. He kissed me sweetly and promised he'd be at Carlisle and Esme's by no later than ten.

I drove to Carlisle and Esme's palatial estate. Esme opened the garage and motioned for me to pull into it. I parked the car and grabbed the duffle bag that was in the back. Esme held open her arms and I collapse into them. I bawled, uncontrollably. She led me into the family room of her home, holding me as I fell apart. Crumbling into pieces. Ripping at the seams. After a good cry, I pulled away, wiping my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Esme."

"Don't be, sweetheart," she said, smoothing my hair. "What you are dealing with is horrible and terrifying. You're entitled to lose it every once in a while."

"When will it stop, Esme?"

"I don't know. Mike seems hell bent on ruining every ounce of happiness that you and Edward have created. Was he like this when you were married?"

"Not to this extent. He was controlling and detached. However, we lived our own lives. Did our own thing. This behavior is new. If I had known that this is what he truly was like, I would never have married him," I sniffled. "Did Edward tell you what happened to his fiancé? Mike's fiancé?"

"She was pregnant and brutally beaten. She managed to stay alive for the baby, but died," Esme said with a frown. "Mike did that?"

"Not conclusively. However, I wouldn't be surprised," I said, cringing slightly. "With the attack he put me through, he certainly is strong enough."

"Bella, you and Edward need to be careful. If something happens to either of you, I don't know what we'd do," Esme said, tears filling her eyes. "You are so much a part of this family. A daughter to Carlisle and me. As Edward is a son. We can't lose you. We almost lost Edward when he was fifteen and again when Tanya died. Too much tragedy for our family."

"I know," I whispered.

"Well, let's get you settled. You and Edward are staying in the guest house. Right this way," Esme said as she wiped her cheeks. She got up and led me through the house and to the backyard where the guest house was located. She gave me a key. Esme gave me another hug before she headed back into the main house. I put the duffle bag into the bedroom. It was a large room decorated in beige, deep red and cherry brown. I flopped down on the bed, gathering one of the pillows. I sobbed into it. I hated the fact that Mike had this control over me. Over us. We got fucking divorced. Leave me the hell alone.

xx AFS xx

I must have dozed off. When I opened my eyes, Edward was curled around me protectively, his arm thrown over my midsection. He was holding me tightly to his chest. I looked at the clock and saw that it was a little after three in the morning. I rolled over and burrowed into Edward's strong arms. I looked up at him and even in sleep, he looked worried. His brow was furrowed and his jaw was tight. My tears slid down my cheeks and I cried quietly, clutching Edward's shirt.

"Bella?" Edward croaked. I sobbed harder. "Baby, it's okay."

"No, it's not," I said brokenly. "Why can't he leave us alone?"

"Because he's mentally depraved, Bella. He has this sick obsession with you," Edward said as he cupped my cheeks. "I don't know why he does, but it's the sad truth."

"He won't stop, Edward. I'm so afraid that one or both of us is going to get hurt. Or worse," I gasped.

"He won't," Edward said fervently. "I promise you, he won't do anything. To either of us."

"How can you be so damn sure? He broke into my condo, beating me to shit. He killed Jessica and almost baby Emma. He caused my car accident and now this brick and the threat?" I started trembling and I shot out of bed. I paced the room, running my hands through my hair. "He won't stop. He won't. The only way he'll stop is if one of us is dead."

"Bella. Bella. Bella," Edward said as he caught me by my waist. "No one is dying."

"How can you be so calm about this?" I snapped as I shoved away from him. "He's threatening us and making our lives miserable."

"You're right he is. However, if we show him that, he's won. We're stronger than that."

"You maybe. But, I'm fucking having a heart attack," I screamed. "I can't take this anymore. It needs to stop. Now."

"Baby…"

"Don't 'baby' me," I seethed. I picked up a pillow and skulked to the spare bedroom in the guest house. I slammed the door shut, locking it. I slid down the door, sobbing hysterically.

When will this end?

xx AFS xx

I don't remember falling asleep. I don't remember anything. I just know that my back is killing me, my head is pounding and I feel like I ran a marathon. I cracked open an eye and looked around. Where am I?

Oh, right. The spare bedroom in Carlisle and Esme's guest house. On the floor.

I heaved my aching body off the floor and I stumbled as I walked to the bathroom. I looked at my face. It was red and swollen. I had been crying most of the night. I didn't want to go to work.

Work! Shit! What time is it?

I spun around and looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was after nine in the morning. "Fuck!" I shrieked as I ran out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. I looked frantically for my clothes. Where the hell are they? Then I remembered. In the main suite of the guest house. I cringed when I opened the door. I looked around and darted into the bedroom to grab the duffle bag filled with my clothes.

"Don't worry about work," Edward said from the chair in the corner. His voice was cold. "I already called you in sick. I heard you cry. All night."

"Oh," I said, sitting on the unmade bed. "Thanks."

"I'm just trying to 'baby' you," he spat.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I said, tears falling down my cheeks again. "I'm terrified. I am so afraid of losing you. Losing us. Losing everything."

"You think I'm not?" Edward said as he jumped up from the chair. "I've lost too much in 32 years. Both of my parents, my wife and child. If I lose you, just shoot me now as I can't survive it." Edward, who is usually the picture of calm and cool, picked up a large vase and threw it across the room. It shattered into a million pieces. I jumped and curled into myself. I buried my head into my knees, again sobbing hysterically. Edward looked over at me, I think. He approached me slowly and he knelt before me. "Bella, I'm sorry I lost my temper." He put his hands on my knees and I jumped back on the bed. I clawed at my hair, trying to calm my emotions. "Bella," he whispered.

"Just leave me alone. I need a few moments," I cried.

"Alice is here. Do you want her?" he said, his voice wavering. Unable to calm myself enough to talk, I nodded. He got up and walked out of the room. A few moments later, I heard Alice's quiet footfalls in the bedroom. She crawled into the bed with me and held me tightly. For the millionth time in the past eight hours, I bawled. Cried. Sobbed. She didn't judge. She didn't comment. She just held me.

We stayed locked in our embrace for awhile. I'm not sure how long, but my arms were asleep and my body was still aching. I moved away, wiping my face. I looked up at Alice. Her eyes were sad and her cheeks were stained with tears. "This really has you rattled, doesn't it?" Alice asked quietly. I nodded. "Edward called me first thing this morning. He was in a panic. I was nursing EJ and I get this urgent call from my baby brother. He's so worried about you, Bella. I'm worried about you."

"I don't know what to do, Alice. I'm so confused. I'm so afraid of losing everything," I sniffled. "Mike can take it away in an instant."

"You don't think Edward's afraid? He's lost everything. Twice," Alice said harshly. I ducked my head in shame. "I don't mean to be stern, Bella. But out of the two of you, Edward has the most to lose. I can't bear to see my brother like I did when his parents died. Or when Tanya died. He shut down. He barely survived. He was going through the motions. He's only come alive since he's met you. Don't throw that away."

"I don't want to," I whispered. "Mike is ruining everything."

"Only because you're letting him," Alice said, holding my chin to force me to look into her eyes. "Mike is fucking asshole who is obsessed with you. However, you can't live your life in fear. If you did, what's the point? Get your head out of your ass and live life. Be happy. Make babies. Fuck each other until you can't walk straight. Love each other. I don't care what you do, but don't throw what you have with Edward away. He's crumbling. He's afraid that you're going to dump him because of your behavior."

"I would never…"

"Actions speak louder than words, Bella. You treated him like shit last night. He's feeling guilty right now because he lost his temper. My mother's vase received a brunt of that anger, but he's still pissed. And he was justified in losing his temper."

"I know," I said.

"Good. Now, I'm sending him back in here. You will talk. You will resolve this. Then you will have amazing make up sex."

"Jeez, Alice," I grumbled.

"What? I can't have sex for another three weeks, six days, eight hours and forty-two minutes. I'm living vicariously through you and Rose," Alice said with a shrug.

"You have a countdown?"

"It's when I have my six week appointment," Alice smirked. "Talk. To. Edward." She turned on her heel and left the bedroom. Edward returned a bit later, his hair a tangled mess, his eyes drawn and a defeated slump to his usually tall posture. I've broken him. God, I suck.

Edward sat down on the bed, his posture still holding a defeated tone. He fumbled with the tie of his track pants and he refused to look me in the eyes. Not that I was capable of looking him in the eye either. I nervously picked at the strings of the pillow sham as I tried to formulate what I wanted to say to him in my head. I was sorry about being a mega bitch, but I didn't know how to say it.

"Edward, I'm sorry," I rasped. Brilliant, Swan. Real original.

"I know," he replied. "I am too." He pulled his legs up and rested his head on his knees. "We're not going to make it if this continues, Bella. I love you too much. I can't bear to be without you. However, you have got to stop letting Mike control your every move."

"It's hard not to," I said. "He has so much power over us…"

"Only because you're letting him have that power," Edward said, looking at me. His eyes were blank and dead. "Bella, do you love me?"

"Edward…"

"No. Do you love me?"

"More than I could possibly imagine," I answered. "Do you still love me? Even after how I've behaved?"

"I'd give my life for you," Edward said, some life coming back into his eyes. "I love you so much, Bella."

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

"We live our lives. We do our thing. Hopefully, Mike will get caught and be sent to prison for the crimes he committed."

"Not that's not what I meant," I said. "Do you want to marry me still or are you done with me?"

"Of course I still want to marry you," Edward said, his eyes flashing with anger and annoyance. "Just because we fought doesn't mean I don't love you any less."

"No. I guess it doesn't," I said.

"God, he's really fucked with your head," Edward said.

I sighed and nodded my head solemnly. "I thought I was better, but I guess I'm not."

"Bella, getting over a relationship like yours and Mike's is going to take time. Up until last night, you were doing remarkably well. However, it's a process."

"Please be patient with me," I said. "I feel like I did when we first met. Hesitant to trust anyone."

"You trust me, right?" Edward asked. I couldn't look at him in the eyes. "You don't trust me?"

"I'm a little afraid," I said.

"The vase."

"Yeah, the vase."

"It takes me a long time to get to the point where I'm throwing things, Bella. Let's just say that this whole situation with Mike and the strain it's putting on our relationship has finally forced me to reaching my breaking point. I will spend every minute of every day making it up to you. I'm so sorry that I scared you. Please know that I would never, EVER, raise my hand to you at all. I was not raised that way. No man should hit a woman, no matter if they deserve it or not."

"I know that, Edward. You are incredibly kind and gentle. You are obviously under a great deal of stress and I'm undoubtedly the cause. It still causes me concern that you broke a vase," I cowered.

"I know. I'm sorry," he croaked out. He looked at me and his eyes shone with tears. "Please forgive me, Bella. I need to know that we're alright."

"I forgive you, Edward. Only if you forgive me," I said, tears falling down my cheeks. Again. Edward reached for me and crushed me to his chest. We held each other as we both cried. We eventually fell against the pillows in the bed. Edward still held me as we calmed down. "I am really sorry about being such a bitch last night. I'm just so scared."

"Me too, Bella. I'm holding the most precious thing in the world to me," he said, caressing my cheeks. "I can't lose you."

"I can't lose you, either," I whispered as I looked up into his evergreen eyes. Edward leaned down and kissed me sweetly. His soft mouth moved languidly against mine. His tongue traced my top lip and I parted my lips. His tongue slid between my teeth and danced with mine. All too soon, he pulled away and held me tightly against his chest. "You know, Alice is expecting us to have wild monkey make up sex."

"Well, she'll just have to be disappointed. I'm too fucking exhausted," Edward laughed. "We'll have wild monkey make up sex later."

"Promise?"

"Scout's honor."

"I love you, Edward," I said, kissing his lips. "I am truly sorry about being…"

"Stop. We both made mistakes. We both broke down. Let's move past it and go to sleep. I love you, Bella. With all of my heart. All of my soul. With everything that I am," he said. "Now, sleep."

"Yes, Dr. Masen."

"That's not my name, Swan."

"Yes, Dr. McFuckme."

"Much better."

A/N: Mike is causing a ton of strain. Stupid , moronic asshole. Anyhoo…next chapter will be wedding dress shopping and preparations for the wedding itself. Oh, and wild monkey make up sex. Leave me love! xoxox