Thanks for all the responses to the last chapter. Yep. We all agree, Bitchooria was an awful excuse for a human being.

Maybe now a little healing for Edward, true?

Two updates this week.

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My ladies, my friends, my heart is full of nothing but love for you. Without your encouragement this story would not even exist.

Slowly I regained control again. I had no idea how long I had been encased in Bella's embrace while I let out years of emotional pain I had been holding in. I pulled back gingerly wondering how she would react to my unexpected outburst. Her little hand reached up and wiped away the lingering tears on my face then softly she brushed her lips over my cheeks.

"Better?" she whispered.

I nodded silently.

Her next words confused me. "Thank you."

"Thank me? I think it's the other way around Bella."

"No. You were honest, you opened up and let me in. I know how painful that must have been but you told me everything and you allowed yourself to show me your pain. And to help you. That means a great deal to me Edward."

I shook my head. This woman would never cease to amaze me.

She stood up and extended her hand in a silent invitation.

I reached up and let her pull me up from the sofa. Obediently I followed her into the bathroom.

"Close your eyes, please. There's no window and I need to see what I'm doing, so I need the light on."

Again, I did what she asked of me. I gave her my complete trust.

I heard the squeak of the taps and the gush of water as it hit the bottom of the tub. The hard rush turned into a softer rainfall sound as the water was diverted to the shower. I could feel the air getting warm with the steam. Bella was suddenly in front of me undoing my shirt.

"What are you doing?" I asked halting her hands.

She reached up and kissed me softly. "Returning the favor from the other day. I'm taking care of you." Then she moved my hands out of the way and discarded my clothes. Once she was sure I was in the shower, I heard her remove her clothing and snap the light off before she joined me. She gently pushed me under the warm spray.

"Let the day wash away Edward," she whispered softly. "It's over and like Carlisle says, we move on from here."

I sighed deeply and allowed the warm water to cascade over me. Bella's soapy hands turned me around and she worked on my back, kneading the tight muscles as best she could and talking softly the whole time. Nonsensical little ideas about going for a picnic in a couple of days, wanting to hear the latest tracks from the CD, baking me some more cookies, how much she loved me. Sweet, loving thoughts to replace all the dark ones that lingered in my head. Turning to her I pulled her close. We stayed silent for a moment just enjoying the feeling of one another under the warm spray, and then she reached up, pulled my head down closer and kissed me. Softly at first, then her tongue trailed over my bottom lip and I granted her entrance. Groaning, I pulled her impossibly closer. The kiss deepened. What had been comforting and loving was quickly becoming passionate and wanting. I felt myself needing her. Hard and throbbing with a desperate desire to be with her. I broke away from her panting.

"We have to stop…"

"Why?" she breathed.

"Baby, you're sick…it's been such an awful day…we don't have to do this. We shouldn't do this."

"No. I want you…I want to make the day better…"

And suddenly she was on her knees in front of me, her warm mouth surrounding me. I groaned. Her name fell like a plea from my lips.

Her hands came up around my hips, holding me close to her as she worked her tongue around me.

I was lost in the sensations. My hands found their way into her hair, holding her softly, moaning her name.

The intense warmth of her mouth suddenly left me and her head drew back. I couldn't make out the expression in her eyes, but I could feel her gaze.

He voice was low and throaty. "Did she do this for you?"

I froze. Then shook my head. "Not often. Only when she wanted something and I had refused. But never like this Bella... never with love…"

"I want something Edward."

I tensed, and then quietly asked her.

"What do you want Bella?"

"I want you to scream my name when you come. Forget she ever existed. You're mine. Do you understand? Mine."

Her words hit me like a lightning bolt and hot pulsating desire shot through me. I wanted to be hers. I was hers. I groaned out a yes as her mouth closed around me.

And once again did exactly what she asked of me.

*()*

I sighed quietly in the comfort of Bella's arms. Last night I didn't know if I'd ever feel them around me again. Just the thought of that made me shiver and I quickly pulled her closer and brushed my lips over her forehead, then frowned. She was way hotter than she was before. I leaned back and laid my hand on her forehead.

"Bella, you're burning up."

"I know Edward, I can feel it. I probably shouldn't have kissed you. You shouldn't be here," she replied quietly.

What?

"You want me to leave?" I asked, my throat closing up.

"No, I just don't want you to get sick as well."

"I don't care. I'm not leaving you while you're sick. If I get it then I get it," I sat up. "What can I do Bella? What do you need?"

"Nothing. I took some Tylenol for the fever and I have a drink here. And I…" her voice trailed off uncertainly.

"You what?" I prompted.

"I really don't want you to leave."

I relaxed and pulled her back into my arms.

"Good. Not planning on it."

We were quiet for a while. I could hear her soft wheezing as she breathed.

"Have you called Dr. Banner?" I asked quietly.

Bella shook her head. "It's a cold Edward. I'll be fine. I don't think it's settled in my chest."

I ran my hand over her hair. It was still damp.

I sat up. "Where is your hair dryer?"

"What? Why?"

"You shouldn't be laying here with wet hair. I'll dry it for you."

"Edward…"

I interrupted her firmly. "Bella. Please. Just tell me where it is."

There was a pause, and then she finally answered me. "In my top dresser drawer."

I nodded and climbed off the bed. I could see the low dresser easily against the pale wall and I made my way over to it.

I opened the drawer and reached in, but it wasn't a hair dryer I found. I began to smile as my fingers delved deep into a pile of soft silk. I must have inadvertently opened the wrong drawer. I pulled out a pink lacy camisole that was most definitely not a hair dryer.

She did say top drawer right?

Bella's voice was softly amused behind me. "Wrong side of the drawer Edward."

Unable to stop the grin on my face I turned around holding up the camisole. "Perhaps, Little One, when you feel better you could wear this for me? I would absolutely love to …feel… what it looks like on you."

Bella's soft giggle spurred me on and I spent a few minutes holding up a few other pieces of her lingerie imagining out loud how they would feel under my hands.

A deep cough from behind me reminded me of the task at hand and I regretfully folded the soft garment I was holding back up and felt around on the right side of the drawer for the hair dryer. Bella directed me to the plug beside her nightstand and it only took me a second to plug in the dryer. Then I climbed back up on the bed, sat against the headboard and patted the space between my legs. She sat down and turned the dryer it on to the setting she liked and handed it back to me. I slowly made my way through her heavy tresses lifting them and blowing them dry. When I was satisfied I handed her back the dryer and she switched it off. I pulled her back against my chest and held her closely.

"Thank you."

I squeezed her slightly.

"Edward…"Bella's voice was hesitant.

"Hmmm?"

"Are you… was I … was I too aggressive, umm... earlier? In the shower?"

I smiled into her soft hair. "No…I'll admit it was unexpected, but to be honest, it was extremely hot Bella."

Bella giggled softly. "Really?"

"The woman you love taking control of your pleasure, telling you who you belong to, yeah, pretty fucking hot. The only question I have is why. What brought that on?"

I felt her shrug. "I suddenly had this urge to erase everything about her from your mind. I wanted to fill you with me. Just me. I can't explain it. I just wanted you to lose yourself to me."

I leaned forward and brushed her ear with my lips. "It worked, Little One."

I felt Bella shiver.

I did it again except this time caught her lobe in my teeth and tugged softly. "Listen to me. Just for the record Bella, and so you understand this completely, I have never thought to compare her to you on that level. On any level. There is no comparison. You are untouchable. What I have with you is so deeply emotional… the physical manifestations of my feelings are so intense they're off the charts. I never had any of that with her. With anyone. Ever. Am I clear on that?"

Bella nodded breathlessly. I continued quietly in her ear.

"Your touch calms me Bella. Your voice soothes me. Your presence is vital to me. Your body calls to me…constantly. I want you all the time. I love you. I. Am. Yours. Completely. I have been from day one. Never ever doubt that. So were you too aggressive? No. Was it needed to prove something? No. Am I sorry you did it? Fucking no."

Bella's head fell back on my shoulder, her hair soft against my skin. She sighed softly. "I wasn't trying to prove anything. I just suddenly wanted you… like that. I was feeling…possessive suddenly? I'm not even sure why I asked you that. Caught up in the moment maybe?"

I nodded quietly, thinking.

"Bella, do you know what one of the worst things about her was?"

"Tell me," her voice soft.

"She never asked for anything. Ever. She demanded. Everything was an order. A command. She used every manipulation to get what she wanted. She screamed. Yelled. Used guilt . And in the beginning, sex. And I was too stupid to see it at the start." I took in a deep breath.

"It's one of the things I love so much about you. You give, constantly. You have never demanded a thing from me. Or anyone around me. You rarely even ask. And I want you to. Whatever you need or want I want you to ask me. I will give you anything Bella. Anything. Just ask me and it's yours. As long as you don't demand it from me it's yours."

"I have everything I want right here, Edward. I have you."

Once again overcome at her simple expression of love, I held her tightly, stroking her hair. I felt her grow heavier as she relaxed and fell asleep. Carefully manoeuvering us both, I managed to lie down and have her still close to my side. I felt her forehead again. Still hot. And I really didn't like the wheezing sound she made when inhaling. If she was no better in the morning I would get her to call her doctor. I settled quietly, relaxing beside her, enjoying the feeling of her presence.

*()*

Bella's fever got worse about three o'clock. From then on it kept spiking higher. She became restless and groggy and would drift into an uneasy slumber only to startle herself awake crying. I held and soothed her every time she would wake, weeping, calling my name, lost in her fever. I kept a cool cloth on her head and made sure she sipped away at cold water, when she was lucid enough to do so, to keep her hydrated. Luckily the Tylenol was on the bathroom counter and I got her to take some. I spent the rest of the night pacing around her room desperate to do something to relieve her fever, but I had no idea what else to do. I had no clue where anything was in the kitchen, so I couldn't even make her a cup of tea. When she started coughing deeply, I panicked. I couldn't locate the cough syrup in her bathroom and the cough sounded painful. How something so loud and deep sounding could come out of someone so small, I had no idea. And it progressively got worse. By seven o'clock I was beside myself with worry and I called Carlisle. Half an hour later he arrived with Esme who went straight into Bella's room. I stood in the living room running my hands through my hair. I heard Carlisle moving around in the kitchen and a few minutes later Esme joined him. A minute later she came out to the living room. "Carlisle is calling her doctor Edward. You were right to call us."

I groaned and sat down heavily on the sofa. "Fuck, Esme. I knew it. I wanted her to call him last night. She said no. I didn't know what to do. I tried to cool her off, I kept her drinking…and I gave her some Tylenol. But I couldn't do much else. I couldn't find the cough syrup or make her tea. Fuck, I'm so useless…"

Esme knelt down in front of me, her voice firm. "Stop it Edward. You did just fine. And calling us was the best thing. Carlisle has her doctor's number." She voice became softer. "Now stop saying you're useless or I'll tell Bella and she will so kick your ass when she's feeling better. She hates it when you run yourself down."

I nodded, smiling briefly at her threat. She was right. Bella would kick my ass. Carlisle came in. "Dr. Banner is on his way. He says Bella gets ill easily because of her asthma. He's glad we called."

He clapped me on the shoulder. "He'll get her fixed up Edward. His words."

Esme stood up. "I'll make some coffee and sit with Bella until her gets here. Edward, you should lay down. Have you slept at all?"

I shook my head. "I'll sit with her Esme. She keeps calling for me and crying. I should be there. She needs me. I'll sleep later."

"I'll bring you some coffee then," Esme leaned down and kissed my cheek and left the room. Once again her strong maternal ways touched me.

"Are you okay Edward? Did you…talk last night?" Carlisle asked quietly.

I nodded. "I told her. Everything."

"And?" he prompted.

"You were right Carlisle. She was amazing. But she was so horribly upset. God, it hurt listening to her cry over my pain. I hope the stress of everything I told her didn't make her worse," I admitted anxiously.

"She'll be fine Edward. Go sit with her. We'll be right here."

I nodded and went back to where I needed to be. Beside Bella.

*()*

Dr. Banner arrived shortly after Carlisle called him and I stepped out to let him examine her privately. When he came out of her room, after what seemed an eternity he sat down on the sofa to have a cup of coffee with us.

"Does she need to be in a hospital?" I asked anxiously.

"No, Edward. I already picked up her antibiotics and a different type of inhaler for her. This is quite normal for our girl, I'm afraid. She gets ill very easily because of her asthma, it makes her more susceptible to infection. I've given her something for the fever and it should break soon. It's already coming down. And the antibiotics will knock it out of her."

"Does this happen a lot?" Carlisle asked quietly.

"Not as often as it used to. She takes good care of herself and knows to avoid some of the triggers, but unfortunately cold and flu viruses are unavoidable, so it still happens," Dr. Banner shook his head and took a sip of coffee. He leaned over and clapped me on the shoulder. "You did well Edward. You kept her hydrated and cool. And you called me. It's a good thing you were here. And I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

I nodded; grateful I was here as well. "What are the triggers?"

"Getting herself overtired, stressed, not eating properly, forgetting to take her second puffer regularly. If one occurs usually it's no big deal, but usually when one happens the others follow. Her immune system gets compromised. Most people would get a cold. Bella winds up with bronchitis or worse, pneumonia. But we've caught it early. A couple days rest and her antibiotics she'll be fine."

I shook my head silently. I knew what had caused the triggers this time. The last few days had been hell on us both and now Bella was sick because of it. I could feel guilt creeping its way up my spine.

Dr. Banner stood up. "I'll come by to check on her in a couple days. You have my number if you need me before. Be sure she takes her meds."

I shook his hand and went to check on Bella. She was resting and when I laid my hand on her forehead I was grateful to see it did indeed feel cooler. Her eyes fluttered open and her hand drifted up to clasp mine. She pulled on my hand and I sat down beside her, then leaned down and brushed a kiss along her cheek.

"Hey you," she whispered hoarsely.

"Shh, Little One. I know your throat is sore. I'll get Esme to make you some tea and honey okay? Then you can go back to sleep."

She nodded but pulled me closer. "Thank you for taking care of me last night."

I clasped her face and kissed her softly then wrapped her up in my arms holding her carefully, needing to feel her against me. I held her closely, rocking her gently. Then I lightly laid her back down on the pillows. Esme came in with a cup of tea before I could even go ask. She shooed me out of the room saying she was going to get Bella settled. As I stood up Bella's hand once again stopped me. "NOT your fault Edward." She whispered roughly, squeezing my hand. "Okay?" Nodding silently, I kissed her again before leaving.

I sat down heavily on the sofa. Carlisle came over and sat beside me.

"I can feel the guilt rolling off you Edward. Stop it. I know it's been rough. On both of you. Wallowing is not going to help either of you."

I straighten up and nodded. He was right. I needed to concentrate on Bella.

"Any news from Demetri?" I asked quietly.

Carlisle leaned back. "Yeah. Interesting shit. The name James Colder only exists as of a few years ago. The trail goes cold. It looks as if James Colder was someone else before. And his first few clients don't want to talk about him. At all. And all of them, Edward, were in Vegas. I found that very curious, since that's where you met Victoria. Demetri is now digging deep. Esme and Rose did some digging of their own last night so he has a lot of new information to go on. They are fucking brilliant at research. He thinks he may have a lead on the perfume. Esme found the name of the company you told me about and he has "persuaded" someone there to give him the name of the purchaser. It cost you. Big. But I figured you wouldn't care. We should have the name shortly. And he is digging through James' cell records. And bank records. He expects to have more for us this afternoon."

I nodded. "Whatever it takes Carlisle. Do it. I want to know what the fuck is going on."

He nodded. "I'm meeting with Sebastian this afternoon Edward. He'd like you there."

I hesitated. I wanted to be here with Bella. Just when I was about to tell him no, Esme came in.

"She's sleeping Edward. The fever is breaking. She'll probably sleep most of the day. Rose will come over and we'll stay with her. Go with Carlisle and when you're finished you can come back. I'll make sure she's okay. You need to do this."

I saw Carlisle's hand reach out and Esme grasp it. He pulled her down beside him, then leaned over and kissed her. "Thanks, my love."

I grinned despite everything going on. I had never seen Carlisle demonstrate tenderness like that towards anyone.

He caught my grin and growled at me. "What?"

I grinned harder. "Nothing."

"Fucker," he muttered.

I smirked.

"Carlisle," Esme's voice was scolding.

"He started it," he muttered.

Then I was laughing.

*()*

Before leaving I went in and saw Bella. She was sleeping and as I felt her forehead, I sighed in relief that her temperature felt closer to normal. This time she didn't stir as I kissed her cheek gently. She was probably exhausted. "Back soon Little One," I promised softly before I straightened up and left. Esme promised she would call if anything happened or changed, comforting me as Carlisle and I left.

Once back at the guest house I showered and changed, then we left to meet Sebastian. Emmett joined us as we were walking towards the studio where we were meeting Sebastian. He had dropped Rose, and the supplies Esme requested, off at Bella's and informed me she was still sleeping. I was thanking him for the update as Carlisle's phone rang. He stayed behind to answer it, waving us on.

Sebastian was sitting by the control panel, his shoulders slumped. I approached him and sat down next to him. "What's going on my friend?"

He raised his head and shrugged wearily. "I've been on the phone with my lawyers. I'm done with James. I told him last night."

I sat back feeling both shocked and relieved.

"What was the deciding factor?" I asked quietly. "Yesterday?"

"It was the one of the last straws. The huge fight we had last night was the kicker. It got ugly. I had enough. Of all of it. Carlisle's right. We're on two different pages."

Before we could continue Carlisle walked in rapidly, anger evident in his body language. "Edward does the name Joe Turner mean anything to you?" His voice was tense.

I thought about it briefly and shook my head. "No. Why?"

"What about a shortened version? JT?" He pressed.

A memory stirred and I searched my brain for the reference.

My head snapped up. "Victoria used to talk about someone named JT when we were … um…dating. I think she referred to him as her friend, or maybe her ex-manager, I don't quite remember."

Carlisle snorted. "He was a fucking lot more than her manager Edward. They lived together. He's the person that created and bought her that perfume. Three bottles of it were purchased. All by him. And until a few years ago James Colder was Joe Taylor."

Uh oh. Bella is ill and James isn't James…

The plot thickens…

See you later this week…