A/N I don't own characters, S.M. does. This ch is unbeta'd.

Well I was accused of holding my chapters hostage for reviews! Can you believe that? Nothing could be farther from the truth. I post every three days or sooner. ALWAYS. I did (twice) say I'd post the next day if people would just review. It didn't work and I NEVER did it again. I wrote this to prove to myself I could do it. It's for me and the fact that many of you like it makes me extremely happy. If my having asked you to review my story offended you - I apologize. Your reviews confirm to us you like our stories, that's all.

On to the next ch, one day after Ch 34 was posted which was one day after ch 33 was posted...

Chapter 35

EPOV

I exited the interrogation room and walked down the hallway rubbing the back of my neck looking down. As I rounded the corner I heard a gasp. I looked up just as the small body of my mother slammed into me.

I caught her as her arms wrapped tightly around my neck.

"My baby!" she sighed while peppering my whole face with kisses.

I lifted her higher so I could bury my face in her neck. Her familiar scent assaulted all my senses. My eyes welled with tears to be with her again.

"Edward" my father said gruffly while encircling the both of us in his arms. In his love.

"I'm sorry" I choked out.

My dad lead us as a group over to the chairs that lined the waiting room. It reminded me of the last Seinfeld episode where the hugging group shuffled around a room unable to let go of one another.

I sat with one of them on each side of me.

For a moment we just stared, drinking each other in. Familiarizing ourselves with each other all over again.

My mom was looking me over as was my father.

They could see my various injuries.

What they couldn't see was the worst injury I'd incurred.

My heart and very soul had been damaged.

Being back with them and Bella was the first step towards healing it though. I did know that.

"Why were you in the hospital? Why are you here?" Questioned my mother.

"It's such a long story, can we just wait till Bella comes out and go some where else and talk?" I pleaded.

"Of course" they both answered.

I thanked them, squeezing my Mom's hand, just as Bella joined us. I jumped up and embraced her. She looked as frazzled as I felt.

My parent greeted her warmly, each giving her a hug and a kiss. She looked relieved. I truly think Bella thought they would blame her for my absence and ultimately what was going on now. I truly hoped this wasn't the case.

My parents took us in their rental car to their hotel. It was high end and their room was spacious. My dad ordered room service. We all had a late lunch together. When we finished we all sat down in the living room area to talk.

"I promise to tell you everything, right from the start. Please try not to interrupt because parts will be really hard for me and I just want to get through it. Okay?"

They both nodded.

I started by telling them about the changes I had seen in Bella leading up to my fight with Phil.

I told them about the night we left, our trip getting our apartment and looking for work here in Vegas.

When I told them about Red's my father looked stern and my mom's eyes got really glassy and her lips formed a tight line.

When they found out I was a stripper they both audibly sighed and couldn't make eye contact with me.

I told them about Tanya's harassment of me and how she ultimately assaulted me.

My mother slumped against my dad and cried openly saying "My baby, my poor baby!"

I told them how I was now pressing charges against her to ensure she was punished.

I also told them how we needed to stick around to make sure all questions were answered fully before we left town.

Since the case was only 24 hours old we would have to wait for Stefan to clear our leaving.

My parents noticed that Bella was sitting stiffly beside me with tears running down her cheeks.

"Bella? Are you okay dear?" they questioned, reaching across the coffee table and touching her knee.

"I'm just so sorry for everything. I'm sorry we left the way we did. I'm sorry for the way Edward has sacrificed himself. But, I'm...I'm most sorry that he was hurt..." she broke off sobbing.

I gathered her into my arms.

"How many times do I have to tell you, it wasn't your fault!" I said exasperated. "I made all of these choices! Me! The only thing you could be sorry for is for following me!"

Her head jerked up to meet my eyes. Her head was shaking frantically.

"Are you sorry you allowed me to make these decisions for you Bella?" I asked.

"No! No! I'd follow you anywhere Edward!"

"Good! Because what I can't live with Bella is your regret." I said honestly.

Her head shook indicating a 'no' against my chest.

I held her as my parents asked me various questions which I did my best to answer. When they seemed to have no more questions, I leaned forward and asked a question I needed to ask.

"Mom, Dad – I'm sorry for what we put you through. It was my mistake to not find a way to call you. I love you both and I need to know if either of you can ever forgive me for the past 4 months?" My gaze shifted back and forth between both sets of eyes.

Tears streamed out of their eyes and down both of their cheeks.

"Edward, there is nothing to forgive son. I am so proud of you. I am proud that you tried to save and look after Bella. Do I wish you had told us? Of course, but I do understand. Yes! I must admit I can't believe you actually took care of her so well. That you got a job at all with no GED is amazing, although your job choice leaves a little to be desired." He chuckled. I nodded in agreement with my father's words.

"I think we have some explaining to do as well" said my dad. He then proceeded to tell me about all the things he did to slow down Phil's search for us.

I couldn't believe how my dad had copied my car to suspend Phil's suspicion.

He told us about all the interaction they had with Phil ending with Esme's attack on him.

We were stunned at how involved he had become in the ruse buying us time.

"We need to get you both back in school to get your GEDs, I've deferred your scholarships till you do." He explained.

"We have our GEDs dad, we got them online. I have only to order the transcripts of the few courses we needed to graduate."

My parents were very happy about this.

My dad pulled out his phone and got to work sending emails. With any luck he said. We could still attend in September, just a couple weeks away.

Our moods were much improved now that the 'air was cleared' and all questions had been answered.

"Would you like to see our apartment?" Bella asked.

"Yes!" they both answered.

They drove us to the club to get my car. That was uncomfortable for all of us. Then we took them to our home.

As we entered our apartment I felt relief wash over me. I felt safe here. It was neat and clean, as always.

Although we had minimal furniture, what we did have fit the space. We had everything that we needed and had lived comfortably enough.

My mother smiled and complimented Bella on looking after me so well.

Bella blushed under her praise.

Bella had always looked up to my mom and did her best to emulate things she had learned from Esme.

"I had these horrible visions of you both living in squalor. You don't know how relieved I am to see how clean you keep it." My mom praised.

"She usually keeps it cleaner mom, but the last couple days she's been distracted". I inserted.

We gave them the small tour then all sat down again to talk some more.

It felt wonderful talking with my family again. Now that all the bad information was out in the open, we could talk about how we got our GED's, our new friends, and even about possibly starting college in just a few weeks.

We had been talking for just over an hour when there was a knock at the door.