Disclaimer: We own nothing related to Twilight, it all belongs to the amazing Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Notes: I know, I was slightly longer than ten days... I think I was eleven, but who's counting *ducks the flying pitchforks* - I had an INCREDIBLE time at ET5 (UK Twilight Convention) last weekend. It was majorly epic and even better than the previous one. I even got the pleasure of having lunch with an actor called Billy Tangradi who is going to be playing the part of Randall the nomad in Breaking Dawn – he was lovely. And I honestly think I'm in love with him. Tee Hee. Also enjoyed hugs from Alex Meraz, Mike Welch, Justin Chon, the huge Dan Cudmore and beautiful Jodelle Ferland. Good times were had and TEAM SILVER BALLS FOREVER – those of you who have me on facebook, there is a tonne of pics on there. Go check them out. 3

Thanks to Tammygrrrl for looking over this beast for me, as usual with her super quick beta skills and to my lovely ficwife, LisaDawn75 for putting up with me this week whilst I was working on this chapter and our collaboration – Eyes, Look Your Last.

If I get any medical jargon incorrect then I'm sorry. I'm not a doctor, and I can appreciate that terms we hear on the TV here in the UK probably differs from that in the US and other countries... so if anything is wrong, please don't hate on me. After all, this is a work of FICTION.

Enjoy

Previously...

"Edward, it's Charlie," he pauses and I hear his breath hitch and I can picture him with his eyes screwed tightly shut and his fingers on the edge of his moustache. "Bells is in trouble."

Chapter 37
EPOV

"Where is she?" I yell immediately into the phone. "I need to get to her, where is she Charlie, what's happened?"

"Edward, calm down, I've had a call, she's at the school... it's James. He's got her. They are in her classroom. He's... he's got a gun Edward." Charlie's voice falters. I've never heard him sound as nervous as this before, but his daughter is in grave danger.

I pull on my hair and run for the door. Shit. Bella has my car! I pull out the keys to her slow as hell, death trap of a truck.

"Two of her students called the station, James took them too – but Bells convinced James and the woman he is with to let them go... they promised they'd not call the police, but thank god they saw sense. They are going to the station now to make statements... Edward... you need to stay at home." He says urgently as he hears me getting into the truck and slamming the door.

"I can't Charlie – I should have gone to that damn school two hours ago when I was first worried about her. I have to be there."

"Edward, I will be there in five minutes, I have a team of four officers with me... we will take care of it." My future father in law tells me softly, but I know that in the tone of his voice that he's as concerned as I am.

I start the truck and she roars to life. Charlie speaks to me again, but I can't hear what he's saying over the noise of the engine and the fact that I've mentally turned off my hearing.
I toss the phone down on the bench seat, not bothering to hang up the call, and put the truck into reverse, accelerating out of the driveway. I'm starting to regret trying to force Bella into taking the Volvo to work – because it sure as hell would get me there a lot faster than this piece of shit.

Bella is going to agree to let me buy her a decent car once she's home safe and sound.
The school isn't far – but it's the longest fucking ten minute drive of my entire life. I blast the horn on the old Chevy after a couple of idiots get in my way.

The parking lot is empty apart from two lone cars and a motorcycle. I, somehow, have managed to get here before Charlie and his promised team of officers. I stop the truck right outside the main entrance and run into the building.

I wrack my brain, trying to remember the way to the English corridor. I stop when I come to the end of the hall, and it splits off in two directions, to my left and right, and then the wide staircase in front of me. Fuck!

"Edward!" – I hear Charlie's voice before his and three other loud slapping footsteps against the tiled floor. "Upstairs and to the left."

He doesn't have to tell me twice. I am storming up the stairs before he and his colleagues have even gotten twenty feet towards me. "Wait!" Charlie calls again. I can't wait, they'll catch up. I just need to get to Bella.

I can hear yelling and my pace instantly quickens, my heart beating in my chest as I hear a sob, followed by a male voice and then the ear shattering sound of a gunshot.

I start to fling open random doors, and after the second I know I've found the right place. I reach for the handle, preparing myself, knowing that I will see my beautiful girl hurt, or worse.

A strong hand pulls at my shoulder, pulling me back. Charlie and his team have reached the room at the same time as me. I struggle forward, but they're too strong for me. Time moves fast, and it's blurred but I hear another two shots in quick succession.

I break free from the officers' hold and stumble into the room. My focus is immediately on the small brunette laying, face down on the floor, covered in blood. My Bella, oh, God my beautiful... I rush to her side, my Doctor mode taking over. Why is there no one here yet?

I hear Charlie call over to me, he's with Jacob, blood is pouring from a gunshot wound to his chest. "Tell me she's okay... please tell me she's okay?"

My eyes dart around the room. I see James, beneath another officer, cuffed and face down on the floor. Another officer has Tanya... TANYA against the wall...

Bella!

I brush her hair away from her face, her eyes are closed and she's still - so still. I check her pulse, panicking and I find it, strong and beating as it should be. My hands move across her back and sides, lifting her shirt up gently, trying to find the source of her blood loss. I take care not to move her in case she has any sort of spinal injury, moving or twisting of her body could cause her more damage.

I look, and then I look again. Nothing. It's not her blood! She's breathing slowly and her eyes start to flutter. She wriggles, stretching out her body and attempting to sit upright. "Bella, Bella, baby... shhhh, I'm here, and everything is going to be okay." I whisper to her, pressing my lips to her clammy forehead. "Are you hurt, please, tell me if anything hurts." She moves again, pulling her legs to her chest easily and without flinching. I take the opportunity to pull her onto my lap and envelop my arms around her small body, holding her close to me.

"Edward..." she breathes. "You're here... you came, I... I was so... Oh God. Thank you... we're... Edward... I'm..."

"Edward!" Charlie's voice and hand on my shoulder disrupts our moment and he beams at his daughter, clearly relieved that she's okay. "Edward, it's Jacob... I can't stop his bleeding. Medics are on their way. We need you."

"I'll be back, baby," I whisper, handing her over gently to her father and... She's fine... she's fine. I repeat the mantra to myself as I rush to the side of Jake Black. One of the cops is pressing on the wound, trying to stop the rapid flow of blood that is leaking from the hole in his chest. I take over, pulling off my hoodie and using it as a compress. My full doctor mode takes over and I instruct the cop to get by his head, to keep him talking and keep his airways open. Jake is alive but barely conscious. I can tell, just by looking at him that he's going to need surgery.

I dare not look over at Bella. I know she's okay and her father is with her. I look at Jake and his eyes are on me. He opens his mouth to speak and reaches a hand towards me. I take it and squeeze gently. "Hey man, keep with me, okay, you're doing great. Just hang on a little longer and the medics will be here any minute."

"B...Bella... is, his voice rasping, and oh, so weak.

"She's fine, she's absolutely fine" I assure him - and then it suddenly hits me. The blood all over her is Jacob's. Jacob took a bullet for my girl. Jacob saved her life. "She's not hurt, thank you so much Jacob."

Jacob smiles and grips my hand harder, although his grip is still so loose. He's so weak. There isn't much time left. "Charlie!" I yell across the small classroom to him where he's still holding Bella to his chest, cradling and rocking her. I can't see her face but she is shaking so much that I know she's sobbing. "What's the ETA on the ambulance?"

Charlie looks up at me and down to Jacob, concern clear in his eyes. "Anytime now, how's he doing?"

I can't tell him that I think that Jacob only has minutes left. I can't tell him that I can't stop his bleeding. "He needs to get to hospital. Now. Have you called Billy?"

Charlie's mouth drops open - of course he hasn't. It wouldn't have occurred to me, either, had I been holding my daughter in my arms. He hurriedly pulls his cell phone from jacket pocket.

I turn my attention back to my patient, hardly caring that I'm also now covered in his blood. He is still with me, answering my questions, always with a smile on his face. But I think he knows.

"I'm... I'm sorry. If I ruined anything... for... you" he keeps on telling me. "I just... I love her too, and I... I want B...B...Bells to be happy. You... make sure you... take... c...c...care of her... I'll kick... your ass... from heaven...i...if y...y...you don't, dude."

I cant help but chuckle at him. Not just at his apology, but his threats to kick my ass. "I give you full permission for the ass kicking. Not necessary however, I promise I'll take care of her. And I want you there, at our wedding." I reassure him, not wanting him to know that I think he's dying too.

"S...sure, sure," he rasps, sucking in a shaky breath, and his eyes fluttering.

"Jake, come on, man, stay with me. Keep talking, just keep your eyes open. We are going to get you to the hospital and get you fixed up... just keep with me, okay?" I ask, willing him to just open his eyes again, to look at me.

Jacob takes another raspy breath and his eyes open once again and he chuckles... "Yeah, whatever you say, Doc."

The medics arrive and come running into the room. I relay to them the situation. "I'm Dr. Edward Cullen. This is Jacob Black, twenty six year old male, gunshot wound to the chest. Conscious and talking but he's lost a lot of blood."

"Thank you, Doctor Cullen," the female medic tells me as she starts to check Jake's stats, working quickly over him and checking under the compress I'd made out of my hoodie. The blood looks as though it's started to lessen, which is a really great sign. "We will get him right to the hospital, would you ride with us?"

I look over anxiously at Bella. All I want to do is go to her, but I can't deny the requests of the paramedic, not when there is a life in danger. "Charlie?" I call to my future father-in-law. "I'm going to ride with Jacob, please, can you get Bella to the hospital? I want someone to check her out too."

Charlie nods and whispers to Bella and her eyes meet mine, red and puffy. She bites her lip and nods to me, still clutching onto her father's jacket.

As soon as I turn back, Jacob is strapped to a stretcher and covered in a thick blanket. Apart from myself, the medics and Charlie and Bella, the room is empty. The other cops clearly made fast work of getting James and Tanya out of here. Once all of this is over, I shall be making a very strongly worded telephone call to the Denali family - Poor Kate and Carmen. They will lose their daughter over this.

I blow my Bella a kiss and watch as she allows her father to help her to her feet. She can walk with his support, but I imagine that's just because she's in shock. I exit the room and hold the doors open for the medics as they run the stretcher outside.

We get five minutes away from the hospital when Jacob falls into unconsciousness. Shit... shit, shit shit! Come on Black, don't do this. He's lost far too much blood. The paramedic instructs me to assist with the CPR, so after she has breathed for Jacob I begin the pulmonary compressions. His blood starts to seep from the hole in his chest once again but I have to get him breathing, or else he is at risk of brain damage or certain death.

On the third round of compressions he's back with us and the bastard smirks up at me, when he looks at my position straddling his groin. "Well, hello again, Doc."

We reach the hospital and thank God, Jacob remains stable. I'm tired and covered from head to toe in blood. I wonder if Charlie has managed to get Bella to the hospital yet? We get Jake into the Emergency Room and we hand him over to the on duty Doctor. Thankfully, I'm not needed and a nearby nurse greets me and hands me a pair of blue scrubs to change into. I take them, with thanks, and rush back into the waiting room. Charlie is standing there and pacing, looking very pained.

"Charlie! Jacob is on his way up to surgery - the bullet went in deep but it looks as though it's not hit any major organs. We almost lost him on route, but it's looking very hopeful. Did you manage to get a hold of Billy?"

Charlie nods, his fingers pulling at his moustache. "Yeah, I did, but the poor guy, he's in a bad way and he can't get here. He can't drive and, well, Jake is his primary caregiver... I'm going to have to run and get him so that he can see his son."

"Then go, go get him." I instruct. "I'll take care of Bella... where is she?"

"Some nurse took her out back, through those doors." he shrugs towards the doors I've just come out of.

"Okay, well, you go get Billy and I'll go be with her. I'll call you if anything happens." I try and reassure him. I can see the poor man is torn between his love for his only daughter, and his loyalty to his best friend.

I watch him leave the hospital quickly, his head hung low, before I turn back and head into the emergency room. I check in with one of the nurses at the desk, who thankfully knows who I am, and she directs me along the corridor to where Bella is situated. I quickly run into the bathroom and change out of the bloodied mess of my jeans and t shirt and into the scrubs.

I look through the tiny glass window in the door. My beautiful Bella is sitting on the edge of the bed, facing away from me. Her shoulders are slumped shaking. I tap on the glass quietly and open the door. "Baby?"

She get to her feet and spins around when she hears my voice and comes straight at me, flinging herself across the small room and into my waiting arms. She collapses into me and starts to sob.

"Edward... oh my God, I'm so sorry."

"Shhhhhh, you have nothing to apologize for, Bella, this... none of this was your fault."

"I was so afraid." She whimpers, "I thought I'd never see you again."

"I know, baby. I was scared too... and when I saw you... covered in blood. Oh, God, Bella, I didn't know what to do."

The look of shock and realization comes over her perfect features. "Jake!" she exclaims. "Please tell me he's okay?"

I stroke her hair gently. "He should be fine... he lost a lot of blood, but they have him in surgery now. I've made sure that my dad is taking care of him. He'll be okay. He's strong, young and healthy."

"It's all my fault. He got shot because of me. He came to help, Edward. Billy will never forgive me if anything happens."

"Shhhh, baby. No one blames you. Jake saved you, if anything, he's a hero. As are the two girls who called the police. And you are okay, that's all that matters too."

She sniffs and wipes away her tears. She pulls herself closer and her lips search out mine. I try and respond gently, but it's all too much for the both of us. Within seconds her fingers are in my hair and her mouth is open, begging me for my tongue. I comply and allow our mouths to dance hungrily together as my hands grip around her waist.

She pulls away and pecks me once more on the lips as we catch our breath. She leans her forehead onto mine and smiles, her puffy eyes meeting mine. "All I wanted to do tonight was get home to you... I've thought of nothing but you all day."

"When you didn't come home, I was so worried... this morning, Bella, you were so quiet. I didn't know what to think."

A finger on my lips silences me and she pulls her lower lip between her teeth. "I was worried this morning, Edward. I realized something... and I needed to find out for certain before I worried you, too."

I stroke her cheek, tilting her chin up to mine. "What? What's wrong baby. Is everything okay?"

She blinks and inhales. "Things have been so crazy here... the past couple of months.. you know? So much has happened."

I smile. "Yes. They have."

"I... I didn't realize that I missed an appointment. Not until this morning. Something has been bugging me for the past several weeks, but I couldn't put my finger on it... and I've been getting sick, you remember."

I nod, running my fingers through her slightly tangled hair. "I was worried you were overdoing things." I admit to her, remembering how terrible she looked and must have felt.

"Edward... I'm... I'm pregnant."

I'm utterly speechless. Pregnant! My fiancée is pregnant!

"Edward, please say something... I understand if it's not the right time-"

I cut her off by pressing my lips fiercely to hers. She pulls away, shocked.

"You're happy? This is okay?" she asks, sounding as though she doesn't entirely believe me.

"Happy? Bella, of course I'm happy. Fuck, baby, this is amazing." I can't help but press my hand to her stomach and rub gently across her abdomen. "How... I mean how long..."

She shrugs. "I just took the test this morning, but I was meant to get my shot the week before we met... and I didn't. And I was sick for a long time. I guess I could be about nine, maybe ten weeks." - she's smiling now and I know for a fact that I can't wipe the big-assed grin off my face.

"I'll order an ultrasound... we can find out." I tell her.

She grins and kisses me again. "You're going to be a daddy." she whispers into my ear.

Those are the most perfect and amazing words that I have ever heard uttered.

I am going to be a daddy... and a husband. Life can't get any better than this.

I know this is just the beginning for us. Finally, our happily ever after can begin.

Okay - so seriously people, I KNOW I'm not on TEAM JACOB - But did you HONESTLY think I'd kill him off? Shame on you... see, I have this friend, she goes by the name Scrappy, and if I was to ever even CONSIDER killing off the Dog, she'd come and tie me up and probably beat the living poop out of me. So, Scraps, this is for you. I know you hate Dog-Boy being painted as the baddy. I think he has redeemed himself nicely, don't you?

MFBR is winding down now. I have four chapters left.

Okay, a quick fic rec now... It's a WIP, but I read this a couple of days ago and it really MADE MY DAY - it's wonderful and terrifically funny.

"What The Hell" by . http:/www . fanfiction . net/ s /5910594/ 1 /bWhat_b_The_bHell_b - Remove the pesky spaces, leave some love and tell the Doc I sent you.

Until next time...