I own nothing.

Chapter 37

BPOV

They took him away. Just cuffed him and walked him out of our home. The smug look on Black's face made me want to commit murder. And Leah. Christ, I'm beginning to think the woman is delusional. She actually tried to hug me while telling me I'd be safe now. I just pushed her off of me screaming every name I could think of at her. Safe from what? A husband who loves me and would give his own life to protect his family? A man who takes every precaution possible and has me riding around in an armored car that saved my life and the life of his son? Safe. I wanted to kill her. If anything she just made me vulnerable.

And the idea the knife didn't have any fingerprints was preposterous. Their entire case was ridiculous. Charlie kept telling me over and over again to look at this from the point of a lawyer but that was just so hard to do when it was my family they were fucking with. I couldn't function without Edward. We never spent time apart. The idea of him spending the night in a jail cell made my skin crawl. My beautiful and loving husband locked up like a common criminal.

I'm not naïve enough to think Edward was a model citizen. Far from it, but what they were accusing him of was downright wrong. Attempted murder charges. If I wasn't so upset, the thought would have made me laugh.

The worst part was the look in his eyes before he was pushed out of the house. The absolute concern and fear for me because he knew I couldn't be without him. He knew how badly I needed him. The terror in his voice insisting that I wasn't left alone, that someone watch out for me. Edward knows I'm a strong woman, I can be independent and fierce, but he also knows my weakness is not having him next to me. We're one person, one soul, one strength. We don't survive without the other. His eyes told me he knew that, they told me I still had to be strong for our son and he knew how hard that was going to be for me.

"You feeling a little better?" Esme asked. Her look was one of concern and her own personal fear. Her son was in jail and I wasn't functioning enough to take care of my own little boy properly.

"Yeah. Just scared. They're playing dirty Esme. Real dirty." I moved to sit on the couch still feeling a little loopy from the anti-anxiety pill Carlisle insisted on me taking. Esme rightfully didn't want me handling Anthony after that.

"I know Bella. But Charlie's a good lawyer. There's no way he's going to let them get away with this." I know she was trying to comfort me, but her statement sounded more like a question.

"Why don't you head on up to bed. I'll watch Anthony in the morning for the arraignment." Esme tried to insist. But then the door opened and I knew Charlie was back from seeing Edward. I jumped up and ran to him.

"How is he?" Charlie looked down and gave me a tired smile and hugged me.

"He's fine Bella. He's just worried about you." Charlie shook his head and laughed a little. "The two of you are so much alike it's almost scary. They're bringing him before the Judge tomorrow at 10 o'clock. You need to be there."

"Of course I'll be there. And we'll take him home right?" I needed the confirmation from Charlie. I needed to know this wasn't going to go on longer than tonight.

"He should make bail. They don't even have an indictment Bella. They'll have to convene a grand jury to get one. And their evidence is shit Bella. You know this. Just because the knife no longer has fingerprints on it doesn't automatically mean someone else stabbed you."

"They aren't even taking into account Bobby and Christopher."

"You're right Bella. We should have the security footage from downstairs pulled. It probably shows Victoria killing him. I need the number to a Jason Jenks. Edward wants him to look into a few things. Also, he wants Tanya brought down from upstate." My stomach rolled at the thought of that bitch back in the city and actually being in a position where we needed her help. I hated having her around my husband but if the alternative was not having Edward home, I'd deal with it.

I found my phone and gave Charlie the number he needed. Jasper came into the room and talked to Charlie for a little while. Emmett had gone home to be with Rose and Alice was coming over to the house to stay with us. I didn't want to be alone. Charlie eventually left agreeing to meet us at the courthouse in the morning.

Alice eventually showed up and busied herself with finding a suitable outfit for me to wear in the morning. I think she was just trying to keep her mind occupied. I made my way upstairs and was stopped by Jasper.

"We're here for you Bella. And Edward's tough. He's going to be fine tonight. Just tried to get some rest and we'll bring him home in the morning." I wiped a single tear from my cheek and hugged my good friend.

"Thank you Jasper. For everything." I couldn't say much more and just went to check in on my sleeping son. After covering his tiny body with the blanket I looked down and saw Kaiser sleeping under the crib. I sat down on the floor and she crawled into my lap as if sensing I needed her comfort. As I ran my hand over her head and scratched her ears I felt myself starting to relax. I had to keep myself strong for Edward and Anthony. I couldn't breakdown in self-pity that my husband was in jail. I always knew in the back of my head law enforcement was a threat. I was just tired. Tired of the constant threats to my family. I desperately wanted to go back to earlier in the day, laying in Edward's arms discussing having more children. The memory made me smile and I gave Kaiser a big huge before making my way across the hall to the bedroom. I knew she'd stay in the nursery and watch over Anthony.

I tried desperately to sleep that night. I ended up tossing and turning holding Edward's pillow to me breathing in his scent. Sleep never came. I woke early and fed my son in the rocking chair in the nursery. I was grateful he was blissfully unaware of the turmoil his family was currently dealing with. While watching him eat I tried to find the strength I would need to deal with the arraignment.

"Good morning Bella dear. Were you able to get any rest?" Esme walked into the nursery with a steaming cup of tea for me. The woman was a born nurturer.

"Not really. You?" She simply laughed and shook her head no.

"Bella, you should know it's all over the morning news. I'm sorry dear." Just the look on her face told me it was bad. I could only imagine the crap the media was saying.

"I'll take him dear. You need to get ready. Emmett and Jasper said they'd take you to the courthouse. They're expecting it to be a zoo." I gave Anthony a kiss and handed him over to Esme.

I went through my morning routine without even thinking about what I was doing. I felt like I was in a daze. I dressed in a robe after my shower and ventured into the bedroom. I couldn't help it, I turned on the morning news. The well-dressed female reporter with perfect hair was talking about my husband.

"In continuation of our breaking news from this morning, we now have the mug shot of Edward Cullen taken late yesterday evening after being arrested for the murder of a woman in his Park Avenue penthouse."

A photo of Edward at the police station was splashed across the screen. I could see the anger in his eyes and my heart broke for him.

"Details of the case and arrest are still coming in slowly. We do know Isabella Cullen was admitted to Lenox Hill hospital suffering from a stab wound after the incident and released the next day. All reports indicate the Cullen baby was not injured."

Anthony's picture was again displayed on the TV. The same picture that appear in Page 6 and the same picture Victoria showed me when she attacked me. My anger for Renee flared again and I knew it would take me a long time, if ever, to get over her actions.

"We do have an anonymous source with the FBI that has stated more charges will be brought against the alleged mob boss for the injuries to Mrs. Cullen and possibly her bodyguard leading us to believe this may have been a case of domestic violence. We will be on the scene at this morning's arraignment to get further details. As always, News Channel 5 will bring you the news first. Jack?" The blond looked to her co-anchor who started laughing.

"So they're charging him for the injuries to his wife? Sounds a little strange if you ask me Cheryl. Didn't we investigate a bunch of incidents involved Mrs. Cullen and his protection of her earlier in the year?"

"We did Jack, and I agree it sounds odd, but this is confirmed information from a source with the FBI."

I couldn't listen anymore. Jacob or Leah were obviously leaking false information to the media. Fucking dirty feds.

"Here." Alice was standing next to me holding a few tissues. I didn't even realize I was crying. "I'll do you hair and make-up if you'd like." I just nodded in agreement. "It's going to work out Bella. They can't get away with this shit." I desperately wanted to believe her but even Alice wasn't her perky self. She was quiet and had a lost look on her face.

I followed her into the bathroom as she put my hair in rollers and gave my face a light dusting of makeup. We didn't talk much, just found comfort in each other's presence.

"Are you coming with us?" I asked while she was taking my hair down.

"I'll be with you guys. Jasper doesn't want me around the media, but Charlie wants to show family support because of the way the media is twisting this. He really wants Esme there, but she refuses to leave Anthony with anyone else. And well, Charlie knows you would think the same thing." I had to laugh at that because there was no ways I was trusting my son's care to one of the house guards. "Rose will be there too, but Emmett is having her escorted in through the basement. He doesn't want her to deal with any stress from the reporters and she refuses to stay home." Typical Rose, and I knew Emmett wasn't going to stoke that fire.

"There, I think you look perfect. Just give them hell Bella and we'll bring him home." I stood up and gave her a hug. I couldn't help but find a little confidence in Alice.

We all made our way down the waiting SUVs. The guardian had been taken in for a new paint job but Emmett had arranged security for us. I climbed into the middle SUV with Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Michael and watched as numerous other men all dressed in overly expensive suits barreling into the remaining vehicles.

"Hey Smarty B, this might get ugly, but we aren't leaving your side okay?" Emmett was trying to goof around but even he looked nervous. "You know the drill. Just tuck yourself into my side and ignore them. Your father just wants them to know you're there showing your support." I simply nodded and then out of nowhere started laughing manically. Carlisle put his arm on my knee.

"Bella, are you okay?" He asked. I tried to calm down because I knew I was scaring everyone but it was just too much.

"This is just so absurd. I'm sorry, the idea that he would hurt me. I can't help it. It's truly laughable." Apparently I was the only one who thought so since I just kept getting strange looks. The sad thing was I knew the only other person who would be laughing along with me at the irony of the situation would be Edward. That thought sobered me up enough to get Carlisle to stop calling for a straight jacket.

The caravan of cars eventually slowed and I looked out the window and took in the scene. News vans, reports, and photographers were everywhere. They were following a few suits up the steps of the Federal Courthouse and I could already hear them shouting. Alice squeezed my head and the doors to the SUV were swung open as Jasper jumped out first. He pulled Alice to him in such a protective way it hurt to watch. Emmett then jumped out tucking me under his arm as I made my way out of the car. The reporters immediately descended as we began our trek up the steps.

"Mrs. Cullen, is it true your husband stabbed you?"

"Was there an intruder in the house Bella?"

"Has Mr. Cullen always been violent with you?"

"Is it true you were having an affair with a co-worker?"

"Is your son a bastard child?"

The last question caused me to stop. The rage ran through my veins and I felt myself turn evil. I whipped my head around looking for the asshole who asked if my son wasn't Edwards. I found him a few feet away from me holding a microphone and recorder. TV cameras were everywhere.

"Just ignore it Bella. Keep moving hon." Emmett was pushing me forward but everyone was moving with us. And then the dick asked the question again.

"Is the supposed Cullen baby a bastard Isabella?" I lunged at the guy smacking him across the face and screaming words that didn't even register in my mind first. Emmett immediately pulled me away and lifted me by my shoulders rushing me up the steps until we were in the safety of the building's foyer. I was shaking furiously and crying.

"How could they say things like that about him? He's just a baby?" I was asking no one and everyone.

"What the hell is going on?" Charlie's bombing voice was heard throughout the foyer. I saw Jasper pull him aside and explain as Alice tried to calm me down and fix me up.

"I'm just glad you hit in Mama B. God know I wanted to tear his limps apart." Emmett was of course the only one finding the humor in the situation.

"Bella, what were you thinking? The media is spinning this as domestic violence and you hit a reporter? You need to think child. Christ, let's go, we're going to be late." Charlie's reprimand was not lost on me. I was out of line and never should have showed weakness, but I couldn't help it. They were talking about my son. I couldn't regret being defensive when it came to him.

We were eventually led into the courtroom where Rose was waiting with a shit eating grin on her face.

"Way to go Rocky!" She snickered at me. I couldn't help but smile a little. That was until the side doors were open and my husband was led out by four officers. I immediately ran to him and grabbed him into a bone crushing hug over the waist high barrier.

I felt his warm strong hands caress my cheeks and his gently lips press into mine and relief flooded my system.

"Jesus baby, are you okay? I've been so worried." Edward whispered as he gently laid his forehead on mine.

"I'm better now baby. We missed you last night." I couldn't keep my hands off him. I knew it had only been a night, but the fear of what this could mean made me feel desperate. He pulled me close to him and looked to the rest of our family. "Esme is with Anthony." I told him. He simply nodded and motioned for Emmett to come near.

"Is it true there was a scuffle outside? Who started it?" Edward asked and I immediately shot my head up.

"Um, that would be me. I'm sorry. I know it looks bad but they were talking about Anthony and I couldn't help it." I tried to explain and watched as Edward's face broke out into a huge smile that soon filled the courtroom with his laughter.

"I leave you alone for one day and you get into a fight with a reporter? Priceless Bella." He continued to laugh until I felt him tense up and looked over to where he was directing his attention. Jacob Black and Leah Clearwater had entered the courtroom with a short middle aged man who immediately found Charlie.

"Mr. Swan, pleased to meet you. I'm Federal Prosecutor Eric Banner. I'll be handling this case." The man stuck out his hand for Charlie to shake while looking over at Edward and me. We had nothing to say to him.

A few minutes and a few more hugs later, I was instructed to take my seat as the bailiff announced the arrival of the judge. I immediately went into lawyer mode as I focused on bringing my husband home. The judge approached the bench and instructed us to be seated. I slowly sat back down as I scanned the courtroom and a familiar face appeared in the back of the room shaking his head. It was clear as day Detective Sam Uley had a problem with these proceedings as well.

EPOV

The 9 by 5 jail cell was going to make me go insane. The only thing I could do in here was pace. And I didn't do that very well. It wasn't that I couldn't handle being in jail. I could handle just about anything, except being away from Bella. If the wife was here, I'd be fine. Knowing she was at the house and I was here was driving me insane. Was she okay? Did my enemies know she was there without me? And Anthony. I felt like a piece of shit knowing that I had a son and I was currently in jail. What would he think of me when he grew up?

Fuck.

I knew Bella wasn't going to handle this well. The woman had an amazing strength, but I knew for a fact no matter what, she still needed me, just as I needed her. As I wouldn't sleep, I knew she wouldn't sleep. It was almost impossible to lay down without her. My body craved hers, my skin longed to feel hers next to me. Her soft breast pushed up against my ribs as her head rested on my chest. Her steady breathing and sometimes soft murmuring of my name. And I was missing it all because of that fucking asshole Jacob Black. He signed his own death certificate with this bullshit.

I knew this shit would eventually be handled. They could try what they wanted but this was a clear case of self-defense. If need be, Jenks would find some shit on Black or Clearwater and at last resort there was always bribing a juror. I was not going down this way and I refused to be separated from Bella and Anthony.

"You don't know how long I've waited to see this. The impenetrable Edward Cullen behind bars." That fucking mutt Black was walking towards my cell. I tried to suppress my anger and sat down on the small cot in the cell. I couldn't let him get to me.

"So Cullen, how's it feel to finally be caught. I promised you this would happen." Black continued. I said nothing. I didn't even look at him.

"I wonder how that sexy wife of yours is dealing with you in here. Don't worry, I'll be sure to drop by and check on her every couple of days for you." I balled my hands into fists and could feel my blood rushing through my veins like fire.

"Looking for another broken nose?" I asked unable to resist. Black stopped laughing and I looked up at him. "Leave her alone Black. This is between you and me. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from her."

"Threating a federal agent Cullen? We can always add that to the list of charges we'll be filing against you." I just laughed. I had no doubt Bella would kick the guys ass if he showed up at the house.

"I just stopped by to let you know you should get comfortable in here. Now that I've got you locked up, I'll do anything to keep you here. Anything Cullen." I could see the anger in his eyes but I just continued to laugh.

"Threating an alleged mob boss Black?" I threw his words back at him and watched him shake his head. He had nothing and if he planned on tampering with more evidence I'd find a way to take his dirty ass down.

"It's a promise Cullen. Now, I have to be heading out. Big day tomorrow. I'm the Fed who took down the mob boss. The media loves me. Plus, I think they might want to hear a little about why you're in here. It's never too early to taint the potential jury pool. You have a good night."

I watched Black walk away and cursed the steel bars protecting him from me. I wanted nothing more than to rip off his head with my bare hands. I continued to pace and work things out in my head until morning when Charlie showed up with a new suit for me. As I changed, Charlie filled me in on what was going on.

"The media is all over this. I think your friend may have been talking to them." I nodded.

"Yeah, he dropped for a visit last night. He alluded to talking to the media."

"Well, he's trying to spin it as domestic violence. I have the family coming to show support. They'll most likely ask for high bail but I didn't figure that would be a problem. I also spoke to Jenks. He's on board and already trying to find something on Black. And Emmett is working on getting Tanya back."

"Good, have Jasper talk to our friend with the FBI and see what he can find out. He'll know who you mean." Charlie just nodded his head. Charlie was a good man and brilliant attorney but he liked to keep things clean and by the book so I knew this was a little hard for him. But hell, they weren't playing fair so I wasn't going to either.

We eventually made it to the courthouse where the rent-a-cops were bitching about the media attention and a fight that happened outside. My only thoughts were of Bella's safety but Jasper and Emmett knew what they were doing. I trusted them to keep her safe.

When I finally saw her I knew her night was just as bad as mine. The dark circles under her eyes let me know she didn't sleep. She looked tiny and fragile and I just wanted to wrap her in my arms and take her out of this place. When she told me she got into a fight with a reporter I couldn't help but laugh. Bella's protectiveness of our son made me so proud. She had already proven she'd fight to the death to protect him so I wasn't at all surprised she'd hit a report for saying something rude.

The arraignment eventually started and I sat back and watched Charlie command the courtroom.

"Your honor, we ask for a dismissal of all charges against my client on the grounds of defense of self and defense of others. Victoria Thomas was an intruder in my client's home, stabbed a gentleman in the house and attacked and stabbed my client's wife. This is a clear case of self-defense and the FBI is only bringing these trumped up charges to garner media attention."

"On the contrary your honor, we have a dead woman in the home and a murder weapon with no finger prints. Mr. Cullen admitted to killing Victoria Thomas and the justification of self-defense is an issue of fact for a jury to decide. We have enough evidence to impanel a grand jury to bring these charges and more that may be coming." The federal prosecutor was on his feet arguing with Charlie's motion. I looked to the judge.

"Mr. Banner, you have 30 days to convene a grand jury and produce an indictment against Mr. Cullen. Where are you at on bail?"

"We request the defendant be remanded without bail." Banner responded. Charlie immediately cut in.

"Your honor, my client is a well-known business man in the community. He has a clean record, not even a speeding ticket. There is no basis for remand. We request you release him on his own recognizance or at the very most set a reasonable bail."

"Judge, the defendant is a mob boss in charge of a criminal empire with access to-"

"You honor, I'm sure Mr. Banner here understands he cannot defame my client in this court. Mr. Cullen has never been found to be a mob boss."

"I apologize your honor. Mr. Cullen is an alleged mob boss in charge of a criminal empire with access to millions of dollars and his own private jet. He is a flight risk of the highest degree. The only way to insure his presence at trial is remand."

I started shaking my head. The tension in the courtroom was palpable and I turned to see my beautiful wife silently crying in her seat while her eyes were shooting from the prosecutor to her father while they argued over my ability to flee, like that would ever happen.

"Your honor, Mr. Banner is being unreasonable. Mr. Cullen is a highly recognizable member of this community. He has multiple businesses that require his attention and a wife and small baby at home. He is not a flight risk and is more than willing to insure this with bail. I'm sure he'd also be happy to surrender his passport if it would please the court."

Banner began with another argument but the judge interrupted him.

"Enough. I agree Mr. Cullen is a flight risk. Mr. Banner, you have 30 days to bring formal charges. During that time, the defendant is remanded. Next case."

And that was it. I attempted to take a cleansing breath but that stopped the minute I heard my wife start yelling.

"You can't do that. You have no evidence. You can't just send him to jail." Bella was up and shouting and pointing at the judge. He began banging his gavel and yelling back at her.

"I can and I will. Mr. Swan, please get your guests in line." I stood and went over to Bella pulling her into my arms.

"They can't just take you away from me. I need you. Anthony needs you. Please." My heart broke listening to her. I held her close and rested my head in her hair taking in her scent.

"Shh baby. It's going to be okay. We'll figure something out. I'll be home before you know it." I tried to reassure her but I was even shocked by what happened and trying to process it myself.

"Mr. Cullen." The officers that brought me to the courthouse were now calling me to take me back. Panic ran through me at the thought of Bella alone. I looked around at the rest of my family. Charlie was arguing with the prosecutor while Jasper was holding a crying Alice. Rose just looked pissed while Carlisle and Emmett were quietly talking and looking back and forth between each other and Bella. Then I saw Jacob Black sitting across the courtroom smiling and talking to Agent Clearwater. His eyes caught mine and he began walking over to us.

"Don't worry Cullen, I'll keep an eye on her for you." I lunged for Jacob but Emmett pulled me back.

"Come on man, the media is right outside. Now's not the time." Emmett was right but it was that fucker Black that was responsible for this shit.

"He doesn't go near Bella. You understand me?"

"I got it man. Just be smart about this. We'll get him eventually." Emmett patted me on the shoulder. "We'll stay at the house with her. She'll do better with Rose and Alice there. We'll take care of her man." I looked over at Bella as she was crying in Carlisle's arms.

"Mr. Cullen, it's time to go."

"Just give me a minute officer." I walked up to Bella and pulled her as close to me as I could get her and pressed my lips against hers. She slowly opened her mouth and grabbed onto my arms. My tongue found hers and I could feel the love and worry radiating out of her and I poured each and every one of my feelings for her into the kiss. I slowly pulled away from her lips and began whispering in her ear.

"I love you Mrs. Cullen. It kills me to be apart from you but it won't be for long. We'll figure something out. I promise to come home to you soon. Alice and Rose are going to stay at the house with you. Please, please don't leave Michael's side and do whatever Jasper and Emmett tell you. I need you to be strong for Anthony love." I looked down at her tear stained face and tried to memorize every freckle and curve of her cheeks and nose. She was stunningly beautiful inside and out and I was the luckiest man in the world knowing she loved me with her entire heart and soul. She simply looked up at me and nodded in agreement.

"I love you Edward. So much. Please, please be safe in there and come back to me soon." I pulled her in for another heart scorching kiss and then turned her over to Carlisle.

"Watch over them will you?"

"Of course son. I'm sure Charlie will get this figured out." I nodded in agreement and allowed the police officers to lead me out of the courtroom. I looked back at Bella before I left and she gave me her brilliant smile of reassurance and I smirked back at her. It wasn't until I was in the hallway that I heard her begin to sob again.

Author's note - I sincerely apologize for the delay in this chapter. We have an estimated five more chapters to go and maybe a sequel if there's interest in one. My unexpected business trip turned into a fantastic new job and I'm moving across the country. I'll be updating again in about three weeks or so once I get moved. I'm really sorry about the short break, but I promise to finish! I'm also thinking about a short Leah/Jacob outtake for the meantime if there's interest so put me on author's alert if you want it.

Thanks again to all those who review, alert, and favorite. You're the reason I keep writing!