I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 27

EPOV

I sat on my heels as I held Bella's hand while watching her sleep. Her breathing was calmer and her pulse wasn't racing anymore. She looked almost peaceful, except for the occasional twitch of her jaw.

"Edward, do you want something, as well, to take the edge off?" Uncle Carlisle asked.

"No, I want to be thinking with a clear head. I just watched one of the strongest people I know completely come apart and I couldn't help her. Even B.B. was better at calming her down than me," I told him.

"You did help her. As for the cat, petting her got her to focus on something other than panicking," Uncle Carlisle said. "I should try and reach Charlie. Do we know if it was Costa's man who shot at him?"

I rubbed my temple. "I don't know. When I came back, she flung herself at me. She was rambling over her friend, her mom, and her dad. Then she started to beg me not to leave, saying she couldn't lose me too. She went on to mention how Emmett also couldn't go because of the baby. I made the mistake of correcting her by saying babies. and it sent her into a tailspin. Then she started struggling to breathe and she was shaking so hard I thought her legs would give out. I knew I needed to get you. I'm sorry for interrupting your celebration dinner with Emmett and Rosalie."

"Don't apologize. I will always be here for you." He patted me on the shoulder.

"It's times like this I wish you were my father. He's going to flip out when I tell him this is my last mission," I huffed.

"So, you're still planning on going?" Uncle Carlisle frowned.

"How can we not? Those girls need us," I stated.

"They need help, but it doesn't need to be from you boys. It's high time you told your father and Peter you're done. I think you should contact Aro and tell him you're through and that this is too much for you boys to be successful. The FBI should be handling something as big as this, not you. I never approved of you, Jasper, Rose, and Emmett getting involved," he stated.

"Do you think he'd listen?" I asked.

"It is worth a shot. Your Aunt and I did everything we could, hoping you'd chose another path. You don't know how happy I am to hear you're done." He gave me a hopeful smile.

"I have no idea what I want to do in life. How pathetic is that?" I scoffed.

He shook his head. "You're young, and besides, your father rarely let you think for yourself."

"Bella basically said the same thing," I told him.

He glanced at her. "When you first lived with us years ago, you were a sad and confused little boy. But shortly after hanging around Emmett and Tanya, you seemed to forget that night. I sometimes wonder if we should've fought harder for you to stay with us. But I didn't want to take you from your mom—she needed you. The summer you came back to us, you were even more withdrawn than before. The day you met Bella changed you. It was clear even back then you two had something special. And when your father was trying to draw you in, I prayed every night Bella was enough to keep you from following his destructive path. I thought it had succeeded when you flew halfway across the country like a lovesick teenager to prove you'd never cheat on her. These last few years it was hard to watch you."

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

"I wasn't looking for an apology. Your aunt and I will support you with whatever you decide. I'm going to call Charlie, then go back to dinner. I only gave her a half dose, so Bella should sleep for a few hours. Make sure she eats something when she wakes. In fact, I know Esme made plenty so we'll bring up a couple of plates," he said.

"If you only gave her a half of dose, why did she knock out so fast?" I questioned.

"I believe her exhaustion from the anxiety attack played a factor," he explained.

"I'll call Charlie, so you can go back to dinner," I told him.

Days

Once he left, I glanced at Bella and considered moving her. B.B. was snuggled in the crook of her arm. I decided to leave her where she was for the moment.

Charlie answered on the second ring. "Bells, I told you I'd call you."

"It's me, Charlie. I wasn't aware of what you told her. I can wait," I apologized.

"Hold on, is Bella okay?" He sounded worried.

I hesitated. "Physically she's fine. But when I came home, she was having a major panic attack. Uncle Carlisle had to sedate her. She mentioned something about you being involved in a shooting, I was calling to check on you."

Charlie sighed heavily. "She seemed off when I last talked to her. But there was a lot of shit I had to take care of here before I could tell her anything."

"What happened?" I asked.

"It was Costa's guy. I guess he got tired of waiting. He's gone now. Unfortunately, someone got hurt in the process. And I'm afraid Bella isn't going to handle it well," he said.

"It was that guy Jack, wasn't it?" I frowned.

"Actually, Michael Newton. He used to go to school with Bella. She also worked in his parents' store. It was his first year on the force and he tried to be a hotshot. He should recover though. But with a guy out, I'm shorthanded. It kills me I can't go to her," Charlie told me.

"I think it is weighing on her too. Can I let her call you when she wakes?" I asked.

"Please. I feel horrible for having to rush her off the phone. Give her a hug for me and please take care of my daughter. I don't want..." He trailed off.

"You don't want her to become like my dad," I guessed.

"Sorry," he apologized.

"I get it. I don't want to be like him either," I told him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What's up?"

I proceeded to tell him everything we'd learned about Garrett up to Bella's breakdown. I needed someone's advice who would be in the middle. Uncle Carlisle had always been on the passive side while my father and Uncle Peter were more reckless.

"So, you want me to tell you what you should do?" he concluded.

"Sort of. More like what would you do if you were me? The last thing I want to do is to hurt Bella, but I can't stop thinking if I sit back it might lead to more problems like Garrett or the Costas coming after us. I don't trust them, and I don't trust the FBI either right now. I feel like Aro has been using us and won't have our backs," I confessed.

"I see." Charlie sighed. "Normally, I'd say trust the FBI…but if it were me, I would make sure Bella was safe any way I could—even if it was taking it into my own hands. As much as I hate to say it, you boys are more than capable of finishing it. But don't be naïve enough to think it's a piece of cake. There's a chance one of you won't come back."

"I know. Thank you for your honest opinion."

"You're welcome, just be careful out there. I've already watched Bella lose you once," he said.

"I will be. We'll be in touch," I promised.

"Sounds good. Oh and, Edward, the boy's name is Jacob." He snickered before hanging up with me.

Days

As the hours passed, I thought about what to do next. I knew I was going to end up disappointing someone. At the same time, I knew we'd have to deal with Aro sooner or later too. I wanted to make sure after this he couldn't pull us back in for another assignment.

The lights flickered and then a knock sounded on my door. I went over assuming only my aunt would knock; the others had gotten used to coming right in. When I opened it, Emmett was on the other side, holding a few containers of food.

"When did you finally learn to knock?" I said sarcastically.

"Har har. I didn't want to interrupt anything. How is she?" he asked.

"Still sleeping," I told him, taking the containers from him.

"Did you hear from Charlie?" he asked.

"Yeah, Costa's guy is dead. Unfortunately, an officer got hurt in the process. To make it worse, he was a friend of Bella's," I said.

"Shit, the hits keep coming. She's been through so much. I'm surprised it took this long for her to break." He frowned.

"She doesn't know about him yet. Her snapping point came before when—" I paused and looked at my cousin when I came to a realization.

"When?" he prompted.

"You can't go on the mission. You should switch with Uncle Peter," I stated.

"I caused her breakdown?" Emmett looked confused.

"Everything did. Her mom and dad…Me…you about to be a father. She's got a point; this is the worst time for you to go on a mission. And besides, I'd feel better if you stayed behind with them. Not only are you stronger than Peter, but you're more level-headed," I explained to him.

Emmet raised an eyebrow. "You want me here to protect Bella—there's a surprise. I would've guessed you'd find a way to stay here to protect her yourself. You never trusted anyone else to."

"Yeah, I trusted Garrett," I scoffed.

"You're only furthering my point." He smirked.

I ran my hand through my hair. "I strongly considered staying and not going. I've been going back and forth on what was the right thing to do all evening. She's scared something will happen to me. But I have to make her safe, and the only way to ensure that is to eliminate the threats ourselves. Out of anyone, beside myself, I trust you the most. You're about to be a dad, and that's big too. Those babies and Rose are going to need you."

He gave me a small smile. "Wow. I think this is the deepest conversation we've ever had."

"You two aren't going to start a cry fest, too, are you?" Tanya spoke up from behind Emmett.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Emmett forgot the rolls, so the world is ending." Tanya rolled her eyes as she handed me a bag. She looked over my shoulder. "Is she okay?"

"Physically? Yeah. But emotionally, she's been put through the wringer," I told her.

"Tell her I'm sorry about her mom. I leave in the morning, so I probably won't be able to tell her myself," Tanya said.

"I will." I was relieved she would be gone. One less person to worry about. "Stay safe, Tanya."

Once they left, I set the food on the counter and contemplated on heating mine up or waiting to eat with Bella. I glanced at her to see she was starting to shift. B.B. got up and resettled in the chair I was in earlier. I made it to Bella's side as she pulled herself into a sitting position.

"Hey, sleeping beauty." I sat on the edge of the couch.

"How long have I been asleep?" She yawned.

"A few hours. Uncle Carlisle only gave you enough to relax," I told her.

"I'm sorry about earlier." She blushed, looking at her hands.

"You don't need to apologize to me. I talked to your father, he's okay," I told her.

"I missed his call?" she frowned.

"I called him, actually. We didn't know what happened. The guy who has been following him is dead—"

"Good riddance. Is he on his way, then?" She looked hopeful.

I shook my head. "No. Unfortunately, an officer was injured in the shootout. A guy named Michael Newton."

"Oh no!" Bella paled.

"He's going to be okay, Bella," I promised her, then tried to change the subject. "Let me get you something to eat."

"I'm not hungry," she refused.

"You need to eat, especially with the medication that Uncle Carlisle put you on. Esme sent something down. They had dinner to celebrate Emmett and Rose's news," I told her.

"Twins? Am I remembering correctly? They're having twins." She gave me an apprehensive look.

I nodded. "I found out in the elevator on the way back. They wanted to wait to share the news after they told their parents. Rose found out only this morning."

"Wow…" she whispered.

"Emmett isn't going. We've talked, and we think it'll be best if he stays and Peter goes," I informed her.

"But you're still planning on going." The tears welled in her eyes.

I reached for her hand. "I hate it will make you worry. I went back and forth on it. I promise I'm not being pig headed. But to make sure that the Costas, including Garrett, never come after us, I think we need to take care of them ourselves. From what Heidi said, it doesn't look like we have FBI support."

Her bottom lip trembled. "You better come back to me in one piece."

"I'm going to hold you to the same promise." I gently brushed her cheek.

Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? I promised you I wouldn't go."

I nodded. "I know. I'm more worried Garrett or Afton will send someone to Chicago. Which is one of the reasons why I want Emmett here, but it also makes you his backup with no one else around. Can you handle that?"

She took a deep breath. "I think so. Can we practice at the gun range, it's been a while? I don't want to freeze again."

"We can go first thing tomorrow," I promised.

"I miss the days when our biggest worry was not catching any fish," she lamented.

"I don't know, I'd miss this." I leaned and kissed her, then rested my forehead against hers. "What would you have done if I had kissed you when we were eight?"

"Probably shoved you into the lake." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Mean." I tickled her side, making her squeal with laughter.

She pushed me away with her foot, grinning. "Not my fault eight-year-old boys have cooties."

I laughed then paused, realizing there was something I wanted…needed before I left for Florida.

"Marry me?"

A/N: Edward went back and forth on his decision. What do you think of it?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.