Over the next couple of days, things are so hectic Edward and I don't have much time together.
The police question him, and though he's originally hesitant to talk to them, we have a pep-talk and he listens to me, heeds my advice and decides to comply with the two officers.
Nothing could wipe the smile from my face.
Jacob is arrested and questioned, which is probably for the best. Emmett and I both want to kill him.
But Edward's attackers remain at large.
I walked into his room the day after our 'talk' and couldn't contain my tears. Esme was crying, and Edward was hugging her tight. He then told her he's ready to speak to a therapist. Carlisle offered to find me one too, I thanked him and accepted his offer.
It was the third big step Edward and I took together since he had been hurt.
Every day, I felt lighter. He told me he did too.
Edward was cleared to leave the hospital on New Years Eve.
Every one of us, including the Cullens, felt like we had something to celebrate.
"I can't leave the house," Edward pouts as I wheel him out of the hospital. It was a struggle getting him to accept the wheelchair, but his wound hurts him too much, and his body needs to rest and recuperate, so walking around too much is out of the question.
"What were you planning to do? Go to a party?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. He lets his head fall back and looks up at me, pouting again.
"No," he huffs. "But I don't want to be an invalid."
Rolling my eyes, I lean down and kiss his forehead. "You're not an invalid, you just need rest."
"Don't wanna'," he whines, making me laugh. "Can I ride with you?" he asks quietly, eyeing Esme and Carlisle cautiously as they walk a few steps ahead.
"If you want to."
He nods, lifting his hand to cover mine on the handle of his chair. The tiny gesture sends shock waves and endless hope through my body, tingling and warm.
I think of New Year's Eves past; the parties and alcohol, endless debauchery and chaos. But this one feels so much more poignant, just Edward and I relaxing at his house, more time to talk and enjoy the company of each other, an escape from the carnage of the world for a moment, a brief reprieve from reality.
Contentment —that's what it is.
Hope.
Promise.
—
A/N
Short, but sweet.
Thanks for reading!
