Good morning! Hopefully you guys are excited for this chapter. Be ready for what happens in this chapter...

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Thank god for insurance. Now that everything was cleared with the police, I received a check from the insurance company for the bakery. I tucked the money away for safe keeping. I needed it for when I went back to Forks. I didn't want to rely on Edward's money.

He had disappeared again, but I was thankful for that. I just couldn't bear to see him. The pain that was in my chest was now a gaping hole. I knew how to fill that hole too, but I just couldn't do it.

I couldn't get over the fact that he had lied to me. I couldn't get over the stuff he's done. How could I be associated with that, I mean, my father was a cop. He put away bad guys like this. Well, I mean, he never arrested any murderers, just petty criminals in our small town, but he was still a cop.

I walked downstairs to get some lunch and was greeted by Esme who was sitting at the counter, drinking tea. I paused in the doorway, staring at her with wide eyes. My heart started beating a little faster.

"Come in Bella," She said calmly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I walked to the counter.

"I wanted to talk with you," She said.

"I don't really want to talk."

"Humor me," Her gaze was intense, I found it hard to even look at her.

I nodded and sat across from her. She had brought the tea pot to the counter and poured me a cup. Quietly I thanked her, looking at the cup.

"Alice told me that you two got into a little spat," She said, "She's upset. She feels terrible that she yelled at you."

I nodded, "Yeah."

"So also told me that you're planning on moving back to your old town."

"I am."

"Is that what you really want to do?"

I shrugged, "Yeah. It is."

She nodded and took a sip, "I'm sure it was tough when Edward told you about our family. I can understand how hard it must be to hear all of this. I know it really scared me when Carlisle told me everything. I was angry with him as well. But it never stopped me from loving him."

"I can't get passed the lies—,"

"But you still love him?" She asked.

"I mean… yeah, you don't stop loving someone overnight."

"Well he loves you," She said, "I've never seen Edward love someone as much as he loves you. The day you came to our house and had dinner with us, I knew. He had found his soulmate."

"Esme I don't want to talk about this."

"But I do," She said, her tone shutting me down, "I'm sorry. I've grown to love you dearly, like my own daughter. But as Edward's mother, I have to protect him." She chuckled, "I know it seems silly, he's a grown man. But he'll never stop being my baby."

"Esme, please just say what you need to say," I said, "I'm sorry, but when I look at you, or at Edward, I can't help but see the lies I've been told. It hurts. All this time and I never knew. How come none of you told me?"

"Bella, honey, if we told you that the Cullens run New York and we do things that are lawfully wrong to protect our family, our businesses, and our way of life, would you have believed us? Would you have stayed with Edward? Would you have given any of us a chance?"

I shrugged, "Probably not."

"So you see why Edward waited so long to tell you."

"I mean, I guess I understand," I said, "But that doesn't mean I can forgive or forget any of it. I lost my business because of Edward. Everything that's happened to me has been because of Edward and your family."

"And all of us feel terrible about everything that's happened," She said calmly, "Edward wishes he could've prevented it. But he's working his hardest to try and find the people who've done this."

I sighed, "It won't change how I feel."

"You know, when I met Carlisle, I was in the same boat," She said, "I wasn't born into this life either. And when Carlisle told me, I was completely shocked. I didn't want anything to do with him either, but then I really evaluated everything. I loved Carlisle and he loved me. He would do anything for me. It took me a little time, but eventually, I knew that being by Carlisle's side was where I wanted to be."

"So, you're hoping I'll realize how much I love Edward and just forget everything?"

"No, I'm hoping you evaluate everything and make a decision. Edward is close to finding Caius. Once Caius is found, you'll either need to stay or leave," Her eyes flickered down to the ring on my finger, "And honestly dear, from where I'm sitting, it seems like you don't want to leave."

She held her hand out, "If you truly want to leave once everything has settled, then give me my ring back. Stop holding onto it, just take it off and stop loving Edward."

I looked away from her, toying with the ring on my finger. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't want to let go of Edward just yet. Why couldn't I just stop loving him?

Just as I was about to force myself to pull the ring off, Carlisle burst into the kitchen. He looked panicked, which slightly terrified me.

"Carlisle what's wrong?"

"It's Edward," He said, "He was shot."

"What!" I jumped out of my seat, "Is he okay? Where is he?"

"He's in the emergency room. Emmett's already there. I've called everyone else."

We followed Carlisle out to the garage and hopped into his car. My knee bounced nervously as we drove to the hospital. I couldn't stop thinking about Edward being shot. What if he was dead? Oh god, what if he died.

A sob escaped my lips. I put my head down into my hands and cried. The pain in my chest was now amplified. I felt like I was having a heart attack. I don't know what I'd do if Edward died. It would kill me.

Once Carlisle pulled into the hospital, I jumped out and ran into the emergency room entrance. I shoved aside people who were in front of me. They complained, but I ignored them.

"Where's Edward Cullen?" I snapped at the receptionist.

"Ma'am, there are people in front of you, you need to calm down—,"

"Don't tell me to fucking calm down!" I screamed at her, "You tell me where Edward Cullen is! I need to see him now!"

A pair of hands were on my shoulders, pulling me back, "Calm down Bella." Carlisle said.

"No, I need to know where Edward is!"

"Shhh," he said, "It'll be okay. I'm Carlisle Cullen and we want an update now."

"Sir, I don't know anything—,"

"Mr. Cullen," A doctor said as he walked to us, "Please, come with me. We can talk in private."

He lead us back to a private waiting room where Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and Alice were waiting. It was a little awkward seeing Alice, but I had other things on my mind at the moment.

"So, we have Edward back in emergency surgery. It seems the bullet is lodged in his left lung. We're working to get it out now."

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked, "He's going to be okay right? He… he has to be okay."

"We're doing everything we can to make sure he's okay." The doctor said, "I'll let you know if anything changes."

I walked to one of the chairs and sat down, looking out the window. I did my best to shut down, but I just couldn't. Not knowing if Edward would make it was killing me. I felt as though I had been shot in the chest as well.

"What happened Emmett?" Carlisle asked.

"We were in Hampton Park and this woman walked up. She just shot him in the chest."

"Who was the woman?"

"The police got her," Emmett said, "They've locked her up and they're going to interrogate her. Her name is Victoria."

"Wait," I said, looking up, "Does she have red hair? Green eyes?"

"Yeah, she did," Emmett said, "Do you know her?"

I nodded, "She was friends with Tanya. She wanted me to bake a cake for her sister's birthday party. I texted her this morning telling her about my bakery."

"Did she say anything back?"

I shook my head, "Nothing really, she just said, 'kay."

"Let me see her number," Jasper said. I pulled my phone out and handed it to him. He sat down and pulled out a laptop. I don't think I've ever seen Jasper without a laptop.

We've been waiting for an hour and the doctor hasn't come in yet. I was loosing my patience. After a while, Alice walked over and handed me a cup.

"I don't drink coffee," I said, "But thanks."

"It's hot chocolate," She smiled, "I don't drink coffee anymore, but hot chocolate is the next best thing. And it's sort of a peace offering."

I smiled back, "Thanks. I'm sorry for what I said."

"Me too," She said, "Friends again?"

I chuckled, "Yeah, friends again."

Finally the doctor walked in. I jumped to my feet.

"We just finished surgery, and Edward is in a recovery room," He said quickly, "The surgery went very well. We successfully removed the bullet, and he's stable for right now. But we just need to keep an eye on him. Make sure his lungs don't collapse or fill with blood."

I felt like I could finally breathe. Edward was okay. My chest didn't hurt as much.

"Can we go back and see him?" I asked.

"Yes, but we're going to keep him sedated for a while. Just to make sure he doesn't do anything to hurt himself further."

"Bella you go ahead and go back," Esme said, her teary eyes finally clear but still red.

I nodded and followed the doctor back. I felt a lump in my throat as he opened the door. Edward was laying in a bed, covered in tubes, and surrounded by machinery. It was hard seeing him like this. More tears fell down my face.

"I'll leave you alone," the doctor said as he backed out of the room.

I sat down and placed my hand over his gently, careful not to disturb any tubes.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, "I've been such a bitch to you. I haven't been fair to you. I love you so much. You've been the best thing that has happened to me in such a long time," I said, kissing his hand, "You're such an amazing man. There's no doubt in my mind that you are my soulmate. Please, please get better. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

A few moments later, the rest of Edward's family walked in. Esme had broken down again when she saw him. Carlisle hugged her tightly with one hand and placed his other hand on my shoulder.

Four Days Later

"B-Bella?" Edward said weakly, his eyes open.

"Edward," I said, quickly grabbing his hand, "Oh my god you're awake."

"What happened?" He said, his green eyes clouded by the medication they've been giving him.

"You were shot," I said, "But you're better now. I love you so much. I'm so glad you're awake."

I kissed his hand several times. He chuckled weakly then winced.

"Fuck I hurt."

"Yeah, you're going to be a little sore for a while," I smiled, wiping away a stray tear, "I can't even tell you how happy I am that you're awake. I thought you'd never wake up. I was so scared."

He smiled, "How long have I been out?"

"Four days."

"Jesus," He said, "You look so tired. Have you stayed here?"

"I haven't left. I didn't want you to wake up alone."

He smiled, "I'm glad you're here. It was nice not waking up alone. I love you so much."

"I love you too," I said, "I'm so glad you're awake."

"So, does this mean I'm forgiven?" He asked, "And you're staying?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but then the doctor walked in and checked Edward over.

"How are you feeling Mr. Cullen?"

"I'm fine," He said, "I'll be better once I'm up and moving around."

The doctor laughed, "Well, hopefully we can get you up soon. But for now, you need to relax. We need to take care of that wound and make sure everything is working properly."

I texted Esme that Edward was awake now. She texted back saying she was on her way. About twenty minutes later, the rest of the Cullen clan had arrived.

"Edward," Esme said, walking over and kissed his forehead, "I'm so glad you're awake."

"I'm glad that you're okay." Carlisle said, "We were so worried about you."

Edward smiled, "Well, I'm fine. Can someone fill me in on what's happened since I've been out?"

"We got the chick who shot you," Emmett said, "Her name is Victoria. We interrogated her and she told us everything. She was working for Caius and he sent her to throw us off our guard. Her job was to kill you, but she failed."

Edward nodded, "Did she give us any leads as to where Caius is?"

"Actually we got a huge lead," Jasper said, "I was able to hack into Victoria's phone through the number Bella had. I found four addresses and four phone numbers that Caius has been using. I've been able to track the phones. Caius has them all with him. We were waiting for your command."

Edward nodded, "Alright, I want to continue tracking the phones. But I want several men stationed at the four different locations. I want them to keep a safe distance, as to not spook him. Once he stays at a place for more than three hours, we ambush him."

Emmett nodded, "I'll get right on that."

"Thanks," Edward said.

"Edward I received a message from our realtor," Carlisle said, "You were viewing some locations—,"

Edward cleared his throat and shook his head, "I'll talk to her later."

"Why are you buying property?" I asked Edward.

"It's nothing." He said, "I was just getting some information on different properties."

I nodded and let the subject drop. I didn't want to push him yet. He just woke up and he needed to stay calm. Edward reached out and grabbed my hand. I smiled and squeezed his hand tightly. I was so glad he was awake.

I didn't want to leave you guys with a huge cliffhanger! Edward was shot, but he's okay now! I will be updating again tomorrow! There are 62 chapters. So, we're getting very close to the end! I'm glad you guys are enjoying this story!