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Chapter Sixty

I awoke alone in Edward's bed. That thought alone was enough to bring me to tears.

Squinting to read the clock, it was almost three in the morning. I wasn't sure when Edward flew out of San Antonio or if he had been able to book a flight at all.

Walking to the bathroom, I kept the light off to avoid having to look at myself in the mirror.

Instead of going back to the bedroom, I made my way into the living room and was shocked to see Jasper sleeping on the couch. I couldn't figure out why Emmett would have left, but I also knew he would not have done anything without Edward's permission.

I started to walk away as to not wake him when I heard Jasper ask, "Do you need anything?"

"Um. N-no," I stuttered, caught off guard that he was awake. "Where'd Emmett go?"

"He had to drive to the airport to pick up Edward," he yawned as he sat up on the couch.

"And they sent you here to stay with me?"

He nodded and rubbed his face. "Yeah. Rose drove Emmett to the airport so he could sleep on the way."

My throat strained as I mentally told myself not to cry.

These people were already doing so much

for me.

They were going through so much trouble

for me.

Jasper cleared his throat, obviously noticing the emotion I was trying to keep in check. "Are...you okay?"

"Yeah."

He frowned. "It'd be understandable if you weren't okay."

"I'm fine." My voice sounded off, but I knew Jasper wouldn't know the difference. "But I do feel bad everyone is going through so much trouble," I admitted and Jasper's eyes widened in understanding.

"I've only met you a handful of times," he began before pausing to look thoughtful. "What I hear from Esme and from what I've seen with how Edward acts around you- you're worth it. You're not causing anyone to go out of their way, so don't try to convince yourself otherwise."

All I could do was nod and thank him.

"Hey, don't mention it. But you should probably go back to sleep until Edward gets here. I'll be out here if you need anything."

I grabbed a glass and filled it with tap water before I searched Edward's bathroom cabinets for Ibuprofen.

Sometime later, I awoke and felt something brush my cheek.

My first reaction was to flinch and quickly pull away.

"Hey, hey," Edward said in a shushed tone, lying next to me in his bed. "It's me. Baby, it's me."

I blinked rapidly before wrapping my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest.

He let out an oomph before his arms were around my waist, holding me tight against his body.

The room was still dark but I could see the sun creeping through the blinds. I asked what time it was.

"Close to seven in the morning. I got here as fast as I could, I promise," he said against my ear.

I felt safe.

Warm.

Loved.

"I know you did. I know." I closed my eyes.

"Bella, I'm so sorry," he whispered, mouth against my temple. His nose trailed along my jaw and hovered over my mouth. "I should have been here for you."

"You didn't know," I mumbled as he rubbed my lower back. "I should have listened to you. I shouldn't have confronted her."

Edward shook his head and brought his lips to mine as the tears quietly streamed down my face.

"I couldn't hold back with my words," I admitted.

And Renee couldn't hold back with her actions.

"How are you feeling? Emmett said you refused the pain medication."

"I feel okay. I don't need the medication."

"Emmett also told me..." Edward drifted off and I found it hard to look away from his hard gaze. "All I can say is I'm glad I'm not the one who showed up. They would have been taking me to jail as well."

I swallowed and said, "Edward."

He carefully pulled me closer to him and kissed my forehead. "The past twelve hours have been hell."

"I know."

"But you did it, baby," he murmured against my lips. "You called the police. You pressed charges against her."

He wiped my cheek for me.

"She's in the hospital." I didn't hold back my sobs this time. I couldn't. "They sent her to Port A. She's in the psych ward because she was throwing a fit."

Edward shushed me and said, "I know."

"I have an appointment," I hiccuped, "with the magistrate on Monday. Will you go with me?"

"Of course I'll go with you, Bella." Edward rubbed his thumb across my cheek and gave me a hopeful smile.

"Okay. Good."

We laid in silence.

"I love you," he repeated until my tears subsided.

"I'm so proud of you," he uttered once my breathing was labored.

"Everything will be okay," he stated before I fell asleep.

That was the first time he had ever said that to me.

That was the first time I believed it.

A/N: Next update will be in the morning. Thank you for reading.