Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter Sixty-One

We spent most of the day in our bubble; in his bed.

Edward slept calmly beside me, so close and so warm, as I did not sleep at all.

He must have been exhausted from all of the traveling he had done. I was just stuck, trapped in my thoughts and in a bit of pain. Although knowing Edward, it was best if I kept the latter part to myself.

My eyes focused on his chest, rising and falling with each breath. I stared with longing at the scruff on his face; more than I had ever seen before.

He's here now, I thought.

I was safe, I reminded myself over and again.

And then I was assaulted with a striking pair of sleepy, green eyes. He blinked a few times before his scrutiny was on my marked neck.

"Holy shit," he gasped and quickly sat up. "Bella."

"I know. I know," I quietly replied.

"How could she do that to you?" he snapped, darkness and anger taking over his expression. "How the hell could she do that?"

"I thought you noticed earlier this morning and just didn't say anything..."

"No!" he practically yelled, cutting me off. "It was dark and...and..."

I finally sat up and pulled the elastic band out of my hair to cover my neck.

"I'm sorry for yelling. It just-" he scooted closer and pulled my shoulder against his chest. "I didn't realize how bad it was."

"It probably looks worse than it is. I bruise easily."

"No. Don't try to-" he paused and tightened his jaw. "Just don't."

"Okay," I murmured and felt the soft graze of his fingers on my neck. "I'm going to shower," I suddenly said before kissing his cheek and leaving the bed.

Edward sat motionless as I quickly disappeared into the bathroom.

I stripped from his clothes and started the shower. I closed the lid to the toilet and sat while I waited for the steam to fill the room.

My eyes still avoided the mirror afraid for what I'd have to see.

The look in her eyes was burned into my memory.

She was so helpless over her actions.

She was so scared and clueless and I turned her in.

I made a statement about her sanity and I left her.

I had left her.

Some time passed and I realized once Edward opened the bathroom door that I had still not made it into the shower.

"Bella?" he asked and my eyes snapped up to meet his concerned gaze. He stared back in understanding and didn't say another word.

I frantically shook my head afraid of what would come out of my mouth.

I couldn't let myself feel regret.

But I also couldn't feel right about this.

Edward stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind him before stripping out of his own clothes.

He opened the shower curtain, letting a new wall of steam fill the room.

The burning of his fingertips on my wrist caught my attention as he lightly pulled me into the shower with him.

"Here." He handed me shampoo and I murmured my thanks.

I didn't move.

Edward stepped under the shower head, letting his hands rest against the tile as he dropped his head and let the water cascade down and off his muscular back.

I didn't move.

And then he turned around and I could tell from his saddened eyes, his slightly red nose, that he had been trying not to cry.

"You can't regret this," he demanded.

"I don't."

I was just scared of what would happen next.

He stepped out from under the water and grabbed my body so tight, so hard, letting his chin, his scruff rest just over my shoulder.

And then he lightly pressed his lips against my skin and the contact burned.

I melted into his touch and let him love me.

"I love you. So much," he admitted in the calmness and warmth and steam.

His hands snaked down my back and pulled my hips closer to his.

I could feel him growing hard against me.

"I know you won't forget." His words were barely heard over the water against the porcelain.

Edward let go and silently asked me to let him love me.

I would never deny him.

His lips assaulted mine. Frantic, furious.

Needing.

Longing.

His strong grip lifted me against his body, against the tile and I held on to him.

I would always be holding on to him.

"I've got you," he murmured before slipping into me. "I've got you now."

I was thankful for the water, scalding and hiding my tears.

My legs wrapped around his waist as he pushed in and out, keeping one hand behind my back, the other carefully gripping the back of my neck.

"You're staying here," he grunted. "We'll get your things. You're not going back," he demanded, slowing his pace.

"Okay," I easily murmured my assent. "Okay."

"I love you. So fucking much." His voice was shaking and my legs followed suit.

His grip tightened as he began pumping faster and I felt myself losing control.

I was losing control but as long as he was there, I couldn't, wouldn't be worried.

Edward lightly kissed my neck where the damage had been done.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he panted, my fingers digging into his skin as I came.

"I love you," I repeated and closed my eyes, feeling his own release.

His chin rested in the crook of my neck as we both tried to catch our breath.

Edward carefully released me, keeping his hand on my waist as I stood between him and the tiled wall.

His hair fell into his eyes and he kissed me once, twice.

"I was serious. You're not going back," he explained. "You'll stay with me."

I thought for a moment.

"They can only keep her for seventy-two hours. She will have to go home-"

"You're not going back." His stare coupled with his words were leaving no room for option. "Even if she's put on medication. It's not happening, Bella."

I nodded in agreement.

Now I just had to convince myself he was right.

A/N: Shower sex is a great way to take your mind off EVERYTHING. Well. Thanks for reading.