Author's Note: I don't own anything. Sorry about the late post. I had a death in my family last Monday and I haven't really been in a writing mood.

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Chapter 9

I definitely looked like a dork as I drove home. My smile was a mile wide and I was dancing along to the song on the radio. Bella wanted a serious relationship with me.

I'm basically winning at life.

At this point, we were pretty much exclusive. Greeting her with a kiss was considered appropriate, I could take her out on dates, calling her pet names and being flirtatious was expected.

Hopefully, Charlie wouldn't mind seeing a little more of me around after hours. Bella seemed just as interested in spending time together as I was. Maybe as the summer came to a close and I had to spend fewer hours at work I'd be able to do more with her.

I was asleep as soon as my body hit the mattress and visions of Bella danced in my head. Morning came too quickly, but I didn't dread waking up and going to work for obvious reasons. Bella even met me in the front yard with a cup of coffee when I arrived.

"Good mornin', handsome. Coffee?"

"Yes, thank you. Did you sleep okay?"

"I did. I told Dad to give you a minute to finish your coffee and spend some time with me before he put you to work. He didn't complain a bit and told us to take our time."

I kissed her cheek and led her to the swinging porch chair. She put her head on my shoulder while I sipped from the mug. We were pretty quiet, watching the sunrise and enjoying one another's company. Eventually, I had to leave my haven of cuddling with Bella. There was work to be done and the sooner I got to it, the sooner I could spend uninterrupted time with her.

"Thanks again for the coffee, love. I'll see you for lunch?"

"Of course," we kissed briefly and I made my way to the barn. Charlie greeted me with a nod, then turned back to harvesting. It was nice to know we had a comfortable boss-employee relationship, considering he didn't seem to like the farmhand before me.

A few hours later, lunchtime rolled around and Bella met me outside with a picnic basket. We went down to her creek and enjoyed a quiet midday meal, basking in the cool shade. Lunch didn't last long enough, of course. No time with Bella did.

The weeks went on in a similar fashion. Bella would meet me before the workday started, we'd share lunch, and after the sunset and Charlie told me I was relieved for the day I'd hang around the house. We even went on a few more dates. About a month after we started dating exclusively, Bella and I planned to go see a movie the next town over.

As we were driving out of town, Bella's phone began to ring from an unknown number. She sent the call to voicemail twice before answering. "Maybe it's an emergency."

"Hello?"

Her eyes widened and she sat up stick straight in her seat. Bella let go of my hand, plugging her opposite ear.

"Hold on, Rose. Hold on. I can't understand you. Calm down," she pleaded, turning to look at me, "Edward, please turn around. Rose needs me." She didn't need to explain any further as I recalled how uneasy Rose's husband, Royce, made Bella.

Bella stayed on the phone for another ten minutes and she was growing more frantic with each minute. When she ended the call, she was a mess with worry.

"She said he was out drinking with his buddies and he came back and just started swingin' at her! Royce has always been rough around the edges, but he's never hit her before." I grabbed her hand, trying to ignore the anger I felt brewing in the pit of my stomach. What kind of man hits a woman? Especially the woman he claims to love?

"We'll be there soon to help her, baby. When we get there I'll run in and grab her. You shouldn't be around Royce if he's dangerous."

"No way. Rose doesn't know you and she needs comfort. We can go in together." Her room left no room for disagreement and I had to physically bite my tongue to keep from arguing with her. "Her house is only a few minutes away from here. Luckily, she lives right on the outskirts of town." A few turns later and I was pulling my truck into Rose's yard.

Bella and I were running to the front door before my truck even stopped completely. She didn't even bother knocking, instead just opening the door and shouting Rose's name into the house. Broken glass was littered along the floor and furniture was turned over in the entryway. Something had obviously gone amiss in here.

"Who the hell is that, Rosalie?!" A man's voice, Royce, I suppose, shouted.

"It's B-Bella! I'm leaving! I don't want this anymore, Royce!" Bella took off in the direction of the yelling and I followed. She led me into a bedroom where a woman was haphazardly throwing clothes into a suitcase. Royce was nowhere to be seen. Bella helped her pack the bag and lifted it onto her shoulder. I took it from her, turning to Rose, "is there anything else you need?"

"M-my toiletries from the bathroom," Rose whispered.

"I have things you can use at my house, let's just get outta here," Bella responded, but she shook her head.

"Bella, I need my p-prenatal vitamins." I wasn't the smartest man in the world, but I knew what that meant. Bella's face fell.

"Oh, Rose," the two women hugged and more tears fell from Rose's eyes.

"Let's go get them, so we can leave. Don't worry, Rose, I'll be right here. Royce won't touch you." Bella clasped her hand after I spoke and the three of us rushed to the bathroom. I stood outside the door while Rose packed. As I was waiting, Royce came down the hallway.

"Who are you? You're not Bella."

"I'm Bella's boyfriend. I'm here to pick up Rose."

"She's not going nowhere." He got closer, trying to intimidate me, I guess. It wasn't going to work though. A woman beater was hardly intimidating.

"She is. And you're going to shut the hell up and get the hell outta our way, so I can take her to my truck. You ain't got no business laying your hands on a woman, especially your wife. You're scum." Royce ran at me, raising his fist. His drunkness made him clumsy and his balance was off. All it took was for me to give him one- well deserved- punch in the jaw, and he was on the ground.

"C'mon, ladies, let's go." I ushered Rose and Bella passed Royce's disoriented body.

"You'll stay with me and Dad, Rose. We'll take care of you." Bella murmured once we were in the truck. It was a tight fit, but I didn't mind. I was glad I could help Rose get away from her abusive husband.

I just couldn't help wondering what this meant for her future.