So, it's been a bit since I've updated. I hope you're all excited because this is a doozy of a chapter. It's long though because the next chapter is the last chapter. Yes, big shock but chapter 25 is going to be the last one. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Twenty-Four – Power

My hands shook as I dialed the number of the person I knew could help me. Edward had been arrested. Watching the police place him in handcuffs and escort him out of the restaurant had almost been to much for me to watch. And then the questions from onlookers started.

"Are you okay," and "Were you here by choice," and "Has he been hitting you?"

The questions infuriated me. How dare they accuse Edward of hurting me. He hadn't been the one who had hurt me, the person that Edward beat was the one that had hurt me.

"Hello?" Carlisle said.

"Hey Carlisle. It's Bella." I said.

"Bella, hi, how are you?" He asked; he was probably surprised I had called him out of the blue. We didn't really know each other and the only times we saw one another was when Esme invited us over for dinner, or we went out with them. I liked him fine, but he was always sort of quiet.

"I've been better," I said before taking a deep breath, "Um, actually there's been an incident."

"Is everything okay?" He asked. I heard Esme in the background ask what was wrong.

I took another deep breath, "Edward's been arrested."

"What?" Carlisle said, "What happened?" His tone was a little clipped.

"He got arrested for fighting."

"Fighting!" Carlisle said loudly, "Why the hell was he fighting."

I sighed, "I don't really have time to explain everything. But, I didn't know who else to call, they're holding him down at Burbank county jail. They said that if I come down there I can bail him out, but—."

"Alright. It's fine. Are you at the apartment? Where are you?"

"I'm at the Seaside restaurant, on Weston street."

"Okay. We'll stop by and pick you up. I want to know what happened." He said as he hung up the phone.

In some strange way, I felt as if I were a teenager who had just gotten in trouble with their father. I imagined he was mad at Edward, but, I guess I did hold the answers as to why he was arrested. This would be the second time Carlisle and Esme would have to bail him out prison.

I waited outside of the restaurant shivering. It was cold now and the jacket I had was locked in Edward's car. And he had the key. In the chaos of everything, he'd forgotten to give me the key.

A little silver car pulled in front of the restaurant. The window rolled down revealing Carlisle and Esme. Carlisle got out and opened the back door for me. I slid in, head down as if I were afraid of punishment.

"What happened?" Carlisle asked as soon as I put my seatbelt on.

"We were having dinner and Edward got into a fight." I said.

"Okay, but why was he fighting? Who was he fighting with?"

"That guy that he was in business with. The one that screwed him over."

Esme sighed heavily and shook her head, "God bless, he knows better. I thought he resolved these issues. Why would he flip out like this?"

"I don't know." I said in a quiet voice.

We drove the rest of the way in silence. When we arrived, Carlisle gave me the option of staying in the car with Esme, but, I wanted to go in and see Edward. Make sure he was okay.

Carlisle gave me his jacket as we walked inside. It scared me a little to be inside of a jail. Even though Carlisle stood beside me the entire time, I couldn't help but be afraid.

Edward was apparently in a holding cell. They walked us back to where he was being held; he was sitting on the bench against the wall, staring hatefully at the other man in the other cell beside him.

I realized who it was, sitting in that other cell. Edward jumped up.

"Bella, get out of here," He said, "Go back to the car."

I wanted to look at Edward, but I couldn't take my eyes off him, sitting in the ill lit cell. His face was shadowed by the darkness, his frame hunched over. I swallowed the bile in my throat and walked to his cell.

"Bella, please, go to the car," Edward begged, trying to reach out and grab me.

"Put your arm back in the cell until you're released," The officer barked out.

"Please get her out of here," Edward asked him.

"I'm fine." I said softly as grabbed the bars of his cell.

He looked up, his cold blue eyes meeting mine. Recognition sparked across his face as he realized who I was. He didn't say anything, he just stared at me, as I stared at him.

"Bella, please," Edward begged, "Please go wait in the car for me."

"Edward I'm fine, I'm fine," I snapped, wanting nothing more then for him to shut up.

"You remember me," I said to him, "I know you do. I remember you."

He didn't say anything, he just stared at me with steel, unsure eyes.

"It's almost unreal that you're sitting here. I never really thought about seeing you again. It's weird because I don't feel like crying or running away. I don't even feel angry. In a weird way, I feel relieved," I let out a sharp laugh, "You're not as big as I imagined you. Or as scary. You're kind of scrawny."

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment there was a ball in my stomach, but the fear was gone as soon as it hit.

"You don't scare me. Not anymore," I shook my head, sighing, "I feel so stupid. I can't believe I allowed you to manipulate me. I mean, for three years, I've been recovering from the abuse you inflicted on me. Do you know what that's like? To be so badly abused that I can't just have a normal day without the constant reminder of what you did to me."

"But, I guess I'm not so bad off," I smiled slowly, "I've met Edward. He's amazing. He's shown me what it's like to be loved and not abused. He showed me the safe ways and he's been a gentle teacher. I'm healing. He's helped heal me. He's repaired the damage that you've created."

"I don't wish anything bad on you," I said, "As strange as that sounds. Most people would hope you die a horrible, slow and painful death. But I don't. All I hope is that you remember my face. I hope it's burned into your brain forever, because when you do finally get yours, you'll remember me."

I turned to look at Edward and Carlisle, who were watching me with wide eyes.

"I'm going to go wait in the car." I said, "I'll see you in a moment."

I didn't look back as I walked out of the room. I didn't feel the need to. I felt relieved; the weight that I had never known was there, was now off my chest. It was a strange feeling, but I liked it.

I slid into the backseat of Carlisle's car. Esme spun around, looking at me.

"Are you okay, dear?"

"I'm fine," I actually meant that. I felt fine. I really did feel fine. I didn't feel scared or scattered. I felt fine.

Edward and Carlisle got to the car; Carlisle got in the front seat and Edward slid in beside me. He was staring at me with wide eyes. I guess he was afraid I was going to have a panic attack. But, I didn't feel like I was. I just felt fine.

I didn't listen as Carlisle and Esme hounded Edward about his choices that landed him in jail. I stared out the window, watching the city lights pass by. It was nice. I didn't feel weighted down. I was just enjoying the night.

We arrived at the restaurant to pick up Edward's car and go back to the apartment. Edward was silent was we drove to the apartment. He kept looking over at me, but, his constant staring didn't perturb me.

When we were finally in the apartment, he shut the door and stood in front of me.

"Bella, are you okay?" He asked me.

"I'm fine."

"No, no, Bella," his face lowered, "I'm serious. You can talk to me. I don't want you to be panicking."

"I'm not panicking," I said, "I'm really not. I feel okay."

He slowly put his hands on my shoulders, "Bella, I'm really, really concerned about you. Maybe we should call Emily."

"Edward, I'm fine," I said, as I placed my hands on him, "I really am. I see Emily on Monday. I'll talk to her them, I'm going to get out of this dress though. I'm uncomfortable."

I walked passed him to the bedroom. I slipped my dress off and hung it on the hanger. Edward entered the room, staring at me.

"Bella, I'm really worried. I'm not going to lie. I'm afraid you'll have a panic attack," He said, "I mean, tonight was a lot. You saw him. And her. I don't want you to be internalizing all of this. I fucked up tonight, I know. I shouldn't have attacked him, but I couldn't stop myself. I know I made things worse and—,"

"Edward stop," I put my hand over his lips, "Stop. I promise I'm okay. What happened tonight didn't bother me. At first it did, because it caught me off guard. But, after seeing him in the jail and telling him what I needed to tell him, I felt better. I don't know why, but, I just did. I'm not scared of him anymore. I feel better. Stronger."

He nodded, "I'm sorry for what I did. It was wrong of me." He gathered me in his arms, "I'm sorry I ruined our night."

"You didn't ruin anything." I whispered, "Nothing was ruined."

He sighed, "It was and I'm sorry. Tonight, was supposed to be special."

I smiled, "It can still be special," I said, "We didn't get to eat much. How about we heat up some leftovers and watch some movies on Netflix?"

He nodded, "I'll go heat the food up."

I grabbed his hand as he tried to walk away, "You didn't ruin anything."

He smiled and kissed me, "You're really cool."

I laughed, "I know. Now go heat up the food. I'm hungry."

He chuckled and walked out of the bedroom. I changed into a pair of pajamas and grabbed Edward's present from my purse.

"It's heating up, I'm going to go change." He said as he grabbed a bottle of wine.

"Okay, I'll be right here."

As he changed I rotated the leftovers in the microwave. We had a bunch of leftovers from the week, so we just heated up everything. We sat in the living room scrolling through several movies and shows on the tv. We finished settled on one.

"How about I make reservations at a special restaurant on Saturday? We can redo our night and exchange our gifts." Edward said.

"What?" I said as I slurped spaghetti, "Why? We can exchange gifts now."

"I know but my gift is kind of special." He said, "And I want to be in the perfect setting when I give it to you."

"As long as we're together, it's perfect," I said as I put my plate on the coffee table.

"I know, I just I don't know."

"Let me go get my gift. I'll give you mine first then you give me yours," I smiled, "Don't make me wait another week for my present. I'm excited."

He smiled widely, "Alright, that sounds good."

I jumped from the couch and walked into the bedroom where my purse was. I grabbed the neatly wrapped box and walked back into the living room.

"Here," I said as I handed it to him, "This is a big step and I hope it shows you how much I trust you and love you."

He smiled and opened the gift. He picked the ball gag up, staring at it for a few moments then looking at me.

"Wow, Bella are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have given it to you if I wasn't sure," I said, "I was hoping we could use it tonight."

He chuckled and stood, "Oh, we absolutely will."

I shivered at his tone and wrapped my arms around his neck, "Okay now it's your turn."

He kissed me deeply, "Alright, well I actually got you two gifts."

"Two, Edward I don't need two—."

"The gifts go hand and hand. Hmm, let me set the first gift up on the kitchen counter. Give me a sec."

"Okay," I sat on the couch while he walked into the bedroom then walked into the kitchen.

"Okay, I'm ready."

I stood and walked into the kitchen, looking on the counter for a brightly colored present. I didn't see one, instead I sat a folder with a couple sheets of paper in it. I looked down at the paper.

"Is this?"

"Yep."

"Y-you bought me a house?"

He chuckled, "Yeah. It's just a starter house, so we can expand it."

I smiled, "Oh my god. I can't believe it you bought me a house."

He smiled widely, "I'm so glad you like it! I was scared you'd be pissed that I didn't let you know but, I've been trying to get all the details right."

I thought for a moment then smacked my forehead, "I should've known! I thought it was weird you were asking me all those random questions about houses and stuff."

"I was trying so had to be subtle. I tried to get everything you had said."

"You have to take me to go see it."

"I can take you as soon as all the paperwork is done. I didn't want to pull the trigger on it right away just in case."

"I'm excited to see it. I love it," I smiled at the papers, "So, you said there's a gift that goes with this. What could possibly go with a house."

He cleared his throat, "Well, this house means… well, it's more than just a house." He said.

"Okay, what is it?"

He cleared his throat again, "It's a commitment. A bigger commitment…"

He kneeled down, "Bella, I love you. More than I've ever loved anyone. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. I could never love anyone else as I love you. Bella, will you marry me."

He opened the box and revealed a big ring. I felt the tears slip from my eyes and down my cheeks. I couldn't help but fall onto my knees in front of him.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

He opened his mouth to say something, but I stopped him.

"I want to marry you… I want nothing more than to call myself your wife and to love you and grow with you but I can't promise you that I'll be normal… I know tonight I'm fine but I can't promise that tomorrow or next week I'll be—…"

"Bella, I don't want you normal. I want you. I love you. All I want is for us to live our lives together. I don't want normal, I want you. You're a million times better than normal. I love you. Bella, will you marry me."

I sucked in a shaky breath, "Yes… yes I want to marry you."

He wrapped his arms around me, kissing me deeply. I wrapped my hands in his hair, pulling him deeper. When we finally pulled away, he took the ring out of the box and placed it on my finger.

"This ring looks beautiful on you."

I smiled widely, "It does. Thank you."

He chuckled, "I'm glad you put it on and said yes. I was worried you'd laugh at me."

I rolled my eyes, "Why would I laugh? I love you."

He smiled, "I don't know. It's was a worry. I think every man worries about has when they propose."

I looked down at the ring and smiled, "The diamond is bright."

"I needed a bright one. So, you knew our future together is bright."

"That was really cheesy." I snorted.

"Yeah kind of, but, it's true." He smiled widely.

"I love you,"

"I love you to," He said as he looked down at me, "I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you know how much I love you. How much I care about you."

"Thank you," I whispered.

He smiled gently, "For what?"

"For giving me everything," I hugged him tightly, "You gave me so much that I never thought were possible. You've made me so happy. Happier than I'd ever thought I'd be. Thank you."

He stroked my cheek before kissing me deeply.

I hope you guys are happy with the meeting between Bella and her former dom. Some of you will probably demand him to be punished more but it's not about him or punishing him, it's about healing. It's about Bella not being afraid of him and her image of him shattering. To some it's not justice enough but sometimes letting go of the pain and the suffering that you're holding onto is the best revenge. Bella took back her power and she isn't afraid anymore. I hope you all can be satisfied with that. There is one more chapter of this story left. I should put it up soon.