A/N: so… this chapter shouldn't disappoint ;) after all the angst, I think it's time for some major fluff!

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight!

EPOV:

I yawned as I continued my intense gaze on Bella's face, softly trailing the tips of my fingers up and down her arm.

Bella was found yesterday. Last night, we all thought that it was best for her to be flown back to Forks Hospital so she could be under Dad's care. Since he loved Bella as a daughter, we knew he would make her his top priority. Also, we wanted her to be comfortable, and we knew that she would rather have Dad working on her than any other man.

It was 6 AM, but I couldn't sleep. I slept a mere 4 hours next to her, cramped against her tiny body on the hospital bed. Since my family has been with us the entire time, we have not had a chance to finish our conversation.

That fucking conversation. Everything about it blew my mind! How could she ever think that my feelings for her could just disappear? Had I failed in showing her my undying love? Or did they just ruin the self-confidence that she had?

Oh, how I wished I was the one to kill them. They got off far too easy, in my personal opinion. How dare they kill her spunk? Her soul?

I could see the defeat in her eyes. I could feel the pain radiating off her body, even when she's asleep. My heart hurts. It feels so heavy in my chest. The agony continues to swallow me while, even though we have her back.

Because, things are still not the same. Bella has a lot of healing to do, and she currently feels as though she deserves to heal without anyone by her side, helping her throughout the entire process.

It kills me to hear these things. How could she ever believe that I wouldn't be there to hold her tight when she fell apart? That I wouldn't do whatever it takes to chase her demons away?

What do i have to do to show her?

I scowled in frustration, staring at the wall and letting out a sigh. I needed to do something to express my love for her. Maybe, in this situation, words were not enough.

Dad promised she would be asleep until early afternoon, maybe even dinner time, due to the pain medicine she was currently on. He would be here in an hour for his shift, so he will be able to help Bella if she wakes up for whatever reason. All I needed was a couple hours at the store, and I would come right back.

When his shift finally started, he smiled gently at me when he entered the room.

"How is she?" He asked as he grabbed the clipboard and checked over some of her paperwork.

I shrugged indifferently. "The same. Still asleep."

"Yes, as predicted. How are you?" He turned his fatherly gaze on me.

"I don't even know. This is going to be so tough. She seriously thinks she doesn't deserve any help. Like it's her fault or something!"

"That is very common in victims like Bella. We just have to continue reminding her that we are here to help, and that we love her, no matter how much she argues. Support is what she needs now more than anything."

"But she's so stubborn!"

"It will take time, but she will heal. She is already so strong for living through such a terrible childhood. We have to remind her to have faith in herself."

I nodded, feeling more determined because of his words. "I'm gonna go to the store and get some things for her. Call me if she wakes up, please."

"Of course. Be careful," he urged as he brought his attention to Bella.

I kissed her forehead gingerly before exiting the room.

Right when I arrived home, I ran up to Alice's room. I hoped she was awake, because I needed her help.

I was thrilled to see her and Rosalie both asleep in Alice's bed. More brain power for perfect gifts for Bella.

I felt a bit more light-hearted at the thought of showering Bella with welcome-home gifts. I knew she would protest at first, but I just wanted to make her happy and to show her how much I care.

I turned on the light, causing both of them to groan.

Alice squinted at me. "Edward? What are you doing? Is Bella okay?"

I chuckled. "Yes, but you 2 need to get up, pronto! I want to get her some welcome-home gifts. I need some help from the female brain."

They both smiled before agreeing.

"Let us shower and get dressed," Alice suggested.

"Okay, I'll do so the same."

After my shower, I wondered downstairs in search of Mom. I found her making coffee in the kitchen.

"Mom, can you please do me a favor?"

"What is it, dear?"

"Bella absolutely loves your snickerdoodles. Can you please make some while I go to the store with Alice and Rosalie? I'm going to get her some gifts. Dad said she will be released today."

Mom snickered, her eyes shining. "Of course."

I kissed her cheek quickly. "Thanks!"

"Is she okay, Edward?" Mom asked warily. I rubbed the back of my neck in stress. "I really don't know... I don't think so," I admitted in anger. I was so pissed a them for getting into Bella's head. She shouldn't have been tainted by their presences.

"Bella is strong, baby. Everything ahe's been through... she will get through this, as well. I know it."

I smiled sadly. "I think so, too, but it will be a bumpy road."

Mom pattern my shoulder sadly. "I read a quote one time. It said 'difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations'..."

Once Alice and Rosalie were finally ready, I was practically skipping to my car.

We decided to start off at Target. I had no idea what I was going to get her, I just wanted everything to be heartfelt and special.

"Oh, what about one of these?!" Alice gestured excitedly to a gargantuan stuffed dog. It was probably as tall as her, and I bet she couldn't get her arm around it. "Yeah, she would like that." I chuckled. It was corny and cliche, but I knew Bella loved dogs, and I don't think she has any stuffed animals at all. It just felt like something a normal couple would get one another, and that's how I wanted Bella to feel. Normal. Not broken or used or worthless.

Between Rosalie, Alice, and I, we were doing very well. In one cart sat the giant dog. Another cart was filled with a king-sized blanket that was unbelievably soft and cozy, a few scented candles, a new journal and pack of pens, a bag of her favorite chocolates (lindor truffles), a few dozen bouquet of flowers, a big container of lavender-scented bubble bath, and a frame for my favorite photo of us: when we went to star-lit mountain, we took a "selfie" on her iPhone with the beautiful sunrise occurring behind us. We both wore blinding smiles on her faces, basking in our newfound love.

I didn't know if I was suffocating Bella with gifts and surprises, but I did know that I felt suffocated by the thought of not spending the rest of my life with her. I was panicking internally, following through with any and every idea that came to mind that would help me keep her forever.

Alice and Rosalie bought Bella gifts for her from themselves, as well. We stopped at Walmart, and, together, they scrolled through their phones and found pictures of all of us in the group, intending to print them at Walmart and glue them as a collage to a humongous piece of cardboard to be framed. They were going to hang it in Bella's room as a constant reminder of the love we have for her. The fun times the 6 of us had, together. I laughed with the 2 of them as we sat in Walmart and picked out photos. Many were from our drunken nights acting up. Bella, Alice and Rosalie tangled together in a game of twister. The 6 of us huddled on the floor in a mass of pillows and blankets the night we watched that vampire romance… the night i first kissed Bella. Emmett and Jasper attempting to show Bella how to correctly shoot the ball for beer pong. They included individual pictures with Bella, as well as group shots. They even printed photos of just Bella and I from my phone. I couldn't wait to see the collage when it was finished. I knew Bella would absolutely love it.

I asked Alice and Rosalie to call Emmett and Jasper over and help them set up Bella's room with all the gifts while I went back to the hospital. I gave them instructions regarding all the ideas I could muster before rushing out to my Volvo. Before I left, however, I left a note on the first 2 pages of Bella's new journal I bought for her. The words just seemed to pour out of me without a hint of recognition.

My Bella,

There are so many different ways that I want to show you my love. I will spend the rest of my life figuring out these different ways, utilizing them in every possible way. It is the least you deserve, because you mean absolutely everything to me. It will be my honor to spend the rest of my life showing you every variation of pure love that you can imagine. I will always cherish you, protect you, respect you, and love you. You are the reason behind every smile on my face. I was nothing before I found you- just merely walking the Earth, looking for a true reason to live. Thank God I finally found my reason: you. I will forever be thankful for being able to call you mine. Someone so selfless, brave, beautiful, warm, kind, accepting, funny, and loving. You are truly my own personal angel. Nothing on this Earth could ever make me feel any differently or any less for you. We can get through this together. This is just a bump in the road through this journey of life. I will be there every single step of the way, I promise you that. We are stronger than this. Scratch that, we are stronger than ANYTHING. Nothing could ever ruin this beautiful love that we share.

Yours always and forever,

Edward

I arrived at the hospital in record time. She was still asleep, even snoring softly. I chuckled as I grazed her forehead with a kiss.

I sat next to her, watching reruns of "The Office" on NBC for hours. I was glad for the distraction - the show was hilarious - but, I was beyond thrilled when I heard her mutter my name in confusion.

"Hey, baby," I smiled eagerly, grasping her tiny hand in mine.

"What time is it?"

I checked my phone. "4 PM. Dad said you could go home once you woke up, and he gives you one last checkup. How do you feel?"

She bit her lip, debating. She was too adorable. "Okay, I think. I'm definitely ready to go home."

I brushed my thumb across the softness of her cheeks. "Okay, love. I'll take you home now."

I called for Dad, and he was beyond thrilled to give Bella her final check-up so she could go home. He knows how much she hates hospitals, and he worries about her being even more upset because she has to stay in one.

"I'll be home in about 2 hours. I'll check on you again then, okay, Bella?" He offered kindly. She merely nodded as I helped her into the wheelchair. Apparently, that vile Phil had done some damage to her ribs and stomach the previous day because she burnt their breakfast, so she was trying to hide the fact that she was wincing through her movements

I helped her in the car and held her hand throughout the entire drive. She didn't speak once, completely trapped in her own mind. I hate every second of it, wishing she could just open up to me, but I didn't want to push her. I just hoped her welcome-home gifts would show her how much we cared.

I helped her into the house, and was happy when she didn't try to push me away. Actually, she settled into my arms comfortably as I carried her bridal style.

"Bella," Mom sighed happily, kissing Bella on the forehead, even though she was still wrapped tightly in my arms. I didn't plan on letting her go.

"Hi, Esme. I missed you," Bella mumbled tiredly.

Esme sighed, tears welling in her eyes. "Oh, sweetie, I missed you more than you know. I'm so, so glad you're back home with us."

Bella smiled, nodding her agreement. Mom kissed her once more before I carried Bella upstairs to her room. My heart was pounding in anticipation.

I opened her door and set her down. I heard her gasp in astonishment at the sight. Everyone did a great job. They took apart one of the bouquet of roses and made a trail of rose petals from her door frame to the bed, littering her mattress with the red beauty. Candles were lit all over the room, and the other bouquets of roses were set on each bedside table next to her bed. The giant dog sat snuggly on her bed, facing the door. The collage - huge and mesmerizing - was hung on the wall Bella's bed sat next to. Her new journal was sitting on her bed, as well as the chocolates, the bubble bath, and the new blanket. The picture frame was home to my favorite picture of us, sitting on her left bedside table, next to a plate of Mom's snickerdoodles.

I saw a few books on her desk, and a new teddy bear sitting on her bed. I could only guess that Emmett and Jasper got her those gifts, and I made a mental note to thank them.

She covered her mouth in shock, her beautiful eyes glancing in every direction.

I stood in front of her, placing her hands on my waist. I gazed into her doe eyes with force, willing her to understand. "Don't you see, Bella? We love you. We all love you, and there is nothing that would stop us from that. I will never see you as anything less than what you truly are: strong, independent, intelligent, and sweet. Please, love, you must understand that."

I watched as tears fell from her eyes, landing on her cheeks one after another.

I took her hand in mine, bringing her to the bed. I sat her down next to me, placing the journal in her lap. "I bought you a new journal, so you can vent as much as you need. I took up the first few pages, though. Read it, baby."

She looked me in the eyes, searching for answers. I smiled and gestured to the journal. She took a deep breath before opening it and reading my words.

I watched as a heartwarming smile broke into her gorgeous face, and she was suddenly in my arms, her face pressed into the crook of my neck. I rubbed her back soothingly as I felt her tears soak my skin.

"Edward," she whispered, her breath giving me chills. So much was said in that small moment, even though all she said was my name.

I pressed my cheek against the top of her head after placing a few kisses there. "I love you, Bella. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. You're home now, where you belong. I will never let anything cause you any harm ever again, okay?" I looked into her eyes, hoping she could sense that I was honest. She was always perceptive, so I knew I didn't need to worry about that.

She sat in my arms for a few minutes in a comfortable silence. We just held each other as if we weren't able to let go. Truly, I think that was actually the case.

Eventually, Bella pulled out of my arms and got on her knees on the other side of the bed in order to get a better look at the collage. I heard her soft chuckle at some of the photos, and I imagined the memories coursing through her mind. "Alice and Rosalie made this for you," I informed her.

I knelt next to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. "You'll always be my Bella," I breathed as we both gazed at the photos of our most precious memories with our friends, and with each other.

After a few minutes, I offered to draw Bella a bubble bath and let her unwind in private for a little. As much as I wanted nothing more than to hold her close, I knew she needed to process things.

I poured some of the lavender bath salts into her tub, running the warm water. I walked out of her bathroom and shut the door behind me.

"It's ready whenever you are," I smiled.

She grinned in return, blushing as she walked into her bathroom and shut her door behind her.

I walked over to her desk to examine the unfamiliar books. They were books of motivational quotes. Next to them was a note.

Bella,

Whenever you are feeling down, read some pages from these books. Remember: strength comes from how much you want it. Be the fighter that you are! We love you, and will always be there for you.

-Jasper

I grinned at his present. It was a great idea, especially from someone like Jasper, who was always very perceptive of people's emotions.

I noticed another note next to the teddy bear on her bed.

Belly,

One time (I think you were drunk) you called me your brother bear. Well, here I am in physical form! Whenever you feel upset, just hug brother bear, and you'll know I am there for ya! Love you, Belly! Thanks for being the funniest little sis ever!

-Em

I really had the most amazing people as best friends. I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that they would also be willing to do anything for Bella, as well.

I knew we could all get through this with one another. With the help of my family and my closest friends, Bella will know what it's like to be happy again.

A/N: one of my favorite chapters ever. The fluff kills me… especially after all the angst! The rest of the story will be fluffy, as well :) also, had to include the office! One of my favorite shows (US version, of course). review please! I really wanna know what you guys think of this one!