ooooooo kellyo! We're getting to be regular period piece authors!

they're the besssssssstest!

Tots! I like 'em a lot!

me too, but smeyer prolly wouldn't because she's all about vamps and present era.

Yeah, kinna...too bad our characters are too awesome to be in modern day

def def. you know who else are too awesome?

Ummmm our readers? Cause they leave us reviews?

DING! DING! DING! see belzo you = smartest of smarts

ummm, I tots learned it all from you, so wouldn't that make you Queen of the Smarts?

nonsense. maybe we learned from the awesome reviews we get!

maybe...although I still vote for you!

no no the reviewers! so hey reviewers - keep us learnin' and leave some feedback! :D

CHAPTER 2

BPOV

It had taken over six months to put together Edward's case. There were fights about extradition - should he be tried in the state that had the most financial loss, or the state where he began or the state where he was finally captured.

I hated that word, captured. It implied he was an animal, a ferocious beast; when really, he was the complete opposite.

It was finally decided that he would be tried in Chicago. The proceedings were initially set to begin on December 8th, but were delayed due to the atrocities that occured the day before to our soldiers in Hawaii.

My father wouldn't let me go. He hated Edward, and made it clear to anyone and everyone that would listen. Going as far as to say he'd rather see me alone for the rest of my life than with a criminal.

I cried for weeks; that was until Mrs. Cullen rang with the news of his next court date - December 29.

I would be on winter break then.

Going against my father was one thing, but convincing Mrs. Cullen to assist me was another. Fortunately, it wound up not being as difficult as I anticipated and she helped to cover my tracks well.

On December 24, I walked into the county jail where Edward was being held. "Cullen. Visitor!" The guard bellowed, as he made his way down the rows of cells. While they brought him out of his cell, another guard escorted me to a room with a single wood table and two chairs on either side.

It had been three months since I had seen him. My pulse began to race as thoughts flooded my mind. What if I looked different? What if he didn't want me anymore? What if?

All fears were pushed aside as Edward stepped through, head down and looking paler than usual. My heart tore and all I wanted to do was rescue him, protect him from everything that was going on.

"Hi Edward. Merry Christmas." I replied softly, moving towards him.

His head snapped up quickly. "Bella." He murmured, stepping closer to me and wrapping his arms around me as best he could. "What're you doing here? How'd you...god, I missed you." He exhaled.

My arms wrapped around him as I felt his hands squeeze the sides of my waist, the most he could move in his handcuffs. "I came to celebrate Christmas." I replied, letting out a breath as his skin both sent chills down my spine and warm electric currents down it. "Would you mind kissing me? I'll look like a hussie if I attack your lips." I murmured against his ear, pointing to the mirrored glass screen, that I had learned from my dad at the station was really a window for the cops on the other side.

He smiled leaning in and at first only brushing his lips against mine lightly before going over them again firmly, fusing them together. "You have no idea how much this means to me." He sighed, kissing my cheeks and forehead. "None." He added for emphasis, still leaving soft pecks all over my cheeks, nose and lips.

"I do; it means just as much to me. I was so worried." I confessed, leaning my forehead against him. "How are you doing here? Are they treating you all right?"

"Bella, I'm in prison not the Beverly Hills Hotel." He laughed, pressing his lips against my hairline. "How're you? How's your father? What's going on with school? Tell me everything." He encouraged, moving his lips to my temple. "I'm sorry I missed your birthday."

"Everythings fine. Everyone is fine." I smiled, leaning into him. Despite spending months in prison, he still had the faint smell of the Edward I knew. "I applied to colleges, now we just wait." I sighed, leaning up to kiss him again. "Is everything ready for Monday's court appearance?"

He sucked in a deep breath, moving his arms from my narrow waist and motioning for me to sit. "As ready as we can be, I guess. But who knows with all this war talk going on." He shrugged apathetically. "They're saying I could end up drafted."

"What?" I gasped. No one had told me. "No... no!" I repeated emphatically.

His hands flew up to cup my cheeks, shaking his head. "Hey...hey...it'll be okay, I promise." Kiss. "Everything will be fine."

I took a few deep breaths, looking at him until I had calmed down. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have overreacted like that. I'm sorry."

His hands remained on my pink cheeks, kissing my forehead soothingly. "It's okay...I want you to be okay. That's all. I'm happy if you're okay."

"I'm okay." I reassured him, placing my hand over his on my cheek. "But how are you?"

He kissed me tenderly before responding. "I"m okay." He paused looking down at the metal table before moving his eyes up to meet mine. "Bella, I..." he began hesitantly. His expression showed nothing but uncertainty and fear. What could have him looking so unsure?

"Yes?" I asked, trying to push without being demanding.

"Incase I don't get the chance to see you again, or tell you...I...I love you. Very much." He whispered with eyes locked on mine.

What a relief. "You will get the chance to; you have to." I stated, beaming up into his vibrant green eyes. "Because I love you too. And where I come from, people as in love as we are, get married. So, you see, you have to see me again and tell me over and over."

"I hope so, Bella. I love you," He replied, smiling sadly before kissing the tip of my nose. "I love you."

"You will. Whatever happens, I'm by your side." I replied with a nod, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "I love you darling."

"You have no idea how much I missed you; missed this." He mumbled as his hand pulled my face closer to his.

"Me too." I agreed, leaning into his body, trying to get as close as possible.

We stayed there for what felt like hours, just being together. After awhile it was almost as though it was just us and not us, plus whatever officer was on guard. But sooner than I would have liked the guardsman opened the door and informed us time was up. I sighed and nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

He nodded, kissing my lips with purpose. I felt every ounce of his love in that single gesture. "You will. Be safe, love."

"You too. Tomorrow I'll come with Mrs. Cullen; she mentioned something about being able to pull strings so you could be uncuffed during the visit - since it's Christmas and all." I reiterated, leaning in for another kiss on his cheek. "I love you."

Walking away from him here was harder, I found, than watching him be taken away in Forks. At least there I knew he'd be safe; but in a big city jail, who knew?

EPOV

Being away from Bella, especially here was difficult. At least in Forks she could come and go as she pleased and we could spend however much time she was willing to give me together.

Here, everything was different.

Chicago jails were not friendly, nor were they the most accommodating to a boy who hadn't seen his girl in three months. I wished beyond all hope that Bella and I could be normal; that I'd wake up and this would all be some kind of a dream.

I'd miss out on everything because I'd stolen some bread and milk.

I was disappointed in myself, and what I'd done but I still couldn't get over that I was there. I was literally within reach of my future, and I could taste it. I could never finish school now, I'd never be able to go to college...never be a doctor.

My future was gone.

Bella and Aunt Esme showed up on Christmas, bring me gifts which were taken away as soon as they left. I had nothing to give in return, and I felt so inadequate. Bella told me it was okay; that nothing matter besides the fact that we were together, but I couldn't help feeling disappointed in myself that I couldn't get anything for her.

I just had to reconcile myself to the fact that I wouldn't be able to provide for her the way she should be. But I couldn't because she deserved the best of everything. She deserved to live comfortably and normally without a convict for a husband and a life of barely getting by. It wasn't fair for her to fall in love with me, but I was so happy she did.

By the time my court date rolled around, I was more nervous than ever. I was allowed to see my lawyer only before going in to the court room, handcuffed. Bella gave me a small wave and Aunt Esme smiled. I returned both before waiting for the judge to enter. We stood when he finally did, then sat, then I stood again when I was asked.

"Edward Anthony Cullen, you are charged with seven counts of theft. How do you plead." I hung my head. Guilty.

"No contest, your honor." My lawyer replied. "My client was merely trying to provide for his younger sister, having no other means to do so."

The judge Humph-ed, and I looked up. "Mr. Cullen, is this true?"

"Yes, sir." I replied.

"Could you not take a job during this time?" He asked, the smug smile of a man who'd never had to scrape together enough money for food crossing his lips.

"I did, sir, but most of it went to making sure Rosalie had everything she needed. I'd saved to get to Forks to live with my Uncle Carlisle and Aunt Esme, but it wasn't enough to make it all the way." I sighed, letting out a deep breath. He had to understand; he had to.

"Your uncle...a doctor?" He asked, looking over my papers. "Why not ask him for the money?"

I looked down, ashamed. "I couldn't afford a phone, sir. The call or the device."

I heard his chair creak backward and sigh. "Edward, you're a young man who once had the world ahead of you. Theft is not something we take lightly here, nor do we listen to sob stories about having no other way. There is always another way; one that doesn't involve breaking laws." There was a pregnant pause in the air, and i prepared myself. I knew it was coming. I'd known since the moment Chief Swan arrested me. "Edward Cullen, this court finds you guilty as charged. Court will take a 20 minute recess to determine your sentence. Attorneys to my chambers." And with that he was gone.

My lawyer pat my shoulder sadly, before leaving and I sank back down in my chair, holding my head in my hands. I'd known it was coming, but why did it still hurt so badly?

Soon, Bella was sitting beside me, her fingers running through my hair. "It'll be okay. You're strong. You'll get out with good behavior early... it'll be all right."

I looked up at her, smiling as much as I could. "I know. It still...it's still a shock."

Bella nodded, pulling me closer and hugging me. "I know." She murmured, her fingers twisting in my hair. "I'm so sorry Edward."

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You've done nothing wrong, Bella. Don't be sorry." This was probably the last time I'd kiss that cheek. "I love you."

Her head turned slightly and her lips brushed teasingly to mine. "I love you too." She whispered, kissing me softly. "I love you."

I nodded against her, kissing her gently before the doors started to move and Bella went back to her seat. My lawyer wouldn't make eye contact. That couldn't be good. I stood, waiting for my sentence.

"Mr. Cullen, typically given your age and the nature of your crimes you would be sentenced to ten years in prision-minimum." I heard a gasp that could only belong to Aunt Esme, but I just kept listening. Obviously, i wasn't getting ten years. Fifteen? Twenty? "However, there's a war on and our nation needs every available man and boy to defend it." He grinned manically and my heart sank. "You will give back to your nation by serving in the Navy as a pilot. As a reward, once you return you will be absolved of your crimes and they will be expunged from your record."

If I return, he meant. If.

"You will be released into the Custody of Esme Platt Cullen and will report to Whidby Island no later than February 1, 1941. Court is adjourned."

And with that, he was gone.

I sucked in a deep breath. at least I could go home. At least I'd be able to say my goodbyes.

At least I got one last shot to make amends.