Happy Sunday all! For those of you living in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, decided to follow this story and favorite it, I really, really appreciate it. I bring to you chapter 17, part 3 of Bella and Rose's escape. I hope you will like it, that it meets your expectations.

Disclaimer: I'm no Stephenie Meyer...

Chapter 17 – Let Me Take You There, Part 3

EPOV

"They're on their way," I say as I am hanging up from my call to Chief Swan.

Bella hugs me again, and I hold her tightly against my chest. I can't quite believe it myself.

"What's going to happen?" Rosalie asks. Emmett is still holding her close, but she has a hand in Jasper's. I'm so happy for both of them that Jasper was right.

"A team is going to Twilight to arrest Phil and Renée, and another is coming here to arrest James and Victoria. James is Phil's accomplice in all of this, but they are also suspects in other kidnapping affairs," Leah says, suddenly appearing.

"Carmen? How do you know all of that?" Bella asks. Leah smiles kindly.

"Bella, my name is not Carmen. I'm Leah Clearwater, I'm an undercover agent working for the Seattle Police Department. I know your father. I infiltrated the club under his instructions to get some information and to eventually get you out of there."

I could see Bella struggling to absorb everything. I pull her closer to me.

"Are you alright?" I ask at her ear so that only she would hear me. It takes her a moment, but she eventually nods. "Are you sure?" She nods again. I kiss her temple and turn back to the others. Everyone is looking at us curiously, waiting for one of us to speak.

"What?" I ask.

"You guys are cute!" my sister says. I can only smile at her comment. Bella stiffens at my side.

I look down at her and see her looking somewhere in front of us, so I try to follow her gaze.

"Bella, what's wrong?" I ask, not understanding what makes her panic. She takes a deep breath.

"There are two people over there, watching us. James and Victoria. We came with them. They threatened us on the way here that if we tried anything, we would regret it. They've seen us all together, I'm sure they are suspicious, especially with you being so affectionate towards me. They've seen you at the club."

Fuck!

Chief Swan better be getting here soon, otherwise this will turn ugly, and our plan will be compromised.

"Is…is my father coming here?" Bella asks hesitantly.

"Yes." I answer her honestly. "I think we need to carry on as if nothing is out of the ordinary, we don't want them to get suspicious. Let's go and dance again." I pull her hand and take her with me to the dance floor. At first Bella is stiff, but after I pull her close and dance with her then she relaxes somewhat. Each time someone walks by us too close she stiffens again. I see the stress of the situation as it plays across her face. I pray that with each second that passes it will be her last one under this kind of stress and agony.

This leads me to think about what our life will be like together if I have any say over it. I picture us living together, her making me breakfast, us rushing off to school and then eating lunch together on campus. I would get home before her so I would start dinner, we would eat together and then clean up as a team. And the best part of all, each and every night I would get to sleep beside her, hold her, kiss her, make love to her.

I want it. I want it all for her as much as I want it for me. She deserves to know a peaceful life, one that is filled with happiness as much as any of the rest of us do. I make a promise to myself to give it to her. To give her everything in life she deserves and more. I can't wait for our forever to begin.

I feel Bella stiffen again but this time, it causes her to stop dancing with me, in fact her whole body is not moving, not even to take in air. I turn us so that I can see what it is that is causing this type of a reaction. I see Chief Swan and several other guys walk in. All in plain clothes but I know without a doubt that they are cops. They make their way to the back of the club where James and Victoria are both involved in their own little dancing that they don't see them until it is too late.

Chief Swan and two of the men sort of surround them and force them back into a dark hallway that leads to the restrooms. Leah is immediately up and on her feet. Rosalie and Emmett are being pulled behind her. I can see her making her way to Bella and me. I pull Bella along and start towards the door of the club.

I knew this was part of the plan, while the officers had James and Victoria distracted they wanted to get the girls out so that no one could say when, and with whom they left with. It made it harder for Phil or whoever to find them, if they disappeared into thin air.

When we reach the safety of the night air, we are rushed into a van. Bella, Rose, Emmett, Alice and Jasper, as well as myself are in and the van takes off before we can even buckle up. I am not very familiar with this part of town but eventually I recognize that we are right around the corner from the hotel where my parents and Angela and Ben are awaiting us.

"Bella, you okay?" I ask as I soothe her hair down and kiss her temples. I'm sure she has to be in shock after all that happened. In a matter of five minutes we had her out of Phil's reach and into a police van. I know that it would take her a while to get her life and thoughts in order but I hope one of her thoughts includes me. I know now that I have to be with her, I can't let her walk away at this point in time. It would be impossible.

When we are at the main entrance of the hotel, we are rushed inside and to a conference room where a few police officers are working over laptops and what seems to be maps. There is also someone sitting at some kind of sound station. The agents on the field must be wearing microphones to keep in contact with the headquarters.

Once inside, one of the officers waves me over. I leave Bella with the lady officer that had welcomed her and make my way to the back of the room.

"Did you get everything?" I ask him while he pulls off the microphone of my chest.

"I think so. There was a lot of background noise what with the music, but we should be able to clean everything up so that we only have Bella's story."

"Good. I don't want for her to have to testify at the trial."

"We will call her in only if it's necessary, you have my word."

I nod at him. "Thank you."

He nods at me and turns to put away the equipment, and I make my way back to Bella. I crouch beside the chair she is sitting in and grab one of her hands.

"Everything alright?" I ask softly.

She nods. "I'm so tired."

I smile softly and lean up to kiss her temple. "We'll go to bed soon, I promise."

She nods again and gives me a timid smile. I wink at her. She blushes and giggles. I smile and kiss her temple again. I'm so happy to see her like this, it seems like she is already relaxing. From the corner of my eye, I see Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and Alice sitting further. Rosalie is laughing at something Emmett says. It seems the tension has already left her too. Jasper then talks to her, and she looks down for a moment, then I see her nod her head slowly. Her cousin must have asked again if she'll let him call their family. It will be an easier transition if she has her family's support, I'm sure.

I turn back to Bella and see her looking somewhere behind me, nervous.

"Bella, what's wrong?"

She doesn't answer, so I turn around. I see my father standing in the doorway to the conference room, along with Angela.

"That's my father, Bella. And I think you know Angela."

She nods, but doesn't move. I smile and stand up, then pull her to her feet.

"Come on, let me introduce you."

She bites her bottom lip nervously as I pull her to my father.

"Hey dad," I say and he nods at me, "dad, this is Isabella Swan. Bella, this is my father, doctor Carlisle Cullen."

I see my dad carefully offering his hand to her to see her reaction. When I see her reach out, I smile, and so does my dad, carefully enveloping her hand in both of his.

"Hello Bella," he says, "it's a pleasure to finally meet you, even though I wish it were under different circumstances. I have heard a lot about you."

She nods at him then immediately looks at me. I blush, scratching the back of my head and giving her a sly smile. I hear my father chuckle.

"Actually Bella, Edward isn't the guilty one here."

"He's not?"

He chuckles again

"No. Actually, it's your father's fault."

Her eyes widen at that, and I believe I see them water up as well. I move to her to gather her in my arms.

"Don't worry, I promise you will see him soon."

I feel her nod against my chest.

"Please forgive me Isabella, I didn't want to-"

"No, no," she cuts him off, "there is nothing to forgive. It's just… everything is still so fresh, I feel like I'm dreaming. I can't believe I'm finally out. And please…call me Bella."

My father smiles kindly at her.

"Of course, I understand. Maybe I should let you get some rest, and we can talk more later. My wife would like very much to meet you as well."

Bella nods at him.

"Thank you."

He gives me a look meaning he wants to talk to me in private. I nod and turn to Bella.

"Hey, go and talk to Angela, I'll be right there, alright?" I tell her, holding her head in my hands.

She nods. I smile, kiss her forehead and push her towards her friend before walking to my father.

"How is she holding up?" he asks. I can see the doctor coming out.

"Amazingly well, honestly. But we'll be more sure tomorrow, once she will have gotten time to sleep on it and all. She's still quite in shock."

He nods.

"I understand."

We are silent for moment, observing the interaction between my Bella and Angela. Bella seems to be crying a little. I smile when I see Angela reach out to hug her. When they pull away, I see Angela say something, then point in my direction.

"Congratulations, son."

That stuns me.

"What? What for?"

"You saved her, Edward. Anyone else could have abandoned her. She must have been feeling like she had been abandoned while she was still a captive, sometimes."

"No dad, anyone else would have done the same thing."

"I don't think so, son. What made you think that there was something wrong with her, huh? Her eyes. Even in a slight inebriated state you noticed there was something wrong. Anyone else in your situation would have taken advantage of her like all of those pigs that frequent these bars on a regular basis and discard her. Why do you think she was captive for so long?"

"Well, I-" I'm speechless.

He laughs lightly, giving me a light slap on the shoulder.

"Good night Edward. I'll see you in the morning." He says, walking away.

"Hey dad?"

He turns back to me in response.

"How's mom?"

His face falls a little.

"She's stable right now, but if we don't find a donor soon, I fear she'll-" he stops there, unable to think of such consequences.

"Everything will work out dad."

He nods.

"Good night son."

"Night dad."

I watch him walk away and get into an elevator, most likely going up to his room, when I feel Bella's warm body against mine. I immediately hug her to me and kiss the top of her head.

"Everything alright?" I ask softly.

She nods.

"Good. Let's get to bed then. Let me just check with the agents if it's alright."

She nods and I make quick work of asking one of the agents in the conference room if we're allowed to leave. As soon as one nods his head, I run back to Bella and we head to the elevators.

"Where am I sleeping?" I hear Bella ask quietly as we are riding up to our floor. I may have forgotten to tell her the plan…

"Um, well… we'll be sharing a room with your father."

"We?" she asks hopefully, looking up at me

I nod. "Did you really think I would leave you alone after all of this?"

She bites on her lower lip, but I can see the hope in her eyes. I pull her to me, a hand on her cheek and the other at the small of her back.

"We're sharing a room with your father, love."

She frowns. Not really the reaction I was expecting. Honestly, I don't really know what I was expecting, but certainly not a frown.

"Is there something wrong?" I ask.

She bites on her lower lip before she answers.

"Well… my father actually lets us sleep together?"

I laugh and hug her. Of all the things she could have been worried about, she worries about her father's reaction.

"Bella, it was his idea."

And to say I was surprised when Chief Swan came to me with the idea is putting it mildly.

"His idea? How come he trusts you so much?"

I may be blushing a little at that. Good thing it's a bit dark in the room.

"Well… first, your father and my parents became close friends after you…um…disappeared. He needed support, and he found it with our family."

I pause, not sure how to say the next part.

"And second?" she prompts.

"And second… I'm not sure how to say this, so I will be completely blunt and honest, ok?" Better that than sugar coating everything, I guess. She nods. "Bella, I like you. I know it is way too soon, but some day, and hopefully not too far in the future," I wink at her, "I would like for you to be my girlfriend. If you would like that too, of course. And the reason why your father trusts me so much is because he knows of my feelings for you, and he knows I am being completely honest. If he hadn't trusted me, he wouldn't have let me go forward with tonight, I'm sure."

She is silent for a while, just looking at me, and that makes me a bit nervous.

"Will you explain how you did notice me when we were in high school?" She suddenly asks. That leaves me somewhat stunned.

"Of course. But not tonight, ok? Let's get you to bed."

She nods hesitantly.

"What is it?"

"I- I don't have anything. No clothes."

I chuckle.

"Don't worry, we thought of that. Alice took the liberty to get you some essentials for a few days."

I offer her my hand and when she grabs it, I guide her further into the room and to a bag sitting on the bed we would be sleeping in.

"In this bag you will find pjs, some clothes, and a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, razor… whatever you girls need."

I hear her sniffle and I frown.

"Bella?"

"This is all so surreal," she replies, looking up at me with tears in her eyes. "It's almost too good to be true. I'm scared Phil will appear out of nowhere and bring me back there."

"Oh, Bella," I say, pulling her to me, "I know. I promise you are safe now. I will not let anything happen to you, you have my word. Now, you grab this bag, you go into the bathroom and do… whatever you want to do, then you come back out and we go to bed, alright?"

Her lips lift lightly at the corner as she nods, grabbing the bag and heading to the bathroom. I smile and get prepared for bed myself, pulling on a t-shirt and pyjama bottoms before I pull back the sheets on the bed and sit down, my back to the headboard. I am usually one to sleep only in boxers, and on rare occasions naked, but I don't think it would go over so well with Bella for our "first night" together, let alone Chief Swan.

Bella comes out of the bathroom a little while later, her arms trying unsuccessfully to cover herself. Indeed, she is wearing a tank top and shorts set, made of purple silk.

"Is there something wrong?" I ask, slightly worried.

She doesn't answer; she just shrugs, looks down and tries to cover up some more. She looks uncomfortable, and I would bet a hundred bucks it's because of the pjs, courtesy of my sister. What did she think exactly when she bought this anyway? Of course she looks gorgeous, but now is not the time. With that thought, I went to my own bag to retrieve a sweatshirt.

"Here," I say as I walk to her and offer her the shirt.

"Thanks," she says quietly before taking the sweatshirt and putting it on. When she didn't move after putting on the shirt, I grabbed her hand.

"Come on," I say with a smile, pulling her to the bed.

She lies down under the covers, pulling the comforter up under her chin. She looks cute, I think when she looks up at me.

"Where are you going to sleep?" she asks quietly after a moment of silence.

"I was going to sleep on the couch, why?"

She bites on her lower lip before answering.

"Well, I… I was hoping that you would sleep, um…with me. I feel safe with you."

"You don't need to say more," I say as I cup her cheek with my hand.

She gives me a smile as I make my way around the bed and slip under the covers with her. When I am settled on my back, I don't know what to do with myself, since I don't know what's to do next. Does she want me to hold her? Am I here only to provide a presence in the bed? I don't need to wonder for a long time because after a moment of hesitation, Bella cuddles up to me, her head on my chest. I'm glad she is so comfortable with me after everything that happened to her.

"You go to sleep now, love, I'll be right her when you wake up." I say before I drop a kiss to the top of her head.

"Kay. Good night, Edward."

"Good night Bella."

It doesn't take long before I hear her breath even out. As for me, sleep doesn't come as quickly as I am still running on an adrenaline high.

And it's with my eyes wide open that Chief Swan finds me when he enters the room some time later.

"Hey Edward, can't sleep?" he whispers as he is removing his badge.

"Hello Chief, no. I'm still on an adrenaline rush, so I'm trying to relax."

"I can understand. I'm still on a rush myself. If Leah hadn't kicked me out, I would have spent the whole night on the investigation."

We chuckle lightly, trying not to wake Bella.

"How is she holding up?" he asks, nodding towards his daughter.

"Better than I thought, considering everything. I thought she would have closed off into herself or something, but instead we've been practically attached at the hip. I barely got her to talk to Angela in private earlier. But I'm glad she is seeking support instead of avoiding it. She might recover faster this way."

"Good," he nods, then proceeds to stare at me for a moment. "You love her, don't you?"

I nod hesitantly. He nods in return, not saying anything else for a while.

"Edward?" I hear Bella's voice say.

"Bella? Are you alright?" I ask, alarmed. She nods.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Your father. He just came in."

That wakes her up. She lifts herself up from my chest and quickly looks around. When her eyes fall on her father, she launches herself off our bed and into his arms. I can see the Chief is a bit awkward when Bella lands in his arms, but he quickly recovers and hugs her tight.

"You're alright Bells. Everything's fine." I hear him say.

After a while she pulls away and wipes at her tears.

"Thank you so much dad."

"You have nothing to thank me for. It's a natural thing for a father to help his daughter any way he can."

"But-"

"Bells, stop," he interrupts her. "But if you really want to thank someone, it should be Edward. He was the one to come to me after Angela recognized you on the picture."

She nods. "Are… are we safe now?"

"I'll give you all of the details in the morning, but I can promise you that you and Rosalie are both safe now."

"Okay."

"Okay. You go back to sleep now, and I'll talk to you in the morning."

She nods. "Good night dad."

"Good night Bells. I love you."

She hugs him quickly before she climbs back into bed with me.

Thoughts? Please review :o)