Hello, guys. I can't apologize enough for the too long of a wait you guys had. Emergency doctors appointments, down computers, familial problems, fucked up internet, and the list could go on. These past few months have been crazy for me and now that it's winding down to spring break and the end of the school year I'll be getting back on my feet. Well, not really since I can hardly walk for no more than a few minutes. Anyhoo, I'm ahead few chappies for this story so that's good. It's coming to an end sadly. *cries* A few chapies left. I apologize if the letter seems a bit cliche but that's how it came out.

As always, I give wonderful praise to my beta, BellaTonks. She rules! And I have to give a shout out to my best friend, Little Silver Rose. She's been with me through my bad times and good times, though minimal, these past months. I'd be lost without her. Much love to you, both.

Disclaimer: "Feels like it's been years since I've seen you guys. Give R4L some love. She deserves it after this long while. She owns nothing but the plot as far as I know so yeah. Well, I'll let you dearies git ta readin'. I have some cookies to nurse. Tootles!" S.M.

Chapter 24

BPOV

Everyone was gathered in the living room in front of the colossal Christmas tree. The floor was littered with wrapping paper and the air was filled with laughter and smiles and hugs and kisses.

Alice was perched on the floor in between Jasper's legs, squealing and gushing at the five hundred dollar Chanel bag she's wanted since the school year started and the necklace and bracelet to match. Jasper had 'For My Pixie. I Love You Forever,' engraved on both of them. Alice's screams were almost high enough to shatter windows.

Alice bought Jasper an American History book set. There were five books that were the size of encyclopedias. It had to cost as much as her bag did. Jasper's eyes lit up and a huge smile braved his face.

Rose and Jasper bought their mother a new computer, saying she needed to get rid of the dinosaur of an HP she had for almost ten years.

Rose got tickets to a car convention in February from Emmett. She got him a PS3 (which I thought he already had, but it was an XBOX 360) and a few games.

Carlisle and Esme bought tickets for a vacation on a cruise ship for everyone, including Claire, for when after the baby's born in June. The trip was supposed to last the whole summer. We all chipped in to get them a trip to Brazil. They had wanted to go there to get married, but they didn't have the money and then Esme got pregnant with Emmett.

Edward told me about that one night when I asked how their wedding was. I was insanely curious and it was a random thought in my head.

Edward knew how I was with gifts. Everyone knew really, and they respected my wishes. I couldn't receive much more from them after all they have done for me. But of course, Edward still got me something. He was always one to do so; he just loved to get me things.

So he pulled a small box from a corner under the tree. Carlisle, Esme, and Claire were in the kitchen fixing dinner. Em and Rose were in front of the TV checking out his new system. Alice was in the process of changing her things from one bag to another while Jasper was reading his books. No one was paying Edward and me any mind.

"I know how you are with presents and you know how I love to spoil you," Edward said.

He sat down next to me on the couch and held out the small white box with a white bow. I looked at him disapprovingly.

He smiled.

"I swear it didn't cost any more than a few dollars."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"Really!" He held his hands up in surrender. "Just open it, Bella."

I did.

"A key?"

I picked up the lone key nestled in the white filling.

"To the house," he said.

"What house?"

Please don't tell me he bought a house!

"This one. Everyone has a key to the house. Rosalie and Jasper do, even Claire, upon Esme's request. It's open if you need a place to stay or you want something in it or even if you just want to get away from it all."

I stared at the key. Now, I felt like crying. After almost six months with him and his family, I still couldn't believe how far I'd come. I hadn't had a nightmare in three months. I hadn't felt like curling up into a ball and dying. I hadn't felt like I needed to hide myself from anyone.

"Bella? Bella? What's wrong?" Edward's panicked voice sounded in my ears, but I didn't look at him.

It finally clicked in my head … I had a family, a real family, a family where we loved each other without restraint. We cared so much for each other, that we would give our lives to save each other. We'd do whatever we could to make each other happy and take away any pain. There was no room for pain, only happiness; no sadness, no sorrow, no grief, no anger, no resentment, no beating, no screaming, nothing.

Just blissful joy and it was all mine.

I hadn't realized tears were streaming down my face. I heard the panicked, worried voices of my family around me, but I could only register one.

Edward.

I grabbed his hands in mine and pulled him upstairs. He could've stopped me but he didn't. We made it to his room in seconds. I managed to only trip on my own feet twice and he caught me both times. That alone made the tears fall harder. I kicked the door closed and threw my arms around him.

"Bella, what's wrong?!"

Even though his voice was scared, panicked, and worried all wrapped into one it still sounded soft and silky.

I could feel his slightly fast heartbeat and his hard chest against my face. I could feel his arms tight around me, which was good considering my legs felt like they were about to give. I felt a sudden jolt and then I squeezed him tighter, scared he'd disappear and I'd wake up in my room back in Forks again with Charlie looming over me.

"D-don't go. P-please," I sobbed into his chest.

"Never. I'll never leave you. Only unless you wish me to," he whispered.

I shook my head.

"Please."

I felt myself being lifted. My hands gripped Edward's shirt so tight I think my knuckles turned white. Edward placed me on the bed and let my cry. He knew why I clung to him as if my life depended on it, which it probably did.

It wasn't the first time. It happened on Thanksgiving night, a couple of times in the middle of the night and every time I asked, no begged him not to leave me. He always said he never would and he never did. Every time though, it would catch him off guard and he'd ask if I was okay or what the problem was.

I knew I scared him half to death whenever it happened but I couldn't control it. Today was the first time it ever happened in front of everyone.

But I didn't care.

I just didn't want to be alone.

An arm squeezed my waist when my breathing paused and picked back up again. I heard something close--- a book? ---then another arm encircled my waist. Soft lips pressed against my forehead, my eyes, my cheek, my nose, and then my lips. They pressed softly at first and when I responded they were more eager. After a moment, I felt a rumble under me that said he was chuckling.

"Are you okay, love?"

I sighed and nodded against Edward's chest.

"I'm sorry." It took me a moment to realize my voice was just a whisper.

"Why?"

"I know I always scare you when this happens and sometimes I think you'll leave because I'll never get over all the things that happened to me."

I felt more than heard his chuckling as I was lying on his chest. I opened my eyes and picked my head up to look at him. His deliciously green eyes were gazing into mine.

"Silly, Bella. I'll never leave you. I even stayed the first time. The very first time in the beginning, when I didn't even know what was going on. I stayed even when my head was telling me to go and never come back. I can't leave you even if I wanted to."

His voice was firm, serious. His eyes were blazing.

"I know you won't leave me," I whispered.

Edward sighed. He kissed my forehead.

"Bella, tell me what's really wrong."

"All this happiness, all this joy, I've never had any of this before. I never want it to go away, but…I have this feeling…"

"Feeling?" He sat up some so his back was leaning more on the headboard of the bed. I was more or less lying on my stomach with my head still on his chest. His eyes were filled with concern and a slight hint of fear that he covered extremely well.

"I just feel like something's going to happen. Alice came to me a while ago and told me the same thing, but I didn't notice I had the same feeling until she brought it up. We don't like it. We talked to Carlisle and Williams…" I trailed off sheepishly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He didn't sound mad, which was a good thing.

"Because I knew you would worry and I just wanted this time to be happy."

Edward sighed. It was an exasperated sound.

"Bella, you have to tell me these things. I know you don't want to worry me, but I always do. I can't help it when it comes to you."

"I'm sorry."

He lifted my chin with his thumb and index fingers. His other hand brushed my hair from my face.

"Don't be. I understand. I don't like it but I understand. I'd probably do the same thing." He kissed my forehead and then my nose. "You do know that you can come to me, right? You can tell me anything."

"I know."

"This is why I feel so useless sometimes. No one tells me anything anymore. How can I help if I don't know anything?! It's so damn fru—"

I kissed him partly so he'd stop fussing like a baby and mostly because I just wanted to. One of his hands pressed against my lower back and the other gripped my waist. My arms snaked around his neck and pulled at his hair. Edward growled and pressed me closer to him, his mouth dominating my own. I pulled back laughing after a moment.

"You know what that does to me." Edward's voice was low and seductive. His breathing was slightly faster.

"Yes, I do know. I just wanted you to stop talking."

"That's mean." His green eyes danced.

I pulled his hair again. He growled and attacked my lips.

A knock was heard at the door.

"Edward, Bella, dinner is ready." Claire's voice wafted through the door.

Edward's lips didn't let up, though. I laughed and managed to pull my lips and body from him and hop off the bed.

"Before you ravish me, let's eat."

Renee POV

Dear Bella,

I've been keeping things from you for a while, now. Well, maybe just one thing, really. I don't know if this is as big a deal to you as it is to me, but I couldn't hold it in anymore. I tried to keep it a secret as long as possible. I didn't want to involve you any more than you already are. It's hurt me more to see you hurt than anything Charlie's ever done. I know you know that but I can't say that enough.

Charlie has been slightly more ruthless since you left and I'm pretty sure I know why. He has to know about mom's will. I've tried a hundred ways and more to keep him from finding out about your grandmother's will, but he did anyways and I have no idea how.

I know you worry about me constantly as do I, but you need to know that you don't have to anymore. I have someone to look after me. His name is Phil. He is a police officer. You might remember him from a party the station had one time when Charlie won an award a few years ago. Phil's been helping me. Of course he knows everything and I was scared to tell him at first, but he didn't really think much of it. He wanted to kill Charlie for hurting me, us, but I held him back, not wanting him to get into trouble. I knew he already is in trouble because he's associating with me and Charlie hates that, but he doesn't know or at least I don't think he does.

Phil's going to take me away, Bella. He loves me and I know he won't turn out like Charlie after a few years. I know it. I love him with every fiber of my being next you. I hate going back to that house so Charlie can beat me over every little thing. Phil will save me. He's going to take me far away from Forks, somewhere where Charlie will never find us. I'm not sure when he'll take me but it's soon. I'll contact you when I can. Just know that I love you and I hope we'll see each other again soon. Stay safe, Isabella.

All my love,

Your mother

I folded the letter and put in an envelope with Bella's name on it. I hid it in the floorboard under the bed. I'd mail it when I got up tomorrow.

I felt I needed to tell her how I was doing. Phil said that we were leaving soon so I thought it'd be appropriate to tell her how I was and what was going on. I didn't want to involve her anymore, but she already was involved so there was nothing I could do.

I sighed and got ready for bed. Charlie would be home late, so I used that extra time to write her. I was glad for it. I needed it. I went to bed hoping that I wouldn't receive a beating tomorrow as I'd just gotten one today.

I knew if I didn't get out now, he'd kill me soon…

"When, Phil? I don't know how much more I can take! It's getting worse." Tears rolled down my cheeks. Phil wrapped his arms around me.

I managed to lie to Charlie and got out of the house. I told him I got called into the hospital and that it was an emergency. Well, it wasn't really a lie. I did get called in but it was not an emergency, just a shift cover. I barely managed to get away from him as he started hitting me the moment I came downstairs this morning.

He was yelling about a dirty house, telling me that I was worthless and disposable. I thought he was going to kill me…

I mailed the letter on the way to the hospital, glad that Charlie didn't find it when I went to get it in the morning.

I called Phil the moment I was done at the hospital and thankfully he was off duty as it was a Saturday. He almost never worked on Saturdays. He came and got me and took me to his house where I immediately collapsed and started crying.

He helped fix me up because I still had bruises that were sore. I did the best I could in the short amount of time I had, but I couldn't get the ones on my back and they'd been killing me all afternoon.

"I'm still trying to get everything in order." Phil's voice was soothing. One of his hands massaged my sore back the way he always did when he was trying to calm me down.

"I-I …I don't know how much—" Phil's lips covered mine, stopping the words that were about to come out. When he pulled away we were both breathless.

"Call him. Tell him you have a full day and night. Do whatever. You are staying with me tonight." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. I stared into his blue eyes.

"Please."

"What if he stops by? What if he calls and—" He kissed me again.

Damn his lips!

"Your car is there. He'll see it if he drives by. He hates hospitals, so we know he won't go in. And if he calls, Danny will cover for you. He hates Charlie almost as much as I do." I didn't know that Danny hated Charlie. He never told me that. I wanted to ask Phil why, but I didn't want to talk about Charlie right now.

Everything he said was true. Everything he said always worked.

"Please, Renee. I can't let you go back. Not now. Not today."

I hated it when he pleaded with me. It always made me turn to mush.

I kissed him and grabbed his house phone from the table in front of us. I told Charlie I wouldn't be home till two in the afternoon the next day and then called Danny to make sure he knew the story so he could cover for me if Charlie called.

"I owe you one, Danny."

"It's no problem, Renee. Have fun." He laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

"Thank you."

I hung up.

Phil ordered pizza and went out to buy some movies we could watch. He wanted me to relax and take it easy, well, as easy as anyone in my situation could.

While he was out I wandered around his house. I'd only ever seen the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. I walked down a short hall and found his bedroom. The bed was covered with two white pillows and the comforter was black. The walls were a jade greenish color with a picture of what I guess was the Port Angeles beach hanging to the right of the bed.

A window was across from it. A TV and DVD player was against the wall in front of the bed. On either side of the bed were nightstands. There was a lamp on both, but one held an alarm clock and a silver lined picture frame.

I sat on the edge of his bed and picked it up. It was a picture of us together. We had taken it in Seattle. Phil had taken me to a basketball game and there was a man taking pictures. His arm was thrown over my shoulders while mine was around his waist.

We looked so happy. I hadn't been that happy in years. I ran my fingers over the picture and sighed. Something wet hit the picture frame. Only then I realized I was crying. I wanted so desperately to get out, to go away and never, ever come back. I wanted a new life. I turned my body to lie down and cried until I fell asleep.

My head seemed to pound when I woke. I pressed a hand against my temple to soothe it but it didn't do much good. I lifted my other hand, not realizing I was still holding the picture frame, to press it to my other temple, but ended up hitting myself in the head. I groaned and heard a chuckle from behind me.

"Are you okay?" Phil asked.

"You let me hit myself with a picture frame!" I whirled, making the pounding in my head worse.

He chuckled again.

"I'm sorry."

He grabbed my shoulders and kissed my forehead.

"Come on. I've got some medicine and some food in the kitchen." He grabbed my hand but stopped when I didn't stand up. It took me a moment to notice I hadn't opened my eyes. Phil lifted my chin with a finger.

"Renee? Look at me."

I did.

"Why are you crying?" He asked. His voice immediately filled with concern and worry.

I glanced at the picture of us on the bed. The thoughts and memories came rushing back.

"I want to leave, Phil. I need to! He'll kill me! I know it!" I sobbed.

"Not if I have anything to do with it, Renee. I promise you! I'll kill him."

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest. I gripped his shirt as he rubbed my back. He let me cry and when I stopped a while later he lifted my head to look in my eyes. My eyes met his and I could see the promise he made and so much more. He kissed me. It was sweet, loving, reassuring and oh so promising.

"Let's get you cleaned up." He whispered when he pulled away.

I nodded.

I knew he'd get me out. I could practically feel it. Phil never broke a promise he made to me. And he's made many. This was one promise I hoped, no knew that he would keep. No matter what he had to do to keep it, he'd keep it.

Like mother like daughter, eh? Was it good. I tried to make them as similar as possible, you know, to show how soft they were even after all the crap they went through. Tell me what you think!

If anyone's read Stephenie Meyer's The Host then read the oneshot I have coming out sometime this week starring Wanda and Ian. I hope you like it. I promise the next chappie will be out sometime next week. It's already written and typed, just waiting for my beta. The next few chappies after that are in the works so have no fear! Lol.

The collabo I said Little Silver Rose and I were working on will be posted next month. The date isn't set yet but I'll be sure to keep you all updated. Now I realize this is a ridiculously long A/N so I'll shut up now and see you next week!

R4L, peace!