Hey guys, Oh my god! I feel so bad! I am so incredibly sorry! I just realized how stupidly short this chapter is! Please, please don't kill me! I just need to get what I have updated today since I promised an update today, but I will do everything I can to update again tomorrow since this chapter is soooo short. Again, really really sorry, this may be short, but it is important…

Chapter 22

Bella POV

I was conscious, but my body wasn't my own. I couldn't move or talk, but it felt as if I had been swung around and I heard everything Billy and Jacob said. What was going?! I slowly gained my right to talk and once I was settled on something soft I finally found the power to open my eyes. I opened them to find the Cullens all looking down at me.
"What are you?" The words slipped out of my mouth. It must have been bugging my subconscious, because it came out of my lips without a thought. They stared at me for a second before Edward shakily answered,
"Bella, what are you talking about?" He chuckled but it was forced. It was their reactions that got me interested and my eyes narrowed.
"Were Jacob and Billy here?" I asked innocently.
"No." Came Rose's assured voice.
"You see! You are lying! I heard them, and don't you dare say it was a dream!" I challenged and nobody denied my words. They just looked torn. I think I saw Edward's lips quiver followed by Carlisle giving a tiny nod, but I can't be sure…
"Bella," Carlisle began slowly. I immediately felt guilty; I shouldn't push them. They didn't push me.

"Its okay, just drop it." I sighed. Then I gulped, remembering something.
"What did Billy and Jacob want?" I may have heard their words, but they were mumbled and I was confused. I hadn't seen them in years! I know they witnessed a few of my beatings, but since, Charlie only went over there. They hesitated.
"I can handle it." Edward approached me cautiously and I nodded before he took my hand- it just seemed right.
"They wanted to bring you to Marc." I gasped and he eyed me cautiously. I grabbed onto the feel of his hand to keep me grounded in reality- if I had a panic attack every time he was mentioned, they would stop telling me the truth..

I took a deep breath and almost groaned at the sharp pain in my ribs,
"Sorry Carlisle, could I please have some pain killers? It almost feels as if I broke another rib!" I half-joked, it really did hurt! Carlisle's expression became one of pain but he replied,
"Of course, just wait here two seconds." He was back very quickly and inserted the medication in the IV. I felt myself become drowsy and I looked up to say goodnight and that was when I finally took in my surroundings.
"Am I in a new room?" I asked confused.
"Oh yes darling, we forgot to mention it, but there was some damage in your room due to a leak in the pipes." Esme answered awkwardly. I was not that naïve to think that something wasn't up, but I respected the Cullens.
"Ok" I sighed. "Goodnight"
"Goodnight" They chorused, their voices filled with love.

And so, I fell asleep. My hand still resting in the cold and comforting hand of one of my saviors.

Edward POV

"We need to tell her the truth." I said frustrated. Bella had been amazing once again, She had obviously realized that there was something different with us- that we were hiding something, but as soon as she saw us hesitate, she backed off.
"She is already very suspicious" conceded Jasper. Well of course she was.
"We will not endanger her to the Volturi." Rose hissed and Emmett snorted.
"Oh please! Let them come, I would like to see them try to harm Bellsy!" That had always been an issue, we had always been aware of he Volturi, even when we first found her. It didn't stop us then, I didn't see why it should stop us now.
"Alice darling, still no visions?" Esme asked gently, we all knew it was a sore spot for Alice.
"Argh! No! Nothing- blank!" Alice said frustrated. Jasper wrapped his arms around her figure.
"Its okay, don't worry about it." He reassured.
"I think we should tell her." Carlisle said quietly. Everybody automatically glanced at Bella's sleeping body. Her hand twitched softly in mine and I returned the gesture by squeezing her hand.
"Tomorrow." I said
"Tomorrow." Carlisle agreed.

We stayed in silence for a while, watching Bella sleep until she started talking.
"Edward," She mumble peacefully and a shock ran through my body. I had experience this current a lot lately around Bella, and I still wasn't sure why.

Are you blind? You have been feeling this for days and I promised myself you would discover this on your own, but it is getting ridiculous now. You love her. I don't mean brotherly love. You are in love with her.

Jasper's thought surprised me. Could I be in love with Bella? My heart ached and I realized that I was asking myself the wrong question. Should I be in love with Bella? Her heart beat picked up as she spoke faster.
"No no no no. Not him too. Not Edward. Enough!" Her hear beat kept increasing but my body only comprehended my new revelation.
"This is not good. Its way too high! Bella! Bella!" Carlisle's voice echoed in the background, but I didn't truly hear him.

I was in love with Bella.

I squeezed my angel's clammy hand.

And then the heart monitor went dead.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep…

Oh my god! Sorry again for the length =( I still hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Every author has their excuses for why they can't update or for why the chapters are short, and even though I do want to explain myself, I am not looking for sympathy or for you guys to think I am lying. My life is really busy right now, and I promise, I am doing my best.