Author Notes: This chapter is by far my worst. I wanted to push past the whole Lauren thing for the moment and move on. Things are gonna speed up between Edward and Bella in the coming chapters. Anyways, enjoy this small chapter and hopefully the next one will be better, which it should.

Chapter Eighteen

"We, the Jury, find the defendant, Lauren Mallory, not guilty for the attempted murder of Isabella Whitlock-Cullen."

Bella collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Call for medics," The judge said.

"I'm a doctor." Carlisle told the judge and went over to his young daughter. He checked her pulse and other vitals and scooped her up. "She just fainted. She'll be fine" He carried Bella out with the rest of his family behind him. Carlisle sat down on a bench holding Bella as Edward knelt down in front of them. He ran a hand down Bella's face.

Bella let out a tiny sound as she stirred in her father's arms. Carlisle kept looking at her. Waiting for her to wake up. Her eyes fluttered open, but didn't say anything. Still her mind couldn't grasp the concept that Lauren practically got away with trying to kill her.

Her eyes closed again as her head laid on Carlisle's cool chest. She began to shiver. Carlisle stood up and walked out with his family to their cars. He gently laid Bella down in the backseat of his car and went to the trunk and got out a blanket and covered her up.

"I'll ride in the back with Bella." Edward said. He tossed his keys to Jasper to drive the Volvo home. He slid in and held Bella's head in his lap, smoothing out her hair. "She's in shock…"

"Yes, I think we're all in a bit of shock over the verdict." Carlisle murmured and drove off after Esme got in the passenger side. He reached over and took her hand.

Bella woke up snuggled safe in her bed. Edward was laying on top of the covers, his left arm behind his head and his right one over his stomach. His eyes closed. She watched him as he laid there silently, purring. She wondered if the purring was because of his preference for mountain lions and other cats.

She smiled, it was such a silly thought. She reached over and placed her head on his chest and listened to him breath. He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her arm. She looked up and saw his topaz eyes staring at her, he pulled her up a little and kissed her forehead.

"Time for my human to eat." Edward said. "Alice, bring up breakfast." A moment later Alice was in the room setting down a tray. It had bacon, French toast, and eggs, along with orange juice and a sliced up banana.

Bella's mouth watered and she devoured the food.

"Good girl." Edward said and pulled her down to snuggle with her after she was done. Bella went to close her eyes again, enjoying the contact with Edward when she remembered earlier.

"Lauren…"

"Will not hurt you."

"Promise?"

"I swear it. If she hurts you…"

"We'll kill her." Another voice came at the door. Emmett and Jasper stood at the door with Rosalie's arm around Emmett. Edward smiled at his siblings. Of course they'll kill her. And they probably would enjoy it too. No one messes with their family and gets away with it. No one.

"I feel safe." She said as she drifted back off for another small rest.

"And you should, love." Edward said kissing her forehead.

To Be Continued…

End notes: I'm still considering the death of Lauren… muwahahaha. Oh yeah, to make up for the shortness, the next chapter will be super long. I'm terribly sorry for the shortness. My sincerest apologies.