A/N

So I'm at home and sick. It's a beautiful day out and I'm stuck in bed. On the plus side, you guys get another update :) This chapter is dedicated to pour etre je. You dedicated an entire story to me, this is the least I can do...and there will be more to come :)

Bella and I looked at each other with wide eyes, the same expression written on both our faces.

"Did...did you say James?" I asked her, I wanted to be sure she said it and not that Bella and I just thought she did. Victoria nodded and her head dropped.

"I fought with myself about this. I'm so afraid of what he will do when he finds out I'm taking him to court. This only happened two days ago." She admitted and I saw her eyes watering again. Bella, sitting in the booth next to Victoria, scooted over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"It's alright. We can get this settled. You moved didn't you?" Bella asked softly.

"I did."

"Does he know where you live?" I asked her.

"No. No one does. Not even my family from back home."

"Good. That will help keep you safe. Now, you said you told him no correct?" I wanted to get facts straight.

"Yes. When he started touching me I told him to stop, that I didn't want anything to do with him and I was leaving. He told me I didn't have a choice and that's when he tied me up. I kept yelling no, over and over. He eventually covered my mouth and once he was done with me...he left, leaving me tied up and having to struggle to get untied." The girl admitted.

I've only had one case like this before. It makes me sick knowing creeps like James run free. Cases like this are actually the reason I became a lawyer, I want to lock them up so they can't prey on other women.

After several notes and many conversations, Bella and I gathered what we needed to win the case. What happened earlier this morning with James and Bella would also help win the case.

Bella and I spent three hours in the restaurant with Victoria. Once she had left we spent another two hours figuring out how to present our case.

"Do you think we will win this?" Bella asked as I drove her to her apartment.

"I know we will." I stated with every ounce of confidence I had.

We arrived at her and Alice's apartment only minutes later. I shut off the car and opened Bella's door for her.

"Alice's car isn't here." Bella told me as we walked through the parking deck. "She didn't tell me she was going out tonight."

"It was probably a last minute deal." I assured her.

Bella stuck the key in the lock and opened the door. There on the living room coffee table sat a note.

"It's from Alice." Bella said as she handed me the note.

Bella,

Sorry I didn't call, I had a lot on my mind. I left my share of the payment for the apartment that's due this week on top of the fridge. I'll be home Monday, call if you need me, I'm at home with Emmett.

Love you,

Alice

"Who is Emmett?" I spoke loudly, she was in the kitchen.

"That's Alice's brother. They live back in Forks." She said from a different room.

"Oh. I never knew she had a brother."

"Yeah." She walked back into the living room. "Alice moved here with me when I moved but Emmett stayed. The three of us have always been really close." For some unsure reason jealousy flared. "He stayed because he was dating some girl, I never got to meet her because I moved shortly after their first date." The jealousy died instantly. "Have a seat." Bella told me as she walked into another room, she entered the living room again in shorts and a tank top with her hair in a ponytail. "Would you like anything to drink?" She asked me as she entered the kitchen again.

"No thank you." A question suddenly popped in my head. "So you're staying here alone?"

"I don't really want to." She came back into the room and sat across from me. "But I don't really have a choice." She said as she turned on the T.V.

"Sure you do. You can stay at my house until Alice gets back." She turned to look at me and a blush flushed her cheeks. "Only if you want to." I added.

"I don't want to inflict any problems on you." She told me as she turned back to the T.V.

"There wouldn't be any problems at all. Please?" I didn't really want Bella to be alone here for a week, the idea bothered me. She should have someone with her.

"Are you sure?" She asked as she met my gaze once again.

"Positive." I grabbed her hand and pulled her up to stand with me. "Why don't you go get a few of your things?" She nodded and pulled me with her into her room.

"Are you sure this won't be a problem?" She asked me again as she ducked into her closet, I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me.

"It's fine Bella." I assured her.

"Thank you." She walked to me and wrapped her small arms around my waist. "I really didn't want to be here alone. I hate staying by myself." I pulled her chin up so she was looking in my eyes.

"You will never have to again if you choose not to. You will always have a place to stay if you need one." I promised her. I bent my head down to press my lips to hers for a soft kiss. "Are you ready?" She nodded her head and I grabbed her hand while leading her out. Once out the door I grabbed her bag from her and carried it to the car while keeping my other arm around her.

We arrived back to my house and I settled Bella into the guest room. After an hour of her arranging things for that week I made us supper.

"I didn't know you could cook." I heard Bella say through her mouth full of food. I couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry." She said as her cheeks flushed.

"Don't be. My mom taught me when I was a child."

"Where is she now?"

"She still lives in Chicago." I told her.

"And your father?" She asked.

"Oh. Uh, he died a few years ago." Her cheeks flushed even brighter and I didn't realize she got up until she was kneeling in front of me with her arms wrapped around my waist awkwardly, the table was in the way.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything by it." Her voice was laced with sincerity.

"It's fine." I told her honestly as I pulled her off the floor. "It was years ago." I brushed my hand across her cheek and her head fell. "Bella it's fine. I promise. My father and I were never close and even though his death hurt, it didn't hurt as much as it could have." She nodded but I knew she still felt bad about what she said even though she had no reason to. She didn't know.

After supper was over she and I sat in the living room and talked more about random things. We talked about her family, life back home, my life back home, old friends, anything we could come up with.

I hadn't realized I fell asleep until the clock in the room struck twelve ringing it's normal chime. I looked through the dark room and saw Bella only inches away sleeping. A smile spread across my face as I watched her, she was beyond beautiful.

I sat up and pulled her gently into my arms. I carried her into the guest room and tucked her in her bed. I sat next to her for a moment watching her sleep peacefully. I knew in that moment that I wanted nothing more than to see this every day of my life. To wake up in the middle of the night and see this loving, selfless, amazing, and wonderful woman next to me. The feelings I have when I'm with her is something I never thought could exist. It's like something that was only real in stories, and if this is just a story, I hope there is never an ending.

A/N

It's a bit short, but you guys deserved an update, I've been getting wonderful reviews! Thank you so much to my beta, you are amazing! Love you guys, don't forget to review to let me know what you think :)