Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

WOW! I did NOT expect that much of a response! A HUGE HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to the 99 reviewers. TearsInTheDust, Twilight Tink, twilightlover1710, AndreaG55, capcalawrence, , Archerywoman, Night Orchid, mommytwilight, HMF, BonesnBooth4ever, elliemay101287, Lori Duchess, krazzy hopeless romantic, anu1989, tuckerjnp1, Flora73, dbmncgreen, a-pixie-with-attitude, acrimonious4vitality, Troyis, sober alcoholic, AngT, MidnightSun03, Vixenfae, ConfusionPixie, LVQueen1, Wicked Wordsmith, cademan24, Maggie79, kathryncompton, SoraChan01, zuni-yesi, hooker81, queenyus, tinker03, OnyxTwilight, runningYODA, Ballachicki, frankfart101, Tunz N Cruzn, izzycullen903, mummy b, girlfrakes, shorty84, livvi84, Cole, winternow, XedwardluverX, kgbaker, OliveTrusty, tidyKat, cullengirl08, devliza, Ori1, lilsstr, gmoney, TrinityIsis, freereader321, aeryn, TexasTwilight77, AlUvmusic, beans and cornbread, HyperBaseballGirl, tbonemom0512, Shadowdragon13, C4BrassKnuckles, booklover1493, MyCrazyTwistedMind, Vivian123, vampgirl138, jerseyhalliwell, MrsIzzyBlack, MiszSpunkRansom, klcivinski, electrickisses111, solarstar17, justm, happytwilightfan, Lizzie, vampiregurl, ..fia, dp123, sexyNaNa25, CA3, makki, A. Castro, mom2my3kids, CharmLightLove, chewycui, JacobImprintedMe, Twilight-ObsessedDiva, LeahTheWeary, Twifan, SuperSumer, taylach, klou2, imjessesgirl and Fatal. Attraction.

I'm really happy you enjoyed the last chapter, although my warnings may have put you off. This chapter is from BPOV and is quite like a filler. It has quite a bit of FLUFF in it for you edward and Bella fans. I REALLY hope you like it.


Forever Bound

Chapter Eighteen –On Fire

Bella was being entertained in her chamber by Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett. They were each telling one another embarrassing childhood stories about their family; Bella's cheeks were very flushed from the numerous tales Emmett had stored.

Rose had told Bella her story after Bella had demanded to hear it in full. They had cried together at the pain James had put them both through, but Rosalie had reassured her it would get better.

"It hurts to even think about it for a long time. You feel as if it is your entire fault; that you led him on in some way. But Bella, none of what happened is your fault. It was all James and the type of person he is. It took me a long time to realise the fact and even longer to trust again but look at me now. I have amazing friends and Emmett. I do not want you to go through the same thing I did. Try and let it go, do not blame yourself. I understand there will be times when it is hard to conquer the thoughts that tell you the exact opposite but you must, and if you need any support, you have all of us in this room and Edward; especially Edward."

Bella did not know how to respond, so simply clung tightly to Rose for a while. She held Bella tight and whispered her reassurances in Bella's ear. Once they had pulled apart, each person in the room had pulled Bella into a gentle hug and she had never felt more loved. She knew she would always have each one of them to rely on.

Esme had stayed with her for an hour before she realised she had something she must do and hurried home. Bella was sad to see her go, but the others had promised not to leave her until Edward returned home.

Edward. In the past day Bella had come to rely on him more than she ever thought she could. Although she was enjoying the time spent with her friends and family, she could not help but glance at the clock every five minutes to try and guess when Edward would return home.

"...and then he picked up the worm and put it—"

"I do not believe we need to hear the end of that story Alice," Edward interrupted her, walking into the room.

As soon Bella laid her gaze on him, a smile lit her face and it felt as if she was finally able to breathe again. It was only now she noticed that she had not been able to relax while Edward had been gone. She did not understand why. Edward smiled right back at her as he came to sit on her bed with the others.

"Spoil sport," Alice pouted at her cousin.

"No, I am simply maintaining my dignity." Edward retorted. Alice stuck her tongue out but Edward simply laughed.

They stayed together, simply chatting until gone three hours past midday. When Bella yawned discreetly, Edward ordered everyone to leave her chamber, claiming she needed to sleep. Bella had tried to protest but Edward had not allowed it and made sure everyone left the room quietly. Bella could not help but notice that Rose and Emmett left hand in hand.

Edward himself was about to leave when Bella stopped him. "Please stay. I cannot bear to be alone. Not now, please stay." She begged.

A look appeared in Edward's eyes, but as soon as Bella noticed it, it vanished. "Of course I will Bella, if that is what you wish." Bella nodded; her face rosy and her eyes downcast.

Edward smiled at her once more as he untucked his shirt, slipped off his shoes and slipped into the bed next to her. Bella had put on a nightgown before the others entered her room, and was therefore not embarrassed when Edward wrapped his hands around her stomach and laid his head on her shoulder as he closed his eyes.

Bella stared at him for a moment before she too gave into the peace that surrounded her and fell into a deep sleep.

---

When Bella finally awoke, Edward was not with her. She began to panic before she heard his voice across the room.

"Calm yourself Bella. It is not safe for our child if you cause yourself stress," Edward chided her lightly. Bella looked around the room for the source of his voice and saw him sitting in a chair by the window. His chin was resting on his hands and he was staring right at her. As she took in his appearance, she noticed his hair was extremely messy, his shirt still untucked and his eyes looking nervous.

"What time is it?" Bella questioned, wondering how long she had been asleep.

"Six hours past midday. You have been asleep for close to three hours," Edward informed her, although his voice held little emotion.

Bella began to worry as an odd sensation rose in her stomach at the look of her distressed husband. "Edward what is it?" she asked quietly.

Edward dropped his head into his hands and ran his fingers through his hair but did not answer. "Edward?" Bella asked once more, the worry becoming more prominent. Was he regretting rescuing her? Had she done something wrong?

As these thoughts flew around her head, Edward vacated his chair and walked over to the bed; sitting beside her once more and taking her hand in his.

"Bella, I have learnt something this afternoon. I want to tell you what it is but you must promise me to not get too upset. It will be hard for you to hear, no doubt, but you deserve to after all this time." Edward began slowly. Bella was nervous. Had he done something that was having repercussions now, when she needed him the most?

"Okay?" It came out as more of a question.

Edward looked her in the eye. "It is about your father." Bella was extremely confused already; what would Edward know about her father that she would not. "It is about the night he died." Oh. "I know you are aware that he died protecting a woman from being attacked. You are also aware that his killer has not been caught. However, I discovered today that the girl he saved from certain abuse was Rosalie." Bella gasped and covered her mouth as tears sprung to her eyes.

"R-rosalie? How do you know?" Bella chocked out.

"An acquaintance told me as I returned home from the police station." Bella was confused as to what a stranger was doing knowing their business but she let it slip; she had more important things to wrap her head around.

"How can they be sure?" Bella whispered, staring into her husband's eyes, trying to find the answers she so desperately needed. "How do they know it was father?"

Edward took a deep breath and moved his gazed from Bella's slightly, "They know it was your father because James told them it was."

"James told them?" Edward nodded, "Why would he tell someone he killed another man?" Bella was very confused and the sadness she felt struck her very cord. Although it had been four years since her father's death, Bella still found it hard to adjust to. She hated anyone mentioning his passing and tears always filled her eyes whenever it was brought up in conversation.

"He told them because he became aware that they knew my acquaintance and that I was married to you. He wanted to come back home to "even the score" as they put it."

Bella did not know how to react. She heard the doorbell ringing in the distance but neither she nor Edward made a move to discover who it was. "What do you mean?"

"Apparently James was angered that he was unable to return home and saw this as the perfect retaliation. I am so sorry Bella."

"Why? This was not your fault." Bella assured her tortured looking husband.

"Yes it was," he insisted, "If I had not left you alone he would not have had the chance to do what he did."

"But that does not mean it would erase the attack on Rose or the death of my father. Although the experience was terrible," that was putting it lightly but Bella did not want to worry Edward any further, "it appears it has caused the truth come out, finally after four years of not knowing."

Edward looked shocked at his wife's reaction to the news he had given her.

"I will never recover from the pain of my father's death, however I am certain that if he saw Emmett and Rose together now, he would repeat his action a hundred times over to stop her being attacked. That is just the kind of man my father was." Bella explained calmly to Edward, although silent tears were streaming down her face.

Edward pulled her into his chest once more and Bella relished in the feeling. It was exactly what she had needed, but did not know she required.

"I would like to hear about your father one day Bella; about your whole childhood. We hardly know a thing about one another." Edward spoke quietly into her hair, where he had buried his face.

"It is never too early to start. I want to know all about your past too, and since I am stuck in this bed for a week, there has never been a better chance to start."

Bella could feel Edward nod and smile into her hair. She was about to begin her tale when a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called and Angela poked her head around the door. When she saw the position they were in she blushed.

"I'm sorry to disturb you sir, Bella. It is just the police are downstairs and they require your assistance." Bella nodded and disentangled herself from Edward.

For some strange reason that Bella could not explain, it pleased her greatly when Edward grabbed her hand as he made his way off the bed. She smiled up at him and he smiled right back at her. She could read the meaning in his smile, he would be there to support her, no matter what was about to happen.

He squeezed her hand for a moment and they began to walk forwards, together.

-o-

By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, Bella's feet were no longer on the floor. Edward had deemed it too taxing for her to walk the short distance from the chamber to the living room and had lifted her into his arms, carrying her bridal style down the stairs much to her protest.

They reached the bottom of the stairs, both laughing; Bella had noticed it was the first time they had ever laughed together. However they were met by a sombre looking Carlisle. They instantly stopped laughing when they took in the look on his face and Edward slowly lowered Bella onto the floor.

"Father what is it?" Edward asked the question both of them wanted the answer for.

"The police are here to question you about last night's events. However, because they had only just picked James up, they have brought him here. They want you to identify him." Bella sank back into Edward's arms. She could not face that man again! Apparently Edward felt the same way.

"Father, they cannot be serious! Bella cannot see that monster again, she is meant to be resting and recuperating, this will completely destroy her!"

"I understand that Edward, I do. That is why I came out here to warn you. I know this will be extremely hard for you Bella, but if you want him put away then you are unfortunately going to have to identify him."

Bella nodded. She grabbed Edward's hand once more and began to make her way into the room. Edward stopped her just before she reached the door and pulled her close to him. "I'll be right here beside you." Bella nodded and took a deep breath before she opened the door.

She was not expecting to see the sight that greeted her.

James was battered and beaten, finding it hard to stand and had an extremely swollen face. He was hardly recognisable. He was chained to the policemen's wrists and his head hung low. He was not looking at anyone in the room; not Esme, Carlisle, Edward, Bella or the policemen who held him.

Bella heard Edward growl slightly from beside her. She quickly placed her hand on his chest and the rumbling ceased.

Bella looked at James once more and felt a twinge of pity for him. It evaporated as soon as she thought of all the terrible deeds he had committed and the feeling turned to anger. He had tried to rape her, he had tried to rape Rose, he had tried to kill her child and had managed to kill her father. She wanted to hit him so much he would feel it for the rest of his life. She managed to restrain herself; it would do no good to be arrested.

"Mrs Cullen, I am Inspector Samuel. I understand that this must be difficult for you and Lord Cullen has told us that you must be relaxed and stay in bed. I deeply apologise for the inconvenience and stress this may cause you, but we only need your assistance for a moment," the officer on James' left introduced himself. "If you could please confirm the events of last night that your husband informed us of earlier this morning and then verify that this is the man who attacked you."

Bella nodded. She walked closer to James, all the fear had left her. He could not harm her here, not with Edward beside her.

As Bella began to open her mouth to speak, Emmett's voice rang through the hallway. "Cullen, why is there are police carriage in the courtyard?" Edward looked towards his father who nodded and walked out into the hallway. There was silence but only for a moment.

Emmett came charging into the room and ran straight at James. Inspector Samuel and his partner had no time to react before Emmet was on him, punching him wherever he could reach.

"YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH! YOU MONSTER! You attacked my sister and the woman I love," Bella was shocked he had admitted this, "and you expect to get away with it! I am going to make sure you die for what you have done!" Emmett screamed at his before Carlisle came to his senses and began to pull Emmett off him. The police were trying to pull James away from Emmett's battering hands.

As soon as Carlisle had successfully pulled Emmett away from James, he passed him into Esme's arms, who began to hold him back. Even though she was only slight, she knew Emmett would not harm her to get to James.

"Mrs Cullen," Inspector Samuel panted, worn out from the energy it took to remove her brother from James, "is this the man who attacked you last night?"

At this point, James reared his head and smirked at her. Angered by his lack of remorse, Bella looked him straight in the eye as she answered.

"Yes, this is the man. This is the man who attacked me last night, who attacked Rosalie Hale and the man who murdered my father!"

Samuel began to open his mouth but his words were drowned out by the sound of Emmett's roars. He pushed Esme aside and ran at James again. Carlisle managed to grab him just before he reached James. He attempted to restrain him but Emmett was too strong.

"Edward help me!" he yelled to his son.

Edward quickly dropped Bella's hand and rushed to his father's aid. Between the two of them, they were just able to keep him away, but Emmett was not willing to give up. His arms were flailing about and he was screaming at James.

"YOU KILLED MY FATHER? YOU BASTARD! HE WAS A GOOD MAN! HE DESERVES TO BE HERE, IT IS YOU WHO SHOULD BE DEAD! LET ME GO!" Edward and Carlisle refused and tried to push him into the corner of the room.

"Thank you very much for your help Mrs. Cullen. He will be put on trial at the beginning of the New Year. I hope you have a happy Christmas." And with that, Inspector Samuel and his partner left the room in a hurry, dragging James with them.

Edward and Carlisle waited until they heard the front door shut before they released Emmett. He was raging like a bull. Edward hurried back over to Bella and took her back into his arms, whispering his praise in her ear, telling her how strong she was. Bella lifted her head to smile at her husband. He smile shyly back at her and, for a moment, it was if the whole world had disappeared; it was only Bella and Edward.

"Someone better tell me how they know James murdered my father!" And the moment was over.

-o-

Bella was lying on the settee, in a light slumber. Edward had demanded that Bella lay down and rest; today had been a strain on her in her fragile state. She was about to protest, explain to Edward that she was fine, but when she caught him glancing at her stomach she instantly changed her mind.

Edward had sat on the arm of the seat and began to tell the tale to Emmett. A few minutes into the revelation, Edward began to lightly run his fingers through Bella's hair. That was it; she was out like a light.

She began to wake when she felt arms underneath her body, as soft as feathers, picking her up. She briefly opened her eyes and saw Edward's face above hers. He had not noticed she was awake and so she quickly shut her eyes once more.

She felt him walk slowly up the stairs and open her door. She assumed it was to her chamber as a few seconds later she was placed on a mattress. As Edward began to undo the buttons of her dress, Bella began to worry but kept her eyes closed; she trusted him. Edward pulled the heavy dress off her body but left her petticoat. She felt the side of the duvet she was not laying on be pulled back before she was back in Edward's arms once more.

He placed her under the covers and pulled them tight up against her. Bella had no idea what was happening now. She heard rustling, followed by footsteps heading towards the door. She was about to open her eyes and beg Edward not to leave, she did not want to be left alone at night, when the other side of the bedcover was pulled back and she felt a body slide in next to her.

Bella was still feigning sleep when Edward pulled her into his arms. "Goodnight Bella," he whispered before he softly kissed her on the cheek.

Bella fell into a land of oblivion with a small smile on her face.

---

Did you like it?

So there will be NO update tomorrow but hopefully there will be one on Thursday, by the latest Friday.

Until next time. :)

PS. Do you want James to hang or rot in jail?

PPS. SHould B/E fall in love and tell one another before/ after the birth of the baby?