A/n: Hello all my lovelies and welcome to all the new readers out there! I am ever so thankful for all the heartfelt reviews that I receive about this story.

As some of my regular readers know, I am never cookie-cutter in my writing. I push the envelope and strive to provide fresh, interesting and captivating new story ideas when I write. I know this has been a long, hard journey for our Batteredward...but, have faith that I will provide you the ending you all crave and request.

Now, let's check in with our boy...

PRM ch26

BPOV

It took three days for Edward to wake up, and when he was finally able to breathe on his own they took him off all the machines.

When his eyes first opened he was in a pure panic, then he started to try and speak as we all gathered around his bed.

His eyes took each one of us in before tears rolled down his cheeks. "Bella?" He asked as his eyes settled on me.

"Yes, Edward, I'm here. I told you I wouldn't leave you." I said as I wiped the matching tears off my face.

Esme reached over to wipe the tears from his eyes as he closed them. When they opened they were clear and bright, "What happened to me?"

"You don't remember, son?" Carlisle asked as he stepped forward for Edward to see him clearly.

We could see Edward how hard he thought about everything. He struggled to remember any important part and you could see the exact moment when he did because sheer panic took over his beautiful green orbs. "Tanya" he whispered before he attempted to sit up, thankfully he was weak and we were close enough to him that we could push him back down into the bed..

"You're safe, Edward. She can't hurt you here." I reassured him as his family began to talk all at once about how he was okay, no one could hurt him here.

"Can I...can I talk to Bella alone for a minute?" His voice was weak as he made his request.

"Certainly son, we'll be right outside." Esme said and led the others from the room.

Once the room was quiet and we were alone I moved closer to his bed and held his hand, "What is it, Edward?"

"What happened? Does she know?" He asked timidly.

"You had a brain injury, they had to repair it, your dad had to help with the surgery. We've had security outside your door around the clock, she tried to get in but was escorted out of the building." I said as I wiped another tear from his cheek.

"Thank you, Bella." He whispered as I leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Always, Edward." I replied.

"Your family is really anxious to see you, they've been so worried about you, baby." I said as he squeezed my hand.

I walked to the door and told them he was ready to see them as I stepped out of the room to give them a moment to reconnect.

Jake called and we set up a time to meet for breakfast the next morning to talk.

I waited a reasonable amount of time before I walked back into the room. Edward sat up in the bed as Esme fed him ice chips.

"Bella." He said softly, with a grin on his face.

"You smiled." I said with a gasp. "It was beautiful." I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I realized that it was the first actual smile I had ever seen on his precious face.

I walked towards him as I heard the others sniffle, as well. He reached a hand out for me and I laced my fingers into his. "You should definitely smile more often." I said with a chuckle.

"I'll try my best." His voice was dry and raspy.

"Jake will be here in the morning, he needs to talk to all of us to go over what's he's found out and to gather some more information from you." I said as I sat down in the chair beside the bed, suddenly my body felt the weight of the past week as it filled me with exhaustion.

"Bella, honey, you need to get some rest." Esme said as she came around to put her arm around my shoulders.

I relished in her affection as it had become more prevalent over the past few days, each of us needed the comfort of one another's touch at this point in time. I felt like I had genuinely become a member of their small, tight knit family and I had to admit it felt good. Now if I could just get Edward to feel a part of that tight knit family again, it would be another step to remove him from the clutches of Tanya. If I could show him what he had missed with her all of this time and how good he had it without her now. I prayed it would work. I'm sure his family had prayed that exact same prayer as well. We had bonded over the tragedy of Edward's life, he was the glue that held us all together and there is nothing that four of us wouldn't do to ensure that he survived.

"Bella, why don't you come home with us tonight? It makes sense to do that since we have the security detail there with us, that way we can all be protected at the same time." Alice asked as Carlisle started to check Edward's vitals.

"Oh, I don't know, Alice, I had planned to stay here tonight." I said as I locked eyes with Edward.

"Please, Bella, get some rest." He said, with concern in his voice.

"I'll be fine. I'll pull out the cot and sleep here, Edward." I said, determined to make him understand that I simply could not leave his side just yet.

"Well, if you want to stay, then the rest of us will go home, get a good night's rest now that Edward seems out of danger. We'll be back first thing in the morning to meet with Jake." Carlisle said as they all moved to stand.

They looked like little ducks in a row at the side of Edward's bed as they all took their turns. They leaned over him to whisper their goodbyes and give him hugs and kisses.

The love that passed between the four of them was something special to witness and it made my heart soar that Edward now had his family back.

They each came around and hugged me goodbye.

"Do you need me to bring you anything when we come back in the morning? You need some fresh clothes?" Alice asked as I nodded and hugged her harder.

"Sure, I think I've got a few things that will work for you." She gave me one last squeeze then they all waved one more time and left.

I got my bed, or really my cot, settled as the nurse came in to give Edward some medicine and adjusted his bed.

"Bella, you didn't have to stay but I'm so glad that you did." His voice said into the quiet of the room.

I turned to face him as I lay on the cot, "I wouldn't be anywhere else."

"You saved my life." He said as tears slipped down his cheeks.

I soon felt my own tears hit the pillow.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"Anything for you." I whispered back to him.

A/n: (wipes a few tears from my eyes)

Our boy is getting his life back...but there is still a long way for him to go before he and Bella can go anywhere together...I hope you all see that. BUT, the good news is, he's safe, he's recovering and he's making progress...

It will mostly likely be Wednesday or Thursday before I can update again. I don't have ch27 written yet so until that happens there will be a wait.

I go in the morning for my surgery so I'm hoping while I'm on bed rest Tuesday that I can get it written;)

See ya soon,

Kyla