A/N: Hey guys! I'm not even gonna apologize for the wait, you guys know I'm sorry. And hopefully this chapter will answer everyone's questions on whether Bella and Edward have feelings for each other.
Morgan thank you for everything, as always.
Also, one reviewer asked me a question about the last chapter. She asked if Emmett is a cop then why didn't he go arrest James at any point over the last six years? I honestly don't have an answer to that. It was an honest oversight and I didn't even think about it. So let's just pretend that for some reason he couldn't! Okay? Thanks! lol
BPOV
Dreams are funny things. I don't know how they are for you. But for me, they show me all the things I don't like to think about. Like James. After he knocked me unconscious it was like a replay of everything that had happened since we got back to Washington. We got off the plane and headed for a parking garage. James made me slink down behind a car while he broke into it and hotwired it. Then pretty much threw me into the front seat. When we were driving down that dirt road that led to wherever he took me, I tried to open the door and jump out. James caught me trying to open the door and backhanded me so hard that I slammed my head against the window. I'm pretty sure I got a concussion from that. Once we got to that shack he took me to, everything was a blur of slaps, punches, and kicks. He beat me up pretty bad. I think he broke a couple ribs. I'm positive my nose is broken from one of his punches. I've got some pretty nasty bruising from him, I can already tell without seeing it.
My dream, or nightmare really, started fading away slowly and my eyes slid open a crack to see Edward and Emmett standing a few feet away from me. They were facing each other and talking quietly. I could barely hear their words over the incessant beeping of some machine. I recognized that sound. Damn, that means I'm in the hospital. James is a son of a bitch.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Emmett's question interrupted my thoughts. My eyes focused back on Emmett and Edward, trying to hear Edward's answer.
"I mean, shit Em I don't know what I mean. It's Izzie. How can you even ask me something like that?"
What are they talking about?
"Eddie, it's a simple question. Do you love her? It's not multiple choice!" Emmett said, snickering.
Love me? Edward love me? I won't lie, I've thought about it. I mean, come on, we've shared everything for the last six years, including a bed. We've never talked about it, nothing's ever happened between us, but there was always something there. Even a damaged girl like me could tell. There were moments between us when we would be driving to a new town and I would scoot over and lay my head on his shoulder; or those days when neither of us had to work and we would spend all afternoon watching old Friends reruns, moments like those when no words needed to be spoken but we both knew what the words would have been.
I love you.
I think that's the first time I've ever really admitted that to myself. I love Edward. No, it's more than that.
"Emmet, it's not as easy as that," Edward replied, breaking me from my thoughts once again.
"Edward shut the fuck up! This is Bella we're talking about! The girl you gave up your entire life for just to keep her safe!"
That was true. Edward gave up everything for me. I didn't ask him to either. He did it voluntarily to save me. Before he could respond to Emmett the door opened. Charlie entered the room and just stood there for a moment. He looked at Emmett and nodded his head, holding his hand out. Emmett shook his hand with a nod of his own head. Charlie then looked at Edward. Neither of them said a word as Charlie threw his arms around Edward and pulled him into a hug. I choked back a sob watching my father hug the one person that meant the world to me, just like I asked. I couldn't hear it but Charlie started crying, his shoulders shaking slightly. Edward wrapped his arms around Charlie and let him cry for a second.
"Bella asked me in her letter to give you a hug for trying to keep her safe. Thank you Edward," Charlie said as he stepped away from Edward.
"Chief Swan, you don't have to thank me. I just did what was necessary. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if Izzie needed me to."
My heart fluttered a little at that. I tried to get their attention by saying hi but it came out sounding more like, "Huuu."
Edward and Charlie both turned and looked at me before rushing to the bed, Charlie on my left, Edward on my right.
"Bells? How you feelin honey?" Charlie asked, taking my hand. I shrugged my shoulders, and then winced at the sensation of extreme pain that ran down my arm.
"Sweetheart, don't try to move too much. You're pretty beat up. I'll go find Carlisle," Charlie said to me, rushing from the room. Edward looked at Emmett and nodded his head once before Emmett left as well.
"Izzie, you scared the shit out of me!" he chuckled, taking my hand in his.
"How long have I been here?" I muttered, fighting the urge to move. I knew how painful it would be.
"You've been unconscious for two days Iz," Edward whispered.
"TWO DAYS?" I shouted, "Ow, fuck that hurts!"
"Yeah James hurt you pretty bad. We got to you as fast as we could. We were almost too late."
"What happened?"
"Are you sure you wanna know everything?" Edward asked me gently. I realized it must have been pretty bad.
"I need to know Edward. I need to know what that bastard did to me. Please," I whispered, refusing to cry.
Edward went on to explain my injuries James inflicted upon me. I was right, he broke two left ribs. My nose was broken. I had two black eyes. My lip was busted. My shoulder was torn out of socket from James pulling me from the car. There was a stitched up gash on my stomach. Apparently, the son of a bitch escalated from beating the crap out of me to stabbing me in the gut. That was right before everyone got there to stop him. Thankfully, he didn't hit any organs. Edward said it was just a flesh wound and would heal just fine.
"I'm so sorry Iz. If I would have known James was there, I never would have left you alone in that cabin!" Edward apologized, lightly squeezing my hand.
"Edward, it's okay. I knew he would find us one day. What happened to him?"
"Charlie shot him."
"Charlie shot him?" I repeated, "Is he dead?"
"No, unfortunately not. We were walking up to that shack when I heard you scream. It was right before you passed out. Emmett told me and Jasper to go in after him but once I heard you scream I didn't give a damn about anything but you. Emmett and I were the first ones in the house and we both charged James. He hit Emmett and knocked him down. I was trying to fight him but Charlie beat me to it. Shot him in the knee. Emmett and Charlie arrested him. He was patched up at the hospital and transported to the prison as soon as we could get him out of here," Edward explained, "Izzie, he's never gonna be released. Charlie and Carlisle talked to the ADA already. She said his trial won't happen for at least six months, but he won't get out on bail before that. He was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and attempted murder. The ADA said she's gonna push for the maximum sentence, life in prison with no possibility of parole."
God, that was like music to my ears!
"Bella, it's so good to see you awake!" Carlisle cheered as he walked in the room with Charlie and Esme.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Okay. Physically, I hurt like hell. But Edward said all my injuries should heal okay."
"And mentally or emotionally? We have therapists on staff if you need to talk to someone about it."
I looked from him to Charlie, and then focused on Edward.
"Thank you, but I think I'll be okay. I just want to go home and be with Charlie for a few days."
"Completely understandable. You do have quite a few visitors in the waiting room Bella," Esme told me with a smile.
"I do?"
"Yep! Alice, Jasper, Rose, and Emmett have been here since you came in. Earlier today word got out and a few of your high school friends showed up. Jake, Jessica, Mike, and Angela are here."
"You want to see anyone?" Edward asked me gently.
"I guess so," I whispered, "Don't leave me, please."
I grasped his hand, not letting him move. I could feel Charlie's, Carlisle's, and Esme's eyes on us but didn't care.
"I'm never gonna leave you again Iz, don't worry," he whispered, kissing my forehead. Our parents left the room to go get a few visitors.
"Izzie, before anyone comes in, I need to tell you something."
"You can tell me anything Edward," I said quietly, not letting go of his hand.
"Okay, well, we've been on our own for six years now and we've been through a lot together. But I don't think I ever realized how much you meant to me until I thought I had lost you forever. When I woke up in that cabin and realized you were gone, I felt like my entire world was over. What I'm trying to say, Iz, is that I love you. I'm in love with you. I have been since we were seventeen. I just never figured it out until now."
I know I was thinking something along these lines earlier. But now, hearing him say them, I froze up. The last person that told me he loved me tried to kill me. I freaked out and just started at him. As we heard a knock on the door, he leaned down and kissed me hand.
"It's okay Izzie. You don't have to say anything now. I can wait forever if I have to," he mumbled as Jake, Jessica, Angela, and Mike walked in the room.
"Bella!" Angela gasped as she saw me, rushing forward to hug me.
"Ugh, Ang, get off!" I groaned in pain.
"I'm so sorry! Bella, we didn't even know you were still alive. Jessica's mom's sister is a nurse here and told everyone you were brought in. God Bella, we were horrible friends back then. We should have seen something!" Angela rambled on.
"Ang, slow down. Bella, I think what she's trying to say is we're sorry. We were all friends with you and friends with James. And as those friends, we should have known what was going on," Mike explained, true sincerity showing on his face.
"Thank you Mike. I appreciate you saying it now. But it wouldn't have made a difference. No one knew because I had to protect myself," I told them, earning strange looks, "I know that sounds odd.
"But if I had told anyone back then what James was doing, I wouldn't still be here. James would have killed me then. And he probably would have gotten away with it."
"I can't believe how strong you are Bella. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't understand how you can be so calm and collected after he damn near almost did kill you!" Jessica cried, sitting down in the empty visitors chair on the opposite side from Edward. I gave her a small smile and looked at Edward for strength, my main source of strength for the last six years.
"Jess, I'm not as strong as you think. On the inside, I'm freaking out. But you have to understand, Edward saved my life six years ago by leaving with me. I had six long years to come to terms with what James had done. And Edward saved my life again two days ago. I'm still trying to come to terms with what James tried to do then. But after living on the run for six years, struggling to be able to eat three meals a day, I'm just glad to be alive. And back home with Edward and my dad."
"No, you might say you're not strong, but you are. Stronger than anyone we've ever met," Jake said, speaking up for the first time. I knew he had to be feeling a good amount of guilt. He was James' best friend back in high school.
"Well, we should let you get some rest. You get better, you hear me?" Angela asked, patting my hand.
"Thanks for coming, it means a lot to her," Edward said to them as he walked them to the door.
"I know you're probably exhausted, but Alice and Rose really wanted to come say hi real quick."
"No, it's okay. I've been asleep for two days. I'm wide awake now. They can come in," I told him, struggling to find some of that strength Jake just talked about. I was telling the truth; on the inside I am coming apart at the seams. For six years I had lived in fear that one day James would find me and kill me. That day finally came. Except he was caught before he could kill me.
"You sure do know how to scare people!" Rose joked as her and Alice walked into my private room.
"Hi," I said meekly. Edward just sat by my side and held my hand, my pillar of strength.
"Told you you'd be back one day Bella!" Alice said in a sing song voice, pointing to her temple.
"You were right Alice. We're back," I mumbled, rolling my eyes.
"Well, I for one have to say I'm glad. Emmett will now get his best friend back and I will get to know you better!" Rose cheered, a thousand watt smile gracing her face.
"That sounds nice Rosalie," I replied.
"Bella, this might seem sudden and random, but I have to ask. Jasper and I are getting married next month here in Forks. Rose is my maid of honor and Emmett is his best man. I was wondering if you would be my second bridesmaid?" she asked, quickly adding, "Edward, Jasper expects you to be his second groomsmen so you need to go get fitted for a tux!"
"Alice!" Edward groaned, dropping his head to my bed, "I hate tuxes!"
"Too bad, you don't get a choice! But Bella, you do. If you think you would feel uncomfortable, I completely understand."
"Can I think about it?"
"Of course! Just let me know your decision two weeks before the wedding so if you say yes we can get you fitted for your bridesmaid dress!"
"That's fine," I said, trying to hide a yawn.
"Come on Al, let's let the girl get some rest," Rose said quietly, dragging Alice by the arm out of the room.
"Get well soon Bella!" Alice shouted as she left.
******************
Two Weeks Later:
I was released from the hospital a few days after everyone had come to see me. Charlie and Edward hadn't left my side. Carlisle and Esme checked on me frequently, especially since Carlisle was my doctor there. Alice and Jasper came by twice, bringing me gifts each time. The first time they showed up with just flowers. The second time Alice walked in with Jasper following her, arms loaded with shopping bags. She brought me comfy flannel pajamas, stating that the hospital gowns were hideous. She brought a ton of magazines, saying I needed something to entertain me.
She also brought me a hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, a razor, makeup, and an empty notebook with a pen attached to it. She said that every girl needed to eel refreshed, even if stuck in a hospital, hence all the toiletries. When I asked about the pen and notebook, she said I should just start writing and see what comes out. Something about it being therapeutic. I started writing that night. The notebook is already filled up. Edward asked Alice to go buy me a new one and she bought me five new notebooks, all in different sizes and colors.
Rosalie and Emmett stopped by one more time before I was released from the hospital. Emmett had to go back to work in Seattle so they couldn't stay long. Alice and Jasper decided to take an extended honeymoon and start it early. Meaning they were gonna stay in Forks until their wedding, and then go on their real honeymoon for two weeks after that. Apparently Jasper is some kind of computer IT guy and can do his work from anywhere.
When I was released from the hospital, Charlie drove me and Edward home. I was confused when he didn't turn down our street, but on a street four streets over.
"Charlie, where are we?" I asked as he pulled up to a small one story house on a cul-de-sac.
"We're home," he replied.
"Huh?"
"While you were in the hospital I had Esme help me sell the old house and buy this one. I thought it might be too difficult for you to go back to that house. So I bought this one. It's only two bedroom, but it's enough for me and you for as long as you wanna stay," he explained, carrying my bags inside for me. Edward and I followed him in. Looking around, I was shocked. He had even bought brand new furniture for the house. He walked down the hall and stopped at the first bedroom, setting my bags down inside the door.
"This is your room Bells. Everything is new and was picked out by Esme. I hope you like it," he said as he kissed my forehead and walked back to the living room. I walked in the room and was welcomed by all whit furniture. There was a new flat screen TV mounted on the wall above the dresser, across from the big king size bed with white sheets and a black down comforter. I looked to my left and saw a connected bathroom. Charlie gave me the master bedroom. I turned around and saw Edward watching me.
"It's nice isn't it?"
"You knew about this?" I asked, in shock still. He just nodded his head with a smile. I pushed him out of the way and made my way back to the living room slowly to give Charlie a hug and thank him. We sat on the couch for two hours after that, just hugging and crying together. Edward never entered the room, giving us our space.
Since that day, Edward hasn't left me, just like he promised.