A/N: Big puffy hearts to you all!

Bella woke slowly, a little befuddled.

The walls were too plain, her bed too uncomfortably flat, and there was a strange light to the room and noise outside her door.

She tried to raise her hand to wipe her tired eyes but found it weighed down.

Edward was slumped in a chair next to her bed, his head crooked at an uncomfortable looking angle."

The previous evening rushed back to her.

Part of it she'd hoped was a nightmare she'd wake up from.

James. Just thinking his name made her shiver and sparked paranoia in her blood. She squeezed Edward's hand though he was still asleep and felt slightly comforted, though her eyes skirted the room, looking for anything out of place, looking for shadows where James or worse, Alec, could pop out of.

Bella breathed deep, placing her free hand over her belly, reminding herself that her daughter was safe, she was safe.

For now.

Before she could fall back into a panic she looked at Edward, remembering the rest of the evening. Anxiety gave way to a much better feeling, and warmth flooded the places inside her that had begun to get ice cold.

She was a married woman.

Well, in the way that counted now.

Bella's breath caught in her throat.

Holy hell. She was married. Legitimately and truly, as long as we both shall live married.

It wasn't as frightening as she'd imagined. Quite the opposite. When she thought of the rest her life with Edward by her side, raising her daughter - their daughter - together, she felt only happiness, an eagerness, really, to find out what their life would be like.

On the one hand was a sense of relief so staggering, she was dizzy with it.

Not so many months ago, though the over abundant kindness of a then stranger had given her safe haven, she'd spent that first week she was with him trying to come to terms with the rest of her life. It was so much to consider, her entire life to rebuild. Everything was so much more important because she had someone else's life to consider.

It was too much. She'd been trying to come to terms with how unrecognizable her life was. First she knew she had to start looking for a job, and that had taken much time and effort. Then she'd slowly started to acclimate to the idea she was pregnant. With Edward's help, she'd at least grasped the wonder of pregnancy, of creating life, even when she felt oddly disjointed from that life.

Then, of course, the twist - the wonderful twist - of trying to figure out how she might fit in Edward's personal life.

But now, it was a whole new world. For the first time in a long time, when she considered the future, she felt like she could breathe again. For too long, it had been as if her lungs forgot to work.

She and Edward could build a new life together.

On the other hand, that concept too had her overwhelmed in an entirely different way. It wasn't a crushing feeling, as she'd felt when she'd been faced with rebuilding her life from nothing. It was just... a lot.

First love was more powerful than she could have imagined, and how she could be so utterly sure about her commitment to him, she didn't quite understand. But she couldn't imagine her life without him anymore. She was sure she didn't want to.

A little moan drew her out of her thoughts. Bella felt a slow smile spread as she watched him blink awake, his green eyes still sleepy and his lips perfectly pouted. His fingers twitched around her hand.

He was beautiful, this man, inside and out. Beautiful and hers.

Her husband.

When she squeezed his fingers, he turned toward her and winced. "Ah!"

Bella clucked her tongue, releasing his hand so she could rub the back of his neck. "I told you to go home," she admonished gently.

"Mmm," he hummed, the sound gravely. His lips turned up at the corners, his eyes lazy and tender as they roamed her face. "Waking up beside you is always preferable, even if it comes with a crick in the neck."

"Only you, Edward," she said ruefully, her cheeks warming and a giddy emotion rising in her. "Only you can make waking up in a hospital room romantic."

Sitting up, he winked at her. "Well, I suppose there are worse talents to have," he murmured, taking her face in his hands. He kissed her with the lightest of pressure, a kiss both sweet and adoring. He pulled back, and just as suddenly, the adoration in his eyes was marred by something else - trepidation? Anger? It was hard to tell. His gentle fingers traced her jaw, along her cheeks with a feather touch. His breath shuddered a little, and his second kiss was a little harder.

He rested his forehead against hers, and when Bella opened her eyes, she was surprised to see his face was pinched. "What's wrong?" she asked, dreading the answer a little.

"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just..." He sighed and raised his head, his smile a little tight as he looked at her. "Your face is a little bruised from where..." He shook his head, obviously trying to temper his fury. "I was so scared when I couldn't find you last night. I'm very, very glad you're here in front of me."

Bella felt a prick of fear run down her spine, but she quickly pushed it away, not willing to let it overtake the bliss. Not yet. After all, though they'd been married on paper for months, the day before would always mark the beginning of their marriage. Maybe spending her wedding night in a hospital bed wasn't ideal, but she still reserved the right not to let the real world in quite so quickly.

"I thought for a second you were regretting what you agreed to last night," she said lightly, mostly teasing.

His smile was easier at that. "Not at all, Mrs. Cullen."

It seemed like he would burst with satisfaction at those words.

"And you?" He stroked the back of his knuckles down her cheek, against her neck. "Regrets?"

Putting her hand over his, she brought his fingers up so she could kiss his fingertips. "No regrets."

~0~

The hospital released Bella early, and they drove home holding hands over the shifter. He parked in the driveway, and with a wide grin, swept her up into his arms to carry her over the threshold. She blushed and giggled at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're helpless, aren't you?" she asked, kissing the underside of his chin.

"Entirely," he agreed.

Inside, he settled her on the couch, wrapping his arm around her. He put his free hand over her belly as he kissed her. "I love you both," he promised in a whisper against her ear.

Bella snuggled against his side.

They sat together for what could have been hours for all Edward knew. He was content to hold her, kiss her, knowing she was finally his as he was hers.

He found he could make love to her as easily with just their lips and simple touches as he could with the rest of his body.

She grumbled when she had to interrupt their prurient kisses to go to the restroom. Edward took the time to get his thoughts in order. There was nothing he wanted more than to stay wrapped in her arms, her lips on his, all day long, but there was too much to talk about now.

Everything was different, for more reason than one.

It killed him a little when she came back to the living room and her smile fell. He'd moved to the recliner, and she must have realized there was a change in the charge of the air. He opened his arms for her, and she came, looking a little apprehensive. She let him pull her onto his lap. As he reclined, Edward wrapped his arms around her, wishing he could protect her as easily as he could hold her.

"There are things we have to talk about," he said gently, his lips pressed to the side of her cheek.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I know."

Again, he tightened his grip on her, hoping she felt safe. "I think I understand why you didn't want to tell the police the whole truth about James," he began. He waited a few beats when her body went rigid, but she seemed calm. "But it's not too late to tell them. They'd understand. Anyone would be panicky under those circumstances."

She swallowed thickly. "I know it must seem so stupid." Her voice was shaky and thin. She didn't look at him as she spoke. "My father told me once that no system was without flaws. He tried to protect people, but sometimes, the letter of the law only made things worse for the innocent. Laws are black and white, but life is a gray area. Even when you have the best intentions, things aren't always clear."

She looked up then, her eyes pleading for his understanding. "If I tell them the truth, they would have to investigate. All that would happen is that Alec would tell them James acted on his own. They'll believe him. I know Alec. He's not stupid enough to have left any evidence."

"And without evidence, the police can't touch him," Edward finished.

Bella nodded. She closed her eyes, breathing in through her nose, trying to keep calm. "He's going to find out I'm pregnant. I know that. If the police get involved, there's every chance that I'll have to see Alec."

"He'd have to see you."

"Yes. And if he figures out the timeline of my pregnancy, he'll know." Her voice shook and her body trembled. She shook her head. "If he asks a judge for a paternity test, he'll get it. I have no leg to stand on. On paper, he looks like an upstanding citizen, and what do I look like? I seem erratic. I ran away from home, for fucks sake. And if I tell the police who sent James..."

"You could look like you're making false accusations," Edward finished. "You'd be creating a paper trail for your own behavior, not Alec's."

Bella nodded, looking helpless. "I'm playing the odds. I know that. They could still catch James, even on what little we gave them, and then what? Maybe he'll tell them the truth, try to pin it on Alec himself, or maybe he'll do what he did when he was arrested the first time and claim his right to remain silent. I just..." She cupped her little bump, closing her eyes again. "I need to give her every chance."

Edward was quiet, pressing small kisses against her hairline to calm her. It was impossible to tell what outcome was better. He supposed it was no different than what she'd done - what he'd helped her do - from the get go. They'd married and she began to piece together a new life, all the while just hoping Alec would leave them alone.

"Okay," he said quietly. "But we know now he hasn't forgotten about you. We need to be more careful, so much more careful, until I... we can figure out a more definite solution."

Relief was evident on her face. She took a deep breath, nodding her agreement. "What were you thinking?"

"Well," he said slowly. With a small sigh he traced the outline of her lips. "I know how much your job means to you, but things are different now, right? Let me take care of you," he entreated. "I can support you."

"I don't want you to have to support me," she said with a sigh. "My supervisor said she would switch my schedules when I went back to work. No night shifts."

"I'm not suggesting that you be a housewife. I know that's not what you want." He moved his hands down over hers, over their daughter. "I honestly think it's safer for you not to work right now. Take time to get ready for the baby, and after she's born, you can go to school for what you really want to do, get set up in a career where you'll be happy."

"Edward," Bella hedged, but he silenced her, his finger to her lips.

He smiled easily. "A lot of couples do this, Bella. One of them works while the other goes to school."

She glared at him. "I wasn't working while you were in school."

"You most certainly were," he smirked. "You were working very hard at growing up." He stroked her cheek adoringly.

She blushed and rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "You really think it's safer?"

"Well, yes. Technically, having no routine is better than having a routine, even if it's that you routinely show up to your job. If Alec or James come back, it's harder for them to follow through on any kind of plan if they don't know where you'll be."

She was still and silent for long moments, and he took the time to stroke his fingers through her hair, silently communicating that he was here, and they would never touch her again as long as he had breath in his body.

"Okay," she said finally. "You're right. It's safer. I hate not pulling my weight but... for Bean."

Edward grimaced. "Let's table the not pulling your weight topic for just a moment, because I have something else to say, and you're going to like it even less."

Bella pulled back, her expression guarded.

"I want to hire a bodyguard. Hear me out," he said quickly, before she could protest. "It would actually allow you quite a bit of freedom so you can be out and about without worrying. They're not as obtrusive as you might imagine. Felix had to hire one once." His lips twisted in displeasure. "His third wife had an ex who, er... could not be persuaded to move on."

Bella shivered. "What happened?"

"Well... he ended up killing himself in front of her," Edward admitted softly.

"That's horrible." She ducked her head against his neck.

It was, but for the space of a breath, Edward had the uncharitable thought that it would be a blessing for Alec to take care of the problem he presented on his own. Instantly, Edward felt bad for thinking it. If nothing else, he would never want to put Bella through the trauma of seeing something like that.

"You're still crazy," Bella muttered, her breath warm against his neck. "It's too much."

"I'm not talking about anything from a Kevin Costner movie. My main concern is the new house, since the security isn't likely to be as good as it is here. They would be responsible for making sure no one suspicious is parked outside, and they would inspect the house every other week or so." He smiled. "Think about it, Bella. You've been so cooped up here unless you go out with Alice or me. You'd have a lot more flexibility to go out on your own without being scared.

"And it's temporary." With two fingers under her chin, he tilted her head up. "I will make you safe again."

Taking his hand, Bella squeezed his fingers. "Okay, fine. For the baby, I will agree to this, but I won't be very happy about it. And only until she's born. Then..." She blew out a long breath. "I don't know. I'll learn how to be a ninja warrior or something."

"Good. Thank you." He kissed her soundly, letting some of his tension out, relieved. That had gone better than he'd expected, but then again, he knew she was she had to be still running scared after James's attack the day before. Still, if it meant she'd be safer, he would take her compromise where he could get it.

"Now," he murmured, kissing her chin, her cheeks. "Let us return to the tabled topic." His kisses lingered, and he didn't stop until her breath was a wispy, shuddery thing and her hands clenched and unclenched in fists in his shirt. "Why do you think you're not pulling your weight?"

"That," she muttered breathlessly, "is a very silly question."

"You don't honestly think that a relationship, a marriage is about how much money one of us brings to the table?" He kissed her again before she could answer. "If I thought it would convince you that, if anything, I'm the lucky one, I would give up every penny I had, quit my job, and live happily in a cardboard box."

She laughed, her lips on his. "You're ridiculous."

"No more than you, love," he teased.

Catching her face in his hands, he looked at her with complete sincerity. "Husbands and wives... they should be partners. That is, arguably, more important than anything else, than everything else. We're good partners. I may not need protection, but you fill the spaces in my life where I had no idea how much I was lacking." He kissed her again, tiny kisses. "You make me stronger because you are."

With a little moan, Bella wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. For long minutes, they kissed. She was small and hot on his lap, her fingers threading up into his hair. He traced the lines of her body with easy, firm caresses.

When they had to breathe, he rested his cheek against hers. "I don't want to hear you say it again, that we're unequal, that you don't give me enough." His words were a rumbled command, his tone indicating he would not be argued with on this topic.

"You're so demanding," she panted.

"Mmm," he rumbled, kissing her again. "You give me everything, my beautiful wife."

Technically, he was a newlywed. He was allowed to indulge in a little nonsense.

Though it wasn't a silly thing to him, to make sure his wife knew how much she was loved, cherished, adored. It was one of his duties, as far as he was concerned. He'd always taken his duties seriously.

Because the recliner did not have enough room for his taste, he stood, carefully setting her on her feet. "Come on," he said softly, taking her hand. "Let's go lay down for a little while."

She let him lead her upstairs and laughed lightly when they got to the door.

"What is it?" The sound of her laughter made him smile, but then, everything about her made him smile today.

Her look was coy, so fresh and innocent. "Our room," she said quietly, gesturing at the door.

At that, Edward's smile nearly cracked his face.

He'd been returning to his room for all of his 32 years. Even in college, his grandfather had sprung for an apartment rather than let him have a roommate.

Edward wondered if Bella realized there was a correlation. As his wife, she would share his room, his house, his life. Everything he had was no longer his, it was theirs. To him, she should be as comfortable sharing his money as she was sharing his bed.

But, as stubborn as she was, Edward decided he would just be glad she had no qualms making his room their room. And soon, they would have a home that they would choose together.

Overcome again by an exuberant emotion, a natural high, he swept her into his arms for the second time that morning. She let out a little squeal, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "Edward!" she protested. Getting her bearings, she gave him an indulgent look. "You already did this part."

"I'm just trying to be thorough."

"Ah, I see." She kissed cheek and then pecked his lips. "Well, I suppose I married you, obsessive compulsive quirks and all."

"Yes," he agreed, laying her gently at the center of his bed.

Their bed.

He laid alongside her, kissing a line up her neck to her lips. His touches were intimate, communicating how much he treasured and revered her, but ultimately innocent. Edward was content; there were many ways he could express his love.

He told her he loved her with every kiss, with every brush of his hand along her body.

He let his hand linger over her little bump, his fingers splayed against her warm skin beneath her shirt. Her baby.

Their daughter.

These were the moments when he truly found the divine. Last night, he could have lost everything. Bella might have slipped through his fingers. She might never have known that he loved her, that the vows he'd signed on paper were true in his heart. She might never have truly been his wife. Bean might have only ever been her baby, not their daughter.

Would she ever understand what a profound gift she'd given him?

It didn't matter, he realized as he laid his head against her breast, listening to the strong thrum of her heart.

Now, he had the time to show her every day as long as they both should live.

A/N: Jaysus. Schmoopy mc schmoop schmoop. Back to the drama next chap yes? Thanks to Ginny, Jfka06, shug, and Barburella. You guys put up with so much and you make me laugh.

Few things

1) I am participating in a pledge-a-thon. For $5 you can receive a private outtake from me. I'll also be doing a live chat/interview on June 30. It's for a great cause and I'm quite proud to be a part of it. Find out more here: bit . ly/ptblkris

Note, I don't know what I'm doing the outtake for yet so if you have an idea, let me know. For any of my fics.

2) I am also participating in Smut University as a Professor. If you're interested in that read more here: projectteambeta smut-university/

3) If you're a fan of historical fics, A Promise Kept by Cullen312 is quite well written. I should warn you that it takes place on the Titanic and I didn't read the original o/s it came from so I have no idea if our wonderful couple survives. I'm biting my fingers at the prospect.