A/N: I wanted to get this out of the way now cuz it's come up in a lot of reviews. Technically speaking, the Las Vegas PD did absolutely nothing wrong. An adult woman went missing with no signs of a struggle. They were actually VERY indulgent in helping Edward pull the video so they could see her walk off. They were a little RUDE about it (which you can almost understand - I'm sure Edward was going a little insane), but they were correct to not try to go after Bella right away.

There are only so many police officers, and I'm sure missing persons who aren't really missing are very, very, very common.

So while yes, it's frustrating because they COULD have helped, the sad fact is that no matter what you do, someone is going to fall through the cracks somewhere. It's just life. In this case, Bella suffered for it. But there'd be no sense in wasting everyone's time with a lawsuit.

When her thoughts became more cognizant, the first thing Bella thought was surely she must have been hit with Mack truck... with spikes built into the front. Saying she was sore was a gross understatement.

She remembered being beaten by Alec. This hurt worse than that. What had he done to her now? What...

No. Alec was dead. She remembered his dangerous scowl as he ran at her, remembered the kick of the gun as she leveled it and fired, and remembered how his body jerked backward before he fell in a heap.

His sightless eyes, the blood oozing from the wound in the middle of his forehead... it was an image that would haunt her forever. But somehow, she'd fished his cell phone from his pocket. Her hands were shaking so bad, she dropped the thing three times before she was able to dial.

Edward. Edward. Edward.

And then he answered.

And before she knew it, the adrenaline coursing through her veins drained away. She became aware of a severe ache that grew worse by the second until it felt like she was being ripped apart from the inside out.

The paramedics came in. Edward's voice was gone and they were asking her questions. She only really remembered bits and pieces. There was the loud wail of the ambulance siren. An oxygen mask over her face and the medic explaining they were going to put her under as soon as they got to the hospital.

"Too soon," she'd moaned, terribly frightened and confused.

Too soon. She still had seven whole weeks to go. The baby was due at the end of January, beginning of February. It wasn't even Christmas yet.

Her baby. What had happened to her baby?

But then she remembered Edward's voice calming her, soothing, telling her the baby was safe and he'd seen her.

He'd seen her baby.

Bella was suddenly desperate to open her eyes.

"Sweetheart?" someone said at the same time another voice said, "Bella?"

Esme and her mother. Bella let her eyes focus, finding them. She saw Carlisle hovering behind them, and when he saw her looking, he smiled his gentle smile. But where...

Bella tried to move her hand but found it anchored. She shifted her head a little and felt a little calmer when she saw that Edward sat by her bedside, his hand wrapped firmly in hers, his head tilted to the side as he slept.

"He finally passed out about twenty minutes ago," Esme explained, her voice a whisper.

Bella licked her lips, trying to find her voice. She tried to sit up a little only to groan when the sudden movement jarred her tender insides.

"Ouch. Hold on a minute, honey. There's a remote on the bed. That'll help."

"Mom," Bella murmured hoarsely.

Her mother smiled sadly, pressing her hand against her cheek. "Oh, baby. I'm so sorry."

Bella swallowed. Her mouth was so dry. "Why?"

Renee looked so guilty. "Well, we'll talk about that when you're feeling a little better."

Scattered, Bella was quick to panic. Why would her mother be sorry? And both she and Esme had been crying, it was clear from their red rimmed eyes. Bella's breath quickened, sending pain shooting through her. "Baby? My baby? Is Riley..."

"Shh, shh. Bella. Calm down. Calm down, honey." Esme was patting her, trying to get her to lay back. "Riley's fine, sweetheart. Just fine."

The fingers around her hand squeezed, and the sound of Edward's scratchy voice calling her name did wonders to quiet Bella's panic. She looked over, still feeling frantic, just as Edward leaned forward, his eyes bleary with sleep but concerned.

"I want to see my baby," Bella whispered plaintively.

"I know, honey. Soon, okay? Very soon. But right now, you just need to recover a little bit." He stroked her forehead with his fingertips.

"Look, Bella," Renee interjected. "The nurses brought this up a few minutes ago. See? This is Riley." She offered Bella a Polaroid photo.

Bella's hands were shaking, so it was Edward who reached out, taking the photo from his mother-in-law and tilting it close so Bella could see.

For a few tense seconds, Bella could hardly breathe as she took in the image in front of her. Riley was terrifyingly small, dwarfed by the bed she rested in and the wires she was adorned with. But good God, she was precious.

The love Bella felt then was fathomless, depthless. It was made up of every emotion all at once, because she felt everything at once. She felt horribly guilty because she'd been unable to stay pregnant long enough. Riley was so skinny, scrawny. She felt powerful because the absolute need to protect the tiny, helpless baby - her baby - was so great, she felt as though she could tear apart anyone who threatened Riley. She was awed and angry, profoundly joyful and intensely afraid.

She was gasping with the strength of the sobs that wracked her, but though she knew her body was protesting, she hardly registered the pain.

"Shhh, Bella. It's okay. She's going to be just fine. She's perfect, sweetheart. Really," Edward murmured in her ear, his arm around her shoulder and his free hand gently cupping her cheek.

"She.. She... She's like a little bird," Bella whispered brokenly.

"That's exactly what I said."

The tone of his voice caught Bella's attention. Though she wasn't ready to look away from the still image, she did glance at him. What she saw written on his face made it infinitely easier to breathe.

After the horror that Alec had put her through, Bella had been forced to face the truth she'd been trying to forget. Edward wasn't Riley's biological father. Now, looking at her baby, Bella could pick out the things that were all her or even her family. She saw herself in the shape of the baby's lips and nose and the way her ears were a little too big for the rest of her.

But she could also see Alec. She saw the sharpness of his high cheekbones in miniature, and the smattering of hair on Riley's head was the same dark shade as his.

Just before she looked at him, Bella wondered if Edward would feel differently than he claimed. She wondered if he would feel disconnected because he would never be able to see himself in Riley. Biologically, she could never be his. She was not a product of the love he and Bella shared.

But all Bella saw on his face, heard in his voice, was reverence. Adoration. Love. She knew her worst fears were unfounded.

Edward didn't look on the baby and see Alec. He only saw his daughter.

"She feels like a little bird too. So warm, but there's hardly any weight to her at all," Edward continued, sounding completely enraptured as he touched his fingers to the photograph.

"You've held her?" Bella was instantly jealous. "Has everyone seen her but me?" She pouted. She couldn't help it.

"Actually, Edward's the only one who's seen her," Carlsile contributed.

Edward looked sheepish. "They can't see her unless one of us is with them," he explained.

"And I can't, er, travel yet." She grumbled.

"Oh! I just remembered. The nurse said you could call the neonatal nurse when you woke up. She'll tell you about Riley." Renee smiled encouragingly.

Eager, Bella looked around, trying to figure out where her phone was. Edward was already on it. He dialed the extension Renee handed over and settled with his head against hers so they could both hear.

Kate introduced herself and enthusiastically told them how awesome Riley was doing. She continued to breathe well on her own. She'd cleared the hurdle of suckling when Daddy fed her, which Kate assured her was a big milestone.

"You fed her?" Bella asked Edward, staring accusingly.

His smile was impish.

Kate went on saying how there'd been a little trouble keeping Riley's temperature regulated, but assured them it was common. She finished with some stats about how much Riley could drink and how often, commenting that once Bella was able to come down and feed her, she could consider breast feeding if that was something she was interested in. Kate explained there were several options. They could even get her set up with a pump if that was a better option. They just needed to be sure the anesthesia was cleared from her system.

Though Bella's heart ached - she wanted so much to see the baby with her own eyes - she felt infinitely better once she was off the phone with Kate. She kept Riley's photo on her lap, staring at it intermittently as she got the rest of her thoughts in order.

Now that she was sure the baby was safe, her priorities shifted slightly. A cold chill ran down her spine. "Edward?" she whispered.

Catching the distress in her voice, Edward was quick to take her hand. "What is it?"

"How much... How much trouble am I in?" She'd killed somebody.

Good God, she'd murdered a cop.

Alec's slack face appeared in her mind, and Bella whimpered.

"I killed him..."

"Well, of course you did," Esme said. There was no disapproval in her voice at all only... pride?

Edward squeezed her hand. "It's going to be fine. The police... They have questions." She could hear the edge of fury in his voice, but he was trying to keep his voice smooth. "But they're not going to bother you until you're ready."

"I was so stupid." She felt hot tears on her cheeks but couldn't be embarrassed. She was too ashamed to be embarrassed. "H-h-he was going to... And I told him. I told him about..."

She trailed off, looking around the room at her mother, Esme, and Carlisle.

"You don't have to talk about this right now," Edward said quietly. "Please don't be upset, Bella. Everyone understands. The police... They just need to follow up, okay? They have pictures of all..." He trailed off, swallowing hard, and Bella could see the pain and fury in his eyes. "They took pictures of the bruising. It would take a complete idiot to think you did this out of anything but self-defense."

"I thought he was going to kill me." Her voice was barely a breath. "Or Riley. I couldn't let him, Edward. I couldn't."

"It's fine. You're going to be fine. Don't worry about anything, sweetheart. I'm going to get my lawyer down here, just in case. It's all going to be fine."

"Well, actually..." Carlisle sounded oddly abashed, and it caught all of their attention. He grimaced. "One of the best lawyers in Nevada is down in the lobby waiting to speak to you, Edward."

Before they could delve into that a nurse appeared, needing to check in on Bella.

"I'm going to figure out about this lawyer, okay?" Edward asked quietly. "I won't be far."

Bella nodded. The pain was becoming more insistent. She really hoped the nurse had something that would help.

Edward pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I love you so much, Bella."

"I love you, too," she said with a sigh, trusting him to help her, to keep her safe.

~0~

Edward was reluctant to step outside Bella's room, but he had other responsibilities. Already, he was cursing himself for falling asleep without thinking to call his lawyer.

Crossing his arms, he looked to his father. For a moment, it was as if their roles were switched. Carlisle looked every bit the child as he fidgeted and Edward like the parent as he waited for a confession.

"Your grandfather flew into Vegas right around the time we found Bella," Carlisle finally admitted. "He's been in the lobby for hours."

"What does he want?" Running on as little fuel as Edward was, his emotions seemed to come only in extremes.

The thought of having to deal with his grandfather - or worse, Bella having to deal with his grandfather - made him utterly furious. "Did you tell him?"

"No. Your mother called Felix to let him know not to bother you with work. That was last night some time. No one asked him to come. He just... appeared." He touched Edward's arm. "For what it's worth, he's... different than normal. He seems genuinely concerned. He didn't even try to see you or Bella, but told me not twenty minutes ago about the lawyer. Though, I'm not entirely sure how he knew we might need one."

Edward grunted. "Well, it's not unlike Grandfather to assume a lawyer would be handy in any situation." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. Most of him wanted to tell his grandfather to go straight to hell, but there was this matter of the police. If they decided, for whatever insane reason, to hold Bella responsible for Alec's death...

Well, he didn't trust them not to.

"Fine. I'll talk to him."

Carlisle nodded. "I'll come with you."

Edward was about to protest, but he quickly swallowed it back, reminding himself again that he wasn't alone. "I appreciate that."

~0~

Under other circumstances, had Grandfather approached him at a family gathering or even a company function, Edward would probably have allowed him to save face. He was a proud old man, and just the fact that he was here - not demanding to be seen but waiting patiently - spoke volumes. Something had changed; Edward could see it in the man's face. If it were any other day, providing he was more polite to his family, Edward might have been inclined to let the old man pretend their fight had never happened.

But Edward was not feeling generous. He was on the defense and thirsty for blood. Bella had taken care of Alec. Edward needed another target.

So after Grandfather Cullen introduced the lawyer - Carmen Rivera - Edward leveled a glare at the old man. "May I speak to you privately for a moment?"

Grandfather looked displeased but nodded shortly.

"Why are you doing this?" Edward asked bluntly, his arms crossed and his posture closed.

"I'm not sure wh-"

"With respect, sir, I need you to be honest with me. For my wife's sake, I appreciate the gesture, but I will not take it if it comes with stipulations."

Edward Sr's lips twisted down. "Dramatic as ever," he muttered.

Edward got ready to turn around, but his grandfather's hand on his elbow stopped him.

"But," the older man continued, his tone more gentle, "under the circumstances, who could blame you. How is your wife, Edward?"

Edward eyed the senior Cullen warily. His grandfather sighed.

"Your father's words... Well. Let's just say I've had some time to... reexamine the foundation of my beliefs." It was obvious the man was uncomfortable, chafing. "Genuinely, I only want to help. She is your wife. Whatever legal... er... issues she might run into, I'd like to make that process clearer. For the both of you."

Edward studied his Grandfather, wanting badly to believe but having been burned too many times. "I want you to understand something up front. Bella is my wife - honestly and truly. I love her. Riley is our daughter. My daughter." He paused, letting this sink in. "That being said, I think it's only fair you know that... biologically, the man Bella shot and killed in self-defense was the baby's father."

The older man looked displeased, but he only nodded tightly. "Well, I'm sure that information will be much more useful to Ms. Ivanova."

The two men stood in tense silence. Swallowing thickly, Edward nodded. "Thank you," he said simply.

"You never did tell me how your wife is doing. And the baby. What did you say his name is?"

"Her name. Her name is Riley."

~0~

Bella surprised everyone by wanting to talk to the cops as soon as she was feeling a little more composed.

So her hospital room was emptied of all her visitors except Edward, Carmen, and two police officers. Edward held her hand and glared at the cops. As nervous as she was, Bella knew it was important to get her story out as quickly as possible, especially given the players involved.

"We want to make it clear that this is just part of standard investigation procedures," the first cop began. "At this time, you are not under any suspicion. No charges are being brought against you. Do you understand?"

Bella nodded. "Yes."

Edward squeezed her hand tightly.

"Can you state your full name for the record please?"

"Bella Marie Cullen. Formerly Isabella Marie Swan."

Answering the cops' questions, Bella began to tell her story. They got sidetracked quickly when she detailed James's involvement. Edward gasped audibly. The officers asked for more information about James - how she knew him, his involvement with Alec and the like. One of them stepped out to name James as a person of interest they needed to speak to as soon as possible.

"I don't understand why you didn't report James as the one who attacked you."

"Officer Goff," Carmen said warningly. "As Mrs. Cullen is under no suspicion, she needn't justify her actions to you."

The officer cleared her throat and continued to the next question.

Bella's throat got tight as she went over Alec's treatment of her. Edward ran his thumb over her knuckles, but she could feel the tension in his body. She hated that he had to hear this, but she didn't feel like she could get through it without him. She felt dangerously close to falling apart.

When she got to the point where Alec attacked her, intent on making her 'make things up' to him, Bella couldn't speak at all. As it was, she felt ugly and ashamed, admitting to these people - to her husband - that she'd kissed Alec and told him she was afraid of Edward. But when she got to the point where Alec forced her over the counter, she lost her voice entirely.

Holding her hand, Edward bent forward, his lips to her ear, his nose nuzzling her hair. "It's okay. Bella, you're so brave. I'm so proud of you. If you need to stop, just say the word, and this stops now."

Bella shook her head, breathing deeply. Her body felt cold except where he held her hand, and she shivered. She wanted to be back home in Chicago, under the blankets, curled against him with Riley still tucked safe in her belly.

"Want to get this over with," she murmured. Her voice was oddly high pitched and willowy.

With halting words, she described the assault and how she stalled him. How he shoved her, and she hit her side against the wall - what had no doubt caused the abruption she'd suffered.

How she ran for the gun and shot as he came running toward her.

Bella couldn't hold back her tears any more. As her composure fell away, Edward was there, sitting on the edge of the bed, carefully wrapping her in his arms.

"We're done here," he said, his tone ringing with finality. Bella could guess those words were aimed at the police officers.

"Yes, sir." Officer Goff sounded distinctly sad. "We'll leave you be."

Bella heard footsteps, and then the room was quiet. Edward was rocking her gently, stroking her hair and pressing the occasional kiss to her crown.

In her head, a slideshow of images continued to assault her. Alec's face, intimidating and too near hers. Him standing over her, belt in hand. The way she looked when she saw her reflection in the mirror last night. Alec's expression twisted with livid fury. His body in an unnatural heap. His dead eyes as she searched first for his phone and then for the house keys. Her baby. Her little bird, fragile and relatively far away.

By the time she'd quieted, Bella was physically and mentally exhausted.

"You should sleep, sweetheart. You've earned it," Edward encouraged.

Bella shook her head. "No. I want my baby. I need to see her."

For a minute, it seemed as though Edward would argue. He must have seen the look on her face though, because he only nodded solemnly and reached over to press the call button.

The nurse had had her up and about a little some time before, so they didn't get too much grief before an orderly came by with a wheelchair. Bella found herself wringing her hands fitfully as they got closer to the NICU. Her heart was pounding hard. She was so nervous to meet her daughter.

"Almost there, baby," Edward soothed, rubbing her arm as he walked alongside her.

There was that first terrifying glimpse of the NICU: so much machinery and supplies all designed to keep the tiniest of lives afloat. They taught her how to scrub in, and Bella paid close attention wanting, needing to do everything right. She'd messed up enough. It was her fault Riley was in here, her life in a more fragile state than most newborns. Bella was going to give her every chance she could to thrive.

"You're just in time for dinner," the nurse said amiably. "We'll have to discuss breastfeeding later. For now, a bottle. Would you like to feed her, Mrs. Cullen?"

Bella's yes was so breathy, it was almost inaudible. She cleared her throat, her eyes stuck on the tiny, perfect creature not so far away now in the incubator. "Yes," she said again, and though she was desperate to hold her baby in her arms, she was also afraid.

Riley was so unbearably small. What if Bella hurt her?

The guilt, the fear, none of it mattered when the baby was finally settled, warm and perfect, against her. The picture had not done her justice. There was no way a still image could adequately represent the little being in her arms. Her features, all her impossibly small parts and pieces, were so intricately carved. She was a masterpiece: breathtaking and real. Yes, her features were gaunt, her bony body unhealthy looking, but her skin was pink and fresh. When Bella brushed one finger against her palm, Riley squeezed - the grip barely there but still, it registered.

That had to mean something.

"Hello, little bird. I'm your mommy," she whispered. She knew she was crying, could feel the warm tears on her cheeks. "I love you, little girl. I love you so much."

There was a time, when her world was upside down and unrecognizable, that Bella feared she could never love the life she carried. Yes, her every instinct was to protect it - this innocent being she'd sparked - but protection and love just weren't the same thing. And even then Bella knew Riley deserved all the love in the world.

How different things were now.

The emotion - rife with complete devotion and unconditional love - she felt for her daughter was unlike anything she even imagined existed. It was as infinite as the universe and as physically a part of her as her own limbs.

She felt Edward's hand resting against her shoulder and looked up only long enough to grin widely at him, happy beyond measure. His answering smile was gorgeous, his eyes lit and the love in them obvious.

"My precious girls," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her forehead. As Riley worked her lips around the nipple of her bottle, he ran the pad of his finger over her arm.

"My family," Bella whispered back.

A/N: One more chap and an epilogue. Thanks to GinnyW for letting me pester her and to Jfka06 and Barburella for making my docs an interesting place to be. At least there was no orgy this time.

Bella is sore.

Barbi's rec:
Somewhere With You by Forever-Liz: A little (lot?) angsty, well written and filled with memories of first love. E&B. Weekly updates: bit . ly / QsqMhf (remove the spaces).