Edward called my name but I ignored it. I had to get out of here. I walked into the dark house trying to find a lamp somewhere. One would think that, even in the dark, something as large as a coffee table would be a little visible. Not to Isabella Swan. I walked right into the corner of the fucker and sliced my knee open. Why me? I fell down on the ground and held my knee to my chest. Blood poured out of it like I had been butchered.

"Mother fucker!" I yelled.

Edward was coming through the patio door and immediately ran over to me.

"Bella, are you ok? What happened?" Edward said as he sat on the floor in front of me.

"I'm fine. The fucking coffee table and I had a disagreement." I grumbled.

"Let me see it. You might need stitches…again."

Reluctantly I moved my hands from my knee and extended it towards Edward. His hands very softly raised my dress up. It was such a tender moment and it caused me to fucking blush.

"I need to grab my first aid kit. I'll be right back."

He stood up quickly and wandered off down the hall where the bathroom was. I hated the smell of blood. It reminded me of raw meat and I wanted to throw up. Edward walked back into the room with the kit in hand and resumed his spot in front of me. We were both completely quiet. I was afraid if I opened my mouth again I would say something I would regret.

"It's just a nasty cut. You hit it in just the right spot to cause it bleed this much." He said while he cleaned me up. I hissed when he wiped the cut with rubbing alcohol and dabbed it dry with a clean piece of gauze. He quickly bandaged it and placed a kiss atop the Band-Aid.

"Can I steal an alcohol wipe?" I asked showing him the dried blood on my hands.

He smiled and handed me a few. I was still planning on leaving the moment he was done. Edward stood up holding the trash in his hand and took my used wipes. He went into the kitchen and tossed them in the garbage and then came back and offered me his hand to help me up. I reluctantly took it. The moment I did a shooting pain shot through my leg causing me lose my balance and pull Edward down on top of me.

"If you wanted me on top all you had to do was ask." He laughed.

"Shut up you horse's ass. I fell."

"I think I rather like you in this position. I find it incredibly sexy."

"And I find people who keep secrets from their friends cowardly and repulsive." I spat back still trying to get up.

Edward lost all the playfulness in his eyes and he roughly grabbed my hands and held them down while he looked at me.

"I am not just a friend, Isabella. I am your husband and if I say I'm doing something to protect you, I will do it even if it means keeping things from you. You'll find out eventually as the truth always comes out. In the meantime leave well enough the fuck alone. Keep pushing my buttons and I'm going to lock you up in my bedroom for the rest of our lives." He growled into my ear.

I was so turned on I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. I realized I was rubbing myself against his leg trying to find relief. Edward kissed along my neck and behind my ear causing me to moan.

"Please…" I begged. I definitely was not above begging at this point.

"You don't know what you're asking of me." Edward said with a pained expression on his face.

"Yes I do. I want you too. Please." I brought my head up and let my mouth linger over his until he was kissing me back with such force I thought every bone in my body might break.

"I can deny you nothing."

Our kissing resumed and our hands were everywhere, touching every part we could. Edward's hands came to the top of dress and ripped it right down the middle leaving my chest heaving. Considering this was one of my favorite dresses, I was going to be bitching about it but considering what we were doing at the moment I couldn't have given two fucks.

"You ripped my dress so I'm going to rip your shirt."

My hands reached up and grabbed his dress shirt and tugged until there were buttons flying everywhere across the room. Edward shrugged it off his shoulders and helped both of us stand up. The rest of my tattered dress fell to the floor leaving me only in my blue lace bra and silver cheekies. I couldn't bring it in me to care my undergarments didn't match. Edwards hand went to the clasp of my bra and tugged it off in a matter of seconds. My bare chest was exposed to him and his eyes grew darker with lust.

"Fuck Bella. You don't know what you do to me." He groaned as his tongue traced over each nipple briefly.

I arched my back further pushing my chest into his grasp. Edward's hands reached down to my panties and I felt him fist the fabric in his hands.

"Rip the panties and there will be hell to pay."

Heeding my warning he tugged them down my legs where the pooled at my feet and I stepped out of them. He pushed me gently so I was sitting on his couch and he kneeled in front of me. God, I hoped he didn't like this couch too much because I was sure I was ruining it with the pool of warm liquid dripping out from between my legs. I was seriously thinking about getting a slippery when wet tattoo.

"Tell me Isabella…have you ever had someone lick your pussy?" He whispered as he brought his tongue between my legs and gave one long lick.

"…." Nothing came out except for rapid breaths.

"I'll take that as a no. You haven't been with a man, Bella. No man in his right mind would fuck a woman as beautiful as you and not make sure she left satisfied. Those boys you were with didn't know what they were doing. No one will touch you like this Bella. I will kill the son of a bitch who tries."

His words were killing me and just when I thought I might die from the overwhelming feeling to have an orgasm, he put his face back between my legs and started sucking on my clit and thrusting two fingers in and out. My legs were tossed over his shoulders to allow him better access.

"Oh…I'm…Sweet Jesus!" I babbled as I my orgasm swept through me like a fire on a rampage. My body quivered and shook uncontrollably as I came down off my high.

"Watching you come is on my top ten list of favorite things to see." Edward smirked as he gently placed my feet back on the ground. He grabbed his discarded shirt and gently wiped me clean.

I pushed him back onto the floor, my body on top of his. I was in control this time. I started to unbutton his pants but his hands grabbed mine gently and pulled them away.

"You don't have to do that Bella. Tonight was about you. Please don't make me be a selfish bastard."

"Cullen shut up and lose the pants. I'm giving you a BJ, not a million dollars."

We both fumbled with trying to pull his pants off and when I saw the magnificent cock in front of me, I was more than happy to greet him properly with my mouth. But I was gonna make Edward work for it. Gently I traced my tongue along the head and down the shaft. Edward's hands were fisted at his sides and I could tell he was starting to grow impatient.

"Isabella, please…." He groaned out.

"We both know what you want. Say it."

"Fuck Bella, I want your hot mouth on me. Please."

I took all of him in my mouth and sucked gently. My head bobbed up and down and I had never been so thankful that Edward wasn't one of those assholes who grabbed a chicks head while getting a BJ. Abruptly he pulled me off and guided my hand to where my mouth had been. I slid my hand up and down until evidence of his orgasm came spurting out and landing on his chest and stomach. I reached behind me and grabbed his torn discarded shirt and wiped him up.

"That is my shirt you're cleaning that up with." He said as he tried to catch his breath.

"This shirt has Bella juice, missing buttons and is otherwise ruined. What's the BFD if it has Edward baby batter on it?"

"I'm sorry about the dress. I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."

"I'm sorry about your shirt. I'll buy you a new one tomorrow." I smiled. "Hey Edward? Not that I'm complaining but why didn't we have sex?"

He gave me a playful look and quirked his eyebrow.

"I mean I was ready, willing and able. Do…do you not want me anymore…like that?" I asked sheepishly.

"Silly Bella, of course I want you. An erection is kind of a hard thing to hide, don't you think? We're not ready to go there yet. The next time we have sex is when you ask me." He said softly as he tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"Edward I need to come clean about something…I sorta threatened Kate."

His back stiffened and his facial features hardened. Edward was most definitely pissed.

"What do you mean you sorta threatened Kate?"

"Well when we were outside she told me if I didn't sign off on those divorce papers and walk away she would show the world a sex tape that fucker Yorkie made me do. I threatened to show the world a tape she had made, quite recently I might add, with some doctor you work with. She's using you Edward."

"Sex tape? What sex tape? Bella did he force you?!"

"No, no it was nothing like that. It was a momentary lapse in my judgment. I met you while he and I were separated. After I left I went into a total emo phase and called him up over Valentine's Day. He kept pushing and pushing to tape us…you know…and eventually he wore me down and I gave in."

"I'm going to kill him. How did you find out about her tape?"

"I called a friend that works in the Forks PD and had him do a little investigating. Peter called me this morning and left me a message."

"Bella, this isn't a game. This is very serious. What's done is done and there isn't anything I can do about it. No more playing detective, okay? I swear I'll tell you someday but in the meantime stay away from her. If something happened to you I'd die. I'd literally fucking die."

We stood up from the floor and Edward wrapped me up in the afghan off the couch. I leaned my head into his chest and placed a soft kiss above his heart.

"Let's go to bed." I said.

"There's something I've always wanted to do."

"What's that?"

"Carry my wife to our bedroom."

One arm snaked under my knees and the other across my back. I leaned into him as he padded his way to our bedroom.

"This reminds me of a quote I read somewhere. Woman was created from the ribs of from his head to top him nor from his feet to be walked upon. She was made from his side to be his equal. From beneath his arms to be protected. From very near his heart to be loved."

Very gently he laid me down on the bed and crawled in behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and very sweetly whispered, "And love you I do, Bella."

XxXxXxXx

I slept a ridiculously long time. I don't think I turned once from the spoon position the oral sex God had laid us down in from the previous night's activities. Take that Kate! When I did finally decide to grace the world with my presence (and morning breath), it was because there was a rather heavy weight across my chest.

And it was panting.

"Good morning, Tanya." I grumbled as the little ball of fucking cuteness just stared back at me with her big eyes and gaping mouth.

"Good morning, beautiful lady in my bed." I heard a voice say from the doorway.

"Hi." I replied in total shyness.

Bella Swan is not shy. So where the hell was this coming from?

"I made you some breakfast." Edward said as he walked in the room holding a bowl and glass of juice.

"Without setting your house on fire I see."

"It's kinda hard to burn down anything making cereal."

"Touché." I giggled and I took a bite of the delicious sugary breakfast confection known as Lucky Charms in delicious 2% milk. This couldn't have been the same man that ordered a salad and grilled chicken for dinner last night.

"Tanya, down." Edward shooed her away as I sat up and wrapped the sheet around my naked body.

As I laid there (still naked) wrapped in his sheets and smelling him on the pillows it began to occur to me that I was actually happy being married to a total stranger. Who the fuck would've thought that Isabella Swan, obnoxious loud mouth who swears like a truck driver would ever find a man, a gorgeous doctor for that matter, that would want to spend his life with her.

Fuck the hell out of me this was huge.

"What are you smiling about?" Edward said as he leaned against the door jamb holding two plates of food.

"I was thinking about how grammar is a very important element to be taught and learned. For example without proper capitalization I could say "I helped my uncle jack off a horse" when in reality with proper capitalization it should be "I helped my Uncle Jack off a horse". Or what about comma's? I could say "It's time to eat grandma" referencing I'm about to eat my grandmother but with proper comma placement I'd say "It's time to eat, grandma". So you see with using proper grammar not only do we prevent family members being eaten, we also disengage from helping them jack off animals."

"Isabella you are too much." Edward laughed as he climbed back into bed with me, handing me my gourmet breakfast of toast and fruit.

"It's a good thing I packed clothes considering you ripped my dress last night you savage beast. That was one of my fave's and you killed it. Massacred it actually."

"I was in the heat of the moment and I wanted you naked. Besides, if I remember correctly you owe me a new blue dress shirt."

"Touché." I shrugged. "Besides, it's not I didn't enjoy ripping your clothes either ya know."

"I plan on replacing your massacred dress. We can go shopping today for a new dress and shirt."

I leaned over and placed a sweet, chaste kiss on his cheek. I felt the blush in my cheeks set my skin aflame.

"How did I get so lucky?" He asked as he kissed me once more.

"Easy. Liquor."

Edward laughed as he walked buck naked into the bathroom turning on the shower. Deciding I needed a shower too and being environmentally conscious, it only made sense to take advantage of hopping in with him. For green reasons of course.

"You know it would be very wasteful of me to shower separately. I hope you don't mind sharing." I said as I wrapped my arms around him, my cheek resting on his back.

"You know it's going to take a miracle to make me leave." He responded turning around.

"Well it just so happens I'm a miracle maker." I replied snarkily, grabbing his growing erection.

"Oh? What type of miracles do you specialize in?" He hissed as his lips nipped at my neck.

"The ones that make you scream my name." I whispered as my hands stroked his cock at a quick pace.

"Fuck Bella…"

It didn't take long for evidence of Edward's orgasm to land on the shower wall and me. I smiled arrogantly as the water washed us clean. Edward pushed me against the wall kissing me passionately. His fingers found their way between my thighs and found my very aroused, very wet opening. He inserted three fingers and thrust them in and out while his thumb rubbed feverishly against my clit. I was gone and screaming his name the moment his tongue flicked across my nipple.

"I wish I could wake up to this every day." He said as he kissed my cheek.

"Play your cards right and you just might get your wish."

XxXxXx

Eventually we made it to the mall where Edward and I picked up new articles of clothing. The tattered ones were still on the floor. I went to throw them out but Edward said he liked looking at them. I placated and went along with it. Who am I to argue looking at pieces of ripped discarded garments that were thrown off in the throes of passion?

I found another dress identical to the one that was destroyed and I helped Dr. McFuckme pick out a new blue dress shirt. As we were getting ready to walk out I happened to catch a glimpse of a beautiful blue dress in one of the window displays at Lord and Taylor. Figuring it probably cost as much as my entire month's paycheck, I kept walking. Edward wouldn't have it.

"I don't need it Cullen. I think it's beautiful but the price alone is offsetting."

"Isabella, what type of gentlemen and husband would I be if I didn't buy my wife a dress she wanted?"

"You'd be like every other husband. Seriously, do you think that other women's husbands buy them outrageously overpriced dresses? No. And for verification I'll ask Rosalie the next time I see her."

"I'm not everyone else's husband Isabella Cullen. I am your husband. And as your husband I demand you let me buy you a gift." He crossed his arms defensively and sent an intimidating glare my way. It made my lady bits tingle with anticipation.

"Fine, I'll try it on. But if I don't like it on, I'm not going to let you buy it. Understand?"

"As you wish." He said as he ushered me into the department store.

I flagged down a salesperson and showed them the dress I was looking at and if they had it in my size.

"What size are you looking for?" Mrs. Perfect asked with her perfect hair and perfect teeth and perfect clothes.

Gag me. If this how the rich are, I'm happy being a middle class-hole.

"If you could grab me a size 8 and 10 I'd appreciate it. You never know how these sizes run." I replied trying to be cool.

"Let me see if we have it that big."

That big? Excuse me bitch? I was standing there seething and no longer had any interest in trying on the dress and giving this overpriced store my...err…Edward's money.

"Here you go. Fitting rooms are around the corner." Another woman said in a light twinkely voice.

"Thanks."

"I heard what my colleague said about your size and it was wrong. I think you have a gorgeous figure." She smiled.

I liked her. She was much shorter than me with a short black bob and sparkling amber eyes.

"Thank you. Bitch is lucky I'm in a good mood today."

She laughed and walked me to a fitting room where she placed the two dresses on a hook.

"I'm Alice. Let me know if you need anything else."

I fumbled my way into the damn thing and managed to zip myself up. It channeled old school Hollywood circa 1920. That's why I loved it. I admired myself in the mirror and as much as I hated to admit it, I did love it and I did want it. But I didn't have anywhere to wear it to and it was almost $500. There was no way I could let Cullen spend that much money on a dress that I may never wear.

Begrudgingly I took it off and got dressed back into my ratty jeans and tee and pulled on my Chuck's. I didn't fit in here. I didn't wear the expensive designer shit like he did and I wasn't as graceful like him when he walks or talks. I'm so awkward and I swear I spit when I talk. As my self-esteem was going down a million points I walked over to where Alice was standing by a rack of clothes.

"It's very beautiful but I can't." I smiled at her.

"Well it's a little late for that hun because it's already paid for." She said.

"Mother fucker, I'm gonna kill him."

She laughed a sweet little giggle as she walked me over to the register.

"He said you might have that reaction so he's waiting outside in the mall. What size did you want?"

I pointed to the damn dress as she bagged it and put some sample shit in a little gift bag. I went to pull out my wallet to at least tip her for being so nice and putting up with me.

"You don't need to tip me. I only work here once or twice a week. My husband works with Edward. He's a doctor too. His name is Jasper, perhaps you've heard of him?"

"I think I have once but I haven't met Edward's co-workers since we've been…"

"Married?" She asked.

"Yeah…married." It still didn't feel right saying it.

"You're all set Bella. Hopefully I'll see you at the charity ball coming up in a few months."

"What ball?" I asked insanely curious.

"Edward probably hasn't mentioned it yet. It's an end of summer event the hospital puts on every year to go towards a new NICU wing and updating the equipment. That dress would be perfect."

"Yeah, Cullen did fail to mention that. Thanks again Alice and I would really enjoy your company if I end up going. It'd be nice to know someone other than Edward."

"And Kate."

"Ugh, I can't even stand listening to that bitch's name."

"That makes two of us." She whispered.

XxXxXx

We walked around the aquarium looking at all the very cool, very expensive fish. I smiled internally as I heard some kids "ooing" and "ahhing". Made me miss my kids and for some reason I couldn't wait to get back to school on Monday.

"Are you listening to me?"

"Huh?" I asked as I looked into a pair of confused green eyeballs.

"What's on your mind, Bella? You seem pensive."

"It's nothing to be concerned about. I'm kinda missing my kids."

Edward stopped walking and turned around to stare at me with an even more confused expression.

"Kids? I didn't know you had kids. How many do you have?" He asked slowly and uncomfortably.

"I think at last count I had 26."

"26? Oh! School kids, not your kids."

"Wow, did you really think I wouldn't tell you if I had offspring? And just for the record people like me don't need to be procreating. I think the last thing the world wants is another foul mouthed, know it all, thick headed, sarcastic-"

"And completely wonderful person and teacher who didn't think twice about trying to protect her students? Yeah, I could see the world not wanting another one of you." Came a flat sarcastic reply from his oh so beautiful lips.

Things got a little uncomfortable after that and we walked in awkward silence.

XxXxXx

After being in a depressed mood for a good portion of the day, Edward asked if I wanted to go home. I really did enjoy spending time with him but I did miss my home and my kids from other mothers. He truly is such a wonderful man; he offered to help me pack and we would finish the rest of my mini vacay at my house.

"Are you sure you want to drive back down to Hanover only to turn around and come back here in 36 hours? I could call a cab ya know." I stated as I tossed my bags by the front door.

"Bella do you really think I'd let you take a 2 hour cab ride home? Absolutely not. I'd be worried the whole time you were gone thinking the worst scenarios possible. Please don't ever put me through that. I'm your husband and you're my wife and I don't care if I had to drive 36 hours just to stay with you for 2 hours. I'd gladly do it. Now close that pretty little mouth of yours and get that gorgeous ass in the car. I'll be there in a moment."

Yeah. Wonderful.

XxXxXx

"Does anyone know where Crowley is?" I asked as I took attendance Monday morning.

Edward stayed with me until early this morning and then started his drive home. The rest of our time together wasn't anything special; mostly watching TV, eating take out, and lotsa make out sessions. I missed that hot piece of man already.

"No, he wasn't at his locker before class. Maybe he's sick?" One of the kids shouted out.

"Or maybe he's skipping so he doesn't get his as- I mean- butt kicked again." Some snarky little fucker chortled.

"Or maybe he's not here so you can take his detention, Alec. Now shut up and pay attention. Anymore shit about Tyler being in that fight last week and all of you will have detention."

"You can't swear at us, Miss Swan." Lauren "I'm a fucking bitch" Mallory corrected.

"Oh really? Well let me tell you something Miss Mallory; you're all here because you couldn't make it in the public schools or in the remedial education system. You're here because this is your last stop before juvie. Now, you can report me for saying a few crude words. But I can counter that with the hash that fell out of your backpack. You'll go to juvie and I'll still be here swearing. Your choice."

"….."

"Good. I didn't think so. This goes for all of you; I know what you do on your time. Since you aren't on my time or school property there isn't a whole lot I can do. But if I catch you on my time doing the horseshit you do, there will be consequences. I think I'm a fairly reasonable teacher and I've tried to help you out as much as I can. Come next summer when you graduate, I'm going to be there yelling obnoxiously and cheering you on because of the hard work and dedication you put into this. I'll be standing there crying my damn eyes out because I'll be so effing proud that you were my kids. Don't disappoint me."

I watched as they looked around the room at each other and back to me. I hope to fuck I hit a soft spot.

"Ok, enough of this mushy shit. Take out the assignment from last week. I'm terrified and anxious to see what you all put in your constitutions."

The kids pulled their papers out as noisy as fucking possible and chatted softly. I was about to tell them again to shut up and pay attention but a knock on the door stopped that.

"Don't do anything. I'll be back in a sec." I shouted to them as I stepped out into the hall.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you Miss Swan but it seems we have a situation." Principal Banner said to me.

He was a middle-aged no nonsense man and I respected him for that. The last principal quit after a week because he couldn't handle the kids.

"What kind of situation?" I asked suddenly very nervous.

"It's Tyler Crowley."

XxXxXx

I asked Banner to watch my kids so I could go to the Crowley household. My heart was in my throat and I swear it was going to beat right out of me. I had to fight the tears that stung my eyes.

Man up Swan. This kid depends on it.

I parked my car in the middle of the street behind a cop car. The officer told me I had to move my vehicle and to step away from the area.

"I'm his teacher for fucks sake! Let me in!"

"I don't care if you're the goddamn Queen of Sheeba, you're not getting in there!" He roared back.

"Is there a problem?" Emmett asked walking over, eyeing the scene in front of him carefully.

"Emmett you have to let me in there! I need to speak to him!"

Emmett simply nodded and took to a squad car where he grabbed a bulletproof vest and suited me up. When he was done he walked me to the porch.

"He won't let us go inside. This is as far as I can take you. Bella, you need to know you're going in there unprotected except for the vest and unarmed. I won't be able to help you in time if something goes bad."

"I understand. Thank you. And Emmett? Please call Edward and tell him I'm ok."

He nodded and walked back down the steps and looked at me. I gently knocked on the wood door. My hands were shaking horribly.

"Tyler? It's Miss Swan. Will you let me come in?" I asked.

Slowly the lock turned and the door cracked slightly. A large hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside. The house was dark except the small amount of light seeping in from the breaks in the curtains. It smelled like musty cigarettes and cheap whiskey. I was about to ask what the fuck was going on except whoever was holding me threw me down on the ground.

"Leave her alone!"

I turned behind me to see Tyler and his mom crouched in the corner. I slowly backed up and away from the asshole that knocked me on my ass. Mrs. Crowley reached out and grabbed my shoulder and pulled me close to her and Tyler.

"Who are you?" I asked calmly.

"I'm Caius Crowley, Tyler's dad." A deep voice bellowed.

"I thought you were in jail?"

"I was. And then I got out."

"What do you want from them?"

The fucker had the nerve to laugh at me.

"It's not what I want from them. It's what I want from you. You see, I had Tyler here call the school and say he was going to off himself unless Miss Swan came over. The school having morals and shit called the cops thinking Tyler had his mother as a hostage and he was going to off both of them. But those pigs are too stupid to realize that my boy is just a really good actor."

"Ok you sick son-of-a-bitch what the fuck do you want? If your fight is with me, let them go."

"Miss Swan, don't." Mrs. Crowley whispered.

"Shut up bitch!" Mr. Crowley screamed and raised his hand.

"Don't you even think about laying a finger on either of them. Your battle is with me, so let's have it." I stood up and blocked my student and his mother from the maniac looming over me.

"Well it turns out that the beautiful Miss Swan Tyler has wrote about so many times in his letters to me isn't really a Miss. No, instead Miss Swan is now Mrs. Doctor Cullen as of recent."

"What's your point asshole? I got married, so what."

"So what? You stupid whore. Doctor Cullen? Do you see where I'm going with this?"

"You think I have money? That's what this is about? Fucking cash?" I shrieked.

"You did marry one of the richest, most eligible men Miss Swan. His family is high class and loaded. And since you're family that means you're loaded."

"Mother fucker do you think if I was loaded I'd be teaching pre-juvie kids?"

"Yeah, I do. Because you're a softie. Tyler has spoken so highly of you and how nice you are to him and compassionate. Makes me fucking sick." He spat.

"Fine. I'll get you money. But you have to let them go first."

"I don't really think you're in a position to be bossing me around Miss Swan."

I watched as he pulled a gun from behind his back and aimed it at me. You've heard of people in near death situations talking about seeing their life flash before their eyes. Didn't happen. I looked at him thinking "this fucker has a gun". Nothing about my life drifted by.

"I believe I am. You kill me, no money. You kill them, no money. It's really a simple mathematical equation. You let them go, I stay and since I'm the one with the money you win."

"Bella don't do this. His beef is with me, take Tyler and-" Mrs. Crowley started to cry as she grabbed my calf.

She and Tyler were still on the floor terrified shitless. I suppose it was a good thing Charlie taught me not to sure fear or weakness in situations such as these. I guess it really did come in handy.

"Gayle, I want you to take Tyler and very slowly walk towards the door. Ok? Tyler, hold on to your mom and don't let go. When you reach the door, open it slowly and walk out with your hands in the air. There are a shit ton of cops out there and we don't want any accidents." I ordered them while never breaking eye contact with Tyler's sperm donor.

Gayle and Tyler rose to their feet, Gayle's arms holding Tyler close to her body. They walked in unison towards the front door. As she went to turn the knob, Tyler started sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry Miss Swan. Forgive me, please forgive me." He cried.

"Tyler, there's nothing to be sorry about. I care about you very much and think you're a great kid. But right now you need to listen to me and get you and your mom outside. Go. Now."

"Total fucking softie."

"Yeah I am a fucking softie. Why the fuck do you care? I love your kid more than you do and I care about whether or not he succeeds in life. The only thing you care about is yourself."

"Watch your mouth Swan. Or I will have no problem pulling the trigger, money or not."

"Well unless you want me to send carrier pigeon, I need a phone to get your money."

Prolong this.

Distract him.

Do something.

Get yourself outta this Bella.

He nudged me to reach for my purse and retrieve my phone. Carefully I dug around and pulled it out quickly dialing Edward's number. He answered on the first ring.

"Bella? Oh God, are you ok? I'm outside with the police. Has he hurt you? What's going on in there-" He spazzed out on me.

"Edward, I'm fine." I said very slowly and calmly. "Mr. Crowley here is requesting money for my release. But don't-" I never got to finish my sentence because Mr. Trigger-Happy snatched the phone away from me.

"Listen here doc, it's as simple as this; you bring me $10 million in a duffle bag and your wife here goes free. If you don't, there ain't enough bleach in the world to clean up the mess I'll make. Are we clear? Good. You have one hour."

He ended the call and tucked the phone in his pocket.

"You know, it's not too late to back out of this. If you walk away now you might have reduced sentencing. I'll even testify to your cooperation."

He laughed deep and loud at me. Like I was the idiot.

"It's a little late for that, don't ya think? The only way I'm leaving here is either with my cash or in a body bag."

There was no further conversation after that.

XxXxXx

Caius and I were having a stare off. He hadn't said anything to me since the phone call with Edward. How the hell I managed to day dream is beyond me. I'm thinking it was I was at peace with dying and no longer felt any fear. I got Tyler and his mom out safely and that's what mattered. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Edward's hour was up in three minutes.

"You better hope your man delivers."

"Ya know something? I hope he doesn't. Wanna know why? Because I don't think you'd actually shoot me. I don't even think that gun is loaded. What I do think is you're very insecure and scared and you throw up this bad ass façade. Could be from doing time or it could be because you had a fucked up childhood, who knows. But somewhere in that beast of a man you are, at one point, there was good otherwise you wouldn't have married that wonderful woman and produced that wonderful son."

"Shut up!" He screamed at me.

"No! You shut up! Do you know how many times I've had to wipe the blood off your son because he got into a fight defending you? Do you even care?" I rose to my feet and started shouting now. If I was going to die, I would die with honor.

"I said shut the fuck up!"

I wanted to say more, I truly did. But seeing as how the bastard did pull the trigger and the gun was loaded, that sort of stopped me. I felt a sharp sting in my arm and watched in a dazed fascination as blackish-red liquid seeped out onto my shirt. It was almost like watching a movie in slow motion; the door was busted down, some SWAT guys ran in and Crowley raised the gun to them. I blinked for a moment and in that moment I heard the gunshot. When I opened my eyes I saw Mr. Crowley fall to the floor.

I couldn't stand anymore either. I was feeling rather tired and weak and really just needed a nap. So I fell to the floor too, and just stared at the blurriness of the ceiling. My eyes had just started to close when I felt someone touching me.

"Bella? Bella wake up! Come on!" I opened my eyes slightly and saw not one but two Edward's sitting next to me. I gave him a dopey smile.

"You've been shot; we need to get you to the hospital." He said frantically as he took his belt off and made a tourniquet around my arm, just above the wound.

"You're a doctor. Fix me. No hospitals." I moaned.

I think I saw some guys in blue come in with a fancy medical bag. I couldn't be sure though because I also thought I saw my gram who died when I was ten. I closed my eyes again and listened to distant voices, particularly that of Edward's barking out orders. I was at peace.

XxXxXx

Beep.

…..

Beep.

…..

Beep.

That beeping was really getting on my nerves. I was trying to sleep and all I heard was beep beep beep a gazillion times. I opened my eyes slowly and winced from the bright light.

"Bella?"

"Goddamnit who turned on the sun? Shit's bright." I groaned. I heard a few clicks and the sun was turned off leaving me in a soft light and charcoal darkness.

"Thank God you're ok. I was so worried." Edward whispered as he sat on the edge of my bed.

He looked awful. Dark circles surrounded dull eyes, his otherwise perfect clothing was disheveled and his hair was going every which way like he had been pulling at it nonstop.

"Ok hell. I feel like a train wreck. Where are Tyler and Gayle? Are they ok?" I asked trying to sit up. Not a good idea. I hissed loudly in pain.

"Don't try to sit up Bella. Just rest. They're fine. I put them up at a nice hotel for the time being."

"Thank you. I appreciate that so much." I whispered.

"You had me so fucking scared. There was so much blood, I thought you were dead. Don't you ever do that to me again."

"Yeah because I had total control over getting shot, Cullen. Next time I'm in a sitch like that I'll ask the gunman politely not to shoot me." I responded sarcastically. "But that being said, I'm alive and bitchy which means I'm good. So let's get outta here."

"You aren't going anywhere for a few days. I'm your attending physician and I absolutely will not discharge you."

"Edward, I can rest better at home than at this hell hole. I hate hospitals. I spent too much time in them as a kid because I was clumsy as fuck and always breaking or spraining something. My parents didn't name me Grace for a reason."

"Isabella I'm not discharging you and that's final." He said sternly.

"Then I'll discharge myself since you won't. Either way, I'm leaving."

"Bella, please. Please for once in your life listen and shut up. You are in no condition to go home. The only reason you feel good right now is because you're on a morphine drip. If I shut that off, you'll be in agony. You need to stay, just for a few days."

Edward was begging with me, pleading with me at this point. He sounded so tired and broken. I felt like a total wanker for being so snarky with him.

"I'm sorry, Cullen. I'll stay. But only for a few days."

He breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. His hair was disheveled and eyes dark with sleeplessness. Even looking like total shit he still looked good.

"How long have I been out?"

"36 hours. You lost a lot of blood. The bullet missed your brachial artery by less than a centimeter. I was a centimeter away from losing you. You would've bled to death before you reached the hospital. Promise me you'll leave that place."

"Edward Cullen I most certainly will not leave my job. In case you haven't noticed I saved a kid and his mother today from a psycho. Imagine what could've happened if I wouldn't have been there."

"You wouldn't be here with a bullet hole in your arm!" He shouted at me.

"Small price to pay for saving two people don't you think?"

"Bella, I'd sacrifice a thousand people if it meant keeping you safe! I'd sacrifice myself in a heartbeat if it kept you from getting hurt!"

"Don't be dramatic Cullen. There is no sacrificing going on today. I don't tell you to quit your job and it could be just as dangerous as mine."

"Doubtful but let's hear your reasoning."

"For starters, what if you give me tuberculosis? Or Hepatitis? Or HIV? Or some flesh eating virus?"

"I'm vaccinated against TB and Hepatitis and unless I use someone's used needle or have sex with a HIV positive patient, you won't get anything. As for flesh eating virus, that's not really common here in New Hampshire."

"Whatever, you get my point. I love my job Cullen. Don't take that away from me. I know I've kept kids like Tyler off the streets because I give a shit what happens. No one else does. I want to be able to look back fifty years from now and know that I made a difference in a kid's life, even if it was just one."

"Just…no more hero playing ok?"

I smiled at him and patted the spot next to me. He lay down next to me on the uncomfortable cramped bed and wrapped me in his arms. I felt soft kisses in my hair and his fingers were softly stroking my good arm. Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep.

XxXxXx

My three day hospital visit came to an end when I threw a temper tantrum and reminded Cullen his few days were up. So begrudgingly he discharged me on the condition he would stay with me or vice versa. I reminded him yet again that I did not need a babysitter and was ready to go back to work the following week. That didn't go over so well.

"You are nowhere near ready to go back to work!" He roared at me.

I was kicked up on my super comfy couch with a fuzzy blanket wrapped around me and a bottle of Vicodin off to the side. Those were a God send.

"Don't make me get up off this couch and kick your ass, Cullen. The Vic's kicked in and I have a feeling I'll win."

"Bella I caved in to releasing you much sooner than I wanted and I caved into you staying here until our mom's arrive but I absolutely will not budge on this. I will call your boss myself and tell him you are not emotionally or physically competent to return."

"If you do Cullen, you'll be marrying that psycho bitch sooner than you think."

Yeah, even I winced at that one. Total hit below the belt and I knew it. Edward didn't say anything else except grab his coat and tell me he was going for a walk. The picture frames on the wall shook as he slammed the door to my apartment. I was almost tempted to go after him but there was a knock on my door.

"Forget something asshole?" I asked as I opened the door.

Insert foot in mouth.

"Damn it, I'm sorry Tyler. I thought you were…never mind. Come in. Where's your mom?"

"Still on the third flight of stairs." He answered.

"You know there is an elevator."

"Yeah, we know but she wants to get into better shape or some shi-stuff."

"Nice catch. I would've had to rinse your mouth out with soap."

He smiled at me as I heard footsteps coming up the flight of stairs a few feet away from my door. Mrs. Crowley walked to my doorway and smiled at me as she wheezed. I ushered her inside and made her sit down before she had a heart attack. The one time I need Cullen…

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked as Tyler helped me carry a tray with iced tea into the living room.

"Mrs. Cullen, Miss Swan…whatever you go by…" Gayle began.

"You can call me Bella. And I still go by Miss Swan. It's an unusual situation between Edward and I."

"Bella, we wanted to come here and thank you personally for what you did. We never meant to involve you let alone get you shot. I kept telling Caius to let Tyler go. He could do whatever he wanted to me, just let my baby go." She choked back on tears.

"I wasn't gonna leave you mom. I'm just sorry that I couldn't have been braver and told him no to making those stupid phone calls. That would've saved everyone a lot of trouble." Tyler said.

"Maybe so but then who knows what would've happened to your mom and you. I'm glad you called me Tyler."

"Yeah but you got shot because of me! It's my fault you're hurt!" He yelled.

Gayle put her hand on her son's knee in reassurance. But that wasn't helping. He needed counseling. They both did.

"Tyler Crowley you will not take that tone with me. Just because I'm not back to work yet doesn't mean I won't give you detention upon my arrival. Now, it's nobody's fault except Caius's. He was wrong to do that to you and to me. But I must insist that before Tyler return to school, you both seek counseling Mrs. Crowley." She nodded and reached across to me and grasped my good hand in hers.

"Miss Swan, what happened to make him shoot you?" Tyler asked in almost a whisper.

Taking a deep sigh, "Well Tyler you know better than anyone I have a smart mouth and I don't know how to shut up. I said some things to him that really pissed him off and the asshole shot me. What happened to fighting with words, not guns?"

I smiled back at both of them and decided to lighten the air waves. So we talked about school and what a smart kid Tyler was growing up to be. I persuaded Tyler to start getting involved in some of the extracurricular activities the community offered.

Edward walked in at that moment and greeted everyone very stiffly but cordially. He was still pissed at me, it was palpable. In order to keep the tension and awkwardness at bay, I started doing what I do best…talking.

"If your grades keep up like they have been, I'll gladly write you a letter of rec for college and nominate you for the presidential scholarship. Have you given any thought on what you want to study?"

"I've got it narrowed down to a teacher or a cop."

"I think you'll make a wonderful teacher or a kick ass cop."

"I owe it to you, Miss Swan. You were the only person other than my mom that cared about me and the choices I was making. I hope to be as awesome of a teacher like you are. I want to help a kid someday like you've helped me."

Edward put his arm around my shoulders and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

XxXxXx

"I understand now, Bella." Edward said as we lay in my bed.

My head was on his chest and his fingers were playing in my hair. I closed my eyes and smiled.

"I finally get how important your job is not only to you but to those kids. You're absolutely right; he could've ended up like his father but instead he wants to make something of himself. I've never been so proud to call you my wife like I am right now."

XxXxXx

AN: Yes, it's been a long time & I do apologize : ( I already have the next chapter started so it won't be a forever wait. It's that time of year again & I'll be doing the suicide awareness walk/run again so as usual reviews = money = going towards charity. Just a recap in 2008 my uncle took his own life with a hunting rifle leaving my 80 year old gramma to find him with no head. My dad had a heart attack the same day (he's doing ok now) but this is something near & dear to me.

Until next time….