Chapter Fourteen: To Better Days

Edward's POV

"She's perfect for anyone," Bella laughed as she talked about Alice. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt that Jake got a chance to kiss her and I didn't. He didn't deserve her and I was afraid she'd always let him walk all over her. "Do you wanna come upstairs?"

"I'd love to." I smiled. She took my hand and pulled me up the steps. She sat down on her couch and patted the seat next to her, wanting me to sit there. I chuckled as I sat down and she covered both of us with a blanket.

"I'm glad you came over." She whispered as she snuggled next to me.

"Me too." I whispered. "Do you still want to go out tomorrow night and tell Ava?" I asked wearily. With Jake now in the picture, things with Ava got a lot more complicated.

"Yes," She nodded. "Because, now that Jake is here she needs to know that we aren't going to be together. And telling her about you will hopefully make that clear to her."

"I was hoping you'd say that." I laughed. "Do you mind if I get something to drink?"

"Go right ahead." She sighed as I pulled the blanket off and stood up. I walked over to the small kitchen, and noticed a piece of paper on the counter. I looked over and she was looking at her phone, so I decided to snoop a little.

Jake's Information in Seattle

Marco Polo Motel, Room 2. 4114 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103

Apartment info to follow.

"You find anything?" She asked as she stood up and walked over to me. I looked up at her and smiled before going to the fridge and finding a bottle of water. We went and sat down on the couch and watched an episode of Friends before I decided it was time for me to leave. It had been a long day and I wanted to be awake for school in the morning.

"I'm really sorry," She whispered again as we stood at my car. "I shouldn't have let him kiss me."

"You can't control what assholes do." I shrugged. "I'm glad you didn't hide it from me."

"Yeah, if there is anything my parents taught me, it's that relationships are built on trust and communication." She told me, making me laugh. Even with all the daddy drama she had, I was still falling for her. And she was still just Bella to me, the same Bella she'd been since I met her.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked and she nodded. "Pick you at six?"

"Sounds perfect." She giggled as I bent down and kissed her cheek. I got into my car and pulled out of her driveway, getting onto the road. When I started driving, I had every intention to go home but something made me turn around and get on the highway leading towards the city. Jake had to know his place and I didn't think Bella had any intent on telling him.

I drove around for a while before I found the right motel. I pulled into the parking lot and made sure I was in the right place. I stood there staring for a while before walking towards the small front entrance. There was a desk clerk asleep at the desk, so I slipped right in and turned towards the hallway where his room was.

Number two. This was it. I could either knock and face him or turn around. I was just about to turn around and leave, but I ended up knocking. Then, there was nothing to do but wait. It took a few seconds, but he finally came and opened the door. I took one look at him and almost regretted my decision. He was pretty built and I barely had time to lift some weights at home.

"Hello?" He asked when he saw me standing there.

"What the hell is your problem?" I asked through clenched teeth. "How dare you hit Bella and how dare you fucking kiss her."

"Who the fuck are you?" He asked.

"How do you live with yourself?" I asked. "Knowing you broke a girls nose. Knowing that you broke a girls heart and got her pregnant?" I yelled. "Because if that was me, I would never want to sleep again."

"Again, who the fuck are you?" He asked and I just couldn't see what Bella saw in him at first. He was such and ass and he was an ass who needed to be taught a lesson, so before I knew what was happening I raised my fist and slugged him right in the face.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He screamed as he held his cheek where I'd punched him.

"You need to leave Bella alone." I growled as I pushed him into his room and closed the door. "And if you go near her again, I'll call the cops.

"Who the fuck are you?" He demanded to know, and I could see how angry he was. I knew I was going to decked, it was just a matter of time at this point. "And you can't tell me who I can and cannot see."

"She doesn't deserve this, dick." I told him. "She doesn't deserve to have you come and toy with her emotions and she certainly doesn't deserve to get fucking beaten up."

"You're the boyfriend, aren't you?" He asked as he began walking towards me. Now, I'd had a few fights back in high school, but this guy was fucking scary. No wonder Bella didn't want to fight with him again. "Well you know what, Edward?"

"Wh-what?" I stuttered. This was a bad decision.

"I don't fucking care what you have to say." He barked. "I'll see Bella when I fucking want to see her and if you go near my daughter, I'm going to tell the cops you're a child molester."

"You're a fucking creep!" I shouted as I pushed him. But, that only angered him more and he slammed me into the wall and began hitting me. I could feel blood trickling down my face and my vision was going fuzzy. He just kept hitting and soon, I couldn't see anything at all.

I blacked out.

Everything was slowly coming back into focus. I heard a faint beeping noise and Emmett and Jasper softly talking. I tried opening my eyes, but it hurt too much so I just kept them closed. Listening to everyone.

"I need coffee." I heard Jasper say. "And then I gotta go home, I have an early patient."

"I'll stay with him." Emmett offered. "Mark can handle my clients today." I heard the door open and close again, and I still didn't think I could bring myself to open my eyes.

"This is all my fault." I heard Bella whispered. I felt horrible, and it wasn't because I'd just been beaten up. I put her through hell and I knew she'd be blaming herself. But I didn't want her to because it wasn't her fault at all. I should have stayed out of it, but someone needed to say something to Jake.

"He's the one who decided to go to that guys apartment and threaten him." I heard Emmett say. "Don't beat yourself up over it."

"He went over there because of me." She cried. "It was my ex-boyfriend he beat up."

"Bella?" I asked, my voice shaky. I slowly opened my eyes, well I opened the one that wasn't swollen shut. I saw her turn towards me and smile and Emmett backed up, giving us space.

"I am so sorry, Edward." She sobbed as I felt her sit down next to me. "The motel manager...he called the cops. Jake's in jail and he's not getting out." She cried. "I'm so sorry."

"Dude, what were you thinking?" Emmett asked as I saw him walk into sight. "You don't start fights."

"Well," I whispered, turing my head and looking at Bella. "You were never going to stand up for yourself. You were just going...to let him walk all over you and you don't deserve that."

"But that didn't mean you had to go and almost get yourself killed." Bella laughed as she grabbed my hand.

"You deserved to be fought for, Bella." I told him. "And I wanted...I needed to fight for you because you're worth it."

"I am?" She asked.

"Of course." I told her. "But...how bad is it?" I asked, referring to the damage he'd done to my face.

"You have a broken nose, but that's Jake's specialty so that's to be expected." She laughed and I couldn't help but smile. "And a concussion from him hitting you so hard."

"How long will it be before I can go back to work?" I asked, knowing you were limited when you had a concussion. Plus, if my eyes were swollen, I couldn't image what my face actually looked like. I didn't want to scare any of the kids.

"The concussion isn't too bad," Emmett started. "They said to take a week to recover and then maybe only do half days until you feel like you can stand a full day around those rug rats."

"I can do that," I sighed. "What a way to start a new job, huh?"

"The good news is your black eye should heal pretty quickly." Emmett laughed. "Like any bruise."

"Good," I nodded. "I think I'm going to have to cancel dinner."

"Just get better."

"Em, can I have a minute with Bella?" I asked softly. "Please?"

"Yeah, I need to find Jasper anyway." He smiled, winking at me. "He disappeared...maybe he found a hot nurse to make out with." He laughed as he walked out of the room. I could tell Bella wanted to talk, but didn't want to do it in front of Emmett, which I understood.

"You can talk," I whispered, gently running her arm. "I'll listen."

"Don't you ever do that to me again." She cried, new tears filling her eyes. "Do you...know how scared I was when I got a call from some random number, telling me you were in the hospital because you'd been beaten?" She asked. "I thought you were mugged or...worse even."

"I'm sorry, but you deserve better."

"Yeah, but I can't have you if you're unconscious!" She reminded me. "And you...you are my better."

"He just...I want you to be happy and I can tell how unhappy you are. Because, after everything, you still harbor feelings for him."

"Edward,"

"It's okay. I understand, but you should be treated like a princess, Bella. You should be with someone who never wants to let you go." I told her. "And I get that you loved him and that you have a connection with him because of Ava," I took a deep breath. "But...I want you all to myself."

"I know,"

"And I really don't know what I thought I would prove by going there earlier," I smiled. "But I just wanted him to feel the way he made you feel all the time. I wanted him to be in pain and to know that he can't keep doing this to you. Because there are repercussions in life."

"I'm glad you went," She told me. "Because everyone was right."

"About what?"

"That I was putting myself and Ava in danger by not pressing charges when he hit me." She whispered. "And when I heard where the ambulance picked you up, I knew Jake was the one who did this to you...and if he could do this to someone he didn't eve know then who knows what he'd do to me."

"I'm glad going there had some good effects." I told her, bringing my hand up to her cheek. "Because..." I trailed off.

"Edward?"

"I'm falling in love with you, Bella." I told her. "Despite everything. Despite you being a single mom. Despite Jake and him showing up. Despite the fact that he...kissed you. I'm falling in love with you."

"I'm scared." She admitted. "I know you're nothing like him, but last time someone said that to me..." She stopped to take a deep breath. "I ended up knocked up and alone."

"I would never hurt you, Bella. Why can't you see that?"

"I want to see that." She cried. "Just...give me some time. Because you're the guy Rosalie, Alice, and I talked about finding one day. You're the guy we pictured ourselves walking down the aisle to."

"I'll give you all the time you need." I told her. "As long as you chose me."

"I promise." She giggled as the door to my room opened. I turned my head and saw my mother standing there, her clothes wrinkled from the plane ride and looking exhausted.

"Edward Antony." She started as she walked over to me, her heals clicking on the tile floor. "You scared me half to death."

"Mom?" I asked. "How did you know?"

"Jasper called me after he got the call." She told me. Bella stood up and told me she was going for coffee, leaving my mother and I alone. "Now, what's this about you getting into a fight?"

"Mom, I'm twenty-six." I told her. "You don't need to lecture me."

"You're laying in a hospital bed, Edward. Don't test me." She said and I knew she meant it. Even though I was a grown man, my mother still had the ability to scare the shit out of me. "Now why are you beating random guys up?"

"It wasn't a total stranger." I shrugged. "It was Jake."

"Who?"

"Bella's ex." I told her wearily. "Her kids father."

"Why the hell would you do that?" She asked. "Why are you getting in the midddle?"

"Because she's scared of him and she'd never stand up for herself!" I told her. "He beat her up a few months ago and tonight he showed up and started kissing her."

"Edward, this isn't any of your concern, honey." She whispered, stroking my hair. "Are you sure you want to get mixed up in this?"

"Mom, she's everything to me." I whispered. "She's worth it."

"You told us Tanya was everything to you."

"I didn't get it before." I told her. "We were young and I thought what we had was love but after Bella I know that it was just...puppy love."

"I don't want you getting yourself hurt over a girl."

"She's more than a girl." I told her. "I know it's fast and maybe it's too soon after Tanya," I took a deep breath. "But, Bella and I connected the second we met and these last few weeks have been amazing. We've just been getting to know each other without being physical."

"I've never seen you like this, baby." She smiled. "And she seems like a great girl, but you shouldn't be getting involved with her problems with the childs father."

"It was a dumb move, I know." I nodded. "But I mean, Dad told me he'd do anything for you." I reminded her. "And I just couldn't stand back and watch her get walked on by him."

"Yeah, Mrs. Masen." Emmett piped in as he walked into the room. "Edward finally grew some balls. You should be proud."

"How old are you now, Em?" She laughed. Emmett had no filter, even in front of our parents. But, they never minded and they laughed along with Jazz and I when he said something ridiculous.

"Almost twenty-seven!" He said excitedly. "But, I'm really fifteen at heart."

"Reliving the glory days, right man?" I asked.

"Fuck yeah!" He yelled, making us both laugh. "Oh, the doctor wanted to talk to you, Mrs. Masen. He's outside."

"Thanks, sweetie." She said as she leaned in and kissed my forehead.

"She's right, Edward." Emmett said, turning serious. "Please don't go getting yourself beat up again. This was not a fun night."

"You worried about me, Emmett?" I asked.

"Yes." He nodded and I was taken surprised. Emmett never took anything seriously so this was surprising. "It sucks when your best friend is in the hospital and you can't do anything to help."

"I'm fine you big baby." I mocked.

The hospital kept me over night and by the next morning, my Mom was taking me home. She insisted on staying with me until I was feeling better and there were no headaches. She was still weary about Bella, but I knew she'd get over it. Things had been blown out of proportion, she just had to see how perfect Bella and I were.

"I'm going to go to the store, kiddo." Mom said as she grabbed her coat while I laid on the couch, not doing anything of interest. "Call me if you think of anything you want." She said as she left the apartment. The hospital suggested not doing anything that would put any stress on my brain, so I pretty much had nothing to do.

I had no idea how Emmett put up with this when he got concussions playing football.

Just as I got comfortable again with Frank Sinatra softly playing in the background, there was a loud knock on the door. I sighed as I slowly stood up, trying not to make myself dizzy. I walked over and looked through the peep hole, surprised to see Bella standing there.

"Hey," I smiled once I opened the door. "What's up?"

"My parents offered to take Ava tonight." She smiled. "I thought I'd come over and cook you dinner so your mom could have a night off."

"That's very sweet of you." I smiled as I let her inside. She put her box of things on the counter and turned to face me. "What?"

"I'm really sorry." She whispered. "I shouldn't have let Jake kiss me."

"Bells, I didn't go over there because he kissed you." I explained. "I mean, it wasn't great hearing that, but like I said before he shouldn't get to treat you the way he does. He kissed you because he thinks he can get away with anything when it comes to you and he doesn't care who it hurts."

"How's you eye?" She asked after a long pause. "It looks better."

"Mom has me put ice on it like clockwork." I laughed. "It's feeling better. And so is my nose."

"Edward?" She asked as she walked over and stood in front of me.

"Yeah?" I smiled, reaching over and grabbing her hand.

"I'm falling in love with you too."