A/N: Thanks for the reviews and follows - I am so honoured to have y'all reading my story. Thanks to gooseonline for her patience and beta goodness. Oh and by the way I still don't own Twilight. Okay well here we go. See you at the other end.

Chapter 17 - a hint of spice

"Who's Zafrina?" I asked. Looking at a sheepish Tyler.

"Za-ffy is blak an bood-i-full, Lil Bit is pink an pweddy!" Lil Bit sang out with a mouthful of crepes and strawberries.

"Don't sing with your mouthful Elizabeth," Bella reprimanded sounding very much like Esme.

Wait, did Lil Bit just say 'black and beautiful'?

"That she is Lil Bit," Tyler was nodding and laughing.

"I hope you're not offended by Elizabeth saying 'black' Tyler," Bella cast a worried look at Tyler. "Zafrina sings that with her whenever they're together. I used to think it was cute but now I'm worried that people could be offended."

"I'm not offended," Tyler reassured her.

"Zaffy say blak is boodi-full. iz oo boodi-full too, ti-lar?"

I chuckled waiting to hear Tyler's response to that!

"Well, I don't know about beautiful but I am definitely black Lil Bit," Tyler laughed. "But I have to say, I think Zafrina is possibly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

Wow, way to go Tyler. I can't wait to meet this Zafrina, she must be some woman to get Mr Cool to thaw out.

Bella smiled at him and then turned back to me while she sipped her tea, "Zaffy… Zafrina... is my event manager. She's really brilliant, so creative and so organised. She runs her catering team like a well-oiled machine and no matter how large or small our events she just handles all the details. She can turn any event into something magical and just make you believe you're somewhere else. Actually, she and Alice are working together on that fashion show Alice has coming up next week."

"Yeah, Alice was at your place with … Zafrina, when I stopped by to pick up breakfast. Alice introduced us."

I don't think I've heard Tyler talk this much with anyone other than me... ever.

"All dun, momma." Lil Bit announced putting her spoon and fork together on her plate. Such a good girl.

"Fank oo fo bwek fes, Ti-la… yummy in my tummy," Lil Bit beamed a happy smile to Tyler who smiled back at her.

"Good morning, Mr and Mrs Cullen and sweet little Elizabeth," Carlisle strolled into the room and headed straight to Bella's chart. "Good to see you,Tyler."

"Doctor Cullen, good to see you Sir," Tyler slipped back into his formal manner, before looking over at me and mouthing, "Mrs Cullen?"

I chuckled, waved him off and mouthed back, "Later".

"Well, Bella. You've done very well overnight. How are you feeling? Any nausea? Dizziness?" He was flashing a light in her eyes and looking at the gash on her head.

"No Carlisle," she told him quietly.

"She slept well all night and even ate a nice breakfast this morning, Dad."

"Yes, Alice sent me the photos of you curled up all around my patient, son. It's a wonder the nurses didn't kick you out." He laughed while Bella blushed furiously.

"He probably looked at them with those sparkly green eyes of his and flashed them his cheeky smile. They didn't stand a chance," She giggled and then she fucking winked at me. My girl was getting flirty, she must be feeling better.

"Yeah, that would probably work. He's been pulling that one since high school," Carlisle agreed.

"Hey, I didn't do anything. I don't know what you're talking about," I leaned in and kissed her.

"Oh yes you do," she whispered to me. "You dazzle people all the time." She reached up and cupped my cheek.

"But do I dazzle you, that's the important question?" I looked deeply into her beautiful eyes, thinking how dazzled I was by her.

"All the time." She reached up and kissed me again. Mmm,definitely feeling a little better. So fucking cute.

"Good to know," I whispered into her ear and kissed her neck just below her ear. She laughed and hit my chest playfully. I sat on the bed next to her and pulled Lil Bit up onto my lap. Lil Bit sat there and played with the buttons on her little horsey dress and rested her head against my chest.

Carlisle cleared his throat, "We just need to change the dressing on your stitches and then you'll be good to head home. Do you have someone at home who can keep an eye on you as well as looking after your sweet little one?"

I jumped straight in without letting Bella answer. "I'll be staying with you sweet one," I looked in her eyes. I wasn't asking.

She smiled and nodded. "I'd like that," she whispered to me.

Thank fuck. I couldn't bear the thought of parting from them now. I was prepared to argue about it but her willing agreement was sweeter than winning any argument.

"Good deal," Carlisle patted Bella's hand. "I'll write up the dressing change request, organise some medications for you to take home with you and start the wheels turning on your discharge."

"Take care Bella. And try not to let this one," he gestured at me, "get his way too much."

Fucker, what does he mean get my way. I never get things my way.

"I'll try Carlisle. But I can't promise anything. He can be quite charming you know."

Carlisle waved and left to get things sorted for Bella's discharge.

She looked at me and blushed a beautiful pink. I couldn't resist planting a soft kiss on her forehead. She thinks I am charming.

Tyler started clearing all our dishes and rubbish back into the catering box while Bella was wiping Lil Bit's hands and face with the wipes from her bag. Just then Alec arrived and I waved him over to formally introduce him to Bella.

"Alec, this is my girlfriend Isabella Swan. Bella this is Alec Ringer. He is my friend, my personal lawyer and also Head of Legal for Cullen & Masen." I love introducing Bella as my girlfriend, it didn't seem enough but it was more than last week.

"Girlfriend?" Alec looked at me and I wondered why he seemed so surprised. "The nursing staff said you and your wife were in here." He smirked and raised one eyebrow at me.

"Yeah… that's actually one of the reasons why I wanted to talk with you this morning." I gestured to a chair for Alec to sit and Bella started giggling.

"Nice to meet you finally Bella, I've been eating your delicious food for a few weeks now. I have to say I am very glad you straightened this guy out. We were ready to ship him out of the country last week. He was like a bear with a thorn in his paw. I take it you forgave him for whatever stupid thing he did?" He smiled and shook Bella's hand.

"Okay, okay. Enough picking on me. It was all a mix-up but we're all good now aren't we sweet one?" I looked to her for back-up, taking her hand out of Alec's clutches and claiming it back to me.

"Yes, baby, we're all good." Damn, I loved it when she called me baby.

"And who is this beautiful young lady?" Alec touched the tip of Lil Bit's nose, making her giggle.

"I Lil Bit," she said enthusiastically. My little love did not have a shy bone in her body; she wasn't obnoxious she was just friendly.

"Well you look just like your mother, Elizabeth," Alec smiled warmly at them both.

"I hope you're feeling better, Bella. The police are due in half an hour, so I'd to go over what happened so I know all the details, okay?" He turned to me then, "and you need to talk me through the whole 'Mrs Cullen' mix-up?" Alec was in lawyer mode now.

"Yeah, I don't want to have any legal issues with the hospital or the police."

"Bella and Edward?" Tyler interrupted. Wow, he used my first name. Interesting.

"Do you want me to take your little one out of the room while you talk about what happened and while the Police are here? I'm sure you don't want her hearing it all over again."

Bella looked to me, "Perhaps Tyler and Elizabeth could share my flowers around the wards. I can't possibly take them all home with me and there are so many people here who could enjoy them, even the nursing staff."

Such a generous girl. I leaned down and kissed her nose, "That's an excellent idea sweet one."

Bella turned to Tyler, "Perhaps you and Elizabeth could take one flower from each arrangement and I'll take that home with me. But I'd like to share the rest with other patients and the nurses. Would you be okay with doing that with Lil Bit?"

Tyler nodded and then reached out to my little one, "Will you help me share flowers with other patients and the nurses, Lil Bit?"

"Yay," she clapped her hands. "I halp oo Ti-la." She reached up happily to him and he lifted her into his huge arms. She looked so tiny with him.

He carried her over to the huge wall of flowers and then put her down on the floor asking her to take one flower from each bunch and give it to her momma. He left the room for a few moments and then came back in with a trolley which he loaded up with the flower arrangements.

Lil Bit brought the flowers to Bella's bed and I wrapped them up into several bunches.

I leaned down and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the cheek, "Be good and listen to Tyler won't you little love."

"I good Eh-wed, I a bewwy good girl," she softly kissed my cheek.

"Yes you are a very good girl, my little love," I hugged her and walked her over to Tyler who'd finished loading up all the flowers.

"Don't let her out of your sight will you?" I was nervous but released Lil Bit to his care.

"She's precious Edward. I get that."

That's twice now he's called me by my first name.

Tyler turned back into the room, "Um… Bella… you never did answer my question y'know… about Zafrina?" He smirked at her, "Is she single?"

Bella smiled and him nodded enthusiastically.

"That looks like a yes and I take it that's a good thing Tyler?" I said waggling my eyebrows at him.

Tyler broke out into the biggest smile I have ever seen on his face, "Yes, you could say that was a very good thing." He reached down and Lil Bit curled her little hand around two of Tyler's fingers. "Okay Lil Bit, let's go deliver some flowers."

She turned and waved to me over her shoulder, "I bee good, Eh-wed. Wess go Ti-la."

I chuckled watching Tyler going down the aisle of the hospital pushing a large trolley covered in all sorts of flowers, with Lil Bit holding his hand skipping along beside him.

"Okay, Alec what do you need from us?" I moved back and sat back down next to Bella. I raised my arm and she snuggled in with her head on my shoulder. I closed my arm around her and rested my cheek on the top of her head. We were going to have to talk through the attack at least twice today, once with Alec and then again with the Police. I hoped it didn't upset her too much.

We sat with Alec and talked him through everything that had happened the day before including the hospital. He listened and took a few notes.

There was a knock at the door and the nurse came in to change the dressing on Bella's head wound which had been stitched. While the nurse worked the Police arrived and Alec took them outside to wait until the nurse was done.

"Are you okay sweet one? Do you need some pain killers?" She'd been grimacing as the nurse worked but never complained.

"Does your head hurt Mrs Cullen? These sorts of injuries can give you a terrible headache. Dr Cullen left permission for some light painkillers."

"Yes, that would actually be good. It does hurt," she said quietly.

The nurse got her some pain killers and I sat with her gently guiding her head to rest on my shoulder and stroking her beautiful soft hair.

The nurse gave Bella a small cup with two tablets in it and a glass of water, "These may make you a little drowsy so Daddy here will need to look after the little one when you get home, okay? You need to rest."

Bella blushed again but I couldn't help the smile that broke across my face when the nurse had called me Lil Bit's Daddy.

"Your daughter is the cutest thing," she said. "She's handing out flowers all over the wards and telling everyone to 'bee appy'. She was singing songs with some of the older patients when I walked past before, she's adorable. You must be very good parents to have such a good little girl."

"It's all her momma's doing," I kissed the top of Bella's head softly.

"Well, she's adorable. Okay, now once you've finished with your police interview, you should be right to head home. I'll go check that all the paperwork is ready for you Mr Cullen and I'll bring back your wife's meds."

After the nurse left Bella sat up and looked at me, "Let's get this police interview over with Edward, I want to go home." She looked tired already but I knew we couldn't put this off any longer.

"Okay, love. Let me get them in here." I left her warm embrace and walked over to the door signalling for Alec and the police officers from yesterday to come in.

"Morning gentlemen, Bella's tired and she has a bad headache so if you could keep this as simple and brief as possible I would appreciate it."

"Certainly, Mr Cullen." They walked over to Bella's bedside and I went to follow when Alec pulled me aside.

"I've cleared up the 'wife' mix-up already so don't worry about that. Also the police picked up a couple of dudes in the park late yesterday who had been were acting suspiciously and they may want Bella to see if these are the same men who attacked her. Just wanted to give you the heads up."

When I made my way back to Bella she was talking them through what had happened. I took my place on the bed again, pulling her into my arms gently. She had tears in her eyes as she told them about them grabbing Lil Bit and I remembered as she spoke how Lil Bit was screaming with fear.

"And Mr Cullen can you describe the men?" Officer Riley asked me.

"Sorry, I heard them but I never saw them. When I finally located Bella and Lil Bit, Elizabeth, the men were gone, Bella was unconscious and Lil Bit was screaming."

I could feel my body tense with anger at the thought of these men scaring my two beautiful girls but I did my best to relax as Bella was upset and needed my support.

"Mrs Cullen… sorry, I mean Miss Swan … Two men were picked up yesterday in the park. They had threatened a few people who felt sufficiently frightened they called 911. The men were picked up and were brought in for questioning. One of them mentioned something that may have had something to do with the attack on you, so they were held overnight for questioning."

Bella looked concerned and a little pale. She squeezed me ever so slightly so I knew she was frightened.

"We have pictures here of over 10 men and we wondering if you could look at them to see if the two men who attacked you are in any of these photos. Would you be willing to look?" Officer Riley reached back to the other officer who handed him a folder.

"Yes," was all Bella said. Her voice was faint and I knew she just wanted this to be over so we could go home. I hated that this had happened to her. I never wanted her to be hurt again. I wanted to be able to look after her and protect. I loved my sweet one and I was starting to realise how scary that could be.

Riley moved the bedside table and spread the photos out on the table. "Your legal counsel is here and can serve as a witness."

He laid out the 10 photos all of men who looked around the same age and roughness. Bella looked over the photos and gasped. She pointed to two photos, "That is them. Definitely."

Officer Riley nodded at Alec who picked up the photos and read out the code number on the back of each of the photos. Riley filled in a form and placed the two photos with the form and asked Bella to sign it. Alec read it and nodded to her so she signed it. Alec signed it and the two officers signed it.

"Thank you Miss Swan, Mr Cullen. If we need to talk with you again we'll contact your lawyer, Mr Ringer."

Alec walked the two officers out of the room and spoke with them in the hall for a few moments. When he came back into the room he told us that the men Bella had pointed out had in fact been the men arrested yesterday. Bella's body immediately relaxed into me and I held her just a little tighter and kissed the top of her head.

"Well done sweet one, they can't harm you or Lil Bit again."

Just then Alec stood up and gathered his papers together. "I'm off then. I'll stay in touch with the investigation and keep you posted. Remember to direct any enquiries from the police or the press, if there are any, to me. I'll look after it, okay?"

"Thanks Alec," I shook his hand with my free hand and he turned to leave.

"It was lovely to meet you Alec. I hope we can meet again soon in better circumstances," Bella had brightened up a bit but she still looked quite tired.

Alec nodded and then left.

I stood up to start packing up all the odds and ends that belonged to us and put it all into our bags. I was keen to get out of this damn hospital.

Just then Jacob and Sam came into the room laughing and pushing a wheelchair. "Good morning, Bella. You look better today. We brought your chariot, m'lady," Jacob leaned in and gave her a kiss on the head.

Sam crossed his arms over his chest and was trying to intimidate me with his 'big brother' moves, "Morning Edward. From the pictures Rosalie showed us you looked like you were making yourself mighty comfortable with our girls last night."

Jacob chuckled.

Fuckers. I wasn't going to be intimated by their teasing, even if Sam was the size of house.

"The bed was a little small but we managed didn't we sweet one?"

Bella giggled, "No fighting today boys, I have a headache."

"Bella, I'm going to check with the nurse and make sure everything is okay for you to leave. I'd like to know where Tyler and Lil Bit are too."

"Thank you Edward, the sooner we get all the paperwork done the sooner I can go home. Sam and Jacob will keep me company."

I left to go out to the nurses' station. The nurse behind the counter looked up and smiled at me in a little more than friendly way, "Mr Cullen, is everything okay with your wife? Can I help you with … anything?" She leaned forward giving me goo goo eyes.

Seriously did she not hear herself just ask me about my wife. If she thinks I am married why the hell is she flirting with me. I rolled my eyes and looked around for the nurse who helped us earlier. Finally I located her as she came back into the nurses' station and when she saw me she walked over to me with a folder in her hands.

"I have your wife's discharge papers and medications here Mr Cullen. Would you like to step over her and sign your life away for the account and then we can get you out of here?"

"Thank you," I said to her most sincerely and for more than just her efficiency. I really appreciated her rescue from Nurse Strumpet.

The hospital had my credit card details so I just signed the account and read through the information about the medication and after-care Bella would need.

"Eh-wed!" I heard Lil Bit call to me. I turned around and there she was running towards me. I squatted down and put my arms out to catch her.

"Hello my little love. I was just coming to find you." I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her nose and then blew a raspberry on her cheek, "I was missing you Lil Bit."

"I miss oo too Eh-wed," she kissed my cheek and put her hands around my neck. She was doing so well after her terrible experience yesterday.

Tyler was smiling broadly and put his hand on Lil Bit's back, "She's been such a good girl. We gave away all the flowers didn't we Lil Bit."

"An I sing da spi-da song, didsn't I Ti-la?"

"Yes honey. You taught everyone the spider song," Tyler laughed.

"My dad says your momma can go home now, Lil Bit. So shall we go then?"

"Yay… I wov home. Oo come home Eh-wed?" she patted my cheek.

"Yes, little love. We'll all go home together. Let's go get your momma."

I carried her back into Bella's room and found Bella sitting on the end of the bed with our bags all packed.

"Hi unca Ja-coob, Hi unca Sam. Dis ma speshal fwend Ti-la,."

Clearly Tyler and Lil Bit had bonded. Tyler moved forward and shook Jacob's and then Sam's hands.

"Tyler Crowley. I work for Edward."

"Reverend Jacob Black and this is Sam Uley. We're friends of Bella's. Good to meet you."

I went around the others and offered Bella my hand, "C'mon sweet one, all the paperwork is done and I have all the information about aftercare, let's go home."

She took my hand and I helped her to the wheelchair. She sat down and I placed Lil Bit in her lap.

"We go home, momma," she snuggled into Bella.

"Yes please, let's go."

I looked over to Sam and Jacob, "Can you guys grab the bags please?"

"I'll go bring the car around," Tyler left while Sam and Jacob grabbed the bags.

I wheeled my girls out of the room and we all made our way out of the ward, into the lift and then out the front of the building. Tyler was already there with the door open for us.

Sam and Jacob dropped the bags into the boot, "We'll meet you back at Bella's."

I helped Bella into the car then sat Lil Bit in the middle and did her seat belt for her. I'd have to get a car seat for her, actually I'd have to think about a few changes to my apartment too. Maybe Esme could help.

I asked Tyler to stop by my place on the way to Bella's so I could pick up some clothes.

When we got to my place, I ran in and grabbed clothes for the next few days, my laptop and phone charger. I bolted back out to the car not wanting to keep my girls waiting.

I threw my bag in the trunk and climbed back into the car, "Sorry for the delay sweet one, I just wanted to grab a few things for the next days."

"That's okay Edward. I am only sorry I don't feel up to getting out of the car. I'm very curious about what your place might look like."

"I am just as curious about your place. What's it like to live above a bakery?"

"Well, you're about to find out I suppose," she smiled up at me and winked.

We pulled up outside the bakery and after getting my girls out of the car I asked Tyler to grab the bags while I took Bella and Lil Bit upstairs.

Rosalie burst out of the front of the bakery, "You're here at last. I am so glad you're home." She reached forward and hugged Bella, wrapping her arm around Bella's waist she pulled her inside the bakery. I trailed behind carrying Lil Bit. Now having a free arm I grabbed one of the bags from Tyler as we all made our way through the bakery and the kitchen towards the stairs.

"I'll give you a tour later Edward," Bella turned in Rosalie's arms towards me. "I just want to get upstairs now and rest if that's okay."

"Of course, Bella. Relax, I can look around later."

I couldn't help but look around the bakery kitchen, it was so neat and clean. I could smell chocolate and a hint of spice, the smell was incredible, it was like Bella.

We made our way up the first half flight of stairs which turned and we went up the second half flight to arrive at a large entry area. It was all polished wood and smelled of lemon wood polish. There was a beautiful round table in the entryway which was covered in flowers and get well cards. Rosalie had obviously arranged all the cards from the arrangements and it looked really welcoming.

"Thanks Rose. The cards look lovely." Bella obviously noticed it just as I did. She really looked tired.

"C'mon sweet one, let me get you into bed," I chuckled as I realised how it sounded. Bella turned and blushed a beautiful pink.

Rosalie laughed a brilliant carefree laugh, "Slow down Tiger, the girl's been injured y'know."

"Alright, we all know what I meant." I rolled my eyes, embarrassed that I embarrassed Bella.

We walked down a long hallway, the wall covered in framed photos. Some old some new. I stopped occasionally to look at them, there were some of Bella as a little girl and the likeness to Lil Bit was extraordinary. There were pictures of baby Bella with a couple I assumed were her parents. Bella looks very much like her mother. I laughed when I looked at a photo of Bella in the arms of a policeman with a porn moustache. That had to be her Dad, he was looking with adoration at his little girl.

I noticed then that Lil Bit's head was getting heavy on my shoulder and I realised she was dropping off to sleep.

I tapped Bella on the shoulder and when she turned I whispered to her, "Where is Lil Bit's room?"

Bella tilted her head indicating to follow her. She and Rosalie turned down a connecting hallway which opened into a large open casual lounge room with toys and bookshelves everywhere. There were a child's paintings pinned on the wall. There were three rooms which came off this open lounge room and Bella opened the door to one. "This is her room. Mine is that one," she pointed to the room next to Lil Bit's.

I walked into Lil Bit's room which was painted a light lavender colour. On the largest wall was a magnificent mural. The scene was a beautiful brown haired woman in a greek tunic and sandals holding a bow. She was standing on a rocky hillside and was surrounded by a pack of dogs. She was magnificent. With Lil Bit sleeping on my shoulder i stared at the mural. It looked like Bella dressed like a greek goddess.

I turned to find Bella standing beside me looking up at the mural, "It's Artemis. In Greek mythology, Artemis was the virgin goddess of the Hunt and the Moon, that is why the painting is at night and she is surrounded by her pack of hunting dogs. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto. She was the guardian of girl children and protector of the vulnerable. I couldn't think of anyone better to watch over Lil Bit while she sleeps."

I was starting to realise there was something truly remarkable about this woman I'd fallen in love with. I leaned down and placed a kiss on her soft lips.

"In the painting Artemis looks like you, my sweet one."

Bella looked down and then looked at me, "You're the one who is sweet, my Edward. She reached up and touched my cheek lightly."

We looked at each other for several minutes just drinking each other in.

Looking down at Lil Bit asleep on my shoulder I said quietly, "I think I should lie her down and then get you into bed, my love."

Bella turned and walked over to the lovely lavender bed which was framed in book shelves filled with books and photos. She turned down the covers and I lay the little one down. I reached down to undo her shoes and slipped them off her. Then I pulled up her covers and placed a kiss on her forehead. I turned to Bella who was smiling at me.

"You are so natural with her Edward. It's like you've known her all her life."

"I can't explain it," I shrugged. "I just feel connected to her." I walked over to Bella, put my arm around her waist and led her towards the door. "C'mon my love, you need to rest."

We left the sleeping angel and headed towards Bella's room. Rosalie and the others were nowhere to be seen but my bags were in the centre of the lounge room at the centre of the three bedrooms. I guess no one wanted to presume which room to put them in. I reached down, picked up my bag, threw it over my shoulder and walked towards Bella's door.

Bella smiled up at me, took my hand and led me into her room.

I knew exactly where I was staying.

A/N: well that was nice... our lovebirds are getting so close aren't they. I'd love to hear your thoughts.