I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Sorry for the late update. I live in area that got hit by a snowstorm and haven't had power since Wed. night. I still don't have power, but finally found a spot to get to update. Hopefully it loads okay, connection very slow.

Ch: 18

(EPOV)

"Bella, love, please don't cry." I sat up to quickly and felt dizzy. I leaned back against the pillows and reached out for her. "Come here, please, angel."

She climbed carefully on the bed and I pulled her to me. She curled into my side and just cried. I ran my hand through her hair and whispered that she was safe.

"How's Emmett? I heard bits and pieces while I was out," I asked. I kissed the top of her head. I looked at Jasper, but it was Bella who answered me.

"He saved me by taking a bullet that was meant for me." Bella whispered so low I almost couldn't hear her. She was obviously shaken up by it still.

"Emmett's recovery is still up in the air. They were able to repair his lung, but he hasn't shown any improvement yet. However, he hasn't shown any decline either," Jasper answered.

"I didn't even know he was there. Did you see him?" I asked.

Jasper shook his head.

"Alec and Royce overpowered him and drugged him when they caught on they were being followed. Apparently they brought him with them or something…I'm not sure on that part. But Emmett said he easily overpowered Royce on his own and killed him. He then went after Alec. Alec had me cornered in the kitchen and Emmett distracted him. Alec was already upset that I wouldn't get Masen for him. He was acting like he was crazy or something. When he thought something happened to Royce he snapped and tried to shoot me. Emmett jumped in front of me trying to get me out of the way and he got shot," her voice was strained as the story came out.

"Tell him what you did," Jasper encouraged with a smile.

I looked at him questionably, but he nodded his head to her.

"I shot Alec," she answered after a moment. I was surprised, but very pleased.

"So he's dead." I hope I didn't sound too cheerful.

Bella shook her head.

"She got him in the shoulder and disarmed him just before Jacob got there and took over."

"Good for you, baby. I'm proud of you." I kissed her forehead.

She gave me a weak smile.
"What happened after I blacked out? I felt something hit the back of my head then I don't remember anything after," I asked Jasper.

"I took care of the idiot that attacked you from behind. Out of the five that came with Alec, he and the one that ran are in police custody now. Alec is in a Seattle hospital; they wanted better security so he didn't try to get away." Jasper informed me.

"Good, but I have to ask; Bella, what were you doing in the kitchen? Why weren't you in the panic room?" I tried to ask without sounding like I was scolding her.

"I forgot Masen's nebulizer. I was paranoid he would have an attack if he got worked up and scared. I thought I had time." She turned red.

"I'm just glad you're safe." I kissed her head, I couldn't bring myself to lecture her about it being too risky. "How is Masen? Did he have an attack?" I saw him so I knew he was okay physically.

"He slept through the entire thing." Jasper smirked.

"That's good, right?" Maybe that will save him from being too traumatized.

"I guess. He was pretty upset when he woke up and you weren't there. He had such a tantrum that we wouldn't bring him to you that he ended up having an asthma attack. But thankfully, Alice and Jasper were angels and stuck through it with me to get him calmed down. Jasper even got him to laugh at stories about when you were kids." Bella sat up and smiled softly. Her eyes were red but she had stopped crying.

"Thank you. But I hope you didn't tell him anything I'm going to regret." I owed my longtime friend, so much for standing by me.

"Nothing too damaging. I was happy to help. You would've done the same, so you don't have to thank me." Jasper smiled. He glanced at Bella then back at me. "I think I will go check on Emmett again. Hopefully the lazy bum will wake up soon too," He tried to joke, but his smile became strained.

LB

The door closed behind him and I shifted so I could see Bella better. I brushed my hand against her soft cheek. She leaned into my hand and her eyes fluttered closed.

"I'm sorry about breaking down like that." She reopened her eyes and gazed up at me.

"Don't apologize, love. It's understandable, with everything." I kissed her forehead lightly. "I'm just thankful that both of you are unharmed. Hopefully, we can put this all behind us soon."

"I'm glad that you are going to be okay, too." She smiled, reaching up to stroke my hair; being careful of the bandage.

"I never noticed him sucking his thumb before," I mentioned.

"It's a new thing for me. I'm not sure but I think he does it to sooth himself." Bella frowned slightly. "Hopefully, when everything calms down, it will stop."

I grabbed her left hand and kissed it before I played with the ring. "So we are engaged?" I grinned. She blushed and pulled her hand from mine.

"Your parents did that so I could visit with you," she answered as she started to pull the ring off. My heart clutched in my chest. I placed my hand over hers stopping her.

"Leave it on. It belongs to you," I pleaded softly.

She paused before she nodded. She tilted her head up and kissed my cheek. I turned my head and my lips met hers. Our mouths moved slowly against each other, not rushing but rather taking our time. She rolled slightly, half covering me and my hard-on grazed her hip. My hand ghosted down and cupped her ass and pulled her to me. She moaned against my lips and my hips bucked slightly.

"Oh, sorry," a voice spoke up sounding embarrassed. Bella pulled away and nearly fell off the bed in her haste. Angela was standing in the doorway bright red, averting her eyes and holding a tray.

"I'm sorry. We got carried away." Bella turned pink too.

"I brought you you're lunch. We are hoping you would be hungry enough to eat." She placed the tray on a table and pulled it over.

"Thank you, Angela, sorry about that," I apologized, trying to cover myself with a blanket.

"You remember me. I'm glad that elephant didn't do too much damage." She teased. "Though seriously, those doors don't lock, so I would wait for any type of reunion until you leave. Plus the door window lets you see in but not out." She looked embarrassed to tell us.

"We understand, it won't happen again." Bella nodded still looking flustered. I was disappointed, but I understood too. At least it was Angela who came in and not Masen with my mom in tow. I don't think the hide and seek excuse would work again.

"I'll just unhook you from everything. If you need the restroom make sure someone helps you the first few trips. Your sense of balance may be off still, and we can't have you falling."

"I won't, I promised." She worked silently for a few minutes and soon I was unwired and tube free. She pulled the tray in front of me.

"Bella, do you need anything?" Angela asked sweetly.

"I'm fine," she responded. I sighed, because I could tell that she wasn't

"Okay, use the call button if you need anything." She smiled and left the room.

"Opps," I shrugged. "Come back." I patted next to me on the bed.

"I think it's best that I stay right here." Bella shifted in her seat. I tried to pout but she just laughed.

"Sorry, but you have nothing on your son." She laughed and shook her head.

"Would you feed me?" I tried for the sympathy route. She rolled her eyes this time but scooted her chair closer and picked up the spoon.

"This is the whole man flu again, isn't it?" she smirked as she spooned up some of the soup.

"Hey, I was really sick." I instantly defended myself.

I laid on the couch bundled in blankets shivering and feeling as if I was going to die. My nose was running and my throat felt like it was on fire. My head was pounding and I could barely keep my eyes open.

"Edward?" My angel called from the doorway.

"Don't come any closer, love. I don't want you to get sick." I turned my head to cough.

"I made some chicken noodle soup. Are you hungry?" she asked sweetly.

"Maybe, when I have more energy. Unless…" I trailed off.

She walked closer setting the soup down.

"Unless, what? Do I need to get your mom?" She bit her lower lip looking very worried.
"Will you feed me?" I looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

She looked at me sadly and nodded her head.

"Sure." She grabbed a chair and dragged it over. She opened the lid and I could see that it was still hot. I wish I could smell it. "Open up." I obeyed and it was too hot.

"Hot," I whined then reached for my glass of water.

"I'm sorry." Bella frowned. She blew on the next spoonful and brought it to my mouth. I took a tiny taste and pulled away. "Still too hot. My mom puts an ice cube in it."

"Okay." She used a spoon to get an ice cube out of my water and put it in the bowl.

"I've been drinking out of the cup. That ice has been contaminated." She rolled her eyes.

"This spoon has already been in your mouth so it has been contaminated too." Her smile was becoming forced. "Try this." She brought a new spoonful to my mouth.

I swallowed it and smiled. "Better. But take the ice cube out. If you leave it in too long it will make the soup to cold."

Bella smiled through thin, tight lips, and took the ice cube out and left it on the lid. I ate about three more spoonfuls before I declared I was full.

"I'm still cold. Get you get me another blanket from my bed?" I asked pouting.

"Sure." She stood up and grabbed the blanket from the foot of my bed. She spread it out on top of me and tucked it around me.

"Thank you," I mumbled. "Will you fluff my pillow?"

She nodded and I leaned forward as she fluffed it.

"How's that," she asked.

I leaned back then sat back up.

"A little more." She started to fluff it. "Actually, I think I need a second pillow. Please?" She sighed but walked over to my bed and grabbed another pillow. She brought it over and started to fluff it.

"Actually, I think I rather lie down in bed so I can take a nap." I started to move.

I heard her sigh, but she didn't say anything. I stood up and I felt dizzy, I swayed slightly and Bella dropped the pillow to grab my elbow.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to help you?" She looked concerned.

"I'll be okay. Don't stand to close. I don't want to hit you if I pass out." She eyed me nervously as I slowly made my way to bed and fell on it and crawled the rest of the way, until I was under the covers. She brought the pillows and arranged them again for me.

"Do you need anything else?" she asked.

"Could you put a movie in for me?" I asked.

She nodded and headed over to my collection.

"What would like to watch?" she asked looking over her shoulder.

"Lord of the Rings," I asked. She grabbed the DVD and put it in.

"Anything else?" She asked. I shook my head so she started to pick up the soup. The light of the room was glaring on the screen and hurting my eyes.

"Can you turn off the lights, please?" Bella put the stuff down again and nodded. She went over and turned off the lights just as my mother entered.

"Here is your orange juice, no pulp." She placed it next to me on the night stand.

"I asked for that awhile ago," I whined. My mother rolled her eyes at me.

"Young man, if you wanted it that bad you could've gone to the kitchen yourself and gotten it. You have a cold, you're not on your death bed. Good grief. I don't know who is the bigger drama queen, you or your father." She shook her head.

"A cold? He only has a cold," Bella looked at my mother in disbelief.

"On second thought, I can do it," I reached for the spoon.

She held on to it and just smiled. "I don't mind." She brought the spoon to my mouth and I swallowed a spoonful.

"Have you eaten?" I asked.

She nodded but looked away. I knew she wasn't telling me the truth.

"What did you have?" I asked casually.

"Hmm," she responded.

"What did you have?" I repeated before taking another spoonful.

"I had some toast at breakfast. I wasn't very hungry," she answered.

I stilled the spoon in front of my mouth and pushed it towards her.

"Your turn," I insisted.

"I'm not hungry." She shook her head. "And you need to get your strength up."

"So do you. Please, baby, we can share. I'll even let you have my brownie." I smiled pleadingly.

She opened her mouth and took a spoonful.

LB

There was a quick knock and Jasper entered quickly.

"Sorry to bug you two, but I just heard from Peter and I thought you would like to hear the newest news," he apologized as he took the seat on other side of me.

"Did he find Rose?" Bella asked looking a bit anxious.

"No. She already left the place she was in. She didn't go home either," Jasper answered with an apologetic look.

Bella frowned and she looked very worried about her. She probably wouldn't rest until she knew that Rosalie was alright.

"I have news about Alec." Jasper looked at me then glanced at Bella cautiously.

She stiffened and put down the spoon. She reached for my hand and laced our fingers together.
"It's actually good news. He's trying for a plea deal with the FBI." Jasper started.

"Are they really going to give him a deal? Didn't he kill and seriously injure one of their own?" I asked.

"Technically Irina killed Tanya and Kate killed Irina. Royce injured Kate," Jasper explained.

"But he shot Emmett," Bella stated.

"True, and if he makes a plea, that may affect his plea deal. But a plea deal doesn't mean he gets off completely. It seems that Alec hates Aro so much that he wants to bring him and his 'business' down any way he can." Jasper used air quotes on business. "He blames Aro for driving his sister and his mother mad. Turns out Tanya was hell bent on revenge because her father was also Alec's biological dad." Jasper went on to explain.

"So what does this mean for me and Masen? Are we still targets?" Bella asked.

Jasper smile was encouraging. "With Alec testifying and since he confessed what he has done to you and you have no knowledge of his real 'business', there will be little to no need for you to. Also, from what Peter could get from what Alec has said so far, no one knows what you or Masen looks like or that you both exist. Only Royce, Aro and Susplicia knew about you and Masen. Emmett killed Royce. Aro died last night of a long illness and Susplicia is off the grid herself. With the 'business' in so much upheaval no one is thinking about you or Masen. Even if they did get hold of Alec's paperwork it had false names on it, Gabriella 'Bella' Swine and Jason. Right now the paper work is in hands of FBI."

"He gave us false names? Why?" Bella looked shocked. Jasper shrugged but still smiled.

"I don't know for sure. My guess is to protect you from his and his father's enemies. And since 'Jason' was thought to be Alec's, no one is going to look for Edward Cullen either. Alec told the men that came with him that night that someone had stolen a shipment and gave no names."

"So no one is going to look for me and Masen?" Bella let out a sigh of relief as Jasper shook his head. I squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile.

"How did Peter get his hands on all this information? Can it be trusted?" I asked not ready to celebrate yet.

"Peter has formed a very close friend in the FBI. Her name is Charlotte and she's Kate's sister. They have been trading information back and forth. So close, in fact, we are going to be invited to their wedding." Jasper grinned.

"This is good. We can have a fresh start without any worries. So if you want to go back to U-Dub to finish your degree, you can," I suggested.

"I'm not sure if I want to live around here. Too many memories." Bella shook her head.

"Okay, where then? I am assuming Phoenix is out too." She nodded. I didn't want to suggest Chicago since I'm not too sure how much she trusted my parents yet.

"Well, my parents' do have the ranch in Texas. It is where I'm headed, they could use some help on the ranch. I did tell Masen I would teach him to ride if you said it was okay." Jasper suggested.

"What about Alice?" Bella frowned slightly.

"The ranch is only an hour outside of Houston. It's not New York, but it may satisfy her need to go to the city. She is already making plans to come with me. I'm sure there are colleges in the area," he answered. Bella tilted her head as she thought about it.

"We could visit and see what it is like before we make a decision," I suggested.

"That might be nice. I know I should have a plan since we have Masen to consider, I just don't know yet." Bella looked sheepish.

"Take all the time you need Bella. Masen is young enough that we don't have to worry about school yet. Maybe we can travel a bit as a family vacation. We could go to Disney. Or I could find that island if you still want one." Bella grinned and laughed a little.

"I don't think we need that island now."

Jasper looked confused but just shrugged and looked at the door as Alice entered.

"Hey, where are the others?" He asked as she placed an ice cream sundae in front of Bella.

"Esme and Carlisle went back to the hotel since neither has had a shower or some sleep since they arrived," Alice answered.

"Where's Masen?" Bella dropped my hand and stood up abruptly. Her eyes were filled with fear again.

"He came in here." Alice paled looked frantically around.

"No, he didn't." I sat up fast. I felt a wave of dizziness.

"I only stopped to talk to Angela for a second. We were two door down. He asked if he could bring you your ice cream." Alice was starting to panic now. She stepped back in the hall. "He couldn't of gone that far."

"Oh, god, what if Jasper is wrong. What if Alec has him?" Bella was hyperventilating.

"Alec is in high security prison as of an hour ago. Masen has to be around here somewhere." Jasper promised her. "Edward, get back in bed."

"Not until I find my son." I refused. I took a step and swayed again.

"Fuck, at least let me help you." Jasper grabbed my elbow.

"No… Edward, stay here in case he shows back up. Alice, go tell Angela he is missing then check the cafeteria in case he went back. Jasper, check the bathroom on this floor, he might have had to go. I bet he went to go find Emmett, I'll check there. He's been begging me to see him." Bella spoke up suddenly with a strong voice.

"But, I need to look for him too." I insisted.

"Edward, you can barely even stand upright. If he shows up back here it shouldn't be to an empty room." She reasoned.

"She's right, Edward. He couldn't have gone far." Jasper lightly pushed me back to the bed.

They left quickly and I was left alone in the room. I grabbed and held the super Grover in my hands. I listened to the intercoms as a Code Adam was called for a three year old boy with red hair and green eyes wearing a blue shirt with a frog on it.

A/N:

Now before you panic about Masen's disappearing, I bet you can figure it out.

As Jasper mentioned about Alec is true. He doing anything he can to take down Aro's 'business' even that means signing a death warrant becoming an informant.

So to anyone who knew of Bella is dead or thinks of her as Gabriella. An interesting twist that can work to his advantage.

Up next someone that many of you have been waiting for…

Thank You For All Reviews.

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Preview Alert

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Preview:

A little boy was standing at the foot of the bed holding a bowl of slightly melted ice cream. It took only a glance to know who it was. I glanced around surprised to see him alone.

"I'm sad for my friend that got hurt. I want him to get better." I explained. He glanced at Emmett then back at me.

"You know my Uncle Em?" he asked.

"I do. From a long time ago." I answered nodding.