Recap:

Seth ran out to find James as extra security was called. The whole family came into the kitchen and wrapped their arms around me. Carlisle shockingly was extremely kind and soothing. Our awkward moment seemed to be behind us for the moment.

An ambulance was called as I started to lose consciousness. My injury was worse than I realized. The burns were not just on my hand, they had gone up my right arm.

I felt myself lose balance and pass out. I only could pray they had found James and he was finally taken care of.

Thank you for 100 reviews! Loved the feedback, thank you all for the reviews keeps me motivated to continue. Xxx

Chapter 17 Painkillers

Things were blurry as I looked around the unknown room. My eyes adjusted to the bright light as they blinked back and forth. I could hear a few people in the room speaking. It was becoming heated between two people, though I could not make out the individual voices.

"Bells!" Charlie's voice rang through clear as day. My eyes squinted, and I saw a very rugged Charlie hovering over me. He had not shaved, and his eyes were red. Overall, he seemed fatigued. Not the cheery Charlie I knew.

I moved toward him and gasped out in pain. My whole right arm was throbbing. It was bandaged and pressed against my chest. I settled myself back down in my bed as my eyes roamed the surrounding room.

Jake was here. He had a few bandages on both arms. He weakly smiled at me, I smiled back, feeling happy he was okay. He and the King were discussing something that seemed rather urgent. Esme quickly rushed to my side along Charlie. Carlisle's eyes held mine as he talked to Jake, he looked similar to Charlie. He must have not been resting. I had never seen him so unkempt. His eyes held mine with no emotion behind them. He quickly stormed out, leaving a tense air lingering in the room. I wondered what was that about.

Alice and Jasper were here as well. Alice ran to my other side once she noticed I was awake. There was no Edward to be found. I knew he must have also still been in the hospital, but my heart hurt from the distance between the two of us.

My free hand floated to my stomach, and Esme and Alice quickly grabbed my free hand simultaneously and squeezed. Alice whispered in my ear, the baby was okay. Everything was healthy. My smile widened along my face as a few tears formed in my eyes.

"Dad, I can't believe you are here, how did you get here so fast?" My voice was raspy. I felt like I had not drunk water in a week. Charlie handed me a glass of water as I cleared my throat.

"Bells, it's been a week since your accident. You were in a medically induced coma. They had to graft some of your skin along your arm. It wasn't a deep graft, thankfully, but your burn was extreme. What were you thinking about leaving the Castle? I could have lost you." Charlie's eyes welled up as he fiddled with his shirt. A closer inspection showed me he looked dreadful, he must not have been sleeping.

"I'm so sorry, daddy, I'm sorry to everyone." I cried as I looked at my wrapped-up arm. The pain from the graft was burning.

"It's been a week?" I realized the weight of his words. I had been in a medically induced coma for a week. Had James been found?

"Yes, sweetheart. It's been a long, grueling week. Edward has been in and out of surgeries too. He's okay, though. This last one seems to have been successful. He should make a full recovery." Esme was fighting back tears as her eyes laid upon my stomach again.

"You scared us, Bella. I can't believe you fought James." Alice cried and held me tight. I winced from the impact she caused on my right arm. She backed off slightly, realizing my discomfort. This healing process was going to be long and painful.

"I don't know, I find the whole thing super badass" Emmett's voice echoed through the room, he must have just entered. I laughed, which again caused my burn to hurt. Leave it to Emmett to lighten up the room. Esme scolded him while the rest of the room filled with various laughs.

"What happened to James? Was he caught?" I looked around the room and everyone was silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Jasper broke the silence. "He was. He didn't make it, his injuries were too grave." My heart sank. I had killed a man. I knew James was not someone to mourn over, but I couldn't help but feel unsettled by the fact I had caused him this fate. I also felt immense relief that he was gone. Not only that, I knew I could finally move on from his terror.

"Oh my god. I killed him?" I stared at Charlie, who grabbed my free hand and soothed me.

"Seth tackled him, James put up a big fight, but ultimately the burns and the impact from Seth were what caused his passing. Bella, don't feel too sorry for him. We were able to figure out what he had planned. You are lucky you broke free." Charlie's eyes welled with tears and rage.

I looked confused among the people in the room. What did he have planned?

"He intended to sell you to the same political group behind the attack. James and his father were low on funds. Coming here was a desperate attempt for him to gain some money, as were all the articles he had done. One of their associates had stolen most of their net worth. Due to who they were, they were unable to report the theft. This was their last resort." Emmett added, he weakly smiled at me to lighten the news he just shared.

"What do you mean sell me?" I was baffled by this notion. I remember his words clear as day, "what's more valuable than a princess?"

"They were going to auction you off to the highest bidder. We aren't exactly sure what their ultimate plans were, but we know it would haven't been pleasant. I don't think anyone would have seen you again." Jasper softly spoke. His eyes avoided mine. The discomfort was visible around the room. I was so close to never seeing anyone in this room again. So close to never seeing Edward again.

"Joseph Martin has been arrested as well. A lot has happened in the week. Laurent Delacroix's body was found too, his family can finally put him to rest. Joseph is participating with the police, he does not want the sentence of capital punishment, which is still in effect in Nevada." Charlie explained.

A lot had happened. Tanya and Kate had reworked the article James and Kate had been working on. It exposed the real James Hunter/Victor Martin. Public support for Edward, Jake, and I were at an all-time high. There was a public outcry for me in particular. Though we released little details, the attack between James and I had been exposed. Women were elated to see a princess who could fight back.

Jake had never received so much attention from all the ladies. He had gone viral on Twitter as the #hotguard. Articles floated around about if he was single and what his "type" may be. We all joked around that he would have to beat them off with a stick. He had just met Kate when she had visited the hospital. The two seemed to have hit it off very well. The chemistry between them was undeniable. She intended to visit again after his physical therapy appointment tomorrow. He was doing incredibly well considering, both arms were on the way to recovery.

Paul was found and was safe. He had been attacked by James just outside the Castle grounds. He was hospitalized, but released shortly afterward. Though he was remorseful, he was arrested for the breach of safety. It sadly was something that could not be looked past. Many people could have died in the shooting.

Edward was just resting a few doors down. He was still unaware of my unique situation. Esme was responsible for my care regarding the baby since Edward was incapacitated. My baby was 13 weeks old and extremely healthy. I knew it was time he knew the truth. It was time everyone did.

With James' name and real identity plastered all over the news, more victims of his abuse came forward. There were already 5 victims of sexual assault and rape who identified themselves. We all decided I would eventually share my story, but now was not the right time. Kate and Tanya had set up a fund for the victims of the Martins, every day the funds seemed to have doubled. Kate was apologetic about bringing James here, but it seemed ultimately it was for the best. He could no longer harm anyone else.

The doctor came in and explained that only my top two layers of skin had been damaged. It was only grafted toward the mid-length of my arm. The graft was healing well and would be bandage free in about a week. Though it was painful, it was a sign that the skin was improving. My burns would diminish over time. My arm and hand would be a shade of pink and fade into a more normal skin shade. I was lucky my injuries weren't more severe.

It was the evening time and everyone decided it was time to go home and freshen up. Alice quietly told me the heated discussion between Jake and the King was regarding Edward and I's union. He was upset with Jake for being so careless. He was not pleased with the new information I had presented while emotional. I knew at some point we would have to speak to him. He also would need to be made aware of our upcoming roles. It was a bit of a mess.

"He is worried you are here for the wrong reasons. The chaos that has followed you hasn't helped. You and Edward have to speak to him. You both clearly have feelings for one another. My dad won't care if you two love each other." Alice chirped, keeping her voice down, so no others could hear our exact conversation.

I nodded my head in agreement, "Edward told me he loved me on the phone, Alice." I bit my lip and smiled at her. I still was in disbelief he had said that.

Alice's face lit up as she twirled around quietly. "We are going to be proper sisters!"

I chuckled at her ridiculousness. "What if he doesn't remember? What if it wasn't sincere?" I realized he was very loopy when we talked.

"Bella, since day one I felt my brother cared for you. I can't explain it, but I know it's authentic." She smirked back at me I nearly shook my head in disbelief. Jasper walked in and escorted Alice out.

Jake was to stand guard with me tonight with Demetri another trusted guard. Jake had volunteered. I assumed he had done so to make things right with Carlisle. Though Seth was okay, the attack on James had traumatized him. The family thought it was best if he had the week off to recover. The hospital was filled with guards, our safety was of the utmost importance.

"Can I go see him?" I bit my lip and asked Jake. Edward had just gotten out of an additional surgery. He was recovering just a few short doors down. It felt like agony to be so far from him.

Jake threw his arms up in the air and winced from the pain in both arms. "You two have already caused enough trouble for me." He was laughing, and I joined in with him. We really had.

"You can join me Jake, I promise I just want to see him. He is my husband." I silently begged Jake with my eyes. He nodded his head in defeat and helped me out of my bed. Moving around was uncomfortable. My arm throbbed with each motion I made. I tried to restrict my motions as much as I could.

Edward was asleep when I came in. He looked tranquil. It could have been the painkillers coursing through his system. He had a few added guards watching him as well. I had seen them before but could not recall their names at the moment. Jake settled my unsteady body in the seat by his bedside. Jake and the other guards waited outside for us to have some privacy.

I moved my able hand to to his. He was covered in cords, and his leg was raised and bandaged. I imagined what a comical sight we must have made together. I pushed his hair out of his face with my free hand. My eyes started to well, knowing he was stable. Though the surgeries were successful, he would need a cane to walk, most likely for life. The bullet was close to paralyzing him. He was lucky the impact was not an inch or two further.

His eyes fluttered and locked onto mine. "Bella, love, you're here." He smiled, still groggy.

"I am. We are both okay. James is gone, Edward. We no longer have to deal with him." I quietly smiled back at him. My nerves were building. I knew I should tell him. I couldn't risk anything else happening in the meanwhile.

"Bella, what were you thinking fighting James? What would we have done without you? What would I have done if I lost you?" His eyes glimmered with tears.

"I'm safe, I know. I had no other choice." I held his hand again and twirled my fingers around his palm.

"Your father knows about our marriage being fake. I'm sorry, I was emotional and wasn't thinking." My eyes avoided his. His hand grabbed hold of mine.

"Is our marriage fake?" He questioned. His lopsided grin appeared as his hand played with mine. His eyes smoldered as mine reflected back to his.

I was quiet, I didn't know how to answer him. This all had become so complicated. I knew I loved him, I was carrying his baby, I just couldn't help but feel I didn't deserve him. Was I trapping him? Was he only with me because he accidentally married me?

"I don't want it to be fake Bella, whatever our origins were, I know how I feel now. I love you. I have loved you since our wedding. Deep down, something had always been pulling me to you." My heart felt like it was about to burst.

"You're drugged up, Edward, you can't trust how you feel. We both can't." I shook my head and avoided his gaze. I couldn't tell him I loved him back. We both were on a lot of painkillers. It wasn't the time.

"Watch our wedding video. It will explain it all. Show it to my dad." He simply said, grinning. Confused, my eyes darted back to his. Our wedding video? The one from our original Las Vegas wedding?

"The one we both decided not to watch?" I questioned, he simply nodded his head with a smirk on his face.

Jake came back in and said we had to say our goodbyes, I kissed Edward lightly and left. He called out "I love you Isabella Swan!"

I giggled and shook my head. I wondered what this meant for us. I quickly texted Alice if she had a copy of our original wedding video. The nurses came in and gave me another dose of painkillers and I drifted off to sleep. Confused as ever.

Goodbye James! What is on the wedding video? Stay tuned. Please review as always