AN: I'm on a writing roll :) So here's another chapter for you guys.
It's a bit short. but still I hope you'll enjoy it!

So we left Bella vrying in Edward's arms after he took her home after her terrifying ordeal with the paps. let's see what happens :)

Chapter 29

BPOV

Why was I always fucking crying in this man's arms? And twice today!

God this was pathetic.

But a small part of my brain rebelled against that thought. It knew that it was my negativity trying to win again.

So I tried my best to rationalise like Linda had taught me. It was completely natural that I was upset after the day I'd had. I kept repeating that to myself. I tried to drill it into my brain that I was well within my rights to cry today, twice. And the fact that Edward was the one holding me proved that he wanted to be here of his own volition. I hadn't forced him to come, he had offered.

At least that was what I was trying to drill into my brain.

It helped that Edward's presence really did calm me down. His chest was firm and strong behind me, a solid wall of muscle for me to lean against and draw support from. His warms were wound around me, caging me in, making me feel safe and protected. His his warmth surrounded me and seeped into me comfortingly. I felt his breath against the back of my neck and it gave me something tangible to focus on as I threatened to get lost inside my head.

Though I didn't love being this vulnerable around him, I was immensely thankful that he was here.

After a while my tears and sobs subsided and Jake gave me a few licks to let me know I was okay. I pet him a few times, then swatted his but to get him off me again. He did so without issue.

'Are you okay?' Edward's voice whispered in my ear.

A shudder that had nothing to do with cold shook my frame. His arms tightened around me, and I felt his strong chest behind me, his strong arms around me. It was heaven. But I quickly cleared my throat, forcing my mind away from his body and how good it felt against mine.

'Yes.' My voice cracked.

'Would you like something to drink?' he asked.

'You're in my house, shouldn't I offer you something?' I asked with a small smile as I looked back at him.

He shrugged. 'I don't mind. Let's just get you to the couch and comfortable.'

He got up and then held out his hands to help me up. We headed to the couch with his arm warpped around me tightly. He made sure the pillows were plumped up and comfortable and my soft chunky knit blanket was situated around me tightly.

'Would you like tea?' he asked.

'Yes, please. The cups are above the sink and the tea is in the second drawer beneath the stove.' I explained and he headed to the kitchen. Puttering about there. I settled into my comfortable nest of pillows and blankets, letting my hand stroke through Jake's fur who had taken up space on the floor next to my feet.

I jolted when the phone rang, and Jake hopped to his feet as well. HE was extra alert now, with my emotional state. and I loved him for it.

'I've got it.' Edward called out quickly, before I could get up. I was taken aback for a moment. I wasn't used to having people help me, at having people be here for me. And as I settled into the cushions again an unfamiliar feeling crept over me, one that I secretely liked and wished would never go away again; a sense of safety and belonging. a sense of home, a true home for the first time in my life.

'Ms Swan's.' I heard him answer the phone. 'Yes, she is expecting them. Emmett and Rosalie McCarthy , Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale.'

it was silent for a beat.

'Thank you.' he said, before coming around the corner and setting my tea in front of me, a bag of green tea already seeping in the hot water. 'The rest are coming up.' He said easily, as if he was used to being here and taking care of me.

'Thank you.' I gazed up at him, unable to really uunderstand how someone could be this thoughtful. He'd remembered that green tea calmed me down. He made sure I could relax and he didn't even seem to realize everything he was doing for me. A film of tears crept up my eyes, and I quickly blinked them away again. He just smiled down at me, not responding to my thanks.

A commontion at the door drew his attention. And he quickly headed towards it, telling me to stay put again. And then there was suddenly a flurry of overwhleming activity as the rest of my friends came in, along with my furry friend Mike.

I smiled as Mike bounded into the room, immediately dropping to the floor next to Jake, both of their tails going wild. Alice and Rose flitted to my side, concern on their faces as they wrapped their arms tightly around me. Emmett and Jasper were last. Jasper placed a hand on my shoulder and Emmett put on one my knee. And just like that I was surrounded by people who cared about me, who dare I say it? loved me. And who would drop everything to be there for me because I'd had a bad day. t

The tears were streaming down my cheeks without my conscious knowledge, until Alice dabbed a handkerchief under my eyes.

'Thank you.' I blubbered out as they all wrapped their arms tightly around me.

Rose was the first to speak when my tears had dried up again. 'Are you okay?'

'Shaken up.' I admitted. 'but okay.'

'I really want to kick them all in the balls.' She muttered, looking muderously angry.

And just like that the tension was broken and they all pitched in ways to have them killed. Edward and Emmett went to the kitchen and returned with drinks for everyone and plates and napkins for the food. Jasper grabbed the pizza's he'd put on a side table and we all gathered around my coffee table, sittin gon the plus rug and dug in to the best pizza in town.

They filled my house with laughter and jokes and kept me sane when I probably would have spiraled out of control if I had been left alone tonight.

Edward offered to walk Mike and Jake after a while and Emmett said he would join him, which led to Jasper going as well, leaving us girls alone.

'Thank you for coming over.' I muttered to them when the door closed behind the guys.

'Bella, of course we're here. You'd do the same for us if the situation were reversed.' Alice said gently, but with a stern voice.

I couldn't argue with that. If it had happened to them I would definitely drop everything to be there for them.

'So, tell me about Edward?' Rose asked.

I frowned at her. 'What about him?'

'Emmett said he ran like a bat out of hell to get to you when he told the players what happened.'

'Oh' Emmett had mentioned that in the office as well, but I hadn't really been a state to really understand what that might mean back then. Now that Rose brought it up again though, I suddenly couldn't stop thinking about it.

'And he drove you home?' Rose pressed on.

'We're friends, Rose.' I said, casting my eyes down. I could feel both of their eyes on me. but I wasn't ready to have this conversation today. The way he'd held me today in the office crept back into my mind. The way I'd clung to him like a lifeline. It had been his presence that had calmed me down finally. It was him. always him. But I couldn't let myself go down that path. I couldn't. So I forced my mind away from Edward.

'Let's watch something.' I quickly suggested. Thankfully they didn't press the issue any further.

Alice grabbed the remote and started scrolling through Netflix before settling on a good old fashioined rom com: Bridget Jones diary.

we were all cuddled up on the couch, lauhging at Bridget's antics when the boys came back in with the dogs.

'Did he behave?' I asked Edward, pausing the film.

He nodded. 'yeah, he was good boy. They both were.'

'I don't know how you walk that beast,' Emett said, staring at Jake with awe.

'He's a good boy, just a bit big and uncoordinated sometimes' I admitted. Scratching Jake's head as he came by for a cuddle.

'yeah, he literally walked into a lamppost and a bush.' Edward said, smiling down at Jake affectionately.

I laughed as did Rose and Alice.

We settled back into our places and Alice started the movie again. the guys settled in to watch as well. Though they couldn't help themselves and poke fun at it a few times. I didn't mind. When the movie was over, Emmett and Jasper got to their feet.

'We should head out.' Emmett said.

Jasper nodded. They both looked at Edward pointedly. I Followed their gazes.

Edward looked torn. He seemed unhappy at the prospect of leaving me... or was that just because I wanted him to stay? I quickly shook that thought from my head. His gaze found mine, his green eyes piercing mine with an overwhelming intensity.

'Do you need anything?' he asked me.

'I'm fine.' I assured him. I didn't want him to worry about me.

'We'll take care of her.' Alice said, looking at her borther with a smile.

'Are you sure?' he asked, his gaze was still on mine. I wasn't sure if he was asking me or Alice.

I answered him anyway. 'Yeah, I'll be fine'.

He still looked unhappy. But Emmett put his hand on his shoulder and he nodded once. Then he grabbed Mike's leash and together with Emmett and Jasper left the apartment after saying goodnight.

Rose and Alice quickly set off to my linen cupboard, and my bedroom, returning with every blanket and pillow they could possibly find and we made a nest of pillows and blankets on the plush living room rug. We gathered together with Jake down by our feet, keeping us nice and warm. It was nice and comforting and I felt safe.

We put on another movie, made pop corn and Rose opened a bottle of wine. They kept me distracted and occupied, never letting my mind drift to what had happened today. They cheered me up and let me know that I wasn't alone. That they were here for me. We put on another movie after that and we made fun of the tropes and stupid choices the characters made and laughed the night away until finally my eyes closed in exhaustion and I fell into a more peaceful sleep than I could have imagined after the day I'd had.