AN: We're heading into the final few chapters now and then the epilogue :O

Let's continue with the next chapter. Hope you'll enjoy.

Chapter 52

BPOV

Esme had informed Alice and Jasper what had happened and when we returned from getting lunch in the cafeteria, we found them waiting in front of Edward's room.

'Bella!' Alice exclaimed when she spotted us walking towards them. She rushed over and threw her arms around me, sobbing onto my shoulder. 'I'm so glad you're okay'.

I hugged her back, tears forming in my own eyes as well. I was a little overwhelmed after everything that had happened, but I was so glad I had the Cullens, Jasper and Rosalie in my life, propping me up and having my back.

'Let her breathe, darlin'.' Jasper came over as well. and as Alice released me, he put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it for a moment, showing his support. I smiled at him.

'Have you gone in already?' Esme asked.

Alice shook her head. 'He's not in the room.'

'Oh that's right, Carlisle booked him for an X-ray.' I remembered.

Alice bit her lip and nodded.

'Let's go in and wait for him. I'm sure it won't take long.' Esme suggested. We all headed back into his room and got comfortable, well as comfortable as we could. it was a hospital room after all.

We talked for a moment, thankfully keeping to lighter topics. I was glad they didn't ask me what had happened yesterday. I wasn't really up to talking about it again. I knew that was probably a bad sign, and definitely something I needed to do, but right now I just wanted to focus on making sure Edwrad was alright. I could think about myself afterwards.

Edward was rolled into the room five minutes after we sat down. The moment the door opened Alice was on her feet and as soon as she saw Edward in the wheelchair, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

he grunted with the impact of her body against him and Jasper shook his head. 'We just said you had to be careful with him, Alice.'

'Okay.' Edward's gravelly voice answered, as his arms wrapped tightly around his sister and I couldn't help but smile at the scene. Edward loved his family dearly. and they loved him. it was touching to see.

Carlisle closed the door behind him and went over to kiss Esme quickly.

'No cry.' Edwrad muttered to Alice, whose shoulders were shaking with sobs.

'How was the X-ray?' I asked unable to keep it in any longer.

'It was good. No permanent damage to be seen.' Carlisle said with a smile, then he gently pried Alice off Edward and helped him back into bed. 'But he still needs to rest, and we'll keep him overnight again. But if the swelling goes down today or tonight, we'll release him.

The room collectively seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

'That's great, darling.' Esme said, stepping closer to the bed and squeezing Edward's hand.

Edward nodded and his eyes locked with mine. I smiled at him and he smiled back, pursing his lips at me. I chuckled and shook my head. this man really had a one track mind. I went over to his side and gave him a quick peck.

Carlisle had to leave again, to continue with his work, but warned everyone not to tire Edward out. He needed his rest. We spent half an hour with Alice, Jasper and Esme, talking about nothing in particular, just enjoying being together. But Edward's yawns were becoming more frequent and at the end of the half hour his eyes were slowly drooping shut.

Esme noticed first and started gathering her things. 'Alice, Jasper. Let's leave Edward and Bella to their rest.'

Alice nodded, though she seemed reluctant to leave us. She gave Edward's cheek a kiss and hugged me tightly. 'Let me know if you need anything.'

I nodded. 'Thank you.'

'We'll tell Rosalie and Emmett that you need rest for the rest of today. They can come tomorrow, if Edward's not getting released then yet.' Esme said. her tone was stern so we didn't argue, though I knew Edward wanted to see Emmett and thank him. If Emmett hadn't gotten the police we probably wouldn't be here either. But he definitely needed to rest.

'thank you so much.' I told Esme as she came over to hug me.

'You never have to thank me, darling. I'm just as much your mother as I am his. don't forget that.' she told me firmly, wrapping me tightly in her arms. And I nodded, letting her comfort wash over me.

Edward managed a small wave as they all left again and then he quickly fell asleep. I took a seat next to his bed and quickly shot a text to Emmett, asking how Jake was doing, and explaning the situation.

Emmett texted back immediately not to worry about the dogs and that he and Rose understood that Edward needed his rest. He then sent a picture of both of the dogs sprawled out on their living room rug, belly up. clearly they were enjoying themselves. I smiled to myself. I made myself comfortable and grabbed a book, and settling in to read, with Edwrad's hand clutched tightly in mine.

About two hours later Edward woke up again, wincing as she swallowed. I grabbed the ice chips again and helped him sit up.

'Did you have a nice nap?' I asked him.

He smiled and nodded, but I could see his eyes were dark and weary. 'Did you have a nightmare again?' I asked him softly.

He grimaced and nodded once. I nodded and grabbed his hand again. I was sure we'd both be having nightmares for a while.

'I think it will be good for you to talk to somewhen when your voice is slightly better.' I told him.

he sighed, immeidately wincing in pain. but then nodded.

he opened his mouth to say something, but the door opening interrupted him. we both turned to see who it was.

A policeman stepped inside, followed by a man in a suit carrying a briefcase.

'Good afternoon, I am detective Phillips, and this is DA Jefferson. we've come to take your statements about what transpired yesterday at Fenway Park and informing you of the proces going forward, seeing as you are both victims.'

'Good afternoon.' I muttered, feelig slightly overwhelmed that they were just coming in like this.

A moment later the doro opened again and HArry stepped inside red faced with anger. 'I told you I would ask if they were up for it. who do you think you are barging in here like this?'

'Harry!' I exclaimed, slightly shocked at the tone he was using against police officers.

'I'm sorry Bella, Edward. I spoke with these gentlemen this morning and wanted to come over to make sure you guys were up to it today. I don't know how they got your room number. or what possessed them to simply barge in.' he growled out. the policeofficers to give them credit looked properly chastised.

'It's okay.' I assured Harry. I wasn't thrilled they were here, but it was probably better to get it over with.

'It's not, and I will be filing a complaint.' Harry hissed at the men.

Edward smiled and squeezed my hand. I looked at him. 'Are you up for this?' I asked him.

He nodded.

'Alright, then. Harry pull up a chair, I'd like you to stay if that's alright.' Harry nodded immeidately. then I turned to the officers. 'I don't appriciate the way you started this, but you're here now, so let's finish this. what do you need to know?'

We went over what happened yesterday in painstaking detail. I told my version first, then I made Edward write down his side of the story. we answered any questions they had as well as we could. but to be honest we both had no clue why they had done something like this. I wasn't sure why James had singled me out. Only James would know the answer to that, and we told them as much.

Finally they closed their notebooks. 'I think that will do for the statements.' detective Phillips said.

'I've formally levelled charges against both Mr Hunter and Mr Dupont. They are being held in Cook county until their trail. Bail has been set for Mr Dupont at three million dollars, and for Mr Hunter bail has been denied because he's been deemed a flight risk.'

I breathed a sigh of relief that he wouldn't be able to get to us again.

'Now, as their victims, you'll have a few right, such as to be present at the trail, but also to give evidence during the trail, if either of you wish to do so. it will make the case against him stronger. though I am fairly confident that the case is strong enough without it. we have the evidence of his stalking, of the extortion, and the footage of him committing the acts. We've also searched his home and found detailled plans about last night and plans for the future of the cubs. he wanted to get rid of all the board members and then control the club entirely himself. We haven't really found out why he was wiling to go this far for ownership, or why he chose you... I'm not sure we'll ever find out either.' he sighed. 'But, the two security guards have agreed to testitfy already so the case is solid and we're confident he'll be put away for a long time. we're asking for 25 years.'

'thank god.' I muttered. It was exactly what I had hoped for. Edward nodded in agreement.

'Testify.' Edward said then.

I turned to him. 'You want to testify?' I asked.

He nodded.

'Alright. I'll take a note of it and then we'll contact you about it when the times comes.'

'when will the trial be?'

'It's not been set yet. But with such a high profile case, we'll take precedence over a few less important cases, I think we'll be able to have the trial by the end of the year.'

'We'll keep you informed and let you know.' detective philips said.

'thank you.'

'Thank you for speaking to us, and we apologize for the way we started off. Mr Clearwater is right, that was not the way it should have been done. we wish you a good recovery and we'll be in contact.' the DA said as he stood up.

Harry stood up and promised to walk them out, and by the look on his face that probably also included a good chewing out.

'thank you for staying, Harry.'

'It's the least I could do, after everything.' he said, frowning down at me.

'you couldn't have known, Harry.'

'I did know that security ha dbeen having trouble. I should have thought ahead and not left you all alone.'

'Not your fault.' Edward piped up from the bed.

I nodded in agreement. 'You can't blame yourself Harry. The man is a lunatic. he porbably would have hurt you too if you'd stayed.'

Harry's shoulders sagged and he nodded. 'I just wish I could have helped.'

I went over and gave him a hug. 'you're helping now.'

He nodded and hugged me back. 'Let me know if you need anything else.' he muttered into my hair.

I nodded and thanked him.

Harry left then and I went over to Edward, giving him a few more ice chips. He signalled for some pen and paper. I got them for him and for a moment he was writing something then he ehld the paper out for me to read.

I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner, but i'm so proud of you for how you handled him. You stayed calm and tried to diffuse the situation, but you didn't do anything you would later regret. I'm so glad you weren't hurt, Bella. I love you so much.

I wiped away the tears that were rolling down my cheeks again. 'I love you too Edward. and I'm so glad you came when you did and were smart enough to have Emmett call the police. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come check on me, and I'm so sorry you're hurt.'

He kissed my lips softly then quickly wrote something down again.

Let's stop apologizing to each other for this. Neither of us were at fault, neither of us could have known what was going to happen. Hunter is a mad man. Let's be glad he was stopped in time and is now safely locked away.

I smiled as I read along as he wrote and nodded. 'You're right. no more apologizing, no more thanking each other. we're just going to focus on getting better and then on being able to love each other out in the open, like normal people.'

He smiled a breathtaking smile and this time he didn't need to purse his lips to ask for a kiss, I was already kissing him soundly.