lostandbrokendreams: Hello all, and belated New Year. I haven't updated in a while due to personal changes in my life but I've finally had time to write again so I hope you enjoy. As always, it would be nice to hear what you think.

13

Edward

It didn't take long after Bella's phone call to find out what had happened.

Jacob had taken her back to his home to live with him but, with security so tight, it was difficult to sneak in and find out what was happening. Luckily, I already had an informant who was keeping me up to date of how Bella was.

But all it did was fuel my desire to kill Black.

Her constant cries of pain, and his sickening words. It made me want to get Bella out of there as soon as possible.

Just imagining how much she was suffering, sitting here was unbearable. I felt as if it was my fault - if only I had held onto her, if only I hadn't of run away and tried to deny my feelings, then perhaps she would have still been here with me.

Tommy was worried about her, but I assured him that I would get her back, but I couldn't simply barge in there without getting killed.

At least my stab wound didn't hurt any longer, but it was nothing compared to what she must be feeling right now.

My nights have been restless and I knew there would be no way of resolving this unless she was back by my side.

It was then I received a message on my phone and quickly stood up, finding Emmett and Jaspar. "Come with me, now."

It was the signal I had been waiting for.

"8PM - back gate. I'll meet you there."

My heart was full of adrenaline as we arrived at his estate - this is where Bella was. Lewis had asked us to meet here so he could let us in through the back, and I look back at Emmett.

"I need you to stay in the car, I'm counting on you to get us out of here."

Emmett nodded with a grin. "This baby will get us out of anything." He seemed proud and I shook his head, looking over at Jasper.

"And I need you to come with me."

Jasper nodded. "Lead the way."

It was then the back door opened and Lewis began to silently gesture with his hand to follow suit as we stepped into the estate. "Where is she?" I immediately asked as Lewis started to lead us through the gardens.

"Somewhere in these gardens. She's hiding from Black after she shot him, but she's injured - I saw her jumping out the window to get away from him."

My hand gripped my gun tightly.

"Then let's split up and cover more ground."

The situation was more dire than I originally thought. Jumping out of a window was no easy feat, and I could feel my steps grow more panicked at the thought of how much pain she was in.

And now she was alone, in these gardens, fighting for survival.

If Jacob got his hands on her again, he definitely wouldn't let her go.

It had to be me.

I had to bring her back home today.

As I looked through the gardens, I heard the sounds of bullets and clicked my tongue. Peering from behind the tree, I recognised one of his men - Sam, he was one of the trio who tried to frighten Bella back when I took her to the bookstore.

He was chasing after Bella, but I needed to get to her first. From my hiding spot, I pull out my gun and took a bullet directly into Sam's side, watching as he fell to the floor and grunted. "Shit!"

He started to reach for his phone, wanting to call for backup, but we would be long gone by then.

With Sam now immobilised, I knew I had to get to Bella and began to run after her. She paused between a crossing, as if unsure which path to take and I finally pull her back into my arms with my hand around her mouth.

I take us both into a corner as she was trembling until I whispered softly into her ear. "Missed me, Swan?"

Her entire body froze and she turned, meeting my green eyes as I pulled my hand away so she could speak.

"Edward?"

My fingers reach to gently cup her face, with the pads of my thumb stroking underneath her eyes - her familiar warmth replaced by the bitter cold and I plant a lingering kiss on her forehead, before pulling her into my arms for an embrace.

She had lost so much weight.

"I'm taking you back home."

Her body trembled in my arms as I held onto her tightly, savouring the sensation of having her back with me after being on edge for so many nights. But I knew this wasn't the time for our reunion.

I had to get Bella out of here. She needed treatment.

My fingers reach for my phone and I call Jaspar. "Bella's with me. We need to get out of here - meet me at the back. Tell Emmett to pull up."

After giving my orders, I noticed Bella's eyes closing and immediately began to panic. "Bella? Bella! Shit..." I quickly took her into my arms, before her body collided with the ground, rushing to the back gate to find Jasper already had the door open for me.

"Fuck, what happened?"

"We need to take her to dad, now. She passed out."
Just as I was about to put her into my car, we heard the sound of someone calling my name.

"Cullen!" It was Black.

I pass Bella over to Jasper to ensure she was safely in the car and turn back to face him, noticing the state of his body - he had been shot, twice by the looks of it.

I couldn't help but smirk knowing who was behind it and stepped forward.

"Are you going to try and kidnap my wife again, Black? I'd shoot you if you didn't look so desperate right now."

He growled. "Like hell she's your wife - Bella was always mine!"

"Would a wife shoot their own husband?" He didn't like that retort, the gun shaking in his hand as I continued to approach him. "You may have been with her in the past, but I am her future. I will be the one standing by her side, every day, making sure shitheads like you stay the hell away from my wife."

Without any hesitation, my fist had moved on its own accord and I slammed it into his jaw - watching as Jacob fell onto his back and my foot immediately pressed onto his wounded shoulder, and I lean down to get against his ear.

"This is only the beginning of what's in store with you. I'll show you why no one ever messes with my loved ones. The next time we meet - I will kill you."

Hearing him cry out in pain was enough for now and I kick him away, not before taking his gun and removing my suit jacket just as I get in the car beside Bella. "The hospital, now."

My jacket fell over her shoulders as I felt her pulse still beating and gently move to rest her head on my lap.

Black could wait, but Bella couldn't.

Dad was expecting us at the hospital and had the stretcher ready, taking Bella in the moment we got her out of the car. Her eyes remaining closed and my feet already carrying me to follow her, only to be told I couldn't enter the room with her.

I was forced to wait outside instead and Emmett pushed on my shoulder, urging me to sit down and relax. "Dad's going to make sure she's okay."

I knew he was right; our dad was known to be one of the best doctors in Arizona, but that wasn't what was bothering me. I just needed to be by her side. After seeing her collapse in front of me, I couldn't help but feel that I failed to protect her.

"I shouldn't have run away. I should have been there for her. If I had, he never would have taken her."

Jasper intervened this time. "You can't change the past, you can only focus on what you're doing now." He sighed, leaning against the wall and shaking his head, starting to question me. "You took her from Black's home, but why did you? You insisted she was only your fake wife, and Lauren's already backed off from you. Is there really any need for Bella anymore?"

"What?" His words caused my head to snap up.

It was true that Lauren had no longer bothered me since I confronted her outside the restaurant, and the three months with Bella were nearly up. I just hadn't realised how quickly time had flown by.

I did need her, and that was why I asked her to be with me in the first place but, to think she would leave me after it's all over...

I felt my hands clench into fists.

Jasper noticed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You need to be honest with her - it's the least you owe her."

I knew he was right and inhaled a deep breath, nodding my head. "Thank you." I told him and he removed his hand when he looked up to find my father walking out.

I rose to my feet and walked over to him. "How is she?" Was the first thing that blurted out of my mouth.

My dad shook his head. "Her leg is fractured but that will heal in a few weeks with proper rest. She'll need to attend physio sessions after but, besides some bruising on her abdomen, she's going to be okay, Edward." He reassured me, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Can I see her?"

"You can, but she's sleeping right now. Are you planning to stay with her?"

When I nodded, he pulled out his phone and began to walk away. "I'll let your mom know."

Emmett and Jasper appeared and I knew they heard me speaking to my father. "You two can go home and rest." I insisted, knowing they must also be exhausted but Emmett surprised me by pulling up a stuffed teddybear and some flowers.

"Got 'em from the shop below. Give these to her when she wakes up."

I accept the gifts off him, and they soon bid their goodbyes leaving me to find Bella's room. Walking inside, I notice she was fast asleep and silently place the gifts on on one of the chairs beside her before pulling up beside her bed.

My fingers slowly clasping around her own, I held her hand and brushed my thumb over her knuckles, seeing her bandaged leg and cursing.

"You scared the shit out of me, Swan, when Lewis told me you jumped out the balcony." I breathe out, knowing she couldn't hear me, but found the words continued to tumble out. "But you wouldn't have even been there if I hadn't ran away like a coward, and I know that it's my fault. I'm sorry."

Now holding her hand in both of my own, I bring her palm up to my lips to plant a lingering kiss and closing my eyes.

"I know you probably hate me, but even knowing that, I just can't let you leave me. I know it's selfish, but I need you by my side, Bella, because I..." I faltered, tightening my grip on her hand as I struggled to speak. "...I've fallen in love with you."

I finally said it - those damning words I swore to myself I would never feel after Lauren left me all those years ago.

It caused my heart to pound and my body to feel on edge all at the same time, as I had never imagined saying it aloud, but it was too painful to deny any longer.

It was why I had left abruptly - I had started to feel strange whenever I was around Bella, but during her absence, I only felt worse. I couldn't eat, sleep, or do anything without her coming to mind. She had consumed every part of me and I realised it far too late.

Opening my eyes, I noticed she looked uncomfortable and gently released her hand, tucking it under the covers and adjusting the covers so she could keep warm.

What else could I do for her?

A quick Google search overwhelmed me with ideas. According to what my dad said, Bella could be in the hospital for a while and I knew I had to do something to make it more comfortable for her to stay.

Rose did come to mind. Although I knew she would rather me dead at this moment in time for what I did to Bella.

But I didn't want to give Bella a generic box of chocolates.

No, it had to be special.

I needed Rose.