"I should go soon. Alice always kicks me out at night," Edward says.

"You came here while I was out?" I don't know why I'm surprised after that declaration of his.

"Like I said, I had pretty much lost my mind and just knowing you were here…I spent almost all my time in that chair except when I had a meeting or something. But Rosalie offered to sit in during those times. Of course it would be one of the few times she's here that you wake up," he pouts, folding his arms like a little kid.

"Can you stay a little longer?" I ask, not wanting to be alone again so soon after all that time isolated in the dungeon. "You don't think Dr. Cullen will mind, do you?"

"Dr. Cullen is willing to make an exception," Dr. Cullen says, coming in through the door. How did she hear us? "And call me Alice, Bella."

"So he can stay?" I ask, hopefully.

"Yes," Alice says. "But only if you're good. You can try standing up and using the bathroom later. We removed your catheter when we knew you'd be waking up, so you'll likely have to go soon," she says bluntly and I can't help but blush. I know it's all medical information but that still doesn't make it any less embarrassing to hear. "Your stomach is still going to need to get used to normal foods so I'm sorry to say it'll be soups and broths for a bit. Your vitals look good though, we'll just keep you on that IV just a little while longer and you might even get to leave this depressing place tomorrow."

She double checks the IV and takes a couple notes before pointing to Edward. "No funny business, got it? Otherwise I will not hesitate to call Rose."

Edward nods, and Alice gives me a smile, walking out. I think he might actually be scared of his sister.

"You can at least make yourself comfortable," I say, scooting over to the edge of the bed, being careful of my IV and any other cords that might get me in trouble with Alice if I mess with them. Edward looks unsure, glancing back towards the door. "She's not going to come back. Come on."

When he still doesn't move, I decide to pull out the big guns. "Please?" I give him my best look, the one Angela taught me would make men fall to their knees. I had yet to really see its full effects but Edward's response did not disappoint.

He immediately softens and stands up to join me on the small hospital bed. "I'm never going to win an argument with you ever," he says. He gently wraps an arm around my shoulder, and once he's sure I'm not in pain, he pulls me in closer.

"And you're upset about that?" I raise a brow.

"Nope," he says, kissing my forehead. "I missed you, Princess."

"I missed you too," I tell him. And I did. No amount of hurt could diminish the longing I had for Edward the entire time he was gone.

That's when it occurs to me that maybe a lot of my anger towards Edward was misplaced. Sure, I wasn't going to deny the hurt that he lied to me about his memories and his true intentions but could I blame him? Wouldn't I do the same thing if the roles were reversed, not knowing if I could trust the stranger who brought me to their own home? Maybe I had forced myself to stay angry at him to distract myself from the heartbreak of him leaving.

But Edward had to be telling the truth when he confessed his feelings for me. There was no reason for him to lie now. He had all the information I had to offer and I was now in his territory. He could have left me in my kingdom and forgotten all about me when I got him acquitted. Yes, he could have done that as a way to repay his debt but I didn't think so. I would have been married off to Jacob and completely out of his hair. That would have been the easiest thing for him to do, but he didn't. He came for me, which must mean-

"Bella?" Edward asks. "Are you alright?"

"Shhh!" I place my hand over his face. "I'm having an epiphany."

"Mmphmm?"

"Huh?" I glance over to find that I've completely muffled him with my hand. "Oops. Sorry. You were saying?"

"Care to share?"

"Oh, yes. You love me," I say with more confidence than I've been able to say about anything for the last month.

Edwards mouth quirks up into an amused grin. "Truly, I do."

I nod, happy to have it confirmed. I sit back, but Edward doesn't take his eyes off of me.

"Did you want me to say it back?" I ask. I've never been in any sort of relationship or whatever Edward and I were or are, so there was so much I was still learning.

He gives me a sad smile, scooting closer and moving his hand to grab mine. I've noticed since I've woken up and decided to see him that he always seems to want to be in physical contact with me in some way, almost to reassure himself that I'm here.

"I know I've broken your trust, and that takes time to rebuild. But I will, Princess. I'll do everything in my power to prove to you that you can fully trust me this time. And I hope that one day, you'll feel the same way about me that I do for you."

I lean my head against his shoulder, wanting his comfort to give me the strength to say what I wanted to. "Don't you see that I already do?"

I feel Edwards' sharp intake of breath but I keep going. "I'm still hurt, I mean I'd be crazy not to be after everything that's happened. But, I don't think it's at you."

"What do you mean?"

I hook my arm around his, lightly squeezing it. "I keep thinking about what you did." When I feel him tense up, I amend, "What you really did. Which was the same thing I was doing."

I can feel him looking at me, but I keep my eyes on the door. "This entire time I was trying to figure out how I could keep my duty to my kingdom and also have you in my life the way I wanted, but in the end I couldn't. I chose my kingdom. And so did you. And I can't fault you for that. As far as you knew my father had done some awful things and you didn't know me at all. And yet you were still always there for me when I needed you the most. And that's what's important to me."

I feel Edward turn his face into my hair, letting out a relieved laugh. He mumbles something, kissing the side of my head. I wanted more. I wanted him. I have for a long time but I never allowed myself to fully feel how much until now. Because now, I could actually have him.

"Edward?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Kiss me."

"What?" I feel him pull away slightly to look at me. Turning my head, I almost laugh at the disbelief on his face.

"I recall you saying that if I asked you to, you would kiss me all I wanted."

"Are you sure? You're hurt."

I raise a brow, challenging him. "Well if you're so hesitant maybe I'll take it back and-"

He's kissing me. This. This feeling is exactly what I had been missing. Unlike the last times he's kissed me, this one is so slow and gentle, like he's still afraid of hurting me. But there's something else there that I want him to feel. My hunger for him, an urgency to show him that I'm his. A fire growing within me that threatens to consume my entire body.

Edward hand snakes up my back, grabbing the back of my neck, pushing me closer into him. I grip his shirt with one of my hands and part my lips just enough to deepen the kiss.

We're so lost in each other that neither of us notice someone else in the room until they clear their throat.

"Ahem."

We jump apart and I can feel my cheeks already turning bright red. Alice stands in the doorway, her arms crossed looking not at all pleased.

"I thought you left already," Edward says, his own face tinting pink.

"I was about to," Alice glares at him. "When I heard one of my patient's heart monitor alarms go off." She points to the monitor I'm hooked up to that has started to slow down, but I can see where the rate spiked when Edward and I had kissed.

"Oops. I'm sorry doctor," I tell her sheepishly.

"I told you, it's Alice," she reminds me. "And it's not your fault," she says, looking pointedly at her brother.

"Oh sure," Edward rolls his eyes. "Blame me," he grumbles, throwing his hands in the air, but when he hears me laugh, the side of his mouth quirks up and I know he's not really upset.

"You two need to cool it, or I'm kicking you out," Alice tells us.

The thought of Edward leaving makes me panic and I look between the two of them with wide eyes. "No! Please don't make him leave me." I'm barely aware of the monitor I'm hooked up to beeping faster again, completely overtaken by the thought of being left here alone.

Edward shushes me, gently lifting my face to focus on him. As soon as I lock eyes with his, I can already feel myself calm down. "Bella, baby, Alice isn't going to make me leave, okay?"

"But she's the doctor."

"He's right. I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean it," Alice gives me a worried smile. "Edward's not going to leave."

"Promise?" I turn to look back at him.

"Promise," he nods. "And if I do, I'll make sure Rose or Emmet are in here with you. You're okay with them, right?"

"I like Rose. And Emmet. But he's a little loud sometimes," I admit.

Alice and Edward both laugh and Edward kisses me lightly, making my heart beat just a little bit faster.

"Stop that!" Alice scolds. "You're going to stress out my staff."

"Sorry Dr. Cullen. Won't happen again," I promise.

"Thank you, Bella," Alice says warmly. "Edward?"

He huffs. "Fine." He leans over, giving me a quick peck on the lips before sitting back, looking proud of himself. "Starting now."

"I'm serious Edward. I'm not going to sign off on her release until I'm sure she's all good to go. Behave. Or I'm sending Rose in here."

Edward straightens just a bit and Alice tilts her head with a smug look daring him to challenge her. When he doesn't, she nods, turning on her heel to leave the room.

Edward let's put a breath he was holding, falling back into the bed.

"Alright, Princess, you heard her. We gotta get you in tip top shape so we can get out of here," he says, immediately getting to work on tucking the blanket tightly around my legs.

I place my hand over one of his to stop him. "I can do it."

"I know," he says, flipping his palm over to link our hands. "But still you're recovering. Please let me help you. For my peace of mind."

I can see how this is just as much for him as it is for me. Maybe even more so for him. "Okay," I lean in to kiss his cheek. Hopefully that won't send Alice into a rampage.

Edward turns to look at me. "I know you're used to doing everything on your own, but you don't have to anymore. You don't ever have to feel alone ever again."

And just like that, I fall in love with him just a little bit more. Edward knows exactly what I need and is offering it to me on a silver platter. But unlike others, i knew I could trust him not to use me this time. After all, what else did I have left to give? And if I wanted him to be a part of my life, I needed to truly and fully forgive him to truly and fully trust him. And this was a step in the right direction.

"Anything you need, I am at your service."

"Anything?" I smile, hopefully looking more coy than deranged.

Edward blinks a few times, before clearing his throat. "Y-yes."

I lean in just a bit closer. "Well…" I abruptly pull away. "I need help walking to the bathroom."

His eyes widen as he processes what just happened before he throws his head back and lets out a huge laugh. "You'll be the death of me, Princess. Come on, let's figure this out."

After untangling me from the cords and making sure I was still attached to everything, Edward helps me into the bathroom. It was sweet how willing he was to help but I drew the line when he suggested he should stay in here "just in case" and told him I'd call out when I finished.

I freshen up the best I can in the bathroom, but honestly, I can't wait until Alice gives me the go ahead to finally shower.

Once I'm done, Edward helps me settle back into the bed and I waste no time snuggling into him. For the first time in weeks, I let down all of my guards and fall into a deep sleep.

…

Edward and I were not the only two in the room when I woke up. He had his arms wrapped around my waist and his face buried in my hair, which couldn't have at all been comfortable in the small bed with him awkwardly turned to the side. He was definitely too tall for the hospital bed.

I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that everything that happened last night wasn't a dream, but that relief is short lived, when I jump, spotting the stranger in the room.

A woman with dark caramel hair sits in the corner of the couch with a book, watching the two of us with a hand over her heart.

"I didn't mean to scare you dear. You two are just precious." She tucks her book back in her bag and stands, walking right up next to the bed. Her face was soft and warm, and she reminded me of my mother in a way.

"Do you need anything? Water? Are you hungry?" She starts reaching behind me to fluff my pillow.

"Um," I glance over at Edward who is still deep asleep. "Who are you?"

"Oh!" She freezes, like it hadn't occurred to her to introduce herself. "I'm so sorry, I've just heard so much about you from my children that I feel like we've already met." The woman places a hand on my cheek, giving it a light squeeze. "I'm Esme Cullen. Edward's mother."

Edward had told me a bit about his parents, that they were some of the best people he knew. And from my impression of just his mother so far, I don't think he was lying about that.

"I'm Bella," I smile, wishing I could have met her looking a bit more presentable.

"You're beautiful," she gushes, clasping her hands and looking dreamily at the two of us. "You two are going to have gorgeous babies."

"Huh?" My eyes widen in shock. Did she just…?

I didn't get the chance to reply, saved by Edward mumbling something in his sleep, pulling me tighter against him, and relaxing into my side. I reach up to run my hand through his hair and his lips quirk up in a small smile.

I notice that Esme has been quiet for a few minutes now and when I look over, she's still in the same spot, a hand over her mouth and tears in her eyes.

"Are you okay, Esme?"I ask.

She lets out a shaky breath. "He's not a very affectionate person outside of his family. But he is with you. I've never seen him like this."

"He told me he's dated other girls," I tell her, highly doubting I was anything special.

Esme shakes her head. "I pushed him to try to meet someone even though he didn't want to, because I didn't want him to be alone. Edward is a gentleman. He better be, the way I raised him," she tsks. "So he was polite to them but never affectionate. Not like this," she says, gesturing to our current position.

By the way Edward has been acting, I want to believe what she's saying. Maybe there was also the chance that he felt as safe with me as I did with him, but I dismissed the thought. I hoped he would, one day, when I was stronger. Not now, so weak that I couldn't stop any of those terrible things from happening to me. But for him, I would work for it.