HE LEFT ME!!

battered and bruised

Bella

The morning light filled the room and brought with it a stark sense of reality. I groaned in disappointment, trying to reach out and hang onto the marvelous dream. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to him... to this beautiful, incredible dream. My hands brushed against the smooth sheets of the guest bedroom bed and my brow furrowed in confusion. I hadn't fallen asleep in the guest bedroom. Mike had hit me and I must have fallen asleep on the floor. I must have... right? An intoxicating sweet scent filled my nose, indescribable in its perfection. It was luscious. It was perfect. It was him.

My head whirled and my heart started beating sporadically as a thrill ran through me. It was real. He was back in Forks – back with me. He had met Allie. He had saved me from Mike. He had stayed the night with me.

"Breathe, Bella," he chuckled beside me. My eyes snapped open and met his smoldering gaze. Another thrill spread through my system as I sucked in a gasp of air. The cool oxygen was a relief to the burning pain I hadn't noticed until he pointed it out. He leaned forward to brush his lips to mine and I felt my head spin, my vision blurring as my eyes fell shut.

"Bella?" my eyes fluttered open. Again, he chuckled, "What am I going to do with you?"

"Take me away from here?"

"Is that a question or a demand?" he mused to himself, pulling me closer into his embrace.

"A demand," I answered immediately. He grinned.

"Well, then pack your bags and I shall whisk you off to my house," he whispered into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I wanted so desperately to grab my suitcase and leave with him right now. When his lips brushed along my jaw, I could hardly remember a reason to stay.

Barely.

Allie.

"I want to, Edward. Trust me, I do-"

"I know," he cut me off. There was a sadness in his voice, but his face was hidden against my neck, "We can't just take Allie out of her home. Let her meet the family first, after you tell Mike. Let her adjust to use and then we can pack your bags."

"Edward, there's so much to do," I whispered, turning to face him. He lifted his head to stare into my eyes, brushing a hand reassuringly against my cheek, "I need to get a lawyer, fill out the paperwork, tell Mike..."

"We have already arranged for a lawyer, Bella."

"You..." I stared at him, wide eyed, "When?"

"I went by the house last night, after you were asleep," I opened my mouth to remind him that he promised not to leave. He held a finger to my lips. "I was gone for only a moment, Bella. I needed to tell them that Allie would be coming over today and I had Carlisle contact a lawyer for you."

"It's not going to cost too much, is it?" Knowing Edward, it would, "I hardly have anyth-"

"Bella, please," he chuckled, brushing his lips to my forehead before sliding gracefully out of the bed. "We are paying for it. No arguments," he countered before I could open my mouth, "Think of Allie, if you don't want to accept it. He's the best lawyer in the states. This will be settled before you know it."

I watched as he grimaced, as though a terrible thought had crossed his mind. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a slim, silver object. "What's that?"

"A camera," he murmured, fiddling with the buttons. He then looked up to me, an apologetic look on his face, "I'm sorry to ask this of you, Bella, but I need to take pictures of your bruises. We'll need it as proof of spousal abuse."