Thank you to Countryprincess for her wonderul job as beta. Sorry it took so long, but she was ill. Thank goodness she is feeling better now. I didn't want you to read my unedited scribbles, LOL. So, where were we oh yes...on with the drama...

It was several days later when I was awoken in the middle of the night, by the sound of water running in the bathroom. I wondered why Edward would take a bath this late. I glanced at the clock and it was three am. What was he thinking? I knew he had been out late with Carlisle and Emmett, but worried me.

I slid out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to check on him. The sound of crying made me stop at the door. I had to have been mistaken. Softly I opened the door and peeked in.

Edward was sitting on the floor in the corner of the glass shower. When I saw the red water cascading down his body I knew something was very wrong. On closer inspection I could see the water was washing red stains from his chest. I followed the path of his clothes that were lying on the floor. His blue button up was stained with red. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know what the metallic smell was.

I dropped the shirt and moved to the shower to make sure he wasn't hurt. Of course he wasn't, or he wouldn't be here, deep down I knew that. I didn't bother to remove my night shirt before opening the shower door and stepping inside. My Edward needed me and that was all that mattered.

He jumped at my cool hand on his shoulder. His beautiful face was contoured with pain.

"Baby, what happened?" I questioned as I brushed the hair from his forehead. He met my eyes for only a brief moment before he looked away.

"You should be sleeping."

"I was, but you woke me up. Are you okay?"

He inhaled deeply trying to disguise his emotions.

"Yes. I was just relaxing. You should go to bed and I'll be in soon."

He should know that I of all people would not believe him. I swallowed hard, it was hard to believe after all that we have been through he would shut me out again.

"Edward, please I..."

"Bella," He cut me off quickly. "I'll be there in just a few minutes okay. Please, besides you are getting soaked."

I lifted my hand to touch his chest but was surprised when he grabbed it rather tightly. Our eyes met and I did my best to keep mine from watering. Who was this man and what did he do with my Edward? I snatched my arm away and rubbed my wrist while I cast him a disapproving look.

I didn't give him time to respond before I clumsily got up and ran out of there. I heard him call my name but it didn't matter. After I changed my shirt and shorts as fast as I could I headed downstairs. I really didn't care to even look at him. Not to mention my wrist hurt.

I realized when I made it down stairs that it was quite cool. I hadn't bothered to dry my dripping hair and the slate floors were cold. Shivering I rubbed my arms.

"Isabella?"

I turned to see Carlisle in his study. He was reading a book in front of his fireplace. I had been so preoccupied I hadn't even noticed. He stood, slid his glasses off, sat his book on the desk then walked out to me. I knew the look on his face was one of surprise.

"Isabella you are soaked. Come here little one."

He gently took my hand and led me into his office and to stand in front of the fire. He looked around a moment before he walked to his couch and returned with a blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"Give me a moment," he said softly before he rushed out of the room. He returned with a towel and a warm mug that he handed to me promptly.

"Drink this while I dry your hair."

I sniffed the cup, chamomile tea. It was a good choice, but I couldn't drink while he was vigorously rubbing my head. When he was satisfied I took a sip of the liquid enjoying the warmth of it as it slid easily down my throat.

My cold body was finally getting warm when he turned me to face him.

"What happened?"

I shook my head no as I stared at my feet. Carlisle's soft hand tilted my chin up so I couldn't avoid his blazing eyes. He knew me too well, and he always would I supposed. He released me and walked to the door sliding it shut. I moved to the couch and curled up in the blanket. I knew he would soon sit beside me. Avoiding this conversation was something he would not allow me to do.

His lithe frame soon came to sit close in front of me. He was silent for a moment then he ran his hand through his hair. It was a gesture I was used to when Edward was nervous, but not Carlisle. He was older, self assured and I had never seen him nervous.

"I owe you an apology, Isabella."

My thoughts were cluttered. What did he mean by that?

He met my eyes.

"I always swore in this business I would never let Edward get his hands dirty. It is something I swore I would stick by. I made sure he was trained, just as you were, because he needed to know how to handle himself in any situation. Yet, he is my son. I never wanted him put in harms way."

I could feel the pain in his voice. See the confliction he was going through. He stood and shook his head.

"Isabella. Dear God, what have I done?"

He wasn't really asking me. It was of a rhetorical question. It broke my heart to see the tears fall from his beautiful cheeks just as I knew they had from Edwards. I hadn't seen them but I knew. Carlisle moved to lean over the fireplace. His strong hands gripped the mantle.

"How can I justify having any part in our son's life when I am such a monster?"

Oh no, I was not listening to this.

I stood and marched over to him ducking under his arm so I could be between him and the fireplace. My face inches from his.

"I don't ever want to hear you say anything like that again. Do you hear me! You are not a monster. There is one thing I do know, anything and everything you and Edward have done has been because you had no choice. I don't know what happened but I think you better tell me. You are equipped to handle this but I don't know that he is. He is moving in many directions and all at once. It's taking a lot out of him. I need your help Carlisle."

I placed my hands firmly on his face, "You are no monster. I love you and our son will love you. Esme and Edward, Alice…we all love you. It doesn't matter what you do it is how you handle it. And I know you handle everything with grace and dignity because that is who you are."

His expression was one of surprise for a moment, but then he smiled.

"Always thinking beyond your years, I swear you were sent from another time."

"Perhaps I was and perhaps you were torturing me there too."

He chuckled and looked down as his face grew serious.

"We went to dinner. Emmett was going over some details about Billy. You know how Edward has been about your protection and wanting you to be safe. He has been so determined for you to move on with your life." Carlisle closed his eyes for a moment.

"I knew Billy was watching us. It wasn't much of a surprise when we left and he thought he had the upper hand, only he was surprised to find out he didn't. We were going to question him and Edward wanted to watch him while Emmett and I were speaking with a few of our men. They usually do the dirty work." He looked at me his face full of sorrow.

"I should have known better. I didn't think Edward would-, I mean knew he would protect you and he wanted him-."

Carlisle's eyes fell to the floor.

"When we came back in Edward was on his knees. I didn't know what to say. He looked so empty Isabella. His face was so empty and he was covered in blood. All he said was, 'I had to keep Bella and the baby safe.' He said, 'He told me he would gut her dad, like a whale.'

"He was in shock." Carlisle added.

I swallowed hard at the words he said. I knew Billy was a cruel and sadistic man but I had no idea. No wonder Edward went off. But I could only imagine what he was feeling at the moment cold, empty and probably very much alone.

I felt sick to my stomach and weak in my knees. Carlisle grabbed my waist and held me up.

"Let's get you to the couch."

I couldn't believe all of this was happening. He sat me down and brushed my hair back.

"Isabella it is all taken care of. Edward will never be implicated, but emotionally I can't heal the scars."

I nodded and ran a hand over my now fluttering stomach. Our son was upset because I was. I tried to calm myself but how does one calm themselves when they find out their lover just committed murder, even if it was for the greater good?

Billy was the epitome of scum but Edward was no murderer, except now, he was. I didn't know what this meant for us. How would he recover? How would we get through this? I felt my wrist ache again and rubbed it absentmindedly.

"Isabella what happened to your wrist?" Carlisle asked. I answered without thought.

"Edward grabbed me in the shower. He wanted me to leave."

"Did he grab you anywhere else?"

I didn't answer lost in thought until he called my name again.

"Isabella," Carlisle said urgently.

I looked at him curiously, "No, why?"

He pushed the blanket up further as he inspected what was my rapidly bruising wrist.

Fantastic! Edward was going to freak.

"Carlisle he didn't mean to. He was not himself."

The look he shot me could have stopped a speeding car.

Oh, shit.

"Is it sore?" he questioned, but got his answer as I flinched when he moved it. He sighed.

"I'll get an ice pack."

"Wait, Carlisle really," I stood and followed him. "It's fine. It wasn't anything done on purpose. It was an accident." I certainly didn't want this blown out of proportion.

He made his way to the freezer and handed me an ice pack.

"No one should ever touch you like that."

"Bella?" Edward's smooth voice floated over the air and straight into my heart. I turned to meet his handsome face. His eyes were immediately drawn to my wrist.

"Oh God, no please tell me I-," he stepped closer and lifted the ice pack. His face paled when he saw the bruises.

"Edward its fine it was an accident."

I could see by his face I did absolutely nothing to calm him. He shook his head as he retreated from the kitchen.

"I'm sorry Bella, so, so sorry."

The haunted look of fear and shame on his face killed my heart. I followed him as he started up the stairs.

"No. Edward, wait. Please you can't keep running." I pleaded as I held onto the bottom of the staircase. I felt Carlisle behind me.

"I love you and we can work through this together but you have to let me in. I can't do this alone. Our son needs you."

He stopped for a moment but didn't turn.

"Isn't this what this was all for? Didn't everything happen because of us? If you walk away now then it was for nothing and I need you now more than ever. We need you."

I felt a pain and groaned. Edward turned immediately and was down the stairs.

"Are you okay?" He asked as his hand covered mine on my stomach.

"Yes, it was just a small pain. He's reacting to me."

"She needs to relax, Edward. She's under too much stress unless you want this baby to come early." Carlisle warned him pointedly.

Edward looked at his father and then me.

"Of course, let's get you upstairs. I'll try and calm him maybe I can sing to him."

I smiled, "I'll bet he would like that."

He rested his hand on my back as we went up the stairs. At the top I heard his father call him. I continued to walk but I could hear him clearly.

"Edward, if you hurt her again we are going to have a talk that you will not like. Do you understand?" The tone of Carlisle's voice was one I've never heard before.

"Dad, I never meant to hurt her. I love her." Edward responded in a soft whisper. I knew he meant it.

"Just reign in your emotions and do it quickly," Carlisle said before I heard his study doors shut. I bit my lip as I walked into our bedroom and pretended not to hear their conversation. Edward was under a lot of pressure and while I understood Carlisle didn't want me hurt, this particular time in my opinion it was forgivable, but only this one time.

I lay on the bed and pulled the warm covers up. Edward was soon close beside me. He lifted my wrist and kissed it softly.

"I don't know how to tell you how sorry I am, Bella. There really is no excuse for that. I just- I had so much on my mind and I wasn't thinking clearly."

I bit my lip as his hand began to gently caress my swollen abdomen.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked as I gauged his reaction. His eyes never left my belly.

"No, not really it's something I regret. I don't regret the reason I did it. I would do it a thousand times over but it just isn't me."

"Do you think it defines who you are?"

Edward's eyes met mine. Their soft green depths held so many mysteries. He sighed and kissed my lips tenderly.

"I wish I knew the answer to that beautiful. I just don't right now."

I stroked the small dimple in his left cheek.

"Well I know the answer," I said smugly.

He smirked at me.

"You do huh?"

I nodded.

"Yes, one mistake doesn't define who you are. It takes a lifetime of love and achievements to define who you are. You are a son, a musician, a brother, a friend so many things."

His hand left my abdomen and traveled to my cheek, so many strong emotions in his handsome face. I wasn't sure which one held my attention more.

"What am I to you?"

"You are many things now and you will be more. My lover, my friend, father-," his lips cut me off as he kissed me deeply. I moaned gripping his thick hair.

"What about husband?" he teased.

"That remains to be seen but I suppose you will be that as well. Would you like that title?"

"Most definitely, I kind of like the father title too."

I couldn't help but notice how his eyes lit up when he spoke about this.

"It will be so amazing to just walk down the street and hold my son in my arms, to look down into his beautiful eyes and know this precious soul belongs to me."

I felt tears prick my eyes but tried to hold them back.

"It's funny, I never really though of myself being a father and then you came along. Now I can't wait to buy all the little clothes and slip on the cute little socks. Do you know how powerful it is to be a parent? That baby looks up to us and thinks we hold the key to everything. We are literally its little world, we shape who this little one grows to be. We have that power."

I smiled at him.

"Yes we do."

"Wow," he said in amazement. "How could anyone not be in awe of that? It's just amazing."

I giggled, "I don't know. I do know one thing though."

Edward stroked my hair leisurely.

"What's that love?"

"Mason Edward is going to be very, very loved."

He kissed me gently, barely pulling away from my lips before he spoke.

"Yes my angel, he is and so are you. I love you Bella."

He pressed his soft lips against me again and I smiled. I am so in love with this man. I know whatever the difficulties we will be able to get through them. Getting him to open up about what happened? Well, that may be another story but we'll work on that one.

I was awakened to the most wonderful smell.

"Time to wake up beautiful," Edward called from somewhere in our bedroom. I opened one eye to see him placing a tray at my bedside.

"What is this?" I questioned as I sat up.

"Fresh cinnamon rolls and fruit, juice and milk. You have to eat because we have an engagement."

I raised a curious eyebrow.

"Engagement, you make that sound to formal. What kind of engagement?"

He smiled was he looked in the mirror and ran his fingers through his already perfect hair. Damn, the man could wear a pair of jeans. Was I sweating?

He caught me staring and shook his finger at me.

"No, no you are not getting me back in the bed so quit looking at me that way. Eat we have houses to look at."

That caught my attention.

"Houses?"

"Yes, little mama. You do want a house right? You know white picket fence and yada, yada. Our son needs a place to lay his little head, and me personally, I would like to get out of the family home. I'm kind of old to live with dad."

I grinned and started eating. I was excited. We were going to look at a house, finally so something good was going to come from the bad. I wondered if the bad was actually over but I would worry about that later, for now I was house hunting.

Do you think Edward will be ok after all of this drama? And how about Bella? Wow lots of stuff going on, huh? A house and a baby and a dead Billy... Wonder what happens next... Guess I better get to writing so you will know.