Epilogue

I suppose I could have permitted Bella to go into the house with Charlie and gather what she would need. But I remained unconvinced that her father would fully approve of the particular therapy I had in mind. So I helped her into the back seat of the Mercedes as soon as we returned to her home, knowing that Alice would have everything Bella might require. My only worry was precisely what my sister would choose. Again I forcefully dismissed the images trying to invade my mind. It was not proper for me to picture Bella like that.

Despite my early assurance that we would not go to the hospital, I could hear Bella's heartbeat slow slightly as Carlisle took the turn leading away from town.

"Are we going to your house?" she asked.

I nodded and smiled down at her. "Yes. I want you to spend some time in the Jacuzzi tub. It will help your leg, as well as any other muscles that are sore from yesterday."

She hesitated for just a moment, recalling that the large whirlpool tub was in Carlisle and Esme's bathroom. She glanced at him, catching his gaze in the rearview mirror. He was just closing his phone; he had been speaking very quietly with Esme.

"I don't want to impose," she began.

Carlisle smiled gently. "It's no imposition at all, Bella. Esme is eager to see you. She's preparing some lunch for you, and after you eat you and Edward can have a nice, long soak in the tub."

Her cheeks turned pink. "But," she dropped her voice,"I don't have my bathing suit with me."

"Alice," I reminded her.

Her eyes widened momentarily as her beautiful lips formed an O. Her heat sped up a little again; clearly she was envisioning with dread my sister's choices in swimwear. I imagine my heart rate would have increased, too, if it were able. Enticing images of Bella wearing the skimpiest of bikinis which exposed endless expanses of her smooth, perfect skin bombarded me. Forcefully I dashed them from my mind, vowing to turn away from the television whenever those infernal Victoria's Secret commercials aired…

My voice was slightly husky as I croaked, "Don't worry. We'll find you something that you feel comfortable in, no matter what she's picked out for you."

Carlisle was trying to suppress a chuckle, but I heard it in his thoughts anyway. I sent him a mild glare. This was serious; there was nothing humorous about it.

Edward, he admonished lightly, stop worrying. It will be fine. I believe Esme still has a swimsuit from the 1950s. If necessary, I'm sure Bella could borrow it…

Then his thoughts flashed on Esme wearing ever-smaller bathing attire throughout the years, and I had to groan, "Carlisle, please! You aren't helping!"

Esme welcomed Bella with her usual warmth, thanking her sincerely for her actions at the bank. My mother fretted over her hand, asking how much it had hurt and worrying that it still pained her. She insisted that Carlisle remove the bandage and check it. He assured all of us that the cut was healing well.

Alice and Jasper joined us in the kitchen, where Bella ate a slice of the quiche Esme had prepared. My sister was almost giddy with anticipation as she urged Bella to eat faster so that she could take her upstairs and show her the selection of bathing suits she had gathered. I noticed that Bella's appetite disappeared after this.

Jasper stood back a bit. He had caught a tiny whiff of blood when Carlisle took the bandage from Bella's hand. Still, Jasper smiled at her, and when she set down her fork he stepped quickly to her and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze of gratitude.

"We watched the tape," he told her. "You did everything right. Thank you, Bella."

Emmett came bounding down the stairs, sounding like three herds of elephants. I noticed that his hair was slightly tousled and suddenly realized what he and Rosalie had been doing. Fortunately he had the courtesy to keep his recent memories out of his mind and focus on his newest little sister.

"How're you doing, Bella?" he asked as he swooped in and lifted her from her chair in a massive hug.

"Oh…kay," she managed as the breath left her body.

"Emmett!" Esme scolded. "Bella needs to breathe!"

Without a hint of chagrin, he set her on her feet, saying, "Oops. Sorry! Damn, sister, you were amazing at the bank!"

Bella responded with a blush.

"Okay," Alice chirped, taking Bella's hand. "Now I get you for a little while. Come on and see what I've picked out for you to wear in the Jacuzzi!"

"Alice," I began in a warning tone.

But she just shook her head and dragged Bella away.

As it turned out, my sister had managed some restraint and, among the extremely skimpy bikinis consisting of mere scraps of fabric, had set out a more modest ensemble that she called a "tankini." It had a cropped camisole-type top and bottoms made of more fabric than the teeny triangles that comprised the other suits. It was a rich sapphire hue, and the moment I saw it through Alice's thoughts I hoped Bella would choose it.

In case she didn't, I was prepared to offer her a pair of my silk boxers and one of my more fitted tee shirts squirreled away from the 1980s. Fortunately my sartorial assistance was not required, and soon Bella joined me in the spacious bathroom, where I had the tub ready for her.

She wore a short, flowered robe over her swimsuit. I had donned long swim trunks but had kept my oxford on, although the sleeves were rolled up and I had undone the top few buttons.

I patted the stack of large, thick towels I had set beside the tub. She walked slowly, still favoring her left leg, and I rose quickly to take her elbow and escort her to the Jacuzzi.

"I think the temperature will be comfortable for you," I told her.

She nodded, and her cheeks flushed once again as she removed the robe. I was delighted to see that she had indeed selected the blue tankini. The color was lovely against her skin, and it made her hair even glossier and her eyes even brighter.

"That's pretty," I said. "I like the color on you."

Her blush deepened. "Alice thought you would. Thank goodness she had this one. Everything else was…"

"I know," I acknowledged, once again forcing those other images from my mind. Yes, Bella had picked the best bathing suit; indeed she had, absolutely, positively, undoubtedly… I cleared my throat. "Are you ready to get in?"

"Yes."

After removing my shirt, I stepped into the warm, bubbling water then lifted her carefully and set her on one of the sculpted seats. She sighed as the warmth spread through her.

"Oh, this feels nice," she breathed. "Thank you."

We sat quietly for a few minutes as the heat swirled around us. Bella had relaxed almost immediately, resting her head against the padded edge of the tub. Her eyes were half-closed.

"How does your leg feel now?" I asked.

She opened her eyes. "Better, I think."

"May I try something? I think it will help."

She nodded. "Okay."

I moved closer to her and rested one hand on her right leg, just above her knee.

"Oh!" she squeaked in surprise.

"I'm sorry," I began quickly, starting to pull my hand away.

Immediately she took my wrist and returned my hand to its position. "No, Edward, it feels nice. I just wasn't expecting your hand to be so warm."

I shook my head. "You flinch when I'm warm, but not when I'm cold!" Even as I said it, a smile tugged at my lips.

She shrugged, grinning back at me. "It's all what you're used to, I suppose." Then, a bit more softly, she added, "But I like having you touch me, either way."

I kissed her cheek. "I like touching you, too."

I wanted rather desperately to kiss her lips, but this was a therapeutic situation, and I was here in a professional context, so I pulled back slightly and focused my thoughts on a careful visualization of each muscle, nerve pathway, and bone in her delicate leg. I did not dwell on the utter silkiness of her skin…

Kneeling before her, I lifted her ankle and placed her foot against my leg. Then I slid up my hands and began gently massaging the area around the break.

"All right?" I inquired after perhaps half a minute. I needed to be certain that I was not causing her any discomfort. Her heart rate had increased incrementally.

"Yes. It's… good." She smiled, and one of her hands came to rest on my shoulder. Her fingers traced lightly down the curve and over my bicep. "Mmm, nice," she murmured.

I spent several more minutes working on her leg, then I settled beside her. She shifted so that she could lean her head against my chest, and my arms automatically wrapped around her. I kissed her crown, and she lifted her chin to capture my mouth in a soft kiss.

I cupped her cheek in my hand. "Thank you, and I'm sorry," I said simply, hoping she would know what I meant.

"Edward, stop," she replied. "I'm okay, you and your family are okay, and Mark is going to be okay … everything is fine now." She rubbed her fingertip gently at the crease between my eyebrows. "There's nothing to worry about now."

I took her hand and kissed her fingers. But when I looked up at her, I saw that her brow had tightened.

"Bella?" I asked. "What is it? What's the matter?"

She gave a little shake of her head. "Nothing, really. I was just wondering if Charlie called that person from the bank. Do you think there will be any problems?"

I smiled. "None at all. Alice told me that the bank is going to offer you and me free services, and when the CEO finds out that you didn't get to make your deposit and get the CD, he's going to pull some strings and offer you that 5.2 percent rate."

"Really? That's great!"

"There's only one hitch," I informed her, my expression sobering.

She frowned, deflating. "What's that?"

"Emmett and Jasper insist on accompanying us to the bank this time, Emmett as your physical bodyguard and Jasper as your emotional one."

Bella began to laugh. "Really? That's so sweet!"

I had seen nothing but gravity in my brothers' requests. After all, their presence would not be an issue if Bella had not faced danger in her first attempt to purchase the CD. Yet she found the humor in it.

"My own, personal vampire secret service!" she said with delight.

I realized that she was responding to the affection this showed, not to the implications or memories about the danger she had faced. Her laughter was infectious, and I could not remain somber for long. Soon I was chuckling, too.

"I think," she said as her giggles slowed, "I just might be the luckiest girl in the world."

A thousand contradictions to this statement immediately crowded my mind, but I could not voice them to her. She was happy and comfortable, and I knew that, in this moment, she was absolutely sincere.

I pulled her closer to kiss her gently then said, "And I am, truly, the luckiest boy."

The End

Note: I have two other stories that I am considering posting here. Like "Risk and Return," both are posted elsewhere, but if readers are interested I'd be glad to share them. One story features Edward, Bella, and Carlisle traveling to Mexico for a good cause. The other is set during a senior class trip that doesn't go quite the way everyone had hoped; it includes Bella, Edward, Alice, Jasper, and Carlisle. If you're interested in one or both stories, please let me know!