Friends with Benefits

Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Five

Things I own: my sanity (though, that's debatable at times), not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

Things I don't: Twilight, Edward and Bella (Damn. It.)

Chapter 135

BPOV

When I got home from the appointment, I checked on the gravy. It smelled amazing and tasted even better. Still letting it simmer on the stove, I began to work on my homework assignment. By the time Edward came in the door, I had nearly five pages written out and I was a sniveling, sobbing mess.

"Bella?" Edward asked, his voice sounding panicked.

"I'm fine," I said, waving him off. "Working on my homework."

"And that homework is to cry?" he asked, crouching in front of me.

"No. I went to see a therapist and she asked me to write a letter of what I want to achieve while I'm working with her. As I was writing, I came to the realization that I'm pretty fucked up."

"Bells, you are not fucked up," Edward said sternly, taking my face in his hands. "Paul is fucked up. The girls he screwed over are fucked up. You are...lost and somewhat bruised."

"Well, that's why I'm going to a therapist," I said, kissing his palm. Leaning my cheek against his hand, I gave him a crooked smile. He was still concerned, gently caressing my face with his thumb. "How are you doing?"

"I'm still hung over," he groaned, standing up. "Drinking an entire bottle of Chivas Regal is not wise on a week night."

"I'm sorry," I muttered.

"Bella, it's not your fault," he said.

"In a way, it is. If I hadn't exploded and bitched at you, you wouldn't have gone to Emmett's and gotten trashed," I frowned. "I understand and I'm proud of you for wanting to do that to Paul. I'm shocked that he..."

"That he did that?" Edward asked, sitting down across from me.

"Yeah. I mean, where does he get off? It's disgusting and wrong," I snarled. "And he's a father, too!"

"Well, we don't know yet. We need a DNA sample from Paul to verify his paternity of the baby," Edward explained. "But, I saw the kid and he's a mini-version of your ex. Even down to the hairline." I wrinkled my nose. "It was disturbing to see, but the kid was adorable and sweet. I'm assuming he got his mother's disposition."

"You don't know?" I asked.

"Um, the mother, she committed suicide because of what Paul did. The child is being raised by his grandparents down in central Illinois. We're trying to get Paul arrested for statutory rape because she was underage when they had sex. The cops went in to question Paul, but his class was being proctored by another professor. He had a 'family' emergency."

"Prick," I snarled. I blew out a harsh breath. "Why don't you get changed into something comfortable? I'll start the pasta."

"Do you need help?" Edward asked, his eyes cutting to the stove. I shook my head and sent him upstairs. I worked on the pasta while he puttered in our room. I also made a salad and put the garlic bread into the oven. I was nearly done with the meal when I felt two strong arms around my waist. Edward nuzzled my neck, holding me to his body. "Thank you for cooking, love."

"It's the least I could do," I said, snuggling back in his arms. "Now, the pasta is almost done. I don't want it to be mush."

Edward kissed my neck before sliding me out of the way. He picked up the pan, pouring the pasta into the colander in the sink. Together, we worked to put the meal on the table and soon we were sitting next to each other, filling our plates with my grandmother's home made gravy with meatballs, sausage and pork. "God, this is delicious, Bella."

"Thank you," I blushed. "Like I said, I was the least I could do. I was awful last night. You had no reason to deal with my irrational bitching. I'm so sorry."

Edward wiped his face, staring at me sternly. "Stop apologizing. I kind of dropped a bomb on you. I probably would have reacted the same way if you had done something similar. Yes, I wanted to swoop in and help you, be your white knight, but I should have told you sooner. I've been working on this case since a couple weeks after Easter. I never realized how big it was until we started digging."

"Why didn't they go to the school?" I asked.

"Because they didn't feel comfortable enough to approach their advisors. The sexual harassment policies at UIUC leave much to be desired. It's mainly focused on student harassment. Nothing really is mentioned on teacher/student harassment. The only mention of it in the handbook is that student/teacher relationships are frowned upon and that's it. If I were a student, being coerced into fucking my professor to maintain my grades, I would not feel protected. I don't blame them. So, in addition to Paul, we're also suing the university, the president of the university and president of the alumni board, who helps write the handbook. We have documentation from all of the plaintiffs, threats from Paul from his school email account and pictures."

"I still can't believe he did that," I growled, pushing my plate away. "And the STDs?" I shuddered. "I did get tested again today. My doctor said that I should hold off on any sexual contact until I get the all clear."

"Yeah, I went to a free clinic during my lunch. That was not an experience I ever want to repeat," Edward deadpanned. "Damn Paul to the deepest pits of hell. Because of him, I had a cotton swab shoved up my urethra."

"Ugh," I grimaced. "Well, I had to pee in a cup, get a blood test and have my hoo-ha smeared."

"Yeah, you win," Edward chuckled.

"What did I win?" I teased.

"Some ice cream after I do the dishes," he said, tucking an errant hair that had fallen from my bun. "I was hoping to take you out tonight but seeing the huge vat of gravy on the stove kind of put the kibosh on that." I blushed, dropping my gaze to his hands. "Hey, love, I'm not mad or upset. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said. "With everything that happened, the last thing I wanted was to go out. Especially if you were going to dump my ass."

"Bells, I've told you this before and I'm going to tell you this again. I'm in this. For the long haul. Forever if you'll have me. I love you," he said, caressing my palm with his thumb. "We're going to have arguments and fights. Everyone does. If I took off because of one argument, I'm not worthy of your time. Bella, I want this to work. I want you."

"And I want you," I said. "I love you, too." Leaning forward, I kissed his lips and gave him a nervous grin. "I kind of want to tell you why I feel the way that I do, but after dessert." He brushed his mouth against mine, nodding briefly. Darting away from the kitchen, I found my letter. Once we got back from our ice cream excursion, I'd have him read it.

A/N: Soooooo? What do you think? We're switching POVs next chapter. Going to Edward. Leave me some!