One week has rolled into two and the longer we go without Bella, the more the doctors worry about her recovering. It's her body that has to make the choice, keep fighting, or shut down.

Over the last week her father has been to visit her every single day. He seems to like spending time with Ace as well, which is nice. Another surprise is Ruby. She's also been back to visit a lot since she said sorry. I don't know if she meant it or she's just doing it for the sake of Abel, but she seemed genuine enough.

This week we've all be taking turns sitting with Bella. Even though it's hard for me to not be the one sitting at her bed side all day, I understand I need to look after myself in order to be able to look after Ace and be at my best for him.

It's currently lunch time and I make my way into the hospital, Ace in his pram. I make my way down the hall and into Bella's room, where Amelia is sitting with her.

"Hey," she smiles up at me, as I enter the room.

"Hey, how has she been?"

"No change, but she's good," she nods. "They just came and washed her down, the blood is all out of her hair now, thank god. They did a check on her burns and they seem to be healing, so they're going to leave them uncovered for a couple of hours and see how it goes."

I make my way over, looking over Bella for a moment. She has burns on her shoulders collar bone and one on her arm. They do appear to be healing, the burns aren't too deep.

I lean down a press a kiss to her forehead, like every time I visit. "Hey beautiful, Ive been dying to see you all day, Ace as well," I say, as I pick him up out of the pram and sit him on the bed.

"Hello handsome man," Amelia gushes over him, tickling his stomach and he giggles loudly.

I smile down at them for a moment, remembering the times Bella would do that to him, recalling the sounds of her laughter and his filling the house. It's so empty without her.

"I'll leave you to it. Call me if you need anything," Millie stands to her feet.

"I will, thanks for sitting with her."

"Of course," she smiles, as she leaves the room.

Ace crawls to Bella and places his hand on her shoulder, very close to the burn.

"Ah uh, no little man," I tell him, as I move him away. "Mommy has an ouchie," I tell him.

He looks up at me and bursts into tears. Actual tears roll down his cheeks, as he cries loudly.

"Hey, you're not in trouble. Don't cry," I tell him, as if he understands. "You just have to be careful of mommy."

He continues to cry and I pick him up, rubbing his back. "I'm sorry buddy, daddy is mean isn't he?"

He snuggles into me, still crying.

"Ace," I hear her soft voice speak.

My eyes shoot up, looking toward Bella, whose eyes are fluttering open.

"Bella, you're awake," I stand up and make my way over to her bedside.

"Jex," she says softly. "W-where's Ace? He's crying."

"He's right here baby," I sit him down next to her.

"Hi baby," she whispers.

Ace looks at her and stops crying instantly, as he studies her face.

"Hi baby, it's Momma," she smiles weakly at him.

I pick up the remote attached to the bed and call the nurse to come in.

...

It took a couple of hours, but finally Bella came around. Her check out went well and whilst she's weak, she's able to talk and move her legs and arms. She doesn't appear to have any kind of brain damage, which is excellent news.

It's currently dinner time and I haven't left Bella's side, other than to heat Ace's bottle, which I then gave to Bella to feed him.

"So you and my dad are friends now huh?" Bella grins over at me, as she eats her first meal in two weeks. It's hospital food, but good none the less.

"How on earth do you know that?" I raise a brow.

"I could hear everything," she shrugs. "I know that you didn't leave my side. I heard all the beautiful words you said to me. Along with the horrible things you said about yourself and failing," she reaches over and takes my hand. "Dad was right and I'm so glad he was there for you in that moment. You didn't fail, you kept our son happy and healthy. You did your best and I'm so proud of you. I love you so much," she strokes my hand with her thumb.

"You really think I did okay?"

"More than okay Jex, you're amazing."

"You are," I lean in and press my lips to hers. "I can't even imagine what you went through."

"It wasn't pleasant, but I don't want to talk about it. The Kings are gone now and you and dad are friends. Even Ruby doesn't hate our guts anymore, let's just take it for what it is," she gives me a soft smile.

"You're awake! You're really awake," Sara exclaims, as she makes her way into the room, the entire family behind her.

Bella giggles softly. "Did you really think you'd get rid of me that easily?"

...

The night is long, everyone is so happy to see Bella and to be able to talk to her. I get it, I know how they feel, because I can't believe she came back to me. Back to Ace, to all of us and relatively unharmed, as far as serious, serious injuries go.

I can't wait to get her home, I can't wait for us to get back to some kind of normal again. I can't wait to marry her, for us to have more children and do everything we said we would. However, I know I need to slow down a little, I'm getting well ahead of myself. Honestly I'm just so relieved to have her back with me, safe and sound.

"Would you like to stay the night Jex? I can take Ace home?" Sara offers; just herself, Andre and I left in the room with Bella now.

"You don't mind? I mean he doesn't always sleep through the night and sometimes he can get really cranky."

"Jex, we've raised two kids already. We've got this," Andre assures me.

"Only if you're sure?"

"Baby, let my parents take him. Stay with me, please," Bella smiles over at me.

"O-okay, but call me if he's too much."

"He'll be fine," Sara smiles, as she picks Ace up. "Say goodnight to mommy and daddy little man," she says, as she holds him out to Bella.

"Goodnight my baby," Bella kisses his lips and tickles his stomach, he giggles loudly.

"Goodnight buddy," I take him into my arms and cuddle him, kissing the top of his head. "Daddy loves you so very much."

Sara places him in his pram and Andre stands to his feet. "We'll call you if we need," he assures. "Good night guys."

"Night Dad," Bella smiles.

"I'll ask the nurse to bring in a blanket. I love you both. Goodnight," Sara waves, as she leaves the room.

"I love you mom," Bella calls as she waves back.

Turning to me, Bella speaks once more. "Jex, do you think you could put some cream on my burns please? They're stinging a little."

"Of course," I say, as I stand up and take the cream from the side table. I squeeze it onto my hand and gently touch her burn.

"Ohhh," she jumps slightly.

"Sorry baby, am I hurting you?" I pull back.

"No, it's just cold," she smiles softly.

I gently place my fingers back on the burn and rub the cream in slowly, doing my best not to hurt her.

"I guess they're not bad enough to scare you away huh?" She says, referring to her burns.

"Nothing would scare me away Bella. I love you, no matter what."

"I know you do Jex," she smiles softly. "And I think I'm even more in love with you now than I was before. Not that I'm even sure how that's possible."

I remove my fingers from the burns, having finished rubbing the cream in. I wipe my hands on the towel, then look down at her, my eyes locked on her. "I know exactly how you feel, because I feel the same," I sit down on the seat beside her bed, taking her hand in mine. "You Isabella Ricci are the strongest woman I know. I can't wait to make you Isabella Shelby and continue growing our family."

A smile slowly spreads across her lips and she sits up. "Come here."

I move in and she places her hand on my cheek, pulling me in closer. She then presses her lips to mine, her tongue swiping my bottom lip right away.

I open my mouth instantly and kiss her slowly, our tongues moving around one another's for the first time in weeks.

Someone clears their from behind us and I pull back. It's the night shift nurse, an older lady with dark skin and short black, bob style hair. She's dressed in scrubs and standing at the door. "I have a blanket for you sir," she says, as she hands me the blanket, a little sassy attitude in her voice. "And please, for the love of all that is holy, no sex in the bed. That shit's nasty," she screws up her face, in mock disgust

"We make no promises," Bella giggles softly and the nurse leaves, closing the door behind her.

"I think it might be safer if I sleep on the chair," I grin, with a wink.

"Get your sexy ass into bed with me now Jexxy," she giggles, as she pulls me in for another kiss. 

This chapter has been proof read and edited by ElleRWrites