A/N: I thought about this in collaboration with Mizra, and the initial idea was to write it together, but then life got in the way so we didn't get a chance to complete it. Possible minor spoilers to Twilight, New Moon, and the beginning of Eclipse. Lots of fluff which, after my previous fic, I thought you guys would enjoy. It picks up pretty much where chapter 2 of Eclipse leaves off, and concludes the night of Bella and Edward's return to Forks, in the middle of chapter 3. I'm dividing this by days, so each is not really a chapter, length-wise. Some parts are longer than others – sorry in advance about that. Review if you like it, please? Or if you don't? I'm always happy to know what you think, either way =)
Disclaimer: it's all Stephenie Meyer's, including bits of dialogue I borrowed for context.
Like a Satellite
I pulled my old duffle bag from underneath my bed and dropped it on my bed, grumbling to myself. Packing now was probably better than getting stuck with it tomorrow after school. Considering it was Wednesday night, I had no idea how Edward expected us to find vacant seats on any flight that left on Friday. Then again, when it came to the Cullens, I guessed there was nothing they could not get, so I might as well be prepared. I'd have to call my mom first thing tomorrow. I dreaded the thought of doing so, and I secretly hoped she had already had plans for the weekend. For a moment I thought I'd better just call her now and get it over with, but this was not a conversation I wanted to make with Charlie in the next room. No, it would have to wait for tomorrow morning after all.
I stared dumbfounded at the empty bag, and then, hopelessly, at my small closet. How was I supposed to pack when I didn't even know the weather in Florida? I figured my mom would have some of my stuff if I forgot anything essential; she had probably taken everything with her when she and Phil had settled in Jacksonville. And I didn't have most of my summer clothes with me here anyway, so I threw into the bag some light tee-shirts and shorts and the only sundress I owned, a pair of jeans and a cardigan just in case it would get cold. When I finally crawled into bed about an hour or so later, I was exhausted. The events of this chaotic evening were almost completely forgotten by the time my head touched the pillow.
Almost.
It was a restless night. I was tossing and turning for what felt like hours before I sat up with a sigh. There was no way I was going to fall asleep that way, I knew. I felt too giddy, too agitated. But it wasn't just the fact that my mind was preoccupied by million different things. I could hardly fall asleep without him in the room these days. I was so used to him being here, to his cold arms wrapped so protectively around me when I woke up; anything else felt strange now, wrong. I glanced at the open window. Did he make the choice for me, and decided not to come tonight?
Something moved in the shadows; I started and reached out to turn on the light.
"I'm sorry – I didn't mean to frighten you." His voice was velvet as he stepped out of the shadow. My breath caught. The faint lamplight framed his figure in a golden halo. He looked unreal. He advanced in human pace, and there was uncertainty in the act. He remained standing, towering over my bed. I glanced at the rocking chair from over his shoulder, moving back and forth ever so slightly, undisrupted by its occupant's movement.
"How long have you been sitting there?"
"An hour or so," he replied, running a hand through his tousled bronze hair in a motion I had come to recognize as hesitation. His eyes were intent on mine. "Are you very upset with me?"
I wanted to say I was more than upset – I was furious. I thought a night with the Cullens was enough to soothe me, but everything was resurfacing now: bringing up the tickets issue and causing Charlie to freak out, messing up with my truck so I wouldn't be able to get to La Push, not giving me a fair warning about Charlie's intended sex talk –
It was all gone when I met his gaze.
I sighed, and tossed the covers aside. "Come here."
He smiled at the invitation, but the motion was strained. Silently he kicked his shoes off. I scooted a bit as he climbed onto my bed. The old bed springs groaned in protest as he gently pulled me into his arms. I turned the lamp off and the room was wrapped in darkness again. He threw the covers over the two of us. I nestled into his embrace, exhaling slowly as I pressed my back against his marble chest.
"Yes, I'm mad at you," I said then, but my voice was wrong, too soft for the confrontation I had planned.
"You have every right to," he replied, his lips close to my ear. His breath tickled, soft and cool against my skin. I shivered. "I know you think I'm horribly interfering, but please understand I'm doing all this to protect you."
"How about not telling me what Charlie was up to? Was that a part of protecting me as well?" I asked acidly. I couldn't help it. That part had probably infuriated me the most.
"No, that was merely for my own personal amusement. I guess I should apologize for that; it wasn't nice of me," he said slowly, as if he was really feeling bad about it. "But the rest of it… I can apologize, if it makes you feel better, but I cannot honestly regret it."
I lay there sulking in the darkness. I couldn't think of a backfire for that. And I couldn't stay mad at him because I knew he was trying to protect me, in his own odd way. "I don't want you to apologize unless you really mean it, so there's really no point." I could feel it now, the heavy waves of slumber slowly overpowering me. A yawn escaped me, in spite of myself.
"You should get some sleep," he murmured, and his arms tightened around me.
"I will still be mad in the morning, Edward," I mumbled, half asleep now. I couldn't resist it any longer. I let my eyes close as I slowly drifted.
"I know. Sleep now, Bella," he whispered, and began to hum my lullaby, so low in my ear I was sure I was dreaming it.
