Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. That right belongs to the wonderful Stephenie Meyers.
We sat in the Volvo in silence. The dance had ended only ten minutes ago, and Edward hadn't said anything to me. His eyes were still their ocher color, but they held a look of annoyance, or perhaps worry.
I searched his face for any sign of recognition that I was still there. After what seemed like several minutes, he turned to look at me and smiled.
I blushed feeling childish. No matter how hard I try to resist blushing, I always seem to fail. Even with as much time as I spend with him, you'd think a simple smile wouldn't affect me; but it does.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked. His tone was light and playful, but his eyes still spoke uneasiness. I said nothing, but I smiled, knowing it was false. He noticed, but said nothing. Just studied my expression quietly; while his remained unreadable.
"Don't you think you should head in?" he asked. I smiled a little more sincere this time, glad for a change in subject. "Charlie will wonder why we've been in driveway so long." I laughed. His expression became lighter, though he knew what I was thinking about. Most of all he knew it would be best if it weren't brought up.
"You're right," I replied smiling, "he would wonder." I tried to keep the disappointment from my voice, but his expression stated her noticed my disappointment.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and went to open the door, only to find Edward holding it open for me.
"Bella?" Charlie called from the illuminated porch.
Who else? I thought to myself.
"Hi, Char-dad!" I replied, false happiness in my voice. I swung my legs carefully over the seat and got out of the Volvo. I stumbled a little, but Edward caught me and steadied me before I could cause further injury to myself.
"Thanks," I replied. He grinned, sending chills down my spine and redness to my face. Once clear of the door he swept me up into his arms in one fluid movement. His strength still astounded me.
He carried me up to the house past Charlie, never stumbling or tripping on anything. When we were inside the door he slipped off his shoes without tipping or leaning against something.
I rolled my eyes. It was unfair. Edward and his perfect nature. I would have made a mess of myself if I ever tried to take my shoes off while standing.
Charlie closed the door behind us and looked at Edward questioningly. He never really trusted him, but I know he tries for me.
"You're home early," Charlie commented, his tone quiet but lighter than it sounded earlier. I looked up and saw Edward suppressing a laugh. I'll have to remember to ask him later, what Charlie was thinking.
"The dance ended at eleven," I replied, not bothering to hide my annoyance. "I'm going to go change out of this dress."
"Do you need help?" Edward asked, "We don't need you falling down the stairs again." A wide smile crept across his face. I glared back shaking my head slightly.
"I think I can manage," I replied sarcastically, "Do you think you could help me get this heel off?"
"Al-"Edward began.
"Why don't you head home Edward," replied Charlie, "Your parents will wonder where you are at." His tone suggested it was more so a demand then a request. Though he clearly didn't want Edward there any longer then needed. Edward didn't object just smiled warmly.
"No problem," he replied his keeping his tone light, it seemed. He set me down gently and wished Charlie and I a good night. The he gathered and put on his black polished shoes and left through the front door.
Charlie looked through the window and turned towards me smiling. I returned the smile then bent over to take off the heel. I had to lean against the wall to help steady myself.
"Need help Bell?" Charlie asked. Knowing full well I couldn't balance well, especially with a cast on one leg. He was right. I fell sideways, but managed to catch myself on the hallway table.
Charlie laughed, "You look nice," he commented as he walked over to me. He bent down and undid my one heel still laughing.
"Maybe if I had notice I could have gotten a better dress," I replied sarcastically. After removing my one heel, he asked if I needed help up the stairs.
"I'll manage," I replied and made my way up the stairs. Leaning one hand on the wall and one on the wooden railing. Six minutes and thirteen stairs later I had made my way to my bedroom and sat down on the bed so I could take off my dress without causing any further injury to myself.
"Do you really think if you went shopping for a different dress you'd be anymore exquisite?" came a light, musical voice from the rocking chair in the corner of my room. I didn't need to look over to know it was Edward.
"Ha, ha," I replied, my tone mocking. He grinned. I looked down at myself in my blue frilly dress then at Edward.
"Need a human moment?" he asked, laughter playing in his voice. I smiled and nodded.
"If you don't mind. I would like to get out of this dress and into something comfortable."
"Alright, but you'll look wonderful either way," he replied smiling; sending the traitor blush back to my face. I grabbed some pajamas and my bathroom kit and crossed the small hallway to the even smaller and slightly cramped bathroom I shared with Charlie.
After eight minutes or so, I managed to get out of my dress and take out my hairdo. Delighted to be out of the frilly dress, I stepped into the shower. Mindful to keep my cast outside the spray of the shower head.
I stood there till the hot water turned cold. Recapping on tonight's events. After which I got out and put on my sweats over my cast and a grey t-shirt. Then I made my way back across the hallway, half drying my hair, half stumbling.
I grabbed the old brass doorknob of my bedroom and entered. Edward was laying on my bed dressed in dark blue jeans and a black V-neck tee shirt, that fitted snuggly against his Greek-god like body. He smiled at me, making my heart skip.
"So," I began, smiling and blushing at the same time, "what was Charlie thinking that almost made you start laughing?" He propped himself up on his elbow and beckoned me to come over and sit next to him.
"Not right now," he whispered, "Charlie is listening at the bottom of the stairs."
Charlie had been doing that more often. Sometimes I wondered if his constant suspicion was due to his fathering nature finally showing. Or his police personality.
"Is he gone yet?" I asked, suppressing an incoming laugh. He shook his head. Nope. Curious to find out what Charlie had been thinking, I got up and carefully walked to the staircase. I decided to go down enough so he could see me with wet hair and in pajamas.
"Good night dad," I called from the fifth step.
"Good night Bell," he replied, "I probably won't be here when you wake up. If the weather is good I'll probably go fishing," he replied with a smile.
Great. I thought to myself. Hopefully he gets tired of fish soon; because I was running out of recipes.
I waited till I heard the TV shut off and the door close to his bedroom. Then I turned to go back to my room. My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened, as I saw Edward standing at the top of the stairs. He laughed. Even though it was quiet, I could hear the kindness and worry in it.
It'd only be a matter of time.