This is my very first story, and I am new to the world of FanFiction so be kind, please!
STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS TWILIGHT AND RELATED CHARACTERS
Chapter Song: "First Day Of My Life" - Bright Eyes
I directed the faucet head over the encrusted pan and watched as the hot water formed suds with the dish detergent. I turned my gaze to the clock above the stove.
Seven thirty. Not even close.
I sighed, frustrated, and attacked the pot with a vengeance.
This is the last time I let Charlie cook, I thought as I scrubbed the burnt remainders of what was supposed to be dinner out of the bottom. He was on the patrolling nightshift tonight, so I was left to clean up the aftermath. My eyes flickered towards the clock again.
Seven thirty-two.
I scoured the pot harder now and felt my fingers begin to ache. I stopped scrubbing to rinse and examine my progress. My eyebrows pulled together as I realized I hadn't even made a dent. I sighed again, more heavily this time, and listened to the water wash smoothly into the sink. I wanted to peek at the clock, but I knew what it would tell me. I grabbed the sponge and continued my battle for cleanliness against the stubborn stewpot.
I need to get a hobby.
I threw the sponge into the sink and rocked back on my heels. Closing my eyes, I tried to comfort myself. Did he really have to wait until nine o'clock to come back?
Yes, I told myself, he needs to eat, too.
I was determined not to make him feel bad about leaving me for such an important reason… I had done enough damage after graduation. I had tried to stop Edward from going to the clearing. I had insisted on keeping him with me, and he ended up in harm's way regardless. My selfishness had complicated everyone's lives, and I was severely ashamed… I had remained friends with Jacob long after I'd known his feelings for me, broken his heart, and asked Edward to comfort me afterward. I was the monster in Forks now, and I had vowed not to hurt anyone else with my greedy ways.
Which made the upcoming nuptials even harder to swallow… How was I going to explain to Charlie? What was I going to say to Renee? Or, more importantly, what would they say to me? They would be angry, and once again I would be the cause of hurt feelings.
I felt my body stiffen with stress, and my selfish thoughts returned. I needed Edward here with me. I had been carrying this burden for weeks, and I wanted his reassurance.
I jerked out of my trance and reluctantly turned to the clock.
Seven thirty-nine. Damn.
I groaned in resignation and laid my forehead against the edge of the damp sink. The water seemed to run for hours as I rested there, vaguely aware of the endless gallons I was wasting. Something icy touched my waist, and I spun around, whacking my face on the faucet in the process. My vision became unusually fuzzy as a granite hand reached up to examine my eye. I wobbled on my feet and felt the other hand catch my waist, steadying me. Even through blurred vision, I was stunned by his beauty.
I grinned groggily and sang his name. "I am," I swayed dangerously, and Edward tightened his grip on my waist, "so glad you're back."
He smiled crookedly at me and swept me into his arms.
"Me too," he said softly as he backed onto the sofa. I tried to smile even wider, but when the grin met my eyes, I cringed.
"It's turning black already," Edward said with worry flashing in his golden eyes. He pressed his cool lips ever so lightly above my cheekbone. The relief from his icy touch was instantaneous, and I closed my eyes in contentment. He chuckled softly and pulled away, carefully leaning me back onto the sofa.
"You're leaving again?" I sat bolt upright when his hands left me, regretting it instantly as the room around me spun.
"Shh, Bella. I'm just going to get an actual ice pack to keep the swelling down." A wide grin spread across his face. "We don't want Charlie to think I'm abusive."
I attempted a laugh, but quickly realized that might actually be in the realm of possibilities. Edward read my concern faster than I could express it.
"Don't be silly, Bella. Charlie isn't fond of me, but he doesn't doubt your safety."
"Good."
I settled back on the sofa while Edward moved, lightning fast, to the kitchen to retrieve an ice pack. He was back before my head touched the armrest. He wrapped the pack in a kitchen towel and held it very gently to my eye.
"Thank you."
He smiled. "You're welcome."
"So… welcome home!" I smiled meekly.
"I know you miss me when I leave, but you don't have to be quite so enthusiastic upon my return," he smiled my favorite crooked smile again and kissed me softly.
"You scared me, that's all," I managed, my heart still fluttering from his touch.
He smirked at me. "You know, between the black eye and the enormous line across your forehead," he paused to run his finger lightly over it, "you'd think you'd been the one out hunting this weekend."
"Line? Wha…" Then I remembered resting my head on the edge of the sink.
"Oh, fabulous." I sighed and leaned my head back to stare at the ceiling through my one good eye, trying to imagine what my swelled face looked like in comparison to the marble god seated beside me.
"May I ask why you were resting your forehead on the sink?"
I sat up and gazed at him. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"Nothing. You know, just chores and such," I said with all the sincerity I could muster. Edward's beautiful eyes tightened the tiniest bit. He wasn't buying it. I sighed again.
"I was thinking about how selfish I am." I watched him carefully, scrutinizing his reaction. To my surprise, he smiled.
"We have gone over this before, Bella," he said quietly. "Things happen that we have no control over."
"I know but-"
"Bella." His eyes begged me not to continue. Edward hated to see me upset, especially when it was about something he couldn't fix.
"Edward," I looked at him sternly. "I have made several decisions that I'm not proud of. I have hurt everyone." I set the ice pack aside and placed my hands on either side of his face. "Especially you."
He looked at me with frustrated eyes.
"I've been selfish, too," he whispered.
I smiled at him. "Yes, but your selfishness, incidentally, worked out pretty well for me." I was trying desperately to lighten the mood. "I can live with those decisions, but I can't ignore them, okay?"
His expression relaxed just a little, and he sighed in agreement. "Okay."
We sat still for a moment gazing at each other, not knowing quite what to say. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him how sorry I was for the stupid things I had done, but I knew he didn't think of the situation the same way I did. He would become flustered again and insist that I'd done nothing but find my way. Judging from the tension in his eyes, Edward wanted to reprimand me for worrying so much about my actions and the results there-of. Knowing that neither path would get us anywhere, we shifted positions on the sofa. I laid my head against his chest, reapplying the ice pack to my eye.
"You're back early."
He shrugged. "There wasn't a very good variety, and Emmett got tired of deer so… here I am."
We lay in comfortable silence for a while before his velvety voice broke it.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about how to explain this black eye to Charlie."
"I'm pretty sure he'll believe any story in which you fall down." I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Ha, ha." I said sarcastically. I felt him kiss the top of my head.
"Look at it this way- if you didn't constantly need saving, I would have nothing to do during the day." I could feel his cool breath on my ear; as much as I wanted to retort, my defenses melted, and my heart sputtered.
He laughed at my increased heartbeat. "Will you never get tired of me?" He meant to tease me, but there was a slight edge of worry in his voice. I turned myself to face him and stared intently into his eyes.
"Never," I said with strong sincerity.
So what did you think? R&R please
