Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all; I just like to play around in her world.
Thanks so much to beachcomberlc and Ocassye who preread and betaed this for me. I will attempt to post consistently, but unlike my other fic in progress, I don't have chapters written ahead. I apologize, but remember, I have a full-time job, part-time job, and seven kids (eight if you include my husband). Writing is my stress-reduction technique!
If you haven't already, go over and read the stories on the Tricks And Treats Contest (you have to put it in exactly like that as the author on FF). There are a several great stories up (including one of mine - snicker), and the voting has begun. Also, consider writing something for the Red Eyed Edward contest. There are some very bad Edwards in that group, but I would love to see what you mind comes up with as a one-shot.
Also, I usually reply to every review, but my newest kitten decided to pounce on my computer (I'm assuming) and sent all my reviews to the trash pile. By the time I realized what had happened (yes, I'm still assuming it was the kitten and not a content1 problem), my server had deleted the deleted emails. Sigh . . . I will respond this week!
~Honor~
Sweat poured down Bella's face, dripping off her chin.
"C'mon Bella, just a few more feet." Jane, the physical therapist, smiled gently, but her tone was all bite.
Childlike, her stature was no indication of her determination and professional capabilities. Considered one of the best, her services were hard to come by, but the blonde beauty had taken a look at Isabella Swan's file and volunteered.
Struggling to lift her injured leg another inch, Bella felt the sting of tears. Risking falling, she let go of one side of the parallel bars and angrily dashed the drops away. Fire raced through her hip, making her breath come in pants.
When her foot slapped the floor in perfect alignment, she wanted to shout in victory. For the first time, she'd made it the entire way down the bars and back. The damn wheelchair had never looked so inviting. Turning on her good foot, she lowered herself into the contraption, refusing, although her arms shook like wet noodles, to show one ounce of weakness by plopping into it.
"Take that, bitch," she snarled at Jane, causing the both of them to burst out in laughter.
"Very few people could get away with calling me that," Jane replied with an arched eyebrow.
"You love me and you know it." Bella's snark was delivered with just the right amount of spunk.
"Sorry, babe, but you don't have the right equipment for me," Jane teased back as she came to help Bella get the brakes loose. She sniffed loudly when she bent down to do so. "And you stink to high heavens."
Bella grinned, knowing she did. She was a big, sweaty mess. But she was a big, sweaty mess one step closer to busting out of rehab for real.
"Was it better or worse this time?" Jane's question came as she knocked the footrests down for Bella.
"Still hurt like hell." Bella shifted, grimacing as her leg zinged her for it. "But I think maybe Dante's first or second level, not like where he put Judas."
Jane chuckled at Bella's acerbic wit.
"Well, I heard from the little birdies around here that you have a date tonight, with a young doctor one of the nurses, who moonlights over at the hospital, described as 'Hot as Hell.' So you might want to go clean up. Because girlfriend, you smell worse than my kid brother Alec's room, and he's one nasty monster."
"Have you ever been told your bedside manners are lacking? If you haven't, it's probably because everyone is afraid of your bitch glare. So, let me be the first to tell you . . . you suck."
"I know, sweetie. I know. But Felix likes that I do, so . . ." She shrugged.
Cackling in glee at Jane's sarcasm, Bella took a deep breath and wished she hadn't. She did stink.
Expertly maneuvering the chair backwards, she watched as Jane picked up her bag. "You have any thought as to when you're going to sign my hall pass to leave this fine establishment?"
Shaking her head at Bella's persistence, Jane offered a crumb. "Show me you can walk that distance consistently over the next week, and I'll even spring for bail."
A broad smile spread across Isabella's face. "Well, I guess that means I've gotta find some unknowing soul to take me on, huh?"
Jane rolled her eyes as they began moving toward the door. "I pity the person."
~Honor~
Three hours, a nap, and a shower later, Bella fidgeted with the bottom of her sweater. She'd blown her hair dry and then fussed over her makeup. Her jeans and sweater were stylish but comfortable. Reclining in a real chair, instead of the metal contraption mocking her from a few feet away, she held a cold bottle of water with drops of condensation slowly making their way down.
She was the picture of serenity.
It was a sham.
Her heart raced, and she worried she would break out into a sweat at any moment, ruining all the effort she'd put into getting cleaned up. When the tight band began to squeeze at her chest, Bella took a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out. Panicking as she felt the anxiety attack coming on, she frantically looked for something to focus on. Outside on a limb, a chickadee skipped from branch to branch, drawing her attention. It took flight, spreading its black wings and moving over the snowy ground.
A grey bird skimmed across the sand. The heat rising off the earth shimmered, making the bird's path appear jerky. Isabella's mouth was so dry her tongue was swollen and her hip ached from where she'd crashed into the ground, but the men taunting them from behind could care less. Broken, choppy sounds were shouted at James Cullen and her as they were forced to march in broiling temperatures.
Jamie had a large gash on his head, and Isabella worried he had a concussion. Not unlike the girls who usually flocked around him, a horde of gnats swarmed around her friend. And like most of the girls, the gnats were bloodsuckers, feasting off him.
"Dear God, make me a bird. So I could fly far. Far, far away from here." Jenny's quote from Forrest Gump flashed through Isabella's mind as several of the birds took flight. The movie was one of her father's favorites, and one they'd watched many times together.
"Jamie, you okay?" She asked when she saw him stumble. A sharp series of words from the men advised her of their displeasure. Duly warned, she didn't even flinch when a bullet hit near her foot, kicking up sand. Instead, she turned around to glare at the worthless bastards.
"Bella, don't antagonize them." Jamie shook his head at her when she glanced back to him.
"Bella."
"Bella!"
Isabella snapped straight up, the movement making her breath catch painfully. One of the nurses stood before her, and it would seem she had called Isabella's name several times if the cross look on her face was any indication.
"You have company."
Standing at the door of the facility's excuse for a family room, Edward waited. Wearing a pair of faded jeans and a green button down shirt that highlighted his eyes and contrasted nicely with his copper hair, he looked more model than doctor to Isabella. He was carrying a large bag, several plastic ones, and a soft smile.
Nervous he'd caught her staring off into space, Isabella made a great show of pulling a blanket over her lap as he approached. Angry with herself, she wondered how this man could make her so nervous, when she could command a squadron of testosterone-fueled males without batting an eye.
"Bella."
The way Edward said Isabella's name was like a caress, and she shivered. Placing the bags on the beat-up wood table, he came to stand beside her, slowly reaching for her hand. He was giving her time to stop him before he linked their fingers and squeezed gently. Like a really good drug, the action calmed her, making her sink boneless into the chair she'd chosen by the window.
"Hey!" she said softly. The man seemed to reduce her to one word replies.
"Hey." He grinned. "I can't tell you how long the last three days have seemed. It's been crazy at the hospital and usually that makes the day go by fast, but not this time." A faint blush tinged his pale cheeks. It should have made him appear feminine, but instead, Isabella was intrigued with this man who could so easily show his feelings.
"I brought dinner. I'd like to say I cooked it, but I didn't." He chuckled, as did Bella. "I'm a fairly good cook, when I have the time. However, I didn't want to waste hours in the kitchen, when I could be here."
His forwardness made her blush.
"You hungry?" he asked.
Her growling stomach answered him.
"I could make plates and bring them here," he offered, nodding to the end table beside her chair.
"No, Jane, my physical terrorist, has given me the okay to keep walking short distances. I'd rather sit at the table."
"Need my help?" he offered, squeezing her hand again and reminding her she hadn't let go of him.
"Can you spot me?" Bella hated asking for the favor, but there was no way she wanted to fall and further injure her healing leg and hip. Edward had already proven quick on his feet, and the man had no problems carrying her. She was still impressed he'd held her the entire time she talked to the group at Jamie's funeral . . . and that his touch hadn't sent her into spasms of terror.
Her progress was slow. It took effort to get up from the chair and then stabilize on the cane. The new hip the doctors had given her was working great, but it was the prosthetic femur that hurt. The doctors had saved several inches of bone above her knee, sliding the Stryker replacement into it.
Edward walked slowly just to the side and slightly behind her.
"You're pretty good at this," Isabella teased him. "Don't doctors usually leave care taking the patients to the nurses?"
He barked out a short laugh before responding. "I worked in the hospital during undergrad to get brownie points for my application to med school. I did several years in physical therapy as an aide. It was a great place to get experience, because I could work with open wound care under the supervision of the PT."
"Jamie told me you're a trauma surgeon." At his nod, Isabella continued. "So I take it from your comment you've always had a fascination with blood and guts?"
He chuckled again. "Yeah, you could say that."
He slid one of the armed chairs out, giving Isabella hand-holds to lower. "If I ask any personal questions you aren't comfortable with, just tell me, okay?"
"'Kay."
"You had a hip replacement?"
"Yeah, and almost total femur replacement as well. I'll set off all the alarms at the airport with the titanium I have in me."
Nodding, he grinned. "Your recovery seems . . ." he grimaced " . . . delayed." Edward hurried on to explain. "I just mean, if it was done in Germany, you should've had more relief by now."
Isabella lowered to the chair before answering. "I was being stubborn. I wanted to see if they could save my leg, but infection set in. It was either amputation or replacement. The orthopedic surgeon did a great job, but it almost didn't work because I'd stalled them too long. It was a battle between the infection and the antibiotics, but it worked. Unfortunately, because I couldn't get right into therapy, the muscles didn't get the exercise they needed to attach properly. We're working on it now. At least the doc says the bone is already starting to calcify around the implant. So, I have that to be grateful for."
"I'm no specialist in orthopedics, like you said, I'm a blood and guts guy . . ." he smirked causing Isabella's heart to flutter " . . . but from what I've read in the journals, that seems to be a good sign. I would call it a blessing considering how long you were imprisoned with an injured leg."
Isabella paled. Seeing her reaction, Edward knelt beside her chair, placing his hand on the table beside hers, but not touching. He counted two repetitions of ten breaths each before Isabella came back to him.
In a small voice, she said, "I hurt my hip when I landed, but the leg injury came later."
Edward remained absolutely still and watched while her dilated pupils slowly returned to normal.
Tears threatened to spill down her face, but he watched as Isabella focused and by sheer willpower managed them. She glanced away before speaking. "You see what you're up against. Are you sure it's worth it?"
Waiting patiently for her to look at him, Edward only spoke when she met his eyes. "I see an extraordinarily beautiful woman inside and out. One who, through courage, made it out of hell. Those things they did to you, forced you to do —those aren't your legacy, Bella. You were the victim of whatever torture they inflicted, but you won't be a victim of the aftermath. I see that strength in you."
Bella let a breath out and smiled. Her lips trembled, but it was a genuine one.
"You're talking with someone, right?" he asked her.
"Yeah. She's great."
"Good." He rose and reached for the bags of food. "And by the way, you're totally worth it."
He flashed a big smile that caused Isabella's heart to race.
While Isabella fought to control her reaction to him, Edward took several serving trays out of the bags, and set two bottles of water before her. The first tray contained a salad with spinach, strawberries, and walnuts. The second hot rolls, and the third, pasta with shrimp, sun dried tomatoes, black beans, and a red sauce.
"When I was getting you more food at the party, Jacob told me you like seafood and spice." He raised an eyebrow in question.
"Yeah."
"Then you're going to love this. A friend of mine from high school started a small restaurant downtown. He's going to have to expand soon, because he can't keep up with the demand. You'll see why in a minute.
The spicy smell of the marinara blended well with the shrimp, and Bella's mouth watered.
"Do you say blessing?" Edward asked softly as he sat by her.
"I did when I was with Jamie. He was quite insistent."
Edward smiled, but it was bittersweet, pulling to the side slightly. "Thank you," he said. "That's nice to know." He looked down at his plate for a moment, and Isabella remained quiet. "With four boys, mom said the dinner table was always like the survival of the fittest. She made us wait until everyone had been served before we said grace."
"The last thing Jamie said was a prayer."
Isabella had been able to stop the tears when she'd been scared. She'd dashed them away during physical therapy, but she couldn't hold back remembering that night. Shaking from rage before she was through, she sniffed, trying to get her emotions under control.
Edward gently patted her cheeks dry with a napkin before wiping at his eyes.
"That's even better to know." His voice was rough, his throat raw-sounding. Clearing his throat, he said, "One day, when you can, I'd like to hear about it."
His request was so sincere she didn't panic. It was clear he would wait until she was ready.
"Now, enough of the 'heavy' as my niece would say. I want to know about you," he teased as he used a large fork and spoon to serve her salad and a roll.
He followed with a plate full of the pasta, surprising Bella when he expertly twirled some of it around a fork and speared a small shrimp. Holding it out to her lips, he tapped them gently. "Open up. The first thing I want to know is if I guessed your taste buds correctly."
Bella's eyes widened as the flavors burst across her tongue. "Oh my God," she mumbled behind the cover of her hand as the zing of red pepper mixed with the shrimp and black beans. Closing her eyes, she chewed the tender pasta.
"Good huh?"
He actually smirked at her, and it was so much like Jamie she thought she'd freeze, but instead she felt warmth spreading through her chest.
"Gimme," she ordered, pointing to the fork and all but snatching it from him when he handed it over and pushed the plate toward her.
"It's really good with a fresh white wine. We get you off those pain killers, and I'll order us a bottle."
~Honor~
"So I take it from your clean plate I did okay with the choice of food?" Edward swiped the rest of the sauce with his last bite of bread.
"Yes! If I ate like that every day, I'd gain back the weight my doctor is harping about." Isabella rolled her eyes at Edward's grin.
Intent on eating, they'd enjoyed the meal in silence, watching the birds flock to the feeder just outside the window. The colors of the wrens, cardinals, and chickadees had been startling against the white snow, and they'd both laughed seeing the small creatures bouncing around as others knocked seeds from the feeder down onto the icy wonderland.
She narrowed her eyes at him as he laughed. "Are you normally one to watch everything you eat?" Edward asked as he leaned down to retrieve another bag.
"No, not really. With all the conditioning, I typically burn everything off. I'm sure at some point I'll have to start counting calories, but for now, I'm just enjoying."
He smirked, putting the bag between them and reaching in for the last container. "Good, because I'm a big Seahawks fan, and I'm thinking there may be more than one occasion where we need to enjoy some wings, fries, and beer in front of the big screen."
Bella's eyes widened, her napkin at her lips. "My dad's going to love you."
Edward shrugged. "He's invited too, but I have to warn you Jasper, Emmett, and I are rowdy when it comes to football. Rose and Alice have to jerk us in line."
"And your dad?" Bella asked.
Grinning, he admitted, "Mom's the football fanatic. Dad watches because she does, but he pays more attention to her than the game." He shook his head. "It's actually embarrassing at their age."
Smiling at his description of the family, Bella looked down to the bag and arched her eyebrow.
"While I'm glad to hear you can put away some wings and greasy fries, I asked the question because I was hoping you wouldn't miss out on this."
Edward made a great show of opening the container and presenting it to her. A large slab of tiramisu sat next to a rich chocolate pound cake, and a slice of Italian cream cake rested against a huge brownie drizzled in chocolate.
"Damn, did you bring you some?" Bella's tone was dead serious as she eyed the container, causing Edward to snicker.
"I'll only eat a bite or two," he pledged, affecting a very solemn tone as he placed his hand over his heart.
She eyed him, then the box. "Pfft. I guess I can let you have a little."
Bella moaned as the tiramisu melted in her mouth, and she caught Edward watching her with hooded eyes. Awareness made her flush, but he didn't make any moves to draw closer. The desire between them was intense, and Isabella felt goose bumps rising on her arms. Chewing on the side of her lip, she remained still, letting the feelings wash over her. It had been a long time since she hadn't felt panic at the least hint of sex. The air between them grew thick with anticipation. Just as Isabella thought she'd scream, another patient walked into the room, breaking the tension as she puttered over to one of the chairs and turned on the television.
Smirking at the interruption, Edward pushed the rest of the desserts toward Bella. "Of course, for us to go on a real date we have to get you out of here."
Bella glanced to the woman at the other end of the room, half upset, half relieved. She grinned at Edward. "Kinda ruined the moment, right?"
"Absolutely not. I'm just enjoying being here with you. Has the doctor given you a release date?" Edward asked as he began packing up the trash.
"In a week, if I keep my fitness levels the same or better. My PT is really the one calling the shots right now, and that's what she's been telling me."
"Have you found a place nearby?" he asked.
"No, not yet." She shrugged. "I've done some internet tours of a couple of places, and my dad came up last weekend and visited some others for me, but nothing has passed his rigorous requirements. My dad's super picky; it comes with being a cop, I guess."
"I bet."
Bella noticed him shifting in his seat. When he caught her observing him, he grinned like a little boy getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "A friend of mine has a place he'd sublease near here. I thought about it immediately when Jacob mentioned you'd be looking. It's on the ground floor, the security is good, they have an indoor pool, and the space is already equipped for a wheelchair."
"Why is it wheelchair accessible?"
"Mike was hit by a drunk driver several years ago. He was left paralyzed from the waist down. When he got out of rehab, he was looking for something he could design around his needs and was able to score a nice unit in a gentrified warehouse project just down the road from here. It's in a good area, has a small private garden, and it's close to public transportation."
"It sounds too good to be true." Bella frowned. "Why do I get the sense it is?"
"Well, there is one catch." His mischievous smile grew a little bigger. "Your across-the-hallway neighbor might become a pest."
"How so?"
"Well, he's this slightly OCD emergency room doctor who works weird shifts at the hospital. Not so much a party animal as a party pooper."
"Hmm . . ." Bella let him sweat for a moment, while she calmed her raging heart. "Sounds like this place has more than one thing to recommend it. Furnished or unfurnished?" she asked.
"Unfurnished. Mike's job transferred him to Texas, so he took everything. He thought about selling the place, but decided to hold off until he knew for sure he was going to remain in Dallas. I go over and check on it every couple of days for him to make sure there aren't any problems. Give your dad my number, and I'll let him check it out, and I can text some pictures if you'd like."
"That would be great." She didn't know what to say. The thought of him being so near was thrilling and scary at the same time. What if it didn't work out between them? What if she freaked out, and he heard her? What if . . .
"Bella."
She focused on him and the sound of her name.
"Stop thinking of what can go wrong. I mean, the worst possible scenario is you have this really great place to live and you ignore the neighbor."
Isabella wanted to snort at his naiveté. Long, tall, cool drink he was, he had no clue he was driving her crazy. She wanted to kiss him, run her tongue across his skin, and trace his muscles with her fingers. Well, when she wasn't freaking out. She doubted ignoring him would be in the cards, but she didn't argue for the moment.
"Are you tired?" he asked, and she shook her head.
"I brought some movies, since the nurse in charge told me they had a DVD player, but it looks like the television is occupied—"
"It's all good, what did you bring?" the woman asked, revealing she'd been listening to their conversation all along.
Snickering, Bella shook her head.
As if it was the most normal thing in the world to watch a movie with a stranger, Edward rattled off a list of comedies.
Bella would have expected action flicks, but wondered if he might be attempting to avoid anything that might startle her. The old woman cackled when he mentioned National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Moving to a couch closer to the screen, Bella sat down while Edward put the disc in. He winked when he joined her, just an inch away from touching. From the satchel he pulled out more waters, Twizzlers, and Milk Duds.
"Just how much information were you able to get from Jacob?" Bella asked as she snatched the Twizzlers out of his hands.
"It's a secret," he said very dramatically as he pushed back against the worn cushions of the couch.
Isabella opened her mouth to say more, but Edward laid his finger across her lips to shush her. The contact shocked them both, and Edward quickly pulled away.
"Sorry."
Bella's index finger traced her lips, the tingling sensation making her crazy.
"I'm not." The heat was back between them, electrifying the air.
"We going to watch the movie, or am I going to watch you two make out?" The elderly lady interjected, ruining the mood again.
Chuckling, Edward made a motion as if he was zipping his lips, before glancing slightly over to Bella with a smirk.
It was several hours later when Edward wheeled Bella to the door of her room. They'd laughed hysterically over Chevy Chase's antics to only add to the craziness by watching Will Ferrell in Elf. Edward hated to end the day, but Bella's wide yawns, although she attempted to hide them, told him she needed to rest. He nodded politely to the other patients lining the hall of the facility before handing her the last of the Twizzlers.
"I enjoyed my evening." He shifted the bag he'd carried with the movies and snacks to his back.
Bella's eyes were wide, hope and fear wrapped up in chocolate. He took her hand in his, but instead of squeezing, Edward bent slightly, slowly bringing it to his lips. He watched for any signs of distress before softly brushing his lips across her knuckles.
Hearing her gasp, he froze, waiting for her to make the next move. When she tugged softly, he let go, fully expecting her to drop her hand. So when she ran her fingertips across his lips, then chin before doing so, he couldn't stop from grinning at the warmth filling his chest.
"I'm not off for another three days. Do you think by then you could convince your therapist to give you a day pass?" he asked.
"Tired of sharing our date with Mildred?" she asked, a giggle in her tone.
"Well, she's a nice lady and all, but I'm a one-woman man." He waited for her comeback.
"I'll do my best to convince Jane, perhaps if she knows that to deny me would mean a decline in your moral character, she might agree."
He nodded as seriously as he could with the broad smile covering his face. "It would be much appreciated." His gaze wandered over her face. "Good night, Bella."
She sighed. "Good night, Edward."
Even Sarah, who was as old as dirt, ogled his rear end as he walked away.
~Honor~
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