These characters are owned by Stephenie Meyer. I am owned by a very possessive ginger cat with attitude and extra toes.

This chapter is called Grilled Cheese and Confession Sandwiches. The title wouldn't all fit.

This is for my first two reviewers: Fearlessnessity and Needia13.

Again, some subject matter may not be suitable for all readers.



Emmett carefully carried his sister up the stairs to the guest room in the main house. Esme had turned down the blankets and turned on a night light in case Bella woke up disoriented in the strange room. Emmett guiltily prayed she'd sleep through the night. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in ages and was exhausted.

Esme offered to make him some supper so he left Bella, asleep and alone in the room, with the door slightly ajar.

A muffled cry distracted Edward from the book he was reading in his room. He got up to investigate. Bella was thrashing wildly, crying out. He wasn't sure what to do, so he walked over to the bed. Face contorted in horror, Bella let out a heart-wrenching plea for whatever it was that haunted her dream to stop.

Throwing caution to the wind, he crawled onto the bed and took her in his arms. He rocked her back and forth while humming. She finally calmed down and went back to sleep, although now she held him in a death grip.

His mother's head peeked around the corner and the look of shock on her face made him laugh. "Not expecting to find me here, were you?" he whispered as his mother approached the bed.

"No, honey, I wasn't. What happened? Is she okay?"

"She was having a nightmare. I wanted to help, and, well, here we are. She has one heck of a grip on her. I can't seem to pry myself loose."

"Would you mind staying with her for a while? Her poor brother fell asleep on the breakfast bar while he was waiting for his food to heat up. I didn't have the heart to wake him."

"I don't think I have much choice at the moment. I just hope that she doesn't wake up and freak out that a virtual stranger is comforting her."

"I'll send Emmett up as soon as he wakes. Thank you dear."

Bella woke up and panicked. Where was she? What was that noise? What smelled so good? Who...who was she clinging to?

Afraid to open her eyes, she ran her hands up two arms that weren't big enough to be her brother's. She inhaled again and realized instead of the raunchy Axe body spray her brother always wore, she could smell sandalwood and, was that...vanilla? She didn't know anyone who smelled quite so good.

Curiosity got the best of her and she opened her eyes. Beautiful green orbs and the smile of an angel greeted her. She blinked a few times. "Edward?"

"Good morning sunshine. Did you sleep well?"

"How did...? What happened?"

"Dad took you to the hospital. You were dehydrated. When they brought you home, Mom set you up in here so Dad could keep an eye on you."

"Oh, but how did you...did we...man, I'm confused."

Edward chuckled. "You were having a nightmare or something. Emmett had fallen asleep on the counter in the kitchen so I came to see if I could help. You had me in your kung fu grip so tightly that I couldn't help but stay."

"I'm sorry," she blushed and averted his gaze.

"Bell, look at me please." He paused until she reluctantly looked back up. "Bella, we're kind of like family now, and I really didn't mind. You are very entertaining when you sleep."

She felt her face getting hotter and hotter. "Oh god, what did I say?"

"Nothing bad. Don't worry. So, how're you feeling?"

She smiled weakly. "I'm feeling a little better than I was yesterday. It's surprising how a few pints of fluids can perk a girl up."

"Feel like getting something to eat?"

"Maybe. I can try."

"That's all a person can ask for." He smiled at her as she unhooked herself from his body.

"Thanks Edward."

"Any time Bella."

Still a little unsteady, Bella had to lean on Edward to get downstairs. Emmett was crashed out on the couch and Esme was puttering around the kitchen.

"Good morning, sweethearts! Bella, you're looking refreshed."

"I think I'll feel a lot better after I shower."

"Why don't I get Alice to run down to the cottage to grab some clothes for you?"

"Thanks, but I think I'd like to shower down there. I thought I'd try to eat something and go get sorted out. I still haven't finished unpacking."

"Sure, that sounds good. One of the kids can help if you want."

"I couldn't impose on them like that."

"I'd love to come down, " Edward offered.

Bella picked at the pancakes Esme placed before her. Her appetite still hadn't returned and frankly she hoped it never did.

Before she left for the cottage, Esme convinced her to let Edward escort her. They walked in comfortable silence down the path, through the well-landscaped property. Bella still found it hard to believe she lived here, in this utopia.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Edward said.

"Oh, sorry. I'm still in awe that I live here. It's so different than what I'm used to. My house was so small compared to this."

"I guess we do have it pretty good, don't we?" He smiled at her. "And by we, I mean to include you and Emmett."

"Thanks Edward. I'm sorry I've been such a mess."

He reached out and took her hand. "Bella, it's okay. I don't know what you've been through, but it has obviously hurt you in unimaginable ways. It's alright if you're feeling out of sorts. Well," he paused and frowned. "That came out wrong—I wish you had come under better circumstances, but I'm glad you're here. Alice and I have so little in common and I can see that you and I have some very similar passions."

"Really?"

"You love music?"

"Yes, very much."

"As do I. You enjoy reading?"

Bella smiled. "Yes! I guess you figured that out when you saw my reaction to the reading room. I love getting lost in a good book." It makes it easier to deal with reality, she added silently.

"As do I. Alice, on the other hand, would last thirty seconds before deciding to redecorate the room or run out to buy matching slip covers for the books. I keep telling my parents to have her tested for ADHD."

Bella laughed. "She's sweet, though."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I adore my sister. I really do. She's one of the sweetest, most compassionate people I know, once you get past the shopping compulsion. Ah, here we are, at your door, safe and sound."

"Would you like to come in?" Bella asked nervously.

"Are you sure you want company?"

"Yeah, I don't know if I'm ready to be totally alone yet. If you're busy, it's okay, I'll get Emmett..."

"I've got nothing but time, Bella. Can I help with any unpacking?"

"Uh, sure. There are a couple of boxes in the reading room that need to be unpacked. I suppose you could work on those. I'm just going to run upstairs and take a shower. I must really be starting to stink."

"Actually, you smell lovely." Oh crap, Edward thought. Did I just say that out loud?

"Thanks Edward," Bella grinned as she shuffled up the stairs toward her room.

Edward opened the door to Bella's cozy reading room and spotted three boxes piled by the empty bookcase. He began unpacking them, taking stock of the contents and devised a plan of action. As he worked his way through them, he came across some photos. He placed them carefully on the mantle above the fireplace. Bella stood smiling with her parents and Emmett, who was, of course, pulling a face, in front of a red cabin. She was younger, maybe eleven years old, and she looked happy. This younger, chubbier Bella hadn't learned that the world isn't always a happy place to be. She was still naive and had no idea that the bogeyman existed. The sight of it made Edward sad.

"I was almost twelve when that was taken," Bella said quietly from behind him. "That was the last vacation we took together. It was the best one." She took the photo off the mantle and fingered the images of her parents. "They were good parents." A lone tear fell down her cheek. Edward reached over and wiped it away.

"I have heard nothing but wonderful things about them, and I can't wait to hear more. When you're ready, of course."

Bella smiled sadly. "I miss them Edward. My heart hurts so bad."

Unable to control himself, he pulled her into a hug. This poor girl had lost her family, her innocence, her sense of security. He needed to protect her.

"I'm here for you Bella. I won't let anything happen to you. I wish I could make the hurt go away."

"Thanks Edward. I was so scared to come here. I didn't know what people would think of me. I'm all kinds of messed up right now. Thanks for making it easier."

"Anytime Bella."

"HEY! WHAT'S GOING ON IN HERE?" Emmett bellowed from the doorway.

Poor Edward wasn't familiar enough with Emmett's sarcastic side. He jumped away from Bella as fast as he could, raising his hands in the air.

Bella scowled at Emmett. "Unlike you, big brother, Edward has been by my side since last night. He's the poor guy who got stuck getting drooled on when I had a nightmare. Where were you? Oh yeah, you were sleeping!" She was laughing by the time she finished her tirade.

Emmett approached the cowering Edward and gave him a bear hug. "You know I'm kidding, right? Geez, calm down Edward. I'm not going to hurt you. I wanted to thank you..."

"Okay," Bella cut him off. "While you two bond, I'm going to fix my hair before it dries into a rat's nest."

Waiting until he heard Bella's door close, Emmett spoke quietly to Edward. "Seriously, Eddie thanks for covering for me last night. I have been so tired that I just couldn't get off my ass to get back up the stairs. I hope it wasn't too much of an inconvenience. She didn't bruise you too badly, did she? She gave me a black eye one night..."

"Please, my name is Edward, not Eddie, and I didn't mind. She's pretty fascinating when she sleeps. What does she dream about anyway? I've never seen anything like it."

"I don't know and I have a feeling it would put me in a rage if I did. I know she hasn't told me even a fraction of the things that bastard did to her. I'm hoping that she'll trust someone enough to get it all out. I don't know what she's so scared of. She's so worried we'll look at her differently. As if that would happen." Emmett was quiet for a moment before anguish set in once again. "Man, he was my best friend since grade school. How could I not have known?"

"You can't keep blaming yourself, Emmett. It hurts her more when you do that. It further weighs down the load she's already carrying."

"How'd you get so smart, kid?"

"Good genes, I guess."

Emmett ruffled Edward's permanently unruly hair. "Please be careful with her. She's all I've got left and I couldn't deal if something happened to her again."

"I promise to protect her to the best of my ability Emmett."

"Thanks buddy. Phew, I need a shower."

"Yeah, I didn't want to say anything, but you do kind of stink." Edward crinkled his nose.

"You are a cheeky bastard, aren't you?" Emmett laughed.

Bella returned shortly after her brother went to wash up. "Where'd Em go?"

"He's taking a shower."

"Good, he smelled pretty ripe."

Edward laughed. "I told him the same thing."

"And he let you live? Wow. He must really like you."

Bella looked around the room and sighed.

"What's wrong?"

She gestured toward the almost empty shelf. "I used to have so many more books."

"What happened to them?"

Unable to answer the question without falling apart, she turned her head away from him and busied herself with trying to find spots for her few knick-knacks and photos.

"Bella?" Why was she avoiding his question?

"I like your filing system Edward. Seems we're both into organizing by genre, author and year. Obviously whoever put in the other books wasn't on the save wavelength. Could you help me fix that?"

"Sure, but you didn't answer my question. What happened to your other books?"

"Not now Edward, please?" Her eyes pleaded with him to let it go.

He smiled reassuringly at her. "Of course. Let's get started on these other books."

Esme called down a couple of hours later to see if they wanted to come up for lunch. Bella declined and Edward explained that they were too knee-deep in the classics to leave. He suggested she bring some food down to them.

Half an hour later, she arrived with a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches and mugs of tomato soup.

"Thank you Esme," Bella said as she sipped at the steaming mug of rich, red soup. "Mm, I used to love grilled cheese and tomato soup."

"I have to say that you're looking a lot better today Bella."

"I really am feeling better. I slept really well last night. Edward is much easier to sleep on than Emmett. He tosses around and farts too much." She grinned at Edward who was blushing.

His mother laughed. "I always knew Edward was multi-talented." She looked around the room. "It looks a lot homier in here now."

"I thought maybe if I unpacked right away it might be easier to call this place home."

"Whatever you need to help you adjust is just a phone call away, Bella."

Bella smiled sincerely at Esme. "Thank you again. For everything."

"It's our pleasure, honey. Oh, I forgot. If you look in that wooden box on the shelf to the right of the fireplace, you'll find something that might interest you. You may not want it now, but at least you'll know where it is."

Esme left them to eat their lunch. They ate quietly until Edward finally broke the silence. "Uhm, Bella, are you going to look in the box? The suspense is killing me."

"I guess so. I didn't really..."

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry. It's none of my business. Patience is not one of my greatest assets."

"Actually, I find that you're quite patient. I just wanted to finish my lunch. I'm nervous though."

"Why?"

"What if there's something in there that will..."

He turned to her. "Will what? What are you afraid of?"

Bella put down her sandwich, stood and walked to the box. It was, as she suspected, something that was going to tear open some major wounds. She dropped the lid back down, picked it up and cradled it to her chest.

"Are you okay?"

She shook her head as a new flood of tears spilled out. Geez, would she ever stop crying?

Approaching her gently, Edward reached for the box. Reluctantly, she held it out to him. Once it was securely in his possession, he opened it. Inside were letters. He picked one up, scanning it quickly before returning his gaze to Bella, who was hugging herself, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet in front of the window.

"They're letters from your mother to mine."

She nodded.

"Wow." He wished he could read her mind. Did this gift make her happy? Was she sad? Was she falling apart? "You're not ready yet, are you?"

Again, she nodded.

"They aren't going to walk away. They'll be here when you're ready to read them." He placed the box back on the shelf before walking back toward the broken girl who was now curled up on the window seat. He placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. "It'll be okay, Bella."

"I don't think so, Edward. I should have let him kill me."

Mortified, Edward nearly yelled at her. "How can you say that?"

"Easy. Dying is easy. Life is hard."

He had never heard anyone speak so matter-of-factly about wanting to die.

"What did he do to you Bella to make you wish you were dead?"

She stared out the window before finally turning to him. He wanted to cry when he saw the look of defeat and desperation on her face. "I can't tell you. If I do then you'll get infected too."

Edward's phone rang before he could argue with her. "Hey Jasper, what's up?"

Bella made her break from Edward and the slew of questions she knew he was going to ask that she wasn't ready to answer. She made busy work of cleaning up their lunch dishes. She felt too comfortable around him, it would be too easy to tell him the truth and infect him. She couldn't do that to him; he was too sweet, too innocent. She would not be the one to steal that away from him, like James had done to her. Edward was pure. Bella was pure evil.

"Hey Bella, my friend Jasper is on his way over with his sister Rosalie. We thought that maybe she and Emmett would hit it off. Would you like to come meet them?"

She thought about it for a moment. "I still have some unpacking to do and I have to go see your dad. Maybe I'll meet up with you at dinner?"

"Sounds good. I'll take the dishes back up to the house for you and I'll have my phone with me in case you need me or want some company."

Edward picked up the tray, walking toward the door. As he reached it, he stopped and said: "Bella, I'm not a child and I can handle the truth. Don't be afraid that you'll 'infect' me. I thought it might be easier to talk to a friend instead of my parents. If you ever want to talk about what happened, I'll be here for you; I promise I won't tell anyone else and I swear that I would never look at your differently."

She watched him leave and wanted desperately to call him back to tell him everything, maybe even the things she'd tried so hard to block out.