A/N ~

As before...unless you are Mrs Meyer's

I don't own Twilight...or Edward...

Or any of the other Cullens. *sigh*

Please review my wee plot. Thank you xxx

Leading Me to Comfort ~ Chapter 4

BPOV.

We pulled off the main road and onto a long wooded driveway before I saw it. Edward's house was HUGE!

"Oh...wow!"

Edward opened the car door, offered me his hand and even after he helped me out of the car, he didn't let go of my hand at all and I liked that, a lot.

"Yeah…it's a bit big for just me…Tanya picked it…I am not sure about keeping it to be honest."

"It's beautiful! But...yes, it is a bit big for one person." "Well you are here now, so plenty of room for the two of us!" He chuckled while giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

We walked into the huge hallway, and down towards the kitchen, Edward put the water kettle on the huge gas stove to boil. I instantly loved his kitchen, but as I looked around it appeared as if everything in it was brand new. For a brief moment I imagined myself working in here, preparing food for Edward and our children. Wait, what was I was dreaming about? I blushed at the thoughts popping into my head, never imagining myself in such a way before. I had never dreamed about being a Mom.

A quick tour followed, the house was completely white, all the walls, carpets everything. Edward's room, several guest rooms, the bathrooms, shower room, the dining room and the empty room at the end of the house. Everything was just plain white! There no colour in it at all…except from the furniture which was all beautiful oak wood and a huge chocolate brown leather suite in the living room.

Lastly we walked into Edward's study; it was a welcoming shade of duck egg blue and had stunning views of the woods down at the edge of the garden. His book cases over flowing with journals and text books. A computer sat in the corner, next to it a matching huge wooden desk with brown leather chair. Only in here were there pictures on the wall, mostly of mountains and of oceans scenes, breathtaking views... I had never left this town.

"How long have you lived here Edward?" I asked.

"I moved in almost a year ago…why?"

"It just this whole house, it looks brand new." I said. "This room, it is the only one that feels like anyone lives here... like it is someone's home."

"It is my room… it is the only one Tanya had no say in." He whispered sadly.

"I spend most of time in here, even though I told her to leave a few weeks after we moved in, I haven't changed very much at all."

I nodded as I continued to look around.

This room was almost as big as my whole place. There was a sofa that matched with his office chair. I sat down on, sinking into its comfort, as Edward sat down beside me.

"Tell me what happened? What did she do?"

I took his hand in mine as he told me how she cheated on him with his friend. I could feel the anger burning inside me, he sounded so hurt by their betrayal.

"Do you miss her?" I asked cautiously.

He shook his head. "No, we were already drifting apart before she slept with James, and although I am lonely at times, it's not for her."

We had moved closer together, my head now rested comfortably on his shoulder.

"I know what you mean, I feel lonely too Edward." I felt his strong arm come around behind me, pulling me into his embrace.

"Well I guess it's good we have each other now Bella." he answered before kissing to the top of my head.

A faint whistle sounded in the distance.

"Kettles boiled! Would you prefer tea or coffee?"

Edward got up of the sofa and before I could miss his touch, he offered me his hand and pulled me up into his arms. I looked into his eyes…he really was the most beautiful man I had ever seen.

I smiled at him as I touched his cheek.

"Thank you for inviting me here."

"My pleasure, please come with me. Let's go get a warm drink and we can settle in for the evening."

...

"Do you cook much?" I asked as I stood next to Edward in his immaculate kitchen.

"I don't no, I hate cooking for myself, this house is just that Bella, a house it doesn't feel like home to me, I am not sure it ever did. I thought I might keep it for a while and then sell it, buy something smaller. I like having somewhere my family can stay when they visit."

"It is very…white…clinical even" I said. "It just looks like it needs a bit of colour and some homely touches."

"I pretty much live in my study. I have asked my mother to come and help me sort it out a bit." He answered, "She does home improvements and is coming here once she finishes off the house she is working on just now."

I nodded as he warmed the tea pot before letting the tea leaves steep in the hot water.

"My grandmother always liked tea to be made properly." He explained as I watched him. I added milk to my cup and handed him his empty.

"You take it plain." He nodded and smiled at me.

"And you take one sugar in coffee." I added.

He cocked his head and looked at me obviously wondering about my statement.

"I have seen you, at the diner...a few times..." I admitted bashfully.

"Oh you have…and how come I have never seen you there before tonight?" He questioned gently.

"I…I…didn't mean to pry." I suddenly felt embarrassed at my confession.

"No, you really didn't, you saw me when I was so wrapped up in my own misery." He replied, shaking his head before he put down his cup and took hold of my hand.

"You saw me and took care of me with nothing in return. I am just sorry I didn't get to see your face, to hold your hand, to…"

His hand moved up to my face and his finger tips touched my lips. I turned my face towards his touch.

"Please." I whispered into his hand.

My eyes closed...my heart began racing in anticipation making me feel giddy.

His lips moved confidently against mine again.

The feelings remained new...and exciting and left me needing more.

He pulled away all too soon; his face wore a smile that made my heart race. I giggled before biting my lower lip and hanging my head down.

"Don't hide from me please Honey, you are my one true friend here; you already make my life so much brighter Bella."

"I get all giddy around you Edward! I have never felt this way before, I can't explain it. You make me feel all excited and safe and you make me feel happy."

"You make me feel all of those things too Bella, that and so much more."

As he pulled me close to his body, I felt emotions like never before stirring inside me.

"Edward, I am not sure how to say this, I am not sure what is happening here, between us, I am not…I am not used to being alone with men in their houses, I have never been in this situation before."

I was mortified at my lack of experience and my words were not enough to tell him how I felt.

"Bella, I suddenly feel so alive when I am with you, I won't lie...you make me want more, but I won't rush you into anything. I want to be your friend, and if or when you are ready, I want to be more with you."

"I have never…" my face was bright red as I tried to explain this was all so new to me.

"I understand." He nodded and kissed my forehead tenderly.

"I will not rush you. I will not push you. I just want to spend time with you."

"Thank you."

He kissed my cheek.

"Let's take our tea through to the other room, my Bella." He smiled at me.

My fears started melting away.

We made our way back to the study, Edward lit a fire for us to enjoy while we relaxed on the sofa listening to music.

"Tell me about your family?" I snuggled into his side, feeling his arm wrap around me, pulling me closer.

I smiled, watching his face light up as he talked about them, lifting down pictures of them all from the small table beside him for me to see.

His parents were just stunning. He looked very like his father, but has his mother's beautiful eyes and hair colouring. His father was blonde with blue eyes.

An older brother looked enormous with sparkly blue eyes and dark hair.

"That's Emmett's wife Rose." He pointed to a stunning blonde supermodel who looked so in love with the man whose arms were surrounding her. "Emmie is their baby girl, and Alex is their son. Alice...my younger sister, her husband Jasper is my oldest childhood friend."

Edward stood in the group, all alone.

"When was this taken?" I asked looking up at him.

"Mmm…just over a year ago I think."

"Can I ask where Tanya was at the time?"

"I don't know...she never came to see my family." He looked puzzled. "I never thought about it much before. They didn't much like her, she didn't like them. It was easier to keep them separate."

"Right…"

I wondered how they would feel about me.

"Tell me about your family, Love." Edward put the picture on his lap. I watched his fingers touch over his parents face; it was obvious that he missed them.

"My father…have you met Chief Swan?"

He nodded. "Well that's my Daddy. He works, he fishes, he loves me…That's just how it is for us." I smiled at him.

"And my friend Jacob, is like a brother to me, he works at the garage, but is head over heels with his new girl Leah, so I haven't seen much of him recently. I don't have that good a relationship with my Mother. I am not sure where she is, just now, I get the odd email. But I can't miss what I didn't have any way..."

"Is that everyone?"

I nodded. "Yes...pretty much."

We spent the rest of the evening taking about small things. I already felt that I could tell him anything.

"Are you working tomorrow Bella?" I shook my head.

"Me neither, come with me to the stores, I need some things to make this place more homely."

I smiled and yawned, but I didn't want to go to bed yet.

"You need some sleep, Pretty Girl." He whispered into my hair.

"I don't want to leave you yet."

He held me tighter. "I will just be across the hall way Baby."

I sighed. This was so strange for me... all these new feelings.

"Edward…can I ask you something?"

"Sure Love, ask me anything."

"Will you lie beside me until I fall asleep please?"

"It would be my pleasure. Let me lock up while you get ready for bed and I will come over to your room in ten minutes?"

I sighed. I just didn't want to be alone, and I didn't really understand why. I had lived alone in my apartment and had done for a good while now, and Edward was going to be just across the hall.

I changed into my pyjamas, a little embarrassed at them, but they were the best I had. This wasn't sexual. It was just comfort, for both of us.

I sat down on my huge bed, brushed my hair and fixing it up into a loose pleat to keep it away from my face. I hated the feeling of my hair on my face while I slept.

Edward knocked at the door.

"Come in?" I hesitated.

"It's just me." Edward smiled, but looked slightly nervous too.

"Are you ok, Love?"

I nodded before quietly replying to him.

"Just wasn't ready to be alone Edward."

"Come on get into bed and I will lie on top of the covers till you go to sleep."

"It is too cold, get in too please. I promise no funny stuff!" I giggled.

"You can do any funny stuff you want!" He laughed until he saw my face fall.

"I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Edward took my face in his hands and kissed my cheek. "What can I do to make you feel better Love?" He asked me.

"Can you just hold me close, stay until I fall asleep please Edward."

He nodded and we both got under the covers.

I moved over so I was right next to him.

"The last time I slept in the same bed as anyone was at a sleep over with the girls from school, I was 11." I whispered.

I felt his hand touch mine; I moved my fingers so they weaved between his. He pulled my hand up and kissed it. I turned onto my side to face him in the dark; my other hand moved over and touched his cheek.

"Edward, I need you to know, I have never slept beside a man before."

Edward smiled softly before he whispered back to me.

"I have been with a few girls but I have only ever shared a bed with one other girl." I could feel him frowning under my hand.

"She didn't deserve you."

"She didn't love me." He replied.

"Did you love her?"

"I thought maybe I did. But now…I don't think it was love, I haven't missed her since we have been apart."

I rolled over and nudged his arms before moving into his embrace.

"I don't know what I am doing here Edward."

"Here…in this house?" He asked.

"No…Well… yes here, in your home…in your arms." I whispered.

"It is only a home now you are here my Love." He whispered back.

"I love the fact you are in my arms, I love how you have come into my life."

He pulled me closer. "Can you sleep my Love?"

"Can you stay?" I asked in return.

He nodded into my hair.

I put my arm up and switched the bedside light off. "Then I can sleep."