Reparations and Bedtime

A/N: Thanks to my BFFs Olivia and Lauren. You guys rock my socks with your support!

BPOV

I don't know what came over me. Snapping at Ali was not what I meant to do. It was an overreaction. I just really didn't like seeing Edward hurt like that. He was such a good person and deserved happiness. I guess I was trying to protect him in my own way.

I tried to justify my ridiculous behavior as I searched the house for my new… friend.

I found Edward in the kitchen. He was holding a glass of water and sipping it thoughtfully as he looked out the window. Occasionally he would swirl the contents of the glass around as if searching for something beyond the depths of the tap water.

"You know," I said, startling him slightly, "we have bottled water that doesn't taste like crap."

He smiled slightly. I made my way to fridge and pulled out a bottle of Disani and handed it to him. He took it and dumped the contents into the now-empty glass.

"I'm sorry they brought that up," I started. He just shook his head.

"It's fine. No worries. I overreacted. I'm just not used to talking about it. Last night was the first time I said it out loud. It felt weird. A lot of feelings were drudged up."

"Trust me," I said. "I know the feeling. Unfortunately," I stated with a wry grin, "Alice and Rose do that a lot."

"What? Ask about who my last relationship was with?" he chuckled.

"Well, not exactly," I responded, blushing. "I meant, they get kind of personal. But I told them to back off, so let's hope they get the picture." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it softly. It was a small gesture to most, but I knew that between the two of us it was a big deal and meant a lot. "We should get back," I said, trailing off. I didn't really want to go back. I wanted to hang out with Edward and just…be.

He shook his head vigorously. "No, you go ahead. I'm just going to pack my stuff in my trunk and head to a hotel."

I frowned. We still hadn't figured out the living space issue.

"Hey," I started. "Why don't you stay here? I mean, why go spend money on a stiff room when we have room here. I mean it's not the best, but you could sleep in my bed. I really don't mind taking the couch—" I was rambling and I just about kicked myself for it.

Edward just stood there, grinning his stupid, perfect grin as I fumbled my way through the conversation like some idiot.

"Sure," he interjected, mid-sentence. At least he stopped me. "I'd love to stay here, Bella," my knees weakened. That voice…

I nodded, my brain feeling a bit foggy. I had to look away from that perfect face. But I couldn't. A bubbly voice broke from the doorway.

"Hey are you guys coming back or what?" I turned to see a dripping Alice standing in the doorway. Her petite stature and cross expression gave her the appearance of a pissed off Tinker Bell. I sniggered and I noticed Edward smirking.

She rolled her eyes and tapped her toe impatiently. When she put her hands on her hips it was the last straw. Both Edward and I burst into a fit of laughter. He chuckled so hard he began coughing. And that made me giggle even harder. I was bent over at the waist; my hands were almost touching the ground. I looked up to see Alice smirking towards something (or someone) behind me. She had an eyebrow raised.

I straightened and looked behind me. Edward was staring at me. The second I caught his gaze with mine, he looked away, a small tinge of red hinting at his cheeks.

Realizing that he had been staring at me, particularly my backside, made me blush furiously. I was beyond crimson. I had invented a new shade of red never before seen by any scientist.

"Perhaps I should get my stuff from my car," Edward mumbled and walked out the front door.

I noticed Alice still staring at me. Glaring, I spoke, "What?"

"Nothing, Bells," she said too innocently. Rolling my eyes and scoffing, I marched out the door to help Edward with his bags.

After we had loaded everything into my bedroom, I cleared out a couple drawers. I didn't know how long he was staying and I didn't want him living out of a suitcase. I still had plenty of room in my closet – much to Alice's objections.

"I don't feel right taking your bed, Bella," Edward spoke.

"It's fine!" I wasn't worried. We actually had a strangely comfy couch. It was one of those huge leather ones that were really cushy and sagged the second you sat down.

"No, Bella! I refuse to take your bed while you are stuck on the couch." He crossed his arms stubbornly.

Well, I was just as stubborn. I was not going to lose this one. I mimicked his action and even cocked my hip to the side for affect. "You are my guest. Therefore you get the bed. Period. End of discussion." I proceeded to turn on my heal and leave. I barely made it to the door.

"Not so fast Isabella!" I felt his firm hand clasp onto my upper arm. "Take the bed!"

"I-I-…" I stuttered. I couldn't even think coherently. His very green emerald orbs were staring right through me. I couldn't decide if it was creepy or fascinating.

I located something in his eyes. Was it desire? Passion? Longing? All three? I didn't know anymore. I was so confused. I shook my head to attempt to clear it.

"I'm not letting you sleep on the couch," he said with a definitive tone, tugging me toward him slightly.

I just kept staring. "I'm not letting you either." It came out as more of a whisper. I felt like I was in a trance when I looked into his eyes.

Just then a piece of his bronze, tousled hair fell into his eyes. I had an incredible urge to brush it away. It took all of me to not reach up and touch his face.

"You know," he said softly, tugging again, "there is a solution to our little problem."

"What?" I asked, genuinely curious. He pulled me closer until I was flush against his chest.

"We could share the bed."

My heart began to misbehave; it beat furiously, struggling to escape the confines of my chest. Oh my…sharing a bed with Edward? How would I keep composed?

That's the point, Bella. You don't keep composed. You ravish him…

My ridiculous thoughts trailed off. I tried desperately to think rationally.

"Um…uh," was my genius response.

"Never mind, Bella. It was a stupid idea." The poor guy looked like he could just kick himself.

"No, no, no, no, no! I don't mind. I was just…surprised. That's all," I reassured him. Why would I pass up such a big chance? I mean, clearly there was something between us. Wasn't there?

He smiled, displaying the most gorgeous grin yet and hugged me tenderly. Definitely not at all like Emmett's bear hugs or Jasper's tentative ones. This one conveyed so much more. Sure, there was an understanding there of a special sort of friendship we had developed in just 24 hours, but there was more. And I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

***

While my four crazy friends partied a bit more outside in the hot tub, Edward and I were busy getting ready for bed and changing the bed sheets. It had been a couple weeks since they had been changed and I thought it was only fair to give him clean ones.

I thought came to mind when I was putting on a blue pillow case. "Edward," I spoke into the deafening silence.

"Yes?" He responded.

"How long are you staying?"

"What do you mean, Bella?" He asked, cocking his head to the side. My breathing quickened at the sight. He was so gorgeous.

"H-how long will you be in town?" His eyebrows furrowed at my oddly placed stuttering.

"Well, permanently, actually."

My jaw dropped. I thought this was a visit. Just to catch up with Emmett.

"Wow. Wait a minute…why are you even here?" I asked stupidly.

Edward chuckled before responding. "Well, I finished med school about a year ago and they offered me a good job at the hospital here."

"Oh, wow. I didn't know you were a doctor. What kind?"

He laughed effortlessly at me. "You sound like you're asking me what kind of ice cream I like."

I rolled my eyes and glared playfully at him. "You know what I mean."

We spread the comforter back on the bed as he spoke.

"I'm a neurosurgeon. And they were in desperate need for one."

"Wow," I said again.

"Is that your word of the day?" Edward asked sarcastically with a smirk.

Glaring slightly, I made my way to the bathroom. I had to admit that he had a fantastic sense of humor. I loved sarcasm. This is why Rose and I hit it off so well at first. She is very sarcastic.

I brushed my teeth while I thought of Edward. He said he was here permanently. But where did that leave us? I mean, surely he wasn't going to stay with us forever. He'd want his own house or apartment eventually. Right? Or would he live here? Oh boy. This was going to be awkward when the subject arose. But I certainly wouldn't mind waiting…

As I was finishing up, a knock came from the other side of the door.

"Yes?" I asked, flinging the door open to find a shocked Edward.

He chuckled. Apparently, I had startled him.

I still had to blow dry my wet hair, so while I did that, Edward got ready as well. It wasn't a big bathroom, but it still held plenty of room.

We both finished up rather quickly and headed off to my bedroom.

The situation was a bit awkward. I didn't know what side to sleep on. Would he want the left? Or the right? It was such a trivial thing to worry about, but it felt so crucial.

As we both stood there staring at the bed, I finally broke. I started laughing. Again. For some reason, I felt to weightless, so carefree around Edward. I could laugh for no reason at all. And just two days ago, laughing was a nonexistent in my life. Edward had come in and brightened my world in just a matter of hours. It was astonishing.

I backed up the short distance to the wall and slid down, landing hard on my butt. This made me laugh harder. I rolled on the floor in hysterics and Edward just gaped at me.

"I-it was the t-tension," I tried to speak. "I couldn't h-help myself. I was so nervous and you were tense," I babbled. I put a hand over my mouth to stifle my laughter. (A/N: I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. I love it when he makes her giggle.)

Edward chuckled lightly as he picked me up bridal-style from the floor and threw me on the bed. "You think I'm funny, do you?" he demanded tickling me. I found myself uncontrollably giggling once more. I was hardly able to breathe and my stomach ached from the muscles clenching and the lack of oxygen.

Eventually, Edward stopped and I felt my body relax from the tense position I was in. I was getting tired and as my gasping slowed to normal breaths, Edward spoke.

"So, do you want the right or left side?" I stifled my giggles at his question.

"I'll take left," I responded quickly. I was tired and couldn't wait to sleep. It had been quite a long day.

We both rose from the bed and pulled back the large beige down comforter. It was the best blanket in the world. Warm in the winter and surprisingly cool in the summer. I pulled the hair band from my head and ran my fingers through my hair, making it look slightly disheveled.

We turned out the light and laid down. However, the second my head hit the pillow, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. Suddenly, my body had become hyper aware of the presence next to me. My body felt tingly, like little zaps of electricity were running through me. It was so different from anything I've ever felt before. It was exciting, but terrifying all the same.

I laid there, watching the minutes go by on my digital clock on my dresser. Before I knew it, two hours had gone by. I felt Edward's calm and relaxed breathing beside me. I decided to get up and get a glass of water and read. The solitary quietness usually put me to sleep pretty easily.

I made my way silently downstairs to the kitchen. When I got to the doorway of the room I realized the light was on. I looked at the table to see Jasper sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea. Jasper had always been my 'tea buddy'. I was the only one besides him that like tea over coffee. Many a times we had had conversations during the night. Sometimes after Jasper's escapades with Alice, he would come down to find me sitting and reading or drinking tea. Usually he would join me and I would talk to him. He was very easy to talk to and he was laid back. I could talk to him like I could with Alice.

I walked forward and smiled as I poured a cup of the steaming water still in the pot on the stove.

"Well good morning, Bella. What brings you here at this fine hour?"

There was still a light hint of his old southern accent. He had slowly fallen out of it over the years I had known him, but every once in a while it would make an appearance.

"I just couldn't sleep, Jazz."

"Ah," he responded knowingly.

"What?" I asked, defensively.

"Oh, Bella, it isn't hard to tell you feel awkward about the current…sleeping situation."

I smiled sheepishly and went to sit across the small kitchenette table. I sipped at my tea thoughtfully as I waited for him to go on. He assumed a lot, but he was always right. At last he spoke.

"I think you're confused, Bells. You don't know where you stand with Edward. Apparently you guys kissed last night. Normally that means something. You feel attracted to him. And your also terrified because you just got out of a shitty relationship and your not sure how to move forward with your new-found happiness. Not to mention your trying to way your thoughts between his physicality and personality. You really like him, Bells. There's something between you two. The way he looks at you…it's like he's seen the light or something." He smirked slight at his joke.

Wow. Jasper had me pinned. He always had that talent. The extreme sensitivity to everyone's emotions. His uncanny ability to read people was astonishing. And I loved him for it. He was probably my best guy friend. Emmett was fun to hang with when I want to feel better. He always had a smile and joke to make me forget all about whatever was bothering me. But Jasper…he was different. He helped me sort out problems I was procrastinating. Not even Alice could get some of the things we talk about out of me.

Don't get me wrong. I loved Alice. As a sister, a best friend, a fashion expert. But Jazz was my confidante, I suppose. He never failed me. He was always observing, always calculating. He was cautious of intrusion but forward just enough to help.

"Wow, Jazz," I responded. "You always get me. And you never cease to amaze me." I went over to give him a hug and then I sat down for a long conversation.