Author's note: This was always meant to be a cute short story!
Bella moaned softly, as she awoke.. She felt softness beneath her, and she wondered where she was. She opened her eyes to find Edward sitting beside her. She smiled weakly, and realized that the softness she felt beneath her was bed sheets. Her head was on a pillow. She looked around, and saw she was in Edward's bedroom, but he didn't sleep. Her throat was sore and she remembered she woke up sick this morning. Edward had come over to care for her, and Charlie was out of town. "Did you buy a bed for me?" She asked, her voice coming out in a hoar whisper.
"Yes", Edward answered "Last week."
"You didn't have to do that for me."
"Yes, I did, I wanted to." He said. It was important to Edward that Bella knew he wanted to do things for her, she accepted things from him better when she was reassured she was not causing hardship.
"How long have I been sleeping?"
"3 hours." I packed a bag for you before I took you here."
"I should call Charlie." Before Bella could blink, Alice appeared in the bedroom, she was holding a phone to her ear.
Alice spoke. "Charlie It's Alice. Bella wasn't feeling well today, and she told me you had to go away for a few days, so I picked her up. My father thinks it's the flu. She'll be fine." Alice smiled at Bella who was trying to sit up. Edward was by her side instantly. He grabbed 2 more pillows, and helped her until she was sitting on the bed comfortably upright. Alice continued. I'll have her call you. Right now her throat is hurting. You're welcome Charlie. I'll tell her. Bye!" Alice hung up the phone. "Charlie thanked me for taking care of you, and he said he'll keep checking on you. He said Feel better Bells."
"Thanks Alice."
"Rest your voice. When you feel better we can go shopping! I got you some orange juice. Carlisle says it helps humans when they get sick, with colds and the flu. Alice saw her brother Edward tense at the word flu. "Relax Edward Bella will be fine." With those words she disappeared.
"I got you a pad of paper and a pen, this way you can communicate without using your voice. I'm right here Bella."
"Bella" said Alice appearing next to her friend with a hand outstretched Here's your orange juice. Bella took it and drank quicker than she expected to, the orange liquid felt good going to her throat. a throat she was sure was now red and enflamed. When the juice was gone. She handed it to Alice with a smile. She focused her eyes on the blanket that covered her. It was dark purple ivory flowers, the bed sheets matched. Alice disappeared, but Edward stayed and placed a cold hand on her right shoulder.
"Do you want me to read to you?" We could read some more of Pride and Prejudice?" Edward asked. He watched as Bella slowly wrote in black ink on the yellow mote pad. Good idea. Before we start again, you need to take your temperature. He put the thermometer in her mouth , and took it out moments later, it read 100.1 Fahrenheit. "I'll keep an eye on this." He sat on the bed, and lifted a book from the nightstand who recently brought. He read 3 chapters before Bella closed her eyes. He placed a hand on her forehead. "Bella, open your eyes please. I think you should try to eat and drink before you go back to sleep. Bella opened her brown eyes, she turned in bed to gaze at Edward. She looked way, and grabbed the pad and pen. Edward watched as words slowly appeared on the paper. May I have more orange juice I don't want to sleep, I'll have another nightmare. Alice appeared with 2 glasses of juice. She handed one to Bella and one to her brother.
" Carlisle says you shouldn't talk for awhile and we should keep the orange juice coning, I know you don't want Edward to leave your side." Alice disappeared. Edward watched as Bella drank. He took the glass when she was finished.
"Bella these nightmares, what are they about? Did you have another one? Do you remember now?" He watched as Bella wrote quickly for a sick human this time. I'm in the woods. I can't find you Edward. I run and run, when I finally see you, you run away from me." I can't catch you and you are gone forever.
"Bella, my love, When I left with part of my family. I do it because I thought it was best for you. I learned I was wrong. I learned from my horrible mistake Bella Swan. I would never do anything like that again."
He watched again as she wrote You said you left with part of your family?
"Yes Bella I left with part of my family, I will never do that again. Bella you are my family. You are part of this family Bella, and one day as soon as I can I will marry you. I'm broken without you Bella." Bella was caught off guard and she was modified when she felt herself sweating. It looks like your fever is breaking. He smiled and Bella's heart took a leap of joy. He handed her the other glass of juice. She drank it quickly.
Alice reappeared. "How's the fever? You need food?"
Alice watched as Bella wrote It looks like the fever is breaking.
"Good", Alice replied cheerfully. Shopping trip! I'll buy you some no clothes."
No, Bella wrote.
"You need them, it'll be fun!" Alice answered running out of the room.
Bella looked at the pad. She flipped to a clean page. She wrote on the page.
My Dearest Edward,
You were right. when I woke up today I was feeling sick. I did need help, and I needed the help from you. Thank-you for giving me this help, and showing me you want to help me. Thank-you for being there through all future up's and down. Edward, you are right, when people love each other they take care of each other. I love you Edward, with all my heart.
"Bella, you are my world, I love you with everything I am, beyond." You're my home. He kissed her lips softly, and quickly. When the kiss broke Bella smiled, and closed her eyes again.
A week later Edward and Bella were standing in Charlie's kitchen. Bella was cooking pasta and vegetables for herself, and pasta and chicken for Charlie. Bella you have one more dose of medicine to take.
"I know, I just need a human minute? Bella said. She finished cooking and let the food spill onto plates. She turned to Edward who stood in front of her with her last dose of medicine which Carlisle had proscribed. She took the water he gave her, and swallowed slowly. Edward took the glass, and washed it for her.
"Hey Bells" Charlie said as he entered the house for the first time in a week.
"Hey day, How are you? Long drive?"
Yeah." You feeling better Bells?"
"Yes, I made dinner when you're ready."
"You didn't have to do that Bells, I know you haven't been feeling good."
"I just took my last dose of medicine for the flu, I'm better now. Don't worry the whole Cullen family took good care of me. Bella replied smiling at Edward. Before Charlie had time to look in Edward's direction, Edward wrapped Bella a loving vampire speed hug.
