A/N I am blown away by the response I've gotten from chapter 3 and just want to thank everyone again for reading my story. Also a big thank you to those who shared my story. Everyone's kind words, and the amount of views have been very encouraging. I hope you all like chapter 4, happy reading :)
Chapter 4 - Let in Some Fresh Air
"Oh no!" shouted Bella. "Please let me have some, please let me have some!" she kept repeating to herself as she frantically searched the cabinets in her bathroom. Aha! Thank the lord!" she exclaimed victoriously.
Bella's monthly flow had arrived today, and thankfully she had found a brand new box of tampons. She should be covered for this month, and was so relieved she didn't have to write that she needed those on her grocery list. "I will have to figure something else out. There is no way I can ask Edward to buy me tampons. Our relationship has not gotten to that level." Bella huffed. "Ahh, "our relationship", I like the way that sounds." She thought.
Bella had decided not to be so hard on herself and go ahead and indulge in the fantasy. Even if Edward would never feel something for her, there was no harm in dreaming. It's not like she could stop dreaming if she tried anyways. The sight of him working on her gate was forever seared into her memory. Besides, she was lonely. Dreaming about him somehow made her feel less lonely.
It was just a little after 1pm now on Wednesday afternoon, and Bella was straightening up before Dr. Cullen came for her mother's appointment. He comes about every 6 weeks, just to make sure her health is up to par.
Dr. Cullen had arrived right on time at 1:30pm on the dot. "Hello Doctor. Please come in." Bella greeted him as she opened the door.
"Hello Bella. How are you this beautiful afternoon?" Dr. Cullen responded back.
As Bella let Dr. Cullen into the house she smiled and replied, "I'm doing wonderfully, thank you for asking."
Bella loved the Doctor's politeness and old school charm. He was always a welcomed guest at the Swan residence.
"My mother is doing wonderfully as well, but for now she is set up in the guest room. Let me show you where." Bella said as she motioned for Dr. Cullen to follow her.
Walking together Dr. Cullen asked why she moved her mother into a new room, and Bella told him her plan to spruce up the space.
"Edward from the volunteer center should be bringing by the paint tomorrow." she said excitedly.
Dr. Cullen asked Bella after realizing the coincidence, "Oh. Did you know Edward is my son Bella? He just moved back into town a few weeks ago."
"No. I had no idea, but now that you mention it he did say his last name was Cullen." said Bella. Bella couldn't believe she didn't make the connection, because now she could really see the resemblance.
Dr. Cullen's family moved to Forks about four years ago. Bella knew he had a son, but he had moved out of state before the doctor had started coming to her house.
"He's been away for so long going to college and volunteering abroad. He did come back for a little while a couple years ago, but now my wife and I are so happy he is home now for good." explained Dr. Cullen.
Yes indeed she could see the resemblance; both were handsome, caring and charming. She loved the way the doctor lit up while talking about his son. He was so proud, and you could tell he had missed him terribly.
Dr. Cullen is probably the one person in the whole world that Bella trusted completely. He has really been with her every step of way since her mother's accident. He has seen all of Bella's faults and weaknesses, and he has seen all of her strengths throughout this whole process. Bella amazed the doctor in so many ways. Her perseverance and dedication put him in awe. All the sacrifices she has made, and techniques she had to learn to care of her mother. He did worry about her sacrificing a little too much. Never leaving the house, or taking time off from responsibilities could be unhealthy. He suggested at the very beginning of their journey together that she seek some counsel, but as soon as the accident happened is a soon as Bella put her self and needs on hold. He hoped one day she could find a balance.
"Hello Mrs. Swan." Dr. Cullen said as he walked over to the bed. "It is a pleasure as always to see you".
After checking Renee's vitals and testing her motor skills, the doctor gave her a clean bill of health. "She's doing great Bella. I do have one suggestion though. The weather has been beautiful the last couple days, and they're expecting more sunshine tomorrow. Maybe she could spend some time outside. A little sun and fresh air is always good." The doctor prescribed.
Dr. Cullen's thought his prescription would help them both, though he didn't state it out loud. After chatting back and forth a little Dr. Cullen had went on his way.
The mail had been delivered while the doctor was visiting. Bella checked her mailbox after he had left. "Just bills." Bella muttered to herself. She was a little disappointed that she still hasn't received a letter from Rose. It had been almost three weeks since she had moved. Bella was sure she must be settled in by now. "She must be busy, I'm sure she write soon."
The next day the sun was shining bright just as Dr. Cullen predicted. Bella thought his advice was probably right, and decided to read to her mother on the lawn while they waited for Edward. "Maybe he would like to meet her today." Bella thought.
She went and attached a movable ramp onto the front porch steps to make it easier to get her mother's wheelchair into the yard. While she was out there she noticed the lawn was pretty overgrown and decided to grab a blanket to lay over it. The blanket helped smash it down enough to be comfortable. "Mama, Dr. Cullen said we should go out and get some fresh air while the weather is nice. Would you like me to read to you outside today?" Bella asked her mother.
Bella's mother gave her a positive nod and lifted her arms to communicate she was ready to go. After wheeling her mother into the yard, Bella sat down on the blanket next to the wheelchair. She couldn't let her mother sit on the blanket too, as it would be too hard to get her on the ground and back up again. Bella watched for a moment when she noticed her mother tilt her head back, and bask in the glow of the sunlight. She could tell she loved it outdoors, and Bella made a mental note that she should do this more often.
Bella started reading, and got carried away in the story like the last time, well every time. She was so absorbed in the book, that she didn't even realize Edward had pulled up. Edward saw Bella laying there on the blanket as he walked up to the gate. Again Edward was struck by her beauty. The sun was shining just right on her brown hair, to show off the beautiful dark red tones that were normally hidden while indoors. Her voice was so sweet and kind, he could listen to it for hours. Begrudgingly he would have to interrupt. He didn't want her to catch him just staring at her from over the gate.
"Bella, Hello. I'm here with your groceries." hollered Edward.
Bella did startle, but answered, "Oh hi Edward. Let me get the door. I'll be right back mama."
After they got inside the kitchen Edward had to apologize for his last visit; leaving so quick with no explanation. "I'm sorry Bella that I just sort of took off last Thursday. Um, something just short of "popped" up." he said. Well at least he wasn't lying he thought to himself.
"Oh don't even worry about it. It's fine." Bella replied. She was just so thankful he came back, and didn't really understand why he was the one apologizing. After they settled up with money and list, Bella asked Edward if he would like to go outside and meet her mother. Of course he was honored too, and followed her out. "Mama? This is Edward, Dr. Cullen's son. Edward this is my mother Renee." introduced Bella.
"It's nice to meet you Renee. Are you enjoying our wonderful weather today?" asked Edward.
Bella's mother gave a nod, and again tilted her face toward the sun rays.
"I'll take that as a "yes"." Edward quipped. "How did you know I was Dr. Cullen's son?" he asked Bella.
"Oh yes, he stopped by yesterday for my mother's check up. I told him that a guy named Edward was delivering the paint for my mother's room, and he put it together that you were the same Edward as his son. Small town after all." smiled Bella.
"Small town indeed." Edward replied with a laugh. "That reminds me. I did get your paint. Did you know there are about thirty different variations of yellow?" Edward questioned. "I opted for a light yellow called, "Sun Rays". I hope that's okay?" he continued.
Bella giggled, "Of course. I'm sure it's perfect". It was perfect she thought. He was perfect she also thought.
Again not wanting to leave, Edward tried to prolong the visit. "So when are you going to start painting?" he asked.
"Today actually. I was planning on starting after my mother and I had some lunch." Bella answered oblivious to Edward's tactics.
Excitement came over Edward as he asked Bella if he could help. "It takes a couple of hours to paint a room. If she said yes, we could be spending a few hours together." he thought to himself. His excitement started to wane as she was taking a while to respond.
"There's that question again, "Can he help me?" Bella thought. This was a question she would easily turn down by anyone else, but whenever Edward asked her to help it caused a battle between feelings inside her. She didn't want him to help, but she wanted him there.
After letting out a deep breath, Bella finally admitted, "The thing is Edward, I can't stand that you're always helping me and I have no way to pay you back. I mean there isn't really a way for me to return all the favors."
"But you do help me Bella. For one you have restored my faith in humanity." Edward stated. "Knowing that there are still people like you around, who are so selfless and think of other's first. You put your mother before you in all that you do, it's very commendable Bella." he went on.
Bella blushed a little at the compliment, but let Edward continue, "Secondly, you allow me to help you. It makes me feel good to help and feel needed, and lastly you're giving me friendship. That is very priceless and I'm starting to value it more and more everyday."
Bella didn't even know how to respond to Edward's kind words and after a speech like that the feelings of having him there definitely won out.
"Okay, okay. You can help, but only under these two conditions." Bella said while holding up two fingers. First, you stop making me blush. Second, you have lunch with us. Feeding you is the least I can do." insisted Bella.
"I can't make any promises on the first. Blushing seems to come a little too easy on you Bella." he said with a wink. "But the second condition sounds amazing. What's for lunch?" he asked while smiling.
"Ah, ah, watch yourself." Bella warned playfully. Bella told him she made a batch of homemade vegetable soup and was going to pair it with a sandwich. He thought that sounded amazing. Edward folded up the blanket and carried the book, while Bella pushed her mother's wheelchair up to the porch. He felt a little less of a gentleman not offering to push the wheelchair, but he thought it wise to let Bella handle it. He was lucky he got to help with the painting after all.
Conversation flowed nicely during lunch, light topics such as weather and about the book Bella was reading. Edward kept complimenting Bella's cooking. Not just because it was Bella, but because it tasted that good. While Bella got her mother situated in the guestroom, Edward started to tape off the trim work in the bedroom. Bella already had the furniture moved to the center of the room with an old sheet covering it. Just as Edward had finished taping Bella came in and open a can of paint to the most perfect shade of pastel yellow. It was exactly what she envisioned. Bella took the roller, and Edward took the brush and they got started.
"So how did you get involved with the volunteer center?" Bella question. She had been wondering since she met Edward what his story was.
"The volunteer center meant a lot to my late Grandmother. She volunteered there for as long as I can remember. I used to go on grocery runs with her when I was just a kid. I guess she sort of taught me what it meant to help people. I told her once that I wanted to help people when I grew up, and she always encouraged me to do just that." Edward answered. "She passed away a couple years ago now, but when she did, the help we received from the volunteer center was much needed. I don't know how our family would have gotten through that time without them. Now I'm doing something I love, while at the same time honoring my grandmother." He finished.
Bella was stared at Edward a little speechless. She had not been expecting such a great answer. "Of course he had a great answer," thought Bella.
"Your grandmother sounds very nice, and I am absolutely certain she is proud of her grandson." Bella was finally able to say. "I don't know what I would do without the center's help either; it's truly a great organization."
Bella and Edward continued to talk about everything from the music they liked to embarrassing stories about themselves as kids. After Bella told a story about how a date stood her up once because her overprotective dad had a talk with him while he had his guns showing on his hips, Edward almost doubled over in laughter. Bella also laughing said, "Maybe we should open the windows and let some fresh air in? I think we might be getting a little loopy.
Edward laughed, and when he looked at Bella he noticed a spot of paint on her cheek just under her eye. Without hesitation he reached his hand out to her face and smudged it off with his thumb. Both were caught in the moment, and all the giggles had stopped. Edward knew he should pull away, but he loved touching her. Her skin was so soft, and of course the feeling of electricity was as strong as ever. Bella blinked and somehow pulled herself away. "I really better open that window, the fumes are definitely getting to me." She said with a forced laugh.
She didn't know what to think. Did she really have a chance with someone like Edward? Could he be interested? Could she really even have a relationship with the demands of her life? She couldn't help but think "Yes" to all these questions.
Neither of them wanted to finish painting, but inevitably the time had come. They were all finished, and it looked great.
Before their visit was over, Edward had been wanting to run something by Bella for most of the day. "So Bella, I was thinking maybe next week I could bring a couple friends with me and we could get together and tackle your yard. My sister Alice is really nice, and her boyfriend Jasper is one of my best friends. They have been asking me to set them up with a project. What do you think?" Edward babbled out quickly. He thought the faster he asked, the faster she'd answer and maybe not say no. He had no reason to worry though because Bella felt so happy she would have agreed to anything. She knew it was Edward's affect on her that made her feel like she was floating and not the paint fumes. Bella ended up telling him yes, and it wouldn't be till she woke up the next morning when she would start wondering, "What the heck was I thinking?!"