Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of its characters
Previously…
Edward made his way slowly towards me, not once taking in the splendor of the meadow, but choosing to keep his eyes locked on mine. He embraced me and kissed me lightly on the forehead.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," I replied. I had a feeling that we were going to have a splendid afternoon.
***********
I awoke the following morning, to a magnificent smell. I breathed deeply, delighting in it. I could tell it was light outside even though my eyes were shut. The sun pouring in from my window caressed my face. I opened my eyes slightly to peak at my surroundings, not really wanting to wake up. My face lay against Edward's cold chest. He was watching me silently, as though I were a very interesting television show. I took another deep breath, loving his scent, and smiled contently.
"Good morning," his velvet voice said sweetly. Although I often entertained the idea that Edward was a dream, his perfect voice and flawless face were enough to convince me that I was indeed awake. My imagination could not do him justice. His cool hand brushed away some hair from my eyes.
"Did you sleep well love?"
"Mm-hmm," I murmured. I didn't want this moment to end. Edward and I had spent a magnificent afternoon in our meadow, just the two of us, and I had dreamed of it last night. I didn't want the dream to end. I longed to replay the memories over and over again. I wanted to fall back into my blissful dream. I scooted myself a little closer to Edward, closing my eyes again. I didn't want to wake up to face Charlie again, because that meant that Edward would have to go home. I wanted time to stop.
My stomach grumbled. Damn.
"Breakfast time for the human," Edward said with a hint of amusement. He got up from the bed, and tried to rouse me. He gave my shoulder a gentle nudge of encouragement but I just groaned and pulled the covers up over my head.
"Really, Bella!" he said laughing, "It's time you got up." I felt a sudden chill. Edward had ripped the covers off the bed leaving me exposed. I curled up in a tiny ball trying to conserve some warmth. I felt the bed sink slightly beside me as Edward sat down next to me. I opened one eye to look at him.
"Alright," I sighed, opening both my eyes now and sitting up, "I'll get up." I ran a hand through my hair and was met with a clump of tangles. I tried to smooth them out a little with my fingers. With a loud yawn I made my way to the bathroom to shower.
I stepped into the shower, relished the warm water that soothed my body. The water pounded gently on my back and shoulders, soothing the stiffness in them. I welcomed the refreshing scent of my shampoo, letting it waken my senses. When I was done, I toweled myself dry and quickly blow-dried my hair.
I stared into the mirror a bit longer than necessary trying for once to see what Edward saw in me. But I could see nothing beyond plain, ordinary Bella. I shook my head and rolled my eyes remembering the comment Edward had made about my beauty in the meadow. I left the bathroom and returned to my room to find Edward gone.
"Edward?" I called taking a quick glance around my standard room trying to ignore the mess that was slowly accumulating.
"Down here," I heard him reply from the kitchen.
"What are you doing?" I asked as I reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs and saw him standing at the stove. He had one hand on a skillet, and the other was pushing around a yellowish-white fluff with a spatula. He was smiling and humming to himself as he worked. He looked the part of a real chef.
"Making you breakfast."
Edward had already changed into a new outfit. He must have ran back home, changed, and returned to make me breakfast, all in the time span of my shower. He never ceased to amaze me.
"I can see that," I said and with a sniff recognized the smell of eggs cooking. I sat down at the table, watching Edward finish up the eggs. I didn't think that cooking eggs required grace, but Edward certainly accomplished that regardless.
"Isn't Charlie here?" I asked listening for the sound of the television, assuming that he was in the living room.
"No, it appears that he went fishing today." Edward gestured to small note on the table. I glance down in front of me to notice that, sure enough, there was a note. I scolded myself momentarily for my lack of observation. I quickly read it over. It was from Charlie, confirming what Edward had said, and telling me that he had gone fishing for the day and would be home late.
I smiled.
"So, what do you want to do today Edward? It's just you and me," I said with a wicked grin. I giggled as I remembered him saying the same thing to me yesterday. He seemed to remember as well. He grinned briefly, but then he frowned.
"Actually Bella, I have something I need to take care of today." There was a slight pause as I processed that.
"Oh," I responded, a little saddened. Besides the previous day, Edward and I had not had a lot of time to be alone. A lot of that had to do with Charlie still mistrusting Edward, and he therefore created new rules and curfews for me as his whim demanded. Now Charlie was gone for the day, and I had only one essay to finish writing. I could easily complete it later tonight. I knew that Edward was grateful for our time together as well, so what then, was so important that he would spoil this opportunity?
He turned to face me, placing the plate of eggs in front of me. I thanked him and marveled yet again at his ability to cook. His face looked torn for some reason.
"So, what are you going to do today?" I tried to sound casual as I stabbed my eggs with a fork, but Edward saw right past me to hear the note of disappointment in my voice. He pulled out the chair next to me and sat down.
"Don't worry Bella," he said with a grim smile, "I won't be gone long." Had he just avoided my question? I huffed with annoyance and speared another egg.
"Fine, I'll just go for a walk or something until you get back." I glanced out the window hoping to see some of sunlight that I had witnessed this morning. Although it was not raining, the sky was overcast again, and all traces of sunlight were gone. I sighed dejectedly. Still, a walk would be nice. "I wouldn't mind getting a little fresh air," I added.
Edward looked uneasy. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, looking anywhere but at me.
"What?" I asked. "I won't go into the woods, I swear." But he didn't relax. I waited for him to say something. I was getting full, and I was merely pushing the eggs around on the plate to give me something to do. He finally looked at me.
"Well Bella, I was just thinking. There's the small matter of that promise you made me…"
"Which one?" I asked, looking up and narrowing my eyes suspiciously.
"You promised that when I couldn't be with you, that you would –"
"Have a babysitter?" I interrupted with a bitter remark. He had just gone hunting! I hadn't expected him to leave me again so soon. Damn that promise! What was Edward planning for me? I was already trying to come up with an argument in my head to whatever it was. I could stay at home right? Work on my essay. Then when he was gone, I could do what I pleased. Would he know if I had obeyed? He could be gone the whole day; I didn't want to sit around all day with just my homework to do.
"Bella," Edward groaned almost sensing where my thoughts had gone, "I'm trying to make this as painless as possible for you. But you did promise me."
I sighed. What else could I do? If I backed out of my promise, then surely he would to. And I valued his side of the bargain too much to blow it all on one afternoon.
"So what did you have in mind?" Edward looked slightly happier that I was going to cooperate. "Don't worry, I already called Alice."
As if that were her cue, Alice came waltzing into the kitchen in all her splendor. I jumped in my chair. I hadn't even heard the front door open. I was momentarily shocked, but quickly regained my composure.
"Alice!" My voice was a little high pitched as I got over the fright she gave me.
"Oh Bella! We'll have so much fun today!" she said as she suddenly embraced me. I groaned. What did she have planned?
"Please Alice," Edward started.
"Oh don't worry so much Edward," Alice chastised as she grabbed me by the arm and pulled me from the kitchen. My plate of unfinished breakfast was still sitting on the table. I always hated when they did this; had their silent conversations. I wasn't given much time muse on this thought however, as Alice was practically dragging me a lightning speed to the front door.
"Thank you Alice." I heard Edward whisper as we left.
"Bye Edward!" I called over my shoulder as Alice continued to drag me out to her car. My last glimpse was of Edward sitting at the table, hands folded in front of him, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
Alice let go of me by the passenger door to her Porsche. Her eyes looked me up and down once, and then sighed.
"You really are in need of this shopping trip." I looked at myself, a little shocked. What was wrong with my outfit? I looked fine. Sure, I was plain old Bella, but Alice had almost looked at my clothes with…disgust. I loved Alice to death, but sometime she was just too much. I suddenly yearned to be back in bed, dreaming my sweet dream again.
"Just get in the car Bella," Alice said as though reading my thoughts. I moaned but complied, climbing into the conspicuous car. I hoped Edward would be back soon from wherever it was he was going.
Edward's POV
"Bella," I groaned, "I'm trying to make this as painless as possible for you. But you did promise me."
She looked annoyed and slightly flustered, but then sighed and rolled her eyes.
"So what did you have in mind?" she said dejectedly. I wished that she would be happier about this. I didn't want this to be a punishment for her. But it was necessary. If I couldn't be here to watch her, then I had to have someone else to do it for me. Today especially I would be distracted. My task would be a lot easier if I knew she was safe.
"Don't worry, I already called Alice." I heard the door open and Alice's thoughts drifted towards me.
Relax Edward; she will be safe with me. She showed me a brief vision of her and Bella at the mall. Alice was piling clothes into Bella's outstretched arms. Though Bella did not seem to be enjoying herself as much as I hoped, she was, as Alice promised, safe.
Alice came waltzing into the kitchen.
"Oh Bella! We'll have so much fun today!" I tried to hide a smile as Bella groaned in response while Alice hugged her.
Just look at that outfit! Alice thought. She really does need my help. I wonder if she'd like that red shirt I spotted yesterday…
"Please Alice," I started with a pleasing look in my eyes. I didn't want her to get carried away. She needed to focus on Bella, not clothes.
"Oh don't worry so much Edward," Alice chastised as she grabbed Bella by the arm and pulled her from the kitchen. She didn't even glance back at me as she thought, Please be careful Edward. Your future keeps changing.
That was probably because I couldn't quite decide how to go about the task I had set for myself.
"Bye Edward!" My angel called looking back as Alice continued to drag her out the front door.
I gave little wave of farewell, and as soon as they pulled away, I set my mind on the task at hand.
Now, I just had to find Nathan.
A/N: Sorry if this chapter is a bit of a disappointment! It's just a filler. The next bit isn't quite ready, so this seemed like a decent place to leave it. No worries though! I will post soon!
To be honest I'm having a bit of writer's block. I had hoped it would be awhile before that cursed beast struck me, but here I sit, with my chapters half-written, so please hang with me.
I'm having trouble solving this Nathan issue. I'm trying very hard to keep Bella and Edward within character given their situation, but somehow, every time I have Edward try and take care of Nathan, he ends up spectacularly crushing him to a pulp. :) And then I must backtrack and try a new approach. But I promise to post in the next few days.
Sorry for the long note, and thanks again to everyone who reviewed. You are really my driving force.