So sorry about the delay. it seems like i dont have any time anymore. :'( dont worry i wont abandon the story! Enjoy!

I placed the books on the table. Without fully looking at Edward I said, "You know you don't have to do this, right?"

I turned my face to him to see his answer, and I was very surprised to see him... laughing? "Bella, you don't seem to understand how hard it is to do this on your own," he said. "The so called 'specialists' that wrote the books make it very confusing. I also promised both your father and mine that I would do this."

I fiddled with my jacket. So that was why he was helping me? For his father's sake? For mine? I felt misery gushing through me. I stared at the patterns in the wood, trying to hide the turmoil of emotions that had gone through me.

He took my chin, forcing me to look at him. Once again, I felt the same electric current rush through me, down my spine all the way to my toes. I shivered quietly. Confused, he asked, "What's the matter?"

"You don't want us to be friends, remember?" I responded, bitterness creeping into my voice.

I waited for his response. His eyes seemed to be searching my face for something. An odd expression was in his eyes; as if he was checking to make sure he was in control. Finally he smiled sadly and said, "I never said I didn't want to, only that I shouldn't."

I waited for him t explain, but he didn't elaborate on his odd statement. I felt more confused than ever. I was about to ask for clarification when he picked up a book. That effectively ended the conversation... for now.

He suddenly got businesslike and started going through the alphabet in sign language. "We'll start with finger spelling," he said as his finger moved. "Once you're skills are proficient, we'll move on." I stumbled over it all and couldn't keep track. However, I had to admit that Edward was a good tutor. He was patient with me and didn't yell when I made a mistake. I found it oddly comforting.

"I do have a question, though," I said as we worked through the alphabet for the fifth time, "Why do I have to learn sign language? I can still speak, shouldn't others be learning this?"

I stopped in the middle of doing letter q and looked up at him. Suddenly embarrassed, I felt my cheeks go hot.
He sighed, but smiled slightly at my flushed face. "Well, in order for you to understand what they're saying, you're going to have to learn it as well, Bella. Once you have learned everything, you can teach the others so that communication will be easier."

"When you put it that way..." I trailed off and continued through the alphabet. Every once in a while I would peek at Edward. When he wasn't correcting me or telling me how well I was doing, he didn't speak. He would sit there staring at me with the oddest expression on his face.

His eyes seemed to be smoldering and filled with affection, like he couldn't believe he was sitting across from me. I also detected a subtle restraint in his eyes. I kept staring, calculating. I didn't understand the smoldering, affectionate look, but I figured the restraint was obviously because he didn't want to be here. Who would want to help a deaf but otherwise normal and bland girl? Especially when you were so extraordinarily beautiful and…perfect.

By the end of two hours I had the alphabet mainly memorized. I was still slow on spelling things out, and I often made mistakes. But, it was better than nothing. On the plus side, it helped me with my distractions. I was working on responding to Edward's latest question, struggling to get everything right when my wrist vibrated.

I was so focused on my task that the motion startled me greatly. I jumped up and screamed, feeling my throat pushing out the sound even though I was unable to hear it. Blood instantly pooled in my cheeks, and I once again found myself embarrassed. I looked at my wristband and Charlie's name flashed across it. Edward looked at me curiously and it sent flutters through my heart.

"Charlie is on his way home." I said, smiling meekly.

"How do you know?" he asked.

I took off the band and handed it to him. "Charlie got me this wristband that vibrates at the push of a button, as well as when the phone or the doorbell ring."

He examined it for a moment and handed it back. The smile on his face made it seem like he was remembering an inside joke, making me curious. "I guess I better go then," he said.

"Yeah, I still need to start supper, and hopefully get it finished before he gets home." I headed toward the kitchen, pulling some leftovers out of the fridge, not up to making something tonight.

I frowned, feeling the water over my hands but not hearing it. I wasn't totally used to it yet, and sometimes it disturbed me how quiet it was. I missed normal sounds, like the water running, the sound of food rotating in the microwave, the clink of silverware on glass plates, and the click of the door. Wondering if Edward had left yet, I looked over my shoulder. He was staring at me again, a calculating expression occupying his face.

I saw him sigh and turn towards the door. He smiled his dazzling smile at me and signed, Goodbye, I'll come by tomorrow like I did today B- I didn't quite catch the last word. It was obviously supposed to be my name, but instead of spelling out, he used a symbol.

"What was that?" I asked, mimicking what he did. I saw the laughter in his eyes as he responded.

It's called a name sign, and you'll learn more about it in our next lesson. See you tomorrow!

"But tomorrow's Saturday," I said in confusion.

He smiled crookedly. Yes, but you need all the help you can get if you want to be fluent in sign language.

I laughed, enjoying the wonderful feeling it gave me; I felt so light and buoyant as I watched him leave. He stopped halfway through the doorway and I frowned in confusion. He turned around suddenly and stopped right in front of me. He took his hand and brushed my hair back from my face, stroking the length of my cheek once, and then disappeared.

I stared in stunned silence as I tried to process what just happened. I blinked several times, running through the moment in my head again and again. What was going on? I was plain and normal. Despite the fact that his father was my doctor, and the fact that he saved me impossibly from near death, what interest did he have in me?

I suddenly remembered the lasagna in the microwave and leaped up to get it. I started setting the table, removing my books and putting down plates, food and silverware. I was just finishing when Charlie got home.

so how do you like it? and while you're at it tell your opinion on Breaking Dawn!