Hey, hey!! I know you (well... some of you anyway) have been missing my story, so here's a bite for you. I've calculated that this story will be eleven or twelve chapters long, so I'm over half way there. And this typing has been done on time which should have been spent studying! Hope you like it!


Chapter 7 – Suggestion


When I got home, I tried to do my homework. I got out my books and spread the papers around me, but after a few minutes I would always end up staring out the window. Elbow digging into the tabletop, chin resting on palm, I would watch the tree outside my room sway with the evening Forks breeze. Without realising it, I was sighing every few minutes as my thoughts tossed and turned in my head like wet socks in a washing machine.

What was I meant to do? Was having a child the right thing to do? And as for the Jacob problem… no. It was more of an 'issue' than a 'problem' – at least, until Lauren started rubbing it in my face. As for that, I was completely at a loss. I just hoped like anything that everything would miraculously turn out alright.

Fat chance.

Eventually, the tapping of my fingers on my cheek started to sound like the ticking of clock hands, and I was reminded that Charlie needed feeding. I groaned as I pushed my chair back and stood, feeling many joints clicking and cracking. Blood rushed down in to my fingertips and gave me a tingly feeling for a few seconds.

As I'd expected, Charlie was waiting to be fed. The lounge light and television were both on so I was surprised to see him in the kitchen when I walked in, digging around like an alien on a foreign planet. He was bent over an open cupboard door under the sink (one I knew to contain only 'hazardous if consumed' substances), shuffling around and making interested noises every few seconds.

"Dad," I said, wondering if giving him a fright was a good idea or not.

He jumped and dropped something, but luckily didn't hit his head. "You gave me a start there, kiddo," he said with a crinkly grin, turning to see me.

"What are you doing in the cleaning cupboard?" I asked, crossing the tiles and scooping up the bottle of bleach that'd rolled across the floor.

Charlie looked a little sheepish, knowing he was caught. "I got a little hungry was all. Just looking for something before dinner." He crossed to the table and leant on the back of his chair. "But I wasn't sure where to find a snack."

I closed the knee-height doors and started fiddling around expertly (showing off my knowledge of the kitchen just a little) to collect the things I needed to whip up something edible.

"Well, there's no need for snacks. Dinner should be ready soon."

I saw my Dad nod thankfully and head back into the lounge, then I heard the groan of the couch springs as he sat.

I worked on dinner for a while, cooking some rice and vegetables with a bit of ham for a makeshift dish. It mustn't have tasted too bad to a third party, because Charlie 'mmmm'd as he ate, and even asked for seconds.

"Sure thing, it's over there," I said, pointing to a dish on the cupboard.

As Charlie vacuumed through his second serving, I did the dishes and put them on the sink to dry. A minute later a pair of hands were drying and putting things away, and I smiled at my Dad as I pulled the plug from the sink.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem. I'll be watching the game," he said, hanging his tea towel over the oven door handle.

"'Kay." I reached over and dried my hands on the hand-towel. "I'll be in my room."

And a minute later, Charlie was back on his suburban throne and I was upstairs battling the homework demon.

It took a while, but eventually I finished the assigned Calculus questions, along with a close reading for English.

The television sounds were still filtering up the stairs when I went to the bathroom for a shower, but were gone when I emerged. The downstairs lights were off and Charlie's bedroom door was closed.

Stripy green flannelette pants and a black tank top clinging to my slightly dewy post-shower body, I bundled a towel to my head and went to my room.

I shouldn't have been surprised to see Edward there, considering my thoughts had been all about him since I'd left his place this afternoon, but I was. The towel almost toppled from my head when I jumped, and this made Edward smile – which made me smile.

"You're here," I clarified, unnecessarily.

"Yes."

I sat down beside him on the bed and tipped my head to the side, catching the damp towel. I dried my hair with my head to the side, and watched Edward as I did so. He seemed to be taking less breaths than usual.

"Are you okay?" I asked, hanging the towel over the end of my bed.

"I'm perfect when you're with me," he said, but I could see the strain in his face when he took a replacement breath.

I stood up and walked to my dresser, then leaned back against it as I pulled my hair into a bundle and secured it there. I crossed my arms and waited for him to look up from the floor at his feet to my face.

His eyes were gold, but they had the appearance of an unpolished gem. The potential for dazzling beauty was there but it was being masked by something that refused to move. I remembered something then, and I folded my arms as my thoughts stitched together.

"Where is the rest of your family tonight?"

"Home," he answered, but he was too convincing. Like he had been expecting my question and awaiting the opportunity to give his answer.

"Uh huh," I said. Edward was not one to make assumptions about, so I decided to be sure before I sent him away to hunt.

I crossed the carpet and sat beside him on the bed, our legs and shoulders touching. He looked tender enough as he put a hand to my cheek, but I could see the slight contraction of his pupils just before he closed his eyes. I knew from experience that this was something he did when he was trying to resist his… 'monster'.

But to be completely sure…

He slid his hand down my shoulder to my palm, and weaved his fingers through mine. I leaned forward and touched my cheek to his, carefully turning so that our noses were in line. His amber eyes flared, but the black under them darkened. It was a strange combination, but all the more beautiful to me.

"Edward," I whispered, knowing that my breath was tickling right under his nose and that my neck was fully exposed. But what I also knew was that Edward would never, ever hurt me, and it would take one hell of a slip in his perfect self-control to do so.

He swallowed before answering. "Bella?"

"I think," I said, turning my head more so that his cheek was being patterned by the tip of my nose. "I think you need to hunt tonight. Just like your family are."

His eyes closed, and I knew he knew I was right.

"That sounds like a good suggestion."

I pulled back and watched as he relaxed – though not very much. He stood up, then leaned down to me as I folded my legs on the bed.

"Just one thing before I go," he said gently, overwhelming my delicate senses. "Actually, two things. The first is that I love you, and I'll be back soon. The second is that though you're unsure about having a child, I do want you to think about it. I believe a talk with Rosalie would be beneficial for you."

I was too dazzled to notice anything else, so I just agreed. "Okay."

He leant in further and gently touched his lips to my forehead, lingering there for a moment. His hand brushed my cheek, leaving behind a trail of icy fire, and making my heart touch my ribs for its size.

"I'll see you soon, Bella."

And then he was gone, the window shivering slightly behind him. I wondered how he had managed to do that but knew that almost anything was possible for vampires, so I stood and flicked on my bed side lamp before turning off the overhead one. A moment later and I was snuggling down under my covers, my thoughts a buzz with Edward's former presence. Something in my memory tried to battle the well-constructed walls of blissful happiness I'd made, and I allowed it through.

"I believe a talk with Rosalie would be beneficial for you."

What?!


Well!! What do we think? But no, no; there's no use chatting to a computer monitor, is there? So, let your fingers do the walking and review your opinions to me!

Thanks for reading! New chapter as soon as I can, promise!

-Shaps