Thank you for all the questions and suggestions. I will see where and when they can be answered and implemented.

Thank you to my beta, the ever-diligent Fran, for catching my mistakes.

Pre-read by the lovely Ipsita.

Any remaining mistakes are mine.


Chapter-7

We settled on the large and comfortable leather sectional sofa in the living room. A soothing tan in color and L-shaped, it could easily seat a dozen people. The glass-topped coffee table in front of us held a couple of newspapers and a set of colorful ceramic coasters with geometric designs. Esme was very particular that they be used for all kinds of beverages, whether tea, coffee, soda or drinks.

The comfortable feel of the sofa extended to the whole living room. The color scheme was mostly cream and beige, with dark brown used for contrast. The wide windows let in plenty of natural light during the day, the natural tint of the teakwood floor was thrown into relief by a small, plush carpet in ruby red. There was a beautifully constructed bar in an arched recess, with a couple of high stools in front of the polished counter. Inside, crystal and glass winked in the light of the three lamps hanging from the ceiling, almost beckoning to us as we watched the game on the large flat-screen television.

There was a fireplace that was used only around Christmas, to make it look more Christmas-sy, as Esme repeated every year. Carlisle and I would smile, whereas Alice and Tony would roll their eyes fondly. This year though…just imagining it without my brother made me wish I could have a drink or two.

Carlisle didn't seem to be into the game either, though he made a few relevant comments. Then he sighed and turned to me.

"Her story seems all right, doesn't it?"

"But you have doubts."

His shoulders raised and fell as he took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Yes. The way she narrated it…it seemed almost…I don't know…rehearsed. How do we know it's all true? She hasn't given any names or addresses to us. Even if we find out the restaurant she worked in, how can we be sure of the rest?"

I scratched my ear as Jasper came to my mind. He had wanted me to ask Bella if she knew anything about the runner Tony was supposed to bring in, but he never once doubted that she was his girlfriend. As close as he was to Tony, wouldn't he have known when Tony started dating Bella?

"I met someone in Chicago; a close friend of Tony." I looked at the door and verified we were alone. "His name is Jasper and he wants to investigate Tony's death, even though the police have termed it an accident."

Carlisle frowned, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "I have heard his name, I think. But why would he want to—oh, you mean…" He looked horrified at the thought. "No, no, it can't be…Why would anyone do that?" His voice rose at the end.

"Shh, I don't want to alarm Esme needlessly," I waved at the open door. "And I don't know anything except what Jasper has told me. I will try to find out what I can, and maybe ask Jasper what he knows about Bella. But until I have something in black and white, I don't want you to stress yourself, okay? For all we know, everything is exactly as it appears to be and we are worrying over nothing. Working on the force has made me suspicious of everyone; I realize that."

I gave him a small smile to lighten his spirits. However, his face remained clouded.

"You will be careful, won't you? Don't take any undue risks, Edward."

I took his hand and pressed it lightly. "I will be careful; I promise."

-/-/-/-

None of us talked much at dinner, no doubt absorbed in our own thoughts. Esme encouraged Bella to eat more, but she seemed lethargic, and though she expressed her gratitude for the meal she also confessed she was unable to eat as she used to.

Barely had we finished eating when Bella gave a huge yawn.

"Oh, I am so sorry," she said, looking mortified. "I don't know why, but I still feel so tired. Even after that I took, I feel as if I can fall asleep right this minute."

Esme smiled and said that in that case, it would be best for her to have an early night.

"Go on, dear," she said kindly when Bella looked indecisive. "I will be up in a few minutes to help you change, all right?"

"I hope you won't find it rude," Bella said in an apologetic manner, looking at all of us.

"Not at all," Carlisle assured her. "This kind of exhaustion is emotional as well as physical. Also, your painkillers might be responsible for making you feel more sleepy than usual. It's okay; you need to rest as much as possible. Give your body a chance to heal."

It seemed to reassure Bella, and she bade us a good night and left. I helped Esme clear the table and load the dishwasher, and then she went upstairs to help Bella.

I tried to watch some movie half-way on the TV, but nothing registered. Soon after, I asked Carlisle and Esme to excuse me and went to my room, where I tossed and turned for a while before falling asleep.

At least I didn't dream, or if I did, I didn't remember it when I awoke. That was the good part. The annoying part was that it was still very dark outside, and the digital clock beside the bed told me it was almost half past two. Why the hell had I woken up at such a strange hour?

Then I heard it, a faint groaning sound that seemed to come from the adjoining room; the room where Bella was sleeping.

I wondered if she was having a nightmare.

What should I do? Wake her up or wait for it to be over?

The shriek that followed the groan decided my course of action, and I tumbled out of bed and ran to her room, almost slipping on the rug outside the door.

In the soft glow of the night-light inside, I could see her restless figure. I stopped near her bed, unsure of the best thing to do.

"Tony, no!" she moaned, her words indistinct but her tone fearful.

I sat down beside her and took her good hand in mine. "Bella? Please wake up. It's okay, it's just a dream."

"Jay…" she breathed, her eyelids fluttering slightly.

Who the hell was Jay?

I stroked her forehead, recalling my mother doing it when I wouldn't be feeling well. It always soothed me, and I hoped it would help Bella as well.

She made a humming sound and turned her face to me. I wondered if she was going to open her eyes. She would probably freak out when she saw me sitting right there, most likely thinking I was a creep who liked to watch girls while they were asleep.

In any case, she seemed to have calmed down, so I let go of her hand and stood up. Hoping she wouldn't have any more disturbing dreams, I slinked back to my room and fell on my bed.

-/-/-/-

In the morning, Bella seemed all right, if a little quiet. I wondered if she remembered her dream, but I could hardly ask her, could I?

I did mention to Esme when I had a chance to speak with her in private that I had heard Bella scream in her sleep. She sighed and said that she would try to book an appointment for Bella to see a therapist as soon as possible.

"Oh, by the way, would you like to go to Harry's for breakfast?" she asked me hopefully. "I really don't feel like cooking today, and I am rather craving their apple cinnamon pancakes. You like the food there, right?"

I smiled. "I do. If Bella is not uncomfortable going out, it's okay with me. But I must leave for Seattle afterward. I left my apartment a mess when we went to Chicago, and I have to go to work tomorrow."

When Esme asked Bella, she said she could manage an outing. It would be a nice change too.

I stowed my suitcase in the rental and helped Bella into the passenger seat. Carlisle and Esme followed in their Mercedes, and we set out to Harry's.


A.N. Thank you for reading!

Did you catch the part about being a creep and watching girls while they slept? :P