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Chapter 7

I've been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life
and now I found ya
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I'm fallin' for you

Falling for you – Colbie Cailait

I felt a rocking sensation, like I was on a boat. The thing was though, I couldn't remember boarding one. I could hear any water either. From past experiences, whenever you were near water, you were generally cold, unless you were in the Caribbean or some place. But I was far from cold, I was warm and snug. My eyes felt heavy, too heavy to pry my eyelids open. It was like they were glued shut.

What the hell did I do last night?

And that's when it all came flying back. I was having a pre-baby night out under Alice's orders. I let out a groan, knowing I had probably had way more to drink that I should have, considering how I was feeling. The rocking sensation didn't seem to be letting up, and if I was being honest, it was doing very little for my stomach right now.

Slowly I forced one eye open, shocked that I didn't recognise any of my surroundings. I was laid what looked like diagonally across a king size bed, white cotton sheets were draped over me, keeping me warm. I definitely wasn't at home. Was I at Alice's? Em and Rose'? Either were quite probable considering no-one knew my address, well no-one except Edward.

The room was still relatively dark, but I could make out a bedside cabinet with a lamp on top, and what looked like a glass of water. I reached over and flipped the switch, being temporarily blinded by the mellow light that illuminated the magnolia coloured room. The glass was water, and beside it were two white pills, I now recognised as my good friend Tylenol. Silently thanking whomever it was that thought to leave me some, I made a grab for them, tossing them to the back of my throat before downing some of the water.

Flopping back onto the bed, I began trying to remember where I was. What I had done that night? No doubt with the copious amount of alcohol I had clearly consumed, I had done some rather embarrassing things. Oh God, please don't let Edward have witnessed anything too bad.

I sat up to take another drink and noticed a t-shirt laid beside me. It was a navy, Washington Capitals t-shirt. It would be ten times more comfortable than the dress. I reached around and unzipped my dress, before pulling the t-shirt on over my head and shimmying the dress down my thighs. Next I unhooked my strapless bra and pulled it out from under the t-shirt and went to drop both on the floor beside the bed.

Edward, was laid beside the bed!

He looked peaceful, but oddly uncomfortable. Which wasn't surprising since he was sleeping on the floor. His coppery bronze hair was mussed up from sleep. His ruby lips were pouted slightly, so kissable.

Of all the dreams I had, had over the past month of our first night together, none had ever included Edward sleeping on the floor. They usually all included us falling asleep tangled in each others limbs after several hours of love making. That's all they were though, dreams. Nothing could happen between us now.

I did begin to wonder though, exactly why he was sleeping on the floor, beside my bed. Surely the couch would have been more comfortable. Unless there was someone already on it. But again, why the room I was staying in? I did feel guilty though, here I was, laid in a very plush bed, whilst he was on the hard floor.

I knew I had to make a decision, but I was too tired, and my mind was too foggy to think clearly about anything. I would probably regret this in the morning, but at least if anything went wrong, I could blame it on the alcohol.

"Edward." I clambered off the bed, and knelt by his side. "Edward!" I gave him a gentle shrug.

"Huh, wha... Bella, are you ok?" His voice was sexily gruff with sleep. "Bella?"

Wow, ok I so lost myself in his voice there for a second. If the man could make me lose it just by speaking to me, God help me if he actually touched me. Oh God, that thought was worse, just the idea of him touching me made my panties wet with want.

"Get in bed Edward." I whispered, forcing myself to remain focused.

"Bella, no I'm fine down here."

"No, no you're not. Please, there is more than enough room in the bed." I stood up and climbed back into the bed, shimmying over to the other side, leaving him plenty of room to climb in beside me. "Just keep your hands to yourself Cullen!" I playfully warned.

God I wished he wouldn't.

After what seemed a few seconds of contemplation, he threw his pillow back on the bed, and clambered up. He eyed me carefully, checking again to make sure. I nodded infinitesimally, before laying my head back down.

Once he settled, I couldn't resist but move closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. As though second nature to him, he lifted his arm and wrapped it around me, allowing my head to rest comfortably in the crook of his arm. My arm rested across his toned stomach as his free arm fell on top of my hand. It all felt so right, so easy. As though we had been doing this for years.

"Edward?" I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Where the hell are we?"

"My place." He answered with a chuckle.

It was all I needed to know in that moment. My mind couldn't seem to process any more than I was with Edward, in his apartment. I should probably be freaked out, or at least curious, but I just didn't have the energy to care. Besides how could I care when I was currently laid beside a Greek God.

I felt him kiss my forehead goodnight. It was one of the most innocent acts, yet there was an underlying current of sexiness to it. Lifting my head to look at him, I was met by his dazzling green orbs, that seemed darker somehow. They were smouldering. Aching with want. With need. It was as though he was replicating my unspoken feelings for him, visually.

"Bella." He whispered.

Inching closer to each other, his ruby lips brushed so softly against my own. It was a feather-light touch, but so full of emotion. It was so much more than that first night. When that night had been predominantly about lust, this was love.

Our kisses became stronger, sensual. He sucked my upper lip between his, nipping and tasting me. I felt the butterflies in my stomach start to flutter, knowing where this was headed, but this time there was nothing in the way to stop us.

I twisted my body so it was more facing him, I clutched his t-shirt in my fist, hoisting myself further up. His hands captured my hips, pulling me closer still. My skin tingling all over from his touch. I moaned as his kisses left my lips, trailing down my jaw and neck to my collarbone. My hands ran through his unruly locks, gripping his hair with my need.

"Oh God Edward." I groaned when he found the sweet spot just above my bone, and began nibbling on it.

Satisfied he had made my skin pimple, he pulled away but quickly sought out my lips, hungry for more. I needed to take some of the control back, and quickly, otherwise I never would. He was too damn good at making me come undone for my own good.

I quickly worked myself into his lap, straddling his hips as I bent down continuing his kiss. I licked his lower lip, asking silently for entrance, of which he immediately granted. His tongue duelled mine, his taste meshing with my own. He tasted of beer, and something that was purely Edward. He tasted to me what a Sunday roast would taste like to a man who had been lost in the desert for weeks on end.

As satisfying as kissing him was, I needed more, wanted more. Running my hands down his toned chest and abs. Yeah he definitely works out. I found the hem of his t-shirt and began lifting it up, finally pulling away to get it over his head. My breath caught in my throat as I saw him fully. He had a well defined chest, lowering onto his six pack, and the 'v' that was like a map, leading me to my treasure. I involuntarily licked my lips at the thought of his hidden loot.

"See something you like?" He asked, his velvet voice capturing my attention. He had a small smirk playing on his lips, his eyes though were filled with desire.

"Oh yeah." I agreed, leaning back in as I trailed chaste kisses down his forehead and nose before capturing his lips with my own.

My hands wandered from his shoulders downwards, feeling my way, committing the way he felt to memory. He felt as good as he looked, as I traced the plains of his chest and abs. It was only when I dipped even lower, tracing his 'v' that I heard him let him out a low, guttural growl.

I felt myself being flung backward on the bed, as he hovered over me. His eyes were impossibly darker, fuelled with fire. He looked crazed with lust, as though at any second he was going to rip my clothes off and rock my world.

"My turn!" He growled.

Inch by inch, he lifted my t-shirt up, exposing my black lace panties, my flat stomach, and the under curve of my breasts. I shivered in anticipation. He seemed to drag the inevitable out, placing lazy kisses over the already exposed skin. Always staying clear of the areas I wanted him most. I squeezed my thighs together trying my hardest to douse my need for him, squirming slightly under his touch.

"Patience my love." He chuckled.

My line of patience was growing thinner by the second, and he knew it. He was playing me better than Beethoven ever played any of his symphony's, or so it seemed to me. I sucked in a breath when his fingers ghosted beneath my breasts, following the curve. I lifted my arms above me, prepared for when he finally decided to rid me of the t-shirt.

"So beautiful." He whispered in my ear, planting a small kiss just beneath my lobe as he finally began pulling the shirt off.

I opened my eyes to see him sat above me, staring at me from hooded lids. I felt my blush, my ever irritating, spoil the moment blush, creep up my neck, covering my cheeks in pink. Hopefully he wouldn't notice so much with the lack of light in the room.

"Exquisite." He sounded breathless.

He captured my lips with his own in a searing kiss, before licking and nibbling down my chin, neck and chest. I couldn't help but arch my back, dying for his touch. He grinned against my skin.

"Edward, please." I begged.

"Please what baby?" Even his voice was affecting me now.

"Touch me." I moaned.

Realizing he was pushing me to my limits, he kissed my chest, before finally licking his way to my left breast. He teased and tugged at the nipple until it was a hard bud. He uttered words such as gorgeous and perfect against my skin, constantly showering my rosy peak with attention, before moving onto my right breast, giving both equal amount of attention.

With the butterflies having turned to a hot fire, I needed more. More than oxygen, more than food or water. I just needed to feel him. I rocked my hips against him, desperate for some kind of friction, anything that could my desire within.

"A little eager aren't we my love." That damn smirk came out to play again. If it didn't make me so wet, I'd slap it straight off his face.

"Edward, I... need... ungh... more." I moaned.

My pleading did nothing to speed him up, if anything he seemed determined to push me to my utmost limits. Even I wasn't sure what my limits were, no-one had ever cared to take this amount of time to bring me to such a pitch.

He finished showering my breasts with attention, and left a trail of wet, open mouth kisses, straight back up to my swollen lips. I could feel how hard he was through his sweats, the bulge rubbing against me creating that much needed friction. He rolled his hips against mine, two maybe three times before pulling away. I let out a whimper, wanting desperately for that feeling to return.

He began nipping his way down my chin, neck and chest again. Stopping momentarily to give each of my nipples a little tug and a kiss, before he finally began making his way down to the promise land. He kissed and nibbled at my stomach, trying once again to keep me at fever pitch. His fingers ghosted across my hips and along the hem of my panties teasingly. He pushed them down mere centimetres as he began kissing along my hip bones and just above my panties.

"Edward." I whimpered.

He pushed my panties a little further, looking up at me from under his lashes, that irritating yet gorgeous smirk smiling up at me. His fingers deftly ran just under the elastic, tempting me further.

"Bella!"

His voice was clearly, there was no seduction present. I lifted my head to look at him. He was staring straight back, his smirk still present.

"Bella!" He spoke again, though his lips didn't move.

I tore open my eyes and let out a groan. The room was brighter than I last remembered. Sunlight streaming through the windows, since neither of us had closed the drapes the night previous. I closed my eyes tightly, desperately wishing I could just fall back to sleep and wake up sometime much later when reality wasn't as harsh. My head was pounding and her stomach was flipping. A completely different feeling to only mere moments ago when Edward...

"Oh God!" I groaned.

I had a sex dream about Edward! And it wasn't just a sex dream, it was like the best sex dream ever, and we hadn't even gotten to the good stuff! How could I ever look at him again without being reminded of how talented his mouth was. I was in trouble, like serious trouble. If it wasn't already hard enough to be around him as it was, I had now single handedly made it worse for myself.

"Bella?"

Oh no! He was still in here with me. I needed to think, and quickly. This could become very awkward, very fast.

"Are you ok, you were kind of whimpering?" He sounded unsure of the noises I had been making.

I wished the ground could just swallow me whole. I knew I had a habit of talking in my sleep, which also was intensified when drunk. Please God don't let him have heard anything other than my whimpers, since I was pretty sure I could pass those off as something else. Like headache, or stomach rolling. Yes, see an excuse fitting for my noises.

"I feel like death." I grumbled, pulling back away from him slightly and lifting my eyes slowly.

He had his arms around me. One under me, wrapped around my shoulders, and the other resting on my hip. This was not good at all. My mind immediately flashed to where his hands had been only mere minutes ago. I much preferred their position in my dream. Damn it I had to stop those thoughts.

I hadn't realized with my movement, my stomach protested even more. I could feel bile rising in my throat. With a speed that was completely unnatural for this time in a morning, and for as hungover as I was. I shot up quickly, and made a dash for one of the two doors on the opposite side of the room.

"That's the closet Bella." I heard Edward tell me.

I redirected myself, flying into his en-suite, making it to the toilet just in time for all the remaining alcohol I had consumed the night before to exit. I felt my hair being pulled back away from my face. I groaned again. I couldn't believe Edward, the sex God, Adonis incarnated was sat behind me, being so sweet, rubbing my back soothingly while holding my hair out of the way, watching me make friends with the porcelain bowl. How much more humiliating could this get.

"I am never drinking ever, ever again!" I announced as I reached up to flush, though he beat me to it.

"I don't think you'll have that problem for the next nine or so months."

Thank goodness for small mercies.

Edward helped me to my feet and back into the bed. I couldn't resist cuddling up to him. I was always clingy when I was ill, whether that be self inflicted or not.

We spoke a little, though mostly it was in whispers, my head was still pounding. It as like I had left it in the club with the heavy bass music. Edward filled me in on how I had ended up here, stating though he could have taken me home, he didn't want to raise suspicions with anyone as to how he knew my address, and the fact he knew I would be feeling pretty bad, and didn't want me to be alone. I found his admission rather sweet, and had to admit that I much preferred waking up here with him, than I would have on my own, quite probably to the banging noises of my water pipes.

I was disappointed that I couldn't remember most of the evening though. I wasn't completely surprised if I'm honest, especially since Alice had plied both myself and Rose some odd cocktails whilst we had been getting ready.

It had been nice getting ready with the girls though. Even if Alice was like a little Hitler. She was so demanding, expecting perfection. If that was one thing she had yet to learn about me, was that perfection I was not, nor would I ever be.

When she had pulled out the dress she had chosen for me, I was shocked. Whilst it was a gorgeous dress, I knew it would look out of place on me. It was short, too short for my liking. Knowing at some point during the night I was bound to trip or fall, I knew I would end up giving some poor, unsuspecting bystander a good flash of the goods. Alice wouldn't hear my refusal though, threatening that one way or another I was wearing it. I turned to Rose, hoping for some support. The only support I received was her advise to just go with what Alice said, since she never lost, and that she thought I would look amazing in it.

With a sigh of defeat I had pulled it on, over the black matching lace strapless bra and panty set. The dress fitted like a glove, it was a strapless jersey dress, with a panel of gems, modestly covering the upper curves of my breast. The ruched black material hugged every curve of my body, landing a little higher than mid thigh. I wouldn't go as far as saying it was comfortable, but it was neither uncomfortable. If anything the worst thing I felt was that I was exposing too much of my skin. I kept tugging it down gently, until Alice pointed out that every time I pulled it down I was revealing more of my cleavage. I knew it would take plenty of effort on my part to stop myself from pulling it down throughout the night.

I had thought my shock was over, until she brought out the black satin peep toe heels. The heel was about five inch high, which in my opinion was four and a half inch too high. I was sure I would end up breaking something. When I complained, Alice's only argument was to shut up, they made my legs look terrific and they were only really three and half inch high considering the platform was an inch and a half. Damn pixie.

I sat patiently waiting for Rose and Alice to finish, whilst continuing drinking the cocktails Alice had made up. I had no idea what she had put in them, but I certainly had a buzz going, which was fine by me. I would need to be close to drunk just to go out in this ridiculously short dress.

My confidence took a rather large hit when Rose walked out. Ever looking like a cat walk model, she was dressed in slimline, one shouldered blood red dress, that reached mid thigh. It was artfully knotted in the front, sculpted to the bodice, with side pleats at the waist giving the skirt a little added volume. She stood perfectly in a pair of matching red strappy sandals that easily stood five inches with just a one inch platform. She walked towards me as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Which it probably was if you had grace and equilibrium.

She sat beside me, picking up her own drink and downing it in one, before pouring herself another. She offered me another of which I declined. I might have wanted to keep my buzz, but I at least wanted to last through the first bar. I didn't have a high tolerance anyway, so no point in pushing myself to the limits too early.

I reached for my purse and began checking I had my cell, ID and enough cash to last me though the night. It was then that she told me, that she and Emmett were paying for my evening. I immediately blanched at the idea, I might be giving them invaluable gift, but I didn't need them to feel like they had to repay me. Having obviously seen my expression, she continued asking me to please allow it, it was the least they could do. I tried to accept as graciously as possible, I had never been very good at accepting gifts or even help from others. Always the independent one, my Dad liked to call me .

I was even more shocked when she announced that tonight would also be her last alcoholic night out, stating that since I was going to have abstain from certain things, she wanted to join me too. I found it extremely sweet but also unnecessary. I didn't tell her this however. She clearly wanted to be supportive and who was I to stop her.

It was at the point where she was giving me a hug, thanking me again for everything, that Alice chose to skip out of her bathroom. She looked ever the fashionista in her elegant pale purple dress. It was curve hugging with a sweetheart bodice and a twist and criss-crossed panelling that enhanced her shape. She looked beautiful. Beside her and Rose, I felt like Cinderella before the make-over.

Seeing our hug she jumped in with us, never one to be left out. After Rose told her, her plan to join me in my abstinence, Alice too decided to join in, since she didn't want to be left out, and as she stated, she wasn't going to be the only one drinking whenever we went out.

So with her decision, she began making another round of cocktails. She pranced her way to the kitchen in her ridiculously high five inch heeled, silver jewelled sandals. I could barely walk yet here she was, prancing.

We must have drunk another three or four cocktails as we waited for the cab to arrive. How I wished I could learn to say no to the damn pixie incarnate. I groaned remembering why I felt so ill. It was the damn cocktails mixed with everything else I had drunk last night.

"Bella? You ok, you kind of zoned out on me there!" Edward's voice broke my thoughts.

"I hate your Sister." I mumbled.

"Cocktails while you were getting ready by any chance?" He asked humorously. I let out another groan in response.

I fought through the fog in my brain trying to remember as much of the previous nights activities as possible. I remembered the drinking of numerous cocktails, arriving at the bar and seeing Edward dressed in a pair of low riding jeans and black button down shirt with a white wife beater underneath. He looked like sex on legs.

I remembered bumping into Seth. I knew he lived somewhere here in Seattle, with his partner, but I hadn't really spoken to him much in the last few months since coming to live here. So imagine my surprise when the bartender from the night I met both Emmett and Edward, turned out to be Seth's partner. It's a small world.

Having a little reminisce with Seth was nice, and finding out how close he was to Cullen's was a small shock. Sure we had never been best friends, if anything we spent as much time together as we did because we were the youngest, and until my Dad and his Uncle Billy deemed us old enough to be left behind when they went fishing and such, we were always pushed together.

Before High School I probably would have classed him as one of my closest friends, but as with most friendships started from young, we simply drifted apart. He spent his time with a pack of boys from LaPush doing ridiculous things like cliff diving and riding motorcycles, whilst I spent much of my time reading and listening to music, with the occasional... ok regular party thrown in for good measure.

We had always kept in touch though, however infrequent. It was rather hard not to when your parents were as close as ours were. Mostly I just kept in touch with his older sister Leah. We had never been particularly close, up until a few years ago when I had returned from college for a few days. That and the fact we both liked to gossip about our parents then secret relationship. Neither of us spoke much about our family and friends in the emails, it was mainly about the current going's on in our lives. Leah's emails were always so full of adventure as she chased one dream after the next. Or as Seth put it, one guy after the next.

Then I remembered James.

Ugh I thought I had seen the last of him eighteen months ago. It was just my luck that he'd find some way to walk back into it. And in front of the Cullen's too. God I just had to let him goad me didn't I. Singing back to him was probably one of the worst things I could have done, I should have just let sleeping dogs lie and left the bar. But getting into a fight with him, including the Cullen's, Seth and Alec had just made things ten times worse.

"I'm really sorry about everything last night." I sat up, apologizing, though I couldn't bring myself to look at Edward.

I had split his lip somehow in the struggle, and I felt awful. Not only had he fought James off me, but I had to go and damage him further. What a lovely way to thank him.

"Bella, please stop worrying about it. I would, in fact we all would, do the same thing again, just to keep you safe." He told me, sitting up beside me. "You do need to tell us about everything though. He doesn't strike me a someone who will just take this lying down. And I know there's more to it than just a bad break up."

I could do nothing more than just nod simply. I remember promising everyone I would tell them everything, and after dragging them into my mess, they deserved to know. Especially Rose and Em. There would be no-way I would ever let James hurt them or the baby I would carry for them, but they deserved to know what risks there were.

"Hows you lip?" I murmured.

"It's fine, it looks better than what your cheek does." he replied, his voice sounding angry, as he ran the middle knuckle of his index finger of my cheek bone.

I involuntarily let out a hiss of pain. I hadn't noticed the gentle throbbing of my cheek over the heavy throbbing of my head. It was tender to the touch, even Edward's soft caress. Chancing a glance at Edward, he looked angry yet pained. Was he angry at me for cutting his lip, or bringing James into his life. I wouldn't blame him, not in the slightest. I was currently angry at myself for both of those reasons too.

"I don't think you've broken anything, but if the pain and swelling doesn't ease up after some pain killers and ice, we'll take you to the ER to be sure." His voice had taken on a soft quality.

I was thrown, only two seconds ago he looked angry, and now he was talking to me softly, caring. I couldn't figure out what was behind his mood swings.

"I'll be fine, I've had worse." I forced a small smile, hoping to appease his worry.

"Bella, has..."

"Knock knock!" Alice sang cheerfully as she opened the door, peeking round.

See didn't seem surprised in the least that we were both sat together in bed. I blushed a furious red just thinking that she thought we had gotten up to anything other than sleeping. She had a twinkle in her eye as she winked slyly at I presumed Edward, causing me to turn an even brighter shade.

"Good morning, c'mon you two, up you get, breakfast is nearly ready!" She told us, then quickly disappeared.

"Ugh." I groaned loudly, flopping back on the bed. "I now really, really hate your Sister!" I announced.

Ten minutes later after borrowing a pair of sweat pants from Edward, having to roll the waist band over a few times to keep them up, and so as not to walk on the legs, I meandered down the small hallway, hoping I was headed in the right direction since Edward hadn't really given me the grand tour before he headed for a shower. When I came to the end of the hall I came into the nicest room I had ever seen. I walked further into it, admiring the room with awe.

It was modernly decorated, in a minimalist sort of way, but not so that it made the room feel cold and hard. On the far wall there were three tan coloured sofa's and two cream footstools surrounding a dark mahogany coffee table. In the middle of the room stood a large chimney, covered in dark oak slats of wood. A fire was lit in the bottom, and a large plasma screen was hanging on the upper part of the chimney breast. Closest to the door I had come through that stood a dining room table and eight chairs.

I hadn't noticed to my right as I had come from the hallway was an open plan kitchen. It was decorated in the same wood effect as the living and dining room, with a marble top serving as the counter and breakfast bar. All the appliances were stainless steel, top of the range. It wasn't too small and it definitely wasn't big enough to get lost in. it seemed perfectly fitting.

Jasper was stood with his back to me, cooking over the medium stove. He seemed completely content to be stood there in the peaceful quiet. I began to wonder how often he got the quietness with Alice around. Not wanting to startle him when he turned around, I croaked out a good morning to him. He turned and smiled at me, before telling me to sit down.

"Good morning Bella!" Alice practically screeched as she entered the room, jumping up and kissing my cheek lightly.

"Alice if you like me at all, you will at least pretend to be hungover." I mumbled, resting my weary head in my hands.

"Feeling a bit rough this morning Bella?" Jasper asked, though there was no sense of humour in his voice.

"Rough does not cover it." I answered grimly.

"Wasn't last night such fun, we totally have to do it again soon." Alice didn't seem aware of how loud she was. Or maybe it was me.

"Ali, Darlin' I love you, but some of us take longer to recover than you, so please, I beg you, take it down a notch." Jasper winced at the volume of his fiancée.

"Oops, sorry." She smiled apologetically at us both.

She busied herself getting me some water and Tylenol as Jasper finished cooking. The smells wafting my way weren't particularly helping the now queasy feeling in my stomach, but I was hoping it would pass once the Tylenol started working, and once the food actually got in my stomach and soaked the remainder of alcohol up.

Unfortunately my stomach had other plans, the moment I bit into the eggs, my stomach clenched, and I could feel bile rising again. Jumping off my chair with a balance I never knew I possessed, I ran back towards the hall. All the doors were shut, and I knew I didn't have time to search each for the bathroom.

Hoping Edward had finished his shower, I dashed back towards the room I had spent the night. Much to my utmost horror, the moment I reached the bathroom door, it swung open, revealing Edward, clad only in a towel, wrapped low on his hips, water droplets dripping from his hair which he was drying with a hand towel, and cascading down his naked chest.

At any other time I would have blushed furiously, and ogled him, but now I was far more concerned at not throwing up all over him. I barged rudely past him, landing on my knees harshly as I retched into the porcelain bowl. Yet again humiliated by the fact Edward so sweetly was there rubbing soothing circles on my back and holding my hair for me.

"Sorry." I croaked out. "I didn't know where the other bathroom was."

"It's fine. Feel better?" He asked softly.

In response to his question, my stomach clenched again, forcing even more bile up my throat. Right now I felt utterly disgusting. I had a slight sheen of perspiration on my face from all the heaving. I felt truly like death warmed up. I was oddly pleased I wouldn't be able to drink again for at least another nine months. But then this whole being sick, was going to become a regular thing for me.

"Here," Edward offered me a glass of water of which I sipped at. "You ready to get up?"

"I think... I think I'll just sit here for a few minutes to be sure." I replied, turning to look at him slightly.

Oh dear God he was still in just his towel. I knew if I reached out towards him and flicked my wrist, that the towel would immediately drop. Memories of my dream last night came to fruition, and I was suddenly turning beet red. Oh if only the towel would come loose. Even through the pain of being hungover I was becoming very horny, very fast.

"You... you can go... I'll be... be fine." I managed to stutter out, tearing my eyes away.

"Ok, I'll just go... get dressed. I'll be right back." He told me, passing me a wet clothe before planting a gentle kiss of my forehead and disappearing .

He reappeared minutes later dressed in another pair of low hung jeans and a t-shirt. God he looked hot. He didn't say anything to me, just leant over and picked me up in his arms. If I hadn't felt as ill as I did, I probably would have protested, I say probably because I wasn't so sure I didn't enjoy being in his arms. Who wouldn't want to be in Mr. GQ's arms.

He put me down on the bed, before going back to the bathroom and getting me a fresh wash clothe. He sat beside me on the bed, allowing me to cuddle up to him again. He gingerly wiped my face, being careful to avoid my swollen cheek. He was being so attentive, I struggled to keep my mind in the current situation and not return to my dream.

I was confused by the whole thing if I'm honest. I had never had such a vivid dream of that kind, and certainly not one about someone I knew. Usually they had just been fantasy type dreams, you know like Brad Pitt declaring his undying love after rescuing me from some form of bad guys or that really hot actor Robert Pattinson turning all vampire on me, biting my neck and telling me he'd love me forever. Yeah nothing at all like my dream last night.

Sure it wasn't hard to believe that Edward could be the leading man of my dreams. He was handsome, charming, a perfect gentleman. What I couldn't figure out was why I had associated myself as his leading lady. Sure I liked him, liked him enough to have a one night stand with him, liked him enough to have him on my mind for the month between our meetings. But liked him enough to have a sex dream about him? It was probable, but now I just felt awkward around him. Like he could tell I was thinking of him naked.

I couldn't allow this... this thing to go any further. It was already complicated enough considering our near miss of a one night stand, and now I was going to carry his Brother's baby. I had vowed when I had originally put my name on the surrogates list, that whenever or if ever I got picked, I was willing to put my life on semi hold for nine months. But now I wasn't so sure. Having Edward involved was going to make this more difficult.

The Cullen's were a close family. Rosalie had already warned me that they wanted to be as involved with the pregnancy as I would allow, and they wanted to spend as much time with me as possible, the only catch was, they wanted me to get to know their family too. Which wasn't a problem per say, the Cullen's were such a lovely family. I just didn't want to make my walking away at the end any harder.

"Bella?" Alice's voice whispered. "Here's some more Tylenol since you probably threw up the last lot you took."

She was being so sweet. She tiptoed her way over to the bed and passed Edward the glass of water and tablets, before telling me that Rose and Emmett were on their way and Rose was going to bring us both some clothes. I felt like telling her not to bother, Rose's clothes would be practically skin tight on me, and I was more than comfortable in Edward's clothes, breathing in his musky pine scent.

"You might feel better after a shower baby." Edward spoke softly as he ran his fingers soothingly over my scalp.

I nodded my head pathetically. I wanted a shower to at least freshen up, but I also didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. Who knew when I could be back in them again. I was such a masochist, I wanted him, but couldn't have him, so in the mean time, I'll just allow myself to get closer to him. Yeah real good plan there.

Edward disappeared momentarily to start the shower for me, only returning to let me know it was ready. He excused himself to give me some privacy, though not before telling me he had left whatever toiletries I might need on the bathroom counter.

In my earlier visits to his bathroom, I hadn't taken notice to how large it was. As soon as you walked through the door, the sink was in front of you, a square ceramic sink sunk into the marble that was in similar colour the that of the kitchen. A large mirror hung above it, making the room feel much bigger and open. Directly to the right of the sink was a huge bath. I was insanely jealous. The space of my small apartment didn't allow for a bath so I had to make do with the shower cubicle instead. Above the bath were two windows that gave an absolutely gorgeous view of Seattle. I just hoped it was one way glass. To the left was a huge shower cubicle with frosted glass, that had already steamed up from the heat of the shower. And beyond that laid my new best friend, the toilet. I was still unsure how comfortable I was stripping with the large windows right there. What if they weren't one way?

"Edward?" I called, almost immediately hearing him call back. "The windows..."

"Don't worry Bella, it's one way glass, no-one will see you." He called back, laughter evident in his voice.

Quickly stripping out of my clothes, I climbed carefully into the shower. Falling was not an option today. I may have gotten to know Edward on a much more intimate level last night in my sleep, but I was certainly not ready for him to become more intimate with me.

The spray relaxed my muscles, it was heavenly. I could have stayed under there all day. But after washing my hair and body, the water unfortunately started going cold. It had thankfully though revived me somewhat, and I was feeling much more human. My headache was beginning to cease, and my stomach seemed to have settled.

I wrapped myself up in a huge, fluffy bath towel. It was so soft against my skin I was tempted to ask Edward what detergent he used. It probably wasn't the detergent though. The towels alone looked as though they cost the same as my weekly grocery bill.

Peeking my head out of the door, I found the room empty, though a small pile of clothes were laid on the bed. I tiptoed over to them, feeling almost as though I was doing something wrong just by being on my own in the room. There were a pair of jeans and a plain white camisole laid with a pair of panties. Rose.

I dressed quickly, finding the jeans fitted snugly, but not too tight that they were uncomfortable. Though once fully dressed, I returned to the bathroom and collected the clothes I had been wearing earlier. I slipped the t-shirt back on since the camisole was just a little too revealing for my liking even with my bra from last night on. Plus I wanted an excuse to keep Edward's t-shirt since it smelt like him.

I sat on the edge of the bed, knowing what was waiting for me on the other side of the door. The whole family would be sat out there, wanting to hear my explanation for everything regarding James. I knew they needed to know, they had a right to know, but it didn't make telling them any easier. James was a sore point in my life, and it wasn't a time in my life I was particularly proud of the way I handled things.

The thing that scared me the most was Seth. He knew part of what happened with James, since my Dad knew part of it, and had obviously told Sue, who had told Seth. I could remember the day he had found out, and called asking if I needed him to come down to Phoenix and kick some ass, since the one person who would usually do it for me without even asking, was currently indisposed. Seth and quite probably Alec knew how the two events linked in my life, but whilst I was willing to share one, I wasn't quite ready to share the other.

Just as I was building the courage up, there was a tentative knock on the door. I called for whoever it was to come in, surprised to find it was Emmett. He asked if I was feeling better, of which I shrugged before nodding slightly. He sat beside me before wrapping his arm protectively around my shoulders and rubbing my upper arm.

"You know we just want to help you right. We don't want him to have any opportunity to hurt you." His voice was quiet, much quieter than I had ever heard him talk before. There was none of his usual cheeriness present.

"I know." I nodded. "I just don't want any of you to hate me." I admitted sadly.

"Why, why would we ever hate you?" He sounded confused.

"For dragging you into this mess. For the things I did. For not being stronger. For letting him do the things he did... I don't know." I could feel the tears building up and I fought to keep them to myself.

He didn't say another word, he just pulled me into him tighter, wrapping his other arm around me, making me feel safe, cared for and loved.

Hmm I wonder what happened. I know this chapter was pretty boring, not much happening, but I wanted to get a bit of Edward and Bella in there, as well as describe events, objects and clothes a little better, since I always seem to suck at doing this. I also wanted to give you all a little lemony goodness, without taking it too far too early. I gotta say, I'm pretty damn proud of the semi lemon in this chapter, I'm usually so bad at writing them that I give in. So yay me lol. An yways please, please review for me. It does make all the difference. Thank you in advance :D