Stockholm Syndrome BPOV Chapter 8 – Unexpected Responses
Previously:
I had finished dinner one evening and then headed down the stairs instead of up them. It was the one part of the house that I hadn't been in yet. Rose had taken me on a complete tour of the house the week before but had avoided Edward's room. Well, I was going to see it now.
I reached the bottom of the stairs and turned on the light and was shocked at what I saw before me…
I was everywhere around the room, not me specifically, but pictures of me. It was me all over the Cullen's house and just pictures of my face. What bothered me was that the pictures were more beautiful than I could ever imagine being. Did he really see me this way?
I looked around and took in the room. There was a black leather couch and a simple twin size bed. Most of the room was filled with extensive stereo equipment, and shelves upon shelves of music selections and books galore. I spied quite a few titles that I loved dearly and was shocked that such a malignant thing could appreciate classics like Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility.
I turned around and noticed a sketch book on the bed so I walked over and picked it up before leafing through it. I was shocked to see more pictures of me, and a few of him and me. The last one in the book called to me and I didn't know why. It was a picture of us in the kitchen and there was food on the bar. He was smiling at me and I was looking back at him with a smile of my own. I couldn't ever remember this happening.
At first I would have automatically said that I would never smile at the vulture. But, after the last week's dreams, I was beginning to think otherwise. I was actually looking forward to seeing him again, even if it was to just fight. What did that say?
I must be going crazy but I did know one thing, I didn't want to get caught down here now so I quickly ripped out the picture of us and folded it up. As I turned around to leave I stuck it in my back pocket then almost screamed out loud. There stood Alice at the bottom of the stairs, her arms crossed, and she was almost glaring at me.
"What are you doing down here?" Alice asked me.
"Just looking around," I said quickly.
"Don't lie to me Bella. You were looking for Edward."
I instinctively blushed at being caught.
"Look, I know you want to confront him, I would too if I were you. But, this isn't the way to go about talking to him."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said defensively as I tried to walk past her and up the stairs but she caught me by my elbow and stopped me.
"Bella, I know you want to talk to him but this isn't the way. Trust me. Edward doesn't take too well to people being in his space and if you want to talk to him you need to do it another way. This way will only set him off."
"Well good!" I shouted before I realized what I was saying. "I mean, he deserves it after how he treated me and since he is the reason I'm stuck here!"
"You know, he's sorry about it," Alice said softly.
"Huh?" was my brilliant response.
"He's sorry that you're stuck here. He won't admit it out loud but I know."
"You mean that animal actually has feelings?" I growled out. Alice was beginning to piss me off being cryptic like she was.
"He hasn't always been like he is. He used to be…nice, if you can believe it."
"Yeah, like the spawn of Satan was ever nice."
"He really was, but if you want to hear more about it, then we have to head upstairs."
Damn! She was good at the baiting. Of course I wanted to know more. I heaved a heavy sigh and motioned for her to lead the way.
We ended up in my room sitting on opposite ends of the bed. I sat there waiting for her to begin but Alice seemed all about the dramatics. Finally she looked up at me and smiled, then started.
"I can't tell you all of it because it isn't my story to tell but I can tell you that it happened over fifty years ago. Edward and Carlisle were working together at a hospital and there was a woman involved. Edward was hurt and he took revenge only to be hurt more. Ever since then, Edward hasn't been the same. He's dark and hateful and spiteful. He used to be nice and compassionate and almost human."
"Well, wasn't he human at some point?" I asked then felt stupid for asking the question.
"Of course he was, we all were. But even after Edward was changed into a vampire, he stayed the most humane of us all. He has a way into people's minds and has always been able to see the true human nature because of it and it made him more understanding in a way. But he was also funny and sensitive and just a joy to be around."
"Well, he needs to get over it then. Fifty years is a long time to hold a grudge."
"It isn't that he's holding a grudge. When something affects a vampire deeply, the way that the incident affected Edward, then we are changed almost permanently. It takes something equally as great or greater to change us again."
"Oh…" I said yet I really didn't get it. Why couldn't he just get over it?
"Well anyways, that's all I can say about it but I can help you out, if you want that is."
"Ummm, I guess even though I don't really know what we're talking about now."
"Silly Bella! We're talking about you talking to Edward."
"Oh ok."
"Give me nine days ok? Then I promise that you will get to talk to Edward and he will sit there and listen. Maybe he'll even surprise you."
"How so?" What was he going to do? Try to eat me again?
"Just trust me Bella. You and he will have time to talk to each other without everyone else getting in the way. But I won't be far so if things get out of hand I'll kick his ass for you."
I burst out laughing at the mental image of tiny little Alice taking on Edward. I would pay money to see that! Alice looked at me funny for a moment then shrugged her shoulders and got up off the bed before heading to the door.
I got my laughter under control quickly because there was one more thing I wanted to talk to her about.
"Oh Alice," I said quickly before she left the room.
"Yeah Bella?"
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"For what?" she asked, a slightly puzzled look on her face.
"For saving my life. Rose told me."
"Oh that! Any time Bella. Well, not really any time because I do have to say you taste divine and I don't want to be tempted again. But, if you really needed it, I wouldn't hesitate."
I didn't know what to say. She thought I tasted good? That was creepy.
"Um, well, thanks," I said and she smiled at me before leaving the room.
It was getting late so I decided to take a hot shower to wash away the day and the mental images then head to bed. I was greeted with more semi erotic dreams of Edward and me. I almost didn't want to wake up from them but had to eventually.
** SS BPOV **
The next nine days passed slowly as I anticipated confronting Edward. He still avoided me during the day. I assumed he was continuing with school since it was only March. I wondered idly what I would have been studying and if I would have made any friends by this point.
But thinking about that made me also think of Charlie, something I tried not to do because it hurt so much. I wondered if he was still looking for me or if he had given up by now. I had been gone about six weeks already. How much longer would he look if he hadn't given up yet? I also wondered about my mom. She didn't take things as well as Charlie or me. I wondered what he had told her about my disappearance.
I didn't get to think about them for too long because Alice knocked at my bedroom door and bounced in to let me know that I would get to talk to Edward tonight. That made my stomach flit with butterflies. Why was I so nervous about it? I wanted this…right?
I decided to take a long bath to relax my nerves and mind. I ended up being in there longer than I had intended. When I got out I blow-dried my hair then went out into my room to find a pair of navy blue velour pants and a long sleeve white v-neck shirt. I put them on along with my daily adornment of the ankle brace then opened my bedroom door.
The smell that greeted me made my mouth water…mushroom ravioli! It was my favorite! Did someone go get some for me? I didn't think anyone in the house cooked since they didn't eat 'human food.' I descended the stairs and sniffed the air. The scent was even more potent down here and it was coming from the kitchen.
I headed into the kitchen and was shocked to find Edward standing in the kitchen alone in front of a meal of mushroom ravioli, garlic bread, and a salad. What shocked me even more was the scene before me was very familiar. It was almost exactly like the picture that Edward had drawn. It was even correct down to his attire, dark distressed jeans and a vintage t-shirt.
I didn't know what to say. The only thing missing was me sitting down and us smiling at each other. He stood there looking at me and I decided to break the silence first.
"Ummm, I smelled something cooking," I said as I twisted my fingers together.
"Hi, I uh made you dinner," Edward said as he gestured toward the food on the bar.
"You made me dinner?" I asked. Why would he cook me dinner? And did he even know how to cook?
"Yeah, to apologize for my behavior the last time we saw each other. I'm sorry Bella."
"Oh…" I trailed off, surprised at his response. "Um, yeah, I'm sorry too."
"Don't, don't apologize. This is entirely my fault."
"You got that right," I said in a snippy tone but I looked up with a shy smile on my face. I was a bit embarrassed at my verbal assault on him when he seemed like he was trying to be nice. Edward looked back at me and smiled.
I slowly moved forward and sat down in front of the food. I looked at it all and smelled it before carefully picking up a fork and spearing one of the ravioli.
"You didn't poison this did you?" I asked with a serious expression.
Edward looked shocked and in horror at the accusation and I immediately felt ashamed at the statement. But, Edward soon broke a smile out which made me start to giggle, and then he was joining me in the laughter. I realized that the scene from the picture was finally complete.
However, it didn't freak me out. Instead, I was almost comforted by the thought. Edward had apparently seen this and it was happening. And he was actually being, dare I say, nice! He made sure that the food was ready for me and offered me seconds when I finished what he had dished up. I had to turn them down because I was stuffed but the food had been amazing. I was shocked that he could cook that well.
"Bella," Edward said as I had finished up the slice of strawberry cheesecake he had produced for dessert.
"Yes?" I replied.
"I really am sorry about everything. I mean it. I'm horrible for being the cause of it and I wish I could go back and change it all so I would have never taken you away from everything you knew."
I was stunned. Edward wanted to take it all back? I didn't know what to say to him so I settled for thanks.
"Thank you Edward."
I stood up, not even wanting to confront him now. He had beat me to it and apologized. I just wanted to turn in for the night and mull it all over. But before I could leave the kitchen he was standing behind me, gently grasping my elbow.
I spun around and was stunned at the close proximity of us. He was just inches from me and the magnetic draw that had been playing with me all night intensified. I could smell him too, that sweet scent that was like manna from heaven.
"Yes?" I breathed out softly.
"Would you join me for dinner tomorrow night?" he asked in a whisper soft voice as I stared into his eyes.
For the first time I saw how liquid like they were. They were also the color of warm butterscotch which complimented his sweet scent even more. I leaned in instinctively to breathe in more of him.
"Well?" he asked again since I hadn't responded.
"Ummm, yes?" I replied. Did I just answer his question with a question?
"Great, I'll see you at 7:00pm," he said then stepped backwards breaking the hypnotic like trance I had just been in.
Still in a daze, I left the kitchen and headed upstairs to my bed and to some very erotic dreams of Edward.
