Hi Everyone!
I am so sorry that it has taken me a week to pulish this chapter! I have had a terrible week and i hope it is going to get better (well it couldnt be worse)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy! As always please read and review. And dont be concerned over the lack of action, we will get started with that in the next chapter!
Bella's POV
"You know Alice, I appreciate you helping me in the shower, but was there really a need to buy me new pajamas and a new bikini?"
"Bella, Bella, Bella, here I was thinking that you knew me well. And those are not pajamas!" She playfully growled at me as she helped step into the shower.
"Alice, I'm sure I can manage standing up in the shower for a couple minutes." As I stepped into the shower my legs wobbled a little and Alice reached out to hold me steady.
"Actually Bella, you wouldn't be." I turned towards her with a questioning look on my face and she tapped her temple, I held back a chuckle and a groan as I realized that she had seen me falling in the shower. "And a new Bikini was definitely in order; the one from the last time I had to help you shower was awkward because of the skirt bottoms to fit over the cast."
I cringed mentally at the thought of Alice lifting me up into the shower after my encounter with James. "Just consider this one… the Bella has the flu bikini." I smiled; I guess it was a lot less embarrassing than being naked.
Alice quickly washed my hair and held me steady as the warm water heated my entire body. I didn't want to get out but I knew that my legs only had a little more energy left and I didn't want to pass out in the shower. Before I even had the chance to say I was ready to get out Alice had me in her arms and the water off. She reached for a towel and sat me down on the side of the tub drying me off while holding onto me with the other. "You know, it might help me a little bit if you would tell me when you think you're going to faint; rather than me getting a vision of it."
"Sorry Alice" I mumbled, I didn't have the energy to talk louder than a whisper. My teeth started to chatted and my body was shivering. Alice very quickly helped me out of the bikini and into the outfit she had purchased for me. It was a black pair of yoga pants with a matching tank-top, she pulled a big comfy sweater over the outfit to complete it. The sweater didn't feel new, and it did not take me long to figure out that it smelled just like Edward. Alice chuckled, "wow, you noticed that fast."
I looked up at her with a questioning look on my face. "Its Edward's, I pulled it from his closet before I came over, I thought you would be more comfortable in a big comfy sweater. But you are never allowed to wear this out of the house! It is so far from fashionable! It almost killed me to bring it."
I smiled as I took in a deep breath of Edwards scent, "Thanks Alice" She tapped her foot on the floor, "and I promise I will not wear something this unfashionable in public." Alice chuckled as she put my hair in a pony tail and helped me to my feet.
The shower had felt as amazing as I had hoped it would. However I knew that if Alice let go of me I would fall over. My lack of balance had defiantly increased with my body's weakness. My head felt like it weighed 200 pounds and my throat was sore. I was not ready to try to eat, my stomach did not feel much better than the rest of my body, but the lack of food in it was keeping it's anger at bay. I really hope Edward wasn't too worried; I knew he would find someway to blame this on himself. As if he could cause me to get the flu. I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror as Alice led me towards the door. I had definitely looked better, but I took comfort in the fact that I had looked much worse. My face was pale, much more pale than usual, I had deep purple marks under my eyes and my lips were white.
"I look like crap" I moaned touching my face.
"On the contrary I think you are beautiful."
I turned around quickly breaking free of Alice's grasp only to collapse into Edwards arms. He held me tight to his body. "Be careful love." I sighed as I snuggled closer into his chest, I had no need for medicine, or rest, everything I need was here in standing in my bathroom, holding me. I chuckled at my thoughts.
"What's so funny love?"
I could feel the extra heat rush to my face, "Please tell me Bella?" His pouted his lower lip a little and my will to keep my thoughts to myself crumbled. "I was just thinking that you are all I need to get better, and that I love you."
"As I love you."
"Aww, well I think that's my cue to leave. Fell better Bella!" Alice seemed much to excited, she must have had something planned with jasper that she was hurrying home for, but I did not have the energy to ask her why. I just thanked her along with Edward as she flew down the stairs and out the door. I leaned against Edward a little more, letting him support my weight, my hold on him loosened in the slightest as my body readied itself for slumber.
Edward noticed and had me cradled in his arms in the same second. He walked out into the hallway and towards the stairs instead of my bedroom. "Where are we going Edward, my room is the other way." He chuckled as he continued downstairs, "really Bella? I have never noticed." He walked into the kitchen where a bowl of soup was sitting for me at the table. I groaned, "I'm not sure that is a great idea Edward, I don't think I'm ready for another repeat of this morning."
"Alice checked, she says you'll be fine. Besides you haven't eaten anything in more than twenty four hours. Lets just try, ok?"
I sighed, and he smiled. He knew full well that he could get me to do anything he really wanted me to do. He didn't set me down in the chair as I expected him to; instead he sat down and repositioned me on his lap so I could reach the soup.
The warmth of the soup felt amazing as it traveled down my throat, and it tasted wonderful; I would have to remember to comment Esme on her cooking, I'm sure she hasn't had a compliment like that in a while. Much to my surprise my stomach felt much better after the soup, most of my queasiness has subsided and I did not have an urge to be sick. I took a deep breath of relief and sank further into Edward's chest. His arms locked around me as he cradled me closer, "Felling better?"
"Yes, thank you. The soup helped." My eye lids were beginning to feel heavy and my head swayed forward to rest on Edwards shoulder.
"Lets get you back upstairs and into bed my sick little human." I chuckled against his shirt, letting my body go completely limp as he stood up and headed towards the stairs. I knew I had mere seconds before my body succumbed to slumber, I tried to open my eyes to see my angel before my dreams overtook me but they refused to open. As Edward opened my door my nose was assaulted with an intoxicating aroma.
"Edward….? I smell flowers" I mumbled.
I heard him chuckle and then fell asleep in his arms before he made it to my bed.
****
His lips on my cheek, the tightening of his cold marble arms around my waist and the smell swarming around me pulled me from unconsciousness. Keeping my eyes shut I rolled so my face was facing his chest, I snuggled into his body and felt a large smile spread across my lips. I loved waking up in the morning with Edward by my side, he was my own personal miracle.
"How are you feeling love?"
I thought about his question. "Not bad actually." Granted I still felt warmer than usual, but his body was helping me with that, I was definitely still tired and weak, and my headache had changed from a deep pounding to a mild thrumming; but this was definitely an improvement from yesterday. I took a deep breath assaulting myself with the scent of flowers once more. "Mmmmm…. Something smells wonderful."
Edward chuckled, "you mean besides yourself? I laughed, opening my eyes and forcing myself into a sitting position with Edwards help. He gently brushed my hair away from my eyes and tucked it behind my ear.
I gasped as I took in my bedroom. Every flat surface was covered in flowers. Bouquets of roses, lilies, freesias, carnations and a few that I did not know the names for. They were all beautiful. In the corner of my room there was a flat screen television with a very large stack of DVD's beside it. My heart swelled as I saw some of the selection. When I was sick as a child I used to lay in Renee's bed and watch movies like Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, The Swan Princess and my personal favorite Cinderella. All of these were there, my childhood was there.
I continued my scan around the room. On my desk was a stack of CD's. I smiled when I saw Debussy on the top of the pile. In the middle of my floor there was a teddy bear as big as I was, it was white and fluffy, and had "Get Well Soon" written across a heart shaped pillow it was holding in its arms.
My breath hitched in my throat. There must have been hundreds of bouquets and the television looked brand new, the DVD's were still in the plastic. "Edward Cullen what did you do?" My chastising barely made it out above a whisper; I was just so overwhelmed with my gift that I was nearly rendered speechless.
"Don't you like it?" He asked with a smile on his face. He knew I hated when people spent money on me, but this was just so…. Beautiful. "I know it's a bit much, but that's Alice for you. I called her yesterday when you were sleeping and asked her to pick up those movies and some flowers for you, and this is what she brought. Any excuse to shop."
I smiled, Alice truly had gone overboard, but I know Edward and if he had of been able to leave my side he would have gone just as overboard himself. "I hope she brought that TV from your house Mr. Cullen, if not she will be returning it, it is much too expensive." Edward didn't answer me, which led me to believe that the television in my bedroom had been purchased just yesterday.
"Bella" Edward sighed, "just let me spoil you, just this weekend" He pulled me onto his lap and ran his fingers across my pout. "You will not lift a finger for anything today; in fact you will not leave this bed. We will watch movies, listen to music and relax. I will take care of you Isabella!"
"Ok then I have two questions for you then." He looked at me with a shocked expression, probably wondering how he had gotten me to give in without any sort of argument. The first on is how did you know to get me those movies?"
Edward smiled, "I called Renee." I felt my heart rate start to rise, she knew I was sick? Did she know Edward was staying with me and Charlie was away? Was she worried? "You did what?!?!"
"There's no need to worry love. I just called her and told her you were feeling under the whether. I asked her what you usually like to do when you are sick. She told me all the stories about how you used to curl up with a giant teddy bear and watch movies in her bed. She went on and on about your favorite movies. I had a hard time hanging up the phone; I think she was just really excited to help me out."
"Thank you Edward."
"It was absolutely my pleasure love. Now I do believe you said you had two questions."
I balked, what was my second question? I was in awe from his act of kindness that I had no idea what else I had planned on asking him. Lucky for me my bladder gave me the hint I needed. "Ummm, well I know you said I couldn't leave the bed, but can I at least go to the washroom?"
Edward's POV
Bella was doing much better. She had managed to stay awake for all of Peter Pan, as well as keeping down a piece of toast. She was still a bit warm for my liking but she seemed to be in better spirits. I had started Cinderella for her but she had only made it through the first twenty minutes before succumbing to slumber. I stroked her luscious cheek and held her while she rested.
I turned to clock to see that it was 7:00, Alice had told me that Charlie would call at 7:05. I reluctantly leaned my head down to whisper in Bella's ear. "Wake up sleeping beauty, your father will be calling soon." Bella's body stretched out and she took a deep breath while fluttering her eyes open. "Charlie?"
"Yes love. He will be calling in a few short minutes. He wants to check up on you to make sure you are feeling better." She started to sit up, I offered my hand to help her, but she was determined to do it on her own. As soon as she was in a sitting position the phone rang. I handed it to her and patiently waited for her talk with Charlie to end.
"Hello?"
"Hi there Bells, how are you feeling?"
"Much better Dad, how's the fishing trip going?"
"Its going great, I miss you though. I feel bad for leaving."
"Don't worry Dad, you wouldn't have been much use anyway."
"Ha ha ha, so I just thought id let you know I should be home tomorrow after dinner."
"Ok Dad, have a great night!"
"You too Bells."
Bella hung up the phone and turned to me. "Human moment?"
I nodded my head in amusement, as if she needed my permission. "Did you need a hand walking to the washroom?" She shook her head looking slightly embarrassed, "I think ill be fine, my head feels much better, I'm just a little tired still." She slowly got out of the bad and tested her balance; once she was sure that she was stable she walked towards the door.
"Oh Bella?"
"Yes Edward?"
"Have I told you yet, how much I love that sweater in you?" She looked down at her sweater and blushed. Her teeth snagged a small piece of her lower lip and she turned away from me heading down the hallway.
Bella's POV
I had no response for Edwards comment on my shirt, I just blushed and went straight to the washroom, he was so seductive when he said it, I chuckled. I looked in the mirror and was happy to see that my reflection was not as scary as yesterday. The purple bruises under my eyes were only half as large and I had a pale flush of pink to my face, not my usual red, but still a start. After brushing my teeth and washing my face I made my way back to my room.
I heard the melody of Debussy before I had reached my door; as I pushed my door open I took in a jagged breath and almost collapsed in the spot. Edward seemed to sense my instability because he was at my side in a minute.
There must have been over one hundred candles spread across my room. The lights from them flickered all around the beautiful flowers enhancing their beauty. Edward leaned down and kissed my neck. "Will you dance with me?"
How could I say no? I knew he would never let me fall and I knew that when I was with Edward dancing didn't seem so bad. I nodded my head as he took me to the middle of the room. He quickly slid his feet under mine and I melted into his cheat letting the sights, smells and sounds of my room overwhelm my senses.
As the song changed Edward leaned town towards me and whispered in my ear "I love you."
"and I you"
He lips trailed their way across my jaw to my lips. When his cold lips crushed down on mine I melted even more into his stone embrace, sighing in contentment, and holding him tighter knowing that he would never, ever, be close enough.
