I don't own Twilight. all Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter Eight
Two weeks in Hell Three weeks Dead
Being the big coward that I am, I stayed at Alice's the rest of the day. I made any excuse that I could to stay until it started getting late. Alice and Jasper would never kick me out, but I knew they would be busy the next day so I excused myself.
I drove myself across town to Edward's apartment building and sat in my car for about twenty minutes. I knew he'd most likely be asleep, but if I didn't do this now I probably never would. So I let out a deep breath and got out of my car.
The night door man greeted me when I went in and I waved politely back as I got in the elevator. I put the key in and turned it, pressing the button for the penthouse. A few minutes later there was a ding and the elevator doors opened. I stepped out and put my coat on the rack.
Edward came downstairs sleepily, clad only in a pair of pajama bottoms, and his hair flying all over the place. "Bella? What are you doing here? It's late." He was rubbing one eye.
I bit my bottom lip nervously, not really sure what to say to him.
He groaned from the back of his throat, it almost sounded like a growl. "Bella, I'm exhausted. I'll be more than willing to give you a round two, but can it wait until tomorrow?"
I was slightly taken aback by his words. He had never spoken to me that way before. "I didn't come here to fight with you, Edward. I wanted apologize about this morning. You just caught me off guard and I panicked."
Nodding, he seemed to accept my apology, but didn't say anything or a move toward me at all.
We stood in silence for a few minutes, fidgeting, until I finally broke it. "Can we talk?" I waited until he nodded and led him to the couch. I sat next to him and took his left hand into both of mine. "I want you to understand why I reacted the way I did this morning. But for that I need to explain a few things to you first. This is really difficult for me, so please just let me get it all out before you say anything."
"Go ahead. I'm all ears." Edward assured me.
I took in a deep breath and let it out very slowly. "The night James abducted me I got off of work late. Mrs. Newton offered to give me a ride home, but I insisted I'd be fine. I had barely made it on to the highway when my truck broke down. He offered to give me a ride to the police so I could get to Charlie. But we didn't make it there."
I couldn't look him in the eye as I spoke, tears streaming down my face. "When we pulled to a stop I tried to get out but he pulled a knife on me. He blindfolded me and dragged to me to whatever place he was hiding out in. He beat me for days. Most of what went on I can't remember too well, but I do remember being in lots of pain and a certain smell that made me sick. Those days were pure hell.
"Not too long after, the rapes started. He could never seem to be satisfied, coming sometimes three times a day. The pain that first time was excruciating, my tears only seemed to egg him on." My body jerked involuntarily at the painful memory. "I pretty much felt nothing after that. I was numb, almost dead.
"He eventually went out of his way to break me. He'd torture me the whole time, trying to make me cry and beg. Thankfully he got bored with that and moved on." I said.
"One night I tried to fight back. I kicked and clawed at him looking for a chance to make break for it. He got angry and pulled a knife. He told me that I was his and he'd make sure everyone knew it, so he took the knife and sliced me deeply across each hip." I put a hand on my hips, patting where the scar was lightly.
Edward flinched, his jaw clenching tightly. His eyes narrowed in anger.
"After that the beatings began again. Marking me as his is what he'd say. He burned my along my back and would keep me tied to his bed for days. One time he even cut me in the middle of my breasts, threatening to remove one of them if I didn't behave." I stopped for a moment, trying to calm down before continuing. The memories were almost too much to bear.
"For three weeks he violated and humiliated me in the most brutal ways. He took something from me and made me hideous not only to me, but to others. He marked me to show his control." My voice was barely above a whisper as I finished. "I'll understand if you don't want me anymore."
"My body, Edward, is something that I hate. I'm embarrassed for anyone to look at it, let alone have somebody touch it." I was so mortified to be admitting all of this to him. "That night at the cocktail party, when you hugged me, that was the first time I let a man touch me since. I've felt so dirty for so long, how could anyone want this?" I gestured at myself, self loathing dripping from my voice.
Now I waited.
We sat in silence, only our breathing and my sniffling heard. Edward did the one thing I never expected him. He pulled me into his lap, stroking my back gently and whispering in my ear. He kept saying how sorry he was, pressing his lips to my hair.
"Bella, my beautiful Bella. How could I not want you?" His lips grazed my ear as he spoke. Not in a seductive way, but trying to make sure I understood what he was saying. "Nothing you say to me could ever make stop loving you."
I pulled back so we were face to face.
Again Edward stroked my back gently. "I am so sorry you had to go through that, I would gladly take away all the hurt that vial creature put you through if I could." He let a breath he had been holding, it almost sounded labored and controlled as though he was trying to keep himself in check and not lose his temper.
He wiped away the tears from my cheeks. "The night you got away and came to me, something in me changed. Your body was broken and bruised and all I could think was I wanted to kill the person who had done that to you." His hands clenched into fists as he spoke. "When you looked into my eyes with those beautiful chocolate orbs, it was like I could see deep into your soul, despite how broken you were I could see who you were deep inside. And something within me just clicked into place."
My heart rate increased exponentially as he spoke.
"It doesn't matter to me what he did to you. He hurt you and damaged you and I swear he'll pay for that, but that doesn't change the way I feel about you." He gently placed one of his hands on my cheek, holding me as if I were a piece of glass that would break with the slightest pressure. "I am in love with you because of who you are on the inside. To me you are beautiful inside and out."
I could feel my cheeks flame up.
"And from that adorable blush to the fact that you can barely walk across a flat stable surface, no one will ever come up close to the attraction you hold for me." His thumb played gently along my skin as he spoke. "I love you Isabella Swan."
Nothing could top the joy I was feeling at that moment. The most amazing man in the world just told me that he loved, in spite of everything that had happened to me. He really wanted me, past and all.
"I love you too, Edward Cullen." I grinned, stupidly.
He leaned in pressing his lips to mine softly, moving them slowly against mine. For once he wasn't careful as he kissed me, only barely deepening the kiss. This kiss conveyed everything that he was feeling, his love and passion for me.
My fingers made their way into his soft bronze hair as the kiss continued.
When we both finally needed air, Edward pulled away. His lips made their way to my neck and down to my collar bone.
I shivered with pleasure as his lips kissed just below my ear. "If you are still offering, I would like to move in with you."
Edward paused. "Are you sure? I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with and this is a pretty big decision." His eyes were beaming with the excitement I knew he was trying to tone down as he waited for my answer.
"No I'm not sure, but what I am sure of is that when I'm here with you I always feel safe." I blushed. "I want to be here with you."
He was about to burst with excitement, which in turn made me happy. "Okay then. I'll get Jasper and Emmett to move you in this weekend. But for now," He kissed my forehead gently, "I have one more thing I'd like to discuss with you."
I nodded, apprehensive about the tone which he was taking for this.
"Since we haven't really talked about us sleeping together I want to do that now while we're being honest and open." He kept his voice steady. "I love you and nothing would make me happier than to be able to show that to you, but in light of what you've told me I know waiting is the right thing. I'd actually like to wait until we're married to take that next step." His cheeks donned a slight layer of pink from his confession.
After everything I had been through, to hear him say those words was practically the most romantic thing I had ever experienced. Who said chivalry was dead? "You really are the perfect man. Thank you so much for really considering me." I hugged him tightly.
He laughed and kissed me quickly, scooping me up in his arms. "Shall we go to bed now? It's late." He took me to his room.
I giggled as he carried me to his room and laid me on the bed. I discreetly changed into one of his shirts that he handed to me and then climbed under the covers of his bed. I loved sleeping in his shirts; they were so big and comfy. My favorite was his Dartmouth shirt.
When he got in I snuggled close to him, his arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me closer. "Good night, my beautiful Bella," he murmured.
"Good night, Edward." I managed to get out before yawing. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in. I grinned to myself as Edward quietly hummed his usual lullaby to me. It was finally finished and was beautiful. I decided to ask him about it in the morning.
My flaming red cheeks woke me up as Edward's fingers trailed the length of my spine. "This is becoming a bad habit mister." I chuckled, my eyes still closed.
"And what's that?" He whispered against my ear.
"Making me blush." I opened one eye and was met by his shining emerald ones. "And waking me up at the crack of dawn."
He pressed his lips to mine softly. "Well, I figured you'd like some breakfast before we go to work. I made us crepes with strawberries on top." Oh he was good.
One of these days I'd find his weakness and use it on him. "That sounds perfect."
"Great." He grinned. "Why don't you get dressed and I'll meet you in the kitchen."
I smiled. "Okay." I waited until he left and took a quick shower in the bathroom. My hair was a complete mess so I just put it up in a ponytail before leaving the bed room.
Edward was in the kitchen when I got there and he handed me a cup of coffee just the way I like it. "Enjoy."
After a couple of bites I remembered the question I wanted to ask him. "Edward I've been wondering, what's that song you're always humming? It's so pretty."
"You like it?" He grinned.
"Very much." I got another bite of the amazing crepes he made.
"Well then, come with me." He reached for my hand. "Bring the plate with you." He brought me to a room down the hall from the kitchen and opened the door.
Along the back wall, by the large window, was a gorgeous black baby grand piano. Music sheets were on the floor. "Join me, please." He sat on the bench and began to play. Edward never looked more at home than he did at that moment, it's like the piano was an extension of him.
I sat down beside him as he played the now familiar lullaby. I finished my breakfast and wiped a traitorous tear that spilled as the song came to an end. "Edward that was beautiful. Who is it by?"
"Me." He turned to face me. "I wrote it for you. It's taken me this past month to finish it, but you were my inspiration."
Words could not express what I was feeling. Every day he surprised me with the depth of his caring. He'd do little things that might seem insignificant to most people, but
proved to me how much he truly cared for me. Writing me that lullaby was just proof positive that he was unlike anyone else I had ever met.
Since I couldn't tell him how much I loved the lullaby, I just held his gorgeous face in my hands and pressed my lips to his. I poured everything into that kiss, trying to express what I was feeling to him. When his arms tightened around me and he moaned softly, I knew he understood. "Thank you," I whispered once we parted.
"You are most welcome." He winked.
After that we went our separate ways to work. I was in my office answering some emails when a fellow co-worker stopped by.
"Bella, Mr. Bryant asked to see you." She had a shy smile on her face.
"Thank you." I finished the email I was working on and left my office.
Mr. Bryant was finishing up with somebody when I got there so I just sat down and waited for him. A few minutes later his door opened. "Come in, Miss Swan."
Nervously I got up and went into his office, trembling as I shut the door.
He didn't say anything at first, looking at something on his computer. Eventually he placed his hands on his desk and focused his attention on me. "Well, Bella, the reason I asked you in here is because… I've decided to give you a promotion of sorts."
Was I dreaming? Did he really just say he was giving me a promotion?
"I never knew you had it in you to be such a fantastic writer, but I'm glad I finally do." He cleared his throat.
Confusion ran rampant through me. "I don't understand."
"I want to help you publish your book, Bella. If this is what you want as well?" He glanced at me over his glasses.
Unable to speak I just nodded.
"Good. So, from now on you work from home on your book. I'll assign one of my best editors for you." Mr. Bryant explained. He turned back to his computer, signaling we were finished.
Okay, obviously not dreaming. How could he possibly have read any of my writing? Then suddenly it clicked.
Alice.
That sneaky little pixie.
"Mr. Bryant are you sure…" I began, but was cut off.
"No buts' or questions. You have the potential to be big, Bella, and I have faith that you'll do a great job." He went back to his computer. "Clean out your office when you get a chance and I'll be sure to have your editor meet up with you."
I got up and was just about to leave his office when I turned back around. "Thank you, Mr. Bryant." I smiled before leaving his office.
It had always been my dream to publish a novel and now I was finally going to get my chance. What else was going to happen now?
