Ch9 The Park
Edward's POV.
I couldn't believe what I just heard? I've been struggling and struggling with this for days now and everything had gotten so far out of hand that I was at the dance with Tanya. I had just about strangled Jacob when he came over and basically told me he lost Bella and then I couldn't find her. Finally find her and then she ends up asking me to tell her everything but turns out she heard me the first time. Bella knew what I meant when I said it the first time and NOW she's asking me to tell her again? … What for, so she can throw it back in my face again? I couldn't believe that Bella would do that to me so then why was she doing this? I stared down at her in surprise and her eyes are wide with fear, she didn't know what to do anymore than I did. Maybe she was confused when I told her the first time or maybe I'm just clueless and she's only trying to be nice right now. … I just don't know anymore.
"Edward … Please, I just … I didn't know before. When you said that … I just never thought that you could mean it like that." Bella said suddenly and she was close to tears again. "Please, just don't be mad at me but I just figured it out tonight and I'm so sorry so just … please. Forgive me and tell me again, Please?"
"Bella, … Bella calm down." I asked desperately not wanting to se her cry again, not now, not tonight. "Bella, its ok. I'm not mad at you, I could never be mad at you. I'm just confused."
"Edward, … I love you and I know that you were trying to tell me the same thing before but I blew you off. I'm so sorry I didn't mean to. I just didn't think you could ever think about me that way, in fact I didn't even know I loved you back until today, when I made myself think about it."
"I can understand that Bella." I said remembering how suddenly I found out just a few days ago, when she was crying. "I honestly never thought that you would feel the same way, I just wanted you to know how I felt but then I changed my mind about telling you after you didn't understand so I just let it go. Then you shocked me by bringing it up again and I was cornered."
"I'm really sorry about that and its all my fault that Tanya got brought into this mess." Bella said sadly and I had to stop this.
"Bella, its not your fault I said her name or that Emmett decided to play match maker that night." I said as I pulled her back into my chest, she was so warm considering how cold it was getting outside tonight. "Bella, I think we should go inside, its getting cold. Or maybe you and I should leave for the night, go somewhere and talk things out. Somewhere with less people and quiet?"
"What about Tanya, Edward? You can't just ditch her like this, she should at least know what's going on." Bella said being the most caring and most responsible person that she was.
"Of course, I will go and explain everything to her before we left." I said as a matter of fact. "She won't be happy about it but she will also get over things when she understands what's happened."
"I hope she won't hate me too much for all this." Bella said as she allowed me to lead her back into the hallway and into the warmth of the building.
"Of course, she won't hate you." I said confidently. "This is not your fault Bella and honestly, she doesn't even like me all that much, she just doesn't want to be alone and I'm the closest single guy around her. She will be fine in no time at all."
We both walked back into the dance room and I instantly started looking for Tanya. What I found was a little bit shocking to say the least, Jacob and Tanya had started dancing while Bella and I were away and now they were slow dancing together like a true couple. Apparently, Bella and I weren't really missed at all. I debated for a moment whether or not to go over there and tell then we were leaving or just leave and text Alice to give them a ride home. Emmett and Rose never went home after these things anyway, so Alice would have plenty of room for them. I was just texting Alice.
"That would be rude Edward." Bella said as she stared up at me, clearly guess my plan of action.
"But they look content right now and I just want to leave." I said honestly and pleaded with her using my eyes.
"No fair, you can't cheat like that?" Bella complained.
"Is it working? … Am I winning?" I asked with a smile.
"Yes, … that's why its not fair." Bella said and crossed her arms over her chest, but her smile said she was just teasing.
"As long as I'm winning, who cares if its fair or not." I said and wrapped and arm around her shoulder to lead her out of the dance.
"Text her before we leave then." Bella conceded.
"Yes, Ma'am." I said and pulled out my cell.
Edward Text to Alice:
Hey, taking Bella someplace.
Take the others home Please? :)
Alice text to Edward:
Only cause I love you.
What happened before, she ok?
Edward text to Alice:
Love you to! She's fine.
:) She loves me back! :)
Alice text Edward:
That's new … congrats!
I closed my phone and lead Bella the rest of the way to my car. I held open the passenger door for her and helped her inside. Then I rushed over to my side and got in before turning on the car and facing towards Bella. I wanted to know where she wanted to go but suddenly another question came to mind. I wanted to know now.
"When did you figure it out tonight?" I asked curiously.
"When did I figure what out? … That you really loved me or that I loved you?" Bella asked confused.
"Both, either or?" I said, I just wanted to know everything really. "I want to know how and when you figured it all out?"
"Well, I figured out that you loved me, while Alice and Rose were doing my hair and make up." Bella answered. "I had plenty of time to put the piece together as to why you were acting to odd. I knew for sure that it was me, at the dance tonight. When we were all dancing and you were pretending not to watch me and since I never let myself think about it before, I starting thinking about well, what if you did love me? How would I feel about that." Bella seemed to be lost in her thoughts again. "I realized then that I loved you like that as well, Edward. It was overwhelming."
"Yes, I agree with you with that." I told her honestly. "Now, where do you want to go so that we can talk this out?"
"I know its cold out and all but can we go up to our park?" Bella asked after a little thought. "Just for a little while?"
"We can go anywhere you'd like and I have a warm blanket in the back in case it gets too cold outside." I answered as I started to drive towards our park, the one in the woods.
"Do you remember that time, when we were all about ten years old? … Those guys that came and picked on us?" Bella asked in another dazed state, down memory road.
"Yeah, I was thinking about it that other day, when you fell back asleep after running away from breakfast." I told her.
"You know, those were three were a couple of flowers I wish we'd never met." Bella said forcefully and it was cute when she got mad like that, little a little kitten trying to pass as a tiger.
"I'm pretty sure I took care of those punks and the Emmett and Jasper got in a few good hits as well." I said remembering that day.
"I remember, I went home and cried so much." Bella said honestly and I wasn't sure what she was talking about.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked as I turned down the road leading to the park entrance.
"I thought you were so hurt that day and when I got home I couldn't stop crying. I thought it was all my fault that you got so badly hurt and I think I even begged Charlie to go out and arrest those guys for hurting my best friend." Bella told me, I didn't know she had gone home and cried that night.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked confused. "I never new you were crying that night, why didn't you just call me. I was fine after all."
"I don't know. … I thought you were too hurt and then it just never came up again." Bella said as I parked the car. "Hey Edward, do you think we will always be leaves on each other's trees?"
"Of course Bella. The best, we will always be best friends no matter what happens." I answered her honestly and helped her out of the car, only this time I took her hand in mine; she was so warm.
"What if we became fruits and start dating?" Bella asked as we walked, hand in hand over to the swings that we always used.
"Bella, you're the only fruit I want." I answered with a grin. "But, even if things didn't work out well we will always be leaves. Can I tell you a little secrete though, Bella?"
"Ok Sure." Bella said with a smile as she sat down and started to swing very slowly on her favorite swing.
"I would love to go from leaves to fruits but after a few years I'd hope to become bugs and then maybe … if I play my cards right our trees can start a few new branches of our own." I explained to her and I stood behind her, lightly pushing her and making sure she was safe and that she wouldn't all off.
She suddenly stopped swinging and turned to stare up at me. "You remembered all of them? … You were really listening to me that day?" Bella asked incredulously. "I can't believe it."
"I tell you that, I might someday want to start a family with you and all you care about is that I remembered what you explained to me?" I asked with a chuckle, it was so Bella. "Yes I was listening and of course I remembered, your explanations made a lot of sense Bella and I always listen to everything you've ever told me."
"Wow, … Thank you Edward." Bella said softly as she went back to swinging happily again. "The stars are really nice out."
"Yes, they are nice … but they are nothing compared to you." I said cheerfully. "I haven't been able to tell you yet, but you look breath taking tonight and I'm so happy that I can tell you that."
She giggled a little. "Wow, Edward you are too cute. I'm glad that you seem so happy now, though." Bella said with a smile. "I was being to really worry about you and now we're in love!"
"Its strange how things work out sometimes." I answered softly.
"Yeah, really strange." Bella agreed. "Hey Edward, can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer me though."
"You can ask me anything, anytime and I will always tell you the truth Bella." I answered back honestly. "Tell me what's on your mind and I'll tell you what's on mine."
Bella giggled a little and stopped swinging. "I want to know when you first found out, why it took so long to tell me and why did you not correct me the other night when I misunderstood you?" Bella asked as she looked back up at me. "Edward, I want to know why you've been acting so odd around me, especially that day with Jacob for the first time hanging out with him."
I sighed softly and moved to wrap my arms around her. "I first realized that I was in love with you the you came into my room because you had that nightmare. I was watching you sleep and then it all just clicked and made sense; I was in love with you. It took me so long to tell you because I was afraid that you wouldn't have felt the same way and it would be pointless to tell you. I didn't correct you because I thought that was my proof that you didn't feel the same. I was so devastated but I didn't want you to know just how much I hearing that had hurt me." I took a deep breath before continuing on, though. "AND, I was acting so strange around Jacob because I was becoming increasingly jealous of him. You've barely met the guy and he's slowing becoming closer to you, I thought he was going to start asking you out soon. That really scared me because if you started hanging out more with him, he'd be hanging out more with all of us. Then you both would start dating and I'd be pushed off to the side but I'd still have to sit back and watch the two of you together. Just the thought of him around you was driving me crazy and I'm sorry I was acting weird but I couldn't help it Bella. I love you and I want you to be happy but I also don't want to watch you be with anyone but for me."
"Wow." Bella said softly and she leaned her head back, she smiled up at me. "I had no idea and this whole time you were worried that I would fall in love with someone else."
"I just want you to be happy Bella, I always have and always will." I told her and placed a soft kiss to her forehead. "But it would just about kill me to have to watch some other guy holding you … or just being around you, like this. I'd do it, for you I'd do anything but I'm certain that at some point; it would kill me completely."
"Well, then I'm glad that I don't want to be with anyone other than you, Edward." Bella said and she pushed off to start swinging again with a very childlike laugh, she was so adorable. "Swing with me Edward. It can't be much fun just pushing me."
"In those heels? … I'd rather be right were I can catch you faster." I answered back as I gave her another light push.
"Ok, then." Bella said simply and started kicking off her shoes, they landed somewhere in the dark over by some trees.
"Bella? … What did you do that for?" I asked with surprise but I couldn't help but laugh along side her.
"I want you to swing with me, Edward." Bella said again, so I did what she wanted; I got on the swing that was closet to her.
"If I had a flower for every time you made me smile and laugh; I'd have a garden to walk in forever." I said quoting another thing that I once found online, I should probably start making my own.
"That would be a lot of random people, Edward." Bella said with a laugh and I laughed with her, she was too cute.
"It was a quote I found but I'm starting to like this becoming a bad habit of mine." I said with a chuckle. "I think I quote things too much, I should just come up with something to say from my own mind. It would mean a lot more if I tried doing that."
"I think quotes are nice but I don't doubt that you could come up with something even better." Bella said as we both continued to swing, it was just like when we were younger.
"Its getting kind of late, do you think we should be heading back soon?" I asked secretly not wanting to go anywhere.
I liked having Bella all to myself and out here was nice; but it was getting late and getting chiller. I didn't want to force Bella to stay outside in the cold; I know how much she hates the cold. She would never say anything unless someone else brought it up first because she wouldn't want to ruin some ones good time. I always loved how caring she could be but at the same time, it drove me crazy how she never stood up for herself. I had to make her care.
"I'd like to stay … just a little long. If you don't mind, Edward." Bella whispered softly. "If you want to go, we can."
I smiled brightly at her. "We can stay as long as you like." I told her happily, I'd honestly do anything to make her happy.
We stayed there, swinging away well into the early morning hours, by the time I got her back to the car, the clock said it was about five in the morning. The sun would be rising soon and so I drove Bella up somewhere so we could watch from a view. It seemed that neither one of us wanted this night to end so I figured watching the sun rise would be a nice delay to getting home. Bella seemed to like the idea about as much as I did. She was all smiles and I even got to wrap her in my arms and hold her in my arms. She was still so warm, even with the chill in the air. My Bella, safe and sound in my arms … and she'll stay there for as long as she will allow me. I was completely telling the truth when I said everything, about wanting to be with her, start a family and spend forever making her the happiest that I can possibly make her. I just hope I can do a good enough job so that she doesn't end up hating me or worse. It was about seven or eight by the time we got back to my house and it wasn't surprising to find that Emmett and Rose weren't back yet. We'd be lucky to see them until next week or so, but what was surprising was that Alice and Jasper weren't at home. … Not even Mom and Dad had been there when I walked Bella upstairs.
