Chapter 10 — Embarrassing Situation

EPOV

When I came to a stop outside my condo—well more like my house, the Home Owners Association took care of lawn maintenance for a small fee—Bella was sound asleep. I sat there a moment longer watching her, noticing right away that she was crying. I was deeply concerned as I got out of the car. Quickly walking around and opening the passenger door, I leaned in and whispered, "Bella" as I released the seat belt.

Her eyes popped open, and she instantly threw her arms around me, both catching me by surprise and burying her head against the crook of my neck. I could feel her tears wetting my shirt as I gathered her up into my arms. I bumped the car door with my hip, closing it. As I walked to the front door, I hit the lock button on my car keys twice.

"I need to set you down to unlock the door," I murmured near her ear. Her hold on me tightened when I tried; she wasn't going to let go.

"Okay, I won't." I closed my eyes briefly, willing my arms and legs not to give out. I was in shape, but I wasn't used to carrying, let alone holding, anything this far and long.

She relaxed her hold as I stared at the front door, trying to figure out how I was going to open it without dropping Bella. I could hear footsteps on the stairs behind me. When I turned, I saw my neighbor—the neighborhood watch leader and my good friend from high school—Eric Yorkie.

"Saw you pull up, Edward. Need some help?"

"Yes," I said, relieved. "Could you unlock the door for me?"

He took my keys and opened the door, allowing me to walk in first and then turning on the entryway light. "Have a good night. I'll lock up for you," he said as I started up the stairs.

"Thanks," I said, continuing up the stairs and straight to my bedroom. I sat Bella on the bed, and though I hated it, I freed myself from her grip. I kneeled down in front of her, taking off her heels before sliding off her sweater. I stood with both items in my hands and placed them on my dresser, out of the way. I then opened one of the drawers, glad I hadn't returned the long t-shirts Mom had bought me.

When I returned, I frowned at the sight before me. Bella was so pale and her eyes, which had been sparkling an hour earlier, lacked that luster now. I refused to leave the house to retrieve her bag; I would do that in the morning. She needed me to remain close.

"Here, you can put this on to sleep in," I said, handing her the top and kissing her temple. I left the room, closing the bathroom door. I opened the linen closet and pulled out a pair of pajama bottoms. When Mom suggested I store my pajamas here, I thought she was crazy but went along with her, not really wanting to argue; that was four years ago. I shook my head, silently thanking her.

When I reentered the room, Bella was curled in a ball on the bed. I covered her and turned off the light. I pulled the covers slightly down on my side and sat down heavily, running a hand over my face and through my hair. I, once again, didn't know what to do; this was getting old, but I couldn't blame Bella. Charlie, Mom, and Dad all told me that I needed to be patient and just be there for Bella.

I lay down, rolling on my side and spooning Bella as best I could. I ran my hand lightly up and down her arm, letting her know I was there and hoping she would relax. After several long minutes, she slowly began to uncurl, pulling on my hand and resting it on her stomach. I heard her sigh sadly and then nothing but her slow, even breathing.

Eight hours later, I woke with Bella's head lying on my chest. I smiled to myself, thinking that I could get used to waking up like this. I wrapped my free arm around her and held her for the longest time before I had to get up. My thoughts were going south fast. Slowly, I slipped out of bed without waking Bella.

I grabbed a pair of jeans and my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle graphic t-shirt, as well as a pair of underwear, before going into the bathroom. I left the door ajar and started the shower before disrobing. I stepped into the ice cold spray. I stood there for about two minutes before slowly heating up the water. I was rinsing my hair when the bathroom door opened, and I froze. Luckily, the wall was high enough to cover me from the chest down.

"Edward?" Bella asked.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm myself. "I'll be out soon," I squeaked out, turning my gaze on her to be rewarded with a rosy blush when realization hit her.

I groaned once when she shut the door. I thought I would be out of the shower and dressed by the time she woke up. My hand reached for the faucet and turned it to cold. I shivered as the spray immediately cooled my suddenly overheated skin. Turning off the shower, I stepped out and grabbed a towel, drying quickly. I dressed just as fast.

Before leaving the bathroom, I opened the linen closet and got out another towel and washcloth, placing both on the sink. I placed a few personal items in the shower for her; I'm not sure how they got into my bathroom, or who had put them in here, but I silently thanked whoever it was.

I reentered my bedroom to find the bed made and Bella sitting on it with her head in her hands. I kneeled in front of her and lifted her chin so her eyes met mine.

BPOV

I was sitting on the bed, having just finished making it, when I heard Edward open the bathroom door. I was still embarrassed about walking in while he was in the shower. Sure, I hadn't seen anything, but just knowing he was naked was enough to arouse me. I felt like wanton with the thoughts that entered my mind. I didn't want to think about Edward in the … Stop it, I chided myself.

Soon I was looking straight into his eyes. "Don't beat yourself up, Bella," he said sweetly, not the least bit accusing. "The shower is yours. I left a towel and washcloth on the sink. I'll go get your bag from the car and will put it just inside the door."

He was being too sweet not mentioning what just happened.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Come downstairs when you're done. I'll have breakfast ready," he said, standing and walking out of the room, closing the door behind him.

I stared at the door for a moment before standing and heading to the bathroom. Heat radiated through my face and cheeks as I entered. It took me a minute to figure out how to turn on the shower. Once the water began to fall, I took off the white t-shirt and my bra and panties, letting everything pool to the floor.

I stepped back into the large shower, closing the glass door before looking around. Two pink bottles sat on the stone bench. I picked up one; the label said that it was strawberry shampoo, leaving the other. It was the brand I had used in high school. Behind the second pink bottle was a familiar purple bottle; picking it up, I found it was the freesia body wash—again the brand—I had once used. I reached up and touched my face, finding it was wet with tears. How? I thought. How had these personal items gotten here?

After placing the bottle back down, I stepped under the warm spray and let the water relax my tense muscles. I picked up the shampoo, squirting a small amount into my hand. The familiar fragrance made me smile and think about happier times—times I had spent with Edward. I had changed my shampoo and body wash after leaving Edward. I couldn't stand the thought that he would no longer be there to smell their fragrances coming off of me.

I sighed as I finished my shower, reaching to shut off the water and stepping out of the stall. I dried off and then wrapped the towel around me. I stuck my head out the door to make sure Edward wasn't in the bedroom before exiting. I don't want another uncomfortable situation. I looked around the room, finding my bag and the shopping bag sitting on the floor next to the door.

Picking both bags up, I placed them on the bed. Opening the overnight bag first, I found a wrapped gift and card on the very top. I placed them to the side, shaking my head. What had Esme put in my bag? I pulled out a pair of stone washed jeans and a top from the shopping bag and undergarments from the overnight bag, but they weren't anything that I had packed. I went back to the bag and there were no others to be found. Esme! I yelled in my mind.

What I had was a matching set of undergarments—a lace-trimmed padded bra, purple with black flowers, and matching panties. I groaned as I put them on. It wasn't that I objected to Esme buying me things; it was the lace that I minded. I removed the tags on my jeans and green and pink silk kaftan top with floral and leaf print. I ran a brush through my hair before venturing out of the room in search of the kitchen.

A/N: Special thanks to Jennej, Remylebeauishot, torisurfergirl, and Twilightmom505 for their help in editing this chapter.