Summary: Edward and Bella have grown up hating each other. Can being forced to
spend one HOT Spring Break together change all of that?
Disclaimer: I took inspiration from Stephenie Meyer, but I do not own anything of Twilight.
Enemy Mine
Chapter Ten: "Friends and Enemies"
Bella clutched herself around the middle in an attempt to stop the tremors running through her body. "Where's your brother?" she managed to choke out.
"Emmett? Why do you want…?"
"No!" Bella snapped, tears now filling her eyes. "Edward! Where is Edward? "
"Huh?"
"I want Edward!"
"Bella, what is wrong?" Angela asked, placing her hand on Bella's arm and glancing at Alice.
"Why do you want Edward?" Alice asked incredulously. "What did Edward do now?"
"Alice, she's really upset," Angela chided gently, noticing that Bella was still trembling and breathing in short pants. She tried to coax Bella to walk back the way they had come, but she seemed rooted in place and unable to move. "Bella, it's OK," Angela soothed calmly. "Do you want me to get Edward?"
Bella looked at Angela, silent tears now streaming down her face, and nodded. She didn't care at this moment how she looked or what they were thinking. All the feelings of being trapped and powerless under Jacob's hands were flooding back to her. She was scared to look in his direction and scared to move in case he would chase her. She knew it was irrational, but she felt terrified and sick. She needed Edward. That was all she could think of. She needed Edward.
"Please," Bella begged Angela in a shaky voice. "Please hurry."
Angela glanced once at Alice and took off running down the path. She didn't understand what was happening, but the details were not important to her. Something was wrong with her friend, very wrong. That's all she needed to know and, if getting Edward would help, then that's what she would do.
"Damn it, Emmett! You said you'd keep an eye on her for me."
Edward's voice reached Angela's ears from further down the path. She paused for a moment in surprise, and then hurried even faster towards him.
"Dude! You were there too," Emmett answered. "What are you worrying about? They probably just went for a walk."
"I was busy following your brilliant plan! You should have been watching…."
"Fuck, Edward! Why are you freaking out?" Emmett bellowed just before both guys caught sight of Angela running towards them. Emmett noticed the frantic expression on her face and realized she looked as worried as Edward sounded. "Shit," he cursed, now worried himself. "What happened?"
Edward darted to Angela immediately. "Where's Bella?" he asked without explanation.
"She's really upset," Angela told him, accepting his urgency even if she didn't understand it. "I don't know why, but…"
"Where is she?" Edward asked again, already brushing passed her and heading further down the path.
"Just a little ways passed those trees," Angela called after him.
Emmett followed Edward, but paused long enough to point Angela back the way they had come. "Ben was looking for you," he told her quickly. "Just go back, but don't say anything." He didn't wait for an answer, knowing Angela wasn't one to gossip, and tried to catch up to this brother.
Edward was running now, dodging low hanging branches across the trail and not bothering to see if Emmett was following. He had known something was wrong when he realized Bella was gone. Maybe he was over-reacting, but he didn't care. Angela had just confirmed his fears and now, although he didn't know why, he knew Bella needed him.
As soon as they were past the trees he saw her. She was turned towards him, standing stiffly with her arms wrapped around her middle. Alice was hovering beside her and Bella was clearly upset. Edward paused for a second, trying to understand what had hurt her. Then he looked beyond the girls and saw the group of guys walking purposely in their direction. The tall one in the lead was unmistakable even without the white bandage covering his recently broken nose.
That son-of-a bitch! That fucking son-of-a-bitch!!!
How dare Jacob go anywhere near Bella after what he had tried to do to her. He was asking for an ass-kicking and he was going to get it this time!
Bella looked up just as Edward began to charge forward. She saw the murderous look in his eyes and instantly knew that he had seen Jacob too. Her panic level spiked! Edward was going to fight Jacob if she didn't do something fast. He could get hurt! Or Jacob could get him in real trouble with her dad. She couldn't let that happen to him.
"Edward, don't!" Bella moved quickly to step in front of him, blocking his path to Jacob. "Don't, don't, please, don't," she chanted nervously as she pressed her palms against chest.
Edward's hands dropped automatically to her hips and he glared at Jacob over the top of her head. He started to move forward again, but Bella pressed herself closer to halt his movement.
"Edward, please don't. Please!" she pleaded.
"What's wrong?" Emmett asked as he caught up with his brother. "Bella, are you OK?"
"Emmett, take Bella back to the picnic," Edward ordered harshly through gritted teeth. His eyes were still fixated on Jacob and his pals, not moving now but standing several feet down the path.
"No, Edward," Bella cried. "Please! Just take me home!"
"What the hell is going on?" Alice snapped as she stepped closer and gaped at the two of them.
Bella ignored her and wrapped her arms tightly around Edward's waist. "I want to go home," she said as she started crying softly and buried her face in Edward's chest. "Please, Edward. Please, just take me home."
Edward gripped her shoulders, unsure if he was going to pull her against him and move her aside. He couldn't take his eyes off of the cocky bastard who had hurt her. He still wanted the chance to beat the shit out of Jacob, but Bella was clinging to him and he couldn't let her go.
"Would someone please tell me what the fuck is happening?" Alice demanded. "Bella, what is wrong with you?"
Bella cried openly against Edward now. "I just want to go home. Please, Edward. Please take me home. Please!"
Her tears made him soften and Edward finally pulled her close, stroking her hair soothingly. "OK," he told her gently, trying to mask the rage in his voice. She was more important than his need to pound on Jacob right now. He took a deep breath and kissed the top of her head. "It's OK, sweetheart. I'll take you home."
"Hey!" Alice yelled angrily. "Seriously, what the fuck…"
"Alice!" Emmett cut her off. "Just go back to the picnic and tell everyone that Bella got sick or something."
"Why should I ...?"
"Damn it, Alice." Emmett hissed. "Just do it!"
Alice's jaw dropped and she glared at all three of them. Emmett never snapped at her like that and she was pissed off that no one would explain this crazy shit.
"Fine!" she hissed back. "But this conversation isn't over!"
Emmett watched as Alice stormed off, but Bella and Edward barely noticed. Edward was clutching Bella to him almost fiercely now and he had a look in his eyes that could melt steal. Emmett followed his gaze and noticed the group of young men standing near by. There were three of them, all tall and well built, and all openly staring back at them.
"Bella, do you know those guys?" Emmett asked, trying to ferret out the situation. "Are they friends of yours?"
"Fuck, no!" Edward snapped.
Bella looked up just enough to see Emmett, but kept her arms around Edward's waist. "Are they still coming this way?" she asked him in a worried whisper.
Emmett was shocked by her question and the fact that she was clearly afraid.
Bella misunderstood his hesitation for conformation and turned back to Edward. "I don't want to see him!" she said in a panicked voice. "I don't want to hear his voice! Is Jacob coming closer?"
Edward held Bella even tighter and hunched himself around her. "No," he soothed in her ear. "Don't worry. I won't let that bastard near you."
"That's Jacob?" Emmett asked, taking a second look at the group. "Your dad's friend's…?"
"He's no friend!" Edward growled. "He's a fucking prick! They all are!"
"Whoa, taking it easy. What the hell happened?" Emmett held up his hands. He glanced down at Bella, clinging to Edward and trembling, then back at the young man with the bandaged nose leering at them. His blood suddenly felt cold. "What the fuck DID happen? Did that son-of-a-bitch….? Fuck! Did he do something?!"
Edward didn't answer, but he wouldn't deny it either. Emmett caught his eye and understood the furry he saw. His jaw clenched and his breath blew through his nose like a caged bull.
"He tried," Bella's muffled voice cut through the silence, her face still pressed into Edward's shirt.
"He what?! " Emmett barked, "He fucking…. He… Are you…? Damn it!" He glared accusingly at his brother. "You knew about this? You didn't do anything? How could you let that fucker go on breathing?"
"Who the hell do you think broke his nose?" Edward yelled back.
Emmett stopped in shock for a moment and took another look at the tall boy with the white bandage. He was extremely fit and much larger than Edward. He looked like a fighter too. "Damn," he muttered, clearly impressed. "Nice job, dude."
"Edward stopped him," Bella explained. "He protected me."
"I'll always protect you," Edward murmured against her hair.
"But I don't want you to fight Jacob anymore. It will only get you in trouble. Please! I don't want you in trouble. I just want to go home with you."
"Then let me take a swing at him," Emmett offered eagerly. "I'd like to break a few facial bones myself."
"You and me both!" Edward agreed.
"No, that's what he wants," Bella told them. She looked up at Edward and began to urge him backwards. "Let's just get out of here. Let's just go home."
"Hey, Bella!" Jacob's mocking voice suddenly called out.
In a purely reflex action, Bella glanced over her shoulder towards the sound of her name. Before she could think to look away, Jacob blew her a kiss and winked at her. She gasped as if he had physically struck her and felt sick enough to vomit.
"I'm gonna kill him!" Edward spat as he moved passed Bella too quickly for her to block him.
"Edward!" she called, grabbing his arm at the last second. "Please don't! I need you with me!"
Her words stopped him but it took several deep breaths to control his rage before he could turn back to her. Her pale face had gone even whiter as she moved forward to step into his arms again. He shielded her from Jacob's view with his body and spoke to Emmett through gritted teeth.
"Now's not the time," he told him in frustration. "As much as I want to…"
"No, you're right. Just get Bella out of here. We'll deal with that prick later."
Edward nodded and began guiding Bella back down the path keeping her tightly within the circle of his arms. "Shhh…. It's OK, baby," he coxed her. "I've got you."
Emmett followed them until they were almost back at the picnic spot. Just before they were in view of the others, he pointed to a side path through the trees. "That's a short cut to the parking lot," he told them. "With any luck you can get to the Volvo without being seen. Don't worry, Alice and I will make up some excuse."
"Thanks, Em," Edward nodded to him.
"Fuck, bro! You should have told me what was going on." He looked down at Bella and sighed, "But, I guess I get it. Just watch yourself."
Edward nodded again and pulled Bella down the side path with him. When they got to his car she seemed reluctant to let go of him.
"Bella, I'm right here," he assured her as he eased her into the passenger seat. "I just want to get you in before Jessica or someone comes over. I promise, we'll be out of here in less than a minute."
Edward dashed around the car and jumped in the driver's seat, barely closing the door before backing the car out.
"Are you OK?" he asked Bella as he pulled onto the highway.
She sniffed and nodded her head before leaning over the console to lay her cheek on his arm.
"Thank you for not fighting Jacob," she told him.
Edward moved his hand to her thigh in a comforting gesture. "It's probably not a good thing for you to figure out I basically can't say 'no' to you," he teased.
Bella smiled and rubbed her face against the material on his sleeve. "I'm sorry the day is ruined."
"What are you talking about? It's only mid afternoon and we are alone together. How can that be bad?"
"You're right," Bella agreed quietly, laying her head in his lap just below the steering wheel. "This is good."
Edward moved his hand to her shoulder and they both fell silent. The hum of the car was steady in an almost hypnotic way. Bella closed her eyes and tried to keep her body from trembling as her adrenaline started to slow. Edward was sweet and understanding, but she couldn't believe she had fallen apart on him again. She had told him before that she couldn't handle seeing Jacob again right now and, apparently, she had been right. She didn't handle it at all. She freaked out. Even now she wanted to keep crying and clinging to him like a baby. She just wanted to bury herself against him and hide from everything. Because, as irrational as it seemed, she knew this shit was not over.
It was some time later when the movement of the car stopped slowly and Edward's hand lifted from her shoulder to push the remote clipped to the visor.
"My mom's car is gone again," Edward announced as the garage door opened with a grating sound. "Good. We won't have to make up an excuse for leaving the picnic early."
Bella continued to rest her head in his lap as he eased into the empty garage and turned the engine off. Since she didn't make any indication of moving, he sat in silence with her and stroked her hair gently.
"Jacob is dangerous, you know," she whispered quietly.
Edward wondered if that was what she had been thinking about during the quiet drive. Did she think he didn't realize that bastard could have really hurt her? That he was still capable of hurting her?
"I won't let him near you, sweetheart. I promise."
"It's more than just that, though. This was about more than just a… a crush on me." She sat up and looked at Edward. "He has a mean streak in him. I see that now. He can be cruel and he… he scares me."
Edward cupped her face, "Let Emmett and I take care of him."
"He'll expect that. I don't know how I know, I just do." Bella shook her head, her eyes watering again but she fought the tears back. "I really don't want you to do anything just yet. Please. I mean it. I know it will go badly if you do."
"Bella, I'm not just going to stand back watching him harass and terrify you like this."
"Edward…" she turned her lips into his palm and kissed it. "Edward," she said again and sighed.
The sadness on her face killed him. He'd never felt so consumed by the need to protect someone in his life. How could anyone or anything want to hurt someone so precious? Damn, he really had it bad!
"Let's just go in the house and try to relax for awhile, OK?" he suggested softly and pressed his forehead to hers.
She nodded and watched as he got out of the car, opening her own door and walking over to take his hand. The house was quiet and the light dim when they walked into the kitchen. All the groceries had been put away and the stillness made it clear they were alone.
"I don't suppose you are hungry?" Edward asked.
Bella smiled. She had noticed that Edward always asked her that when he was worried about her and didn't know what to do. Without saying a word she shook her head no and started walking backwards toward the dinning room, tugging on his hand to make him follow.
Edward gripped her hand and let her lead him. He wore a confused expression but kept his mouth shut. She pulled him through the dinning room and into the living room beyond where she finally stopped in front of the couch. Edward looked down at her expectantly and she gently pushed him back to sit. He laughed a little as Bella continued to press on his shoulders until he was lying back against the arm of the sofa. Once she was satisfied with his position, she lowered herself to the couch with him, sprawling across his chest and nestling her face into his neck.
Edward chuckled contently and wrapped both his arms around her. "Comfy, baby?" he asked.
Bella nodded without a sound and settled even more deeply against him.
They lay together quietly for a long while, each lost in their own thoughts and the comfort of each other's body. Edward occasionally reached up to stroke her cheek or kiss her forehead, and Bella would run her fingers along his chest lazily and snuggle against him. Neither one knew how much time had passed when the sound of the garage door opening disrupted their peaceful setting.
Bella sat up slowly, giving Edward a concerned look.
He sighed in irritation. Couldn't they just fucking be together for one hour without the constant interruptions?
"If it's my parents, the story is we both got sick at the picnic and came home to sleep it off," he instructed.
Bella nodded.
Edward sat up reluctantly, forcing Bella to move off of him. His body instantly felt cold at the loss of her contact. Maybe they could both make an excuse for napping upstairs before dinner and sneak some more cuddle time.
"Just stay in here, sweetheart. You can lie back down," Edward leaned forward to give her a soft kiss. "I'll try to get everyone to leave you alone."
"Everyone but you?" she asked hopefully, with a small smile. It was the first time she had spoken since they had entered the house and he knew how hard she was trying to be strong about everything. That's just the way she was and it was kind of incredible.
Yup, he definitely had it bad!
Edward quickly kissed her again and returned her smile. Getting up from the sofa he left the room and made his way into the kitchen just as Alice and Emmett came in from the garage, both frowning and clearly pissed off.
"What are you guys doing back here?" Edward asked. "I thought you were staying at the lake for a bond fire."
Alice gave him an irritated look and waved her arm towards the window. "Take a look outside, genius!" she sneered. "It's kind of hard to have a bond fire in a rain storm?"
Edward turned his head towards the window, realizing for the first time how dark it had gotten. The unusual heat had brought on a spring storm and the dark clouds outside had started to pour. Typical Washington State weather.
"It came on pretty fast not long after you left," Emmett explained, shaking out a hastily folded blanket so it could dry. "We had to grab stuff and haul ass to the cars."
"Guess I didn't notice," Edward shrugged before turning back to Alice. "No reason for you to be so snippy, though. What's with the attitude?"
Alice rolled her eyes and set the bag she was carrying down on the counter. "Let's see," she started sarcastically. "Not only is the picnic ruined because we have to live in the wettest damn place in the world, but Bella had to throw some kind of crazy fit earlier and still no one will tell me what the hell it was all about."
Emmett sighed loudly. "She's been a little dramatic about the whole thing since you guys took off."
"I'm not the dramatic one!" Alice declared, her voice growing louder. "Bella is the one who's been acting up. And where is she, anyway? We have a conversation to finish."
"Shh!" Edward shushed her harshly. "She's resting in the living room. Just leave her alone for a little while."
Alice's eyes grew wide as she stared at him. "Don't hush me, Edward! And mind your own business!"
"Alice, I'm serious," Edward snapped back. "Just let Bella rest for awhile. She doesn't need your nagging right now."
"Butt out, Edward! This is between me and Bella. It doesn't concern you."
"Like hell, it doesn't!"
"What is your fucking problem?" Alice stepped squarely in front of him and placed her hands on her hips.
"She's been through enough today and I'm not going to let you upset her again." Edward matched her glare. "I mean it, Al! Back the fuck off and leave her alone!"
Alice's eyes narrowed in irritation. "I was there today, remember? What the hell did Bella go through that was so traumatizing? You're not even making sense." Alice turned to walk out of the room but Edward stopped her.
"Where are you going?" he demanded, grabbing her by the arm.
Alice shook him off. "I told you I'm going to talk to Bella."
"I told you to leave her the hell alone! I mean it, Alice. I won't let you upset her right now."
"You won't let me?" Alice just gapped at him. "Are you insane? Since when do you give a shit about Bella?"
" Hey!" Edward snapped defensively.
"What? It's true!" Alice snapped back. "You don't give a damn about Bella and you know it."
"That's not true! I care about Bella a hell of a lot more than you seem to."
"Fuck off! She's my best friend!"
"Well, she's my girlfriend!"
"What!?" Alice shouted loudly and her mouth hung opened wide.
"You heard me!" Edward shouted back. He didn't care anymore what she thought and couldn't remember why he had cared before.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Alice asked, clearly not believing a word he was saying. "Stop being an ass, Edward. I'm not in the mood for your teasing."
"I'm not teasing, Alice. I'm fucking serious," Edward told her in a firm voice. "Bella is my girlfriend and I'm tried of watching you treat her like this."
"You're a jerk, Edward, you know that!" Alice yelled back at him. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but you're completely nuts if you think I'm going to fall for this shit! Bella is not your girlfriend!"
"Yes I am," Bella said softly, suddenly appearing in the kitchen doorway.
Three heads turned to stare at her.
"Bella?" Alice questioned after a moment.
"I am, Alice." Bella insisted again, walking into the room and putting her arm around Edward's waist. She looked up at him, their eyes locking for a moment as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. "Edward and I are together," she explained simply.
Edward smiled. He couldn't help himself! Just hearing her say it out loud felt so fucking good. Damn if he wasn't almost beaming just looking at her.
"Shut up!" Alice rolled her eyes. "The day you two hook up is the day the Pacific runs dry."
"They're not messing with you, Alice," Emmett put in quietly, trying to defuse the situation as much as possible. "I know it's hard to believe, but they are serious."
Alice just looked at him skeptically.
"Trust me!" Emmett told her. "If you'd seen the shit I've seen…. Well, just trust me. They aren't faking."
Alice looked back at Edward and Bella, their arms still wrapped around each other. "You're serious," she stated in shock. "You're fucking serious! You two are... are… together?!"
Bella nodded. "Al, I'm sorry for keeping it to myself but I didn't know how to tell you," she said nervously. "I mean, I tried! I swear I tried to talk to you about me and Edward, but it was never the right time or we got interrupted or …"
"You and Edward," Alice repeated. "You and Edward??? There is a fucking 'you and Edward' to talk about?!!!"
Bella bit her bottom lip and nodded. In spite of the fact Alice was clearly pissed, she liked hearing someone else say it. Her and Edward. Just thinking the words made a grin pull at the corners of her mouth.
She put her other arm around Edward's waist to hug him a little closer. "I know it's a lot to take in," she continued gently. "And I understand it's a bit strange for you. But I'm really glad you know about it finally. I wanted you to know."
"Liar!" Alice screamed sharply.
Bella's face fell. "What?" she stammered.
"You are a fucking LIAR, Isabella Swan!" Alice screamed again. "If you wanted me to know you would have told me! But you've been lying to my face for who-the-hell-knows how long!"
"Alice it wasn't like that…."
"Bull shit! It was exactly like that!"
"Hold on a second!" Edward jumped in, "Alice, just calm down!"
"You shut up!" Alice pointed at Edward. "I don't want to hear anything from you! You are just as big a liar as she is!"
"Alice, I wanted to tell you…"
"Bella, you could have told me at any time. I mean, hell, in the car today we were even talking about you and Edward!"
"Oh come on, Al! Like I wanted to blurt it out in front of Angela and Ben! Especially when they were laughing about the idea."
"Well, you could have said something before we picked them up. Or in my room earlier…"
"How was I supposed to tell you when you wouldn't shut up about Jasper?" Bella yelled back, getting angry herself now. "You've had your head so wrapped up in Jasper-this and Jasper-that. How the fuck was I even suppose to get a word in?"
"Believe me, Bella. If you had just uttered the words, 'I'm dating your brother,' I would have fucking heard you."
"Really?" Bella snapped. "Because I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have. It's not like you've heard a damn thing I've tried to say all week."
"I've heard plenty!" Alice yelled back. "I've heard you call Edward an ass and a troll. I've heard you say you hope he stays away from us. I've heard you say he should date Lauren. Oh, and let me see. I think you referred to him as that obnoxious prick at least once or twice. What was all that, Bella? Foreplay?"
Bella looked at Alice, stunned. Did everyone think she was some kind of tease? Did Alice really think she'd just lead Edward on and sleep with him for kicks?
Edward saw the hurt expression on Bella's face and realized where her mind had gone. "Damn it, Alice! Shut up!" he yelled. His sister hadn't meant it that way, but he knew Bella was still raw from her father's accusations. "You are going way too far here and you need to back off!" he told her.
"I've gone too far?" Alice yelled back. "You two are the ones lying and pretending. I actually felt bad that you two had to kiss at the party. Really bad! No wonder you forgave me so easily. Ha! I did you a favor but you let me feel bad about it! Why would you do that to me?"
"Maybe this isn't about you, Alice!"
"My brother and my best friend sneaking around behind my back? That's not supposed to concern me?" Alice pointed to Emmett and shouted back at Edward, "You told Emmett, but you lied to me. That must be about me!"
"They didn't tell me shit, Alice," Emmett explained. "I figured it out on my own."
"What do you mean you figured it out?" Alice looked at Emmett doubtfully. "How?"
"Because he was paying attention to someone besides himself!" Bella snapped again, dropping her arms and taking a step towards Alice. "We couldn't hide it from Emmett because he noticed all the little things between us. Hell, even Rosalie was starting to figure it out and she doesn't even really know us. Maybe the real question is how did you not see it, Alice?"
"Oh, so it is MY fault! I should have just guessed that after 10 years of being enemies you two decided to get hot and heavy with each other?" Alice glared at Bella. "Maybe I actually thought better of my BFF than to go after my own brother!"
Edward opened his mouth to shut his sister up but before he could say anything Bella took a deep breath and screamed at her.
"Damn it, Alice! This isn't about you!" Bella clenched her fists at her sides. "What is between me and Edward is none of your fucking business! This is about us! He and I. It is not about you and we don't owe you any explanations!"
"Fine!" Alice screamed back, so upset that there were tears in her eyes. "You two be together! I don't give a fuck! But I'm not going to let you use me as an excuse to see each other! You were supposed to be spending Spring Break with me, but you clearly just want to be here for Edward. So I don't want you here any more!"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, go home, Bella. I'm uninviting you to stay here this week."
"Alice! You can't do that, come on," Emmett jumped in.
"What?" Alice said defensively. "All she would say at the lake today is that she wanted to go home. So, go home!"
"Damn it, Alice!" Emmett glared.
"No, its fine, Emmett," Bella sounded calm but Edward stepped forward to wrap his arm around her from behind. "I want to go home," she said, looking over her shoulder at Edward.
"Baby, I don't like you staying alone," Edward said softly.
Alice made a gagging sound. "This is more than I can fucking take!" she announced.
"You know what, Alice?" Bella looked back at her, shaking her head. "You need to grow up!" Alice opened her mouth to say something in retort, but Bella held up her hand. "No," she said. "I'm done listening to you. If you ever feel like listening to me, you can let me know." Turning her back on Alice, she laid her cheek on Edward's chest. "Please take me home, Edward," she whispered into his shirt as he pulled her against him. "I'll get my stuff later, I just want to leave now."
Alice stormed out of the kitchen without another word and they listened to her usually light feet pound loudly on the stairs.
Emmett sighed as he locked eyes with Edward. Both brothers knew they were having the same thought; that this was the last fucking thing Bella needed right now. "Just take Bella home and stay with her, dude," he said, watching as Edward tried to sooth her. "I'll cover for you somehow. And I'll make damn sure Alice keeps her mouth shut too."
Edward nodded, "Thanks."
"Take care of her," Emmett said, returning his nod.
Bella raised her head to give him a weak smile. "Thanks, Em. I mean it," she said, fighting back the tears. She didn't want to fall apart again until they were out of the house. She was sick of crying and sick of feeling so vulnerable. She took the initiative and grabbed Edward's hand, starting the two of them towards the garage door.
"Are you sure?" Edward asked as he followed her. "You really don't have to leave, you know. My mother would…"
"I'm sure," Bella insisted, trying to be strong. She squeezed Edward's hand and gave him a sly look. "Besides, we're not really going to walk away from a chance to be all alone in an empty house, are we?"
Edward missed a step on the way out the door.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I'm sorry that I needed a break, but I have my mojo back now ;)
Thanks!
~Alexanya