It's rather short for my usual stuff but very fluffy. But the next chapter is more fun – though I'm not sure that's the right word, maybe, more suspenseful would work. There's a lot of dialogue in this chapter but it's rather…epic, for Eddums anyway.
We're onto the finals in my poll (which story should I write next?), so go vote!

Anyhoo, on with the fluff!

Sleeping is giving in,
No matter what the time is.
Sleeping is giving in,
So lift those heavy eyelids.

Come on hide your lovers
Underneath the covers,
Come on hide your lovers
Underneath the covers.

I started bashing my head on his shoulder, repeatedly, for being so stupid.

True, I didn't plan to fall into water, nor bring Edward down with me – not that it wasn't a pleasant surprise – but I was still really stupid. And anyway, in a town that rained almost none stop, I should have had more sense than to even own a white top. Curse my brain and its denseness.

"Bella, Bella," he took my face in his hands, making me stop. The golden intensity made my head clouded for a moment. I blinked. "What are you doing?"

I sighed noisily. "Look at me, Edward. Look at my top."

He frowned, a playful smile on his lips. "It's wet – like mine." I swam backwards, an expression on my face that said 'haven't you noticed yet'. I touched the rocks again and I stood. "Oh," he said, and I noticed that his eyes weren't always on my face. My face flushed a little. He swam over to me, joining me on the shore, the playful smile back on his lips and pulled himself out of the water. I watched as the droplets poured off his skin and clothes, sticking his button up shirt to his chest. And oh my, did he have a chest. The muscles I'd felt before were clear through the thin fabric he was wearing. "Come on, we'll get dry by running," he said softly.

And we did. I got exactly the same ecstatic feeling but it seemed to be intensified by Edward glancing at me. Human feelings were nothing compared to this. I ended up following him, afraid of getting lost in the green jungle and he grabbed my hand. The static we had felt yesterday coursed up and down our arms. My bra was still slightly wet when we arrived where everyone else was and as we came into view, I could see Alice raise an eyebrow.

"It's about time," Jasper said, referring to our emotions.

Alice glanced at him, smirked and walked over to Edward, clearing her features. "What took you so long?! I don't think French gibberish because I enjoy it Edward!"

"Really, I hadn't noticed?" he said, sarcasm dripping from his words. Jasper glared at him. She turned to me, a sparkle in her eye.

"Very well done, falling into the water like that. I applaud you, Bella, I really do."

"It wasn't planned," I said with a sigh. "You know how often I trip."

"As much as this interests us all, we'd like to be included in the conversation, no matter how peculiar it is," Emmett grinned at us as Rosalie spoke.

"I think Bella should get bonus-bonus points," he stated.

"I didn't know I was playing…"

"I think you started playing the minute you set foot in the house," Esme pointed out with a warm teasing smile.

"We're done so we're going to head back to home," Carlisle said. "The rest of you are welcome to come with us but we're taking the car so you'll have to run." He and Esme left, followed by the rest of the Cullen clan. I frowned.

"I didn't know we were that bad."

Edward chuckled lightly beside me. "We're not, at least you're not."

I turned to face him. "Stop bringing yourself down," I hugged him, wrapping my arms around him and resting my head on his chest. I was too short to get to his shoulder but I felt like I was made to fit in his arms. Trees rustled around us as the wind blew past, lightly running over our skin and we were silent for a very long time. "This is nice," I mumbled.

"Yes, you're warm too," I heard him inhale. "And you scent is incredible."

"You don't smell so bad either," I smiled.

We stood like that for what felt like minutes but in reality, must have been an hour. I didn't want to let go of him, ever.

But I had to think of what this would mean for my life. Now I had found Edward I knew I wanted to be by his side for as long as he wanted me – that would hopefully be the rest of forever. I needed to think about Charlie. I didn't want to leave him on his own, nor did I want to leave Edward and I knew I'd have to pick between one or the other.

"What has you frowning so intensely?" Edward asked when we'd pulled away. He had a playful, yet curious smile, glancing at me as we started to walk.

"My thoughts…"

"So I gathered. Can I hear them?"

"You want to hear my thoughts?" I said teasing, knowing full well how much this would annoy him.

"Yes," he said, half irritated.

"I don't think they'll surprise you much."

"Oh?"

"Well, it's quite simple really." I squeezed his hand. "You."

He grinned my favourite crooked smile and squeezed back. "Next time I want it a little more specific."

"Next time," I scoffed, a stupid grin on my face.

In all my life, I had never been this happy. I was elated on Edward's very presence and the fact he felt the same way was just…indescribable. Sorry if you were expecting some sort of paragraph highlighting the finer points of him but you couldn't put him into words. Just like love. You read about it, see it played in films, and as a consequence that you think you know the feeling do well you might explode with it. You could write a thesis on it and still not understand its true meaning without actually feeling it. Just thinking his name would make me nervous and if I took a fleeting glance at him, it would be the same look on his face as mine. Except of course, he was a lot cooler and calmer when it came to not showing his heart. It made me feel special to know that I was the one to unlock it. I told him that.

"It doesn't surprise me, Bella. You're amazing, beautiful, intelligent, mysterious," he joked. "I'm so incredibly happy you tricked me and that I got you out of it," he squeezed my hand again.

"It's good to know you don't hate the woman you love," I teased once more. He pulled me in front of him and kissed my head.

"Silly Bella," I could hear it becoming my new pet name. Then, he said abruptly "Let's race," with excited eyes. I blanched, not completely sure why the idea scared me. Possibly the fact that I was worried that I would trip, embarrass myself. "Don't look so scared. You've done it before, haven't you?"

"Yes, but I still expect to fall on a rogue root at some point."

"You won't fall Bella, and even if you do I won't let you." It was a strangely romantic sentence and it made me feel gooey inside.

"Okay. Yep. Race," I blinked, still not feeling one hundred percent confident that I was going to win. He brought our hands up to his mouth and gave them another chaste kiss. Then he let them drop and leant down by my ear.

"I'll go easy on you if you want," Edward whispered, unintentionally seductive with the double meaning. I blushed so hard I wouldn't be surprised if he could feel the heat from my cheeks from the few centimetres he was away from me.

When I regained consciousness from my slight fantasy of where else those words could have taken place, I stepped backwards and winked, secretly wondering where my boldness was coming from. "No chance. I'm going to win this." I sprinted away.

"Cheat!" he called from behind me.

I could hear him catching up so I sped up, my eyes flashing in all directions, trying to take in the objects that I would have to hurdle over. This was like an obstacle course. I was just waiting for a tall brick wall to jump over and a khaki coloured tunnel to crawl through. Although, we were practically silent as we ran, I seemed to be the only one breathing because I didn't know how long I could really go without it. Think about it. A vampire that has human qualities would need to have some intake of oxygen, right? My light breathing and the irregular sound of one of us snapping a twig were the only sounds in the deep forest. Never the less, it felt noisy in a silent sort of way. The few times we'd over take each other, there would be humour in both our eyes as one of us tried to take the lead again.

At some point or another, I must have been running faster than ever before. I could feel my legs straining to push me forward but in a good way. The experience of using my muscles to their full extent was incredible and I was sure I was on an adrenaline high. The greens were blurring completely now and only the centre of my vision was clear, therefore my eyes were darting faster than ever.

"Bella," Edward yelled from behind me. "Slow down!"

The sound of his voice took me totally by surprise and I spun my head around, bringing my body with me. My heel caught on something and I fell backwards, rolling over and over down a rather steep hill and the pencil rolls weren't the worst of it. My left arm caught on a vine and my whole mass was jerked to upwards. A loud crack sounded and my side hit something hard. I shut my eyes, falling into the pain screaming from my bones, clinging to the climbing plant with my good hand. Silent footfalls came into my hearing and I heard a gasp.

Cool hands grasped mine and gingerly pulled me up. Edward stood before me concern clouding his eyes. "What happened? Are you okay? Did you break anything? I heard something snap but I didn't know if that was a stick or a twig or –"

"Calm down Edward, my arm hurts and I think I hit my ribs but other than that I'm fine."

Then he frowned profusely. "I'm sorry, I –"

"Wait, you're trying to apologise for something I did?" He didn't deny it so I went on. "No, I can't have that. Let's get back to civilisation and get me checked out, alright?" He nodded meekly and we walked up to the top of the hill. I held my arm across my chest, like I knew to do from the numerous other times from my human life. There was silence for quite some time and Edward's eyes grazed the floor. "Edward, it's not your fault. I trip all the time."

He looked up at me, pain clear in his face. "I know," he gave a weak smile. "But if I hadn't suggested the race you wouldn't be in pain." I was about to protest but he cut me off. "And don't say you're not because I know you are. I know you more than I know myself. It is my fault and if that doesn't prove it then my calling you while you were running should have."

"I trip, you're not guilty of anything and I forgive you for whatever you think you've done. Oh, I love you," he turned to me with a dazzling grin, obviously affected in the same way when he told me. It seemed to cheer him up as well.

He pulled me into a hug, careful not to touch my arm, which turned out to be quite awkward. "I love you too, more than anything." See, there you go. I could feel my cheeks hurting with the smile but mine probably looked demented, not dazzling.

"Let's go."

"You have an incomplete spiral fracture which means you've twisted at least one part of the bone and some of it's partially still joined. Two bruised ribs on your right to accompany that and you may experience whip lash in a few hours. You'll need a cast for your arm." Edward watched from behind Carlisle as he gave his verdict on me. I saw him occasionally wince as he read Carlisle's mind which meant it I knew from the start that it wasn't good.

We had tumbled – if possible – through the front door and Alice very nearly jumped on me, only to stop herself a few inches away. She looked up at Edward first, glaring at him, then to me, pouting, mumbling about how this would cut shopping back. She congratulated us and turned around to find Jasper, muttering about changing rooms, suddenly halting and giggling. We both looked at each other wondering what that was about – I was sure Edward got the nastiest bit with her thoughts. However, despite her… oddness, I could definitely see Alice and I becoming good friends.

After Alice's dramatic greeting, we were met by Esme and were both pulled into a three way hug, saying how happy she was for us but still careful not to touch my arm. Alice must have filled everyone in on my… accident. Esme was so motherly I felt that the mourning ache I tried to keep silent could be covered by her thoughtfulness and caring ways. She could never replace Renée but I realised that I was missing a mother figure head in my life. She left us but not after pulling me into another hug, whispering "Edward was alone for so long, I'm glad he's finally found someone." Edward watched our exchange and we knew full well that he had heard it. He had a small smile on his face but insisted that we saw Carlisle. He seemed rather shocked still when I came in, despite him already knowing.

Carlisle gave me a thoughtful look. "It will be interesting to see how fast you heal Bella. I didn't think you'd be able to hurt yourself, let alone break a bone but you've proved me wrong once more."

I sighed heavily, looking at my arm and how my palm faced outwards and my thumb down (if you'd like to try this please do. Take your left arm, hold it up, and turn it to the left so your thumb points towards the floor by using your other hand and tilting your body to the side it starts to hurt if you don't. Now you know what Bella's arm looks like except that's it normally!). Bones weren't meant to bend that way and it was rather shocking to see it on me.

"I would say take some Tylenol for the pain but I don't think it would help. You just have to be careful not to move both your arms too much."

"Both?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid. Because you bruised your right ribs it will probably hurt to stretch, though you shouldn't be like that for long."

"Oh."

About half an hour later, I was staring at the large plaster of Paris bulk attached to me in disgust. Granted, it felt marginally better for the attention and the wrapping process had to be the easiest one I'd ever gone through however I was a little distracted by the pain emanating from the bone. Carlisle had finished five minutes ago and I was sitting on Edward's leather sofa, wondering why I was cursed with falling.

"How are you feeling?" Edward enquired while walking in and sitting next to me. I put my arm back into the sling.

"The pain's a little nagging but I'll live."

"What were you thinking about before I walked in?"

"Just the lump," I held it up, bringing the sling with it.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Stop it, you're always apologising for something that isn't your fault," I took a breath. "I was the one that was running too fast, I was the one who didn't slow down, I'm the one who trips daily, I'm the one who broke her arm, I'm the one who shouldn't even be able to break her arm, I'm the one who's not even a normal vampire…" I trailed off, becoming aware of the moisture in my eyes.

"Bella," he exhaled, pulling onto his lap and into a hug. "I'm sorry I made you cry…" He looked into my eyes. "It's just, you don't seem to see yourself the way I see you. I see you as an angel who has had the misfortune to come across horrible beings at pivotal point in her life. You're beautiful and I'm sorry our kind exists but anytime I think that, I take it back because I never would have met you. Each time I smell your scent I have to resist the urge to lift you up and kiss you, no matter who is around us. You're the warmest thing I've ever felt in my entire life as a vampire and I wouldn't trade you for the world, Bella. You trip because someone is meant to catch you and as long as you want me, I'll do it. Angels should always have someone to catch them and I didn't catch you that time which is why I keep apologising. To top that off, I love you so much I feel like I'm going to burst." Tears were streaming down my face but with happiness. I pulled him close to me, refusing to have any space between us and needing to feel his strong arms around me.

"You really know how to make a girl swoon," I whispered in his ear when my tears had calmed down.

"It's only the truth," he whispered softly back in the musical voice I had come to know so well.

"I don't know if I can put into words like you did, but I love you. Almost so much it hurts." I took his head in my hands and gave him a passionate kiss, revelling in the way his lips felt and tasted against mine.

"We should get you back," he said after we had sat for a few hours talking and laughing amongst ourselves. I nodded, sad to have to part from him.

"I left my truck by –"

"By Ruby Beach. Alice has already dropped it back at your house and Charlie isn't back yet but he will be soon so we need to go," he seemed just as sad. We chatted some more in his car, trying to make the most of the time we had left. I had to remind him to watch the road once or twice and he only replied with a small grin. Edward pulled up opposite the house and I couldn't see the cruiser parked. "Alice…" he paused to check. "Alice says he's a little caught up at the station and is trying to leave but knows it won't be so bad because he talked to you this morning."

"Okay," I opened the door and got out but I didn't see him following me. I stuck my head back in. "Aren't you coming in?" This caused that crooked grin to form on his face, making me grin back. He jogged up to the door while I fetched my bag from the back. He held the door for me as I walked in and I shot him a sly look.

"What?" he asked with an adorable confused look.

"How did you open it?"

"The key under the eave."

"So that's how you got in," I smirked. We were in the kitchen, sitting down when I asked "Why were you, by the way?"

"What? Why did I come here?" I nodded. "Remember when I tried to speak to you?"

"The day Mike asked me to the dance."

"I was surprised, shocked in fact, by the amount of resentment and bitterness I felt towards him after what he asked you. It took me a while to understand what I was feeling but I worked out it was jealousy. I had never felt the want to kill someone in over forty years, if you exclude your first day," he said with witty smile. "I had to see if you'd give the same reaction to the others but I couldn't help but let my mind wander when I thought about what you'd say if I'd asked you. Would you say yes? Would you do the safe thing and say no? What would I do if you said yes? What would I do if you said no? I battled with my conscience all day, pointing out what was ethical and what was right. So, I came here, wondering if by having the human I was so infatuated with before me would help my resolve. It didn't really. You started saying my name, so clear I thought you were awake. Which reminds me, what did you say my name?"

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that." There was a very playful, curious smile on his lips.

"When I heard doors opening I knew someone was in the house but I knew it wasn't Charlie because he'd already gone to bed. So, it had to be a burglar or someone like that. I got even more paranoid when you stopped outside my door and was ready to come at you with whatever sharp object I could find until I smelt you. I was trying to name it because I knew it was you, and I said it out loud. I didn't realise until the second time, when you were kneeling down beside me." By this time, I had probably created a new shade of red.

"And then you scared the living daylights out of me," he stroked my cheek where my blush was.

"And jumped on you," I added proudly.

"Yes," his eyes narrowed at me but suddenly his head flicked to the right as if he were listening to something. "Charlie's two streets away. I need to go…" he mumbled something else under his breath and dashed out of the kitchen.

"Edward!" There was a ghostly laugh and then silence.

I exhaled loudly, my gaze resting on my cast. That would not go down well with Charlie even if I could come up with the excuse that I tripped. I was thinking on my feet here, grabbed a pad of paper and a pen and scribbled down a note saying I wasn't feeling too well and had just gone to bed to sleep it off. That would cover me for tonight. I sprinted up the stars, breaking into vampire speed briefly and came to a stand still. Edward was examining my bookshelf, holding my tattered copies of Pride & Prejudice and Wuthering Heights and was concentrating on another title.

"I thought you were gone?"

He swung his head towards me. "No, I said I needed to go and move my car. There's a difference. I can go if you want…" he frowned.

"No! No, stay!" I said, a little loud and then I thought about something…

"Aren't you hungry?"

"No, I haven't been for a while. I don't think I need to eat but before, I had just fallen into the pattern to seem normal. It's not necessary to my survival," I smirked.

"Can I have a human moment?"

"Go ahead," he smiled.

I grabbed my pyjamas and made for the bathroom. I flicked the switch for the light and turned the shower on, sending a shrill pattering noise around the small room. I pulled my t-shirt off from the bottom of it but got stuck halfway. Oww! Carlisle wasn't joking when he said not to move my arms much. This would be a problem. I could probably get my t-shirt out of the way but my bra would be a different occasion all together. I wasn't about to ask Charlie to help me so the only option was… Edward.

"Um," my voice shook as I called him. It was only just loud enough for him to hear. "Edward, could you come here?"

It sounded like he had always been outside the door but I knew he was just moving fast. "Is everything alright?"

"Err, no, I need, um, help."

There was silence for a while. "Help?"

"Yeah," my face was flushed in the mirror and I slowly saw the door open, but stop quickly.

"Is it safe to come in?"

"Mmm," I said, speculating whether I could melt into the floor before he got to me. Edward saw me, with my top halfway up torso, so my stomach was bare and my cast awkwardly positioned that copied my right arm, held up in the air.

He was obviously taken aback with my…attire. "What do you need help with?" He asked, but I think we both knew what I meant.

My voice became a whisper. "My top and my bra…"

He walked over to me, making eye contact with me and I could see the nervousness in their golden depths. He stood behind me and took the bottom of the shirt and lifted it over my head, eyes never leaving my face. Always the gentleman. My bra was grey lace, not my favourite but at least it wasn't ugly. I held my arms in font of my breasts as he undid the clasp. His hand shook but the tingle that was sent up my spine when he touched my bare back was astounding.

"Thank you," I murmured.

"You're welcome," he replied back, closing the door quietly behind him.

Trying to forget the incredibly awkward moment I had just had with Edward, I scrubbed my hair with my strawberry shampoo – which is quite hard when using one arm –, taking time to let the water pour hard down onto my back to relieve the tension. Although this day had to be the most anxious and relieving day of my life – I still needed it – and just then put the cherry on top. When I was out, I blew my hair dry and got changed into my pyjamas, which I found quite easy because it was a tank top I could just pull up my body. I grabbed my clothes, threw them in the laundry pile and made my way back to my room.

Edward was sitting on my bed, his expression unreadable and eyes down gazing at the floorboards. He glanced up as I entered. We both had the same expression; nervous smiles. I sat down next to him and stared at a knot in the wood. "Thank you."

"I told you, you're welcome," he said softly.

"No, I mean for being a gentleman and for not…peeking."

"Bella, I was brought up to respect women. There's no reason why those rules shouldn't still apply now."

"I know, but many wouldn't have done the same in your situation." We lapsed into a comfortable silence, staring down at the same knot as before.

"Lie down!" he whispered suddenly.

"What?" I asked, bewildered.

"Lie down, Charlie's coming to check on you."

I pulled myself under the covers, hiding my cast as discretely as possible and relaxed my breathing like I would as a human. The door clicked open and I could hear Charlie's heart as he watched me 'sleep'. Another click but I didn't want to test my chances so I kept still instead of swinging my head up in search for Edward. Suddenly, his cool breath was at my ear and his arm on my waist.

"You're a good actress, it's no wonder I fell for your sleep charade."

"Did he?"

"Yes, and he didn't notice the cast either. Are you okay? You're lying on your ribs."

"I'm fine," I leant back into his chest, feeling his lungs inflate and deflate.

"You're so warm, Bella. It's heavenly," I didn't have to look at him to know his eyes were shut.

"'Night Edward, I love you," I sighed, knowing full well neither of us could sleep.

He kissed my hair. "I love you," my heart soared. "Goodnight, Bella."

So, lemonade anyone? I don't do full out lemons but this will be as steamy as it gets (hence the lemonade joke). We all enjoy lemons from time to time but this is rated T for a reason. (Lemonade equals T)

Big thanks to Jake's fate who pushed me to finished it, even if she didn't know. Hehe.

Oh, and forgive me but I'm going to rant. This happened two days after I posted the last chapter and is not friggin' funny.

I'm waiting, halfway between an ICT Suite and the real Textiles classroom, not sure where we're meant to be. We (being I and my friends) are waiting beside an art classroom, at a door that hardly ever opens, only when the teacher, Mr Di Petta opens it to get out. We start talking. The conversation gets onto something Tim, my idiot of friend, has been doing for a while. He's not depressed or anything like that, maybe at the most plain immature. He found out that a while back (and please don't do it because I couldn't stand if I was the one who made another accident happen) if you hold your breath for 20 seconds and then hyperventilate for another 20 you can faint. He hadn't fainted once before and said he enjoyed (don't ask me why, I don't know) the dizzy feeling he'd get. My other friend heads off into the ICT suite leaving only a few other of my classmates, Tim and I there.

Low and behold, he does the Fainting Magic. Low and behold once more, that door that never opens, opens and Mr Di Petta steps out. Tim slumps against the wall and falls left towards the Art Room door. His shoulder pushes against the door along the way down, causing it to open and his head hits the frame as his body is rocketed with spasms. He doesn't actually faint and gets help standing up. Sir bluntly points out he's bleeding and he seems shocked that he is - I am too, to be honest. Someone takes him off to medical where they probably sent him to hospital and by the look at the speed of the blood rolling down his neck, he needs to get there quickly. (I'm not a Bella, I'm fine with blood and actually contemplated becoming a Forensic Scientist once).

He was fine by lunch after making a trip to Accident and Emergency and wanted to come in for our fifth period lesson, Drama, where we were doing a Big Brother Roll Play (yay?) but I didn't hear anything from him 'till around five. I was worried sick and, I swear, if he ever does it again, I'll rip his lungs out so there's no chance of him fainting ever again… Or doing anything ever again for that matter.

In other news, I've been stealing soundtracks (like The Day After Tomorrow and Titanic) from YouTube with a website that converts links to mp3 files. IT'S THE BEST THING SINCE EDWARD ANTHONY MASEN CULLEN!! (Ask me about it in a review)

Oh, yeah… VOTE!

Emma

Rebellion (Lies) by The Arcade Fire