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Summary: Bella feels like she has settled for the ordinary in her life. Her best friend Alice tries to help her broaden her horizons. Will it work?

Chapter Ten

Edward's POV

As we left the hospital, I realized that the depth of my feelings for Bella were much more than I had admitted to Alice. Telling her that I couldn't get Bella out of my mind was just the tip of the iceberg and from what I could tell, Bella might actually feel something for me too. I knew I had to come clean and tell her about me, I just didn't want to lose any chance I may have with her. Although Alice hadn't shared any details of this Jacob person with me, I gathered from her tone of voice that he was someone that had hurt Bella. I didn't want to be in that category but how was she really going to react when she knew the truth? Would she really hear my reasons? Or would she not want to have anything further to do with me? I hoped it was the former rather than the latter.

Alice drove us to Bella's place and by the time we reached the door to her apartment, I was ready to pass out. My body was aching. My head was hurting. As Bella opened the door, she glanced over at me and must have realized how close I was to falling over. She threw open the door, tossed her purse through it and grabbed my arm.

"Alice, grab his other arm! I don't think he should have left the hospital!"

"Not your choice Bells. He wanted to leave so here we are." she replied as she grabbed my other arm. I was trying to decide whether I should point out that I was actually present for this conversation but thought better of it after peeking at Alice's face.

"True enough Alice. But really do you think he'll be okay? Should we call his father?"

"NO!" I managed to get out as they reached the couch and eased me down onto it. Bella took off down the hall but was soon back with a pillow and a blanket in her hands. She handed me the pillow and I slowly eased down until I was horizontal.

Sighing as my head hit the pillow, I watched Bella as she straightened up and surreptitiously looked around the room and suddenly blushed bright red. My eyes followed to where her's had gone and saw her computer monitor was on and on it was a browser window with my Myspace page up.

I had to smile. She was completely embarrassed that I'd caught her. Damn, Alice was right. I really had to tell her soon. I wasn't sure how she was going to take it but I decided right then and there that before I left her apartment, she would know exactly who I was. I only hoped that she wouldn't hold it against me.

She quickly crossed the room and shut off the monitor, avoiding looking at me as she turned and asked if I wanted something to drink. I nodded and winced at the pain that shot through my head at the action.

She was immediately at my side. "Are you okay?"

I smiled. "It's okay Bella. I think moving my head will hurt for a while."

"The nurse did give me some Tylenol for you, do you want one?"

"That actually sounds good. Thanks."

She moved out of my eyesight. I heard the fridge open and close and she was back with a glass of water and a couple of pills in her hand. Normally I despised taking drugs of any kind but I was all for making an exception in this case. My body was aching from head to toe.

I half sat up to take the glass from her and after taking the pills, laid back down and closed my eyes. The couch was surprisingly comfortable and I could feel myself fading from consciousness.

The next thing I was aware of was being shaken by a small hand on my shoulder. I groggily shook my head. "Five more minutes."

"Anthony, wake up please. It's been 2 hours and I was told to wake you up."

It took me a few moments to figure out what was going on and who was talking to me. My head was definitely fuzzy to stay the least. I forced my eyes open, thankful that the lights were turned down low. She had obviously had to deal with someone in this situation before and I made a mental note to ask about it sometime.

I could hear her sigh with relief as our eyes met and she smiled. I moved my head slightly and groaned at the pain that shot through it, forcing me to close my eyes again.

"Oh! I think it's time for some Tylenol. Here you go!" I felt her hand on mine as she put some pills in the palm of my hand and then she was asking if I needed some help sitting to take them. Not wanting to appear completely helpless in front of her, I shook my head and immediately regretted the action.

"Stop being a hero Anthony! Here, let me help you sit up a bit." I felt her hand move behind my back and support me slightly as I took the cup from her hand and swallowed the tablets. Easing back down onto the couch, I was sure that I was going to be in a great deal of pain by the time I left. I'd been in minor accidents before but nothing this severe. I just hoped I was recovered enough by the next weekend to do the show that was already booked. If my head felt like this, there's no way I could perform.

I closed my eyes again, thanking Bella for her help.

I was in the middle of the most erotic dream I'd ever had when an earthquake started. I groggily came out of the dream to realize that it was once again Bella following Dr Watson's orders to waken me again.

To open my eyes to see the vision in my dream right in front of me was somewhat surreal. I smiled and lifted my hand towards her face before realizing what I was doing. She looked puzzled as I let my hand fall to my chest.

"How's the head?"

I turned my head this way and that, testing the theory that my head wouldn't explode into tiny bits of flesh as I did so. So far, so good.

"Well, that's good." Bella said out of nowhere. Turning towards her, it appeared to be my turn to be puzzled.

"The so far so good comment. I said that was good? Or isn't it?" She said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

Damn. The voice in my head was apparently verbalizing itself at the moment. I'd really have to watch that around Bella. I didn't want to just blurt out anything embarrassing.

"What could you say that would be embarrassing?" She asked.

Oh, for crying out loud! "Er ... nothing." I mumbled. This concussion was wrecking havoc with my ability to keep my thoughts to myself it seems.

I closed my eyes again, closing out the world and drifted off to the sound of Bella's laughter. It was the sweetest sound I'd heard in a long time and as I lost consciousness, I could hear the beginnings of a song in my mind.

Bella didn't wake me again and when I opened my eyes it was the next morning. I guess the last time convinced her that I wasn't going to go into a coma any time soon. I didn't feel too bad as I gingerly moved my body slightly. Some aching down the side of my back and a slight headache but I was sure that that probably wouldn't last long. I'd known others that had been in car wrecks and they always felt the worst of the impact a few days after the fact, once the shock had worn off. Something to look forward to for sure.

I slowly sat up, looking around the room as I did. The computer monitor was still off and I chuckled as I remembered her embarrassment at having my Myspace page up on her browser. It actually gave me a thrill that she liked my music. Most that listened didn't realize that what they heard in my music were little pieces of my soul. With Bella, I truly believed she did.

I heard noise coming from a somewhere down the hall and I slowly got to my feet, immediately feeling the need to find a bathroom. I slowly moved to the open doorway of the living room and looked back and forth down the hallway. Deciding to head towards the noise, I kept my hand on the wall as I made my way along the hall. As I got closer, I realized that it was water running, from inside what I assumed was Bella's bedroom. She must have an ensuite and was taking a shower. The mental images that suddenly flashed through my mind caused a certain part of my anatomy to respond instantaneously and I leaned even harder against the wall for support.

The water stops and I can hear her moving inside her bedroom after a few moments. I take a breathe and call out her name. As I wait, I close myself and will my body to stop reacting to the images in my head so as not to completely embarrass myself when she does open the door.

"Anthony! What are you doing? You shouldn't be up!" she exclaims as she comes out into the hall and moves to support my other side.

"I'm okay Bella." I responded with a snicker. It wouldn't be wise to say what was really on my mind. "I just needed to use the facilities. Badly."

Her eyes widened as she realized what I was referring to and she blushed a beautiful shade of pink.

"OH! It's right down at the end of the hall. I'm sorry. I should have shown you where it was!" She helped me over to the doorway of the bathroom. "Will you be okay?"

She blushed again as she realized what it would entail if I actually said I needed her help and I laughed softly.

"I'll be fine Bella. Thank you."

I thought I heard her say "You're welcome" as she passed by me in the hall and I entered the bathroom alone.

I stood staring at my reflection in the mirror for a long moment before my body reminded me why I was there. By the time I was done, I was ready for a nap and I looked it. I lifted my shirt to see what damage there was and saw bruising across my chest from the seatbelt. My neck felt really stiff and I could feel the aching down my back from the whiplash. I was pretty sure I'd be visiting a chiropractor and massage therapist pretty quick. I made a mental note to phone Emmett and get a referral. From his sports days, he was well acquainted with the medical profession in the city and I knew he'd have a recommendation for me.

I left the bathroom after straightening out my shirt and running my hands through my hair. I knew it was useless to try and tame it, it had a mind of its own most days.

I slowly made my way down the hall and back to the living room couch to find a glass of orange juice and some toast sitting on the table in front of it. Bella was no where to be seen but I could hear noises coming from the direction I assumed was the kitchen. I sat down gingerly and sighed with relief as my body relaxed.

I grabbed the juice, realizing that I was actually thirsty. My head was still pounding but my stomach stayed settled which I thought was a good sign.

I put the empty glass on the table just as Bella walked into the room holding her phone. Funny, I hadn't even heard it ring.

"It's your brother Anthony. Are you up to speaking with him?"

Crap! Depending on which brother, I was either going to get a high five for making it into Bella's home or a strip torn off me for the same reason.

I reached out for the phone with a sigh. "Sure thing. Thanks Bella."

She grabbed the empty glass off the table and left me to my conversation.

"Hello."

"Hey Bro!"

Thankfully it was Emmett on the other end.

"Hey Emmett!"

"Edward! What are you doing at Bella's? We figured you'd still be at the hospital!"

"Bella offered to let me stay here til you guys or mom and dad get back to town."

"Way to go dude!"

Emmett was aware of how I had been feeling about Bella. He was the one that supported me 100% without question.

"Have you told her who you are yet?"

"No. Not yet. I am going to though. Before I leave."

"You had better Edward! Rose really likes Bella and I wouldn't want to be you if you hurt her."

"What? Now Rose is threatening me? Alice has already done that. Thank her for the vote of confidence, would you? I know I should have told her a while ago Em .. I just didn't want her to see me as the person in the society pages. I wanted to just be me for a while. Now I find out from Alice that she actually works for us." I kept my voice low so she wouldn't hear me from the other room.

"What? SHE WORKS AT CULLEN SECURITY?"

"Emmett! There is no need to shout in my ear! I just found out at the hospital from Alice. I really am not sure how to tell Bella. Especially now!"

"How could you not know this? How could WE not know this?"

"Well, we know now. I have to figure out how to tell her I'm that Edward Cullen but not really. Got any ideas?"

It'd be easier if you weren't on the society pages all the time with whoever you could find to put on your arm. I'm just really surprised that Bella hasn't put you together with your pictures."

"From what Alice has told me, she doesn't really read the society pages. Something about not wanting to read gossip about her employers or something."

"Well, Bro. All I can say is .. Lucky You!"

I could hear Bella coming back towards the room so I said good bye to Em with a solemn vow to tell her who exactly I am and let the chips fall where they may. I just hoped that Bella took the news well. I smiled as she came back in the room with more ice water and Tylenol. I couldn't have asked for a better nurse. My mother was the only one I'd ever left fuss over me if I was injured or ill. I couldn't abide having people hover over me but Bella seemed to be an exception to this old rule.

"Is everything okay Anthony?" I cringed as I realized that the sooner I told Bella my whole story, the better it would be all around. From the little that Alice had hinted through the past weeks about her, I knew that something had happened with a relationship she'd been in and it hadn't been very pleasant. I wasn't sure how she would react but I was going to hope for the best.

I'd really hate to lose her friendship, if this is what it was or if it is all it would ever be. I was connected to her in a special way somewhere in my soul and I was going to fight for that feeling to survive.
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This chapter has not been beta'd. I hope you enjoy it :)

Reviews are good, just saying LOL

Posted on 05/22/2011

Words: 2,787