A/N: Thank you so much for reading. Sorry for the wait. It's still unbeta'd
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns it all, but this story is mine.
Chapter 10
I awaken sometime later when I feel the bed shift beneath me. I know it's Edward when his arm slides underneath my side and he begins to turn me towards him. I take a deep breath, but keep my eyes closed. He carries the faint scent of cigarettes and spring rain. His cool hands feel amazing against my sleep warmed skin and I hum in contentment. I feel him skim his nose along my neck and the warm rush of air as he breathes out.
"I can't stay away from you, Bella," he whispers.
"So don't," I answer, opening my eyes to find we're almost nose to nose.
He leans in, brushing his nose against mine and I feel his breath hot against my lips. My stomach bottoms out and my heart rate spikes when I feel the gentle pressure of his mouth against mine.
I open myself to him and he draws me closer, cradling me lovingly against his body while his kiss hints at hidden passion.
He breaks away, but keeps me close. Part of me questions what is happening, but I can't bring the rest of me to care. I've never been kissed so thoroughly and I want more.
He begins to play with the ends of my hair and his face becomes serious. I reach over and trace the line of his jaw from the bottom of his ear to his chin. He continues to stare at me, but I can tell his mind is somewhere else.
"Talk to me," I whisper, lacing my fingers with his and bringing our hands to my chest, "where have you been?"
"I'm sorry for today," he begins, "she was wrong about you."
I nod but keep my face turned towards our hands and his long fingers that are wrapped up in mine.
"But, I wondered at first, if maybe she was right. That I was drawn to you because of my 'compulsion'."
I open my mouth to argue, but he continues speaking, his words bubbling forth, unstoppable.
"I could barely stand it. I couldn't stand being in the same room with you without being able to touch you in some way, or really look at you. I could barely breathe."
"I thought you were upset with me about ruining your relationship with Tanya," I admit "I ached to think I'd lost your friendship."
"Is that all I am?" he asks, teasing me. He has to know.
My cheeks burn and it's not quite dark enough for him not to notice. He raises his hand to touch my cheek and I duck my head, suddenly self-conscious.
"No, you're more to me." I whisper.
He nods and a small smile lights his face, "and you're more to me."
When I wake in the morning to an empty bed, I think for a second that I imagined the whole thing. I run my hand over his side of the bed and find that it's still warm. My cheeks hurt under the strain of my smile.
I find him in the kitchen, rummaging in the fridge wearing nothing but his sleep pants. I ogle him, and when he turns to me, I relish the fact that I don't have to hide my desire. We meet in the middle of the tiny kitchen and he wraps me in his arms. I can't help the moan that escapes. Being in his arms is my favorite place to be, especially when his hand dips below the tail of my shirt.
"Why do I feel like I'm about to be on an episode of Springer?" Emmett asks, yawning around the words, "I can see it now 'I love my baby daddy's brother'."
Edward mutters "dick", and I can't help but laugh as I bury my face in Edward's chest.
Emmett waves his hand in our direction, he seems ok despite his scowl "I'm too tired to think about how I feel about this."
"How you feel about this?" my voice raises in anger, "you're such an idiot. This has nothing to do with you."
A knock at the door rescues Emmett from any more of my wrath and he gratefully runs to answer it.
Esme's 'hello' rings out and my eyes go wide; she's early and I'm half naked in the kitchen. I swear under my breath and hope she doesn't notice my lack of clothing as I skitter through the living room on my way to shower and change.
After a quick breakfast, Edward gives my hand a quick squeeze as he leaves me with his mother and heads into work.
Esme seems more embarrassed than I am as she apologizes again for being early while on the drive to the center, "I should know better than to show up unannounced," she says shaking her head at herself "it's just, something has come up at the center…"
"It's ok," I reassure her, again, and she looks relieved. I get the feeling that she's trying to impress me and I'm not sure why. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
The Center, it turns out, is not just some light volunteering for Esme. She runs it. Everyone we pass greets her warmly and she refers to me affectionately as 'My Bella'. Girls and women in various stages of pregnancy and motherhood congregate in a large common area, allowing me a glimpse into the extent of what she does for others like me.
As she continues the tour, she points out offices and services provided: job, housing, and childcare assistance, as well as, pro bono lawyers to assist with custody and child support issues. Each doorway we pass is welcoming and every face is kind.
I'm overwhelmed in the best possible way when she finally ushers me into her office and offers me a seat on a large couch. I sink in and swear I'm never getting back up.
"Bella," she begins, "I brought you here because I want to help you in any possible way. I know you have a lot to think about, but if I can ease you of any burdens, I will. What you decide after the baby is born, is between you and Emmett. Regardless of my connection to the situation, I will help you with whatever decision works for you both." She smiles, and the business like seriousness melts from her face and her eyes brighten in excitement. "Now, the 'something' that has come up is very exciting, but it's leaving me in a bit of a lurch."
As if on cue, there's a knock on the door and a dark haired woman glides in, a tiny bundle strapped across her body in a sling. Esme jumps up and practically runs towards her, her arms open wide. Their foreheads meet gently as they embrace and look lovingly into the fabric crossing her chest. After a few moments, Esme calls me over, and beaming, introduces me to Alice.
"Alice, was my assistant," Esme explains, "she came here and is now moving on to bigger and better…"
Alice laughs, but admiration and love are clear in her eyes even as she gives them a quick roll at Esme's fussing.
"Well, Texas is certainly bigger," she says as she sits on the couch. She loosens her sling and gently guides her newborn into Esme's waiting arms. I can't help but gasp, he's so ridiculously small. His head is covered in a fine dusting of pale blonde fuzz. His fingers are long and thin and tighten around Esme's pinky. I reach forward, and my finger grazes his miniature toes. His foot recoils reflexively and I look nervously at Esme and Alice thinking I've done something wrong.
"Don't be scared, sweetie," Alice reassures me, "JJ sleeps like a log. During the day, anyway."
As Esme and Alice chat, I watch as she tends expertly to JJ and catch snippets of their conversation. Alice is detailing her upcoming move and her apprehension of living with her husband's family as he recovers. Alice's husband, Jasper, was sent overseas the day after their wedding and has just returned home after being injured in a roadside bombing. Alice spent her entire pregnancy alone never knowing when or if her love would come home.
Her story makes me realize just how lucky I've been despite the circumstances, and I look to Alice as a lesson in perseverance and strength.
Alice leaves shortly after, promising to keep in touch with Esme and giving me her contact information offering her help in any way.
Over lunch, Esme offers Alice's vacated position to me. It offers better pay and benefits than Aro's and I wouldn't be spending all day on my feet. It's deliciously tempting.
As she drops me off at work, I tell her I'll think about it, but by the end of the night, when I'm practically crawling into Edward's waiting car, I know my answer.