Chapter 10

"Tripping Over You"

Bella's POV

I was backing away from the creature that was no longer Jacob, but he kept stocking towards me. I was stumbling over my feet as I tried to get away from him, I could feel the anger radiating off of him. My eyes were fixed on his and I could see a bloodlust that I didn't understand. I tried to look away from him for an exit, but my eyes wouldn't obey my command. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat, not that it would do any good. That was no longer Jacob, it was a blood hungry animal. I thought I heard someone yell Jacob's name, but everything was echoing through my head. Everything moved in slow motion before my eyes, but the fear was in fast forward rushing through me. A large brown claw raised into the air, it was bigger then my head. I knew this was it, this was the end. I wanted to close my eyes so I couldn't see my death come, but once again my eyes failed to obey me. I was frozen, no longer moving away from the beast, not that it was doing any good to start with.

The massive claw was in slow motion and I felt like I was in some horror movie and someone was putting it in slow motion to torture me. Just get it over with already, just as I though the claw was going to smash down on me something blocked the pain from me. A body flew through the air in the path of the massive claw and I could hear what I assumed was the sound of flesh tearing. Then in a movement almost to quick for me to catch a massive black wolf tackled Jacob across the room before he could snap his teeth into the body at my feet. I forced myself out of my confused state of shock and looked down. There laid Edward at my feet, blood was soaking through his ripped shirt, his eyes were closed tight. I dropped to my knees babbling incoherently with worry.

"Oh God, no. Edward." I said threw the tears that were now flowing over and he opened his eyes slowly. His hand holding his side. "Oh my God are you alright?" I asked stupidly, of course he was not alright. I stared into his eyes thanking him for saving me and pleading with my eyes for him to be alright. Suddenly I was being pulled off of the ground and into pixy like arms, my eyes still on Edward's. I could see his pain in those emerald eyes and I wanted to erase it. Carlisle came to his side sitting down a medical bag and cutting Edward's shirt off. Him and Esme worked side by side looking over Edward's wound and applying pressure to stop the blood flow. I looked up to see four wolves pushing Jacob's wolf form out of the yard. My eyes only looked at that scene for a few seconds before I concentrated back on Edward. Jasper had gone to get a gurney and they lifted Edward onto it. Carlisle gave him a shot of something and by the time we made it down to the area set up as an infirmary Edward was passed out cold. I started to panic and was on the verge of a break down.

"What is wrong, why is he out cold? Whatttt…." I was losing it Carlisle stopped outside the door and gripped my shoulders.

"Bella, sweetie. Edward is going to be fine, I gave him something for the pain and to rest. A few stitches and I am sure he will be just fine." He looked deep into my eyes forcing the words to me, nodding as he spook and I tried to compose myself. Carlisle disappeared into the room and Jasper draped his arm over my shoulders.

"Come on Bella lets have a seat." He pulled me over to some chairs taking a seat next to me, Alice placing herself on the other side of me. She held one hand in mine and the other rubbed the backside of my hand, in an effort to calm. I sat pretty much zoned out as everything that had happened went round and round in my head. If Edward wasn't ok I would never forgive myself. If he died because he was trying to save me for the second time today, I would… I couldn't finish, I felt my body shaking, but I couldn't make it stop. Sobs ripped through my chest and the thought of Edward leaving this world made me want a way out also. That was insane, but it was the way I felt. He had ignored me for weeks, but here I am feeling like I can not live without him. I could hear my name being called, but panic was taking over and there was nothing I could do. Black dots clouded my vision along with blurry tears, then suddenly my head got light and I was alone in the dark. It only lasted a few seconds and my eyes fluttered open again. Jasper was holding onto my tight as Alice placed small slaps on my face. I focused and could see Rose and Emmett behind her with worried expressions.

"Bella are you ok?" Alice asked fear in her eyes. I nodded, but it wasn't very convincing. "When Carlisle gets finished with Edward, he needs to check on you. I think you are in some sort of shock." She said staring into my eyes, I didn't respond.

I sat in the chair quietly and stiff, trying my best not to think about what was going on in the room. I was praying, hoping, and crossing my fingers that Edward would be fine. Emmett kneeled down in front of me with the saddest face ever. It made my heart break or melt, one of the two.

"Bella I am so sorry about earlier, I should have been more careful." He said looking at me from under his dark lashes.

"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked feeling confused, he looked at me worried and surprised for a moment.

"For almost killing you in the pool." He said shamefully and full of guilt. Recognition hit me and I remembered that had happened today. At this moment it felt so small and a world away.

"Emm it isn't your fault I don't know how to swim." I gave him the best smile I could and in a quick movement he pulled me into a really tight hug.

"Thanks Bells." He sighed holding me in his huge bear like arms.

"Ok Emm, lack of oxygen." He chuckled and put me back into my seat smiling like the happiest school girl ever. I would of joked or rolled my eyes at him, but I was way too worried about Edward. After what seemed like hours Carlisle came out of the infirmary, we all stared at him expectantly.

"He is going to be fine a few stitches and a couple staples, but no organs or vital tissue were damaged. Two ribs are cracked, but should heal fine." He smiled at me and I gave him the best smile I could, still feeling horrible.

"Can I see him?" I asked shyly, Carlisle nodded. I headed into the room to see Esme tucking Edward tightly into the bed, she looked like the mother type. I wondered why her and Carlisle didn't have children, they would make some cute babies. She smiled at me and patted my shoulder, I pulled a chair up right next to the bed and Edward. I stared at his beautiful face as he laid there peacefully and I had a urge to put my head on his chest and listen to his heart beat. Just to make sure he was alive, I settled with placing my hand over the left side of his chest. It was slightly cool to the touch and rock solid, my eyes were on my hand on his chest. Not looking at anything, but the rise and fall. He was alive, he would be ok, I couldn't hold in the tears of joy and happiness. Suddenly a hand slid on top of mine on his chest, I looked up to Edward's face. His eyes were staring holes into me, a million questions running through him. We stayed like that a moment saying everything, but at the same time not speaking one word. I could see love in his eyes and I wasn't sure if he loved me yet, but for some reason I knew he would one day. In this moment looking into his eyes and knowing what the fear of losing him felt like, I knew one thing. I knew that I loved him with all my heart. I wanted to say it out loud, but I knew it was probably too soon. After a little bit the drugs kicked in and he couldn't hold his eyes open any longer. I got comfy in the chair and waited for him to wake again. I didn't leave his side for two days even though he protested and complained. I stayed there with him scared that if I left his side he would disappear.

Carlisle had informed me that Jacob wouldn't be around for awhile and I wanted to ask questions, but honestly I was too mad. I knew that he didn't attack or hurt Edward on purpose, but I was still angry. Sam had explained to me that Jacob's behavior was forced from within, because he hadn't transformed yet. It had built up so when he got upset, he over reacted and couldn't control the beast within him.

On the third day Carlisle informed me that it was time for me to get back to practice so I reluctantly left Edward's side, but returned to him right after. When he could get up and move around again he returned to his own room, which meant I couldn't spend the night in the chair by his bed anymore. I was kind of sad about that, I needed him, needed his presence.

"Bella I can do that myself." Edward complained as I cut up his chicken breast for him, I just ignored him and went about cutting it up. A smirk appearing on my face as I decided that I was going to feed it to him too. I picked up a piece of chicken on the fork and held it to his mouth. I could see lust and want in his eyes, but then his emotion flickered. I wasn't sure to what, but nothing good that I was sure of. "I can feed myself." He almost growled. I stared at him shocked and put his fork down. I had to get out of here for some reason tears were brimming up in my eyes and I couldn't let him see it. I couldn't let him see that I was a stupid emotional girl.

Edward let out a heavy sigh and his hand caught my forearm, he pulled me to turn me around, but I lost my balance. I fell into his lap and he sucked in a hard breath and grimaced. I knew that had to hurt him.

"Sorry." I said holding back the tears. I just kept hurting him and making him mad. He didn't say anything at first, he just cupped my chin and turned my head so he could look into my eyes.

"No Bella I am the one who should be apologizing. So much has happened and I just need time to heal." His words held many meanings and I understood so I nodded to him, his fingers brushed my cheeks as I blushed, he smirked. I didn't want to move from my position on his lap and I was happy that he seemed content to have me here. He wrapped his arms around me and I knew it was probably uncomfortable for his wounds. I felt bad about that, but was being selfish. I was so comfortable and content in his arms, so much so that I drifted off to sleep.

When my eyes fluttered open I was on the couch with Edward, we were laying facing each other. My back to the back of the couch and head on his chest, but not on the injured side. My knee was bent and slightly on him, I blushed embarrassed. I tried to get up without waking him and almost made it until I let out a shocked gasp. Sitting on the floor staring at us was Emmett smiling, it was creepy.

"Emmett what the heck are you doing?" I asked annoyed and outraged. Edward groaned and his eyes fluttered open, he looked me over and a smirk played on his lips. At first I was unaware as to why, but then I looked at my position. I had been trying to get over him and off the couch, so I was hovering over the top of him only inches from my body being pressed against the top of his. I felt my face catch on fire and he quirked an eyebrow at me.

"You too look so darn cute." Emmett said staring at us his chin propped up on his fist, I rolled my eyes at him.

Then other footsteps and voices entered the room, before I knew it our whole unit minus Carlisle, Esme, and Jacob were staring at us. Edward cleared his throat and I thought I would die of embarrassment as I realized I was still hovering over him. I tried to put my leg over and get off gracefully, but my foot caught in-between the cushions and I rolled off the couch and onto the floor. Laughter fluttered around me and I wished that I could just disappear. I peeked up at Edward from under my lashes and he looked concerned, then a smile appeared on his face. He slowly sat up on the couch and reached a hand out for me. I took it welcoming the warmth that wrapped around us, when I touched him. I was very aware of everyone's eyes on us. I let go of his hand and went to the bathroom and slammed the door shut. I could hear a roar of laughter from the room. I slid to the room, my whole body was on fire from my blush. The most embarrassing moment award was now awarded to that moment.

Edward's POV

I had saved Bella twice in one day and she had saved me in a way. Saved me from letting her pass from my life. I knew in the moment of fear and loss that I loved her and couldn't be without her. Everything about her speed up my heart and warmed my soul. Her smile, her voice, her flowing brown hair and those eyes. I just wanted to pull her into me and never let her go. She had been so sweet taking care of me and I complained often, because in a way it made me feel like less then a man. No one had cared for me like that since my mother had died. It was strange and really hard to adjust to. Then there was the fact that I was in love with her, but it was against the rules. I had taken the job as Lieutenant and I now realized how stupid that was. I was probably the stupidest man alive, well other then Jacob Black. When I was better and he came back we were going to have it out and he would be the one in the infirmary. What was he thinking attacking Bella like that? Yes I understood that he lost control of the beast or whatever, but still. He should of walked away, he shouldn't of yelled at her, he shouldn't of kissed her without an invitation. I think the kiss is what made me the maddest, that his lips touched her first. Though I would make sure mine would be the last to touch hers. Ok Masen your getting a little ahead of yourself and a little controlling. Still I would kiss her either way, because I knew she wanted me too. I wasn't trying to be cocky, I could see it in those wide open eyes.

I was still awfully sore as I had held Bella in my lap, but I couldn't resist. She fell asleep against my chest and I knew I couldn't carry her to her bed. It would rip my stitches and stables open, so I laid on the couch with her. I watched her sleep until I couldn't hold my heavy eyes open any longer. I was embarrassed for her as everyone saw us on the couch together, but I liked that they knew she was mine. Well maybe not yet, but soon she would be. I would be talking with Carlisle soon about the position I took, I would be telling him that I had to step down. Nothing was keeping me away from Bella, nothing.