Greetings Earthlings! Hows it going guys? Sorry if I forgot anyone who reviewed and I didn't reply, my memory sucks! Anyway, I'm really grateful for all the adds/hits/reviews that I'm getting and I'm really glad you liking the story so far. Unfortunately it's another short chapter but we're starting to get to the good stuff now :)

Chapter Nine: Being Next To You

(BPOV)

In the arms of Edward I felt safe and protected when I woke up the next morning. I was lying on my side with Edward's chest pressed to my back. My head was resting on his stretched out arm as his other was resting on my stomach. His even soft breathes were comforting as I snuggled further into his chest.

I was amazed at how comfortable and safe I felt with Edward. He had this hold over me which could calm me one moment and then excite me the next. He knew exactly how I felt and could read me like an open book. We got on so well and our conversations could carry on for days if we didn't get interrupted by other people, eating and sleeping.

I slowly slid my hand up the mattress to touch his relaxed hand in front of my face. I ran my finger tips over his long, elegant fingers and soft palm. Even though I had been thrown through the pits of hell and through the most unimaginable situations I couldn't stop myself from thinking about how lucky I was to have Edward and his family around.

As I entwined my fingers in his, his hand grasped mine tightly. Behind me I could feel him start to stir. His hand on my stomach grabbed a fist full of my shirt, released it and rubbed small gentle circles on my belly.

"Good morning." He whispered into my ear, his voice thick and croaky from sleep.

I released his hand and turned around, to face him. His lids hung low over his eyes as he pulled his warm arm around my shoulder, his other arm now wrapped around the small of my back. We lay so close our noses were almost touching as we stared into each others eyes.

"Morning." I said shyly, just above a whisper. "Sleep well?"

He closed his eyes briefly as a gentle smile came to his lips. "Amazingly so, did you?"

It took me a moment to realise he had actually asked me a question – his face was so beautiful and way to distracting. "Yes, I did thank you."

"Good. If you don't mind me asking, why did you come here last night? Not that I minded or anything, I like sleeping next to you." He rushed out quickly.

"Well giving my statement yesterday...kind of...woke up the memories and I got...scared." I said embarrassed. Now I thought over it, it did sound silly – nothing could hurt me here. But I remember feeling so scared and Edward makes me feel so safe.

His arms around me tighten almost protectively. "You don't need to be afraid anymore, I'll keep you from harm."

I looked into his deep emerald eyes. "I feel safe with you, you keep the bad dreams away."

His lips curved up at the side showing me his famous crooked smile. "I'll stay with you every minute of the day and all night if it'll keep the bad dreams away."

"Thank you." I whispered as I snuggled closer to him and rested my head on his chest. I felt him press his cheek to my hair.

We lay in a comfortable silence for a while. A question I had wanted to ask Edward kept going round in my head. When would I get another chance to ask him? "Edward, can I ask you something?"

"Why did you let me into your home? I mean why me? You've never done it before and to top it off I have a crazy psychopath after me. Why would you risk yourself and your family for me?" It all came out in a rush.

I wasn't sure he understood me but his voice was calm and even when he answered. "I'd seen you on the news and heard your story. I thought maybe I could help somehow. Not just in the sense that you needed protection but also someone to talk to. After all, I'd lost my parents I thought that could be useful somehow. But, that wasn't just it." He hesitated. "I saw something in your face, your beautiful brown eyes; I just knew I had to meet you. I don't know what it was but I was drawn to you." His words hung in the air.

My only and best reply I could think up was, "Oh," as I lay and thought over what he'd said.

"Bella," He whispered softly.

I lifted my head back to look into his gentle eyes. His features were soft yet strong as he looked back at me. His eyes reflected the same feeling of desire that I felt deep in my belly. I slowly moved closer towards him as our noses touched.

I knew what I wanted to do, and the moment would have been perfect if my stomach didn't rumble very very loudly as Edward started to move towards me.

He chuckled, obviously also hearing my stomach and rested his forehead against mine. "Breakfast time?"

I nodded, my cheeks flushed red with embarrassment for my ill timed hunger.

"Come on then." He said as he got up out of bed and waited at the end of the bed for me to get up.

When he moved away from me I instantly missed his touch. Luckily when I stood in front of him he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and walked me to my door.

"Get changed and I'll be back in about 10 minutes to walk you down to breakfast." He said, it was hard to listen to him sometimes because I usually just ended up staring at his beauty – especially when his bare chest was just inches from my face.

Fortunately I could form a sentence. "Do you think I'm incapable to make my way to the dining room on my own?" I teased.

Even though I said it lightly he replied seriously. "No, but maybe I just like walking you and maybe I like to spend time with you."

He smiled brightly at me as he leaned forward, kissed me on my temple softly and walked away.

I stood there for a moment, remembering the touch of his lips and feel of the butterflies in my stomach. I liked it.

So there's another chapter done. We're finally stepping up their relationship now, which is gooood! Anywhoo, Hopefully I'll be updating soon, maybe the same time next week - it all depends on how much writing I can get done. I'm actually off to do some more now so hopefully I'll get a lot written. Who bets I wont stop writing till about 11 tonight? ME!! Well lets hope so anyway :)

Next chapter: Alice, Emmett, Jasper and Bella spend some time together!

Reviews would be lovely :)