Happy New Year!

Massive thanks to the usual suspects—you know who you all are!

Thank you to iwmec for making me a fabulous banner—complete with a Gargamel t-shirt wearing Sugarlips! Nice job. Check out my profile.

I do not own Twilight or Alice In Wonderland. I do think Jasper looks good in blue, and Edward can pretend I'm a bowl of milk any day…

Alice in Wonderland:
1951 Original cartoon movie was in my mind, not the recent J. Depp version.
YouTube: (Original 1951) Alice In Wonderland Trailer

***Just to clarify…B was not angry with E after the Bounty Hunter message. She already felt a like whore and actually agreed with him. She was very hurt but did not think he was out of line with his comment.***

Chapter 12 – Alice in Wonderland

Edward was never in a rush to close the doors of the bar because he'd never say no to one more customer buying one more round of drinks. In his line of work, every drink counted, but tonight, he wanted them gone—and now. He felt a bit like a hyperactive sheep dog stalking the strays and pushing them toward the door. He did everything except bite them on the ankles to get them to go home.

Despite Edward's best efforts to close up early, the drunks wouldn't leave, and Jasper wasn't helping. In fact, he was pushing all of Edward's buttons. He kept choosing songs on the jukebox that would make people want to dance—their usual close-up routine was playing songs that weren't exactly popular so they would begin to drift home—but not tonight. This was payback, and as far as payback went, Edward couldn't really complain. He would have killed Jasper if he'd run out on him at that time on a Thursday afternoon and not returned for hours, so he gave up on closing early and tried not to focus on the sleeping beauty that awaited him above.

When the last customer had finally stumbled out the door, Edward crept into his dark apartment. His heart was pounding in his chest because he couldn't wait to set eyes on Bella asleep in his bed. The city lights from the large windows gave him enough light to see her clearly. She was asleep on her stomach and the glittering red letters of the word "Sugarlips" sparkled in the lamplight across her small shoulders. His heart fluttered in his chest at the sight of her, and he smiled to himself that she had chosen that one out of all his crazy t-shirts.

Edward went into his bathroom for a quick shower. It had been a big day, and he needed to get rid of his hard-on if he stood any chance of sleeping at all. After taking matters into his own hands and ridding his skin of the bar smell, he cleaned his teeth. He pulled out a spare toothbrush from under the sink and grabbing a Post-it-note left a message for Bella. She might be up before him, as his body was used to sleeping well after daybreak. Walking naked through his lounge back to his bed, Edward contemplated his sleeping attire. He normally slept naked but didn't think that was right after all they had been through.

Begrudgingly, he pulled on a pair of boxer briefs. His shower job had apparently been for nothing, because just thinking about sliding into bed next to her had given him a semi. He had it bad for his sleeping beauty but had decided earlier that he wouldn't wake her for two a.m. sex. He would control himself and let her make the first move physically. He wasn't even sure she would really still want him that way after all he'd said and done to her. He shook his head at how fucking stupid he'd been and how fucking lucky he was that she was here now. She really was too good to be true, and a selfish bastard like him certainly didn't deserve her.

As he pushed the comforter down and got in beside her, he received two Technicolor images for a brief second. The first image was a giant bucket of bubbles, like soapsuds, but the bucket was big enough that it would probably hold Bella. The second image was a huge chocolate brown camel with dreamy eyes and long lashes standing in the sunshine, lazily chewing his cud. Bella was dreaming, and a smile spread across his face at the craziness that was her tantalizing mind. He made a mental note to ask her in the morning when the last time was that she'd bathed a camel.

Edward felt uncomfortable on this side of the bed. He usually slept on the right, but Bella was curled up there. She rolled over onto her side facing away from him, and another sharp image assaulted him. This time, it was a gleaming orange and black striped tiger jumping through a flaming ring, and when the image faded, it was replaced with a giant bunch of shiny metallic helium balloons. He'd never seen someone dream before, and it made him laugh that the first time it happened, it was a night at the circus. Needing sleep, because the mental exhaustion of the past six weeks was seeping from every pore, he curled his body around her, hugging her tight. The decision to touch her or not had been made for him by her vivid dream. As Edward snuggled against her, she sighed, and it was the last sound he heard before sleep claimed him.

…

Edward jolted awake with such a start that he almost fell out of bed. Blinking repeatedly, he looked around, confused, until his eyes focused on a vision beside him. Bella was lying on her side with her head resting up on her hand, her elbow in the pillow. She was grinning at him.

Edward realized that he'd been woken by Bella's thoughts of him. He'd seen a picture of himself lying in bed asleep, but it had startled him because it was like an out-of-body experience. He was viewing himself from her angle, and it confused his sleepy brain. He'd spent so much of his life looking over his shoulder that seeing himself from the eyes of another made him worry that someone was watching him. Someone was watching him, but that someone could watch him as much as she wanted—particularly from his bed.

"You okay? Did I wake you?" she said softly.

His panic faded as he opened his arms and pulled her into the nook of his shoulder.

"Hmmm...better now," he hummed. "I'll have to get used to that."

"What?"

"Your thoughts woke me. It was kinda creepy for a second," he said. His eyes closed again as he wanted to get some more sleep.

"Sorry. Thanks for the toothbrush," she said.

"Hmmm…" he murmured.

Bella looked up to check if he was asleep again.

"I have to go to work," she informed him.

Her statement got an instantaneous response. His eyes flashed opened as he rolled over, locking her in a tight embrace beneath him.

"You're my prisoner. You're not going anywhere," he said into her neck. Edward didn't want to panic, but he was still worried that if she walked out his door, she wouldn't come back.

"Edward."

"Bella."

"No, I'm serious," she said, trying to push him off.

Edward had wrapped his whole body around hers, and he closed his eyes as he snuggled in, getting comfortable on his Bella bed.

"You feel hot. I think you have a fever. Stay home," he said in her ear. "We'll sleep, we'll take Charlie his favorite lunch later, and we might even find a couple of other things to do…"

Edward couldn't resist. Being nestled into her neck, her scent overwhelmed him. She was delectable. He knew he truly was a selfish bastard when he couldn't resist her, but he felt like these were the final precious moments and if he didn't grab them, they would slip through his fingers. His lips had latched on to the delicate flesh where her neck joined her shoulder.

Bella was glad he couldn't see where her mind had instantly gone, but she knew he felt her body quiver in reaction to his lips. Her body's desire for Edward had not faded from their time apart.

"Ohh…"

"Hmmm…" he said as he continued to taste her sweet flesh.

Edward's hand snuck under her t-shirt and skimmed across her bare stomach. He was desperate to spend the day with her and wasn't above cheating to convince her to call in sick. He would do whatever it took to keep her by his side until they discussed all they needed to together.

Feeling his groin awaken too, he tried to keep his hips away from her. Bella wriggled beneath him from his lips on her neck and brushed against his erection. She moaned loudly, encouraging him. Edward abandoned her bare flesh, pushed her legs open with his knee and began rubbing the soft flesh between her legs over her underwear. He wanted to make her feel good, and this was one way he knew he could. Bella's body responded to him like no other, and he knew from her mind that his physical attention allowed her to be herself. She forgot all of society's rules and moral guidelines and could just be. He also knew that she was happiest when she was just being herself, and he wanted to make her happy.

"Stay," he crooned.

"Only if you don't stop," she replied.

Edward's plans for more sleep were forgotten at her invitation. His eyes shot open, and he leaned up on one elbow to look at her while his fingers continued their ministrations on her lower body.

"You sure?" Never in a million years did he expect this. In fact, he'd been waiting for her to push him off, for her to yell and scream at him like he knew he deserved. He wondered what she was thinking at this moment. He wondered if she still felt she didn't deserve him and was also taking what she could get in these last moments.

"Yes," she whispered.

Bella grabbed the back of his head and pulled his lips to hers. She tasted of fresh, tangy mint as his tongue found hers. If she wanted him, then he wouldn't deny her.

Edward could kiss Bella until time stood still. He loved her mouth. It caused his thoughts of fixing things between them to vanish for the time being. He moved over her and settled his hips between her legs so he could apply more pressure to where they both needed.

Thrust…

Grind…

Nip…

Suck…

Bella was hungry for the shattering orgasms that only Edward gave her. It had been so long since she'd felt good about herself that she craved the high he could give her. She hooked her fingers into the elastic of his boxer briefs and pulled. Her movements didn't have much effect, but Edward got the message. Sitting up between her spread legs, he grabbed the edge of her underwear and pulled them off. Ridding himself of his own, he watched as Bella shed his tee.

Edward got onto all fours and crawled back up her, purposefully not making contact with her as his body hovered tantalizingly above hers. He licked his bottom lip slowly, and Bella immediately understood.

Staring him in the eye, she pictured what she wanted from him clearly. The only problem was that she couldn't settle on just one thing that she wanted from him. She wanted him everywhere, all at once, as images of various positions flashed through her brain in quick succession.

Edward sat back on his heels and laughed out loud, his cock standing up proudly against the plane of his taut stomach.

"Baby, I know I'm good, but I'm not that good." He joked. "You gotta pick one."

Seeing him kneeling there with his prominent erection standing tall and supported by his muscled thighs gave her an idea, and she let him know.

"Oh, fuck. Yeah, baby. Get up here," he growled.

Bella sat up as Edward stroked himself a couple of times. She climbed onto his lap and moaned loudly when she felt his cock fill her with a satisfying stretch. With these two, there was no waiting. His ability and her dirty mind were all the foreplay they needed.

"Oh, God. You feel perfect," she gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly while she buried her face in his neck.

Her chest was flush with Edward's, and the feel of his hard body as she pressed her breasts against him had them both groaning.

Edward bucked his hips, thrusting into her. As close as they were, Bella wanted more, and she locked her ankles together behind him, allowing his cock to enter her that much deeper again.

Edward secured her to him with his arms around her back and increased the speed of his thrusts. His lips latched onto that spot he tasted earlier as his desire to mark her porcelain skin took over while they chased their orgasms together.

"Shit, I'm not gonna last," he said, squeezing his eyes closed in an attempt to hold off for her. He couldn't look at her gorgeous form if he wanted to control himself. "Fuck."

Each time Edward and Bella had been together, his control was totally lost. Her body undid him every time. Or maybe it was her total acceptance of who he was and that she wanted him despite it.

Bella was close and angled her hips forward to increase the friction against her clit as their bodies rocked together.

"Almost," she sighed.

Edward sat up higher on his heels, allowing Bella's body weight to help push her over the edge.

"Oh, yes! Kiss me," she demanded as the intensity inside her body rocketed skyward.

When Edward's tongue met hers, Bella's body stiffened momentarily as the shockwave of her orgasm began. Edward felt her muscles tighten and bucked into her hard as his own orgasm rocked through his system a moment later. He muttered unintelligible curses into her mouth while his body rode out his high.

Still unwilling to let her go, he angled around and flopped onto his back, pulling Bella on top of him. Her giggle made him smile—he'd missed that sound—and he began peppering her face with soft kisses anywhere he could reach to try and get her to do it again.

Bella cupped his face to cease his attack. As she looked down at him, her emotions welled up inside of her and threatened to erupt. Bella bit her lip, and a small frown formed as she tried to think of words to articulate what was happening within her body and soul. She wondered if Edward felt the same and then began to panic slightly that maybe he didn't. So much had happened between them, and she wondered if they could get past it all together.

Even though they were touching, it was like Edward had read her thoughts regardless.

"I know, baby," he reassured her. "I know."

His lips sought hers, and he kissed her with all his heart to make her understand that he felt it too. He had sensed the connection to her the day she first walked into the bar, but the bond they now shared was far greater and far more powerful than anything he could ever have imagined. He was hers, and he hoped she would be his. What they shared when he didn't complicate it was how a relationship should be. Strong. Honest. Solid.

Carlisle was right—great love existed for those who made the leap of faith. You had to put yourself out there—bare your soul—and trust that the one you loved would be your protection. Bella was Edward's armor—with her, he was invincible, and without her, he would be overcome. This fact had scared him into doing and saying the most horrible things, but now that he was accepting it, he felt alive. He now understood what she meant when she said that she could just be when he was by her side. Bella gave him strength, and together they would beat the odds, no matter what.

Still entangled, the couple rolled over and drifted into a contented slumber as one.

…

Edward could tell from the light in his apartment that it was about eleven o'clock when he woke up again. Bella was snuggled up against his side, and he thought she looked cat-like, curled up in a little ball.

As much as he was tempted to roll over and sleep some more, he'd meant what he'd said about taking lunch to Charlie. The home food hadn't looked that bad, but Edward didn't think a man of his age should be subjected to it if it wasn't absolutely necessary.

He was also still carrying the guilt from calling Charlie an invalid. He'd done it to hurt Bella and make her drop the idea of him being her boyfriend, but now that he'd spoken to her dad, he really wanted to make sure she didn't think he had an issue with the situation. Charlie wasn't an invalid. He needed care and medical treatment, but Edward would never refer to him as an invalid. He hoped Bella could truly be able to forgive him for his cruel insult.

Carefully wriggling away from her, he grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. His wake-up call this morning with Bella had eased the tension from his body. For the first time in his life, he actually felt lucky. Only a woman with the heart the size of Bella's would have given him the time of day after what he'd done to her. He knew he had a lot of making up to do and figured if traffic was good, he'd have plenty of time to show her how he felt before he needed to open up the bar.

Drying himself off, Edward's eyes landed on the shiny green toothbrush standing in the holder next to his well-used red one. Edward smiled when he thought the toothbrushes summed up the pair of them. He was old and used with hard edges, having seen such an ugly side of the human race all his life, whereas she was shiny and new and still full of hope and optimism. He hoped her positivity would rub off a little on him, but at the same time was realistic enough to appreciate that his life experience would keep them safe. Keeping Bella safe was all that mattered to him. If she let him, he'd spend the rest of his days making it up to her.

Bella was sitting on his couch, munching on an apple when he emerged from the steaming bathroom.

"I helped myself," she said, holding up what was left of her apple.

"Good. That makes me happy," he said as he leaned over and took a chunk out of her apple.

The action sent a jolt of desire sizzling through her system. It made her think of Edward's teeth sinking into her flesh as he nipped and sucked her. Taking a bite of the apple where his mouth had just been turned her on unexpectedly.

Oh fuck!

Standing in front of her sucking the juice off his bottom lip, Edward winked, causing Bella to blush. Having him read her every thought was going to take some getting used to. He would know exactly how many sexual thoughts she had about him each hour.

Edward nudged her knee with his. "Hey, I don't want you to be embarrassed or to censor. I love your brain. I prefer being in it than mine."

"But, I don't know when you're thinking sexy things about me."

"That's because I'm constantly thinking them," he assured her.

Bella eyed him like she wasn't convinced.

I don't believe you.

"Well, in the shower I decided to speed all the way back here from visiting Charlie to ensure we have some 'spare' time before I open the bar."

Oh, fuck me!

"I intend to." Bella blushed hard at the desire he felt for her. She'd never known a man to want her as much as Edward did. "God, you're cute," he said.

Edward needed to walk away, or they wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. While Bella showered quickly, he made a note of the supplies they would need for the weekend and threw together a bowl of Bircher muesli, drowning it in rich, creamy yoghurt instead of milk.

Bella appeared freshly showered but was wearing only his Sugarlips t-shirt again.

"Um, what am I going to wear?" she said shyly.

"Put your clothes back on, and we'll stop by your place on the way. You can grab a bag of stuff too."

Edward had walked from the kitchen over to the lounge to stand before her while he spoke.

"A bag of stuff?"

He spooned a large mouthful of his gooey muesli into her mouth.

Stop that.

"No, you're too skinny," he said. "And, the stuff's for the weekend."

Oh really?

Am I invited somewhere?

Edward smiled sheepishly, while he continued to eat and feed her alternate mouthfuls.

"Miss Isabella Swan, would you do me the honor of delighting me with your pleasurable company this weekend?"

I'd happily pleasure you this weekend.

"Behave," he said, even though he didn't want her to.

"I'd love to, Mr. Masen." Bella had learned his surname from the letter he'd sent her five weeks ago.

"Good. Also, you get to pick out what shirts we wear tonight."

"Really?" Bella loved Edward's t-shirt themes and was honored to be given the task of selecting them.

"It has to be one of my old ones, though. We won't have time to get new ones printed today," he clarified.

"I know which one," she said, bouncing on her toes before accepting another spoonful of the delicious cereal.

"But, you haven't seen half of them."

"This one," she said, pointing to the tee she was still wearing. "And, your red jeans… please."

Fuck. I love your ass in those.

We need a fresh start.

Bella couldn't help herself. Every time she heard or saw the name "Sugarlips," her bar-gasm memories would consume her. Edward's body flinched as her erotic memories flooded his mind.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed. "That's it."

In two strides, he had dumped the muesli bowl on the edge of his kitchen counter. Another two, and he was back and scooping her up into his arms. Bella squealed.

"I give up trying to control myself," he muttered as he plunked her onto the counter. She wriggled and squealed more as the back of her bare thighs and butt came in contact with the cold stainless steel.

"Will a counter-gasm do?" he asked, pushing her thighs apart and dragging his fingers roughly up them.

"Is there time?"

"There's always time to devour you," he said before pushing her to lie down, spread open for him on his kitchen counter.

When Edward said he would devour her, he wasn't kidding. His mouth ravaged her wet flesh eagerly. All Bella could focus on was the exquisite tension building in her body. His tongue edged her closer in long, even strokes before he teased her clit with a series of quick flicks. Bella hips lifted up in encouragement. Trying to stop herself from wriggling right off the counter, Bella was having trouble focusing. His tongue was making that almost impossible, but she suddenly felt like she was being watched.

Lifting her head, she found two desperate green eyes piercing her. The idea of Edward watching her pending orgasm sent a physical shiver through her as she quaked under him.

"Hmmm…" he murmured.

Bella was having difficulty keeping her head up, she wanted to look in his eyes when she came, but her head felt like a lead weight as she struggled to control herself.

"You're… you're watching me," she said.

Edward hummed again and nodded his head into her core.

"I like it. Oh, fuck."

Feeling the tiny tremors that preceded her climax, Edward slipped his fingers inside her, making her gasp and wriggle more. Holding her pelvis with one hand, he played her body with his talented fingers and cheeky mouth until she cried out in relief as her orgasm erased everything from her consciousness except for disheveled copper and piercing green.

Edward stood up proudly between her legs, his hands caressing her thighs in even strokes to calm her rapidly beating heart.

"Your lips are going to be the death of me," she managed.

He teased her by licking them again.

"Mmmm…best breakfast ever."

…

The smell of pepperoni stood out in the hospital-like corridors of the home. When the aroma hit Charlie's nostrils, Bella thought she could almost see his memory returning.

"Hi, Dad."

"Bells," he said, reaching to hug her around the waist from his chair.

"This is Edw…"

"I know. I'm not an idiot," Charlie said, cutting her off. "He's your guy. From yesterday."

He remembers Edward…

Bella clutched her chest. Her dad's memory was working. This was the first new thing he'd remembered in over a year.

My guy…

"Ah." Bella wasn't sure. They needed to talk so badly but hadn't had a proper chance. There was so much to discuss. She couldn't put the inevitable off any longer.

Are you?

I mean…do you want to be?

Before doubt could take hold of her, Edward nodded in confirmation and winked.

"Yes, that's right, Dad." She smiled, but it wasn't just a smile—relief flowed through her system, making her shine.

By the time the three of them had settled in the tiny garden outside Charlie's room, the pizza was a little cold. The temperature didn't seem to bother Charlie as he reached for his third huge slice.

"Really, Dad?"

Bella hadn't seen her father with an appetite for years.

"What? A man'll starve to death on the stuff they give you in here."

"It's good food," Bella countered.

"Yeah, but it lacks flavor…and salt," he muttered.

Bella wagged her finger at him in mock annoyance, but Charlie gave her a cheesy grin in return. Bella's heart soared. Her father was acting like his old self—before her mother's death. Her day couldn't get any better. As good as Charlie was, he wasn't aware of what day of the week it was, so he didn't give her a hard time about skipping work.

Shortly after, the pizza box lay empty in the sunshine. Edward sat on the grass with his legs stretched out and leaned back on one hand. Bella's head rested on his thigh as he stroked her soft hair. Charlie shuffled from plant to plant, admiring the gardeners' handy work. Seeing him more like a tired old man caused Bella to frown. He was present today mentally, but he was still a long way from recovery. Sitting in a vegetative state for months on end had led to muscle wastage, and Bella wondered if he'd also need physical therapy.

Another doctor…

Another bill…

More money…

Michael…

Oh God, MICHAEL!

FUCK! OH, GOD. NO!

In the bliss of the past twelve hours, Bella had actually forgotten about Michael and her arrangement. Bella had been caught in a living hell for the past six weeks, so she automatically clung to the distraction that Edward was when she found him in her father's room. She was glad Edward couldn't see her panic because they were touching. She reached her hand up, and he immediately took hold of her. Bella held him tight to safeguard her mind. Edward mistook her change in body language as worry about her father. Little did he know that her anxiety was to do with how she would continue Charlie's care now, not how Charlie was currently doing.

Oh, my God…I really am a whore…I just jumped into Edward's bed when I'm already committed…

I never want that asshole to touch me ever again…

Don't vomit!

Calm the fuck down!

But how?

I can't send Charlie back to his mental prison…

Oh God, help me…

"Hey, don't frown. He's happy," Edward said so that only she could hear. "You okay?"

Bella couldn't look at him as the guilt and nausea washed over her. Her bubble of Edward bliss was about to burst, and she wasn't sure how she could prevent that from happening.

I won't cope if he rejects me again…

But I'd reject me after what I've done…

He's probably forgotten…but that message at the bar…

Oh, God!

Edward's fingers massaged the deep wrinkle between her eyebrows.

"He's thinking about her. Did she like to garden?"

"Oh, you can see?" Bella said, starting to sit up. She caught herself in time and lay back down, maintaining the connection. It was too risky. She needed to work out a plan and then discuss it with Edward. She was too emotional right now to control her thoughts.

He nodded and smiled at her.

"It's not like you—the images. They're color, but faded and fuzzy. I can see your mom gardening. He's remembering," he whispered.

Bella felt the dreaded tears fill her eyes. Memories of her mother on top of everything else were too much for her to contain.

"Hey, shhh…" Edward soothed. "He's really happy. Don't be sad."

Bella watched her father bend slowly to smell a small violet blossom. As they were sitting behind him, she couldn't see his face as he was turned toward the garden right outside his window, but she could tell he was relaxed.

"My mom didn't work, so she gardened, and Dad loves the garden, so he used to relax out there and admire her work. She built a world for him in our backyard. It was amazing," Bella explained.

Thinking of happier times quelled her tears, but they hovered just below the surface.

How did my life end up here?

Why do I have to choose between my happiness and my father's?

Edward means the world to me…he said I'm his everything….

I can just be myself with him…

I care for him so much it fucking hurts sometimes…

Bella tried to control the emotions that erupted up inside of her every time she thought of Edward since they had first met. The way he made her feel was like nobody else. It confused her and frightened her, but it was also invigorating and made her spirit soar. It wasn't until the afternoon in the bar when he'd sliced his Knight's sword through the exposed flesh of her scaly underbelly that she'd bottled up her feelings for him. Attacking Charlie was too much. Bella felt like a lonely dragon hiding in a cave, and Edward had the power to truly slay her. She realized that, only because of his cruel words that fateful afternoon. But, despite the power he held, she couldn't stay away. She loved him, and if loving him split her heart in two, then she would have to suffer through the pain because she no longer had her thick dragon hide to protect her from his advances.

Thinking about how she'd felt with Edward last night and earlier today compared with how Michael made her feel slapped her in the face. There was no comparison and no denying that she really did love Edward Masen. The hard part was working out how to keep him.

Bella felt stupid for letting the fantasy of being with Edward wipe her mind of her harsh reality.

Michael…

Holy shit…

When Edward had suggested taking her father his favorite lunch, Bella had felt his sword wound begin to heal. Edward's actions spoke much louder than any words of apology he could have spoken to her. She knew he was letting her know how sorry he felt about their argument and that he didn't have a problem with Charlie being in a nursing home at all. Even without the explanation of how Charlie had ended up here, Edward had accepted him and wasn't judging the slightly hunched-over man, moving like a snail along the tiny garden bed.

"Thank you," she said, looking up at him from his lap and fighting the pending tears. "I never told anyone about him because I wanted to salvage his dignity. I didn't want anyone to see him like this—not even Rose. It's been so hard alone."

"Hey, I'm here now." Edward glanced at Charlie to make sure he was still enthralled with the plant life. He then ducked his head down and kissed her. What was meant to be a quick kiss turned hot when Bella gripped his neck and slid her tongue between his lips. Was this the last time she would get to kiss him?

Edward sensed a slight desperation in her passion, and he wondered briefly where that had come from and why, but his thoughts were only brief because her mouth distracted him. He happily deepened the kiss, pulling her up to him.

Bella sat up and was trying to angle herself onto his lap. Edward felt like a naughty teenager again and glanced at Charlie. Promising to care for his little girl and molesting her in his presence, Edward thought, were two very different concepts. He didn't really want to test Charlie's reaction to the latter, but his eyes saw something far worse than a protective father.

Michael.

The cock sucking motherfucker was standing in Charlie's room watching Bella and Edward kiss.

Hatred and loathing detonated Edward's control. In his relief to have Bella forgive him, he'd forgotten about that fucking prick.

"I'm going to kill him," Edward vowed as he pushed Bella from his lap and headed for the entrance.

In a split second, she'd gone from kissing Edward to watching his retreating form. She was stunned and confused by his words. She looked around hopelessly until comprehension dawned on her. There, standing in the window and looking disgusted, was Michael.

Oh shit.

Run, you stupid fucker.

He's going to kill you.

"Dad, wait here. I'll be back," she said, jumping up and tearing off in Edward's wake.

Bella ran like the wind back to the entrance to catch up to Edward. His anger had given him wings, it seemed, as he flew down the bright white corridor toward Charlie's room.

"Edward," she pleaded. "Wait."

His square, rigid shoulders rounded the doorway and vanished. When Bella made it into the room a moment later, Michael was rolling around on the starched white linoleum, holding his face and whimpering loudly.

Is that blood?

Edward loomed over him, looking as fierce as the devil himself.

"You fucking stay away from her. You hear me?" he spat at the wide-eyed, still moaning man. "It's over. Done! You fucking touch her again, and I'll rip your God damned head off."

"Oh my God," Bella uttered.

Michael turned his head in her direction as he tried to scramble backward away from Edward. The bright red blood he was smearing everywhere in his bid to get away from the angry, avenging angel was in stark contrast to the whiteness of the room and his uniform. His coated hands slid along the floor in vain.

"I can't believe you squealed, you little rat," he said, spitting blood on the floor at her feet.

Edward lunged and grabbed him by his uniform and punched him again. "She never ratted on anyone, you fucker. I worked it out. Trust me, she didn't say a thing," he snarled an inch from Michael's bleeding nose. He hoped the second shot left him with a black eye.

Michael blinked in confusion and fear as the pain surged across his cheekbone.

"If you knew her like I do," Edward continued, "You would know what it cost her to agree to your sick idea."

"Edward, please…" Bella was caught once more between a rock and hard place. Half of her wanted Edward to kick him in the balls so hard he could never use them again, but the other half was panicking about what was going to happen to Charlie the minute they both left here.

"Edward, what about Charlie?"

Edward looked up, and the expression on his face told Bella he hadn't thought this through.

"He is out of here," spat Michael defiantly.

Those three words were like a spark to a gas can.

"If you so much as look at Mr. Swan, I'll be in front of the Board of Directors faster than you can say 'suck me.' You'll be hung, drawn and quartered by the Medical Board and never work in this state again. We clear?" he roared.

Michael looked like he had the fear of God in him. He nodded his head slowly, and Edward let him go, dumping him back on the floor.

"I mean it, you go near him, and I will know, asshole. I will know," he said.

…

Edward was relieved to be back within the safety of the bar's four walls. All those wild minds at the home were giving him a migraine. It had taken ages to convince Bella to leave her father at the home. Edward had paid two nurses all the money he had on him to keep a close watch on Charlie and to call him if anything occurred. He'd seen from both of their minds that they thought he was sexy, so having his number made them both vow to keep a close eye just in case there was a reason to phone this hunk of a man later that night.

He'd also spent the entire trip back to the Lower East Side apologizing to Bella for not controlling his raging Neanderthal that had gotten the better of him when he'd laid eyes on that motherfucker. He'd told her that even though he couldn't promise her anything, he'd try really hard not to speak for her in the future like an overbearing boyfriend because he had learned the last time he did that, that she hated it. He clarified that he was not sorry he'd punched the fucker and wished he'd kicked him as well, but he was sorry he'd put her dad in a vulnerable position.

Before they went down to the bar, Edward had to address his biggest fear—asking Bella to forgive him for that night. He couldn't put this off any longer.

Bella's mind was in total turmoil. She'd been stupid to think she could block out her reality and let the euphoric feeling of being with Edward fix all her problems. Her mind flicked over the last six weeks, and it made her sick all over again.

"Bella!" Edward said a little too harshly. He was getting mad that she couldn't see herself clearly, but he knew he was partly responsible for that.

Bella looked up, and fresh tears welled in her eyes once more.

"Bella…" He sighed. There was no easy way to say this. "Please stop thinking like that. I don't—and never did—think you were a…whore. Please. I know what I said to you that night, but it was all a lie." He looked at her, pleading for her to believe him.

What?

But…

"Fuck," he groaned. "Bella, I'm the world's biggest asshole, and sooner or later you're going to work that out. I used your biggest fear against you. I knew what scared you, and I made it real. Fuck, I'm so sorry. I mean it when I say that I wish you could see into my mind. You'd see how utterly truly sorry I am for what I've done to you."

Edward felt sick remembering what he had done to her again. Even after all these weeks, he still couldn't believe he'd stooped that low.

"I needed to push you away for so many reasons."

"What reasons?"

"I knew you were better off without me in your life because of how bad I had already made you feel. You deserve better than me—still do. Plus, being near me is dangerous. If anything ever happened to you because of me, I'd never forgive myself. But the last reason is the worst," he said, looking at his feet.

"I'm such a fucking coward." Bella looked at him in confusion, so he knew he had to explain. "Having an insider's view to your emotions when you were so upset nearly killed me. The way he made you feel and knowing it was all for your dad—fuck. Then the way you felt once I found out about it. It was so overwhelming that I had to protect myself. I'm so fucking sorry. I didn't know that afternoon in the car if we could be friends because I didn't know if I was strong enough to survive your mental sadness. I shouldn't ask for your forgiveness but—"

"You never thought I was a—"

"Don't even fucking say that word! No! I never thought that. I knew why you were doing it." The pain that was etched over Edward's face showed he was telling the truth.

The hurt and worry that had been consuming Bella erupted in a new wave of tears. Edward pulled her into his arms and clung to her, rocking the pair back and forth to soothe them both.

"I swear, if you give me a chance, I'll spend the rest of my days trying to make you see who you really are. You don't see yourself right, and if I can make you see how beautiful you are inside and out, then I will forgive myself," he whispered against the top of her head.

…

Bella followed Edward into the bar and saw Jasper anxiously pacing back and forth.

"You're late, man. Come on! Your shirt's there," he said, pointing to the bright orange t-shirt folded on the bar top. Friday nights were crazy, and his partner knew better than to be late.

Jasper's eyes landed on Bella the moment he'd finished speaking, and he suddenly felt like a jerk.

"Fuck, are you okay, B? Edward?" Jasper looked between the broken couple. Bella's eyes were red and puffy, and Edward looked like he was going to blow a gasket. He wondered when these two were going to get a break.

"I'm fine, Jasper. Thanks. It's…" she started to say.

"It's complicated, man," Edward said. He didn't want her feeling she owed Jasper an explanation for Edward's lateness. "I'm sorry I'm late. What the fuck are you wearing?" Edward said, pointing to Jasper's pale blue t-shirt that he had only just noticed.

"I got shirts made today. Aren't you proud of me?" he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Jasper stood facing Bella with his hands on his hips, standing tall, showing as much of his chest off as possible. Even in Bella's fragile state, she couldn't help but let a small laugh escape.

Covering almost the whole shirt was a black and grey original picture of Alice in Wonderland. Written in fancy cursive script across his heart read the words "I Love Alice."

Edward glared at him. "That's not fucking funny."

"I felt like my lady needed to be honored with a shirt too."

Bella giggled fully as she looked between the two boys, facing off across the bar like they were ready for a gunfight. She reached over and shook out Edward's fuchsia number to reveal a black and grey image of a beaming Cheshire Cat, but the lovely script across Edward's right shoulder read "I Love PUSSY Cats." The only problem was the "pussy" was written in giant capitals and "cats" was so small and located almost in his armpit that you could only see it if you were up close to him.

Edward tried hard to stop himself from laughing when Bella's mental image floated into his conscious. She was back at breakfast agreeing with how much he loved that.

Oh, he loves pussy all right.

Trying to behave herself, she then thought of a scene from the original movie with Jasper dressed up in the pretty blue dress as Alice in Wonderland, complete with perfect blond ringlets and Edward floating along beside him in a giant purple cat costume. Bella's mind had painted a cute button cat nose on Edward and three tiny black whiskers on each cheek. He looked absurd.

"That's not funny," he said, trying to be serious. "I preferred your first thought. And, do not encourage him," he said, pointing to Jasper. "He's not funny."

"Whatever, Pu—" Jasper started to say.

"Oh, fuck no!" Edward exclaimed with wide eyes, as the realization slowly dawned on him. "What the hell are people going to call me all night?"

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Or maybe you prefer Pussy?

"Bella," he said in a warning tone.

"Bar rules," Bella and Jasper replied in unison.

"Fuck me. It's going to be a long night."

Thank you for reading.

A reader asked me something that got me thinking. What would your BE Bar name be?

I know what my hubby's would be. He's the KungFu Panda without a doubt. I'm sure he channels Po some days.

For me…it's a hard choice, but I might pick Muttley. I prefer to listen than talk—unless I know you really well, and I do love to laugh. The classic picture of Muttley standing with his paw over his mouth snickering is often me. I have also owned several Muttley t-shirts over the years.

What character describes you?