[Chapter 13]
Title: Sleeping beauty
Note: All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
My eyes open and darkness surrounds me, only a strip of light from the hallway shone through the gap below the bedroom door. I see Edward sleeping soundly beside me - body curled up like a baby's, the soft blanket molded him. I glance at the clock, its 2.34am…
You know when you wake up sometimes in the wee hours of the night yet you feel so fresh and hyper and you know that you're not going to be able to go back to sleep afterwards? I'm having that moment right now.
My body feels sticky and the musky aroma of after-sex still lingered in the room. I inhaled the luscious scent deeply, and grin to myself as I recall what an awesome fucking-time I had with Edward - not too long ago. The next minute I find myself on my feet, stretching out my arms to the sky and bending my back sideways.
I silently walked to the bathroom and purposely closed the bathroom door first before turning on the lights. I look myself in the mirror – hair in a horrid mess, not to forget oily and knotted at every end – the 'afterglow' of great sex. 'Sex-hair' may look fuck-tabulous on women like Eva Mendez and Cheryl Cole, but definitely not on me. I poured myself a glass of tap water and drank it, quenching my thirst. I turned to face the shower, envisioning Edward moving sensually behind it, just like last night. Almost instantly, I could feel my insides aching for him all over again. I told myself to snap out of it – thanking the glass of cold water in hand. I took a quick shower to wash off the perspiration and tang of wild sex, using Vagisil for the more intimate parts.
Wrapping a towel across my chest, I walked to the closet to find myself something comfy to put on. I settled on a loose floral blouse and butt-hugging jean shorts. I omitted the use of the hair-dryer as the noise was sure to wake Edward up. I tried my best to dry out my hair using the towel before giving it a light brush, then heading down to the kitchen to see if there's anything I can munch on.
I opened the pantry and pulled out a Frosted S'more Pop tart and a packet of cheese biscuits. Taking an almost empty carton of milk with me, I jumped onto the couch and turned on the television. Switching from channel to channel, I couldn't find anything good to watch. I ended up watching one of those repeated episodes of Project runway. I happily crunch down on the tidbits and drink milk straight out of the carton.
A cold breeze that came through the open windows makes the hair at the back of my neck stand. I turn up the volume when I realize that the house was too overly silent, making the atmosphere pretty eerie. After Project runway, it was Criminal minds. I look at the time on the cable box. 4.15 am. Oh God, it's still so freaking early!
"Bella is that you?" I hear Edward's distinct voice calling out to me. I turn to find my half-naked husband walking towards me, looking extremely exhausted and I'm sure we both know the reason why…
"Honey, what are doing up so early?" I asked as I turned myself around, kneeling on the couch to face him. Edward came forth and pulled my into a hug, followed by a quick morning kiss.
"I could ask you that same thing. I turn to find my wife missing." He says, one hand on my cheek, his thumb lightly caressing it.
"I woke up and I couldn't get back to sleep."
"Are you feeling alright baby?" Edward asks with concern, "Had a bad dream or something?"
"Nope," I replied, shaking my head for emphasis. "Why don't you go back to bed and sleep for a couple of hours more? I can help Esme with breakfast later and call you up when it done."
"That's a good idea. You sure you're going to be ok, down here all by yourself? … You need me to accompany you or something?"
"Of course I'm going to be ok, Edward. What can possibly happen to me at 4am in the morning?" I can't help but tease him, it a rather senseless question if you were to ask me.
"I just want you to be safe." Edward said in his serious tone. Oh god, I'm not like some 5 year old kid who's going to get in trouble if you leave me alone for like 10 minutes! Like seriously, what could happen?
"I'm going to be fine Edward." I assured him, silently giggling at the stupidity of it all. "Go back to bed already! You really look like you need the extra sleep."
"I sure do…" Edward replied in his half-sober state. He lands a peck on my forehead before heading upstairs and back to bed.
--
"Esme, this looks like a spread for 10 people!" I exclaimed, putting a plate of mushroom and cheese omelet on the dining table.
"Well we hardly have time to eat breakfast together, so why not make more so we can all sit down a little longer?" Esme half-giggled through her words, but a tinge of disappointment could be sensed behind the false front.
"Yeah… I guess we've all been pretty busy nowadays. We all leave at different timings and I always sleep in, even during weekdays…" Somehow feeling sadden that we've all grown slightly apart since I moved in. It's ironic because it should have been the other way round. "Sorry Esme, if I am not like the ideal daughter-in-law you envision. I don't exactly know how to be one… if you know what I mean.
"Oh don't be silly dear. You don't know how happy all of us felt when you agreed to marry Edward. We thought he would never find a suitable girl and settle down – ever! We all love you so very much and I really hope that you will feel the same way too dear."
Esme's heartfelt words of love melted through me. Her charming smile sparkled in her eyes as she dried her hands on the kitchen towel, walked over and pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged her back.
"Thanks Mum…for accepting me… and loving me." I'm truly grateful…
"You're welcome," Esme gives me final squeeze before letting go. "Oh look at the time! The boys are going to be down any minute now." She stated in a delightful tone.
--
"So how are you going to spend your day today Bella?" Carlisle asks curiously while forking one of the perfectly round pancakes onto his plate. "Oh by the way, the pancakes are delicious dear. Light and fluffy, just the way I like it."
"Thank you honey." Esme's voice was almost child-like. I look up from my plate and swear I could see Esme's cheeks turn a deeper shade of red - and it's not the blusher. She lowers her head a little, trying to cover her blush with her fringe – which I think is so cute. I reflect on the moment and thought that this is how Edward and I are going to be like 20 something years down the road. I unknowingly felt the corners of my lips bend upwards imagining us growing old together.
"Bella?" I hear Edward's voice calling out to me. I look up and saw Edward's flawless face bearing a look of uneasiness. Then I remembered that I've yet to answer Carlisle's question.
"Oh yea… Hmm… I'm not too sure. Probably go for a swim if the weather's good." I was honestly clueless as to what my schedule is going to be like. Well ok, maybe I do know what my schedule is like and that consists of watching television, eating and ransacking the DVD collection to entertain myself. And that doesn't sound like a holistic lifestyle at all. So I included a little healthy boost to my day and show that I'm actually doing something active, anything other than exercising my fingers on the remote control or tearing open snack packaging.
"That's good…How about you Edward?"
"The clinic is going to be packed today. A ton of appointments but don't worry, James and I can handle it…" Edward says in between mouthfuls of bacon and sausages. God he looks so cute with his face stuffed like that…
"Call in extra help if need be Edward. I'm sure you and James can help widen the horizons of some fresh graduates." Carlisle suggested enthusiastically.
"Maybe… We'll see how it all goes."
--
"See you later tonight Bells." Edward says, hugging me close to his chest before pressing his firm lips on my hairline. The sweet smell of maple syrup, pancakes and a hint of coffee could be smelled in his breath.
"See you…" I said, giving him a final peck on his lips before sending him off to the porch. I kept my eyes on Edward until I could no longer see him in sight. I went back inside and simply stared at the sink filled with dirty dishes. Not to forget the others which are scattered on the dining table, waiting to be washed and put away.
I look at the clock. Just a little over eight. A huge yawn escapes my lips. Maybe it was the super lavish portion of breakfast that's making me feel super lethargic and lazy at the same time – or the lack of sleep. After pondering a minute or two on what my next move should be, I set my mind to just leave everything as it is and retreat back to my luxurious bed that seems to be in welcoming spirits when I approached it. Afterall, Marie is coming over today. I'll just need to open the door later in the afternoon and she'll do the rest. I stood tall at the tips of my toes and lazily free fall backwards into the soft sheets – pillows tumble down from their neatly stacked piles against the headboard and collapse all over me.
I cuddled the one closest to me and pulled one from my other side and placed it at the back of my neck. Not giving a care about the faint morning light that shone distractingly into the room, I curdled myself into a ball and swiftly departed myself from reality to La-la land.
--
Even with my eyes closed, I could sense warm bright sunlight on them. I figured it was mid-afternoon already due to the heat. My back felt really damp but I felt cold. I looked up at the ceiling which seems to be spinning and there's a throbbing pain in my head. I pushed away the thick blanket wrapped around me and prop myself up on bed and in that second, my whole vision was a blur. I simply didn't feel good at all. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that I was sick – probably the common flu or something.
I got out of bed even though my body was giving me every reason not to. I felt weak and lethargic and my limbs were all limply. I dragged my feet to the medicine kit in the hall way toilet. I opened the off-white box with a contrasting big red cross and took out the thermometer. I turned it on, placed it under my tongue and sat on the toilet bowl cover as I waited for the beep sound.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The screen on the thermometer read 38.1 degrees celsius.
Fever…
I scouted the medicine kit hoping to find some Panadol to cure my horrid suffering but to no avail. Right after I put the medicine kit back it place, the boor bell rang. It must be Marie. I strolled down the staircase, mentally cursing at the bloody annoying ringing of the door bell that's giving me one hell of a headache.
"I'm coming! I'm comi- "A cough caught my tongue as I shouted to plain air, hoping that she would finally stop ringing the damn bell already.
"Hi Marie," I said upon opening the door. "There are dishes in the sink and Esme left a list of things she wanted you to do."
"Oh ok." She replied cheerfully. Well at least her pleasant voice was comforting compared to the previous ringing of the doorbell.
"Bella, are you feeling ok? You look a little pale and you're sweating bullets!" She exclaimed just when I was about to walk away, concern and worry evident in her eyes.
"Don't panic Marie, it's just a common flu. I'll just take a few pills and rest." I reassured her. And then it struck me that I had to go buy some Panadol since we ran out of them. "Oh yea, I need to run an errand later. We ran out of Panadol."
"You want me to get them for you? It'll just take a jiffy."
"Oh that's great. I didn't feel like stepping out of the house anyway." And with that, I passed her some money and made my way to bed again. This time, I pulled the curtains along the windows to block the sun out. I rested my head on the headboard and closed my eyes as my weakened body embraces itself in the soft covers.
--
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Light tapings on the door interrupted my relaxed mind. I groan in annoyance.
"Bella, your medicine," Marie announced her presence. I opened my eyes just a tiny bit and saw her walking towards me with a small tray in hand. She placed the tray on the side table and brought the pills and water to me. "Have you taken your lunch?" She asks.
"Yes." I lied. I really wasn't in the mood to eat. The flu had made me loose my appetite in everything. Well it was a good thing I guess since it prevents me from emptying out the pantry.
"Ok. So you have to take these 3 times a day on a full stomach. I suggest you have them after breakfast, lunch and dinner." She instructed suggestively.
I gave her a curt smile to show that I understood what she said and held my palm out. She puts two Panadol in my hand and I pop them in my mouth, taking a big gulp of the lukewarm water to help with the swallowing.
"Oh and Bella, have you informed Edward that you're sick?" Marie asks on her way out. Well isn't she an annoying person.
"Not yet. He's going to be really busy at work. I'll tell him later." I replied plainly, annoyance apparent in my words, hoping that she would notice that I really didn't want to play 20 questions at this point of time.
"Ok. I'll leave you to rest now then."
"Thanks Marie."
The silence of the room was comforting. And the darkness of it was inviting. I didn't have to worry about any 'door problems' as Marie will let herself out once she's done with her chores. The Cullens trust her enough to have the spare house key sometimes under special circumstances. I have no problem with that as long as I'm able to have my peace in this house. Just a couple of hours more till Edward comes home… … …
A/N: Hey readers, sorry for the late update. Here's something light after the rather hardcore one previously. I know that many of you are questioning about the part about Victoria. Don't worry, I have not put her aside completely. She is going to reappear soon, which chapter exactly, I don't know.
I plan out the storyline in my head but I'm not the kind that sticks to it. It depends on my mood really. But you can look forward to a more emotional piece for the next chapter. I'll try to include more conversations between characters, especially Edward and Bella.
Hope that you guys will continue to support my story. Reviews are immensely appreciated. Thank you!