And So I Have to Say

"Hi there, Angel Face!"

She stood up slowly. "Look, Edward! I'm standing today."

He just stared at her. A grin spread slowly across his face. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "You're-- look at you, you're all standing by yourself and stuff--" he ran over and gathered her into his arms. "Do you have any idea how much I love you right now?"

She laughed. "Put me down! You're squeezing me!"

"Nuh-uh," he protested into her hair. "I'm going to hold on to you forever."

She giggled again. "Can I at least have my feet on the floor? Please? It's been too long since I have."

"Oh fine." he set her down, still holding her close. "Can you walk yet?"

She laughed. "Um, one thing at a time there, big guy."

"Aww, drat."

She grinned. "Believe me, I know." she sighed. "I'm tired. PT has been so hard."

"I know, baby," he sighed. "On the bright side, I get to take you home tomorrow."

"I can't wait!"

"Chief Swan will be so happy."

"I miss him. I haven't seen him in days."

"He's been busy, baby. Just yesterday there was another horrid car accident. Before that,there was an animal attack. He's got paperwork coming out of his ass."

She snorted. "Lovely."

"I know, Angel Face. But he misses you too. You'll be home now, so he's bound to see you eventually. Ooh, I have something to tell you. If it's okay with you, My dad and Chief Swan say that I can crash your guest room for a little while... just until you can walk on your own. So you're not lonely, and so you can make it up and down the stairs."

Her eyes widened. "You would do that for me?"

"I would do anything for you," he said cheerfully. "I love you, Angel Face. Rest, okay?"

She snuggled into his chest. "Okay."

****

He sat up and there was a big grin on his face. All through his shower and getting ready, he couldn't wipe it off. Every time he tried, it would just get bigger. His face was starting to hurt.

Today was the day. He was going to take her out of the hospital and bring her home. Charlie would let him stay there with her, so she wasn't alone. They would finally get to do real boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. His plan was that, as soon as she was truly steady on her feet, walking and all, he would take her to the meadow he found off of one of the trails. For now, he had to stick with dinner and movies. He didn't mind, he just wanted to be with her. More than anything, he just wanted to spend time with his girl. He would have to keep Alice away from her until she had the energy, though. Although he doubted she would ever have the energy to deal with his sister. No one else did.

Speak of the devil. "Edward! Are you ready to go get Bella?! I have just the outfit for her."

"Alice... she had her last surgery only three weeks ago. She could still be sore. What are you making her wear? How do you even have her size?! You stalker!"

"Relax! It's a track suit from Ecko Red. Very comfortable, and she won't look like she just walked out of a madhouse. And I have some shoes--"

"No heels, Alice! She can't even walk as it is."

"What--? But--"

"Alice! Go find her some decent sneakers, okay?"

She pouted. "Fine."

"Aww, Alice, come on, don't be that way. You know full well that she isn't able to wear that stuff yet. When she's well enough, and Dad and I will decide that, you can play Bella-barbie with her all you want. But until then, I make the rules. And the rules are, no heels, not tight clothing, no jeans. Got it? No mini skirts, freaky tops, none of that. And please, in the name of the ever-loving God, no make up. EVER."

"You're such a spoilsport."

"You know it, baby sister." he gave her his crooked grin, and she huffed and stomped out of the room.

"Meet you in the car," she grumbled.

He chuckled. "I love you, Alice!" he called out the door. He laughed when he heard a "No you don't!' followed by the door slamming closed.

"Aww, great," he muttered to himself. He got her mad. Alice was insufferable when she was angry. "Oh well," he sighed to himself. "Let's get this show on the road." He remembered to bring a pair of his sweatpants, in case Alice wound up trying to make her wear something tight anyway.