Chapter 20 Showtime

Bella's POV

"What did you do to yourself?" Carlisle-who was used to my constant injuries by now- said when Edward and I walked into his office only minutes later (Thanks to Edward's blatant disrespect for speed limits).

I couldn't help smiling at that, my hand actually wasn't so bad now that the shock had passed, "It wasn't really my fault this time."

Carlisle chuckled, "Really? Please do tell?" he asked curiously. I loved Carlisle, he was the perfect second father to me.

"She punched her jerk of an ex boyfriend in the face." Edward answered for me in a growl.

Carlisle's smile dimmed, "I see. I take it that he at least deserved it?"

I opened my mouth to answer myself this time but Edward beat me to it again.

"He said the most hurtful, untrue things to her…" he trailed off and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Carlisle's jaw hardened and he turned to me, "Well let's see Bella."

My hand wasn't as injured as I thought; I just had a small sprain in the one finger.

"You don't need a cast or anything Bella, you'll be fine."

I let out a whoop of joy at the thought of not wearing a cast, making Edward and Carlisle both laugh at my antics- I'd warn too many casts and bandages in my life.

"Will I be okay for my show?" I asked Carlisle worriedly. Rosalie and I were dancing in a show late next week.

Carlisle nodded, "Should be fine. Esme and I will probably come and watch you guys."

"Thank you. It's not like my real parents will be there." I let the slight bitterness creep into my tone- I was tired of them disapproving of every decision I made.

Carlisle gave me a warm hug just before Edward and I left, "Which is why we'll be there, Bella." He said, making me extremely grateful.

Edward's POV

"Ladies and gentleman, and our final act for the evening- Forks Modern Dance Academy." The guy on the stage announced, anticipation of seeing Bella making me sit up straighter in my seat. Carlisle, Esme and I were sitting in the uncomfortable seats of the Port Angeles Grand Theatre- although what was so grand about the large hall, I'd never understand. I suppose for holding events such as Bella's dance shows, it was the biggest centre around without having to head to Seattle.

I eagerly watched the stage as about five of the girls came onto the stage to form a back row of dancers, before the first row came on. Rosalie, Lauren and Bella.

My eyes were immediately riveted only on Bella as she danced, captivating me with the easy way she moved and controlled her dance steps. I was barely aware of anyone else in the hall full of people, there was only my beautiful Bella on that stage.

Which is why I only realised too late that disaster was about to strike.

The cause was Lauren Mallory. She was so into the crowd and flipping her hair, trying to make herself seem sexy, that she went a step too soon, causing her to step right into Bella just as Bella took a step back.

Bella was the only one that hit the ground. Hard.

I heard a couple of snickers in the crowd as I immediately stood up, searching desperately for a way to get to her, but finding none.

"Edward, sit down, you won't be allowed to see her until after." Esme gently grasped my arm, tugging me back down, her own concern for Bella on her face.

I watched helplessly as Bella was led- limping- off the stage and the rest of the show continued as if nothing had happened.

I was restless in my seat the rest of the time, wanting to get to my wife, wanting to know if she was okay, wanting to kill Lauren Mallory- even if it had been an accident.

Finally the show finished and I was the first one to force my way backstage, security hadn't moved from the hall itself yet to stop me. I rushed to the dressing room ignoring the giggling girls as they saw a man peak their head through the door, "Where's Bella?" I demanded, keeping my head down.

"In the other changing room across the stage." A red head told me. I smiled my thanks and immediately raced behind the curtain, to the other room. It was quiet, so I knocked on the door. Silence.

I slowly opened the door and peaked in, my heart melting when I saw Bella sitting on a sofa in the corner of the room. She looked up at the sound of the door and I saw the tears streaming down her face, she looked relieved and mortified when she saw me.

"Oh Bella." I murmured, crossing the room to sit and take her in my arms.

"I don't care that Lauren ruined it, you were the most beautiful," I kissed her briefly on the lips, "Fantastic," another kiss, "graceful dancer out there." I told her honestly.

Bella snorted, "Graceful, Edward?" she asked sceptically, "Did you see me? I fell like an idiot in front of hundreds; I embarrassed myself, I embarrassed you–"

I gave her a look, silencing her immediately, "Don't be ridiculous Bella, you can never embarrass me." And as I had thousands of times when she was feeling sorry for herself, I grabbed her shoulders and moved her so she was looking directly in my in eyes.

"This was not your fault Bella. You're beautiful and strong and you can leave this dressing room with your head held high and joke about what happened. That could've happened to anyone."

She sniffed and smiled gratefully before wrapping her arms around my neck, "You're right." She sighed, "As long as you're by my side."

I think my heart would never tire of hearing her say things like that, things that proved that she really did love me too and that the night we'd got together for real wasn't just a dream.

"I love you." I told her huskily, "So much Bella, I wanted so much to rush up onto that stage the moment you fell. Did you hurt yourself?"

She sighed and ran a hand through my hair, "Yeah, I just twisted my ankle, it's nothing serious."

I gently cupped her cheek, "Your hand, your foot, if I didn't know any better I'd swear you were trying to take yourself away from me." I teased her gently.

She smiled and I was glad to see she was cheering up, "Never." She said, "I just found you."

"Please tell me something is going to happen to Lauren?" I asked through a growl.

Bella nodded, "She's not allowed to participate in the next show. But it doesn't actually make me feel any better, I still tripped."

I sighed and smiled wryly at her, "It'll be fine, love, I promise. Carlisle and Esme were going to come see how you were, but I think Carlisle got paged to an accident at the end."

Bella nodded and smiled, warmth filling her eyes at the mention of our family.

"You ready to go?" I stood and held out my hand to help her up.

She nodded and took my hand, grimacing slightly as she put pressure on her sore foot.

"You okay to walk?" I asked in concern- I was quite prepared to carry her out but I doubted she would want more attention drawn to her.

As if reading my thoughts, she turned to glare at me, "I'm fine, don't get any ideas Cullen. Just keep your arm around me."

"With pleasure." I grinned and we slowly made our way out the room.

"Wait Edward," Bella said and I stopped, "I need to go to the bathroom real quick."

I nodded, "Do you need help?"

She shook her head and grimaced, "I'll be fine." She said before turning to go back into the dressing room where there was also a bathroom.

"Edward!"

I didn't have to look up to recognise the irritating voice that called my name and I groaned inwardly, Bella had the worst timing right now.

"Lauren." I greeted stiffly when she was standing in front of me- I was still mad as hell at her for tripping my Bella.

"Did you enjoy the show?" she purred, taking a step closer to me.

I nearly gagged, "No, actually." I told her, "Not when my wife got hurt." I gave her a pointed glare.

Lauren giggled as if this was the funniest thing in the world to her, "Oh that. Oops, my bad. Bella really is such a klutz sometimes, it's really so…cute." Her tone implied any other word but 'cute'.

My blood boiled but just before I could retort, I felt a hand on my shoulder, Bella's touch immediately calming me down.

"Thanks for keeping my husband company, Lauren." Bella said, fake sweetness dripping from her voice, making me want to laugh, "But we have to get going now."

And without a word, Bella nudged me in a random direction and I readily led her off.

I was expecting us to head back out from backstage, but when we'd only walked a short while, Bella pulled me into a semi-dark corner that was still visible to anyone that wanted to look.

To my surprise, Bella immediately attached her lips to mine and kissed me passionately. As shocked as I was, I wasted no time in reacting, pulling her closer to me and running a hand through her hair. I was even more surprised when she started kissing up my cheek, stopping to nibble softly on my ear.

"Play along, Lauren's watching our every move." She whispered, making me shiver at the feeling of her warm breath on my skin.

"No problem at all." I murmured, pulling her face back down so I could kiss her thoroughly. I don't know how long we stayed locked in a passionate embrace like that, but I'd long forgotten about Lauren and our surroundings- especially when Bella let out a breathy little moan against my lips.

"Mmm." I couldn't help teasing her when we parted, "You're adorable when you're jealous."

She glared at me, "Watch it Cullen, otherwise I'll hand you off to Lauren so she can have her evil way with you. You asked me to save yo–" I cut her off by kissing her again.

"As much as I love flaunting our relationship in Lauren's face." I whispered to her, "I'd rather get you home right now and take care of your foot. We can carry on later." I gave her a cheeky wink, making her giggle.

And because Bella's little stunt had put me into such a good mood, I swooped her up in my arms and carried her out from backstage, past the mulling crowd and outside to my car. I hadn't looked back to see if Lauren had still been watching, I hadn't cared.

Bella's bright red face was buried in my chest, I figured that her foot must hurt a bit more than she was letting on, because she didn't protest as much as I thought she would.

"I'll get you back for that." She said after I'd placed her in the passenger and climbed in the car myself.

I grinned, "No you won't."

She huffed in annoyance and I reached out to rest my hand on her knee, "I love you Bella." I told her.

I felt her whole demur soften as she heard my sincere words, "I love you too."

And my heart once again soared at the words.

So I've started a new story called My True Home, check it out if you have a chance- I have a good feeling about it! :-)