Chapter Twenty One: Windows and Dreams

Bella POV

I checked my phone for what felt like the hundredth time that night. There was still no contact from Edward, not a text or a call, nothing. My brain was in overdrive thinking of all plausible reasons for him not to be calling. Maybe his phone was dead, he lost my number or he just forgot. But the other side of me dreaded that he was pulling away.

After the drive back from the beach and all that he told to me. Not knowing what was happening with his mother, or if he would have to return to Chicago. I thought that maybe Edward would think dating me, wasn't such a good idea. Even in the car when he dropped me off, he didn't make a move to kiss me goodbye, even though our lips were mere inches apart. As much as I could tell he was trying to reassure me I couldn't help my insecurities. It just didn't make sense for him to want me.

Charlie had retired for the night after our late dinner. It was almost ten thirty when I finished washing the dishes. I grabbed my phone and headed upstairs. I got into the shower leaving the phone on the bench top. Yes it was desperate, but knowing my luck he would probably call when I had shampoo in my hair. It must have been the fastest shower on record. I had barely rinsed all the conditioner out before I was grabbing towels and drying myself furiously, slipping into my warm flannel pyjamas.

I didn't dare go to sleep. It would have felt like a betrayal. That I was giving up on him. I was still hopeful that eventually, he would call. I took 'Pride and Prejudice' off the shelf, one of my well used novels and slipped under the covers leaving the main light on.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

The first familiar line struck a chord but the remainder of the first chapter dragged by painfully slow. The words on the delicate cream pages were a blur. I found myself re-reading paragraphs and still not taking in any of the story. Against my will I gradually felt myself drifting to sleep, the book smacking into my chest before I finally gave up and let the exhaustion take me.

It felt like only minutes I was asleep before I awoke with a start. A sharp noise shocked me into a sitting position. My heart thundered in my chest, as I looked frantically around the lit room. What the hell was that? I checked my phone but the screen was still blank. My mind conjured up images of crazy birds and darkened figures scraping at my window. Looking outside I could just make out the familiar tree branch that jutted out towards my bedroom. But there was nothing, no odd shapes or looming figures.

I was about to blame my imagination and go back to sleep when I saw the flash of an object strike the window. Shit, okay that was definitely something out there. I slipped out of the covers clutching my chest with the sudden cold and edged slowly to the window. My heart was pounding, unsure of what I would find. I could see the distinct outline of the tree, nothing looked different, but when I looked down to the ground I saw a dark figure. Fear took me in that instant. My mind racing to where downstairs I knew Charlie kept his gun, adrenalin pumping through my veins. But before I could make a move, a voice called out.

"Bella?"

I instantly recognised the voice. I knew it wasn't an axe murder but my heart continued its crazy rhythm as if it was. Edward was outside my house. As I looked down the shape stepped out into the light cast from my window. I could see his beautiful face staring up at me. I struggled with the latch on the window before sliding it roughly open.

"Edward?" I called out, not sure what else to say.

"Bella, Look" He paused, his voice seemed desperate and uncertain. "You probably think I'm crazy, and I probably am, but can I come up?"

I didn't even think before responding. "Yeah, sure," I was about to tell him to meet me at the front door but he was already climbing the lattice work under my window. "Edward!" I shrieked. "What are you doing you'll get yourself killed." Right before my eyes I watched as he gracefully made his way up the lattice, looking like a professional rock climber. He was already at my window when he responded with a smile.

"It's no sweat Bella. Can I come in?" He looked down at my feet. I was standing in his way, unable to tear myself away from the shock of having him all of a sudden so close. I stepped to the side giving him room as he swung his legs through the window and before I knew it, was standing tall in my room.

He looked over at the ruffled bed. "Were you sleeping, I saw the light was on?"

"I was reading, its fine." I mumbled not wanting to admit I had fallen asleep. "What are you doing here?" I asked. Not that it mattered I was beyond relieved he was here, but still I had to know why.

He stepped forward "I wanted to see you, after what I said in the car. I would have come earlier but I was waiting for Carlisle to go to sleep."

"Ohh," relief washed over me. "I thought that maybe you didn't want to talk to me."

Edward sighed leaning forward his arms swept up and he held both my shoulders as if he was steadying me. "No." His voice was needy and I could see pain etched in his eyes. "A phone call, it just wasn't enough, I needed to see you."

My hand moved unconsciously to touch his face, my fingers brushed lightly across his cheekbone and behind his ear, desperate to comfort him. His pain was mine. "I'm glad you came," I admitted.

Relief passed over his features and he swept me up in a tight embrace. His arms circled around my waist lifting me slightly as he buried his face into my neck. I returned the hug, pressing my face into his chest and breathing in his familiar warm scent. It was amazing how instantly comforting his hold was on me. All my fears and insecurities seemed tenuous.

He whispered in my ear, "Do you mind if I stay for a bit."

Did I mind? I had hoped he would stay longer, but if a 'bit' was all I was going to get I would make the most of it. I pulled back looking up at him. "You can stay."

He smiled and released me from his hold. He looked nervously around the room and I could tell he was unsure of where to sit. There was a small desk chair, which looked tiny compared to his tall frame. And my mother's old rocking chair sat in the corner with a mess of cloths draped over it. I made a move towards the bed grabbing his hand as I went. He followed me rather awkwardly before coming to sit beside me. I pushed myself across giving him room to take up one side as I stretched out on the other.

"Thanks" he said "I was starting to think that maybe you wouldn't want to see me after I told you about my mother."

"No, not at all."

"God I'm glad! I've been thinking about us, and I realised it doesn't matter." He paused twisting himself so that he was facing me on the bed. His hand reached up brushing my hair behind my ear. "Chicago, my mother it doesn't matter Bella, because I think we need to give this a chance. That is, if you still want me?"

I nodded, "Yes!" Hope filled every corner of my soul just at the prospect that he still wanted me.

"I can't make promises about what will happen in the future Bella, but I can promise you this." He took my hand placing it over his heart. I could just feel his frantic pulse just under his shirt. Our eyes were locked in an intense gaze "You feel that Bella? It's yours."

My heart seemed to swell with impossible happiness. Beyond any of my wildest dreams, Edward was here with me, giving me his heart. I was drawing blanks with what to say, how to respond. Instinct kicked in and I threw myself at him, arms tangling around his neck as I grabbed him in a frantic hug. I pressed my ear against his chest and listened to his heart, which was now mine, beating an erratic rhythm. Edward chuckled softly at my outburst and wrapped his arms around me in return, nuzzling his face into my hair. We held each other tightly both unwilling to pull away, no words needed to be said. In that moment all we needed was each other, to hold, to never feel like we had to let go. My legs slipped in between his and he drew me closer so that it seemed every inch of me was pressed against him. Edward gently stroked my hair and I ran my fingers over back. I listened with rapture as his heart slowed into a steady rhythm, I felt my own do the same. Feeling the signs of blissful slumber tug at the corners of my eyes, I drifted to sleep wrapped in the warmth of Edward's arms.

I stepped out into the meadow unable to help the smile that spread across my face in anticipation of warmth. My upturned arms reached out and I could feel the heat of the sun, penetrating every fibre in my body. I lay down in the lush grass revelling in the sweet cinnamon fragrance permeating off the surrounding flowers. As I turned my head, I saw him, Edward. He was laying beside me his penetrating green eyes staring. A slight crooked smile edged his lips and his skin seemed to sparkle in the light of the golden sun, "beautiful" he whispered to me.

I looked around the meadow, "I know. It is." I said.

Edward smiled shaking his head "No Bella, you are beautiful!"

I reached out my hand to touch him, to tell him how much I loved him, but I couldn't reach. He was so close yet just beyond my fingertips. "Edward?" I called out. I tried again scraping at the ground trying to edge closer to him. He looked over at me, confusion in his eyes. "Edward, please!" I called out looking around for something to help me get closer, but when I looked back he was gone.

A/N: Hey guys thanks again for reading, hope you are enjoying take care x