A/N

I am on vacation and there is no Internet. I will post as I get WI FI. It is the White Mountains, and I am enjoying the quiet peaceful tranquility of no responsibility, schedule or obligations. Now if the bed was more comfortable everything would be perfect!

I Hear You

Chapter 21

EPOV

After the group hug, Bella headed into the bath room to shower. No one lingered in my room. There really was no need. I found myself alone contemplating the events of the past day. I found that I was just flabbergasted at the whole scenario. When I went hunting with Jasper and Emmett early yesterday morning, I could not have even imagined the outcome of the day's events.

The thing is, I have moved forward so much faster that I would have imagined moving in my relationship with Bella. Yesterday, if I was presented with the opportunity to see Bella in her undergarments, I would have passed. That is just not a situation I would put myself in, at least until I have wedding ring on her finger. However, today given the same scenario, I surprised myself. I never would have imagined that I would remove Belles clothing leaving her in only her undergarments; enjoyed her snarky attitude to the point where I did not insist she cover up; let everyone including Emmet, (EMMETT!) know how I felt about seeing her in her undies without a stitch of guilt, at all! I am just wondering where this come from. Is this how you act when you know the one you are with, is THE one?

I walked over to my music wall. I grabbed a CD and popped it in the player. I really needed to hear a song by Jim Croce. 'Time in a Bottle'. 'The album 'You don't mess around with Jim" 1972. I sat back on the bed and listened to the song. 'I've looked around enough to know that you're the one I want to go thought time with.' That line is just so in tune with how I feel. The entire last verse is perfect, it epitomizes our relationship 'If I had a box full of wishes and dreams that had never come true, the box would be empty except for the memory of how they were answered by you.' I never fully understood the magnitude song. I get it now. Especially today, right this minute.

BPOV

I loved Edwards shower. It is a double headed top and side shower. It reminds me of being in a waterfall. It beats the shower at Charlie's house. As I washed up, I contemplated the events of the past day. Who could have known that when I got up yesterday morning that the events that unfolded during the day would have such a dramatic effect on my life. Oh wait, that's right I am Bella Swan. My life since moving to Forks Washington has been anything but ordinary. Isn't that the truth? I'm sure I could write a bestselling book about my life in Forks. No ,who would want to read about my life? 'The Life of Bella'; or 'Bella, the young years'; no, this is the title 'Life Extraordinaire: the Bella Swan Experience.'

If someone had told me even two days ago that I would have a whole new understanding for this family I would have told them that they did not know what they were talking about. What else was there to understand? The lived a vampire existence, but without the loss of their humanity. They satisfy the basic desire by consuming animal blood. They interact, to a point, with humans in a normal way, Carlisle being a doctor for gods' sake. Granted, he is over 300 years old and has never actually consumed human blood, but he strives to preserve human life, not destroy it. He did turn Edward, then Esme, Rosalie and finally Emmett. That meant he bit them injecting them with the venom and changes them into immortals. He did that to save their lives, they were knocking on Deaths door. Edward had the Spanish Flu, and his mother's deathbed wish was for Carlisle to save her son. With Esme, she was brought into the morgue after falling off a cliff; and Rosalie, well that was a different story. Something traumatic happened to her, she was attacked by her fiancé and his drunken friends one night and left to die. She is the one I understand the least. She came across Emmett after he was attacked by a bear, and carried him over 100 miles back to Carlisle for him to 'save'. Rosalie must have been in agony to make that journey with a bleeding human. Alice and Jasper were not created by Carlisle, but are as much a part of this family as the rest. Carlisle calls them all his children.

I shut off the shower and stepped out to dry off. I heard that song. Edward as playing 'Time in a Bottle'. The singer songwriters of the 60's and 70's are my absolute favorite music genre. The songs created in that era are wonderful, written from the soul songs. They tell a story.

I stepped into Edwards's room and walked right up to him. Edward, is this song for me?

"Bella, I think this song was written for you." Edward whispered, and then proceeded to kiss me like he never had before. He stopped kissing and mouthed the last lines of the chorus against my lips 'I've looked around enough to know, you're the one I want to go through time with' Wow! That sent shivers tight down my spine. "I love you Bella. I cannot wait until we can spend all of eternity together." Then proceeded to kiss me again.

Oh My God! Someone turned on his motor! Don't stop, don't stop.

Edward pulled away abruptly, as if he realized where he was headed. "Love, I would like nothing better that to explore this uncharted territory, but you need to eat, and Carlisle is waiting."

My stomach chose that moment to decide to remind me I was hungry stupid stomach, ruining my moment…

"I'll shower while you are eating and then we can go see Carlisle." He smiled at me and touched his hand to my cheek. "Bella, I am so glad that you are fine, you really worried me. I never thought I would feel the type of pain and anxiety again that I felt last night. It paralleled my feelings the night that James attacked you in Phoenix. Please, please be careful. I know we just covered this a few minutes ago, but I needed to let you know how it made me feel. Rosalie laid it all out on the line for you in a very effective way, but she couldn't express what was inside me. Bella, you are my entire life now. I would fail to exist without you. I love you." Edward placed his hand over my heart. "I. Love. You."

ESPOV

I pulled the quiche out of the oven and looked over to where Carlisle stood leaning next to the sink. Carlisle decided last night to switch the breakfast menu to quiche with ham and green peppers and onions. She needed the eggs for protein; I was going to serve French toast, but Carlisle was right this was a better choice. "I believe that Bella has finally broken through Rosalie's barrier. I am very proud of her. This was a big step for Rosalie."

"Yes my dear, it is. I was worried that Rosalie would continue to feel that Bella was a threat to the family and treat her with contempt. I actually feared that she and Emmett would leave our family." Carlisle admitted. "I don't believe that will happen now."

"Emmett really likes Bella. It would have been hard for him to make that separation." I said.

"You are right my dear. Oh, unless I am mistaken Bella and Edward are on their way down here." Carlisle said.

I nodded and set about getting a plate prepared for Bella to eat. Sure enough, they walked into the kitchen together a moment later.

EPOV

"Good morning Bella. You are looking much better this morning than you did last night. Do you feel better?" I asked.

"Yes, Carlisle. Thank you for that. I didn't realize what the outcome of taking too much pain reliever was. I am sorry if I worried you and Esme. I will not be letting that happen again."

"I am very glad to hear that. I would have hated to bring out my medical books to show you what type of damage you can cause to yourself. They aren't pretty pictures, but if you need further proof, I can certainly provide you with that."

Yuck, no thank you!

"I am sure that isn't necessary Carlisle." Edward said with a smirk. "She is gagging in her brain just thinking about it."

What is gagging in my brain? How could you possibly hear something like that Edward?

"I was speaking figuratively." Edward said.

"Bella, after you eat I would like to have you come into my study so that we can discuss my findings from last night."

""I will Carlisle." Bella said taking a bite of quiche. "Esme this is delicious. I cannot believe that you are such a good cook. I have to taste things as I go along to make sure they come out right. You don't, and everything is always wonderful. How do you manage that?"

"Well, two things. First Carlisle sent me only to the finest cooking classes. Second, I only cook recipes that are fail proof! This one is direct from the kitchen of Julia Child." Esme laughed. "If she could cook it, then I can cook it."

"Why does this taste so good? Is there a secret to making quiche?" Bella asked Esme

"Yes dear, there is. Edward, can you pour Bella some of that apple juice you opened last night please?"

I laughed at the look on Belles face while she waited for Esme to tell her the 'secret'. I poured the juice and handed it to Bella.

"Thank you Edward. Well Esme?" Bella asked?

"Well what dear?" Esme asked while she busied herself straightening up the kitchen.

"What is the secret?"

"If I tell you it won't be a secret any longer now will it?" Esme said and with a big grin at Bella waltzed right out of the room.

What? No I need to know, Charlie would love this. Esme where are you going?

I laughed at her, and said give it up Bella, she won't budge unless she wants to. You haven't really been subjected to Esme sense of humor yet have you? She will probably drive you crazy with curiosity before giving the secret up."

"I'll be in my study when you are ready." Carlisle said grinning at a retreating Esme.

That is s….uel

"What did you say Bella? I asked?

"Nothing. I just thought 'that is so cruel'. Didn't you hear it?"

"I must not have been paying attention. Almost done?"

"Yes, let me just put these dishes in the washer and we can go. I am anxious to see what he found out about my head. Wait, there isn't anything wrong with me right? I am not dying or anything? Should I call Charlie and have him come over? "

"No Bella, don't be absurd." I said. "There is no reason for you to worry. Carlisle shared his findings with me last night before you became ill."

Wait, what? You already know? Why?

"I needed to know. I am sorry if you feel offended, but I couldn't wait until today. Your well being is very important to me." I said.

Bella rinsed her plate and glass before putting them in the sink. She didn't say anything else to me, and cleared her head. I wasn't sure how she felt. She turned away from the dishwasher and headed out of the kitchen.

BPOV

I went to find Alice before I met with Carlisle. There was no way that I was going to find out what the results of my test were without someone being with me. I might be 18, but a little moral support goes along way. Edward already hears the results, and didn't need to be there again. I was careful not to think what I wanted to. I am disappointed that Edward already knew, and didn't tell me. I reached the stairs as Alice and Jasper were coming in from the garage. They were holding hands, it was sweet to see. Even after all those years of being together, they still love each other.

"Alice would you mind…"

"Of course Bella, that is why we came in. You don't even have to ask.

"Jasper, I am going to go see Carlisle with Bella. Why don't you go find Emmett and take Edward hunting or something please." They exchanged a look and he bent down to kiss her head.

"Bella." Jasper said with a nod as he headed to the kitchen.

He really would have looked fantastic in his civil war uniform. He stands so tall and erect. I can only imagine what he was like back then. Hmmmm I am going to have to watch Gone with the Wind with Alice.

"Isabella Marie Swan…" I heard being bellowed from the kitchen.

My eyes widened and I looked over at Alice. Oh crap…how did he hear that?