All things Twilight are Stephanie Meyer's, everything else is mine.

Plot bunny from a manip I saw in a FB group. Drabble fic with alternating POV's.

THANK YOU MID NIGHT COUGAR FOR BETA'ING! XOXO

Chapter 25 – BPOV

It is after the first month that I receive my first paycheck I realize Edward is spoiling me. He paid me six hundred dollars, and I have virtually no overhead. Edward is giving me a place to live, food to eat, and a cell phone, along with spending money for our outings. He often comes home with tickets to various things, stating that patients or his mother gave them to him.

Edward is just a generous, caring, wonderful man, and I hate that the summer is almost halfway over.

What am I going to do then? I've applied to any open positions, what few there are, and only have been contacted for one. I'm in such a pinch I've even started to consider day care centers.

"Stop stressing," Edward says, surprising me as he rubs my shoulders, kneading the tension out.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and moan at the oh-so-good pain his massage is giving. "That feels so good."

"You need to stop stressing. Relax."

"Edward, our deal is only for the summer, and summer is almost halfway over and I am no closer to having a job or a place to live."

"Bella, you have a place to live," he argues. "Only you are pushing you out the door. We're more than happy to keep you and your cooking around for as long as possible."

He smirks at me, popping an olive in his mouth.

I push on his arm, causing him to laugh out loud. "This isn't funny!" I exclaim, but his laughter is infectious and I end up joining along.

"In all seriousness, Bella, please don't worry about it."

"I can't keep taking advantage of your friendship. It's not fair to you," I argue, but I can feel myself slipping, trying to push him away. My hackles are raised and I'm ready to pick a fight.

All because I'm afraid of being rejected by him. Because he needs a wife and a mother for Lainie, and it won't be me. Because I love him and can't tell him that I need him like air.

"You more than carry your weight around here," he assures. "I think it's us taking advantage of you, not the other way around."

"I can't stay. How would you explain that to a date? 'And this is my much younger female friend Bella who lives in my spare bedroom'. Yeah, that would go over real well," I snap, rolling my eyes.

"Hey, hey, why are you getting so defensive?" he asks and I can feel the tears in my eyes. He wraps an arm around me, pulling me into a loose hug.

"I'm sorry, I just… this isn't how I saw my life going when I graduated. That all my hard work, good grades, and recommendations would account for nothing and I would be scrounging for food."

I almost can't believe the tone that is coming out of my mouth. I think I'm close to a nervous breakdown. He doesn't deserve this attitude from me or my problems.

"You will never scrounge for food again as long as we are friends."

"See! That's what I'm talking about! I can take care of myself!"

"Take care of yourself? Bella you were wasting away! You're still too thin, but as least you're up twenty pounds now."

"So, you're saying if it wasn't for you I'd be dead by now? I'm not a charity case!" I yell, my body turning to face him.

It's then I notice, the pain etched into his face, his shoulders slumped. My mind put an edge to his voice that wasn't really there. I've hurt him, this incredible man in front of me. I struck him with vicious rhetoric.

"Oh, God, Edward, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry," I apologize, the tears falling now. I step forward, my hands resting flat on his chest. "I didn't mean… "

"Ssshh," he soothes, pulling me closer.

"I'm sorry. Please, please, please," I beg, but I don't know what for.

"'Please', what?" he asks.

"Forgive me. I didn't mean to take my problems out on you, I just…"

"Bella, you can tell me anything," he says and I pull back to look at him, to tell him something… anything about why I went off on him.

His gaze is so intense, full of worry, pain, and anxiety. A tear falls and his thumb swipes it away as his hand cradles my face.

"Because I'm scared and so sad to leave you and Lainie," I admit, a sob erupting from inside. "I'm a burden to you, and I take advantage of your kindness, and I'm an awful person for not wanting it to end."

He sighs and takes my hands in his. "You listen, and you listen good. You are not a burden, nor an awful person, and you do not take advantage of my kindness. You are a wonderful, beautiful woman who has done nothing but make our lives so much happier. We absolutely love having you here, and desperately want you to stay for as long as you're willing to put up with us."

So kind. How could I raise my voice at him? Spit venomous words in his direction? He pulls me into a strong hug and I cling to him. His scent tearing at my heart. I love being this close to him, his strong arms wrapped around me, making me feel safe, secure, and loved.

Edward is like home.

No.

Edward is home.