Welcome to the Big Easy

Chapter 25

Sleepless Night's Best Remedy

ALL CHARACTERS BELONGS TO STEPHANIE MEYER, but this story is all my own.

The room was dark, the blinds on the window were doing a good job of keeping any sunlight out of the room. After tossing and turning for what seemed hours, Bella finally rolled herself out of bed and over to the curtains. Expecting to see the bright streaming light from the sun, instead she was faced with the cold blackness of the night and small white lights from streetlights and stars. She was surprised, thinking that surely it was almost time for school…

She walked back over to her night side table and opened her cell phone, and saw that it was still only 4 in the morning. Two hours until she had to wake up for school. She couldn't believe it, all the restless time she had spent in bed, dozing in and out of consciousness, never really falling asleep with the serenity her body was aching for.

She decided on a glass of milk and some chocolate chip cookies since going back to bed was out of the question. She fumbled through her cabinets until she found where the cups were and walked over to the pantry to get the cookies. She got out the milk as well, and poured herself a generous of milk before picking everything up to go over to her couch.

Movies seemed the best option at this point. Something quiet and romantic, since her restless night hadn't given her much in the way of peace.

Walking out of the kitchen however, her foot caught on the side of the bottom cabinet, and she, the milk, and whole box of cookies went crashing down. She mentally cursed herself, knowing that the milk would have to be cleaned up and crumbs would have to be vacuumed out of the brand new carpet. Leave it to her to mess everything up. The klutz queen of the world…

And if that wasn't bad enough, the bang and the shattering of glass on the tile before splattering on the nearby carpet must have sounded through the whole floor! Embarrassment, although she experienced it a lot, never seemed to come lightly. It was always a big ordeal, with rambling words (on her part) and awkward gestures. Just the type of thing she needed her first week in a new apartment.

Her worries of being discovered however were confirmed in just moments when she heard a knock on the door. It didn't come from the hallway door though. It was coming from the room adjoining hers with Edward's.

Her heart pounded against her chest and she could already feel the heat rushing to her face. She looked at the door and knew that she should answer it, but the embarrassment from dropping her snack and the state she must look in from tossing and turning all night must have been horrible.

She calmed though as soon as she heard something soothing come from his room, "Bella, please answer, are you okay?"

She waited a moment, hoping that he would call through the door again; wanting to hear the honey sweet voice check on her, make sure she was okay…

Her silent prayer was answered, "Bella answer me! Are you okay? What broke?"

This time Bella opened her mouth to speak to him, gaining the courage through her embarrassment to reply to such a sweet man. Only a small whimper came out to her dismay, one that could never compare to the sexy tone always apparent in Edward's voice.

"Yeah, um, I'm fine Edward. Just broke a glass that's all. Sorry to wake you..."

"Oh, okay. But don't be sorry, you actually didn't wake me. Is it okay if I come in, I don't like speaking through a door like this. It seems so impersonal."

"Um, sure. Come in." Bella stuttered, surprised that Edward wanted to come in and see her after he found out it was just a broken glass. She walked over to the door carefully, avoiding the glass on the floor.

When she opened the door, she found a sleepy-haired Edward. His hair was even more tussled than usual, like he had run his hands through it a thousand times. She wondered silently to herself how his hair could look so crazy and so sexy at the same time. She shook her head of those thoughts though, and focused on letting this beautiful boy into her room!

He walked in lazily and grabbed for her hand. She led him around the glass and onto her couch. She told him he could sit and relax a minute while she picked everything up. He didn't let go of her hand however when she tried pulling away to go back to the kitchen. He held on firmly, but not roughly. He pulled her down silently so she was kneeling in front of him and took her hand and gently caressed it with his own. He moved his hands after expertly searching her own, and worked his way up her arms. No spot was left untouched by Edward's soft hands. She gasped at the tenderness he was showing and surprised and confused with what he was actually doing it for.

Finally he dropped her hand, leaving chills running up her arm and down her spine. She picked up her hands and inspected them herself, wondering what it was he was looking for. He looked up and smiled at her, patting the seat next to him for her to sit. Confused but willing, Bella sat down with him.

Neither one of them talked for a moment until Edward whispered, "I'm sorry, but I had to make sure you weren't hurt."

Relief washed over Bella as she realized he was trying to make sure she wasn't cut from the glass. The thought brought on a whole new set of Goosebumps. Edward, uncomfortable with her silent response, still whispered,

"I'm sorry, but I feel helpless in time like this. It's hard sometimes because I feel useless trying to help anyone. I don't want to be though, Bella, especially not to you."

And he hung down his head, hiding his face from the wide smile from Bella he would never see.

"Edward, I want you to know that what you just did was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. It was caring and gentle, and just wonderful. Don't apologize; it's not your fault. Nothing is."

Bella reached over to squeeze one of his hands in both of hers. One silent tear rolled down Edward's cheek. Bella sat back a little in surprise; she had never seen a man cry before. It was humbling and beautiful. She was consumed with emotion that she had caused this reaction, and immediately did the first thing she could think of to console him.

She leaned over and wiped away the tear on his cheek with her thumb, and gently kissed the place it had just been. Edward's face was soft and inviting, just as she had imagined. He let out a small hum and she let out a breath of her own that she didn't know she had been holding in. She positioned herself next to Edward and leaned her head on his shoulder and held one of his hands with the other.

They sat in that position for what seemed like ages, until she could hear the steady breathing of Edward. She looked up and confirmed that this beautiful man had actually come to check on her, told her how much he wanted to take care of her, and fell asleep while they were holding each other. She smiled at her wonderful luck, and closed her eyes herself. She didn't care what time it was or what time she had to wake up. She noted that she would still have to clean up the spilled drink and cookies, but those things could wait. This time with Edward couldn't because she knew she would never have a night like this ever again. She wanted to cherish her little piece of heaven she was having with Edward and savor it as long as she could.

Her eyes too eventually began to droop, and in only a matter of minutes, sleep quietly came upon her as well...

Sorry guys it took so long to update! Thought this was a sweet chapter to set up all the craziness that Bella will soon be experiencing…not all so sweet as this, but bear with me! I always believe in wonderfully happy endings!

REVIEW! And I'll see you next chapter!