Chapter 29 – Telling Her Fears

BPOV

We were near a terracotta and glass building. I recognized it— Cristalla—and swallowed hard when Edward pointed. It was one of Seattle's iconic high-rise condominium complexes.

"You live here," I said in awe, looking at the building when we stopped in front of it, waiting for the light to change so we could turn into the garage.

"Only when I need to stay in Seattle for an extended period of time," he said, giving my hand a slight squeeze. "I bought the whole top floor and Esme renovated it. You'll love it."

"I can't wait to see it."

He helped me out of the car. He gave me a kiss as he closed the door, swinging me up into his arms in the process.

"I can walk," I said, laughing. I rested my head on his shoulder when he didn't put me down or say anything. Letting out a small sigh, I realized how very content I was with him carrying me.

"Good evening, Mr. Cullen," I heard a male voice greet. "Who do you have with you?"

"Good evening, Justin. This is my girlfriend, Bella Swan," he said.

Girlfriend. The word made me tingle with joy. I had wondered how he interpreted me taking the ring. It was good to know.

"Bella, this is Justin, the evening concierge."

"Is this the famous Bella you have told me about?"

I felt Edward nod his head.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Swan," Justin said, placing a kiss on my extended hand.

"And it's a pleasure to meet you, too," I said.

"I've ordered dinner from the Metropolitan Grill. Please call me before you send the delivery up," Edward told Justin before walking away. He set me on my feet once we were in the elevator and pulled out his encoded key, sliding it in the reader. He drew me to slowly him, so that my back was against his chest, and wrapped his arms me. "Thank you for not correcting me," he whispered.

I smiled. "It's not hard when it is how I want you to introduce me," I admitted, looking over my shoulder at him.

He gave me a quick kiss before speaking again. "I'm really happy to hear you say that." He pecked my lips again before picking me back up. The doors opened a second later to reveal a darkened entryway. "I'll get the lights."

"Wait, Edward," I said.

He knew what I wanted and leaned down, kissing me. I drew him closer, not wanting him to pull away. His lips were not anxious, but enthusiastic as he deepened the kiss slightly—he seemed as thrilled as I was that we were back together. He continued to kiss me for several minutes, standing there in the entry. He seemed less guarded than in the past, his mouth cold and urgent on mine.

With a low chuckle, he pulled away from me. He flipped on the lights. "Welcome home," he said. His eyes were warm.

"That sounds nice," I said, breathless.

He set me gently on my feet and turned me to face the living room. Blacks, gold, and bronze colors filled the room. I walked around the living room, running my hand over the piano keys that sat in front of a large window overlooking the Seattle skyline. As I looked out the window, a picture hanging above the fireplace caught my eye. It couldn't be … I turned and looked at it. It was a picture of the two of us, but not a picture—a painting. It had been taken in a plaza in Greece. Edward was holding me close with one hand and cupping my face with the other. My hand was resting on his chest. Whoever painted it, made it look there were distant lights behind us as we kissed.

EPOV

I watched as Bella explored the living room, waiting in nervous anticipation for her to turn. Her face was enchanting when she saw the painting of us. I quietly walked to stand behind her and wrapped my arms around her. "Like it?" I asked.

"It's beautiful. Who painted it?"

"I did." I moved my hands slowly up and down her arms, causing her to shiver. "It is one of my favorites, but not my absolute favorite out of the three I have here," I whispered, brushing her hair to the side and kissing her cheek.

"I'd like to see the other two, if you don't mind," she said as my phone rang.

"Not at all. Explore the rest of the condo," I said before answering. I watched as she disappeared down the hall. I smiled as I hung up. I would leave her to discover the others herself.

A few minutes later, the delivery boy walked slightly off the elevator. I paid him, giving him a hefty tip. After placing Bella's dinner on the dining room table, I headed down the hall, finding Bella quietly sitting on the floor. My eyebrow rose in confusion. Why was she sitting instead of looking around? Nothing can harm—I quickened my pace, needing to reassure her that she was safe.

BPOV

I was glad Edward was willing to let me see the other paintings, but the thought of him missing my reaction weighed heavily on my shoulders as I walked down the hall. I couldn't deny him seeing my face, even though he didn't ask me to wait. Then there was my fear. I sat at the end of the hall well hidden in the shadowy darkness—the light from the main room barely reaching me.

A small smile tugged at my lips when he crossed the magical barrier I'd erected when I entered the hall. I was still jumpy after what had happened to me, and I refused talk to Daniela about it. I wouldn't be taken again. I felt safe with Edward, but this was an unknown place for me. Terror tightened its hold on me when I glanced at the doors lining the wall. That was another reason why I sat here instead of opening them. I knew I was visibly trembling and didn't care; I was tired of putting on a brave face. As long as someone was with me I was fine, but whenever I was alone I felt like I was breaking apart. It would be a few minutes before I would stop trembling.

Edward wasn't close enough yet to see me shaking. "Edward, will you hold me?" I asked, hearing the fear in my own voice.

Seconds later his arms were around me, hugging me to his chest. "You're shaking. Tell me what's wrong."

I knew I wanted—no, that wasn't right—I needed to talk to him about what happened a month ago. "I will once I stop shaking. Just hold me until then," I said, tightening my hold on him.

He lifted me as he switched positions with me and sat on the floor with me in his lap. He began humming an unfamiliar tune and, as he continued humming it, I slowly stopped shaking.

"Is that a new piano piece you are working on?"

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"It could use a little work, but it has the potential of being another great piece."

"Glad you think so. Are you hungry?"

EPOV

She shook her head and started rambling. "I hate being alone in the quiet of the night. I lie awake, afraid to close my eyes, and no matter how I visualize a small change of the nightmare, it remains the same. When I saw the closed doors, I freaked out, not knowing what or who would be on the other side. I'm so terrified that I'll be taken again and not live."

I rubbed circles on her back as she told me this. "You haven't told any of this to Daniela or Carlisle, have you?"

"No," she answered, "I don't want to remember, and yet I can't forget."

I hated to asked, but I needed to know. "You cast a spell at night to prevent us from finding out, don't you?"

"Yes," she answered simply, hiding her face against my chest.

"Bella," I said, a little disappointed that she didn't tell anyone. Slipping my hand under her chin, I made her look at me. "I wish you hadn't done that, but we both know that nothing can change it now." I paused, remembering a promise I made to her the one Christmas when I escorted her to Scotland. "I believe I promised some time ago to hold you while you slept. Would that help you?"

"I'm not going to hold you to a promise you made me in the past."

"I'm holding myself to it. Would it help you sleep if I held you during the night?" I could see how tired she was; the little nap she had hadn't helped.

"I don't know," she said, covering a yawn. "What about the movie?"

I stood with her in cradled in my arms. "What would you like to watch?" I asked, setting her down on the couch.

"Anything."

After putting the take-out box in the refrigerator, I popped in a movie she had loved in high school and sat, pulling her to my side. Before the previews were over, she was sound asleep.

I decided to call Carlisle and Daniela to fill them in on what I had learned tonight before heading to the bedroom.