XXXV

(EPOV) Night . . .

Kissing and touching. That's all we seemed to be doing but I couldn't help it. She was so beautiful.

I had gotten over my initial horror and shock now and was a little more placid and normal. However, I was still distraught (as Bella put it) and I hadn't had the will to move from the bed. Bella stayed with me, just like I asked, and I felt calmed by that. And, perhaps, a little drunk.

Her scent had been in my head all day. I was incredibly desensitized and struggled against my want for more.

"Edward?" Bella's voice drifted quietly, "I know you're upset but you haven't said a thing all day."

She was worried, "Forgive me, love. I didn't mean to upset you too."

I felt her smile against my shoulder, "Don't apologize. You didn't upset me."

"You're a terrible liar Bella."

She sighed, "I know."

I chuckled and hugged her, "Truthfully, I feel better now. You've made me feel so soothed."

She rolled us so she was on top of me, "Good."

I smiled as I felt my body being gently pressed into the bed by her small weight. I also felt the soft curves of her body. She had removed her dress before climbing back into bed, saying that I would fair better from feeling her instead of the dress. I silently agreed because, in the time she had spent in the kitchen, I had relapsed into a feeling of loneliness and fear. When she returned, I nearly tackled her at the door. I just needed to feel her again.

She laid her head down on my shoulder and curled her arms under my back. I wrapped her in my own and closed my eyes in weariness. I wanted to fall asleep but there was a problem.

"I'm afraid to fall asleep," I confessed, "What if I have another dream?"

"I'll be here," she whispered nuzzling my neck with her nose, "Don't worry."

I smiled and hugged her, "I know you'll be here but I'm still a little shaken."

She hugged me back, "Even if I have to throw you in the ocean, I'll snap you out of your despair."

I chuckled, "I love you too."

She giggled and kissed my neck.

The next day . . .

Walking out of our bedroom seemed a little unreal. I wasn't exactly sure if I was ready to leave the safety I felt in bed and Bella's arms.

I soon encountered my father. We looked at each other for a moment before he offered a smile. I smiled too, "You know?"

"Your mother told me," he answered, "Are you alright?"

I rubbed the back of my head, "I think so. It just seemed so real."

"The worst of them usually are." He patted my shoulder in sympathy, "Though I doubt anyone has had a war dream quite like yours. No one in the kingdom has so many loved ones so close to the heart."

I nodded, closing my eyes, "All the blood and the screaming. Bella's was the loudest."

"Because you love her so much. I went through the same in my first dream. It left me a wretch for a few days. I didn't tell anyone until I returned to your mother. She forced it out of me then comforted me in the same way Bella did for you."

"How did you know Bella-"

He smiled, "I assumed. Bella is as much in love with you as you are with her. It would only be natural for her to give herself to you in the name of comfort."

I smiled, "She did comfort me."

He nodded and patted my shoulder again, "I won't force talk of it out of you but I am here if you need me, son."

I looked him in the eyes, "Thank you father. That means a lot to me."

He nodded, "I'm sure Carlisle would be willing to talk too."

"He hasn't been in war."

"But he is a healer and has seen death. I'm sure a healer's nightmare can be just as frightening as a war dream."

I thought, "Well, Carlisle did wake up in fear once. Just after they took me in. I never got the details but he was pretty unstable the next day."

He nodded, "Why don't we find him and have a bit of a talk? That is, if your comfortable."

I took a breath and nodded, knowing it was probably for the best, "I don't have to meet the King's strategists for a while."

He smiled and we sought Carlisle out.

(BPOV)

I entered the kitchen and found Esme and Elizabeth. They both looked as I entered and I smiled, "I think he's better now."

They smiled too and I walked forward, "Need some help?"

"Sure," Esme said, "We could use the help."

I helped wash the dishes as Esme and Elizabeth cleaned other places of the kitchen.

"Is Edward really better?" Elizabeth asked.

"I think so. He wasn't as unstable when he woke up this morning and he said he didn't have another dream. I saw him with his father when I was walking to the kitchen."

"That's good. I know Edward wanted to have a talk with his son. He had had his first war dream at about the same age and I had comforted him in the same way."

"History seems to repeat himself like that," Esme smiled, "Doesn't it?"

"Has Carlisle had anything like this?" I asked.

"His dreams may not be as bad as a war dream but he has woken up in fear before . . . Back when we first adopted Edward, he had had a dream of his old family wounded and there was nothing he could do to save him."

She soaked the rag she was using to clean in the dish water. I noticed a far away look in her eyes, "Forgive me. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."

She smiled at me, "It's fine Bella. I was just thinking of other dreams he had. The worst was probably when Edward joined the military. Carlisle started having dreams of Edward wounded and he was unable to save him."

"He really loves him," Elizabeth said.

Esme smiled, "Not as much as you. It's just that we have never had luck with children. The closest I've ever come to giving birth is miscarrying three months in."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. When Edward came, alone and homeless, it was like a God send. I see now that we were meant to care for him until he grew to rescue you."

It was a moving statement. I almost cried and I could see Elizabeth was close to too. She managed to hold them back, "You can still take care of him too."

I smiled and returned to the dishes. Edward was lucky to have such caring mothers.

"What about you Bella?" Esme asked.

I looked, "What about me?"

"That's right," Elizabeth said, "You don't have any family left."

"Oh . . . It's okay. I'm content." And a little uncomfortable now . . .

Elizabeth came up behind me and wound her arm around my neck, "That may be, but I've always wanted a daughter as well as a son."

"Don't worry Bella," Esme smiled, leaning against the counter, "We'll take care of you."

I thought back to the morning after Edward first took me, "You already do."

Can't wait for the little talk between Edward, Edward Sr., and Carlisle!