A/N: SM owns all things Twilight. Everything else is mine.
Chapter 53
"Are you sure?" Bella asks after a minute of us just staring; her alternating between me and the TV, and me still focused on the TV currently on pause.
"Her voice held something familiar before, but I couldn't pin-point it until that part." I look at Bella, who seems to be in thought. "I'm not sure I understand why your mother's voice has been in my dreams. I never met her or heard her talk on the phone or anything else like that." We're both quiet, now, just taking it all in and trying to figure it out.
"Remember that first night we met, in the woods?" I nod. Of course I remember that. "Do you remember asking me if I believed in fate?" I nod again. "What was my answer?"
"You said that you believed in signs."
"Yes. I don't know if this is considered fate or just some odd coincidence, but something tells me that it's a sign. My mom has been watching over me and wants me to be protected and happy. I know it sounds completely creepy or just plain psycho or something else that equals those, but think about it. She was taken away from me too early, and I can't help but think that she's watched over me like she has because of that."
"I don't know if I like knowing my love life has been chosen for me." I say looking at her. She frowns and starts to pull her hand out of mine. Shit! "No!" I grip her hand tighter, "That's not what I meant. I want to be with you. I do! It's just, this is making me think about how we met. Did some type of unseen force interfere with my free will instead of letting me have just that?" She relaxes a little and turns sideways to lay her head on the back of the couch, looking at me.
"I don't know, but I would rather think it was more of a nudge or push in the right direction than just straight interference. Nothing made you go out into the woods that night. You made that choice all on your own. It's human nature to be curious, Edward."
Sighing, I say, "Yeah, maybe you're right; a nudge instead." I mimic her position, but put my arm on the back and rest my head in my hand.
"Do you want to stay tonight?" she asks. "I mean, it's okay if you don't want to after this new information – "
"Bella," I interrupt her by reaching over and pressing the tips of my fingers to her lips. She's starting to babble, which is cute considering that she doesn't normally do it. "It's okay. I would love to stay. We don't even have to do anything if you don't want to."
"I didn't say I didn't want to." She says, wearing a small smile.
A/N: Thoughts?
